"Mom." Meng Shuyan saw her come in and fished something out from under the blanket, holding it out with both hands. "Dad said to give this to you."
"What’s this? So mysterious." Tian Sangsang reached out to take the item.
"A little piggy." Meng Shuyan giggled mischievously.
As he spoke, Tian Sangsang had already gotten a clear look at the carving in her hands. A meticulously crafted, adorable wooden figurine. The wood appeared to be longan wood—not a rare material—but the craftsmanship elevated its charm. A pristine white pig sat on a brown bench, so lifelike and vivid. The whole carving was flawless, with incredibly smooth lines...
Tian Sangsang bolted to the living room as if on wings, swallowing hard, "Jiang Jinghuai, is this really for me?"
Jiang Jinghuai paused, holding his newspaper, and shifted his gaze, a little uncomfortable under her fervent look. "Why?"
"Such a fine piece, and you’re just giving it to me like that?!" Although she had jokingly mentioned wanting one before, Jiang Jinghuai’s speed was beyond her expectations.
"Is this piece really that rare?" Jiang Jinghuai’s steady voice brimmed with calm. "You truly live up to being from the countryside."
Not catching his latter words, Tian Sangsang replied, "Of course it’s rare. I do have some knowledge of carving arts, and your skills are outstanding! How on earth did you achieve this level? What books do you read? Or do you have a mentor? No wonder I saw a wooden box in your study filled with all kinds of tools. At first, I thought you had some odd hobby, but turns out you’re a genuine woodcarving enthusiast, not an amateur... With skills like yours, even if you retire one day, you won’t starve as a carpenter."
Jiang Jinghuai looked exasperated. "I like reading ’History of the Ming Dynasty.’"
Tian Sangsang nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder, I get it now. So I’ll really take this then..."
"Mm." Seeing her treasure it so much, Jiang Jinghuai was secretly pleased, although he showed none of it on his face.
Tian Sangsang felt like she had hit the jackpot. Yet, since the two of them were merely in a cooperative relationship, she didn’t dare ask him to make anything else for her. Like miniature wooden earrings, perhaps with designs of fish frolicking in water, or a pear flower hairpin, or a pair of wooden rings—a rustic charm she found utterly irresistible.
"Political Commissioner Lin." Shui Lian brought Lin Dongni to his side, speaking softly and cheerfully, "I noticed your wife hasn’t arrived yet. Everyone from the school has left, so I didn’t feel comfortable letting Dongni go home alone. I brought her back myself—I wouldn’t dare let a child wait by herself."
"Ah, this really is... Huihui had something come up and got delayed tonight." Political Commissioner Lin was extremely grateful, thinking highly of this new female teacher Jiang Jinghuai had recommended—warmhearted, genuine, and considerate.
"Is our Nini obedient at school?" he asked.
"Nini is quiet and well-behaved." Shui Lian replied gently.
Hearing this, Political Commissioner Lin’s expression softened fondly.
"In any case, thank you, Teacher Shui, for bringing Nini back today."
"No need for thanks. It’s what I ought to do." Shui Lian smiled faintly, suddenly calling, "Jinghuai~~~"
Jiang Jinghuai, who had been conversing with Fang Tongzhou, paused mid-step and gave her a cool look. He bid farewell to Fang Tongzhou and walked over to Shui Lian, asking in a low voice, "What is it?"
Political Commissioner Lin, finding the situation perceptible, took Lin Dongni away but made sure to glance back at the two.
"Could I borrow you for a private chat?" Shui Lian asked apologetically.
The surrounding area was bustling with people coming and going. Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes darkened as he replied, "Say it here."
Shui Lian’s smile stiffened briefly, but only for a moment. "Actually, I came to apologize. I’ve heard some rumors around the military district these past few days, and I take at least half the blame for them."
Better to confess than be confronted.
Jiang Jinghuai raised an eyebrow at her, signaling for her to continue.
"The other day, Ji Yao’er heard that I’m from the same place as Sangsang. She and a few performers from the arts troupe were curious and asked me about your past with Sangsang. I didn’t want to say much, so I only hinted vaguely, not expecting them to spread it and turn it into such a mess. Has it caused trouble between you and your wife?" Shui Lian clasped her hands together and kept her eyes downcast, looking tense.
Jiang Jinghuai pressed his lips tightly. "It did cause some trouble."
Yesterday’s sugar-and-salt incident in his bowl... Women’s hearts, indeed as unfathomable as the sea. It seemed wise to avoid arguments whenever possible, or else he’d risk losing meals altogether. Ever since having home-cooked meals, he found dining at the mess hall unbearable.
"What?" Shui Lian raised her gaze at him, surprised by his frankness.
Seeing his distracted expression, she tightened her grip on the bag in her hand, the more upset she felt internally, the brighter her smile. "Sangsang must’ve minded, right? Did she get angry? I really didn’t do it on purpose. Perhaps I could invite her out someday to apologize formally."
"No need. It’s good enough that you’re sincere." Jiang Jinghuai said slowly, "Her temper can be rather fiery. If she gets upset, you wouldn’t stand a chance."
Shui Lian shyly lowered her head.
"But her anger only lasts a few minutes—she’s fairly easy to placate." His rich voice carried a hint of helplessness, his eyes quietly gleaming with amusement.
Shui Lian forced a smile and lifted her bag. "I bought some candied fruit. You mentioned last time that Yanyan liked them. These ones don’t have pits—safe for kids to eat without choking."
"No need. We already have some at home." Jiang Jinghuai replied coolly.
Shui Lian insisted, "This whole situation was my oversight, consider this as an apology. Being stationed here has already inconvenienced you, and to bring any more trouble would make me feel bad. Please take this as a little token for the child."
Jiang Jinghuai thought for a moment before accepting it.
"Then, I’ll head back now." As Shui Lian walked away, she glanced back once.
Standing where he was, Jiang Jinghuai nodded slightly. Shui Lian sighed inwardly, disappointed, and left.
When he returned home, Jiang Jinghuai casually placed the small bag of candied fruit on the dining table before washing his face and hands to prepare for dinner.
"Hey, did you buy candied fruit again?" Tian Sangsang surveyed the assortment of candied fruit, each one perfectly suited to her tastes. In fact, she already had some homemade dried fruit in her secret stash, though she hadn’t yet found the right moment to bring it out.
She picked up a piece of plum and chewed it, commenting, "Not bad, the flavor’s alright."
Jiang Jinghuai responded with a faint "Mm," hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Shui Lian brought it. Find some time to return the favor—reciprocity matters."
Tian Sangsang struggled to swallow the fruit, staring at him intently. "What, you can’t return it yourself?"
"It’s better if you handle this kind of thing." He replied.
Tian Sangsang realized she couldn’t figure Jiang Jinghuai out. If he liked Shui Lian, the signs seemed to be there: arranging a job for her at the military district kindergarten, walking with her before, and now accepting her candied fruit. If he didn’t like her, that seemed plausible too. Then why wouldn’t he return the favor himself? Was he not worried that she might mistreat Shui Lian?
But she hadn’t forgotten how Shui Lian was the one who pushed Xu Xixi into the water before. A person capable of such actions—even towards a five-year-old girl—surely had some issues. No matter what, she couldn’t let her son stay too close to Shui Lian.
Knowing the candied fruit was from Shui Lian made Tian Sangsang unwilling to eat it or let Meng Shuyan eat any. The next day, she pulled out a pile of candied fruit from her private stash, feigning that she had bought them herself. She wouldn’t let anyone eat the stuff Shui Lian gave! Jiang Jinghuai could eat it himself. However, one time when Jiang Jinghuai accidentally ate candied fruit from her stash, he immediately noticed the difference between the two kinds. Predictably, the candied fruit Shui Lian sent ended up in the trash.