Chapter 29: Annette’s Hidden Desire

Martha linked her arm warmly with Annette's. "I just heard you're back. I hurried to get some rice and cured meat—thought we could use them to help Stuart recover."

Annette felt a little embarrassed. "No need, we have plenty at home."

Martha didn't even acknowledge her refusal, continuing in a lively tone, "Stuart's a quiet sort, not much for talking, but he's kindhearted, thoughtful, and really clever. My old Li often says, if Stuart were on the battlefield, he'd be a general—a real talent."

Annette didn't immediately understand why Martha mentioned this and stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

"Did you hear? Next month there's a promotion round at work. Stuart's on the list. If he gets promoted, he can even go to the provincial capital for further studies. People of his generation have suffered for lack of education. If he can study, maybe he can go far in life."

Annette nodded in agreement. "It's definitely a good opportunity to learn."

Seeing Stuart quietly reading foreign-language books sometimes, she knew he loved reading but was born in a tough era.

Encouraged by Annette's agreement, Martha grew more enthusiastic. "Who wouldn't want a chance like that? So many are trying to pull strings to climb up. But there will also be people watching for mistakes. Stuart has military merits and has always performed well at work."

She paused, her eyes meaningfully fixed on Annette. "No matter how perfect someone is, there's always someone trying to find fault, right?"

Annette suddenly understood. "You mean family relations can affect it too?"

Martha immediately nodded. "Of course. If you can't manage your family well, how can you wholeheartedly serve the people? On a bigger scale, it reflects your lifestyle. It's a big deal. We even had someone divorced by his wife, and the next year he was transferred away."

Annette sensed Martha knew about her and Stuart's strained relationship and was acting as an intermediary.

But with Stuart's personality, he wouldn't be the type to spread gossip.

Martha saw Annette silent and didn't get angry or blame her for being nosy. She went on, "Young Stuart's had a tough time but is a promising young man."

It was Richard who had asked her to talk to Annette, saying Stuart had thoughts of divorce.

That could only mean Annette had been causing trouble, and Stuart was forced to agree.

Annette remained silent, still clear about right and wrong but unwilling to discuss her relationship with Stuart.

Unconsciously, she had already put Stuart into her "inner circle," while Martha was an outsider.

Although Annette didn't speak, Martha felt her words were heard and, because Annette hadn't reacted negatively, saw it as a sign she might settle down.

With a basket in one hand and her arm affectionately linked around Annette's, Martha said, "I was just about to come over."

Annette couldn't refuse. Martha was lively and talkative; once she arrived, the whole house felt more vibrant.

She got along well with Sean and even teased about finding Sean a match.

Sean quickly waved his hands. "Annette, please spare me. I'm doing fine now—one man eating well means the whole family is fed."

Martha shook her head. "No way. You're only a year younger than Stuart, right? Almost thirty. If you don't marry soon, the good girls will all be taken."

"But since you're from the capital, you probably look down on girls around here. You'll want a girl from a big city someday. I heard city girls are all quite refined."

Annette looked at Martha in mild surprise. Women her age really said whatever they liked — utterly unrestrained.

Sean chuckled. "Annette, I think you're just making things up."

Martha laughed heartily. "Still, I think no city girl is prettier than Stuart's wife."

Annette reacted slowly, realizing the "Stuart's wife" she meant was herself, and had no immediate reply.

Martha happily chatted with Sean and occasionally spoke to Stuart resting on the small bed. She had no plans to leave even by evening.

As mealtime approached, she proactively said to Annette, "Stay for dinner. I'll call my husband over and cook."

Sean responded at once, "Great idea. Annette, bring your table and stools over too."

Annette couldn't say no, and watched as Martha quickly assembled an impromptu dinner party.

She helped wash vegetables while Martha rolled dough with brisk efficiency, all the while fussing over this and that—truly embodying the warm-hearted elder sister role.

Martha also shared her wisdom on marriage: "Women should take care of the home—cooking, washing, raising kids. Men work so hard outside. Look at Stuart and the others—they still come home every day, seeming carefree, but sometimes they head to the research base, a barren place where not even a camelthorn grows. They stay for ten or fifteen days, coming back with cracked lips and peeling skin."

Annette knew all too well. Life for researchers was grueling; security personnel endured hardship too.

The conditions were harsh, the environment brutal.

Martha, fearing she might drone on, laughed and changed the topic: "I heard our residential compound is planning a kindergarten soon. Want to work there? I can tell my old Li."

Annette wasn't interested in becoming a kid-wrangler and quickly declined. "No thanks, I want to study something else."

Martha didn't push. "That's good. You're young—learning comes easy."

While they chatted, Martha finished rolling noodles. Sean arrived, carrying a bottle of wine with Martha's husband, Li Guohao.

Annette took a quick glance at Li Guohao — a tall, lean man with a ruddy face and a bold air.

Li Guohao nodded at Annette, then loudly greeted Stuart, "You're outstanding, young man! This time you earned a third-class merit. If you hadn't warned the villagers in time to evacuate, how many families would have been ruined?"

Stuart frowned slightly. "I was just doing my duty."

Li Guohao laughed. "Still, you're talented and lucky to have earned merit at such a critical moment. The promotion slot is yours."

Annette felt a strange unease at these words. A leader shouldn't say such things so openly.

Wouldn't that just make Stuart a bigger target of resentment?

Amidst the cooking smoke, Martha simmered cabbage with vermicelli and pork, stir-fried wood ear mushrooms with eggs, and made a spicy meat sauce mixed with diced radish and potato for noodles.

Three simple dishes and a bowl of noodles, yet Annette found the meal unexpectedly festive.

Li Guohao and Sean drank wine, chatting now and then.

Suddenly, Li Guohao remarked, "The day you were injured, someone from the capital called asking about you."