Life in the valley continued to be both fulfilling and peaceful after Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang’s departure.
Third Sister Aunt remained in the valley, never returning to the Soviet Union. For the first two years, she worried about her family back home and considered visiting her two sons in Pogranichny to see how they were doing. However, after Yulia became pregnant and gave birth to their youngest, Lena, her life became uncontrollably busy. She had two children in three years, keeping Third Sister Aunt and Mama Liu constantly on their toes. From then on, Third Sister Aunt had no time to miss home, fully embracing her role as a grandmother.
Time flew by, and it was soon 1966. Chen Lan knew that significant events were to unfold this year, so she had instructed the young men who went hunting to plant large patches of thorny bushes along the main paths leading into the valley, leaving only one commonly used path unobstructed. This plan had been coordinated with Xu Mingxuan beforehand.
As soon as this year’s autumn harvest concluded, Third Sister Aunt’s youngest daughter, Milana, happily married Mingzhe. They had fallen in love through mutual understanding and finally achieved their happily ever after.
Chen Lan orchestrated the wedding. The celebration was both lively and innovative. Having attended many weddings in her previous life, Chen Lan incorporated elements of modern wedding decorations into Mingzhe’s ceremony. To honor Milana’s Russian customs, she wore a white wedding dress and high heels, while Mingzhe donned a suit and leather shoes. The couple was also provided with traditional Chinese red wedding attire to change into.
Third Sister Aunt and her mother-in-law were extremely pleased with the wedding. The younger generation in the valley also found the celebration to be vibrant and joyous. Consequently, the mothers in the valley whose children were not yet married requested that the wedding decorations from Mingzhe’s ceremony be stored away, and the clothes be cleaned and put into storage by the sewing group for future weddings.
Chen Lan readily agreed. Although everyone in the valley had enough to eat and wear, the good habit of thriftiness was to be maintained.
Her mother-in-law was beaming with joy every day, no longer constantly pining for Xu Mingxuan’s return. Now that she was also Third Sister Aunt’s mother-in-law, their relationship grew even closer. The two of them, along with Mama Liu, would chat constantly about their in-laws, much to the envy of Old Mama.
One day, Old Mama once again brought up the topic of Wen Kai and Wen Qi’s marriages with Chen Lan. Old Mama sighed and said, "Lan'er, Wen Kai and Wen Qi are only about half a year younger than Mingzhe. Mingzhe got married this year, and they're certainly not young anymore. Yet, they show no urgency, only spending their days poring over those useless medical books you gave them. It's truly worrying. Lan'er, please talk to them properly when you have time."
Chen Lan comforted her, "Mother, they are still so young. What are you rushing for?"
Old Mama chided her, "They are turning twenty-three and twenty-four this year. They are not young. When you were their age, Jia Yao and Jia Hui were already toddling around."
Chen Lan smiled and replied, "Mother, that was the old way of thinking, hence early marriages. What era is this? This is a new society with new ideas, emphasizing free love. Mother, please listen to me and don't rush. Remember how you persuaded Mama Liu? And look at Xiao Xigua. Although his fate came a little late, a man in his thirties is still in his prime, and he hasn't missed anything. He's already a father of two, and Yulia is pregnant with another!"
Old Mama was amused by Chen Lan's words. She reached out and patted Chen Lan's arm, saying, "Still in his prime? You, child, always have the most outrageous logic."
Time passed quickly, as if in the blink of an eye, it was winter 1966. The valley dwellers began their winter hibernation. The snow that had fallen earlier had not completely melted, and it began to snow again that day. However, this snowfall was not heavy, just a gentle drift that continued until just before dinner.
As Chen Lan's family was having dinner in the living room, there was a series of knocks on the door. The family assumed someone in the valley was ill and needed Chen Lan’s two younger brothers and Jia Yao to assist. Dr. Guo was old and rarely made house calls anymore; his four apprentices handled most of the consultations. He only intervened personally if they couldn't manage, which was a rare occurrence.
Jia He, now fourteen years old, quickly put down his bowl and ran to open the door. Upon opening it, he saw four figures standing there, covered in snow. It was impossible to tell who they were. This startled Jia He. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Xu Mingxuan’s voice: "Jia He, quiet. It's me, your father, and your uncle. Good son, quickly come out and help. My hands are numb with cold and I can't use them."
Hearing the voices from the door, everyone inside put down their bowls. Chen Lan quickly went to the door, and Jia Yao and Jia Xing rushed out to help. They then discovered two large sleds outside the door, covered with quilts. Beneath the quilts lay two people.
Everyone pitched in to carry the two nearly frozen individuals into the living room. The young women brought hot water to wash their hands and faces and to soak their hands and feet.
Chen Lan finally got a clear look at the two. The man, with salt-and-pepper hair, appeared to be in his sixties. He was thin, his lips were pale, his eyes were closed, and his brow was furrowed.
The woman looked to be in her fifties, with short hair framing her ears with a few strands of white. She was also thin, with pale lips, but her eyes were open, though she remained silent.
Seeing their weakened state, Chen Lan surmised they were suffering from the cold and hunger.
At that moment, her mother-in-law and Old Mama each brought a bowl of steaming hot soup and asked Jia Yao and Wen Kai to feed the two individuals, allowing them to warm their stomachs first. Watching them gulp down the hot soup, Xu Mingxuan, Er Zhuang, and the two men who had accompanied them finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After the two finished their soup, Wen Qi and Wen Kai took their pulses.
Xu Mingxuan then spoke, "Mother, Mother-in-law, do we have any food left? These two are my comrades. That man is my former leader, and the woman is his revolutionary companion. We've been sledding all day and are starving."
His mother-in-law immediately replied, "Yes, we just started eating. Mingxuan, Er Zhuang, quickly have your comrades sit down at the table. Don't be shy, let's all eat together. I'll go to the kitchen and bring it out right away."
The daughters of the household had already brought the food from the kitchen. Chen Lan hurried back into the kitchen and fried two more sunny-side-up eggs for each of them. She also separately prepared a bowl of egg and shredded pork noodles for the ailing elderly couple.