Reborn In the Eighties as a Housewife With a Space

Chapter 5

Qin Xue sat on the edge of her bed, watching the sunset bleed warm reds and golds through the window. The beauty of it calmed her racing heart.

She wondered if this era followed the same timeline as her past—perhaps she could eventually find her grandparents or her mother when they were young.

She gently touched her still-flat stomach, a surge of tenderness washing over her. Baby, we’ve survived a lot already, she thought.

I’m from decades in the future, and I know how the world changes. I promise I'll give you the best life possible.

As the light faded, she realized she desperately needed to wash up. The original owner hadn't even left behind a toothbrush, which was nearly driving Qin Xue’s inner perfectionist crazy. She decided to use a bit of salt to rinse her mouth for now. She also needed to return the hospital money to Fang Hong and figure out a plan for food.

More than anything, she needed a bath. She hadn’t had a proper scrub in over ten days, only sponge baths in the hospital. Between the pregnancy sweats and the afternoon of heavy cleaning, she felt sticky and gross.

Luckily, the apartment still had a functioning stove and honeycomb briquettes.

She grabbed the cash and headed to Fang Hong’s. In the hallway, she passed a few women from the building. They stared at her with obvious curiosity and judgment. Qin Xue didn't let it bother her; she simply gave them a polite nod and kept walking.

Fang Hong was in the middle of lighting her stove when she answered the door. "Qin Xue! Come in, come in. I’m just about to start the rice. You'll eat with us tonight."

"Wait, Sister-in-law," Qin Xue said, gently stopping her. "I can't keep troubling you. I’ll just head to the cafeteria later. I actually came by for something else."

Qin Xue knew that in the 1980s, food was strictly rationed. Every meal she ate at Fang Hong’s was a meal taken away from their own family. She didn't want to be a burden.

"Don't be so polite! It’s just a meal," Fang Hong insisted, remembering her husband's request to look after the girl. "Tell me what’s on your mind."

Qin Xue handed over the money. "This is for the hospital bills. Thank you so much for covering for me. I wouldn't have been able to leave the hospital without your help."

Before Fang Hong could protest the repayment, Qin Xue continued, "Also... I wanted to ask if you have any spare coupons—food, meat, or oil? I’d like to buy some from you, or even just borrow them."

Qin Xue felt awkward asking. In this era, money was useless without the right ration coupons. She hadn't found any in her room and refused to go through Chu Molin’s private things.

Fang Hong softened. She knew Chu Molin had been on a mission for over a month, and until he returned, Qin Xue wouldn't have access to his monthly allowance. With a pregnancy to maintain and amnesia to deal with, the poor girl was in a tough spot.

"We have some," Fang Hong said.

"Don't talk about buying them. I’ll lend you what I can spare for now. You can pay me back once Chu Molin is home and his allowance is issued. Lao Xie gets his own coupons in a few days anyway, so we’ll be fine."

Relief washed over Qin Xue. She finally had a starting point to rebuild her life.

______

"Sister-in-law, how far is it from here to the main street? Are you free tomorrow? I'd really like to head into town," Qin Xue asked, her mind already racing with a shopping list.

Her new home was a shell. Without basic supplies, she’d be lucky to survive until her "cheap husband" returned. She still wasn't sure if the original Qin Xue had squandered all the money and rations or if Chu Molin simply hadn't left her much, but she knew she couldn't stay empty-handed for long.

Fang Hong looked at the money Qin Xue was trying to return and pushed it back toward her. "Keep this for now. You’re going to need it if you're going to the market. You can pay me back when Molin returns and you get his allowance."

"You can take the research institute's shuttle bus to get to the street," Fang Hong continued. "I’ll go with you tomorrow morning. I’d originally planned to help Yu Xiu clean your place, but I’ll just let her know we’re going to town instead. We can tidy up in the afternoon."

Qin Xue smiled sheepishly. "Actually, there's no need. I spent the afternoon cleaning. It's much better now. If you can, please ask Sister-in-law Yu Xiu if she’d like to join us at the market. Since I only know the two of you, I'd really appreciate the guidance."

Qin Xue was moved. People say it’s easy to celebrate someone's success but hard to help them in their hour of need. Despite the original owner’s terrible reputation, Fang Hong hadn't hesitated to lend her money and coupons. She’s a good person, Qin Xue noted. I won’t forget this kindness.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the frozen forests of the far north, a very different scene was unfolding.

Chu Molin and his team had been deep in the wilderness for over a month. They were tracking mysterious equipment rumored to be a threat to the country’s security. Now, they were finally closing in, lying in wait in the brush.

Chu Molin lay motionless, his eyes sharp and alert. His colleagues—Wei Shaohui, Ding Xi, and Li Dabao—were crouched nearby, while their scout, Deng Kai, watched from a high vantage point with binoculars.

"Deputy Section Chief," Ding Xi whispered, "do you think they’ll actually show up?"

"Whether they show up or not, our job is to destroy their objective and bring samples back," Chu Molin replied, his voice low and steady.

"Man, I just want this over with," Wei Shaohui grumbled softly. "It’s freezing, and I haven't seen my wife in weeks. I miss her."

Li Dabao grinned. "Wei Shaohui, stop bragging about being married! Some of us are still single. What about you, Chief? Do you miss your wife?"

Chu Molin remained silent.

In truth, he hadn't thought about Qin Xue once during the mission. His marriage hadn't been a choice of the heart; it was a matter of responsibility after she had drugged and schemed her way into his bed. He had done the "honorable" thing by marrying her, but the thought of his chaotic home life only brought him irritation.

As he remembered her temper and her constant demands, his handsome, cold face darkened. The air around him seemed to drop a few more degrees, causing Li Dabao to shut his mouth instantly.