Chapter 14: Comrade Lin, What Does This Double Bed Mean?

If it weren't for the shy expression on Li Guoxiang's face, An Yan might not have realized what he meant. "I'll keep an eye out for you," she replied, her words perfectly measured—neither a promise nor a refusal.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," he said.

After dinner, An Yan took two jars of preserved peaches from the cupboard—she’d bought them at the supply cooperative that afternoon.

"Sister-in-law, that's very generous of you, but you should keep these for the children," Li Guoxiang protested. Up in these mountains, yellow peach preserves were a rare treat, and they’d just eaten; it would be shameless to take more.

Lin You looked at An Yan. "If she’s giving them to you, just take them."

Only then did Li Guoxiang and his companion accept the gift, bid farewell, and remind them before leaving: if you ever need help, just call.

"Comrade Lin You, tell me—what’s going on here?" As soon as they were gone, An Yan couldn’t contain her curiosity. She stood with hands on her hips, taking on the air of the lady of the house.

"Didn’t you say you didn’t have a wardrobe for your clothes?" he countered.

"And what about this double bed, Comrade Lin? Care to explain?" She pointed at the double bed in his room, her mind instantly conjuring up a few scenes unfit for children.

Lin You, of course, had no idea what she was imagining. He raised an eyebrow. "It's for you and Nuannuan to sleep in. Her bed is small, and I was worried you’d crowd her."

"And since you brought so many books, I bought you a desk."

Upon hearing his explanation, An Yan realized she'd misunderstood. She clicked her tongue.

"Lin You, you must’ve spent a lot on all this, haven’t you? There are three children to support. Why didn’t you tell me first?" She glanced at the wardrobe. The thing was old and rustic, but it had cost fifty-five yuan; the thought pained her.

Lin You considered for a moment, then said in his deep voice, "Don’t worry, there’s still a bit left in the savings book. The children don’t need much here..."

He paused as something occurred to him, then pulled two hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to An Yan.

She blinked in surprise. "What’s this for?"

"You’ve been buying groceries these past days. Take this. Household expenses shouldn’t come from your money."

"It hasn’t even been half a month!"

The old man’s words nearly made An Yan explode with anger.

"And now you’re bringing this up? I’ve been telling everyone in the compound I’m your fiancée. Meanwhile, you want to keep playing dumb? I told you my choice long ago!" An Yan was truly angry now, and the consequences would be serious.

"What’s more, don’t tell me you don’t know what’s in your heart. If you didn’t want me to stay, would you have bought all this?"

"I..." Lin You was at a loss for words. An Yan had only been here three days, yet the house felt different—more lively. Before, Zhu Yan had come every day to look after Nuannuan and the others, even bringing him meals, but his feelings had always been simple gratitude, nothing more.

But with An Yan, he found himself thinking about her, unbidden.

"Sister, are you arguing with Dad?" Lin Nuannuan, rubbing her sleepy eyes, came over and took An Yan’s hand. Her timely appearance rescued Lin You; if An Yan pressed him any further, he truly wouldn’t know how to answer.

"Nuannuan, be good. I’d never argue with your father—it gives you wrinkles. Come, let’s get you to bed."

"Are you planning to let her keep calling you ‘sister’ forever?" Lin You couldn’t help but ask.

"As long as she’s happy. Besides, on my first day here, Dr. Zhu thought I was your niece, didn’t she, Uncle Lin?" An Yan deliberately emphasized the word "uncle."

Lin You knew she was sharp-tongued, but he hadn’t expected her to be so quick-witted.

**

Meanwhile, in the city.

The An and Huo families were gathered in a restaurant, discussing the marriage of their children. Huo Ting was twenty-five this year, which was considered late for marriage in these times. An Xin—formerly Xia Cuicui, who would henceforth be referred to by this name—stole a glance at Huo Ting, unconsciously comparing him to that cold-faced, older man in her memory. Though Huo Ting was not quite as handsome, his face bore a constant gentle smile.

It was worth noting that in her previous life, that older man had never once smiled.

Father and Mother Huo glanced at An Xin, unable to conceal their disappointment. Comparisons were inevitable: though An Yan’s temperament was rather spoiled, her looks were first-rate. Now, faced with this rather plain, dark-skinned girl, the gap was hard to ignore.

Still, she was the An family’s real daughter.

It wasn’t easy to call off the engagement now.

They could only console themselves: this country girl must be obedient, and perhaps, with good care, she’d grow more pleasing to the eye.

With that in mind, Mother Huo picked up her chopsticks and served An Xin some food. "Xinxin, eat more. You’re so thin—you must’ve suffered a lot these years."

An Xin shook her head and replied softly, "Auntie, it wasn’t hard. Though I spent over ten years in the countryside, often hungry and cold, I got used to it. I just tell myself I’ve lived through all the hardship early, and the rest of my life will be sweet."

Mother Huo nodded. She liked that answer.

"How nicely you put it. If it wasn’t hard, why come back to look for Uncle and Aunt An?" An inopportune voice interrupted—Huo Ting’s sister, Huo Sisi, who’d once been close with An Yan. Back then, An Yan had gone out of her way to curry favor with her future sister-in-law to ensure a good life in the Huo household.

Mother Huo shot her daughter a fierce glare. She knew Sisi wanted to stand up for An Yan, but hadn’t expected her to speak so bluntly in front of everyone.

An Xin felt aggrieved too. It was her first time meeting this sister-in-law, yet the hostility was obvious.

Still, she held her composure, her gaze toward Huo Sisi shifting slightly. Once married into the Huo family, there would be ample time to deal with her.

An Xin donned a look of self-reproach. "I know my timing isn’t good. But Sister Yan is getting married now. I’ve heard from my adoptive parents that her fiancé is a regimental commander—a man of great prospects."

"Oh? If he’s so promising, why don’t you marry him yourself?" Huo Sisi retorted, clearly not buying An Xin’s story. She stood, unable to contain her anger.

"Sisi, sit down! What are you doing?" Father Huo, who’d been silent until now, slammed the table. The young woman muttered resentfully but sat.

"Uncle Huo, please don’t be upset with your sister. All the fault is mine," An Xin said gently.

"Sisi, look how your sister-in-law is still speaking up for you," Mother Huo said, now thoroughly taken in by An Xin’s performance.

"Sister-in-law? I haven’t agreed to that yet! Brother, aren’t you going to say something?" Sisi demanded.

Huo Ting patted his sister’s head affectionately. "Actually, Sisi isn’t wrong. If you say that man is so promising, why are you marrying me instead?"

Everyone at the table was left speechless.