Chapter 35:

When Yu Xiang’an was furnishing the new house, she insisted on having two beds—one in each room—enough to accommodate a family of four.

Currently, Yu Xiangju lives with their parents, and it’s estimated that he’ll only get his own room once he starts school.

Their old home had enough rooms, but it was a mud-brick house that had been standing for a long time, nowhere near as clean and bright as this new apartment.

Yu Qingshan disagreed with moving here permanently because the commute to his factory would take much longer, and he couldn’t bear to leave the home he had built brick by brick with his own hands.

However, he initially agreed to stay for a short while to help his daughter settle in. With no knowledge of the surroundings, letting a young woman live alone would have been too careless.

Yu Xiangju couldn’t contain his excitement as he ran around the newly furnished house.

This beautiful, clean, and tidy new home was amazing—he could live here now!

Yu Xiang’an was also deeply satisfied with the final result. Finally, she had her own space.

Though the house was ready, they couldn’t move in immediately—they had to pick an auspicious day.

While such “superstitious” practices were officially discouraged, most people still secretly consulted someone to choose a favorable date. Coincidentally, many who had finished furnishing their homes chose the same day to move in.

When they ran into each other and mentioned it, there was a knowing look of shared understanding.

A housewarming feast was essential. Tradition held that the more lively the gathering, the better—ensuring a prosperous future in the new home.

Their relatives in town were limited to the Qin family, so they didn’t invite friends, but they did ask their grandparents from the countryside.

They sent word, and soon Yu Qingbao and Yang Huili arrived with Yu Changyou and Zhang Chahua.

Originally, they hadn’t planned to bring the two younger boys, but Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng insisted on coming, even spending their saved pocket money on a red hair ribbon as a gift.

With Yu Manchang and Xu Xiaojuan, there were eight guests, plus their own family and maternal relatives—the house was packed.

Compared to the empty shell they had first received, the place now felt warm and lived-in.

A portrait of Chairman Mao hung on the wall, flanked by his books. Below it stood a large round table, big enough to seat eight (or ten if squeezed). The stools beneath it had been repaired and repainted, looking nearly new.

This space served as both the living and dining room, with two bedrooms behind.

The bedrooms were identical in size, each furnished with a bed and a wardrobe. For now, the beds had been brought over from their old home.

Beyond was the renovated balcony—long and wide, spanning the length of the apartment. Originally, one could easily step over to the neighboring balcony, but now most had enclosed theirs, like Yu Xiang’an, turning them into extra rooms.

The kitchen was on the right, its chimney venting outside. Being on the second floor, it didn’t disturb others. The stove had two burners—one for a wok, the other for clay pots.

A faucet in the middle provided running water, while the other side of the balcony served as the laundry area. Outerwear could be hung in the hallway, but undergarments were kept inside.

For Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng, this was their first time seeing such a sturdy, clean, and convenient apartment. Inspired, they declared, “We’ll live in a place like this someday!”

No more fetching water from a well—just flip a switch for light. It felt like a heavenly life.

Yu Manchang agreed, “Once I learn brickmaking, we’ll build a house like this back home. Our village has plenty of land—we’ll make it bigger, with a proper kitchen and bathroom.”

Yu Xiang’an chimed in, “It’ll be comfortable for sure.”

Yu Changyou smiled at his grandsons’ ambition. If they kept this up, he might even live to see such a home himself before passing peacefully.

The only downside was the lack of electricity in their village. He’d have to ask Shunwen, the brigade leader, about getting it installed.

The housewarming feast was held at noon, accommodating those who had work. Only Yu Qingshan and Yu Xiang’an took the morning off to host.

By then, Yu Xiang’an had perfected her braising broth after several adjustments.

With it, she could prepare an array of dishes—tofu skin, peanuts, lotus root, mushrooms, dried tofu, pig ears, liver, tail, duck… The aroma soon filled the entire building.

This was her first attempt at braised dishes.

Yu Qingshan, mid-conversation with Yu Changyou, found himself distracted by the smell.

Yu Changyou inhaled deeply. “What’s she cooking? It smells incredible.”

“It’s braised food,” Yu Qingshan replied.

Qin Qiang, drawn by the scent, entered the kitchen. His granddaughter’s talent amazed him—he hadn’t taught her this.

Had she picked it up from a chef during her business trip? Or did she have a natural palate? Either way, her gift was undeniable.

The meal was lavish, with everyone getting their fill. Neighbors celebrating their own move-in were equally busy, though some children lingered at the door, lured by the aroma.

Yu Xiang’an received endless praise for her cooking, and many asked for her braising broth. She had made extra, gladly sharing portions.

After lunch, those with jobs left, while Yang Huili and Xu Xiaojuan stayed to help clean.

Yan Yuzhen later handed Yu Xiang’an a housewarming gift. “It’s a small token.”

Sun Qingchun, a colleague, also brought a gift—keeping up appearances, especially since Yu Xiang’an was poised for promotion.

In return, Yu Xiang’an gave them packets of her braised dishes.

By evening, her grandparents had returned to the village.

Dinner was reheated leftovers supplemented by canteen fare.

Then, Yu Xiang’an retreated to her room to unwrap the gifts.

Her grandfather had given a sturdy camphorwood chest; her aunt, two rabbit pelts for gloves or a vest; Yu Manchang, a pair of basins; her maternal grandparents, new bedsheets and pillowcases; her uncle, rare sesame oil—a prized luxury.

Yu Qingshan’s gift was the most substantial—a cast-iron wok, procured through some connection. Such items were scarce locally, making it a treasure.

Now she could stir-fry to her heart’s content.

When Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiangniang returned, dinner was ready.

Yu Xiangju, exhausted from the day’s excitement, had napped all afternoon, waking only to the smell of food.

Before his parents arrived, Yu Xiang’an had him bathe in the shared washroom. Unlike at home, the water here drained directly, leaving no mess.

He noticed others cooking in the communal kitchen area, using coal stoves—something his sister’s household still lacked.

Living here was lively, with people around at all hours.

When night fell, the electric lights—bright against the white walls—made the rooms almost as luminous as day.

Yu Xiangju buzzed with excitement all over again.

“Dad, you’re back,” Yu Xiang’an greeted as Yu Qingshan entered, setting down his lunchbox. “The canteen had pumpkin cakes today—I brought extras.”

They gathered around the table, the four of them comfortably filling the two-bedroom apartment.

Zhao Qiangniang marveled at the brightness when the lights were switched on. Running her hands over the smooth furniture, she felt a pang of envy. She’d never lived in such a nice place—all thanks to her stepdaughter.

Part of her wanted to move in permanently.

If Yu Xiang’an was open to it, why not?

But Yu Qingshan’s refusal left her no choice.

Noticing the braised tofu on the table, he asked, “Is there more? I’d like to take some to the factory tomorrow.”

“There is,” Yu Xiang’an replied. She had prepared plenty in her Xixi Farm.

With her storage keeping things fresh, leftovers weren’t an issue—though demand seemed high enough that little would go uneaten.

That night, Yu Qingshan tossed and turned.

He’d assumed such a home would only be possible after his children were married and settled, his savings drained.

Yet here they were, his daughter making it happen far sooner.

She had vision and drive—more than many sons.

The idea had been hers.

On the way here, he’d seen regret in others’ eyes—those who’d hesitated during the housing allocation, now unsure when another chance would come.

But with opportunity came attention.

More suitors would eye his daughter, some perhaps for the wrong reasons.

He’d have to be vigilant—no repeat of the Zhou Boyang incident.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an also struggled to sleep.

She rolled around on her new bed, restless with excitement.

She could finally roll around without worry. Her previous bed would creak loudly with even the slightest movement, and if she moved more vigorously, she suspected it might collapse. Now, she didn’t have to worry about that anymore. She could roll sideways, roll vertically, toss and turn—she was overjoyed!

Now, when she looked up, the view was unobstructed.

Before, she had draped a piece of cloth over the bed to prevent spiders or other small insects from suddenly dropping down. That old house was prone to breeding spiders and bugs, and no matter how much she cleaned, they never seemed to go away.

Now, that annoyance was gone too.

She turned on her side and looked at the cabinet nearby.

The house was still sparsely furnished, but there was no rush. She could add things one by one.

She thought about what she should do next.

For example, she could start by deciding what to eat. Tomorrow evening, she’d make a pot of mung bean soup—she’d been so busy lately that she felt a bit overheated.

The more she thought about the future, the more excited she became. Yu Xiang’an couldn’t sleep, so she went into the Xixi Farm to work. She specifically checked on the ducks she was raising. Unlike the ducks in later years that were fattened up with feed and ready for slaughter in just over a month, these ducks took about half a year.

If she wanted them even heavier, it would take about a year.

These ducks ate grass, small fish, and bran—a mix of all three—and grew quite quickly. The ones she had brought in earliest could be slaughtered before the New Year. As for the fish, by the time the New Year came around, she could confidently catch some and prepare them in various delicious ways.

Yu Xiang’an counted and recounted. The fish were harder to tally, but the ducks were easier. Every time she saw ducklings for sale, she bought them. Starting with just two, she now had nearly fifty.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to raise more, but feeding so many ducks was a challenge. Luckily, they ate grass and fish—otherwise, she’d have been worried about how to feed them.

After counting the meat, she moved to the “vegetable section” nearby.

The soybeans here would be ready for harvest soon. She didn’t plan to sell them—soybeans fetched too low a price. Instead, she’d make all sorts of delicious dishes herself.

Wasn’t tofu tasty?

What about bean sprouts?

Or soy milk?

She worked hard here, and finally, exhaustion brought sleepiness. She returned to bed and soon fell asleep. The next morning, she woke up refreshed and full of energy—happiness truly invigorated the spirit.

Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang had left early for the factory. Since Yu Xiang’an lived closer, she could leave a bit later.

After seeing off Yu Xiangju, who was going to play with Yu Mingjie, Yu Xiang’an took out a plate of braised dried tofu and wood ear mushrooms to deliver to Master Bao’s family next door.

Though it was a vegetarian dish, the braising liquid had been made with meat, giving it a rich, meaty aroma—perfect for sharing.

The delicious smell from her home yesterday must have reached their noses. She had even faintly overheard their children begging to eat it.

Master Bao was still at home—one of the perks of living close by was not having to leave too early.

Master Bao’s wife opened the door. She looked somewhat frail, but her thinness wasn’t the typical kind seen in those times—hers was more sickly, and she coughed softly a couple of times.

“Hello, sister-in-law. I’m your neighbor next door. Things were too chaotic yesterday, so I didn’t get a chance to greet you. This is some homemade braised food—it’s quite tasty. I thought I’d add a dish to your table and let you try my cooking.”

They were neighbors and would be living side by side for a long time. It was best to build a good relationship.

She smiled gently. “That delicious smell yesterday was from you? You’re really skilled.” Her smile was exceptionally warm, and there was something very appealing about her demeanor. Paired with her somewhat frail appearance, Yu Xiang’an unconsciously softened her tone.

“I usually enjoy experimenting with food. Hope you don’t mind, sister-in-law.”

“Come in, don’t just stand there.” She invited Yu Xiang’an inside, then took the plate. “I won’t be polite, then. Wait here a moment—I’ll empty the plate for you.”

Master Bao came out just then. The two exchanged a few quiet words before he approached Yu Xiang’an.

“Good morning, Comrade Xiao An. Thank you for the dish.”

“Don’t mention it, Master Bao. We’re neighbors—it’s nothing.”

Behind him, two children around ten years old peeked out curiously. Master Bao cleared his throat.

“Have you greeted Sister Xiao An properly?”

The two children hesitated for about three seconds before whispering, “Hello, Sister Xiao An.”

Their voices were so soft that if Yu Xiang’an hadn’t strained to listen, she wouldn’t have heard them.

“Hello! Can you tell me your names? If you do, I’ll give you some candy.”

Knowing there were children next door, Yu Xiang’an had deliberately put a few pieces of candy in her pocket before leaving.

The allure of candy for children was undeniable, but even with the promise of treats, the two only fidgeted slightly before retreating behind their father again.

Master Bao sighed. “These two are shy around strangers—too timid. This is my son, Bao Yucai, ten years old. And this is his younger sister, Bao Yurong, two years his junior.”

“I have a younger brother who’s six—around your age. Maybe you can play together sometime.” Yu Xiang’an crouched down and held out two pieces of candy. “You haven’t met me before, so I’m a stranger now. But that’s okay—we’ll see each other often from now on. Sister Xiao An isn’t a bad person. Your dad knows me.”

Song Shujing returned with two clean plates, one of which was now filled with red dates.

“These were a gift from relatives—they’re quite sweet. Take some back to try.”

This was a polite exchange, so Yu Xiang’an didn’t refuse.

“Thank you, sister-in-law. Let’s chat another day—I need to get ready for work now.”

“Go ahead. I’m always free—feel free to drop by for a chat whenever you have time.”

After Yu Xiang’an left, Master Bao watched his two children happily unwrap the candies on the table and shook his head.

“Still so timid at your age—this won’t do. Both of you, wait till I get back tonight. We’ll have a proper talk.”

He, too, had to leave for work.

Along the way, people kept stopping Yu Xiang’an to chat.

“Comrade Xiao An, you’ve moved in, right? How does it feel?”

“Xiao An, you’re so lucky to have such a big place to live in.”

“Xiao An, you…”

Those who didn’t know soon found out—this young woman wasn’t married yet and owned her own home. Any family with a son who married her wouldn’t have to worry about housing.

Her place was a two-bedroom, and a small room could be partitioned off later. Even when children grew up, there’d be no housing issues.

Some quick-witted folks began making inquiries—if they knew of any suitable matches, who should they approach? They knew some fine young men…

Back in her office, Yu Xiang’an immediately sat down and took a sip of water. Yan Yuzhen laughed at the sight.

“How does it feel to move into your new place?”

Yu Xiang’an didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely fantastic.”

Yan Yuzhen burst out laughing. “I knew it. Mine won’t be ready as quickly—I’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

She was converting the balcony into a fourth room. Some might say the room was small, but compared to their previous living conditions, it wasn’t small at all.

Losing the back balcony wasn’t a big deal—there was still the front balcony for drying clothes. As for the kitchen, a shared one was sufficient. Living space was far more important.

Because of the renovation and other miscellaneous adjustments—plus limited manpower—her place wasn’t progressing as quickly as Yu Xiang’an’s. Still, she’d be able to move in before the New Year. With a little over a month left, there was plenty of time.

Other factories, seeing their success, began voicing similar demands. Many followed suit, though smaller factories with poor financial performance couldn’t afford such projects—land was an issue, as were the costs and labor. Many workers simply couldn’t contribute the required funds.

Only a well-established, financially robust factory like the food processing plant had the resources to pull it off.

The news spread, sparking countless discussions across the county. Even Ding Minxiu, who mostly stayed at home, heard about it.

Her feelings were complicated. Yu Xiang’an had her own house now? Sure, part of her salary was being deducted to pay for it, but it was still a house! How could she live so comfortably?

A two-bedroom apartment all to herself—what kind of luxury was that?

And she’d only been gone for a few months. How had Yu Xiang’an managed to get a house—and a proper apartment at that? Ding Minxiu refused to believe it. Yu Xiang’an had always seemed so foolish, oblivious to her and Zhou Boyang’s interactions. How could she pull this off?

Ding Minxiu’s heart felt as if ants were gnawing at it—sour and tingling.

And how had she saved up so much money? It must have been her father’s help. Yu Qingshan was truly heartless. She had called him “Dad” for years, yet when she married into the Zhou family, he hadn’t given her a single cent for a dowry—hadn’t even shown his face.

So cruel. Blood really was thicker than water—the difference in how he treated her and Yu Xiang’an was staggering.

If he didn’t consider her family, then why should she consider them family? It was only fair.

Thinking about how Yu Xiang’an had her biological father’s support and was now living so well—even becoming a desirable match in many people’s eyes—Ding Minxiu thought of her own father.

The contrast between the two men was like heaven and earth. While Yu Qingshan helped Yu Xiang’an buy a house, her own father not only couldn’t help but actively dragged her down. When he found out she’d married Zhou Boyang, he had caused a scene, forcing the Zhou family to pay him off with money and a bicycle voucher just to get rid of him.

Didn’t he realize how difficult that made things for her in the Zhou household?

Why couldn’t he be more like Yu Qingshan?

Wasn’t he her father too?

Ding Minxiu absentmindedly touched her belly. When her child was born, she wouldn’t be like her father. She’d be a good mother, giving her child the best of everything she could provide. She’d be a great mother.

That’s right—she’d soon have a child. Yu Xiang’an didn’t even have a partner yet. By the time her child was born, Yu Xiang’an might still be single. Those who were interested in her for her house would surely feel uneasy once they learned she’d been “dumped.” And if rumors spread that she still pined for Zhou Boyang, finding a good match would be even harder.

At this thought, Ding Minxiu’s mood improved slightly—but soon plummeted again, sinking into an even deeper pit.

From others, she learned that Yu Xiang’an had been promoted.