Back in the rented room, Song Xuezhi set down her things and first boiled some water to make a cup of malted milk drink.
This tin of malted milk had been specially sent by her mother. She had always been reluctant to drink it, planning to save it for Zhou Weidong because he trained hard in the army and needed nutrition. But now it had all ended up benefiting his so-called “good sister.” Looking back, she realized she had been nothing but a complete fool.
Without hesitation, she scooped out three full spoonfuls and brewed a large, thick, steaming cup, slowly drinking it to fill her empty stomach.
That prophetic dream had become her guiding light.
Song Xuezhi made up her mind: from now on, she would treat herself better. Much better.
Men were worthless.
She would take good care of herself and love herself properly.
After all, leaving Zhou Weidong had already made her pockets fuller. She calculated that she now had more than five hundred yuan in cash. It was unsafe to carry so much money around, but since she only had a temporary residence permit and couldn’t open a local bank account, she had no choice but to lock it in an iron box and hide it under the bed.
With this money, she finally had confidence.
Even if she didn’t go home, she could still live on her own outside.
Song Xuezhi decided to first look for a job nearby. If that didn’t work, she would try becoming a small vendor—selling boxed meals, braised dishes, or even pastries. She remembered from her dream that reform and opening-up would soon sweep the country, and those who went into business early would become rich.
After all, she could cook, and she cooked very well. Worst case, she could sell street food and wouldn’t starve.
After cleaning the room thoroughly, she watered the plants on the balcony.
Even though it was a rented place, she instinctively liked keeping her surroundings clean and tidy, as if life itself belonged to her.
Because of this habit, she used to often clean the military marriage home she shared with Zhou Weidong, imagining it would be their future home, polishing every corner until it shone.
In the end, they had only used her as a free housekeeper for his sister.
Thinking of those suffocating memories made her want to punch her past self.
After finishing her chores, she went downstairs to the post office to call her stepfather’s steel factory and learned that Song Hongmei had already left by train the previous day.
By calculation, it would take another three or four days for her to arrive.
“I’d better find a job before then,” Song Xuezhi murmured.
If her mother arrived and she still didn’t have a proper job, she would definitely be forced into blind dates or dragged back home to compete for work with her stepsister.
Neither option would end well.
Along the nearby streets, she asked around and checked recruitment notices on factory bulletin boards.
Either the opportunities were slim, or they only hired locals.
Eventually, when it was almost time, she went to the state-run restaurant to wait for Colonel Li to arrive.
Coincidentally, this restaurant was hiring.
Seeing the recruitment notice that said “no household registration restriction,” she became excited and immediately went inside.
“Hello, are you hiring here?” she asked.
Although it was mealtime, the restaurant was nearly empty.
The chef leaned out of the window and said, “Yes. We’re hiring one server, 35 yuan a month. Not a permanent position.”
Song Xuezhi didn’t expect a permanent job anyway and immediately said, “Do you think I’m suitable?”
The chef looked her over and nodded in satisfaction. “You can start tomorrow if you want. But I’ll be honest—the restaurant might close soon. Most customers are soldiers who eat in the military canteen anyway.”
Only then did she understand why the job was available.
Soon, even state-run restaurants would face layoffs, along with factories across the country.
But having a job to placate her mother for now was enough. She quickly agreed.
After arranging the start time, she turned around happily—only to find Colonel Li already sitting at a table behind her, silently watching her.
“Colonel Li!” she greeted him brightly and sat down across from him. “What would you like to eat today? Order whatever you want, don’t be polite.”
He glanced at the menu and casually ordered a couple of dishes.
Feeling it was too little, she added braised pork, steamed fish, and other dishes on her own initiative.
After ordering, she brought hot water for both of them.
“Do you plan to stay here and work at this restaurant?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nodded. “I can’t go home, and I don’t really have anywhere else to stay. This place is closer to the army base, so it feels safer.”
He nodded slightly.
Indeed, it wasn’t safe for a young woman to wander around alone.
“If you run into any trouble, you can come to the base and find me,” he added after a pause. “And it has nothing to do with Zhou Weidong. Even if you’re not together anymore, you can still seek help from us.”
“Thank you, sir. Soldiers are really kind,” she smiled.
He looked away slightly and took a sip of water.
“Did you originally choose Zhou Weidong because you thought he was a good person?”
“Yes,” her smile faded slightly. “We met because he saved me on a train.”
Just then, the food arrived, and he began eating without further questions.
She also lowered her head and ate quietly, thinking she had to eat back her seven or eight yuan.
At that moment, Zhou Weidong happened to pass by the restaurant and saw a familiar figure through the glass.
He stopped.
When he clearly saw her sitting with a young officer, his face instantly darkened.
“Song Xuezhi!”
He strode in furiously, reaching out to grab the other man by the collar—
Everyone in the military district knew Song Xuezhi was his woman.
He wanted to see exactly who was bold enough to secretly meet his wife for a meal behind his back.