After getting familiar with each other, Yu Xiang’an became less guarded toward Lin Chuanbai. This time, she was in a rare mood to bake a cake and shared some with him.
Lin Chuanbai didn’t seem like it at first glance, but he was actually someone with a sweet tooth. The soft, fragrant cake melted in his mouth, bringing him immense pleasure.
He couldn’t help but marvel—though cakes were available in the county, they required special ration tickets. He had bought one once to satisfy his craving, but it couldn’t compare to this.
If he had to make a comparison, the store-bought one was like a discounted item from a roadside bakery, while what he was eating now was akin to the indulgence one could only find at a high-end Western pastry shop.
What kind of divine chef was she?
Not only could she cook Chinese dishes, but her Western pastries were also this good!
Then, he suddenly thought of Lin Duzhong’s upcoming birthday.
“My grandfather’s birthday is next month. Could I trouble you to make a cake for him? As he’s gotten older, he’s developed a liking for soft foods.” And when it came to softness, nothing beat cake.
Of course, Lin Chuanbai knew that making a cake now wasn’t easy—without a mixer, it had to be done by hand, which was undoubtedly exhausting. So he added, “I already have leads on the ginseng you wanted. It won’t take too long.”
Next month? That was manageable. “How big do you want it?”
“One pound, or two pounds would be even better. It’s up to you. I can provide flour, eggs, and powdered milk, but I don’t have any jam.”
The cake he was eating now was a grape jam cake.
He didn’t have grape jam.
“No problem,” Yu Xiang’an agreed.
“What other kinds of cakes can you make?” Lin Chuanbai’s cravings had been thoroughly awakened by this one slice.
Aside from fruit cakes, he also loved chocolate cake, matcha cake, Black Forest cake…
He mentally listed all his favorite varieties, and the more he thought about them, the more he realized how difficult it would be to get them now.
Take chocolate, for example. Making a chocolate cake required a significant amount of it.
If he wanted to buy some, he’d have to make a special trip to the city.
Yu Xiang’an realized she needed to add another label to Lin Chuanbai. Who would’ve thought? Someone who seemed aloof and hard to approach actually had a sweet tooth and loved desserts—especially cake. Not that she thought there was anything wrong with that.
As a chef, she wished everyone could appreciate the joys of different foods. But how should she put it? Yu Xiang’an pondered for a moment—perhaps this was what they called “gap moe.”
A usually stern and serious man secretly indulging in sweets behind others’ backs… the thought was kind of… cute.
At this point, Lin Chuanbai seemed to realize he should at least try to maintain some dignity. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just expressing my admiration.”
Yu Xiang’an nodded solemnly, keeping a straight face. “Right, you just really wanted to eat it. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
She spoke earnestly, her expression serious, but Lin Chuanbai felt something was off—though he couldn’t pinpoint what.
He quickly changed the subject. “My grandfather’s birthday is on the 18th of next month, so there’s no rush. If you happen to make cake again before then, could you save me a slice?”
Since she already knew about his love for cake, he might as well be honest. It wasn’t a big deal, just as she said.
He repeated this to himself mentally.
Before this, the only person who knew about his sweet tooth was the old Taoist priest who had adopted him. Now, there was just one more person who knew. It wasn’t a big deal.
—
This time, Yu Xiang’an had baked quite a bit of cake. Aside from sharing some with Lin Chuanbai, she also brought some home.
Seeing the cake, Yu Qingshan couldn’t hold back. “Did you buy this?”
This couldn’t have been cheap.
Yu Xiang’an immediately shook her head. “No, no. I made it myself. I’ve been experimenting for a while, and this was my first successful attempt. Everyone, try it and see if it’s good.”
Yu Qingshan examined the well-presented cake. “I’ve heard making this requires a lot of ingredients. You must’ve used eggs, white flour, sugar, jam, and milk.”
Zhao Qiaoniang looked at the cake, her heart trembling. With so many expensive ingredients, if this didn’t taste good, wouldn’t that be unjust?
She was spending way too extravagantly. If this were her own daughter, she’d definitely have to lecture her.
Yu Xiang’an knew what Yu Qingshan was about to say, so she preempted him. “Dad, I know this uses a lot of ingredients, but look—this is the first time I’ve made it in so long. None of us have tried it before. Let’s all have a taste, just for the novelty. Don’t you trust me? I know my limits.”
Yu Xiang’an wasn’t surprised by Yu Qingshan’s reaction.
She understood—cake was a luxury for people at this time. An occasional indulgence was fine, but making it a habit would be wasteful. When survival instincts weren’t yet fully satisfied, pursuing higher-level enjoyment was crossing the line.
Yu Qingshan’s concern was for her own good.
His words were cut off before he could voice them. He sighed. “Xiao An, I know you just wanted us all to try it. But remember what you said—no next time. Just this once. Save your money; there’ll be plenty of places to spend it later. This month, don’t buy anything else for the house. We have enough.”
Yu Xiang’an nodded obediently. “Yes, just this once. Come on, let’s not talk about it anymore. Try it.”
She portioned it out by headcount, including her elder brother and sister-in-law—one slice for each.
Yu Mingjie carefully took his piece and took a bite. His eyes immediately narrowed in delight. The moment it touched his tongue, it melted, rich and flavorful.
…So this was what something truly delicious tasted like!
Yu Xiangju was equally stunned.
“Fifth Sister, this cake is amazing! When I grow up and start working, I want to eat this every day!”
Yu Xiang’an did a quick mental calculation. By the time he turned 18, the reform and opening-up policy would have been in place for years. Getting cake would indeed be much easier then—eating it daily wouldn’t be too difficult. So she patted his head and set a lofty goal for him. “Then you have to study hard and not slack off, understand? The more you learn, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn money. This cake isn’t cheap—you can’t get it without money.”
Yu Xiangju clenched his little fists. “Fifth Sister, I haven’t been slacking. I finished all the math problems you gave me. I won’t slack off in the future either.”
Beside him, Yu Mingjie nodded vigorously. “I’ll study too! I’ll earn money and eat cake every day! We’ll all eat it together!”
Watching the two little ones brimming with ambition, Yu Qingshan suddenly felt that his daughter’s extravagance this once wasn’t so bad. Look how motivated the kids were now.
Learning more was good. Back in his day, he hadn’t even had the chance. Now that the children had the opportunity, they should study.
He didn’t believe that nonsense about education being useless. Try being illiterate—you wouldn’t even understand what was written in a contract. You could sign a slave agreement without realizing it. The more you knew, the more confident you’d be.
He didn’t know what was wrong with the world these days, making teachers so anxious. But he believed this was temporary. Sooner or later, knowledgeable and capable people would regain their respected status.
If universities reopened someday and his children could take the exams to become college students, his life would be complete.
With this thought, he redoubled his efforts in papermaking.
Over in Mancang, brick-making was in full swing. He couldn’t fall too far behind.
Since things seemed to be going well there, they specially picked a time to return to Hongxing Brigade to check on the progress.
Because their schedules didn’t align, this time only Yu Qingshan, Zhao Qiaoniang, Yu Xiang’an, and the two little ones went back.
At Hongxing Brigade, an open space near the water had been fenced off with bamboo. Two dogs were kept there to alert the owners if strangers approached. This was now the most heavily guarded area in the entire brigade.
The brick-making process was kept secret, especially from outsiders.
Even the educated youths were barred from entering. To the villagers, though they had been assigned here and earned work points like everyone else, they were still newcomers. Moreover, they all wanted to return home—their hearts weren’t here. The villagers didn’t trust them.
Sometimes, they could be quite exclusionary.
Thanks to thorough preparations, the bricks were produced quickly.
Some families had already applied to exchange their work points for bricks and had started building houses.
At this time, building a house wasn’t overly complicated—level the ground, stack the bricks, and seal the roof.
By the looks of it, construction would be finished next month.
When they arrived, Yang Huili, who had always been warm toward them, was even more enthusiastic now—especially toward Yu Xiang’an. She had helped her son-in-law secure a job, and now her daughter’s status in her in-laws’ household had skyrocketed. Previously, her mother-in-law had been critical, and her sister-in-law hadn’t been easy to get along with. Now, they practically treated her daughter like royalty—all thanks to Xiao An.
To express her gratitude, Yang Huili had gone out of her way to get special mountain delicacies from her brother to give to Yu Xiang’an, knowing she liked them.
Her enthusiasm was almost overwhelming.
Yu Xiang’an felt she needed to take a breather, so she went to pick wild vegetables with Xu Xiaojuan.
It was spring, and wild greens were sprouting everywhere. The two little ones tagged along, though their “vegetable picking” was more like playing. They’d dig for a bit, then wander off somewhere, and soon even Yu Mansheng disappeared—probably leading the two kids away.
At this time of year, many people foraged for wild vegetables. With food supplies running low before the new harvest, wild greens became a staple on many tables.
Most foragers stuck close to the village at first. Once nearby spots were picked clean, they’d venture deeper—but not too far, as the deeper areas could be dangerous. Still, traveling in groups provided a sense of security.
Yu Xiang’an and Xu Xiaojuan carried baskets as they foraged. Unsurprisingly, their arrival made them the center of attention.
One auntie called out, “Xiao An, you’re back! Come over here—these shoots are tender.”
An elderly woman beckoned her over. “Come here. These greens make the best soup—very cooling. Dried, they’re perfect for summer herbal tea. I still have some from last year.”
Another woman chimed in, “Little Sister Xiao An, I’ve picked enough here. Come, I’ll share some with you.”
Yu Xiang’an was taken aback. After foraging for a short while, she made a quick escape. This level of enthusiasm was too much for her.
She knew helping her cousin secure a temporary job would change how some villagers saw her, but this… she wasn’t cut out for it.
Besides, opportunities like this didn’t come often. This time, she felt she’d just gotten lucky—someone had been promoted, leaving a temporary position open.
Normally, such chances were rare.
Xu Xiaojuan laughed at her hasty retreat. Unlike some who muttered resentfully, she didn’t feel any bitterness. Her husband had worked as a temporary laborer for half a year, bringing home a decent sum. Though her mother-in-law held onto most of it, she had given them 10 yuan as pocket money—and her husband had handed all of it to her.
Moreover, if the job had gone to her husband, they’d have had to live apart long-term. She couldn’t just move to the city as a temporary worker, and she wanted children. Prolonged separation wasn’t ideal. Now that he was back, with promising prospects, what more could she ask for?
Their family was respected in the village now. Her husband was even addressed as “Master” wherever he went.
Life felt full of promise. The only thing missing was a child, and she was starting to worry. What if something was wrong with her?
The thought wiped the smile off Xu Xiaojuan’s face. She wondered if she should see a doctor. If there was an issue, early treatment was best. If not, at least she’d have peace of mind. With 10 yuan saved up, it should be enough.
But where to go? The village doctor’s skills were questionable, and gossip spread fast. If word got out that she might be infertile… Better to go somewhere farther. Her hometown’s barefoot doctor was even less reliable. Maybe the city?
If she still hadn’t conceived in a while, she’d find an excuse to visit a city doctor.
Having made up her mind, Xu Xiaojuan continued foraging. Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an, fleeing the attention, stumbled upon Ruan Chenxi picking vegetables.
Ruan Chenxi brightened at the sight of her. “Xiao An! Over here! Here to pick greens? This spot’s good.” She generously shared her foraging area.
This secluded patch only had her and a few other female educated youths. Unlike the villagers, they were more reserved. Even if they wanted to befriend Yu Xiang’an, only Ruan Chenxi took the initiative.
Yu Xiang’an crouched down and started picking. “How’s it going with your current living arrangement?”
“It’s good. I share meals with them—my rations go into the pot, and I help with cooking. Everything’s fine.”
She emphasized it twice. Yu Xiang’an understood—she likely hadn’t noticed anyone following her again.
She glanced at the female educated youths who were some distance away. If she stayed with them outside and returned with such a large group, the safety factor would indeed be greatly improved.
“That’s good.” If there really was anything amiss, Yu Shunwen would have told her. Since he hadn’t mentioned anything, she guessed this was the case.
Yu Shunwen was quite diligent as the team leader. Even without concrete evidence, he would take precautions rather than wait for something to happen and regret it later.
Yu Xiang’an thought that with her uncle’s personality and capabilities, he was definitely capable of rising higher. The only question was whether he was willing to do so.
While moving up to the commune level might sound more prestigious, it also meant being farther from home and stepping into a completely different social circle—leaving a comfort zone for an unfamiliar one…
She shook her head. Why was she even thinking about this? Her uncle was a grown man who knew what he was doing. Whatever choice he made was his own.
Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie had followed Yu Mansheng to collect bird eggs—tiny ones, no bigger than the tip of a pinky finger.
They were overjoyed. Two extra eggs meant they could make scrambled eggs, and their happiness was as simple as that.
*
Lin Duzhong scrutinized his grandson and suddenly remarked, “Have you gained weight?”
It seemed his grandson hadn’t just grown taller but had also put on some weight. He remembered how thin the boy had been before, almost like a bamboo pole. But now, not only was he taller, but he also had some meat on him—not fat, but enough to make him look less gaunt.
“Are you eating meat at every meal in the canteen?” Lin Duzhong didn’t take his grandson’s salary for himself. He had his own pension, plus support from his son, so money wasn’t an issue.
Since his grandson hardly ate at home and had all three meals at the hospital canteen, this seemed the only explanation. But if that were the case, it would be too conspicuous—something he had warned against. His grandson shouldn’t have ignored his advice.
Lin Chuanbai: “No, I eat about the same as everyone else in the canteen.” He silently added in his heart, *I’ve been secretly getting extra food from others.*
“Maybe it’s because when I go out to forage for wild vegetables, I sometimes find something edible and cook it over a fire. Otherwise, I don’t know why.”
Lin Duzhong wasn’t convinced. How much “unexpected harvest” could one really find out there? Most places had long been picked clean. He suspected his grandson was secretly buying food—maybe from state-run restaurants, or even underground eateries. Another possibility was that he was cooking for himself with ingredients he’d bought.
He emphasized safety once more before asking, “Do you have enough money?”
Buying food on the black market wasn’t cheap, and at his age, his stomach was a bottomless pit—no amount of food seemed enough.
As he spoke, he took ten yuan from a drawer and handed it over.
Lin Chuanbai refused. “Grandpa, isn’t my salary enough to feed just me?”
If it really weren’t, he still had his herb garden.
Thanks to the medicinal herbs there (excluding the ginseng), he had already earned a tidy sum—enough not just to feed himself but also to save some money.
But had he really gained weight?
Every night, he cooked extra meals for himself in the herb garden, and once a week, he treated himself to a feast. With such eating habits, gaining weight wasn’t surprising. Back in his room, Lin Chuanbai patted his stomach—no flab. Good. He’d keep it up.
It wasn’t just Lin Chuanbai who had put on weight. Both Yu Xiang’an and Yu Xiangju had undergone noticeable changes.
Yu Xiang’an used to be thin and lanky, with yellowish hair and dull skin. But now, her body had developed curves, she had grown taller, her cheeks were fuller, her complexion rosy, and her hair had turned jet black.
All the food she’d eaten hadn’t gone to waste.
If the old Yu Xiang’an could only be described as “plain,” the current one was striking. Combined with her diligent sun protection, her fair skin made it obvious that she came from a well-off family—only such a background could nurture such a healthy glow.
Yu Xiangju was still as dark as ever. A whole winter had passed, and he hadn’t lightened a shade. But he had shot up in height, his old clothes now too short. With his lively, sturdy build, he was exactly the kind of robust child adults adored.
Yu Xiang’an measured her height—still not quite 165 cm. She’d keep working on it.
Her ideal height was 170 cm, but 165 cm would be fine too.
So, more milk it was.
*
After returning from Hongxing Brigade, Yu Xiang’an accompanied Gao Yimei to pick up her last dose of medicine. Once she finished this round, Lin Duzhong said she wouldn’t need any more.
Now, during her monthly cycle, she still experienced backaches and bloating, but the pain was no longer unbearable. Drinking hot water, sitting down, or lying down for a while would ease the discomfort—a vast improvement from before.
If not for Lin Duzhong’s circumstances, Gao Yimei would have wanted to present him with a commendation banner.
Originally, she and Yu Xiang’an had been mere acquaintances, brought together by mutual material needs—a friendship of convenience. But after bonding over medical visits, they gradually became genuine friends.
Sometimes, Gao Yimei would vent to her, airing her grievances. She envied Yu Xiang’an’s current situation—younger, not pressured to find a partner, with a family that didn’t hold her back, and even owning a house. Though her monthly salary was docked for mortgage payments, Gao Yimei would have gladly traded places.
“Since I stopped subsidizing the family for medical expenses, my brother’s been giving me the cold shoulder. He’s about to get married, and once he does, I doubt there’ll be any room left for me at home. I need to hurry and settle my own future. Xiao An, do you know anyone suitable? My standards aren’t high—no family baggage, decent character, a stable job with a formal salary, and his own room. That’s it.”
Honestly, those weren’t high demands. But then she added, “Oh, and he has to listen to me and hand over his salary—not give it to his parents.”
*Listen to her?* Now that made things much harder.
Gao Yimei chuckled awkwardly. “I know, I’m just setting the bar a little higher so we can negotiate. Just keep an eye out for someone close to that. If they’re missing a few criteria, it’s fine—let me know, and I’ll look into it. The only non-negotiables are a formal job and good character.”
As for housing, two people working together could save up for it over time.
Yu Xiang’an wasn’t keen on playing matchmaker—it was a thankless job. If she ended up pairing two people who made each other miserable, she’d be cursed for life.
“There aren’t many suitable candidates around me. You know, most people I work with are already married.”
As the factory director’s assistant, she mostly interacted with senior staff, most of whom had climbed the ranks through seniority. At that level, how many were still single? She was the youngest among them. She didn’t mingle much with the younger crowd, and she wouldn’t dare vouch for anyone’s character. What if they turned out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing? That’d be disastrous.
Gao Yimei sighed. “Just keep an eye out, then. Honestly, I don’t expect you to play matchmaker—you’re not even married yet. Just let me know if you spot anyone. I’m at my wits’ end. If I don’t plan for myself, who knows how long my mom will drag things out?”
Her mother was counting on her to delay marriage as long as possible so her salary could keep supporting the family.
Gao Yimei was terrified that if she waited too long, she’d have to settle for someone beneath her standards.
She couldn’t accept that.
“And another thing—I’ve really had enough. Every family has a few poor relatives, right? I get that. But they came for medical treatment, and do you know how many people tagged along? Four! All crammed into our house, sleeping on the living room floor. I don’t even know what they’re here for—shouldn’t they be at the hospital taking care of the patient? You don’t need that many people for caregiving. They’ve been eating and drinking at our expense, and my parents are too embarrassed to kick them out. If it were just a day or two, fine, but it’s been a week! The nerve! And from what I’ve overheard, they’re expecting us to cover the medical bills too. I’m livid…”
She rambled on, venting her frustrations. Once she got it all out, she stopped. She was the straightforward type—once she aired her grievances, she rarely brought them up again. Yu Xiang’an liked that about her: she was open-hearted, without hidden agendas. People like her lived happier lives. The only things she ever revisited were her mother’s exploitation and her urgency to find a partner. Everything else was water under the bridge.
After her rant, Gao Yimei remembered something important. “Xiao An, did you bring what I asked for?”
Yu Xiang’an handed her a basket containing two earthenware jars.
Gao Yimei’s face lit up. “Thank you, Xiao An. Your cooking is truly unmatched.”
Inside were fermented soybean paste and fermented tofu—her secret weapons for making canteen meals palatable.
Yu Xiang’an had let her sample most of her homemade goods, but these two were the ones she couldn’t forget.
She loved chili sauce too, but she couldn’t handle spice. Even a slightly strong flavor would set off a sneezing fit. She and chili were simply not meant to be.
These two jars would last her a month. Besides herself, she also supplied some to her female coworkers at the factory.
In return, Yu Xiang’an mostly received soybean paste and braised dishes. Making tofu was too much hassle, so she avoided it. Soybean paste and braised foods, on the other hand, were easy to prepare and occasionally brought in a little extra income. Every bit helped.
She wasn’t in it for the money—bartering was harmless even if discovered. They were just friends exchanging food, right?
Thanks to them, her pantry was now well-stocked with diverse ingredients.
When Lin Chuanbai learned of this, he had an epiphany. “I want some too!”
This way, his secret feasts in the herb garden could be even more sumptuous.
Braised dishes—why hadn’t he thought of that before? The braising liquid could be reused indefinitely with regular top-ups.
“What do you want in return? I’ll bring it next time.”
Lin Chuanbai didn’t hold back. “Chili sauce, meat sauce, mushroom meat sauce, sesame sauce, all kinds of braised dishes, braising liquid, fermented tofu.”
Yu Xiang’an gave him a deadpan look. “I’ll do my best.”
Most of the dishes Yu Xiang’an made for Lin Chuanbai were prepared in the farmhouse. Cooking in her room would let the smells spread too easily. Doing it occasionally was fine, but regularly would raise too many eyebrows.
One day, after work, Yu Xiang’an stopped by her room and emerged with a basket. She headed to their usual meeting spot, where Lin Chuanbai was already waiting.
Yu Xiang’an handed him the basket. “Here’s the mouthwatering chicken, chili sauce, mushroom meat sauce, and braised tofu.”
Lin Chuanbai took it. “Great, thanks. Deduct the cost as usual. Let me know when you’re out.” Once they became familiar, he started prepaying a lump sum, and Yu Xiang’an would deduct from it with each delivery. This minimized the risk of exposure.
Just then, Gao Yimei stepped out from behind a tree, eyeing them suspiciously. “Deduct what?”
Lin Chuanbai: “!!!”
Yu Xiang’an: “!!!”
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