After leaving the battalion commander’s house, Xue’s mother grumbled all the way. This made Xu Hongzao, her third daughter-in-law who had accompanied her, too afraid to even breathe, lest her mother-in-law take out her anger on her.
But as they neared home, the mother-in-law was still cursing. Xu Hongzao feared losing face, especially since she often boasted to Second Sister-in-law Zhang Qiufang about being the battalion commander’s niece. Cautiously, she said, "Mom, Doctor Gong was just saying—if villagers genuinely had issues and sought him out, he couldn’t truly refuse them."
Xue Linfang felt that her second sister-in-law was right. "Mom, let’s not worry about it; every problem has a solution. Since the battalion commander doesn’t want to step in, then let nature take its course. Besides, if there really is a problem, the village cadres will have to step in and resolve it."
Her eldest son was a company commander in the army, so everyone in the village, including Zhao Guihua and the village cadres, had to show her some respect. However, she had never expected the battalion commander to act so out of character today. She was truly irritated.
Previously, when her eldest son had come home from the army on leave, the battalion commander had even visited to suggest that her second son, Xu Xingsheng, enlist. HUMPH. With his attitude today, she wouldn’t help him use connections for her son. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Yunyi had no idea how deeply Xue Linfang now regretted things. She herself was busy making braised noodles. The green beans from her field were growing exceptionally well, so she had picked a large quantity. She planned to cook a big pot of noodles and store them in her space. After all, in a little over a month, the autumn harvest would begin, and she feared she would be too tired to feel like cooking then.
She was also thinking about the vegetables growing in her space. She planned to dry some on a sunny day to keep for the winter. Storing them in her space would be convenient and could also provide a cover if anyone unexpectedly visited her home.
Having set the noodles to braise, she was about to start crushing garlic when she heard someone knocking at the courtyard door.
Yunyi stood at the kitchen doorway and called out, "Who is it?"
From outside came the response, "It’s me, Huo Jingrui."
Without bothering to put down the garlic bulb in her hand, she rushed to the gate and opened it eagerly. "How did it go?"
Huo Jingrui glanced around, and only then did Yunyi realize she might have been too impulsive. "Please come in to talk."
While Huo Jingrui would certainly not enter a young lady’s home alone with anyone else, for some reason, he found himself wanting to be near this particular girl.
However, he knew his limits. Once inside the courtyard, he did not advance further. "I’ve already passed the message up," he said, "and I’ve made several backup plans. I’ve done everything I could think of. You don’t need to be too hard on yourself. What matters is having a clear conscience."
To start all over and do nothing was indeed impossible. Yunyi knew he was right. As a mere commoner, all she could do was her best and leave the rest to fate. "Thank you," she said.
Truth be told, she wasn’t completely confident. How could she be sure if such a calamity would truly occur at the predicted time and place in this parallel world?
She also feared causing unnecessary trouble for Huo Jingrui and the others because of this. Even though she had lived several lifetimes, she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she saw he looked dust-covered and had likely been busy all day handling the situation. She said, "I’ve made braised noodles. If you don’t mind, I can send some over to you later."
She couldn’t invite him to eat at her place, but she knew he would be going to see Liu Chenglin.
Hearing Yunyi’s offer, Huo Jingrui nodded unconsciously. "Then I’ll trouble you. I’ve been so busy today, I really haven’t had a chance to eat anything."
He didn’t know why he felt the need to explain. He gave a light cough to cover his slight embarrassment. "I’m going next door to find Liu Chenglin."
She watched him leave, dumbfounded. It took her a while to turn around and head back to the kitchen. She added some water along the rim of the pot, peeling the garlic in her hand absentmindedly.
Her mind replayed her interactions with Huo Jingrui. Their appearances were different, but his actions and mannerisms were undeniably similar. Her intuition screamed that this man was her Jingrui. How else could it be such a coincidence?
At that thought, her heart began to race, and a warmth spread through her.
Yet, when she remembered that he didn’t recognize her, didn’t recall their connection from two past lives, her spirits sank once more. A pang of pain shot through her heart, and for a moment, she found it hard to breathe.
She was utterly conflicted, unsure of what she should do next to make him remember their past, to make him remember her.
After a long while, she shook her head and smiled. Right, why fret over whether he remembers or not? As long as I remember, that’s all that matters. If need be, we’ll just have to get to know each other all over again.