Lin Han had been coming home punctually these past two days, arriving just as dinner was ready. Tonight, Nan Sheng was in a good mood and made braised pork with dried beans, stir-fried greens, and steamed rice—a meal so satisfying no one spoke a word while eating.
Though Nan Sheng was thrilled to eat spicy food daily since moving here, her stomach wasn’t as pleased. Caught between joy and discomfort, she often cooked hometown dishes for the sake of her health.
Lin Han asked Nan Sheng, "Still not used to it? Back home, the mountains would already be buried in snow by now."
Nan Sheng nodded. Here, the trees were still green, and the seasons barely changed.
"Exactly. The New Year’s less than a month away, but aside from the damp chill, there’s no sign of winter. The difference between north and south is huge."
The two kids nodded vigorously too. Even under thick blankets at night, they felt cold. Thankfully, their mother had bought them hot water bottles to hug for warmth.
Nan Sheng couldn’t help complaining, "The humidity here’s unbearable—my limbs and shoulders feel so heavy. Next year, let’s figure out how to install a fan to reduce the dampness. It’ll make summers easier too."
Lin Han agreed immediately, "Sure, we’ll do it come spring!" Though getting the ration coupons might be tricky.
After dinner, Nan Sheng handed Lin Han a letter from Mingli, filled with greetings for him.
Lin Han was visibly happy reading the letter, poring over it repeatedly.
"I bet Father will write too. Since your sister-in-law’s family are close relatives, they’ll surely send us word about the funeral."
"Mm."
Lin Han was more concerned about the Wang family’s situation. His comrade had acted swiftly—next time he visited, he’d bring him a bottle of good liquor.
The kids, now on vacation, were running wild. When their parents were out at noon, they’d come home to snack on pastries or canned food before dashing off again.
Siqi tattled to her parents, "Brother won’t play with me anymore. He says I’m in the way."
Sizhe shot his sister a glare and started clearing the dishes. "Why do you have to snitch? I dropped you off with the other kids first, didn’t I?"
He couldn’t even blend in with those little rascals. After all the back-and-forth, he got no gratitude—what a thankless brat.
The couple pretended not to hear. Lin Han tugged his wife’s arm and retreated to the bedroom, leaving Siqi fuming behind them, hands on her hips, determined to be the brightest third wheel.
"Mom, listen to me! This is important! Tell Brother to take me with him next time!"
The older boys dug trenches and played war games, pretending to fight enemies—it looked so cool.
Nan Sheng warned her daughter, "Lin Siqi, your brother already takes good care of you. Don’t push your luck, or I’ll spank you!"
Siqi instantly switched from hands-on-hips to shielding her face, backing toward the living room. Playful banter was one thing, but getting hit was no joke.
Besides, Dad was no help. What else could she do?
Lin Han suggested to Nan Sheng that since the family hadn’t visited the county town since moving to Rongcheng, they should catch a movie the next day, his day off.
Nan Sheng agreed eagerly. "Let’s go! No point sitting around at home."
Earning money without spending it was just silly. Nan Sheng lived by two rules: work hard and enjoy life. Otherwise, by the time she was old and toothless, she wouldn’t even be able to chew bones.
Speaking of bones, Nan Sheng’s mouth watered. She decided they’d buy pork ribs or marrow bones in town tomorrow to make spicy braised bones—an absolute delicacy.
The next day, Lin Han borrowed a bike for Sizhe while he rode with his wife and daughter. Siqi’s little feet wiggled excitedly, and she chattered nonstop.
Sizhe admitted with relief, "Mom, I’m glad you didn’t mention the trip last night. I’d have been too excited to sleep."
Everyone laughed. Siqi couldn’t keep a secret, but she was the family’s little joybringer.
They reached the county town before ten. Lin Han led them to the state-run restaurant. They’d eaten lightly that morning to save room for a feast.
"Lamb soup? Perfect for this season—and it’s limited supply too! Latecomers miss out." Nan Sheng was delighted.
A bowl of lamb soup would warm them right up. Lin Han also bought four large steamed buns.
Siqi bargained at the counter, "Big sister, I’m just a kid. Can you go easy on the chili in mine?"
"No can do. It won’t taste right without enough."
Siqi watched in horror as one, two, three spoonfuls of chili oil went into her soup. She nearly cried.
Was she too young to communicate clearly?
This lady was so mean! Ugh!
Lin Han quietly scooped the chili from his daughter’s bowl into his own. Nan Sheng bit back a laugh—Siqi’s soup had ended up spicier than even her brother’s.
With warm bellies from the lamb soup, they pedaled cheerfully to the cinema.
The theater was packed, mostly with young couples on dates. That day’s feature was the wildly popular revolutionary opera Shajiabang.
The 125-minute film left everyone walking out red-eyed. Movies in this era, simple yet heartfelt, struck deep chords.
Lin Han scrambled to console three weepy family members, finally placating them with a shopping spree at the department store.
"Dad, I want a hair ribbon!"
"Dad, I want marbles!"
"Lin Han, I’m buying a scarf!"
He bought it all—as long as they stopped crying. His head was spinning.
They’d left home light but returned laden with bags. Even if folks in the military compound noticed, no one dared gossip.
At the building entrance, Li Gongliang and Zhu Jinghui were discussing work. "Lin Han, Nan Sheng, you all went to town?"
Lin Han sent his family upstairs and stayed to chat.
"Been too busy lately. The kids and Nan Sheng hadn’t seen the county town since we arrived. Seized the chance today."
Li Gongliang looked envious. "Your wife’s a government director—her salary must be decent, right?"
Lin Han nodded. "About the same as mine."
Now Zhu Jinghui was jealous too. "No wonder you two live so well. Man, you hit the jackpot with a wife like that."
Unlike them—single incomes stretched across entire families. His wife earned peanuts, and between supporting both sets of parents and siblings, their savings were pitiful.
Lin Han had never tallied their savings. Beyond daily expenses and filial support, there wasn’t much to spend on.
Zhang Yiheng spotted them from upstairs and joined, looking cheerful. "What’s with the long faces on your day off?"
When money woes came up, he vented:
"Lin Han, you guys cook meat way too often. My kids smell it and beg nonstop. At least next month’ll be better—my wife’s finally getting her job. We’ll afford meat now and then."
Lin Han thought, Is it my fault my wife earns well?
