Early the next morning Lu Qingnian rose before the bugle call.
He stood before the mirror and shaved clean then changed into a crisp uniform. He buttoned every fastener tight and straightened his cap brim again and again.
Everyone in the battalion had noticed the change in him these past few days. He had always been steady quiet and stern and the men had stood in awe of him. Lately his words were gentler and he no longer slammed his pen down when signing papers.
At midday Jiang Shuiying arrived with a food box for Lu Qingnian. The guest quarters had a coal stove so she could cook her own meals. She had prepared fish in sour soup using the fish Lu Qingnian had caught the day before. It was a dish Sichuan people made best. She had sliced the fish thin and marinated it in cooking wine and salt. The pickled cabbage she had prepared a few days earlier was now perfectly tangy and authentic.
She walked toward the camp with Niannian beside her when two women in floral blouses stopped to stare then leaned together to whisper.
Is that the country woman who claims to be related to the Battalion Commander.
That is her. I hear she has a child and says she is his wife. She looks like a fraud to me.
Dressed so plainly she is clearly from some poor village and only here to latch onto the Battalion Commander.
Exactly. Doctor Zhao and the Battalion Commander are meant to be. And Doctor Zhao’s father is the Political Commissar.
Their voices carried just far enough for Jiang Shuiying to hear. She stopped turned and smiled calmly at them.
What are you talking about it sounds so interesting may I listen in.
The women jumped surprised that she had overheard and stepped forward. Their faces flushed.
Nothing at all one stammered.
I thought I heard someone call me a fraud. And say I look shabby.
We were not talking about you the other insisted.
Oh really. Jiang Shuiying’s voice grew louder drawing glances from passing soldiers. There is no one else here. If not me who were you talking about.
You are twisting our words and being unreasonable.
Me unreasonable. Jiang Shuiying stepped forward and they retreated.
Shabby I may dress simply but I wear my own clothes and eat food I cook with my own hands. I steal nothing and take nothing that is not mine. What about you. You dress up fine but spend your days gossiping. Why not go home and cook a proper meal for your husbands. No matter how high their rank is none stands higher than my Qingnian.
They stood silent red faced and flustered. Passing soldiers quietly gave her thumbs up.
And there is more she said lifting her food box and fixing them with a sharp look. I am Qingnian’s lawfully wedded wife. If I hear anyone gossiping behind my back again I will empty this box right over her head.
Terrified the women hurried away faster than hares.
Niannian looked up with bright eyes. Mother you were amazing.
Jiang Shuiying knelt and pinched his cheek smiling. Remember this my child. If no one troubles us we will trouble no one. But if anyone does.
We stand up for ourselves Niannian shouted shaking his small fist.
That is right she said and kissed him.
They walked happily toward the camp. When she set down the box the office door opened and Lu Qingnian stood there. He smelled the familiar scent of sourness pickled cabbage and fish.
Wash your hands and eat she said arranging the bowls. I made fish in sour soup. Tell me if it tastes authentic.
He sat staring at the steaming bowl and did not pick up his chopsticks.
What is wrong she asked placing a slice of fish in his bowl. This is the same fish you caught yesterday.
He lifted the slice and ate it. It was sour spicy savory and fresh and the fish was tender. It tasted like something he knew yet he had no memory of it. But his body knew. Warmth rose to his eyes. He looked up at Jiang Shuiying. She was carefully removing bones from Niannian’s fish blowing gently on each piece before handing it over. Sunlight streamed through the window gilding her face. The scene felt too perfect to be real.
His voice was soft. Did you make this dish often before.
She paused then continued picking at the fish. Yes. It was always your favorite. Every time you came home on leave this was the first meal you asked for. You said no restaurant could make it as well as I did.
His stomach remembered the taste and his heart remembered the feeling even if his mind could not.
Eat it while it is hot she said adding another slice. It will not taste as good when cold.
He nodded and ate most of the bowl himself. Niannian ate happily too soup smudged around his mouth like a little cat. Jiang Shuiying smiled at the sight of them.
After the meal she washed and wiped the table spotless. Niannian sat on a small stool counting pebbles in a quiet voice exactly as Lu Qingnian imagined he himself had done as a boy. She picked up her box to leave then paused at the door and looked back at him.
You do not need to cook fish every day he said then added trying to sound composed. I will be happy with whatever you make.
Jiang Shuiying stood still for a moment as his words sank in then her face turned bright red. She hurried out clutching the box stepping lighter than before. As soon as she left his smile faded. He watched them walk back to the guest quarters and his brow furrowed. Zhao Xueting had not come to see him today. Her absence troubled him more than if she had. He knew her nature and she would not give up easily.
Later that afternoon a letter sat on his desk sent over by the Deputy Political Commissar’s secretary summoning him to the regimental headquarters. Everyone knew the Deputy Political Commissar doted on his only daughter and would do anything to give her what she wanted. Lu Qingnian recalled how tightly Zhao Xueting had held his arm the day before and he had sensed then that something was wrong. He crumpled the paper and the joy he had felt faded.
When he returned Jiang Shuiying was shelling vegetables outside the guest quarters preparing dinner. She smiled when she saw him but the smile faltered when she saw his expression.
What is wrong she asked setting down her work and stepping toward him.
He did not go inside but stood on the steps. I need to tell you something. The Deputy Political Commissar spoke with me today. Next month the regimental inspection team will visit the family quarters. Under regulations families without official residence permits may not stay during the inspection. You will need to move out temporarily. He did not ask me he told me.