Chapter 21

The next day, after breakfast, Chu Ci went to class. Once the babies woke and had their milk, Lin Tian went out.
She went to meet the person Chu Ci had recommended, giving him her requirements for renting a place. The person was the elder brother of Chu Ci’s classmate, a police officer named Zhang Dong.
She had to feel grateful to Chu Ci for supporting her, giving her the chance to start afresh. She remembered the hardships she endured when opening her first store.
Lin Tian explained her requirements to Zhang Dong: ideally near the factory or near a residential area for cadres’ families. Most importantly, the area had to be busy. The size of the house didn’t matter as much, but the exterior should be clean and tidy, though she would renovate anyway. The lease should be at least two years. Other requirements could be slightly flexible.
After hearing her, Zhang Dong smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll find a place as soon as possible and let you know when you can see it.”
Lin Tian planned to open the store after the New Year, so she wasn’t in a rush. “Brother Zhang, thank you so much. When Chu Ci has time, I’ll make sure he invites you and your brother for a meal.”
Zhang Dong’s brother was close to Chu Ci. He wasn’t doing it for the meal, but Lin Tian’s politeness made him happy. “It’s nothing, sister-in-law. Chu Ci and Zhang Liang are friends. I’m just helping out.”
They chatted briefly before Zhang Dong had to return to work. Lin Tian didn’t want to keep him.
With the house-hunting handled by someone else, Lin Tian quickly returned home.
Aunt Miao needed to buy ingredients and cook, so Lin Tian and Sister Xie watched the twins.
At noon, Chu Ci returned for lunch. He first washed his hands and held the babies’ tiny hands, not daring to pick them up fully for fear of bringing germs from outside. Lin Tian insisted on this, and Chu Ci never questioned how she knew so much.
“Did you meet Brother Zhang?” Chu Ci asked, sitting across from her.
“Yes, I told him my requirements and asked him to help. You should treat him to a meal later and give a gift for your classmate. We can’t let him help for nothing,” Lin Tian replied.
“Do you plan to rent or buy?” Chu Ci asked. If she intended to stay long-term, buying would be more cost-effective.
“If the landlord plans to sell, then buy. If not, renting will have to do.” Lin Tian knew buying at this point would only profit her, but her main goal was to open a private restaurant.
“When are you going to see the houses? I can come with you if I’m free,” Chu Ci said after thinking.
“I’m fine on my own. No rush; I’ll start officially after the New Year,” Lin Tian explained.
“Right, you’ll need time for renovations and other preparations,” Chu Ci said.
“Yes, after the last month of the lunar year,” Lin Tian replied.
After talking for a while, they prepared to eat.
That afternoon, Chu Ci had no classes and stayed home with the babies.
Lin Tian worked on a proposal for her future chain of restaurants, covering the business model, management, operations, etc.
After finishing, she showed it to Chu Ci.
Despite being a top economics student, he was impressed by her innovative proposal.
“What do you think?” Lin Tian asked.
“It’s impressive. Implementation will require financial resources and time. Most importantly, the dishes must be delicious to attract customers. But have you considered that people’s spending power isn’t high yet? They rarely buy meals outside,” Chu Ci said thoughtfully.
“I know. The first store is for laying the foundation. People’s living standards will improve over time, and then I’ll open the second. I’ll grow it gradually; it’s a process that requires time,” Lin Tian replied.
“Keep it up,” Chu Ci said with a smile, returning the proposal.
In the following days, Lin Tian worked on the menu. Since ingredients required ration tickets and weren’t abundant, she planned only a few dishes per day to simplify operations.
She had started by selling street food and later learned from a master chef specializing in Shandong cuisine, which became her strength, though she knew some other cuisines as well.
Thus, the menu focused on affordable and practical dishes, as people still preferred home-cooked meals.
After a few days, Zhang Dong had news.
On the day of the viewing, the sky was overcast, as if it might snow. Fortunately, Chu Ci had the day off and could accompany her.
At the police station where Zhang Dong worked, Chu Ci went to get him. Soon, the three walked out together.
Lin Tian greeted him, “Brother Zhang, it’s troublesome in such cold weather.”
Zhang Dong waved, “No problem. Let’s go see the place; I’ve already arranged with the landlord. They’re probably waiting.”
The house was near the steel factory, close to the staff housing, fitting Lin Tian’s requirements perfectly.
The landlord was indeed waiting. The house was a single-story building in a decent neighborhood and met her main criteria. The landlord also mentioned he urgently needed money and was willing to sell if she wanted to buy.
Lin Tian glanced at Chu Ci for his opinion.
Walking a bit farther, Chu Ci asked, “What do you think?”
Lin Tian glanced at the house again and said, “I think it’s great. Brother Zhang must have searched carefully. You have to thank him properly for me.”
“Alright, I have no objections. If you decide to buy, we’ll buy it. Then we can start renovations and try to finish in a month,” Chu Ci replied.
After discussing, the couple went directly with the landlord to the real estate office to complete the transaction. Zhang Dong didn’t follow, they had arranged to invite him and Zhang Liang over for dinner that evening.
Zhang Dong didn’t refuse and bid them farewell before returning to work.
After buying the house and receiving the property certificate, Lin Tian still felt a little unreal. “I’ve really had such good luck.”
Seeing her like that, Chu Ci smiled. “Yes, lucky Lin Comrade.”
“Aunt Miao and Sister Juan can continue selling cold dishes at my shop later. What do you think?” Lin Tian suddenly asked.
“That’s fine. Just coordinate with them,” Chu Ci answered.
As they walked and chatted, Lin Tian deliberately brought her hands out and warmed them by blowing on them.
Chu Ci glanced at her. “Cold hands?”
Lin Tian smiled and nodded, and Chu Ci smiled back, then took her hand and put it in his pocket. He asked, “Still cold?”
“Not anymore,” Lin Tian said with a bright smile.
It was already getting dark early. When they returned home, Lin Tian sent Aunt Miao and Sister Xie to buy ingredients, telling them that guests would be coming that evening.
The twins, Manman and Ling Ling, were looked after by their parents. The babies were especially well-behaved, quietly playing by themselves. Manman was lively and sometimes accidentally hit his sister with his little hands. Ling Ling didn’t get upset and continued playing with her fingers.
But children sleep a lot, and soon they grew tired.
Chu Ci and Lin Tian finally had some free time. Lin Tian thought she hadn’t cooked in a long time, so she decided to personally prepare a meal to thank their guests.
Aunt Miao and the others bought lamb, pig’s trotters, a fish, and some other ingredients.
Around 2 PM, Lin Tian used fire to singe the pig hairs off the trotters, then scraped them clean with a knife. She placed them in cold water and added scallions, ginger, and garlic to remove any odor.
Aunt Miao helped her clean the fish, which Lin Tian then marinated as usual.
She removed the trotters from the pot and started preparing the braising liquid for the pork trotters.
After letting the liquid sit for half an hour, she added the trotters and spices to cook. As the water boiled, the aroma filled the kitchen. Lin Tian lowered the heat to let it simmer slowly.
Aunt Miao, helping nearby, said, “Xiao Lin, this smells amazing.”
Lin Tian smiled. “About an hour more, and then I’ll make the other dishes.”
Once the trotters were ready, Lin Tian set them aside and began cooking carrot-steamed lamb. This dish was perfect for winter; one sip of the lamb broth warmed the whole body.
She also prepared pickled fish, stir-fried green pepper with shredded pork, soy sauce eggplant, sautéed cabbage, and mapo tofu.
By the time the Zhang brothers arrived, the entire courtyard smelled of food.
Zhang Liang sniffed the air and said, “Chu Ci, your nanny’s cooking is amazing.”
Chu Ci smiled and shook his head. “It’s my wife cooking, specifically to thank you.”
Zhang Dong hurriedly said, “Sister-in-law, you’re too polite.”
“You should be,” Chu Ci said, leading them inside.
Once inside, the aroma was even more overwhelming, making them eager to taste everything.
Lin Tian greeted them. She had also met Zhang Liang on the twins’ one-month birthday.
After some polite exchanges, fearing the food would get cold, Lin Tian suggested they sit quickly and start eating.
Chu Ci and the brothers drank, so Lin Tian didn’t join them. By chance, the twins had woken up, so Lin Tian ate with Aunt Miao and Sister Xie in another room.
Once Lin Tian left, Zhang Liang teased his friend, “Chu Ci, you’re really lucky. Your wife is beautiful and capable, and you have a pair of twins. Who would dare gossip that you married a country girl? If all country girls were like her, everyone would want one.”
“So prejudice is indeed misguided,” Chu Ci said lightly, though inwardly he felt that he was the real lucky one.
He wasn’t one to boast, so he quickly changed the topic.
Zhang Dong had been working all day. While his brother chatted, he focused on eating, especially the pork trotters, which were tender yet chewy, he absolutely loved them.
While talking with Zhang Liang, Chu Ci kept an eye on him. Seeing him enjoy the meal, Chu Ci mentioned, “Once Lin Tian opens her store after the New Year, Brother Zhang, you can bring your colleagues to try it.”
Zhang Dong quickly replied, “Don’t worry. Sister-in-law’s cooking is definitely better than the state-run restaurants.”
The meal ended happily, and Chu Ci saw them off.
Back home, Lin Tian watched the twins while Aunt Miao and Sister Xie cleaned up.
Lin Tian glanced at him and said, “There’s hangover soup in the kitchen. Drink it quickly, then take a proper bath.”
Chu Ci knew she didn’t like the taste, so he obediently followed her advice without getting close.
With the house secured, the next step was renovation. Lin Tian had the walls replastered, hired a carpenter to make several sets of tables and chairs, and gradually purchased kitchen necessities.
Since the restaurant needed staff, Lin Tian planned to hire two people: one for the front desk and taking orders, and another to assist in the kitchen.
Eventually, Ma Shan learned about it and helped introduce two candidates. One was a sixteen-year-old girl whose parents were gone and had two younger siblings to support. The other was Ma Shan’s friend, looking for a job to supplement her family’s income, and Lin Tian happened to be hiring.
Lin Tian didn’t offer high salaries, but they had no other work, so they decided to try it at her restaurant.
However, Lin Tian had already thought it through. If the two of them worked well, she would give them a raise after three months. But she didn’t say this, after all, in this era, there was no concept of a probation period.
With everything ready for the shop, the next task was preparing for the New Year.
Chu Ci was on holiday these past few days and stayed home to accompany the children.
Lin Tian had even set aside a small room in the shop, so that Aunt Miao and Sister Xie could bring the children there to stay for a while each day. This way, it wouldn’t interfere with her work, and the children would get more time with her.
On the weekend, their aunt came to visit Manman and Ling Ling.
Lin Tian and Chu Ci stayed nearby. Chu Mingshan looked at the two increasingly adorable little ones and suddenly thought of her own son. He was only a year younger than Chu Ci, and while his cousin’s child was already several months old, he didn’t even have a girlfriend yet.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but sigh. She had known from childhood how hard it was to be a soldier, and she couldn’t control her father or her two brothers. Now, her own son was just like them, taking his grandfather and two uncles as examples.
Still, looking at Chu Ci, she thought her nephew was doing quite well now.
“This year, when your cousin comes back, I absolutely have to arrange a matchmaking meeting for him,” Chu Mingshan muttered, thinking about her stubborn son, feeling a headache coming on.
Lin Tian, curious about Jiang Nan whom she had never met, quietly asked Chu Ci, “How are you and your cousin?”
“Very good. He must be envious that I have Manman and Ling Ling,” he said, not mentioning that he also had a wife like Lin Tian.
The two whispered to each other. Chu Mingshan bent down to amuse Manman, not paying much attention, and continued: “Xiao Ci, do you remember Uncle Zheng, who used to often come to your grandfather’s house? He was just transferred to the capital this year. I’ve kept in touch with his wife. After they arrived, I met her once. You remember their daughter, Zheng Yunlan, right? When you were young, you used to play together. She’s now in university, majoring in foreign languages. I saw her recently, she’s much prettier than when she was a child. How about I introduce her to Jiang Nan?”
Chu Ci racked his memory for a long time and finally remembered a girl named Zheng Yunlan. As a child, she had been tomboyish, always following Jiang Nan around. Even as a little girl, she liked playing battle games just like the boys.
Chu Ci didn’t know whether she and Jiang Nan would be compatible, but he didn’t dare shatter his aunt’s hopes, so he said, “Sounds good. Jiang Nan should also start worrying about personal matters.”
Hearing this from her nephew, Chu Mingshan felt greatly encouraged.
After chatting for a while and watching the children, Chu Ci sent his aunt home.
A few days ago, to make things easier, they had bought a bicycle for their family. But Lin Tian rode it more often, and today was Chu Ci’s first time using it.
Chu Mingshan only just learned about this and nodded approvingly. “You should have bought it earlier. See, it makes things so much more convenient.”
If it weren’t for her son’s reluctance back then, she would have thought of buying one for them herself. Now, with a wife and children, she considered everything more carefully and felt a new tenderness.
After sending his aunt home, Lin Tian was inside telling stories to the two children. Manman was lively as usual, while Ling Ling quietly watched something with wide eyes.
Chu Ci felt a warmth in his heart at this scene.
He said nothing, quietly listening. When Lin Tian finished, he randomly explained, “I don’t know any familiar female classmates. I don’t know any friends’ younger sisters either.”
Lin Tian’s face remained expressionless, but inwardly she felt kindly. Then, deliberately teasing, she asked, “What about Zheng Yunlan? Were you childhood friends?”
“She liked to play with Jiang Nan. I only played with her a few times,” Chu Ci replied.
Lin Tian lowered her lashes and quietly watched the two babies without speaking.
After a moment, a suppressed giggle escaped from her. Chu Ci immediately understood, she was teasing him on purpose.
Relaxing, he didn’t mind. Picking up Ling Ling, he smiled and said, “Ling Ling, your mom is so naughty, isn’t she?”
Lin Tian lifted her head, cheeks slightly flushed from holding back her laughter, her lashes fluttering as she looked at Chu Ci with moist eyes. “How can you speak ill of me in front of the children?”
Chu Ci smiled but didn’t answer.
Lin Tian then asked something unexpected: “Chu Ci, weren’t you afraid I might be a fraud the first time we met?”
Chu Ci didn’t understand why she suddenly brought up such a long-ago matter, but he smiled. “Your eyes were sincere. And you didn’t lie to me, did you? I even saw our marriage certificate. If you denied it, would I still be a man?”
Lin Tian continued, “Back then, you had amnesia and didn’t know we were married. At school, did you meet any nice girls? Don’t worry, I’m not the type to settle scores later. You didn’t remember me, so it’s understandable.”
“Of course not,” Chu Ci quickly replied.
Lin Tian saw his surprised expression, and the two exchanged a silent gaze.
It wasn’t until Manman started crying that they both turned away.
Chu Ci picked up his son, checked his diaper, and said, “He’s hungry again. I’ll go make some formula.”
Once he left, Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t know why she had been so tense just a moment ago.
The next day, they went out together to buy New Year supplies.
Lin Tian had experienced a rare sleepless night and yawned several times during breakfast.
Hearing this, Chu Ci asked, “Shall we go this afternoon instead?”
“No need. I’ll be fine shortly,” Lin Tian replied.
After breakfast, they saw the two children still sleeping and headed out.
Chu Ci rode the bike, with Lin Tian on the back. She wore a plain cotton coat and a white knitted hat. She had bought the yarn and had Aunt Miao knit it in a modern style, also making matching ones for Chu Ci and the twins.
They first bought clothes, not only for themselves but for the children.
Chu Ci had even exchanged cloth ration tickets specifically for Lin Tian and the children.
Children’s clothing wasn’t particularly attractive, and Lin Tian was unsatisfied, but she knew that children’s clothes in this era generally had no style.
Manman got a blue and a red outfit; Ling Ling got pink and red.
Next, they went to an adult clothing store. Chu Ci noticed a red dress and immediately asked the salesperson to bring it.
Lin Tian, who didn’t like red, said, “Let’s skip this one.”
Her skin was fair, and he could imagine how it would look on her, but he didn’t press it. Still, unwilling to give up, he asked, “You really don’t like it?”
It wasn’t that she couldn’t accept it at all, Lin Tian just wanted to tease him. “If you also buy a red shirt, I might consider it. Manman and Ling Ling also have red clothes; our whole family would match perfectly.”
Chu Ci was stunned, clearly not expecting her to make such a request. Lin Tian watched his face grow serious, like he was making a major decision, and asked, “What do you think?”
He pursed his lips, then agreed: “Alright, we’ll wear red on New Year’s Day.”
He really agreed, and Lin Tian couldn’t help laughing. She made the salesperson fetch the red dress in her size.
Unfortunately, there were no red shirts available then, but Lin Tian came up with a solution: she bought red fabric to have Aunt Miao make one for Chu Ci.
After leaving the department store, Chu Ci was unusually quiet, apparently stunned by this request.
Lin Tian didn’t disturb him, letting him have time to adjust.
Just as they were about to ride to eat, they heard a man dragging a woman. She struggled and screamed, shouting, “I don’t know you! Don’t touch me! Someone help! I really don’t know him!”
The man, angry, said, “I’m your boyfriend. I just didn’t buy something for you. I don’t have money now. Next time I will. My mom is probably waiting for us to have lunch. Stop making a fuss.”
Bystanders pointed and whispered. Lin Tian, recalling human-trafficking tactics from her future life, pulled Chu Ci closer. “I don’t think this guy is a good person. Let’s go see.”
Chu Ci didn’t argue and followed her.
The crowd seemed accustomed to such situations. An older woman even told the girl, “Young lady, stop fussing with your boyfriend. These days, life is hard for everyone. It’s almost noon, you can’t make your elders wait.”
Others nodded in agreement.
The man then added, “Yes, it’s almost noon. Go on with your business; don’t let our little problem get in the way.”
Gradually, the crowd thinned. The girl couldn’t understand how everyone could believe the man instead of responding to her cries. She was terrified, struggling to free herself.
But the man was too strong.
Just when she was about to lose hope, a beautiful woman, holding a sugarcane stalk, struck the man’s hand.
The man felt pain and released her. The woman pulled the girl behind her for protection.