Chapter 7

Su Liuhe was awakened by a fragrance.

She scrambled up with her hair disheveled, first touching her eyelids. The swelling had gone down considerably; she was almost able to open her eyes fully.

“Wash up, come eat the sweet potato porridge,” Gu Yiren said, carrying a small iron pot to the kang table, deliberately glancing at his little aunt’s eyes.

She was small in stature but had a strong recovery ability. After one night, she was almost back to normal.

He just wondered why there had been mice in the room at night, rustling and gnawing on things. He’d have to find the mouse holes later.

Last night, Su Liuhe had secretly nibbled on two chestnuts, successfully improving her eyelids. Happily, she tied her hair up into a bun atop her head.

It turned out that the extra chestnuts from the pickle jar were really good for the skin; after all, eyelids are skin too. He’d have to eat more of them.

“Thank you, Yiren.”

Gu Yiren was momentarily stunned. Hard work was ingrained in his bones. No one had ever spoken to him like that. He quietly replied, “You’re welcome.”

Su Liuhe relaxed her brow and said, “You’re excellent.”

Gu Yiren’s ears tinged red. The unexpected compliment made him shy. Having been reborn once, it felt like waking from a nightmare. After a few days of calming down, he was almost like a spirited boy again.

Su Liuhe sat by the kang table, savoring the aroma of wild vegetable and sweet potato porridge. Outside the courtyard, Gu Yiren’s freshly washed clothes fluttered in the morning breeze, and a pile of firewood was stacked in the corner.

Her big nephew was truly capable; she couldn’t help but shower him with praise exuberantly.

“You’re such a talented little handyman. Everything you touch becomes easier—that’s amazing.”

Gu Yiren’s ears reddened further as he muttered, “Hurry up and eat. Eating won’t shut you up.”

Su Liuhe was speechless.

The porridge blended the wild vegetable’s slight bitterness with the sweet potato’s fragrant softness. Su Liuhe blew on a small spoonful and smiled with squinted eyes in delight.

Gu Yiren watched her curiously. She was clearly delicate, yet she seemed to enjoy such simple food so much.

Maybe... it really was delicious?

He scooped a few mouthfuls and swallowed, feeling no different from before.

At the table, Su Liuhe warned him several times to eat slowly: “It’s too hot; you could get esophageal cancer. It’s not good for your stomach. You’re going to be a soldier—”

Gu Yiren paused, holding his bowl, and asked, “How do you know I want to be a soldier?”

Su Liuhe said calmly, “With your physique, it would be a waste not to join the army.”

Gu Yiren believed her. “That’s right. My dream is to be a soldier.”

After finishing his bowl of porridge, Gu Yiren got up and served himself another. There was no stopping a growing boy’s appetite.

He hesitated to say something, but Su Liuhe noticed and asked, “What do you want to say?”

He muttered, “If you want to go to the city, that’s fine. When I join the army, I’ll take you with me.”

Su Liuhe’s eyes lit up immediately. She scooped half of her porridge over to him and said affectionately, “Here, eat more and grow strong.”

Gu Yiren responded with a hum, imitating Su Liuhe by eating with a spoon. Before, he never used a spoon—just lifting the bowl and drinking it down in a few gulps.

He had never been taught before; in two lifetimes, Su Liuhe was the first.

“After eating, come with me to the brigade office.”

Gu Yiren asked, “For what?”

Su Liuhe replied, “To register your household separately, so you can have your own registration.”

Gu Yiren agreed, “Okay.”

After the meal, Su Liuhe checked the stitches on Gu Yiren’s scalp and saw that the scab was nearly off. She changed her mind and said, “Let’s go to the hospital first. I think you can have your stitches removed.”

Gu Yiren found the back of his head itchy and uncomfortable, as if someone was pulling on it. “It’s a bit itchy this morning.”

Su Liuhe assured him, “That’s good. The nerve endings are growing back. It means you’re healing.”

Her words reassured Gu Yiren; after all, she was educated. Yet, they didn’t go to the hospital. Gu Yiren went to a veterinarian he knew to have the stitches removed.

Su Liuhe thought the chestnuts must have played a role in his recovery.

She was still unsure about the state of his scars, planning to sneak a peek when he was shirtless in the courtyard. Heh heh.

At the brigade office, Wang Xue was still there.

Perhaps having heard the joke Su Liuhe caused yesterday, when she saw Su Liuhe, her expression was no longer bleak but smiling warmly. “Back for more work?”

Su Liuhe pouted, “I’m not my parents’ child. They kicked me out, but I won’t leave empty-handed. I want to separate the household registration.”

Wang Xue laughed. “Your father—no, your original father said that Su Huidi was marrying into the city and didn’t want anyone unclear hanging on their household registration. You left home just a few days ago, and they already separated you. Your registration is kept at the brigade office, and the specific address is where you live now.”

Su Liuhe sneered coldly. “Why wasn’t I informed?”

Wang Xue lowered her voice. “They feared you wouldn’t agree, so they had someone handle it.”

Impressive. They really were capable.

Su Liuhe was left utterly speechless.

Wang Xue flipped through the household register, showing her. “Here, you’re second on the list. You’ve already been moved out.”

Su Liuhe asked, “Why is there a daughter listed before me?”

Wang Xue answered, “She was about your age but died young.”

Those were hard years to raise children, especially daughters... some things were better left unsaid.

Su Liuhe turned to Gu Yiren. “Rather than choosing a date, why not just do it today? What do you think?”

Gu Yiren understood her meaning, his eyes shining with hope. He nodded, “Okay.”

“Registering?” Wang Xue sneered, “No way.”

Su Liuhe almost slammed the table. “Why not?”

Wang Xue said calmly, “I checked. You two have no blood relation; only relatives can register together.”

Su Liuhe’s voice softened as she forced a dimpled smile, using her beauty as a weapon. She leaned toward Wang Xue, shaking her arm coquettishly. “Xiaoxue, since we were elementary school classmates, help me out. You know the situation. Just do a good deed for once.”

Wang Xue was dazzled by her bright smile. This little enchantress spared no one—not even women.

She closed her eyes, refusing to look at Su Liuhe. “There are two situations where registration is possible: one, if he’s your son.”

Su Liuhe muttered, “He’s only three years older than me. How is that possible?”

Wang Xue continued, “Second, if you’re husband and wife.”

Su Liuhe snapped, “Shameless.”

Gu Yiren lowered his head, pressing his lips together in silence.

Su Liuhe grabbed Gu Yiren’s hand. “Let’s go. At worst, we can register in the city later. There’s always a way.”

Wang Xue said, “Right, there’s a third way.”

Su Liuhe was exasperated. “Can we just say everything at once?”

Wang Xue smiled. “Temporary registration as tenants. For record-keeping only.”

Su Liuhe hesitated, looking at Gu Yiren.

Temporary registration wasn’t very meaningful.

But when she raised her head and met Gu Yiren’s hopeful gaze, there was even a trace of longing for home.

She lowered her head, clenched her fist, then looked up and said, “Fine, tenant status doesn’t matter. As long as it’s on record, even if we’re not family, it’s as good as family.”

Gu Yiren moved his Adam’s apple and said softly, “At least under one roof.”

That softened Su Liuhe’s heart. “Yes, under one roof means family.”

Wang Xue added, “If you live continuously for over ten years, you can register officially, the same as being related through marriage.”

Su Liuhe and Gu Yiren were speechless.

Su Liuhe really wanted to hit her. Speaking in half sentences was so annoying.

But this was a breakthrough: Su Liuhe and Gu Yiren were finally registered on the same page—one as head of household, the other as a long-term tenant.

Having settled this major matter, Su Liuhe and Gu Yiren left together.

Su Liuhe was petty, worried that the elders might not respect Gu Yiren, so she deliberately teased him, “On paper, we’re tenants, but in reality, we’re aunt and nephew, got it?”

Gu Yiren said, “Maneuvering under cover.”

Su Liuhe nearly rolled her eyes again, scolding, “You really need to learn some culture!”

Gu Yiren planned to. There was a literacy class at the brigade office. Once settled, he wanted to ask about it.

***

After handling this big matter, Gu Yiren had to go chop cabbage.

Su Liuhe had nothing to do at home, so she went along. Looking at the green fields was good for her recovering eyes.

At the cabbage field, everyone was working enthusiastically.

Gu Yiren quickly got into the work rhythm, impressing Su Liuhe so much her mouth wouldn’t close.

While she couldn’t carry a single cabbage, others could carry a sack, and Gu Yiren could carry three! One on his shoulder, one in each hand. He didn’t feel tired and moved briskly.

For the same work points earned, he was as productive as three people. When he came to work, everyone wanted to team up with him to lessen their load.

Su Liuhe worried about him but didn’t want him to slack off in public. After some thought, she picked up a sickle and prepared to cut cabbage herself.

But after Gu Yiren set down the cabbages, he came over and snatched the sickle from her. “No need for you to work. You just stay up there. If you get tired, go home and rest.”

Su Liuhe hesitated. “...Isn’t that a bit much?”

Standing on the ridge, Su Liuhe was as tall as Gu Yiren in the field.

She handed him her water bottle. After a few sips, Gu Yiren gestured maturely for her to stand back, “Don’t get in the way.”

Su Liuhe said, “Can you say that differently?”

He looked at her for a moment, then said earnestly, “Be careful not to get hit.”

Su Liuhe was satisfied, “Got it.”

She sat under a tree, enjoying the cool autumn breeze while watching the busy harvest scene.

Others worked; she rested.

Extreme comfort and shamelessness.

Damn it, this is what she was meant to do!

Life was indeed much more pleasant when shameless.

“Here, have a red bean bun,” Xiangcai’s mother greeted someone and came over to rest and eat.

Su Liuhe was worried about having nothing to put into the pickle jar. She was really tired of eating chestnuts every day.

She didn’t dare eat the red bean bun, wrapping it carefully in a handkerchief and putting it proudly in her pocket. “I’ll eat it at home.”

Xiangcai’s mother, seeing her accept it, embarrassedly apologized, “I shouldn’t have made fun of you yesterday. Seeing you able to go out today, I’m relieved.”

Su Liuhe held a grudge, unyielding. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Xiangcai’s mother looked over at the field. Gu Yiren had taken off his jacket, his sun-kissed arms moving swiftly among the crops, full of strength like a young, vigorous calf.

She swallowed hard, about to speak, when suddenly a fist appeared before her.

Su Liuhe said, “I advise you not to look at my nephew that way.”

Xiangcai’s mother snapped, “What way?”

Su Liuhe sneered, “Want me to spell it out?”

Xiangcai’s mother sighed helplessly, “You only know I’m a widow. Did you forget I have a daughter?”

Su Liuhe was startled. “Is that the mother-in-law’s look at the son-in-law?”

Xiangcai’s mother said coldly, “What did you think?”

“You’ve been so nice to me all these days?”

Xiangcai’s mother retorted, “What did you think? I’m just trying to get close to you. Who else would want to deal with you?”

Su Liuhe, the second half of that sentence could be left unsaid.

Xiangcai’s mother had work to do, so she got straight to the point. “I see this boy really treats you like an elder and listens to you well. You manage people well.”

Su Liuhe didn’t know why Gu Yiren was warmer toward her than others but pretended modesty before Xiangcai’s mother. “Ah, managing people? He’s just a monkey that needs a leash.”

Xiangcai’s mother chuckled dryly. “My daughter is about his age, born in ’60. I live with my daughter and hate the thought of her marrying out and being mistreated. He’s been with the Liu family all along; I figured it was fine. Now that he’s on your household registration, I wanted to talk to you about their marriage.”

In rural areas, legal awareness was low. They really thought registering as aunt and nephew was acceptable. Su Liuhe didn’t expose the truth.

Usually, the groom’s family would initiate such talks more gracefully, but both families’ eldest sisters were unusual characters, and the second sisters were no less so. Xiangcai’s mother wanted to take advantage of proximity and get in touch with Su Liuhe early.

She had seen clearly these days that many families with daughters favored Gu Yiren. Being fatherless and motherless, if he could marry into a daughter’s family, it would be a huge support.

And, between them, he was sure to bring prosperity to the family line.

Xiangcai’s mother took out two more red bean buns and slipped them into Su Liuhe’s pocket. “If our families become in-laws, you’ll be our aunt.”

Su Liuhe thought, Don’t say it. Really, don’t say it.

Seeing Su Liuhe’s expression soften, Xiangcai’s mother encouraged her further. “They’re young now. You can get engaged first, then marry later. I know your situation; I won’t make things difficult. Otherwise, if our two families live together, you don’t have to work, and I won’t say anything.”

Faced with such strong temptation, Su Liuhe struggled but finally grabbed Xiangcai’s mother’s hand. “Big sister!”

Xiangcai’s mother smiled and agreed, “How about it?”

Su Liuhe said, “What you said is really good,” especially the part about not having to work—it scored huge points.

...

Elsewhere.

After setting down the sacks, Gu Yiren wiped his sweat and watched Su Liuhe and Xiangcai’s mother whispering under a tree with a thoughtful look.

“Hey, come here.”

Gu Yiren looked toward the voice. Several sisters-in-law were waving at him.

He thought they wanted him to help with work, so he went over and stood silently. People were used to his quiet nature and didn’t mind.

A woman wearing a gray cloth headscarf asked, “How much betrothal money did Xiangcai’s mother give you? I’ll give you fifty more, keep it yourself.”

Gu Yiren asked, “What betrothal money?”

Another woman said, “Xiangcai’s mother is talking to your aunt about having you as a live-in son-in-law. Your aunt’s smiling brightly; it looks like they’re about to agree.”

...

Su Liuhe waited for Gu Yiren to finish work and sign off, hoping to buy some tofu together to stew at home. But Gu Yiren was polite yet silent all the way home.

No matter how she looked, it seemed like he was sulking at her.

Su Liuhe stopped, holding a big block of white tofu. “What did I do to make you mad at me?”

Gu Yiren muttered, “Not mad.”

If not mad, then he was mad.

Su Liuhe moved in front of him, bent over with a teasing look at his dark face. Gu Yiren immediately turned away.

Oh wow, he really was sulking.

They walked all the way to their doorstep. Gu Yiren washed his hands at the well and took the tofu to cook.

Su Liuhe ran up in front of him, holding out her slender arm to block him. “Don’t keep things bottled up inside.”

Gu Yiren wasn’t used to sharing his feelings. Before, he had no one to confide in and vented by working hard.

Now, under Su Liuhe’s pressing, he struggled to speak. “If you regret this and want me to leave, I will go. I don’t want the betrothal money. I’ll give it all to you.”

Su Liuhe suddenly understood, baring her small white teeth in a grin. “Then how much do you think you’re worth in betrothal money?”

Gu Yiren thought he was worthless, but if he could help his little aunt save some money, he hoped he was worth more.

He kept it in his heart, too shy to say outright.

Su Liuhe added, “They said later the two families would live together, and you wouldn’t make me work.”

Gu Yiren muttered, “I won’t make you work either.”

Su Liuhe smiled brightly at him.

Gu Yiren awkwardly looked away, but suddenly her warm, gentle little hands held his big ones. Gu Yiren wanted to pull his hand back, fearing he might hurt her, but he stayed still, letting her hold on.

Su Liuhe sincerely said, “Don’t be mad at me; I’m just teasing. Actually, I refused them.”

Gu Yiren questioned, “Really?”

“Really.”

“Didn’t want the money?”

“No.”

“Not making you work?”

“You don’t make me work either.”

Gu Yiren fell silent again.

Su Liuhe’s expression was genuine, not pretending. “Really. Though it’s a pity they offered a hundred yuan betrothal money. Even if they offered a thousand, I would still refuse.”

Gu Yiren looked down at her hands wrapped around his, feeling a flush of warmth. He hummed, touched, and tried to pull away, but Su Liuhe held on tightly.

“Guess how I refused Xiangcai’s mother?”

Gu Yiren’s ears turned red involuntarily, and he whispered, “How did you refuse?”

“I told her you have your own dream. You have a dream!”

I will definitely help you realize it!