Let’s start with Chen Mianmian.
There were rumors of espionage activities, so the Security Section dispatched Ma Ji and his team immediately.
That letter had to be personally examined by him as well.
He scanned through the letter quickly, then immediately apologized to Chen Mianmian.
It was an ordinary letter, sent under the name of Director Jiang at the Reception Guesthouse, even addressing Director Jiang at the start.
The content mentioned that, according to Xu Xiaomei, her sister-in-law had gone on a blind date after her divorce, and the suitor was the director of the Iron Pipe Institute.
This wasn’t exactly a rumor since Director Jiang’s statement was based on fact.
Xu Xiaomei didn’t dare to exaggerate, only spreading the news about the blind date.
When the Security Section reviewed it, they found no issues, so the letter was handed over to Jiang Xia.
Besides, the truth would inevitably come out eventually—sooner or later, the base would learn about Chen Mianmian’s blind date with Wei Cuiyun.
Ma Ji deliberately went to the grain storage area and said, “Jiang Xia will definitely have to undergo investigation and criticism. We will also send a formal letter to the Reception Guesthouse, asking the City Public Security Bureau to conduct a thorough investigation of Director Jiang and Xu Xiaomei, to look into their motives for writing the letter.”
Then he paused and added, “We’ll be more careful when reviewing letters in the future, but you also have to be mentally prepared. After all…it’s you and Zhao Gong living together. As long as you two don’t care about rumors, let them talk.”
Chen Mianmian asked, “If it involves espionage, how will you deal with Jiang?”
Ma Ji said, “She really is something. She was among the first group to come to the base. Her husband died in the line of duty. Because she cooks well, Commissar Qi specially applied to keep her on the base. But I think she just doesn’t want to work anymore.”
The first batch of people sent to the base went through the toughest times—starving and thirsty while still having to complete missions.
Most family members suffered illnesses from the cold.
Unfortunately, Jiang Xia is just too fond of gossiping, so this is her karma.
Chen Mianmian felt a bit sorry for her, since she liked Jiang Xia’s steamed flower buns and only wanted to give her a lesson, not have her sent to reform through labor.
So she said, “Aunt Jiang probably just slipped up. Handle it with discretion. Don’t be too harsh.”
Ma Ji nodded but added, “Our little unit’s families are all proud and proud, and won’t tolerate any nonsense. If anyone says anything in the future, just pretend you’re deaf and ignore it. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
Regarding her blind date after divorce, the truth would come out sooner or later, and people would mock her.
But Chen Mianmian was once a top lawyer, an expert in manipulating public opinion.
Would she let people say whatever they wanted?
The store had been cleared out—no customers, just a group of sales clerks.
They were the most effective gossipmongers in these times, so Chen Mianmian just laid it all out.
“Department Head Ma knows. My brother, because he forced me to divorce and even tried to sell me off to an old man, has been detained by the Public Security Bureau.”
Ma Ji, who had seen the case files, nodded.
Chen Mianmian continued, “You also know I was rescued by the police from being sold to a bald, pot-bellied old man.”
Although Ma Ji nodded along, something felt off—because Wei Cuiyun didn’t seem like an old man to him.
But women don’t always view men the same way men do.
Besides, the case files clearly stated that Chen Jinhui had forced Chen Mianmian into the blind date, even tying her up and beating her.
He nodded again, “Yes, that’s true.”
Chen Mianmian glanced at the sales clerks eavesdropping with rapt attention; her eyes welled up.
Naturally, everyone’s eyes were full of sympathy.
Xiao Jia said, “Sister-in-law, what kind of hardships you’ve endured…”
Women are naturally more compassionate and trustworthy than men because they possess greater empathy.
The blind date story would spread eventually; better to control how it spreads than to let others gossip.
Chen Mianmian looked at everyone with tears in her eyes, “It’s okay. It’s all in the past.”
As expected, she received a wave of sympathy, and the story spread in a new way.
Did she go on the blind date willingly?
No, she was forced.
The suitor?
A bald, pot-bellied old man—who among the family would dare mock her?
Of course, without Jiang Xia’s military dependent certificate, it didn’t matter much; out of sympathy, the sales clerks all clamored to let her use theirs.
After seeing the security team leave, Xiao Jia said, “Whatever you want to buy, just say it. You can use my military dependent certificate.”
Chen Mianmian grabbed a handful of oats, “Can I buy fifty jin of these?”
Xiao Jia hesitated, “There’s a ration of five jin per household every three months. There’s no more.”
Because she had helped Miaomiao, Xue Fang wanted to repay the favor and came to the store smiling, saying, “Xiao Chen, take whatever you want. Whether it’s with tickets or quotas, I’ll put it under my name.”
Chen Mianmian immediately thought of a plan.
She said, “Xue Fang, help me ask Sun Bingyu and the other family members if anyone wants ‘Xiaxia’ and ‘Pizi’ in exchange for their oat rations. My belly is too big to run around; please ask for me.”
Xue Fang agreed readily, “No problem. Nobody around here eats oats.”
But she was curious, “Why do you want so much oat for? How are you planning to eat it?”
Speaking of oats, it brings to mind Lin Yan.
He was a Nationalist Army soldier who had fought bayonet battles against the Japanese, a fierce warrior who fought his way to becoming an officer.
Later, when the Nationalists and Communists clashed again, he turned his gun against the Nationalist army and drove them away.
He was never a spy, but somehow was branded as one and sent to reform through labor.
The militia, also known as the disciplinary cadres, like Xu Cigang, wouldn’t dare kill anyone.
But food was scarce on the farm, and prisoners often fought over it.
As both a Nationalist and a spy, Lin Yan was despised and isolated at the very bottom.
He hardly ever got to eat, starving to the brink of death.
The cadres just had to hint to some prisoners, and they would force him to commit suicide to curry favor.
Oats are the most nutritious, tasty, and easily disguised among all the coarse grains.
She planned to send it to Lin Yan, but of course she couldn’t say so outright.
She looked at the sales clerks, “You know sweet fermented oats, right? That’s made from these. Oh, do you have sweet yeast? I want some of that too.”
Xiao Jia said, “I’ve heard of it, but never tasted sweet fermented oats. Can you really make it?”
Chen Mianmian smiled, “I’m going to take more oats to experiment with. If I succeed, I’ll teach you how to make it.”
The sales clerks exchanged glances and said in unison, “We’ll make up the quota for you.”
The store only had twenty jin of oats left.
With the combined quotas of four people, Chen Mianmian took it all at once.
It was time to buy other things.
Xue Fang took out a ticket, “I want to exchange for some clothes.”
Xiao Jia rummaged under the counter and found a corduroy batwing shirt, “Is this the one? Exclusive for cadre family dependents.”
Clothing was rationed now; for example, corduroy was only supplied to cadres’ families.
Xue Fang handed it to Chen Mianmian, “It’s a gift. This shirt is loose and perfect for covering your belly.”
A batwing shirt is perfect for a pregnant woman’s growing belly.
Chen Mianmian gratefully accepted it.
She also bought two pairs of wide-waisted underwear for washing and some diapers for the baby, all packed together.
Back home, she steamed a small batch of sweet fermented oats.
She didn’t wash the remaining oats but heated them directly in a coal stove and fried them all.
Then she opened the room where she stored the ‘Xiaxia’ and dug out half a basket of Guanyin Soil, mixing it together.
While she was busy, someone knocked.
Opening the door, it was a duty soldier, “Sister-in-law, good day!”
He added, “You need to be at the hospital by 2:30 this afternoon. Zhao Gong will be waiting for you there.”
Sun Bingyu didn’t know what Chen Mianmian was fiddling with, but hearing someone speak, she came out.
She smiled, “Looks like Zhao Gong finally finished his work and can accompany you to the hospital.”
Seeing Chen Mianmian’s hands blackened from Guanyin Soil, she asked, “Are you pickling ‘Xiaxia’ again?”
After losing a brother, Xu Xiaomei should have stopped, but she hadn’t—still going after Chen Mianmian and Lin Yan.
Chen Mianmian was forced into it, but every time Xu Xiaomei made a move, she lost another brother.
Of course, she couldn’t say this to Sun Bingyu, so she said, “Yes, dealing with the ‘Xiaxia.’”
Sun Bingyu smiled, “Make plenty. Ma Ji likes to eat it.”
She had heard the news about Jiang Xia’s arrest and wanted to ask, “What’s going on with Sister Jiang?”
Chen Mianmian was still busy, closed the door, and said, “We’ll talk another day.”
At the same time, Zhao Lingcheng changed into a brand-new military uniform and was with Zhao Hui at the train station.
Zhao Hui was holding his hand, noticing the large white blisters on it, and asked worriedly, “I heard they bubbled up during testing. Look at your hands—your trigger finger must be swollen and sore. Why didn’t you say anything or apply some ointment?”
Their enemy was a reconnaissance aircraft flying at 20,000 meters.
They only had a few seconds to shoot it down the moment it was exposed.
The difficulty of this mission was unimaginable.
Zhao Lingcheng was busy, handing his small travel bag to Zhao Hui, “Give this to Lin Yan, and say goodbye for me.”
Zhao Hui looked inside: biscuits and canned meat.
“These won’t save his life,” she said.
She added, “It’s my fault. If I had let Xu Cigang escape that day, Lin Yan wouldn’t have been driven to attempt suicide.”
But by choosing to expose the drowning case, she had given up on Lin Yan.
Zhao Lingcheng smiled wryly, “Death is a relief to him. He should be grateful.”
Zhao Hui shook her head, “I know him best. He’s not a spy, not an enemy agent.”
Zhao Lingcheng still smiled, “But even your dad suspects him, piling on. Doesn’t your dad also doubt me?”
Their grandfather, Zhao Jun, was fierce against evil.
He not only refused to defend Lin Yan, labeled as an enemy agent, but also suspected Zhao Lingcheng himself of having spy blood.
Zhao Hui had no way to reason with their stubborn grandfather and could only say, “Sorry, Lingcheng.”
Zhao Lingcheng’s voice was hoarse, “What does it matter to you? The fault lies with the times, not you.”
In this sensitive era, even the fates of small people were intertwined with international affairs.
Since the liberation, the U.S. had planned nuclear strikes on thirty cities in the mainland, right up to the first atomic bomb explosion.
But the crisis didn’t ease with the mainland’s nuclear possession, as it was multifaceted.
For example, the recent sudden rupture with the Soviet Bloc and the constant threat of war.
Some who fancied themselves clever began secretly contacting the other side after the split, becoming spies.
The other side was organizing internationally to urge the Americans to launch a full counterattack, so reconnaissance planes frequently flew over the Northwest.
Not only Lin Yan but all former Nationalist generals had basically been branded enemy agents and sent to the Northwest.
And their final fate was only one: death.
Zhao Hui asked, “You really won’t see him one last time?”
Zhao Lingcheng replied bluntly, “No need. No point.”
Zhao Hui patted her nephew’s shoulder, “Don’t be too sad about your uncle. Think about your dad and your four uncles who sacrificed themselves. They want us to live happy, peaceful lives, right?”
Seeing Zhao Lingcheng silent, she added, “They’re all watching over you from heaven, especially my eldest brother.”
Zhao Hui had five brothers; her oldest was nicknamed “Handsome Brother.”
He was so charming he even captivated a Kuomintang female spy—
Zhao Lingcheng’s mother.
More impressively, he later even persuaded his brother-in-law Lin Yan to switch sides.
Zhao Lingcheng’s appearance combined the best features of his parents: sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, thin, sharp lips; he looked a bit cold-hearted.
But in reality, aside from being harsh in love, he was responsible and intelligent at work.
Just his sharp tongue caused trouble.
Seeing a train arriving, he said, “You’re not married, so who are you to lecture me?”
Zhao Hui shook his arm, “Let the doctors check Mianmian properly, then go get remarried.”
Watching her nephew walk away, she added, “She’s carrying our next generation. Treat her well.”
At the platform, boarding the train, she held the travel bag close to her chest.
Lin Yan was currently detained.
In a detention center, conditions were better: no beatings and food was provided.
But returning to the farm, he would still be at the mercy of the Xu family brothers.
Zhao Hui joined the army after the liberation and was only a friend to Lin Yan, now going to see him one last time.
How to say goodbye?
It was heartbreaking.
But thinking about the soon-to-be-born baby, she felt comforted.
The Zhao family was about to have the next generation—the one her brothers hoped for.
When their generation had endured all suffering, the next would have a happy, peaceful life.
Zhao Lingcheng rushed to the hospital by 2:30 to see his next generation.
He didn’t find his ex-wife and thought she hadn’t arrived yet, so he went to the registration window.
But the nurse asked, “Comrade, what’s the pregnant woman’s name? Age? Birthday?”
Zhao Lingcheng didn’t know his ex-wife’s age or birthday and was caught off guard.
Someone called out, “Chief Engineer Zhao?”
He turned to see a smiling female doctor, “Looking for Sister-in-law? She’s upstairs in the gynecology clinic.”
Zhao Lingcheng turned to go, “Thanks!”
The doctor accompanied him upstairs, asking, “Need more vitamins? I have some in stock.”
Zhao Lingcheng, not used to eating coarse grains, relied on special supply bread but needed vitamins to balance nutrition.
Vitamins were often out of stock, so he needed the doctor to keep some for him.
He walked briskly, speaking concisely, “Yes, thanks!”
As he was about to turn the corner upstairs, the doctor stopped him, “Allow me to introduce myself again. My surname is Zeng…”
A white-clad angel of mercy and a young soldier in green stood together, quite a striking sight.
Passersby couldn’t help but glance.
The doctor thought Zhao Lingcheng didn’t recognize her or had forgotten her request, so she repeated herself.
But he said, “Dr. Zeng, military doctors not only need good medical skills but also ample escape experience. Sandstorms and rattlesnakes are more dangerous than enemy planes. So, I suggest you stay here at this hospital.”
The doctor puffed out her chest, “I trained in Ulanbuhe. The sand and water merge into one color. The scenery was beautiful. Give me a spot; I really can do it. Ask my dad if you don’t believe me. By the way, don’t you know who my dad is?”
Zhao Lingcheng nodded, “Clear skies and sunshine mean no beasts; the desert is indeed beautiful.”
But he turned and left abruptly, “I really don’t know your dad, but whoever he is, it doesn’t matter. Goodbye!”
He rounded the corner and saw his ex-wife, her pregnant belly prominent, entering Gu Doctor’s office.
He wanted to go in but stopped himself.
He was actually afraid of her precise skills with the soil gun, and how ruthless she was when catching wild boar.
Now with her new image as a helpful woman and a top student, he didn’t know how to approach her, so he held back.
Inside, Gu Doctor washed his hands and smiled, “Any more damage to the belly?”
When she first came, it was all bruises.
Zhao Hui had cried a lot seeing it.