AYLS – Chapter 84

In the compound, word got around that Lin Qiao was about to hatch another batch of chicks. Everyone secretly came to ask her when they might be able to sign up, since they wanted a chance to raise chickens too.

Lin Qiao just said that this matter wasn’t certain yet—it depended on the logistics department’s notice. Besides, the chicks hadn’t even started hatching, and whether they’d be able to keep up with the workload later was also uncertain. But there would definitely be opportunities in the future.

This gave the trainees even more hope. Whenever it was class time, they all came without fail, and the number of people was even greater than before.

The whole compound was swept up in a chicken-raising craze.

Lin Qiao threw herself into her work every day with great enthusiasm, and when she came home, she happily shared her joy with Gu Huayuan.

“Gu Huayuan, once I finish up with everything, let’s go for a trip to the provincial capital. I’ve been way too busy lately.”

Lin Qiao proudly brushed back her hair. “Can’t be helped—who told me to be so important now?”

Gu Huayuan smiled. “I’ll probably have to go to the provincial capital first.”

“Ah? What are you going there for?”

“To pick someone up. Zhang Tuo is coming.”

Lin Qiao froze. “He’s coming to see us?”

“Not a transfer out, a reassignment. I got a call today, said the transfer order just came through. I’ve been getting things ready recently.” Gu Huayuan had seen this coming for a while and already guessed it would happen, so he wasn’t surprised at all, only very calm.

“…” Lin Qiao was completely stunned. “But Zhang Tuo was doing so well in the big city. What’s he coming here for? It’s so tough here.”

If it hadn’t been for her mission, she really wouldn’t have stayed here either.

Even though she was happy with her life now, it still couldn’t compare to the comforts of a big city.

At least when she had been in the capital, her living and dining standards were pretty good.

The people here were truly remarkable, unafraid of hardship.

Since Zhang Tuo’s transfer was a private matter, Gu Huayuan didn’t want to spread it around, so he didn’t tell Lin Qiao much. “Who can say about work? If the organization needs it, you can be reassigned anytime.”

“Ah, we’re not going to be transferred, are we?” Lin Qiao asked nervously. “I haven’t even raised my chickens properly yet, don’t let them suddenly move me away.”

“No, we won’t be moving for now.”

“But you just said if the organization needs it, they’ll transfer us… No, I need to hurry and teach everyone in the compound what I know. I’m also planning to go to the province for further training, to learn more. That way I’ll feel more at ease when the time comes to leave.”

After finishing her plans, she asked Gu Huayuan, “So should we prepare something for him? Where will he live?”

“He’s bringing his whole family, of course they’ll be living here in the compound too.”

Lin Qiao’s eyes widened in shock. “His wife is coming too? I never would have thought…” Thinking of Li Yan’s goddess-like habits, she really couldn’t imagine how Li Yan would manage here.

Still, surely it wouldn’t be worse than what she herself had gone through at the start.

Lin Qiao suddenly felt a moment of sympathy for this lady.

“Shouldn’t we help them get ready? Zhang Tuo did so much for us before.” She knew perfectly well that the wedding flat in the capital had been arranged and decorated with Zhang Tuo’s help.

And when they had returned to the capital, it was Zhang Tuo who had gone to pick them up. Regardless of how Li Yan and she got along, Zhang Tuo had always been good to his friends.

Hearing her sincere questions, Gu Huayuan couldn’t help but smile. Comrade Lin Qiao, even if her name sometimes made her sound like a child, her heart was warm—just holding it warmed the hands.

“You’re busy with your own work, you don’t need to worry about this. I’ll take care of it. It’s nothing big, just tidying up the house. It’s not your strong suit anyway.”

Lin Qiao: “…Looking down on me.”

Alright, she really wasn’t good at it.

Lin Qiao thought Zhang Tuo’s arrival would take some time, but in fact he came right after May Day.

On the day he arrived, it was Gu Huayuan who went to fetch him. He left before dawn to meet him at the train station.

It had been months since Gu Huayuan last saw him, and this time, he noticed immediately how much thinner he looked, his brows and eyes carrying exhaustion.

When Zhang Tuo saw Gu Huayuan, he forced a smile and gave him a hug.

Gu Huayuan wasn’t the talkative type. Everything was understood without words. After the hug, he helped carry the luggage. He saw Li Yan, still exactly the same as before, not changed at all. He didn’t greet her—most likely she wouldn’t acknowledge him anyway.

He told Zhang Tuo about the situation here: “The housing you applied for got approved. Since you applied late, it’s a bit farther from my place, but the compound isn’t that big. It’ll be easy to visit.”

“I’ve tidied up a little for you, but the rest you’ll have to get yourselves.”

“Life here is definitely tough, but you’ll get used to it. Some places are even harder than this.”

Zhang Tuo nodded repeatedly as he listened, his eyes reddening. “I think it looks fine here, not bad at all.”

He looked around at this northwestern city, forcing cheerfulness.

Gu Huayuan laughed. “I hope you’ll still say that once you’ve settled in.”

They had lunch at a state-run restaurant, and after eating, didn’t even rest before heading to catch their ride.

Li Yan carried only a small bag on her back, trailing behind Zhang Tuo, silent, with nothing but wariness and dissatisfaction toward her new surroundings.

But she knew full well she had no way to stay in the capital anymore. There, she couldn’t even step outside, and people were constantly coming to investigate her. She had dragged Zhang Tuo down with her, too—he had been working in the Capital Military District, where confidentiality was crucial. Because of her, his unit had to reassign him, putting him on less important posts.

Zhang Tuo was ambitious, unwilling to just coast in a good unit. He wanted to stay in the army.

So, in the end, he thought of the Construction Corps where Gu Huayuan served. It was about development work, not military secrets, but still part of the army. Doing well there could also earn merit.

Even if Li Yan didn’t say it aloud, she understood her situation. That’s why she hadn’t objected at all to coming here with him. Even though she hated leaving the capital, she could only grit her teeth, swallow her misery, and follow with her luggage.

Sitting on the vehicle, looking at the patched clothes of the locals, their strange accents, and rough manners, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She thought that was already unbearable—but once they reached Suiyuan County, her heart sank even further.

Then they pressed on without pause, following Zhang Tuo deeper into the barracks. The more desolate it became, the harder it was for her to take. Finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore. She clutched her bag and dragged her feet. “Zhang Tuo, I want to go back to the capital.”

Zhang Tuo’s face was stiff, silent.

“Zhang Tuo, I want to go back. I don’t want to be here. I’ll wither here—this isn’t where I belong.”

Gu Huayuan: “…” Wither? What, does she think she’s some flower?

“Zhang Tuo, just look at this place. I want to go back. I don’t want to stay here another second.”

Gu Huayuan said, “I’ll go on ahead. You two talk it out. Catch up with me later.”

“Alright.” Only then did Zhang Tuo answer.

When Gu Huayuan had gone further ahead, Zhang Tuo turned to Li Yan. “You know perfectly well why we came here.”

“I know, I know I was wrong. But I already said it was back when we had just gotten married. I was deceived into writing those letters, and afterwards we never had any contact again.”

Li Yan looked at him firmly. “I didn’t betray you. I didn’t know he would run. I didn’t know anything.”

“No matter what the truth is, no one’s going to believe you now. And during the investigation, it was found that before he left, that man burned a lot of letters. Who can guarantee none of them were yours?”

“They weren’t! Really, they weren’t!” Tears welled in Li Yan’s eyes, her face full of stubborn defiance. It was as if her very dignity had been insulted, leaving her utterly humiliated.

If it had been in the past, Zhang Tuo would have admitted defeat. But now, with the arrow already loosed, there was no turning back. The files had been transferred, the household registration had been transferred—there was no longer a place for him in the capital.

Besides, if he stayed in the capital, he would only endanger his family. Zhang Tuo himself felt he had lost face, so he could only answer calmly, “We can’t go back. Everything of yours has already been transferred here. If you want to return, go back yourself. I’m staying here.”

“Zhang Tuo…”

Zhang Tuo acted as if he hadn’t heard and turned to leave. But as he turned, his eyes were already red. He pressed his lips tightly together, forcing his emotions under control.

Behind him, Li Yan watched him really walk away. Looking at this desolate, sparsely populated land, she clutched her little bag and hurried to chase after him.

By then, Gu Huayuan had already kicked a pile of pebbles together on the ground. Only when this couple finally arrived, both of them red-eyed, did he stop. His own feelings were complicated—he didn’t know how to help his brother.

Once a man fell into a dead-end, there was simply no pulling him out.

He reminded Zhang Tuo, “Cheer up. If others see, it won’t look good.”

Zhang Tuo forced a smile. “I’m fine, I really like it here. And since you’re here too, we can easily keep in touch from now on. By the way, are we eating at your place tonight? What’s my sister-in-law making?”

“Your sister-in-law did mention she wanted to make something for you, but she’s got heavy responsibilities right now. The entire military compound is counting on those chicks she’s raising. So, tonight it’ll just be me doing the cooking.”

Gu Huayuan bragged about Lin Qiao without the slightest hesitation.

Zhang Tuo was surprised. “My sister-in-law is so capable? I’m truly impressed.”

Gu Huayuan pursed his lips into a smile.

Everyone in the compound had already heard that newcomers were arriving.

It was said that he was coming as a company instructor, and that he had been transferred from the Capital Military Region—his background was anything but ordinary.

What’s more, Lin Qiao had even spread the word that the newcomer was Gu Huayuan’s childhood friend, someone he grew up with. So naturally, everyone accepted the couple without reservation.

That very morning, Su Weizhen had already said she would bring some meat and vegetables after work to help host the guests.

Even at lunch, when eating with Li Ermei, Li Ermei suggested helping prepare some food for entertaining them.

Just seeing how attentive Gu Huayuan was to Lin Qiao, Li Ermei felt this friend definitely deserved to be treated well.

Lin Qiao said, “I did mention preparing food, but Gu Huayuan said he’d be home early and had plenty of time, so he would handle it. He told me to focus on work this afternoon.” She suspected Gu Huayuan was worried her cooking wouldn’t taste good and would embarrass him in front of his friend.

Li Ermei lectured her, “Men say their piece, but you also have to stand tall. You’re the lady of the house—how can you not prepare anything at all?”

Lin Qiao thought that was true. At the very least, she had to show some affection. “Then what should I prepare? I’m not very good at cooking.”

“Make some dumplings! Use eggs and napa cabbage for the filling. Don’t you still have flour at home? Roll out some wrappers. I’ll make them, you just wrap them.”

Lin Qiao said, “But I don’t know how.”

Li Ermei: “…What do you know how to do?”

At that, Lin Qiao actually looked proud. “I can do lots of things—laundry, washing vegetables and dishes… raising chickens…”

“…”

After the meal, Li Ermei quickly kneaded the dough and rolled out wrappers, then chopped up the filling. She taught Lin Qiao, hand over hand, how to wrap dumplings.

In a rush, they managed to wrap about twenty dumplings. The rest could be made in the evening while eating—it would still be in time.

The only thing that comforted Li Ermei was that Lin Qiao learned quickly. Though the first few dumplings were ugly, the later ones were at least passable.

And with that, Lin Qiao was secretly thrilled. Tonight, she was determined to show off in front of Gu Huayuan.