Volume One, Chapter 14: Uncovering His Secret

After finishing the work in the fields, the team gave everyone a three-day break.

In the afternoon, when it was time to return to work, Uncle Jianping took the opportunity to install the gate for that courtyard. Yu Nian’an happened to come back just as they were securing the door frame.

Now that the courtyard walls and gate were complete, all that remained was to plaster the walls of the toilet and bathroom, then secure the roof, and everything would be finished.

The time taken was roughly as expected.

That evening, after seeing Uncle Jianping and the others off, Yu Nian’an bolted the courtyard gate from the inside. Remembering Yu Dingguo’s skill at prying doors open, she found a cloth strip and wrapped it twice around the hidden latch behind the door.

This greatly improved the security of the small yard.

She walked to the kitchen and took the pork out of the pot, preparing to render the lard using the faint light inside the room.

The old-fashioned stove had two holes, front and back. One held a large iron pot fixed in place, where the cut fatty meat was now bubbling away. The other was a free space for cooking utensils. Yu Nian’an found a small ceramic jar, rinsed some new rice, and placed it over a low flame at the back to cook slowly.

By the time the fat was rendered, the rice was cooked as well.

Having gone without meat for so long, the sudden aroma of cooking pork instantly whetted her appetite.

The freshly made pork cracklings, mixed simply with some salt bought that day, were incredibly appetizing.

Since it was a full moon, the courtyard was much brighter than the kitchen. Yu Nian’an served herself a bowl of rice and a small dish of cracklings, sitting under the eaves. She ate while enjoying the rare tranquility.

After finishing her meal, she didn’t rush to wash the dishes or tidy up. Thinking the lard still needed to cool, she decided to sit in the courtyard and admire the moon.

Only when several mosquito bites swelled on her arms did she abandon this little indulgence.

Rising from the ground, Yu Nian’an took two empty bowls and squatted by the water jar, preparing to wash them outside.

The sound of water being scooped mixed with a faint, discordant noise reached her ears. Since the incident with Yu Dingguo, she had become especially sensitive to sounds around her after dark.

She immediately knew the noise wasn’t from her, subtle though it was, she could tell it came from outside the courtyard.

Could it be Yu Dingguo again?

Yu Nian’an glanced up at the courtyard wall, uncertain. Setting the bowls gently on the ground, she crept toward the wall, pressing her ear against it to listen for any further sounds.

After a while, only the chirping of insects could be heard; nothing else.

Had she misheard?

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then went back inside to fetch a chair. Standing on tiptoe, she peered over the wall.

Outside the courtyard was empty, except at the far end of the road, a figure was gradually moving away.

Squinting, Yu Nian’an made out that it was Gu Shen.

But this direction was opposite to the youth’s commune. So late at night, where could he be going?

Leaning against the wall with her head supported by her hands, she watched him until Gu Shen disappeared down another path.

It seemed she had inadvertently discovered his secret.

Returning the chair inside, Yu Nian’an washed the bowls while pondering what Gu Shen could be doing out at such an hour.

Logically, as a recently sent-down youth, he shouldn’t have acquaintances in the team. Besides, who visits others so late?

With these thoughts on her mind, after tidying the kitchen, Yu Nian’an went back to sit in the courtyard. But after waiting a long time without any further noise, and as drowsiness overcame her, she realized that Gu Shen’s whereabouts were none of her concern.

She must be overthinking it.

Back inside, washing up and climbing onto the kang bed, Yu Nian’an slept more deeply than usual that night.

She had a dream.

In it, she was back by the straight-flowing river, standing beside Yu Dingguo, and they appeared to be arguing.

“Anmei, listen to me explain. There’s a reason I haven’t come to see you these days!”

Yu Dingguo still wore that coaxing expression, but Yu Nian’an’s body no longer obeyed her own will. She murmured, “I know already, you’re going to marry that youth.”

At the mention of this, Yu Dingguo’s face paled somewhat. “Who said that? There’s nothing between me and that youth!”

Only then did Yu Nian’an realize this must be a scene from the original story. Her perspective shifted from first person to third person.

The original owner, upon hearing his words, ignored him and silently took a crumpled IOU from her pocket. “Return my money, and from now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Yu Dingguo’s face turned even paler, his eyes filled with panic as he hastily reached out to grasp the original owner’s hand.

“Anmei, Anmei, it’s just rumors they spread. Trust me. Tomorrow—no, today—I’ll go back and tell my mother about us. She’ll come to propose to you!”

“Really…?” The original owner hesitated, clearly doubting the truth of his words.

Yu Dingguo quickly assured her, patting his chest.

After a moment’s hesitation, the original owner nodded in agreement.

Yu Dingguo smiled falsely as he saw her off to the small courtyard, instructing her to wait at home for good news. Yu Nian’an watched as the young woman sat inside her room, lost in thought but with a trace of happiness on her face.

Late into the night, a sudden knock came at the door. The original owner, groggy, rose from bed and asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Anmei, open up.”

Yu Dingguo’s voice came from outside, low and controlled. Hearing it was him, the original owner hesitated briefly before opening the door, asking with a puzzled expression, “Why are you here at this hour?”

“Ah, don’t say anymore.”

Yu Dingguo sighed and entered, sitting on the kang bed with a troubled face.

This made the original owner even more worried. “What’s happened?”

“My mother doesn’t agree to our marriage.”

“How could that be?”

Tears welled up in the original owner’s eyes, recalling how kindly her aunt had treated her, she found it hard to believe.

Yu Dingguo helped her sit beside him, looking troubled. “I told her I want to marry you, but she won’t budge. She even wouldn’t let me into the house tonight.”

He explained in a few words why he was there. Yu Nian’an rolled her eyes at the clumsy excuse.

Yet the original owner believed him. Hearing he had been turned away, she grew anxious. “Where will you stay tonight?”

“It’s fine, I’ll rough it in the haystack until morning. Once my mother calms down, we’ll figure it out. I came here just to tell you not to rush the marriage. I’ll think of another way.”

With that, Yu Dingguo stood to leave. But before stepping out, he coughed weakly twice and pretended to pat his chest.

He looked thoroughly feeble.

Seeing this, the original owner hurried forward to support him. “Brother Dingguo, you’re sick. How can you sleep in the haystack like this?”

They returned to sit on the kang bed together, the atmosphere growing heavy with silence. Yu Nian’an, watching nearby, seemed to foresee what would happen next.

Sure enough, the original owner hesitated before speaking, “Why don’t you stay here tonight, and quietly leave before dawn?”

Yu Dingguo jumped up, waving his hand emphatically. “No, absolutely not!”

Seeing his determination, the original owner, who had been wavering, firmly settled the matter and stopped him.

“Brother Dingguo, you’re ill. You can have the kang bed; I’ll sleep on the floor. Tomorrow we’ll think of a way to persuade my aunt.”