Chapter 50:

These recipes were left by his grandmother, and Lin Chuanbai treasured them dearly. Instead of letting him take the originals, he was asked to copy them by hand. It would take Lin Chuanbai some time to finish transcribing the entire book.

During this period, Yu Xiang’an was busy making a labor-intensive molten lava cake. She had specially asked someone to bring chocolate from the city. At this time, chocolate was rare, and the higher-quality kind she specifically requested was even more expensive. But Yu Xiang’an felt it was worth it.

She wasn’t sure if she had suddenly gained insight and developed romantic feelings for him, but that didn’t stop her from taking action. It was better to find out sooner rather than later. If she confirmed it was love, she would definitely act on it.

She had always been curious about what love felt like but had never experienced it before. Now, there seemed to be a faint flutter in her heart. Maybe this was it. Since she had encountered it, she should seize the moment.

Making a chocolate molten lava cake wasn’t easy—or rather, making any cake at this time was challenging. Without an oven, she had to rely on a homemade baking setup, but that didn’t deter her.

When they met as planned, they almost simultaneously presented their gifts.

“I found a recipe book passed down from my grandmother’s side. It has some unique dishes. Would you like to take a look?”

“A friend of mine managed to get some chocolate, so I made a chocolate molten lava cake. Want to try it?”

As they finished speaking, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Thank you for the recipe. Let’s set it aside for now—we should eat the cake while it’s fresh.”

This was Yu Xiang’an’s first time making this cake, as bakeries didn’t sell this kind at the time.

Tasting the long-lost flavor, Lin Chuanbai narrowed his eyes in delight. But what made his heart even sweeter than the taste was the fact that she had remembered his casual mention of wanting to eat it—and now here it was.

They finished the cake together before turning their attention to the recipe book.

“This recipe is one of my grandmother’s heirlooms. There are several volumes, and I haven’t finished copying them yet. I’ll bring the rest over once I’m done. You can take a look at this one first.”

Yu Xiang’an took it and was surprised. “This recipe book seems quite old.” The wording gave it away.

“Yes, it’s probably from the Qing Dynasty.”

“Was your grandmother’s family in the culinary profession?”

“No, they were embroiderers, but the tradition ended with my grandmother’s generation. This must have been collected by some ancestor along the way.”

“Thank you. I really like it.” Yu Xiang’an enjoyed reading recipes, especially those with dishes that had stood the test of time for centuries. She could even draw inspiration from them.

“By the way, I remember you mentioned wanting to try a fruit cake. What kind would you like? Mango, apple, peach—or if you want all three, I could make a mixed one.”

Lin Chuanbai’s heart raced. This kind of treatment was something he had never experienced before.

“I’m not picky. I’ll eat whatever you make.”

Their eyes met, then quickly darted away as if burned.

Almost simultaneously, they sensed the shift in the atmosphere between them.

An ordinary glance, an accidental brush of fingers, even the wind blowing from the other’s direction—everything felt different now.

Yu Xiang’an searched for a professional term to describe this stage and settled on “the ambiguous phase”—that period where neither had yet confessed their feelings.

So this was what love felt like?

Wanting to see him, touch him, hear him speak.

Even if they said or did nothing, just seeing him there made her heart swell with joy.

But Yu Xiang’an also thought about her farm. She had previously considered that if she were to marry, she’d have to use the farm less frequently to avoid raising suspicions. Revealing its existence would require absolute trust, built over years of shared life. Such a secret was too bizarre to disclose—she didn’t dare test the limits of human nature.

Unconsciously, they began meeting more often. Yu Xiang’an cooked for him almost daily, preparing all sorts of delicious dishes—far more frequently than before. Over time, the effects were immediate: Lin Chuanbai had gained weight.

Alarmed, he immediately extended his morning jogging time. If he got chubby, he might become less attractive—what if she didn’t like that?

One day, Lin Chuanbai learned from Wang Zhi that a truck from the coast was making a temporary stop in town, carrying seafood brought along by the drivers. He invited Yu Xiang’an to go with him.

Delighted, Yu Xiang’an changed clothes and joined him. The seafood her cousin had sent had already been consumed, and the next batch was still en route. If they could replenish their stock here, that would be perfect.

The truck had stopped on the outskirts of the county, choosing an open area where approaching figures could be spotted from afar, allowing for a quick escape if necessary.

The drivers were two burly men in their thirties, their thin clothes unable to conceal their muscular builds.

When they arrived, two other buyers were already there. Upon seeing Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an, the buyers shot them wary glances. Lin Chuanbai raised his hands and said, “We’re also here to check out the goods.”

Seeing a woman in their group, the buyers relaxed slightly. If they were authorities, they wouldn’t have brought a woman along.

Still, Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an kept a respectful distance, waiting until the other buyers had completed their transactions before stepping forward to inspect the two large sacks in the truck.

Inside were dried seaweed, ribbonfish, shrimp, salted fish, dried squid—and even a desiccated starfish.

Yu Xiang’an inquired about the prices, and the drivers quickly listed them, each item priced differently.

Impressed by the quality and reasonable prices, Yu Xiang’an bought a significant portion—nearly a third of the stock. She whispered an explanation, “I’m also buying for my family. They really like these things.”

Pleased with the large purchase, the drivers threw in a few seashells as freebies, saying they could be used as decorations.

Yu Xiang’an accepted them gladly and mentioned she’d love to buy more if they ever returned.

The drivers laughed. “We probably won’t be back this way again.”

Most of the haul belonged to Yu Xiang’an, with a small portion for Lin Chuanbai to take home to his grandfather.

But after walking a short distance, Lin Chuanbai took the entire bag from her. He couldn’t let her carry such a heavy load.

However, they hadn’t gone far when several figures began closing in on them. Recognizing their faces, Lin Chuanbai immediately grabbed Yu Xiang’an’s hand and ran in the opposite direction.

Though the pursuers weren’t wearing red armbands at the moment, Lin Chuanbai knew who they were.

The two drivers, still with unsold goods, saw the commotion and immediately drove off.

Humans couldn’t outrun a truck—that was why they had parked outside the town. If discovered, they could make a quick getaway.

Lin Chuanbai, a regular runner with good stamina, carried the bag and pulled Yu Xiang’an along at a swift pace. Yu Xiang’an, no slouch herself—her job wasn’t entirely desk-bound, and she often accompanied Deputy Director Wang on errands—kept up effortlessly, aided by Lin Chuanbai’s grip and her own youth and vitality.

Seeing them flee, the pursuers realized they’d been recognized. One shouted, “Stop right there! Don’t run!”

“You’re engaging in illegal trade! Stop, or you’ll regret it when we catch you!”

The more they yelled, the faster the pair ran.

Only fools would stop.

This wasn’t their first close call, so they had some experience. The open terrain worked in their favor—there were no alleys to trap them in.

After running for a while, Yu Xiang’an pointed to a nearby mountain. “Let’s head there.”

Without question, Lin Chuanbai changed course.

Seeing them veer toward the mountain, their pursuers grew more frantic. One even picked up a stone and hurled it at them with enough force to leave a bruise if it hit.

Lin Chuanbai was struck on the left leg.

Thankfully, Yu Xiang’an steadied him, and they continued running into the dense foliage. Familiar with the area, they navigated effortlessly—Yu Xiang’an often foraged here with her siblings, and Lin Chuanbai gathered herbs.

Twisting and turning, guided by Yu Xiang’an, they crossed from one mountain to another, finally taking refuge in a natural hollow.

The pursuers, unfamiliar with the terrain, soon lost sight of them.

Frustrated, they refused to give up, continuing to search while delivering stern warnings about the consequences of resistance.

Huddled together, Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai listened to the fading shouts and exchanged amused glances, stifling laughter.

“How’s your leg?” Yu Xiang’an asked.

Lin Chuanbai gingerly touched it. “It’s fine. Might bruise, though.” His other hand still held hers—now even tighter.

In the dim light, neither spoke. They were so close they could smell each other’s soap-scented skin.

Tuning out the distant shouts, Lin Chuanbai whispered, “When should we leave?”

“Once they’re gone. We’ll take a detour in case they double back.”

“Okay.”

Yu Xiang’an glanced at their joined hands. “We’re safe now. Aren’t you going to let go?”

Lin Chuanbai hesitated. “…I don’t want to.”

After a pause, she asked softly, “Why?”

In the faint light, she saw his face redden—from running or something else?

Meeting her gaze, Lin Chuanbai felt a surge of courage. “…Because I like you. Will you be my girlfriend? I promise to treat you well for the rest of my life.”

He added earnestly, “I’ll hand over my salary, and you’ll have the final say in all matters, big or small.”

Yu Xiang’an’s face warmed. He liked her—and what about her? If she didn’t feel the same, why was she smiling uncontrollably? In that moment, she understood: her heart was racing too.

But his promises—salary handovers, decision-making power—sounded less like a boyfriend’s pledge and more like a marriage proposal.

(Lin Duzhong had taught him this approach, having done the same in his youth. Combining it with modern “good man” principles, Lin Chuanbai found it sound.)

Her throat dry, Yu Xiang’an murmured, “…Okay. Starting today, you’re my boyfriend.” She wanted to give this a chance.

Lin Chuanbai’s heart pounded. “Then you’re my girlfriend.”

His grin widened, bordering on goofy.

Hand in hand, they waited in silence until the pursuers’ voices faded entirely. After an additional cautious interval, they emerged under the pale moonlight and took an alternate route back to town.

The county’s crumbling walls offered multiple entry points. Without being caught red-handed or recognized, they’d be fine—though they’d need to lay low for a while.

It wasn’t safe to bring the goods back to the factory, and Yu Xiang’an couldn’t just vanish them into her farm without explanation. Instead, she decided to head to the Yu family home.

Naturally, Lin Chuanbai insisted on escorting her—he couldn’t let her walk alone at night.

“You can just drop me at the intersection.” A formal visit wasn’t appropriate yet.

Lin Chuanbai, unprepared to meet her family empty-handed and in disheveled clothes, agreed. They set their next meeting time: “I’ll come find you after work tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

By the time Yu Xiang’an arrived home, Yu Qingshan was about to retire. Seeing her with a large bundle, he asked what was inside.

She omitted their narrow escape, simply saying, “A friend brought these from out of town. Let’s divide them up.”

During the walk, she’d discreetly transferred some items to her farm. The remainder would be split among her family, maternal grandparents, eldest brother, and rural relatives—leaving little for herself.

“How much did it cost?”

Yu Xiang’an didn’t say: “Not much, I have money on hand.”

Since she didn’t specify, Yu Qingshan added some for her—he couldn’t let her pay for everything. These were dried goods that could last a long time, so buying them was worth it.

“Are you staying here tonight?”

“Yes, I won’t go back.”

“Have you showered?”

“Yes.”

“Then go to bed early.”

The next day, Yu Xiang’an woke up earlier than usual to allow extra time for the commute. In the afternoon after work, she returned to her room to change clothes.

Today, they were meeting—they had officially confirmed their relationship the day before, making this their first date. She didn’t want to wear her factory uniform; she wanted to wear a dress. She also applied some tinted moisturizer and lipstick. If it weren’t for the fact that doing a full makeup routine before work would be too obvious, she would have done it earlier. Right now, she still felt a bit shy about making it public.

She had just confidently declared that they were purely friends, and now suddenly they were officially dating—the change was too abrupt.

They didn’t do much that day. Lin Chuanbai didn’t have the courage to suddenly hold her hand. They just walked and talked normally. The next day, when they reached a secluded spot, Lin Chuanbai took the initiative to hold her hand, but as soon as they approached people, he immediately let go, only to hold it again when they were alone. He found endless joy in this.

Every day after work, Lin Chuanbai would arrive punctually. They seemed to have endless things to talk about. They discussed many topics, and Lin Chuanbai took the initiative to bring up the subject of housing.

His home was quite a distance from the food factory, and he didn’t particularly want to be neighbors with his second aunt, living in the same courtyard. If they did, there would inevitably be petty conflicts. He wanted to find a house somewhere between the county hospital and the food factory.

That way, if they moved out, they could have more privacy. Living in the Lin family home, they had no privacy at all.

His second aunt was very nosy. Once, when he wasn’t home, she had entered his room and rummaged through his things, claiming she was helping him clean. But his room was always tidy—he didn’t need anyone else to clean it.

Yu Xiang’an had a two-room place at the factory where he could technically live, but that wouldn’t look good reputation-wise. Besides, he had the means to afford his own place, and her factory quarters were surrounded by neighbors. While it was convenient for her to take naps there, if they wanted to live privately as a couple, having their own small courtyard—a standalone home—would be much more comfortable.

Yu Xiang’an thought his plans were moving a bit fast, but considering how quickly people dated and married in this era, it wasn’t too unusual. Of course, she hoped to live separately—few young people in later generations enjoyed living with too many others, and she was no exception.

Living together in their own small courtyard, even if it was modest, would be fine.

They wouldn’t stay there for long, but it would allow them to live comfortably. Plus, a small courtyard could serve as a buffer—planting some flowers and trees could block prying eyes.

“Does your grandfather have any objections?”

“Our family has always been like this—the ancestral home goes to the eldest son. I have an older brother, so the house is his. When my younger brother gets married, I’ll have to move out. Moving out now is just a bit earlier than planned.”

But there was another immediate problem: very few people in the county had extra houses to spare. Most families squeezed multiple generations into small homes.

Lin Chuanbai: “I’ve already asked someone to look into it. I’ll let you know once I have news.”

Every day after work, Lin Chuanbai would go to see Yu Xiang’an. Sometimes, they strolled around the streets near the food factory; other times, they went to the movies together. In the dim, noisy theater, their hands remained tightly clasped. They also went to a photo studio to take pictures. Photos were expensive at the time, but neither of them hesitated—they took several at once, developed two copies each, and kept one for themselves. When they grew old and looked back at these photos, they would surely feel nostalgic.

Hearing that there was a performance in the city, they even got introduction letters and went to watch it. They did everything young couples could do for dates at the time.

Since they weren’t hiding anything, their frequent outings naturally drew attention. The first to notice was Yan Yuzhen.

Working in the same factory, she often saw Yu Xiang’an. She noticed that Xiao An now paid more attention to her appearance, dressing more carefully. Sometimes, she even caught a faint fragrance on her—something pleasant, though she didn’t know what it was. Moreover, she once saw the two of them holding hands, laughing and chatting, looking utterly happy.

So Yan Yuzhen asked again, “Are you two dating?”

This time, Yu Xiang’an admitted readily, “Yes.”

Seeing her like this, Yan Yuzhen could only smile and ask, “When will you treat me to wedding sweets?”

“When the time comes, do you really think I won’t notify you?”

Dating was joyful, but getting married so soon?

Yu Xiang’an felt it was a bit too fast—they had only been officially together for two months.

Then, Yu Qingshan confronted her: “Didn’t you say you’d tell me if you started dating? Why did I have to hear it from someone else this time? They said they saw you holding hands with some guy.”

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

Caught off guard.

“…I wasn’t sure how to tell you before. We only confirmed our relationship recently. I was planning to tell you in detail once things were more stable.”

“So what’s the plan now? How far have you two gone? You haven’t done anything inappropriate, have you?” His brows furrowed tightly.

Yu Xiang’an blushed slightly. “No.”

Their relationship was purely at the hand-holding stage. She was curious about what kissing would feel like, but while she had the desire, she lacked the courage. The thought of leaning in for a kiss still required some mental preparation.

Seeing her reaction, Yu Qingshan’s expression softened slightly. He spoke earnestly: “You know there are things you shouldn’t do before marriage, right?” His little daughter was growing up—soon to be married.

These were things her mother should have discussed with her, but now it fell to him.

When she nodded, he seemed satisfied. “Good, you understand boundaries. Now, aren’t you going to tell me more about him?”

Yu Xiang’an obediently provided the details: “His name is Lin Chuanbai. He’s the same age as me and works in the county hospital’s pharmacy as a permanent employee. His father is a demobilized soldier and now works as a factory director in a northern city. His biological mother is a military officer. His parents divorced and remarried others, so their relationship isn’t close. Right now, he lives at home with his grandfather, a retired renowned doctor from the city hospital who came back to retire here. When my sister-in-law was pregnant with twins, she went to him for check-ups. He also has a second uncle and aunt here—this is their hometown. The two families live in the same courtyard, in two two-story buildings. Right now, his family’s two-story building only houses his grandfather and him. He has an older brother and sister. According to family tradition, the house belongs to his older brother, who works in the Shanghai government. His older sister is a doctor at the city hospital.”

Hearing this background, Yu Qingshan’s frown deepened. The disparity in status was concerning—the other side had a factory director, military officers, government employees, and doctors in the family. Their own family was just ordinary workers. Though some doctors had faced difficulties, as long as their family history was clean and they hadn’t taken sides, the risk of being implicated was low. Society couldn’t afford to condemn all doctors—who would treat the sick and prescribe medicine? Besides, having a skill meant never worrying about making a living.

Yu Qingshan sighed. “…His family’s conditions are quite good. Do they know about you two?”

Yu Xiang’an understood his concern. “His grandfather knows. He isn’t close to his parents. You know how rare military divorces were back then—it caused a rift. His parents are quite distant from him. He graduated from high school in the city and got this job on his own merit, unrelated to his parents.”

Yu Qingshan pondered for a while. “Did you meet because of your sister-in-law’s check-up?”

“No, I accompanied a friend to see Dr. Lin earlier than that, but we didn’t interact much back then.”

“Alright. When will you bring him home to meet me?”

Yu Xiang’an hesitated. “Let me discuss it with him first.”

If he visited her home, marriage wouldn’t be far off—even if they delayed, it wouldn’t be for long. But thinking about marrying him, Yu Xiang’an imagined it and found she didn’t feel any resistance.

Lin Chuanbai returned late every night after work, so Lin Duzhong knew things were progressing. He felt smug—with his guidance, his grandson securing a wife was a piece of cake.

His past experience was genuine.

He also raised the question: “When will our families meet? You two aren’t young anymore. I’ve checked the almanac—there are many auspicious dates in the second half of this year for us to choose from. Next year, there aren’t as many.”

Lin Chuanbai agreed readily: “Alright, I’ll discuss it with her.” Before visiting her family, he should first seek her consent—perhaps propose?

Lin Chuanbai also mentioned his plan to find another house.

Their current home had spare rooms, but if they returned, space would be tight. Moreover, by family tradition, the house belonged to his older brother. Plus, the commute to the food factory wasn’t short. Finding a place closer would allow them to live there on weekdays and return here on rest days.

Hearing this, Lin Duzhong fell silent. “Is this your own idea?”

“Yes. She has a two-room place at the factory where I could technically live, but it wouldn’t look good reputation-wise.”

“That’s not acceptable. It’d make you seem like a live-in son-in-law—no, no.” Few men in such arrangements amounted to much.

“Living at home with a bicycle isn’t too troublesome for commuting.”

“But leaving early and returning late means enduring wind and sun. Living closer would save time. Plus, I’d like a quieter place.” He added another reason: “Distance might help maintain harmony. Familiarity breeds contempt.”

Lin Duzhong thought of his second daughter-in-law’s personality and sighed. Of course, he wanted his descendants nearby, but when they married, he hadn’t realized her temperament was like this. Regrets were useless now. Well, children have their own fortunes—at his age, he shouldn’t interfere too much.

“I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.” His grandfather had plenty of connections here.

“Aside from the house, what else? Has she mentioned dowry or betrothal gifts?”

“No, neither of us cares much about that. We’ll prepare what’s necessary—our family can afford it. As for her family, whatever we give will likely be returned as part of her dowry.”

He already had a bicycle and a watch. To complete the “Four Big Items,” he just needed a sewing machine and a radio.

“Grandfather, do you have a radio ticket?”

He already had one for the sewing machine.

Lin Chuanbai calculated his savings and decided to sell two ginseng roots in the city soon—that would give him enough funds.

When they met again:

“My father wants to meet you.”

“My grandfather asked when we’ll visit your family.”

They looked at each other.

Lin Chuanbai: “Xiao An, I think we’re not too young anymore. We can finalize our marriage plans.” He took a deep breath and pulled out a pair of gold rings from his pocket: “Diamonds aren’t available now, so I had these custom-made.” He gazed at her, eyes filled with nervousness and hope: “Xiao An, I love you. I want to build a family with you. Will you marry me?”

He spoke slowly: “I think the fact that we both came to this world from the future means we’re fated. Out of all the people who had accidents, only we two ended up here. We share the same education, similar thoughts, and understand each other. I believe we’re suited for each other. I don’t know how to be a perfect husband, but I’ll learn. I’ll treat you as well as I do now. I hope we can support and understand each other for the rest of our lives.”