Little poplar tree: Heroes don’t mention their past bravery.
The second day of the New Year.
Su Xiaoman planned to return to her parents’ home with Xie Mingtu.
Before going to sleep, she had even told him to wake her early. But in the end, she still curled up in the warm blankets, unwilling to wake.
Xie Mingtu, already up early, sat by the bed, holding her hand and softly calling her name several times. Still, he couldn’t wake her.
In the end, he couldn’t bear to force her up. He leaned down and gently kissed her brow and the corners of her eyes, tucking the blanket snugly around her.
“Manman, keep sleeping. I’ll stay with you.”
He went to cook porridge again, and also kneaded some dough into buns, placing them into the steamer so she could have something hot when she woke.
Su Xiaoman turned over sleepily, nestling deeper into the blankets, sleeping soundly.
The “New Year’s Eve” night before last had exhausted her too much. Even after a full day of rest, the lingering soreness remained strong. It was like finishing a physical endurance test—you needed two or three days to recover. After a night’s rest, her limbs had grown stiff again, making getting up especially uncomfortable.
Only when she smelled the fragrance of porridge and steamed buns did she slowly wake. Realising her early-rising plan had failed, she didn’t bother struggling anymore. She changed clothes, put on her shoes, and got out of bed, though her legs still felt weak.
The feeling was hard to describe—like stepping off a pirate ship, or finishing an 800-meter run.
She couldn’t help feeling a little relieved. At least they had already crossed that first milestone. If he kept getting stronger in the future… she might not be able to handle it.
Thinking back to that New Year’s Eve, her cheeks flushed faintly. It hadn’t been as unbearable as she’d imagined.
In fact… it had been more enjoyable than anything else.
Maybe a bigger “little rabbit” wasn’t so bad after all.
At that thought, her whole face felt like it was heating up. It had only been a few days, yet even her own mindset seemed to have changed.
“Manman?” Xie Mingtu came over and carried her to eat. In the room was a simple reclining chair he had made himself at her insistence, covered with a thick quilt.
He set her down and brought her porridge and buns.
Su Xiaoman’s gaze lingered on him as she tore off a piece of bun and ate it. Suddenly, she found herself looking forward to him getting even stronger—wondering what it would feel like then.
After eating half a bun, Xie Mingtu leaned over again, calling “Manman, Manman” nonstop.
She looked at him with amusement. Before, she had once joked that he was like a sticky plaster—but now he truly was. He wanted to stick to her every moment, and even the way he looked at her had changed.
It was no longer pure.
She lightly slapped his cheek in annoyance, thinking, *Give me back my innocent, well-behaved Samoyed.* How had her little dog turned into a wolf?
Before, he stayed quietly by her side. Now he constantly made little moves—pinching her hand, scratching her palm, picking up strands of her hair and kissing them again and again.
As if marking territory everywhere.
He even wanted to kiss her face, her neck… and those restless hands were reaching—
Su Xiaoman shot him a glare.
“Manman, are you angry again?” Xie Mingtu obediently let her vent, though he couldn’t help wanting to be close to her.
Seizing the chance, he quickly kissed her cheek. “Manman, you look really good when you glare at me.”
She stuffed a bun into his mouth. “You stupid dog, can you just let me eat in peace?”
He nodded, quickly finishing the bun. “Manman, what else do you want to eat?”
“Nothing. We’ll eat at my parents’ later.”
She smiled and kissed him twice on the face. It wasn’t just him wanting closeness—she wanted it too.
After sharing such intimacy, it felt like a barrier had disappeared between them, as if they had become part of each other.
After tidying up, they took some things and went to the Su family.
She warned him not to go too far there, and he nodded obediently.
But once they arrived, he still hovered around her, his gaze and actions full of possessiveness, which annoyed the Su men greatly—they felt he was showing off.
Liu Shufeng, however, was delighted. She could see that her son-in-law had truly become a man.
It seemed her dream of holding a grandchild wasn’t far off.
After leaving the Su family, Su Xiaoman went to visit Zhou Xiaohui. Zhou Xiaohui now lived in the village with her two daughters and was managing well. Her younger brother had recently built them two simple mud-and-stone rooms, enough to shelter them from wind and rain.
She was content with her current life. Spring couplets were pasted outside, and she had decorated the house with her daughters, creating a festive atmosphere.
The police had also helped her apply for aid, giving them some grain for the winter. Though not much, it was enough if they saved carefully.
When Chunjuan saw Su Xiaoman, she happily called out, “Little Auntie!”
After leaving the Xie family, Chunjuan smiled more often. Xiajuan followed suit. “Little Auntie!”
Zhou Xiaohui smiled and corrected them, “Don’t call her that. Call her Aunt Xiaoman.”
Su Xiaoman said, “They can call me whatever they like.”
Chunjuan said, “Can I not call you Aunt Xiaoman? You’re so pretty—I want to call you Sister Xiaoman.”
Xiajuan immediately echoed, “Sister Xiaoman!”
Su Xiaoman couldn’t help laughing. “That would mess up the family hierarchy—just call me Aunt Xiaoman.”
After leaving Zhou Xiaohui’s house, they ran into Zhao Qingqing, who hadn’t gone home for the New Year. She eagerly approached.
“Xiaoman, Xiaoman, can I tell you something?”
“What is it?”
“Can I write your story into a novel?”
Su Xiaoman froze. “Huh?”
Could it be that the previous story had been written by Zhao Qingqing?
“It would just be a story included in my work. My writing isn’t very good, and it might not even be published,” Zhao Qingqing explained. She simply loved writing, and the Xie family’s story was too unusual not to record.
Su Xiaoman glanced at Xie Mingtu and nodded. “Go ahead. Just don’t use our real names.”
“Of course!” Zhao Qingqing laughed happily.
Su Xiaoman smiled, hoping that in Zhao Qingqing’s story, they wouldn’t end up as villains.
—Even if they were, it wouldn’t matter.
Hand in hand, she walked home with her “dog brother.”
Sun Mei’s trial result would likely come out in March. A ten-year sentence was almost certain. Xie Mingtu and Su Xiaoman no longer paid attention to her—she would receive the punishment she deserved.
Prison now was no easy place. She would have to serve her sentence honestly and reflect on her wrongdoing.
Su Xiaoman thought Sun Mei must deeply regret it now. Since her arrest, not even Jiang Yantang had visited her, and none of the Xie family had gone to see her either.
Old Man Xie had even wanted to divorce her. Xie Lao Er, whom she had once doted on, now acted as if he had no such mother at all. As for her beloved Yaozu—Xie Yaozu no longer acknowledged her as his grandmother.
And Jiang Yantang? He also did not acknowledge her as his mother. Now he was staying by Xie Yazhi’s side, fulfilling filial duties. It was said that after this time, he no longer planned to return to Qiaoxin Village as an educated youth.
Xie Mingtu and Su Xiaoman would not go to see her either.
Xie Mingtu had already let everything go.
When Old Man Xie heard that the couple had returned, he had originally wanted to come and plead for leniency. But feeling ashamed, he turned and ran away as soon as he saw them.
On the third day of the New Year, Su Xiaoman packed her things and set off with Xie Mingtu to visit his grandparents.
The chickens and ducks at home were once again entrusted to her mother, Liu Shufeng, to take care of. Su Xiaoman suggested they be used to nourish her pregnant sister-in-law. As for the little puppy she had once raised—Xiao Hei—the traitor had long since stopped being her dog and had become Liu Shufeng’s dog instead.
What a sigh-worthy turn of events.
Xie “dog” Mingtu, however, was quite happy about this. He had regretted bringing Xiao Hei to her the very next day.
Now, with no other dog around, everything was perfect.
On the fifth day, they arrived at Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Grandma Jiang was overjoyed to see them and prepared a full table of delicious food. Grandpa Jiang pulled Xie Mingtu aside, insisting that the two of them drink together.
Xie Mingtu rolled up his sleeves—this time, he was determined to drink with Grandpa!
He was no longer the same Xie “dog” who had once sat at the doorway wrapped in Grandpa’s army coat, regretting his life.
Now, no matter how much he drank, he wasn’t afraid!
Grandma Jiang and Su Xiaoman could only watch helplessly as the grandfather and grandson drank.
Xie Mingtu ended up completely drunk. Late at night, he clung to Su Xiaoman, acting wild and playful. It took her a long time to finally coax him to sleep.
Annoyed, Su Xiaoman threw a towel at his face.
Reeking of alcohol and still pestering her for kisses—she found it unbearable.
After going through all the routines, on the tenth day, Grandpa Jiang, Grandma Jiang, and Su Xiaoman went together to see him off.
Xie Mingtu had already changed into a brand-new green military uniform. A bright red star shone on his cap, and the brown belt cinched his tall figure, making him look like a straight young poplar tree.
Along the way, countless girls’ gazes lingered on him.
Several green military trucks were parked nearby, and people gathered in a large circle to see them off.
Xie Mingtu frowned and tugged at his uniform. He realised he might actually be a bit too thin—the length of the uniform fit, but the width… was more than enough.
He glanced at the others; no one seemed to have as much extra room in their uniform as he did.
Of course, few were as tall as him either.
While he envied others’ better-fitting uniforms, the other men in green uniforms couldn’t help but stare at him.
In such cold weather, how could he still look so slim and well-proportioned in that uniform?
Was he not wearing thermal layers underneath?
And when they looked at his face—good heavens. Many of them wondered if he had come to the wrong place.
Was he supposed to be joining the arts troupe instead?
Many had thought themselves handsome in their uniforms back home, but standing next to him—
—they immediately regretted bringing their girlfriends.
This was supposed to be a farewell moment—yet their beloved girls’ eyes kept wandering!
That fool probably wasn’t even wearing enough layers—he’d surely freeze soon!
Su Xiaoman stood on tiptoe to adjust his cap. The day before, she had cut his hair. Ever since they met, she had been the one to cut his hair—and likely the only one.
With it trimmed shorter, he looked even more spirited and handsome. In this uniform, he was so striking it was hard to look away.
That face, that waist, those legs…
Just thinking about it made her legs go weak.
Despite his slim waist, she knew exactly how strong it was.
She couldn’t help but yawn. She hadn’t slept well the previous night. Knowing they would part, she had softened and let him do as he pleased.
She blamed herself for being too soft-hearted.
That sly dog.
He had deliberately worn her out, wanting to hear her cry, to make her say things she would never admit when fully conscious.
If not for how handsome he looked this morning in uniform, she wouldn’t even want to talk to him.
Next year, she’d make him wear this when they registered their marriage.
As the moment of parting arrived, Xie Mingtu pulled her into his arms. She hugged his waist in return, suddenly overwhelmed with reluctance.
Since she had come into his life, they had never been apart.
She buried her head in his chest, holding back the tears in her eyes. He couldn’t take much with him—everything was standard-issue. So instead, she had sewn something into his uniform.
Inside, she stitched his name: Xie Mingtu.
He hadn’t changed his name. He didn’t want to take the Jiang surname, nor did he consider himself part of the Xie family in that sense.
He said his surname “Xie” came from being born in Xiejia Town—not from either parent.
Though, truthfully, he had once wanted to take her surname, Su. But Su Xiaoman thought “Su Mingtu” sounded too strange—together, their names would sound more like siblings.
Xie Mingtu: “…more like brother and sister.”
So he gave up on that idea.
After stitching his name, she also embroidered a small rabbit, with a vine curling beside it.
Seeing the design, Xie Mingtu cheekily suggested that another outfit could have a rabbit burrowing into the “Manman grass nest.”
She immediately knocked him on the head.
He dropped the idea.
All around them were voices of farewell. The atmosphere was deeply moving—family, friends, lovers parting.
Su Xiaoman held him tightly, full of reluctance.
But Xie Mingtu remained optimistic. He comforted her instead.
“Manman, don’t be sad. Grandpa said the training base isn’t far. If you miss me, you can visit me once a week.”
She patted his face, thinking, *you silly thing—Grandpa lied to you.*
In truth, they wouldn’t be allowed to see each other for at least three months.
But she didn’t tell him. She let him believe they’d meet again next week.
In a few days, he’d receive Grandpa’s “bad news.”
Xie Mingtu boarded the truck with the others. Su Xiaoman stood by the roadside with his grandparents, watching him leave.
Sitting in the truck, a faint smile lingered on his lips. His mind was filled with thoughts of Manman.
His hand gripped the hem of his uniform—where the little rabbit and vine were embroidered.
The clothes, and Manman, would always be with him.
After several hours, the truck arrived at a military base. They were assigned dormitories, and after three months of training, there would be a major evaluation before being assigned to units.
Not long after getting off the truck, Xie Mingtu saw someone unexpected—Jiang Yantang.
They were placed in neighbouring squads.
When they saw each other, they acted like strangers and didn’t greet one another.
Jiang Yantang’s expression was complicated. He had always believed he was better than Xie Mingtu.
Yet from the very beginning, Xie Mingtu stood out.
After seeing Xie “dog” off, Su Xiaoman returned with his grandparents.
She had planned to go back to Qiaoxin Village, but Grandpa and Grandma insisted she stay with them.
After thinking it over, she agreed. Her sister-in-law was pregnant, and Liu Shufeng was busy caring for her. Going back alone would feel lonely, and she didn’t want to trouble her parents.
“Alright, Grandma. I’ll stay with you.”
“With Manman—oh, Xiaoman—by our side, we feel at ease,” Grandma Jiang said. She had once wanted to call her “Manman” like her grandson did, but he refused, saying that name was his alone.
So she settled for “Xiaoman.”
Privately, she thought “Xiaoman” sounded even more intimate.
After Xie Mingtu left, Su Xiaoman worried at first about getting pregnant. She wasn’t ready yet—at least not until he turned twenty and they officially registered their marriage.
They had taken precautions before, so it shouldn’t happen unexpectedly.
Spending her days with his grandparents, she also found things to do. She helped tend the garden and began sewing her wedding dress.
Knowing she liked making clothes, Grandpa Jiang even got her a sewing machine.
He muttered, “All my life I wanted to wear something your grandma made—but her hands are too clumsy, not like me—”
He stopped mid-sentence.
Grandma Jiang laughed. “Not as good as you, you mean? You’ve never worn my clothes, but I’ve worn yours. Xiaoman, your grandpa was great with a sewing machine in his younger days—he even made quilts—”
Grandpa Jiang quickly covered her mouth.
He laughed awkwardly. “No need to bring up the past.”
Su Xiaoman thought to herself—did he used to run a quilt factory or something?
Grandma Jiang added, “If you don’t believe me, let him show you.”
Grandpa Jiang jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “I won’t!”
Su Xiaoman: “…”
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