Annette's eyes stung from the thick smoke. When she heard the door open and glanced back, a tall, upright figure stood in the doorway, his face shadowed by the backlight.
From her memories, she knew this was her husband—Stuart.
The sudden appearance caught her off guard; she hadn't prepared how to greet him.
Stuart quickly stepped inside, set down the lunchbox, then rushed to open the door and windows to let in fresh air. Next, he checked the stove. The blackened coal had already smothered the small flames on the twigs.
Knowing Annette wouldn't talk to him or acknowledge him, he silently picked up the fire tongs and began to rekindle the fire.
Feeling a bit awkward, Annette stood up and stepped aside. As the smoke cleared and the room brightened, she finally got a clear look at the man before her.
His eyebrows were sharp and defined, his nose straight, and his lips firm with a serious, resolute expression.
His skin was a healthy wheatish tone.
Normally very picky about appearances, Annette thought Stuart's looks and temperament perfectly matched her type.
But now was not the time for romance across time — she was thinking about how to improve their relationship.
After all, to survive in this unfamiliar era, she needed this man's help.
Having rekindled the fire, Stuart glanced at Annette standing quietly by his side and felt a little surprised.
She hadn't slammed the door and locked herself away like the original woman usually did when he came home. Instead, her face was covered in soot.
She turned to the basin rack by the door, washed her hands, changed the water, and poured hot water from the thermos.
Then she calmly looked at him and asked, "Do you want to wash up?"
Annette was startled, feeling unexpectedly touched. Her eyes brightened as she nodded repeatedly, "Yes, thank you."
After all, the original Annette had treated him poorly, yet he still showed this generosity.
She smiled warmly and hurried to wash her hands and face.
Stuart silently observed her a few times, surprised she actually said thanks and smiled at him — a first. But he couldn't guess what she really intended.
He lowered his head, placed the lunchbox from the workplace cafeteria on the stove to warm, and rolled up his sleeves to grab a cabbage.
Annette, washing her hands, looked up and noticed a small round mirror hanging on the wall near the basin rack. Her soot-smudged face reflected back — no wonder Stuart suggested washing, she did look quite messy.
She hurriedly rinsed her face, then looked at the clean, fair reflection.
Surprisingly, she resembled the original woman somewhat, but at almost thirty, slimmer and with less radiant skin.
The original often had a bad temper, her brows always furrowed with a hint of sharpness that made her look difficult.
Annette touched her brow, thinking it wasn't good to get angry so often.
She took two towels hanging nearby—one army green, one white—and guessed the white one belonged to the original. She used it to dry her face.
Turning, she saw Stuart chopping cabbage. His army green wool sleeve was rolled up to his forearm, revealing a strong, well-defined arm.
His chopping was practiced and quick, and the cabbage shreds were even.
Annette silently admired how handsome people looked good doing anything.
Due to their complicated relationship, she wasn't sure how to start a conversation, so she stood with her hands behind her back for a moment before cautiously stepping closer.
"Um… do you need any help?"
Stuart paused briefly, then glanced at her.
"What you said yesterday isn't possible."
Annette was momentarily confused, then recalled the argument the original Annette had with Stuart last night.
She wanted to go back to the City to work. Stuart's workplace arranged jobs yearly for family members, but City slots were limited.
This year there were only two City positions: a nurse at the City Hospital and a teacher at Red Star Kindergarten.
These were assigned based on ability, seniority, and family hardship.
No matter how you looked at it, the original woman didn't qualify. Besides, her heart wasn't really on working, but on seeing a former lover in the City.
So she had asked Stuart for the kindergarten teacher job.
Stuart firmly refused, and the original woman had thrown a tantrum at home, breaking things.
Annette inwardly winced. What was this? Already married but still had a sweetheart in the City?
Seeing Stuart's cold expression, she quickly waved her hand.
"No, no, I know I'm not qualified. Let those who need it have it. I just want to help you cook."
Stuart glanced at her. "No need."
Annette stood aside watching him cook.
When frying, Stuart noticed the cooking oil was gone. He frowned, took out a jar of lard, and scooped some into the pan.
The smell of scallions, ginger, garlic, and dried chili exploded in the air instantly.
Annette was probably too hungry—just looking at the simple stir-fried cabbage made her swallow hard.
Lunch was simple: a portion of braised pork from the cafeteria, mostly fat with little lean meat, pale and not very appetizing; stir-fried cabbage; and hot coarse-grain steamed buns.
Annette watched Stuart warm the buns, then actively tidied the table, arranged stools, and fetched chopsticks.
Stuart was surprised to see two sets of bowls and chopsticks—today's Annette was unusually cooperative.
Usually, whenever he breathed near her, she'd wrinkle her nose at what she called "the foul smell of country folk."
He silently arranged the food and buns.
Annette sat opposite him, staring at the coarse bun.
"It looks so delicious. You're amazing."
Stuart's brow twitched, guessing she had changed her tactics.
He remained silent, sat down, and took a big bite.
Annette didn't feel foolish. Judging by the original woman's usual ways, he must be suspicious and think she was scheming.
She quietly bit into the golden bun, but it was dry and hard. Swallowing stung her throat.
Stretching her neck, she gulped it down and quickly took two sips of water.
Stuart glanced at her, lowered his eyes, and kept eating.
While they quietly ate, a woman outside called anxiously, her voice trembling with tears, "Captain Stuart, are you home?"