Wang Xiufang was just making casual conversation, but Zhao Hui and his father exchanged a meaningful glance.
Zhao Hui poured tea while calmly speaking first, “Childhood sweetheart arrangements are outdated feudal customs. Nowadays we emphasize free love—what matters to us is the person themselves.”
He believed Xu Xia had chosen him for who he was, since he’d asked her directly and she’d said she wanted to marry him.
“Exactly, exactly.” Wang Xiufang was even more pleased to hear Zhao Hui valued her granddaughter for herself. It made sense—her granddaughter was beautiful, with countless young men in the neighborhood admiring her. A woman being somewhat delicate wasn’t an issue, especially when marrying a capable man like Zhao Hui who didn’t need his wife to support the family.
When Xu Xia entered the living room and saw her grandmother looking more at ease, she went to sit beside her.
Soon after, Zhao Yunzhu brought tea, earning another round of effusive praise from Wang Xiufang.
The Zhao family was surprised—ordinarily the most pampered member, Zhao Yunzhu had actually served tea voluntarily. Zhao Ming assumed his parents had taught her this, feeling both heartbroken for his daughter and reflecting that strict parenting was necessary—something he couldn’t provide himself, so his parents would have to do it for him.
In reality, only Zhao Yunzhu and Xu Xia knew what had really happened.
When Zhao Yunzhu served tea to Xu Xia, her glare was sharp enough to bore holes through her, though she lacked the actual power to do so.
This time she’d learned her lesson—after setting down the tea, she went upstairs determined not to come down again.
Zhao Hui glanced at Xu Xia, waiting until they rose for dinner to lean close and ask, “Did you make Yunzhu serve tea?”
“She tried to block me, thinking she could manipulate me now that my grandmother’s here. Honestly, your niece’s thought process is too simplistic. Your family should expose her more to the harsh realities of human nature, or she’ll definitely get deceived by men someday.” Just as Xu Xia finished speaking, Aunt He came over to seat her at the table.
The Zhao family had prepared a lavish spread. During the meal, He Hongying proactively brought up preparations for the couple’s marriage: “Grandmother Xu, please let us know if anything is missing. We’ll make sure to prepare it.”
Her respectful and polite tone created an excellent impression, making Wang Xiufang particularly happy.
“It’s all wonderful, truly perfect. I’m just wondering where they’ll live after marriage. Xiaxia told me the cinema only provides dormitories for single employees—married couples have to move out.” While Wang Xiufang was very satisfied with the Zhao family’s preparations, she’d been thinking about housing since arriving at their home.
The Zhao family’s current house was spacious and comfortable, but given Zhao Hui’s rank, he could apply for separate housing. If the young couple went to live separately at the army base, what would happen to Fengshou? If Xiaxia lived with the Zhao family, wouldn’t Fengshou end up feeling like an outsider?
The elderly woman had many concerns—she needed to consider both her granddaughter and grandson, both being her precious treasures.
Regarding housing, Xu Xia had originally thought about continuing to live at the cinema—with the Zhao family’s connections, Director Zhang wouldn’t mind them staying another couple of months.
“Grandmother, Zhao Er Ge has applied for housing in this same family compound. When he goes to the army base later, Fengshou and I will live here.” Xu Xia had also considered her brother’s situation—she could live with the Zhao family, but her brother couldn’t.
“That’s wonderful. Since I’m not in Jiangcheng, you can turn to Zhao Hui’s parents if anything comes up, so you can look out for each other.” Wang Xiufang was very pleased with this outcome and turned to Zhao Manfu and his wife. “My Xiaxia was pampered growing up. If there’s anything she doesn’t do well in the future, please be patient and teach her. She’s a good girl and will learn quickly.”
She had been terribly worried about her granddaughter marrying far away and not having a good life. If not for the unavoidable Down to the Countryside situation, she would never have agreed to let her granddaughter marry so far from home. Fortunately, the Zhao family seemed reasonable, which eased her mind considerably.
“Of course. When Xiaxia comes to our family, she’ll be like my own daughter. I’ve always wanted a daughter just like Xiaxia,” He Hongying said with a smile. “Actually, we have plenty of rooms at home and she could have lived with us. But I thought since the newlyweds would want their own place, I had Old Zhao push for it.”
She was sharp-minded and had already thought of a solution when Xiaxia raised the housing issue. She had originally assumed her daughter-in-law would follow the army assignment, so was quite surprised when she learned otherwise. But having her daughter-in-law live nearby would be good for everyone, as she could keep an eye on her.
“Thank you for all your trouble.” Wang Xiufang had no further concerns and cheerfully continued her meal.
Throughout the meal, Wang Xiufang felt increasingly delighted and found everything about the Zhao family satisfactory. She felt it must be her son and daughter-in-law watching over them from above, that her granddaughter had encountered such a good family.
Wang Xiufang stayed with her granddaughter until the end of the month when Zhao Hui’s housing was approved – a three-bedroom townhouse with a small three-to-four square meter courtyard. Zhao Hui gathered his brothers to clean and fix it up, moving their belongings in before the wedding.
On the wedding day, Xu Xia woke up early. Her grandmother brought her Brown Sugar Ginger Eggs, watching her with tear-filled eyes. “Eat the Brown Sugar Ginger Eggs so your future life will continue to be sweet.”
As she spoke, the old woman couldn’t hold back her tears. “My Xiaxia has grown up. Remember, when you go to your new family, you can’t be as impulsive as you were at home. You need to discuss things properly and be understanding with each other, understand?”
“I understand, Grandma.” Xu Xia felt like crying too from her grandmother’s words.
“Don’t cry. This is a happy occasion, nothing to cry about. We should all be happy.” Wang Xiufang held her granddaughter’s hand, looking at her beautiful granddaughter and thinking of her second son and daughter-in-law who had passed away too soon. “Seeing you marry into a good family, I can finally give your parents a proper account. It’s just too bad your mother doesn’t have any relatives left, otherwise they could have attended your wedding.”
Her daughter-in-law had a hard life – separated from her birth family as a child, then taken in by adoptive parents who both passed away not long after she did, leaving only a younger sister who couldn’t be contacted.
Xu Xia leaned against her grandmother. “Why don’t you stay? Since you’re worried about me, just settle here and live with me.”
“How could I do that?” Wang Xiufang hugged her granddaughter. “You and Fengshou shouldn’t blame me for being partial. Your aunt may be too self-interested, but after much thought, I can only leave my house to your cousins.”
After her second son and his wife passed away, she had used all her savings to raise Xiaxia and Fengshou, so she understood why her eldest daughter-in-law resented her. She hadn’t been able to treat everyone equally before, but now she needed to be as fair as possible.
Xu Xia understood her grandmother’s difficult position. “I don’t blame you. It’s your house, you can give it to whoever you want. You’ve already put so much effort into raising me and Fengshou. If you favored us any more, even Grandpa wouldn’t approve.”
“That’s true.” No sooner had Wang Xiufang spoken than she heard firecrackers outside, signaling the arrival of the groom’s party. She quickly wiped her tears and looked over her granddaughter again. “My Xiaxia is so beautiful. When you have a child, Grandma will come take care of you during your confinement month.”
Xu Xia smiled and agreed, though she knew she wouldn’t let her grandmother work so hard—she’d just bring the old lady over to live comfortably.
Hearing the lively noises outside, Xu Xia finally began to feel nervous. When Zhao Hui pushed the door open and she saw his tall, handsome figure, she thought to herself that she had good taste—she’d picked an excellent marriage partner.
Bai Shijian was responsible for driving today. Watching Zhao Hui help Xu Xia into the car, he secretly resolved to find a wife as beautiful as Xu Xia someday, so he could properly show off to Zhao Hui.
Only after the wedding car drove away did Wang Xiufang look down at her grandson beside her. “If your sister ever suffers any grievances, remember to write to Grandma, understand?”
“I’ll protect her!” Xu Fengshou had been secretly crying earlier, but with so many people around now, he was a man and couldn’t cry.
“Mm, Grandma believes you.” Wang Xiufang took her grandson’s hand. “Let’s go, we’ll go over together.”
Weddings were simple in those days, without complicated customs—just fetching the bride, the banquet, toasting, and then the wedding night.
Xu Xia maintained a calm attitude toward marriage, but the wedding night made her somewhat nervous. Hearing Zhao Hui blocking people at the door, her heart rose to her throat.
Bai Shijian and the others had been drinking but refused to leave. Zhao Hui didn’t give them any opportunity, stopping them all at the doorway. “Bai Shijian, remember—you’re not married yet.”
Hearing this, Bai Shijian immediately deflated. “You’re really no fun, how can you threaten people like that? Fine, let’s go, we’ll leave and not disturb your wedding night.”
Zhao Hui saw them to the courtyard gate. “Goodbye, brothers.” He couldn’t wait to close the gate. Today, Grandma and Fengshou were still staying at the cinema—only the two of them were home.
Zhao Hui even knocked before entering the room. Hearing Xu Xia say “come in,” he laughed at himself. “You look so beautiful today.”
He took off his outer clothes. He had no experience with wedding nights either, but a man’s eager nature made him want to get closer to Xu Xia, closer still.
But Xu Xia smelled the smoke and alcohol on him. “Did you bathe?”
“I washed my face and feet,” Zhao Hui said.
“Then go take a bath first.” Xu Xia pushed Zhao Hui away with both hands.
“Do I smell?” Zhao Hui lowered his head to sniff but didn’t detect any body odor. “Do I really need to bathe?”
Xu Xia insisted. “If you’re not sleeping in the same bed with me, then do as you please. But if you’re sleeping with me, you have to bathe, otherwise I could get gynecological diseases.”
Zhao Hui didn’t understand these matters, but hearing Xu Xia say this, he stopped arguing and hurried off to bathe. It would take too long to heat water, so he carried a bucket of cold water to the courtyard and washed with loud splashes.
When he returned to the room, his body was ice cold.
“Were you that impatient?” Xu Xia whispered reproachfully.
This time Zhao Hui didn’t say another word. He turned off the light and pounced on Xu Xia. The bed frame shook until late into the night. Xu Xia bit several tooth marks into Zhao Hui’s back—she finally understood just how enthusiastic men could be about this matter.
When Xu Xia woke the next morning, it was already ten o’clock. Her body ached all over, and her mind was filled with scenes that couldn’t be broadcast.
“You’re awake. Do you want to eat?” Zhao Hui was full of energy, having gone for a morning run and bought breakfast.
Xu Xia said she would eat just a little, as she didn’t want to go anywhere or move at all today—she just wanted to lie down all day.
But as soon as she lay down, Zhao Hui followed and settled beside her. She instinctively clutched the blanket tightly. “No more, not today. Let me rest.”
“What do you take me for?” Zhao Hui said, simply holding Xu Xia as they slept together.
In the two days since their wedding, Xu Xia hadn’t stepped outside. She somewhat regretted teasing Zhao Hui so often before marriage—now she was paying the price. At first, she wasn’t used to it, but gradually she got into the swing of things. However, the long hours and frequent sessions left her overwhelmed.
On the day of Hui Men, Grandma pulled Xu Xia into a small room. “Don’t be shy, dear. Let me tell you, you’re young, but you still need to exercise some restraint. Otherwise, you’ll wear yourselves out, understand? You can’t let Zhao Hui have his way all the time.”
It wasn’t that Xu Xia was letting him—she just couldn’t push Zhao Hui away. His muscles were big and hard, pressing down on her like a mountain.
When they returned to the in-laws’ house, He Hongying and her husband noticed the dark circles under their son and daughter-in-law’s eyes. But they were too embarrassed to bring it up. At mealtime, He Hongying served them both generous bowls of soup and urged them to eat more.
“Now that you’re married, you can come to us anytime if you need anything,” He Hongying said, looking at the young couple with satisfaction.
Xu Xia smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’ll listen to you.”
With the couple now married, Wang Xiufang prepared to return home. Xu Xia accompanied her grandmother to the train station. When she got back, Zhao Hui was packing his things.
Zhao Hui’s wedding leave was over, and he had to return to the military base.
“This time, I might not be back for about half a month,” Zhao Hui hinted.
But Xu Xia pretended not to understand. Her husband wanted her to join him as a military dependent, but she had no intention of going. Living in the city had all the conveniences, while the base was surrounded by mountains and forests with nothing around.
Still, she kept her words sweet. Now that they were married, she felt bolder, placing both hands around Zhao Hui’s neck. “Then I’ll wait for you at home. Before you return, call your parents so I can buy groceries in advance.”
“Will you miss me?”
“Of course, but you have to go. Don’t worry, I’m very understanding.” Xu Xia gave Zhao Hui a quick kiss on the cheek, but he clearly wanted more.
Zhao Hui, having just tasted marital intimacy, wished he could stick to Xu Xia every moment. But this was his last day off, and he had to pack and return to the base.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Xu Xia wasn’t quite like other young brides—she was almost too reasonable. Still, with their parting imminent, he made the most of their remaining time, sharing tender moments with Xu Xia.
When it was time for Zhao Hui to leave, Xu Xia didn’t have the energy to see him off. It was Xu Fengshou who escorted his brother-in-law to the door.
After seeing off his brother-in-law, Xu Fengshou went to find his sister. “Did you and brother-in-law have a fight?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t you see him off?”
“Why should I?” Xu Xia rolled over, utterly exhausted and only wanting to sleep. “I told you not to worry so much. If you have nothing to do, go finish your homework or play basketball.”
Xu Fengshou felt something was off but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Unfamiliar with the complexities of adult relationships, he took his sister at her word and went to do his homework.
With Zhao Hui gone, Xu Xia slept soundly. When she woke up, it was already 4 p.m. Glancing at the weather outside, she heard arguing in the yard. Rubbing her eyes, she went out to see what was happening.
“If it wasn’t you, then who could it have been?”
Xu Fengshou felt deeply wronged. He couldn’t out-argue the other party and didn’t know how to retort, so he could only glare at them.
“Oho, so young yet so hot-tempered! Keep glaring at me and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
“Want to try?” Xu Xia descended the steps, noticing the shattered flowerpot in the yard before scanning the row of pots lining the wall.
A wall separated her house from the neighbor’s, though it stood only about one and a half meters tall. When she first moved in, she’d noticed vegetables planted in the wall’s flowerpots. Not being one to nitpick, she hadn’t said anything at the time. Now, facing the aggressive Wu Yue’e, Xu Xia snorted coldly and turned to ask her brother what had happened.
“It wasn’t me,” Xu Fengshou explained. He’d been gathering laundry when a sudden “crash” behind him made him turn to find a flowerpot shattered on the ground. The old woman from next door had immediately rushed out to curse at him.
“If it wasn’t you, then who was it? A ghost?” Wu Yue’e shrieked. “I thought it was some ill-mannered child, but it turns out it’s you, this clumsy good-for-nothing! Your whole family is rotten! Ah! What are you doing?”
Xu Xia wasn’t one to swallow insults. Wu Yue’e could only blame her bad luck for becoming her neighbor.
She walked to the wall and pushed over all dozen flowerpots. Only after hearing the satisfying series of crashes did she step onto a chair and declare, “There. Now I did it on purpose. What are you going to do about it?”
“You… you’re truly wicked!” Wu Yue’e trembled with rage, pointing at Xu Xia but unable to form words.
Xu Xia smiled. “I suggest you don’t pick fights with me. We’re neighbors now, and we’ll have to live alongside each other for a long time. You insulted us, I knocked over your flowerpots – let’s call it even. If you refuse to let it go, that’s fine too. We can continue – I’ve got plenty of free time and don’t mind playing games with you.”
Having never been treated this way in the family compound before, Wu Yue’e ran to Xu Xia’s door and began kicking it violently, only to get doused with a bucket of water.
“Ah! You vixen! How dare you treat me like this!” Wu Yue’e collapsed on the ground, wailing loudly. “Everyone, come see! A shrew has moved into our compound and she’s trying to kill me! I can’t go on living! I might as well hang myself right here!”
Wu Yue’e’s piercing voice quickly drew a crowd.
Cai Zhuyin, who lived nearby, recognized Xu Xia and Wu Yue’e and pushed through the crowd to ask what was happening.
Seeing so many people gathered, Xu Xia immediately switched personas, beginning to weep timidly. “Auntie Cai, I don’t know how I offended her. My brother was just minding his business in the yard when she knocked over her own flowerpot and falsely accused him. I tried to reason with her, remembering that neighbors are more important than distant relatives, but she wouldn’t listen and started screaming that my brother was a good-for-nothing. Yes, I lost my temper and shouldn’t have pushed over her remaining pots. But after our parents passed away, it’s just been my brother and me depending on each other. I can’t bear to hear anyone insult him like that.”
Her heartbreaking sobs made her seem on the verge of collapse, stirring sympathy in many onlookers.
Knowing Wu Yue’e’s dislike for the Zhao family, Cai Zhuyin instinctively sided with Xu Xia. She looked down at Wu Yue’e and said, “Sister Wu, one should be reasonable. When your husband was alive, he was an upright man. How can you bully a young girl like this?”
Especially two parentless children – just hearing about their situation made her heart ache.
“Cai Zhuyin, don’t listen to her nonsense! When did I ever bully her? She admitted she knocked over my flowerpots—what’s wrong with me scolding her a couple of times?” Wu Yue’e sat on the ground wailing. “My fate is so bitter! My husband left me early, my son is gone too, leaving an old woman like me all alone. How am I supposed to live?”
“Heavens, just take me away! I’m being bullied to death!”
Someone then turned to Xu Xia and said, “Young lady, why argue with an elderly person? Auntie Wu is so pitiful—she lost her husband young, then her son died of illness. Can’t you give in to an old person?”
“Auntie, why don’t you swap houses with me and become her neighbor then?” Xu Xia stared directly at the woman. “See? You’ve gone quiet. Why should I give in? Did I cause her husband and son’s deaths? Did I?”
Xu Xia’s retort left the crowd speechless. They realized this seemingly timid girl had a sharp tongue.
Just then, someone announced that the Women’s Federation director had arrived.
Cai Zhuyin whispered, “Xia Xu, I know you’ve been wronged, but in situations like this, people instinctively side with Wu Yue’e. Why don’t you just apologize and be done with it?”
“But Auntie Cai, if I apologize today, what about tomorrow and the day after? Do I not deserve to live my life?” Xu Xia held her ground.
Director Tang of the Women’s Federation, about twenty-five or twenty-six and wearing glasses, had just arrived when Wu Yue’e began sobbing to her, “Director Tang, I can’t go on living! Being bullied like this today, having to live next to such a person—I might as well die.”
Director Tang adjusted her glasses, looking wearily at Wu Yue’e. Since starting at the Women’s Federation, she’d learned how many unreasonable people existed in the world. Many military dependents came from rural areas—not only uneducated but also lacking basic manners.
Wu Yue’e had caused scenes at the Women’s Federation multiple times; Director Tang alone had mediated four or five incidents.
“Granny Wu, why must you curse at people?” Director Tang said helplessly, but Wu Yue’e immediately scrambled up and pointed accusingly at her, demanding whether she was taking sides.
“Are you bullying me too because she has powerful backing?” Wu Yue’e jabbed a finger toward Director Tang. “Fine! I knew you were impatient with me before—turns out you’re just as wicked!”
Swallowing her anger, unable to outargue Wu Yue’e or quarrel with an elder, Director Tang approached Xu Xia instead. “Young lady, you look young—I know you’ve been wronged. But since you’re neighbors, why not both take a step back? Let it go. Don’t argue with an elderly person, or you’ll have daily drama. How would you live like that?”
“Director Tang, you seem reasonable. You admitted I’ve been wronged. Even if I apologized, do you think she wouldn’t cause trouble later?” Xu Xia’s question stumped Director Tang. “If I can’t handle her now when I’m in the right, what about later?”
Raising her voice, she addressed the crowd, “Anyone who thinks I lack sympathy can swap houses with me before speaking up. Don’t think you can bully me because I’m young! Though my husband isn’t home, I won’t take this injustice!”
As Xu Xia spoke, Sun Danfeng happened to pass by. Catching a distant glimpse of the scene and fearing involvement, she promptly turned and headed to her in-laws’ house.
“Really, I saw it. Xu Xia and Wu Yue’e were arguing, and it even drew Director Tang over,” Sun Danfeng said. “I don’t know what happened, but I was afraid Xu Xia might be getting bullied, so I hurried over to tell you.”
He Hongying frowned deeply. “What bad luck, to end up as neighbors with Wu Yue’e?”
“Exactly, she’s such a troublemaker,” Sun Danfeng said, though she secretly thought Xu Xia was quite sharp-tongued herself. She hoped her mother-in-law would hurry over to see how Xu Xia handled herself. From what she had seen, Xu Xia was no delicate little girl.
He Hongying didn’t dare delay and immediately ran over. By the time she arrived, the crowd had already dispersed, leaving only Director Tang speaking with Wu Yue’e. As for Xu Xia and Xu Fengshou, she didn’t see either of them.
“He Hongying, you really married quite a daughter-in-law! Come to my house and see how she’s bullying me to death. Can’t you control her?” Earlier, with over ten people present, whenever anyone spoke up, Xu Xia could shut them down. Eventually, everyone felt too awkward and left—some on their own, others persuaded by Director Tang. With Wu Yue’e unable to stir up more trouble and Xu Xia having closed her door to return home, she could only pull Director Tang aside to complain.
Now seeing He Hongying, she immediately regained her fighting spirit. “Your family is rotten from the top down—you’re no good, and your daughter-in-law is a scourge too. I must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to encounter people like your family! If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll report your whole family to the military district!”
He Hongying wasn’t skilled at arguing. After being berated head to toe by Wu Yue’e, her cheeks flushed red, but she couldn’t get a word out.
Just then, Xu Xia arrived again. Seeing her mother-in-law holding back her anger, she came over and pulled her into the house. “Mom, why are you letting Wu Yue’e scold you like this? Tell me the truth—last time when she gave you attitude at your house, you endured it too. Does our family owe her a favor?”
He Hongying shook her head and said no.
“Then why do you have to swallow your pride?” Seeing her mother-in-law silent, Xu Xia took the initiative to explain today’s incident, especially since her mother-in-law had come with her sister-in-law, who might have said something. “If she hadn’t spoken about my brother that way, I wouldn’t have taken action. I grew up depending on others and know how hard it is to live under someone’s judgmental gaze. She can scold me, but she can’t talk about my brother like that.”
He Hongying knew her daughter-in-law had her reasons; otherwise, such a good-natured person wouldn’t have done something like this.
She let out a long sigh. “The issue between our family and Wu Yue’e… well, it’s actually a long story.”