Chapter 62: First Update

On a suitable day, those who had been on the island for a long time, like Sister-in-law Zaohua, didn’t need to calculate. It was as if she naturally knew which day was good for tidal pool hunting. After checking the weather the day before and inviting people, she would set out early the next morning.

Qin Yao set her alarm for five o'clock in the morning. When it rang, she woke up alone in bed. Gu Cheng hadn’t been home for two nights.

Chen Baozhen didn’t stay at her house; she had a younger sister living with her and only had a meal with Qin Yao before returning to her own place.

Sitting up, Qin Yao freshened up briefly and thought about her life now. Having a husband didn’t seem to make a difference.

She was free and happy, but all the household chores fell on her. She managed the yard, watered, weeded, fertilized... These were simple and mundane tasks.

However, what was most annoying was the house cleaning!

Living in a two-story house was spacious and comfortable, but there was too much "dust." Dust accumulated in the house every few days, on the floors, tables, and various pieces of furniture, with dust everywhere.

The shelves were okay, but dusting the two-story house and mopping the floors was always annoying. When Gu Cheng was home, they would tidy up the house together after meals. When he wasn’t, Qin Yao had to do it alone.

There were always endless chores.

She began to understand why Chen Baozhen had lived so "sloppily" before and why she tolerated her sister-in-law Gao Yingzi at home.

With a diligent sister-in-law at home, Chen Baozhen’s life was smooth, even if they ate steamed buns and coarse food daily.

Gu Cheng’s current position didn’t allow for a maid. Even though they had money, they couldn’t privately hire one. Maids could only be provided by the organization to meet the leaders’ needs. It was against the rules to hire a maid privately.

Fortunately, Qin Yao’s job was now easy with flexible hours. She could read and study at work, and when she returned home, she could clean and do chores. It was manageable.

Qin Yao put on her rain boots, brought a raincoat, and carried a bucket and bamboo basket. She went out to meet others. Sister-in-law Zaohua had invited several people. Besides her and Chen Baozhen, there were also the widow Wang Chunhua and three other sisters-in-law. Bai Qiuling was also there.

Chen Baozhen brought her sister-in-law Gao Yingzi.

Bai Qiuling also brought her sister-in-law Jiang Xiaomiao.

Director Huang learned they were going to catch mudskippers and asked Deputy Director Liu to join them. Xiao Pan also came. Another male officer of medium build, He Tengfei, was there too.

The day before, Director Huang pulled Qin Yao aside and whispered to her, “Xiao Qin, help matchmake Deputy Director Liu and Xiao He.”

“Deputy Director Liu isn’t getting any younger. Persuade her to get married.”

Director Huang was very concerned about Deputy Director Liu’s marriage and hoped she would resolve her marital matters soon. He Tengfei was carefully selected by Head Nurse Ge as a suitable match for Deputy Director Liu.

He Tengfei, a dark-skinned male officer, was not very tall. He had a square face, single eyelids, and a few forehead lines. Despite looking around forty, he was actually not yet thirty.

He Tengfei and Deputy Director Liu walked side by side, both looking plain and honest. He Tengfei was talkative, and Deputy Director Liu chatted with him intermittently.

Qin Yao thought the two looked well-matched. She admired Head Nurse Ge’s eye for matchmaking in her heart. No wonder she was known as a top matchmaker.

Standing next to Deputy Director Liu and He Tengfei was Xiao Pan. Gao Yingzi walked over with a bamboo basket and enthusiastically said,

“Xiao Pan, are you hungry? Would you like to try the pancakes I made?”

“After today’s activities, come over to my brother’s place to hang out.”

Gao Yingzi eagerly flattered Xiao Pan, but Xiao Pan was indifferent and growing increasingly impatient. His eyes betrayed his disgust, but out of consideration for Chen Baozhen, he had to endure Gao Yingzi. “I don’t want pancakes. I’m not tired or thirsty.”

He wanted Gao Yingzi to go away. A woman like her flattering him was an insult!

Gao Yingzi had an officer brother, Gao Jianguo. Gao Jianguo married a city girl, Chen Baozhen, who also had an extraordinary grandfather. From a background perspective, Gao Yingzi’s status was quite impressive. If he were to marry Gao Yingzi, he could form a good connection through this marriage, and Gao Jianguo would definitely take good care of his "brother-in-law."

But Gao Yingzi looked too rustic! She was unattractive and dark-complexioned! She made him want to vomit.

Deputy Director Liu asked, "Is Xiao Qin good friends with Teacher Chen?"

Chen Baozhen, holding Qin Yao’s hand, said happily, "We are bosom friends!"

To Xiao Pan, Chen Baozhen’s words were like sharp, stinging slaps.

Xiao Pan had pursued Gao Yingzi because she was Gao Jianguo’s sister and Chen Baozhen’s sister-in-law. For his own advancement, he didn’t mind marrying such an unattractive girl to serve him.

But he didn’t know that Chen Baozhen was close to Qin Yao.

And he had mocked Qin Yao that day.

Qin Yao had at least married Captain Gu, while he had been forced to be with a dark-complexioned, illiterate, unattractive girl. Shame, it was a shame!

He would never marry such an ugly woman!

"Comrade Xiao Miao, how old are you? How long have you been on the island?" To get rid of Gao Yingzi’s constant attention, Xiao Pan initiated a conversation with Jiang Xiaomiao.

Jiang Xiaomiao was lazy, but she had a nice appearance. Because she was indifferent to household chores and didn’t go to the fields, her skin remained smooth, and she was well-built.

"I’ve been here for a while."

Xiao Pan said with a smile, "We can spend time together in the future. I can write poems and play the harmonica. In March, there’s a Women’s Day event at our hospital. You should come and join us."

Jiang Xiaomiao asked curiously, "I can come too?"

"Of course, our hospital staff can bring family members. The event is fantastic. Last year, there were games like blind people touching noses and ring tossing... Winners receive prizes like soap and laundry detergent." Xiao Pan described the hospital’s Women’s Day event, which had many prizes, with the biggest prizes being enamel mugs and basins.

Jiang Xiaomiao’s eyes lit up. "That sounds like so much fun!"

She wasn’t necessarily interested in the fun but was attracted to the prizes—soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, matches... All free, all useful items.

"Xiao Pan, so many good things? I want to go too! I’ll be your family member!" Gao Yingzi, who had been glaring at Xiao Pan and Jiang Xiaomiao, felt her greedy heart leap at the mention of the Women’s Day prizes.

Xiao Pan frowned. "I can’t bring too many family members. Why don’t you have Comrade Qin Yao take you?"

Gao Yingzi looked displeased.

Deputy Director Liu chimed in, "Xiao Gao, I can take you. Comrade Qin Yao just got married—"

Qin Yao: "?"

"Right, almost forgot, Comrade Qin Yao just got married and needs to bring her husband." Xiao Pan’s eyes glinted as he looked at Qin Yao maliciously. "This is Comrade Qin Yao’s first Women’s Day after her wedding. If her husband doesn’t attend the event with her, she’ll be ridiculed."

Xiao Pan was sure that Qin Yao’s husband wouldn’t accompany her to the Women’s Day event and said this on purpose.

Qin Yao was confused. "Isn’t Women’s Day a holiday for women? Why would a man need to participate?"

Deputy Director Liu said, "There are activities for couples."

Qin Yao: "..."

"He won’t be able to make it."

"Impossible, this is a tradition," Xiao Pan hurriedly said. "There isn’t much happening on Women’s Day. Male officers whose wives are here get a half-day leave to attend the Women’s Day activities and strengthen their marital bond. Unless the husband doesn't want to participate."

Deputy Director Liu quickly added, "Don’t speak so definitively. What half-day leave? That’s nonsense. However, there are a few suitable spots every year."

"Naturally, the newlyweds should have priority."

...

Xiao Pan’s eyes held a meaningful look as he deliberately said with a smile, "Qin Yao, surely Captain Gu will come, right? A man wouldn’t be so heartless."

Xiao Pan’s words stirred up Qin Yao’s emotions. This guy was really asking for it, deliberately provoking her to make her a laughingstock. However, Qin Yao didn’t let her emotions get the better of her. She remained calm and said coolly, "Of course he won’t come. I’m not letting him come."

Xiao Pan was stunned.

"I need to write a report on the event during Women’s Day. His presence would only distract me."

Qin Yao wasn’t falling for his provocation. She wasn’t sure of the situation, and if she boasted and Gu Cheng couldn’t come, she didn’t know how much ridicule she’d face.

Xiao Pan was like a rabid dog. Qin Yao was already thinking of a way to teach him a lesson.

"Comrade Xiao Gao, where is your hometown?" He Tengfei proactively struck up a conversation with Gao Yingzi.

Gao Yingzi replied, "My hometown? Hmm, your accent sounds a bit familiar."

He Tengfei smiled, "I find your voice familiar too."

...

He Tengfei started the conversation and walked over to Gao Yingzi to chat with her.

Head Nurse Ge introduced Deputy Director Liu to him. Liu was a college-educated, cultured person with good conditions. After exchanging a few polite words, He Tengfei felt their interaction was stiff and formal. He didn’t enjoy the company of women like her. He Tengfei felt that Deputy Director Liu wasn’t the type to live a practical, down-to-earth life.

He Tengfei, being a simple and honest man, had his eyes on Gao Yingzi. She spoke quickly and with energy, with a cheerful and straightforward demeanor. She seemed like a hardworking and virtuous lady, perfect to marry and manage a household.

"I’m from the same village. I’m here to visit my brother. His name is Jiang Dinghai. Have you heard of him, Comrade He?" Jiang Xiaomiao’s eyes sparkled as she looked at He Tengfei and sweetly said, "Comrade He, you look very much like my brother. Seeing you makes me feel at home."

"You’re his sister?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Xiaomiao had heard about He Tengfei’s good qualities. He looked reliable and had a great personality. He seemed like a man willing to work hard. Marrying him would mean a life free from worries about food and clothing. What a good man!

At this point, the situation became rather complicated. Gao Yingzi was trying hard to talk to Xiao Pan, who was trying to talk to Jiang Xiaomiao, while Jiang Xiaomiao was making an effort to speak with He Tengfei, and He Tengfei was talking to Gao Yingzi.

Qin Yao and Chen Baozhen walked along, arm in arm, watching the group and finding the situation amusing.

He Tengfei had taken a liking to Gao Yingzi, while Jiang Xiaomiao had set her sights on He Tengfei...

And as for Qin Yao, she had been entrusted by Director Huang to matchmake He Tengfei with Deputy Director Liu.

At the moment, Deputy Director Liu stood alone, pushing her glasses up. She didn’t seem upset.

Chen Baozhen pulled Qin Yao aside and whispered quietly, "Yaoyao, I think something’s not quite right here."

Chen Baozhen, having been entrusted by her sister-in-law, was supposed to matchmake Gao Yingzi and Xiao Pan. Now, seeing He Tengfei’s enthusiasm for Gao Yingzi, she wondered who was supposed to be set up with whom.

Qin Yao remarked, "It’s a total mess."

Chen Baozhen: "..."