"Will this work?" Gui Xiang hesitated.
"Why wouldn't it? Changshun may be a bit frail on his own, but his wife’s family has people who can help. Don’t you always worry about Changshun and the little ones? Even when he wanted to go out to work, Changshun’s wife wouldn’t let him leave. If they stay at home, they’ve got to do something. Relying solely on that tiny plot of land is too hard."
"Alright." Gui Xiang nodded immediately.
"I’ll go back and talk to the old man. The noodle shop will be left to you these next few days. If it’s too much, just close for a few days. And you’ll have to take care of Dabao and Erbao too."
"The kids are always playing with their friends in the compound—they’ll be fine. Besides, your niece Xianglian is here to help at the shop. We’ll manage."
The two chatted for a while longer. Before Gui Xiang could go find the old man, he arrived first.
"Yu Fen brought up something I think is worth considering. You should hear it too—it’s about our eldest."
Gui Xiang explained the plan to plant fruit trees, including the costs involved, calculating the figures carefully for her husband.
"Fruit trees are a good idea. Changshun has a steady temperament. When you go back, I’ll help out at the noodle shop. Helping our eldest this once is the least we can do for them. Whether they appreciate it or not, don’t let it upset you. It’s their choice."
Gui Xiang nodded. Yang Yufen called the village committee, and Gui Xiang mentioned her plans to return home.
"Alright, I’ll let Changshun know. Yu Fen, I’ll call you the day after tomorrow with an answer, whether it’s a yes or no. It’s kind of you to think of the folks back home from so far away."
The village head hung up gratefully. Planting fruit trees—and with saplings from the agricultural research institute—even if others hesitated, he had already decided his family would definitely take part.
Soon, the village head’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker, calling for every household to gather at the threshing ground after 8 p.m. to discuss the matter.
Amid the festive atmosphere, the matchmaking event kicked off on National Day.
Qin Nian stood beside Shen Xianjun. Zhou Ang had also come, bringing along a group of unmarried nurses from his hospital. Fan Juan, the organizer, stopped by briefly to greet them before hurrying off to attend to other matters.
Qin Nian glanced at Shen Xianjun in his military uniform—this was the third time she’d seen him dressed so formally.
The first was when they met. The second was when they registered their marriage. And now, this was the third.
"My brother asked me to bring people here. Now that my task is done, once this event is over, the rest of the day counts as leave. I report back the day after tomorrow."
Shen Xianjun spoke softly by Qin Nian’s ear.
Her ears flushed red as she recalled what he’d said before his last deployment.
"..."
At a loss for words, she pinched his arm.
Though it didn’t hurt, Shen Xianjun was taken aback. He looked at his wife and saw her face glowing like a ripe apple.
An apple he wanted to bite.
"Let me get you an apple," he blurted out.
"I don’t want one. Can you behave? The host is about to speak."
Qin Nian tried to steady herself.
Shen Xianjun suppressed a grin.
"Today’s nerves should belong to the singles here, not you, Nian Nian."
He leaned in slightly—only to be pinched again, though it still felt more like a tickle.
Qin Nian withdrew her hand, her eyes faintly accusing. His arms were solid, and so was his waist.
She couldn’t help but secretly touch the soft curve of her own waist.
Neither of them paid much attention to the event—they weren’t the main attraction anyway, standing off to the side.
Not wanting to truly annoy his wife, Shen Xianjun changed the subject.
"How’s Mom and the kids lately?"
"The kids have been well-behaved. Today they went to the children’s palace for an activity—the teacher’s wife took them. Mom went to help at the noodle shop. Aunt Gui Xiang went back to her hometown."
Qin Nian’s thoughts shifted with his question.
"Aunt Gui Xiang went back now?"
Shen Xianjun had asked casually, but it seemed there was more to it.
"Yes, she went to check on things. Mom and Aunt Wang have leased some hillside land to plant fruit trees. Once Aunt Gui Xiang returns, Mom will probably be even busier. But with guidance from the agricultural experts and saplings provided by them, they’ll prepare the land this year for transplanting in spring."
"So they’re reclaiming wasteland? That’ll take a lot of manpower. Otherwise, it’ll drag on forever."
"Mm. Mom and Aunt Wang said they’d hire workers—ten yuan a day, with one meal included. One meat dish, one vegetable, and all you can eat."
Qin Nian knew a bit about it. Whenever she came home, her mother-in-law would share updates on the orchard. She enjoyed listening—it was a way to unwind.
"Wait, ten yuan a day? From what time to what time?"
Shen Xianjun couldn’t hide his curiosity.
"From 7:30 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon, with an hour and a half break for lunch."
"And the meal is really all-you-can-eat?"
He pressed further.
"Mm. Mom said hard labor requires full stomachs. They’ve arranged meals with the canteen—already settled with the cooks."
"Does Mom still need more people?"
Shen Xianjun asked again.
"I think they need quite a few. The exact number isn’t finalized yet."
Qin Nian didn’t think much of it.
"Alright, Nian Nian, I’m going to find my brother. Wait here—I’ll be right back."
With that, Shen Xianjun darted off.
Hu Jun was also there, though he hadn’t come into the hall.
"Brother, are you done?"
Shen Xianjun waited briefly before Hu Jun emerged.
"What’s up?"
"Brother, weren’t you thinking about where to take the troops for some hardship training? I’ve got the perfect spot—and it’s not for free. They’ll get a meal and ten yuan per person per day."
"What scheme are you cooking up now?"
Hu Jun eyed him skeptically.
Shen Xianjun rubbed his nose. Why did everyone call his ideas "schemes"? They were perfectly good plans.
After hearing him out, Hu Jun was torn between laughter and exasperation—the latter directed at Aunt Yang. If this were his own son, he’d have taken a belt to him for scheming against family.
Still, the idea had merit. The only issue? The food was too good. The new recruits, especially the troublemakers, wouldn’t appreciate it. Hardship bred gratitude.
"I’ll discuss this with Aunt Yang later. You’ll lead the team personally—consider it your way of helping her."
The older generation had endured real struggles. These new recruits had it far too easy—they needed toughening up.
Meanwhile, Yang Yufen remained unaware that her dear son had just secured her a troop of strong laborers. At the noodle shop, she noticed how efficient Xianglian, Gui Xiang’s niece, was.
It was a shame she’d married the wrong man. Compared to when she first arrived, her spirit had transformed completely.
By 2 p.m., during the break, Xianglian had already washed the dishes, swept the floor, and wiped every table spotless.
