Lin Xiaoxiao met the old woman's glare without flinching. "I've never seen anyone so petty. Getting so worked up over one cucumber? We're neighbors, for goodness' sake. No wonder everyone says you're difficult to get along with. Who could possibly stand you?"

Lin Xiaoxiao let out a short laugh. "Don't you worry about that. I'm back now. I'll let the past go, but if you ever dare to take so much as a single seedling from my garden again, you'll have me to deal with."

The old woman stormed off, muttering curses under her breath.

Lin Xiaoxiao paid her no mind. She fetched water, squatted in the yard to brush her teeth and wash her face, all while listening to the ongoing tirade next door—now clearly directed at her daughter-in-law, though obviously meant for Lin Xiaoxiao's ears.

"What time do you call this? Hurry up and make breakfast! Prancing around all day like some vixen—who are you trying to seduce?"

"Just look at you! That cheap, coquettish face of yours—it's plain you can't live without a man."

Lin Xiaoxiao knew the insults were aimed at her, but she wasn't about to openly accept what wasn't explicitly thrown her way. Instead, she simply fixed a cold stare on the old woman across the fence.

When the old woman caught Lin Xiaoxiao's gaze, her stream of abuse abruptly cut off. There was something in the young woman's eyes—a cold, silent warning—that made her feel a sudden chill of fear. She quickly scurried back inside without another word.

After finishing her morning routine, Lin Xiaoxiao stood by the door admiring the thriving garden.

The more she looked, the more she liked it. She made a mental note to properly thank Dong Hongmei later.

She was just starting to wonder what to make for breakfast and whether Zhou Huai'an would be back when Dong Hongmei herself appeared, carrying a small enamel pot covered with a blue floral cloth.

"I heard from the gatehouse that you got back last night," Dong Hongmei said cheerfully before even stepping into the yard. "I figured with you being away so long, you wouldn't have anything ready to eat. I made some flatbread this morning—brought some over for you."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed. "Oh, you didn't have to! I was just thinking about all the vegetables in the garden. I can just have some cucumbers and tomatoes."

But Dong Hongmei was already approaching. "That's no proper breakfast! You've been gone for ages—your stove isn't even set up. I was afraid you wouldn't know how to manage. Come on, get settled and eat while it's hot."

Not wanting to refuse her kindness, Lin Xiaoxiao invited Dong Hongmei inside, and the two sat down at the small table.

The flatbread Dong Hongmei had made was wheat-based, mixed with crispy pork cracklings and scallions. Fried to a golden brown on both sides, it was flaky, soft, and deliciously savory. Lin Xiaoxiao effortlessly finished two pieces, surprising even herself with her growing appetite.

Dong Hongmei watched her eat with a smile. "This is made from this year's new flour—good, isn't it? I bought some pork fat the other day and rendered it down—got plenty of cracklings.

They're great for baking or filling. When Xiao Zhou gets back, why don't you both come over for dumplings?"

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly waved her hand. "No, no, we couldn't trouble you! We can cook for ourselves. I brought back rice, flour, and oil, and with the garden, we're all set."

Dong Hongmei's enthusiasm was sometimes overwhelming.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's resolve, Dong Hongmei didn't insist. "Alright, some other time then.

They've all been so busy lately anyway—always coming home late or not at all."

As for what kept them so busy, she didn't know. Much of their work was confidential and couldn't be discussed at home.

Dong Hongmei suddenly laughed. "You know, these past few months, my Lao Li's always going into the city for meetings or to deliver documents. He's even started paying attention to his appearance! Before, he'd go days without washing his hair, and I had to nag him to change his clothes."

"Now he's suddenly so particular. Every time he goes to the city, he washes up and insists on wearing his white shirt—the only one he has. He even washes it himself as soon as he gets back. Never used to be like that."

She sounded genuinely pleased by the change.

But to Lin Xiaoxiao, it sounded suspicious. When a man who never cared about his looks suddenly starts dressing up and paying attention to his appearance, it usually means trouble—like another woman.

She couldn't say that directly to Dong Hongmei, so she simply remarked, "That's nice. Director Li is still young—I'm sure he looks very handsome all dressed up. Probably quite popular with the ladies."

Dong Hongmei laughed. "Him? No matter how he cleans up, he's still a country bumpkin at heart. Who'd look twice at him? And don't get me wrong—others might fool around, but my Lao Li would never."

Seeing how certain Dong Hongmei was, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't press further. She simply listened as Dong Hongmei praised her husband's devotion to his family.

Eventually, the conversation turned to Zhang Yimei's mother-in-law next door. "Did you hear all the noise from that woman? She's not someone to trifle with. Best to just ignore her. If she says anything, pretend you didn't hear."

But Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't the type to take insults lying down. "I won't go out of my way to bother her, but if she tries to take advantage of me, she'll regret it."

Dong Hongmei clicked her tongue but said nothing. She had meant to advise caution, but then she remembered Lin Xiaoxiao had always been strong-willed. It was only since deciding to make a life with Zhou Huai'an that she'd settled down a bit. In the past, she'd argued with just about every neighbor.

After Lin Xiaoxiao finished breakfast, Dong Hongmei chatted a while longer before getting up to leave. On her way out, worried Lin Xiaoxiao might not know how to care for the garden, she added, "If the soil looks dry, water the plants in the early morning or evening—never at noon when it's hot. You'll scald the roots."

Lin Xiaoxiao was baffled. Who knew growing vegetables could be so complicated?

Seeing her confusion, Dong Hongmei waved a hand. "Never mind, I'll stop by every day to check on them for you. I've got time. And about that wool you bought for knitting—you haven't started yet, have you? You should begin soon. It gets cold early here—mornings and evenings turn chilly by August."

Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered the knitting wool and nodded quickly.

After seeing Dong Hongmei out, Lin Xiaoxiao washed the bedsheets and curtains she'd taken down. At noon, she moved the stove into the yard and put together a simple meal.

As she went about her chores, the noise from Zhang Yimei's house never ceased—a child crying, the old woman shouting, or Zhang Yimei herself taking out her frustrations on the child. It was utter chaos.

In contrast, the other neighboring house remained quiet, with no sign of anyone coming or going.

Zhou Huai'an still hadn't returned by evening. Lin Xiaoxiao turned on the recorder to listen to the radio while clumsily sewing a red cloth into a makeshift肚兜 (underbust corset/vest). She had a general idea of the design, but her sewing skills were rudimentary at best.

After hastily finishing it, she held it up against herself. It didn't look too bad.

She quickly took off her clothes and tried it on, feeling quite pleased with herself.

So preoccupied was she with examining her handiwork that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching—or the door quietly opening behind her.