To Yu Zhaozhao, Zhou Xiangyang was someone she liked, felt grateful to, relied on, and also sought to please.
Ever since childhood, she had lived in fear that Zhou Xiangyang would grow to dislike her or cast her aside, terrified that their arranged betrothal might be called off.
To her, breaking free from the Yu family and marrying Zhou Xiangyang had been her one constant hope. Without Father Zhou, Mother Zhou, and Zhou Xiangyang, her life in the Yu household would have been nothing short of miserable. She had also done her utmost to care for Zhou Caixia.
Yet everything had been ruined.
Yu Zhaozhao burned with hatred toward Yu Jianshe, Wen Zhihua, and their children—the entire trio—and toward the Wang family, as well as Zhou Caixia.
“Comrade Yu, did A’Guang tell you that I may never be able to have children?”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded. “He did. As for children, I do not insist upon it.”
In her past life, she had run a street stall to earn a living. Though her leg had been broken and her face disfigured, many had still come forward to introduce suitors yet every one of them had harbored selfish motives. Naturally, their own circumstances were modest; they had only been interested in her because she possessed fine skills, could earn her keep, and could manage a household.
She had never once agreed. She felt no compulsion to marry, to form a relationship, or to bear children. Nor did she wish to settle for just anyone.
There had, however, been one man tall, broad-shouldered, strikingly handsome, mature and cool in demeanor who had offered to marry her.
Her first reaction had not been joy, but alarm. Who in their right mind would love a woman with a crippled leg and a scarred face?
She had fled in panic, pushing her food cart, her expression one of pure fright and mistrust. Perhaps he had seen the long, jagged scar across her face for he never spoke of marriage again. Yet he continued to visit her stall every single day, purchasing her food, and once even drove away thugs who were extorting protection money. He was a most peculiar man.
Then one evening, on her way home after closing up, she had rushed to save a little girl crossing the road and that was when she had encountered him once more.
Lu Shiye let out a long breath of relief. “Do not listen to him. I only asked the doctor to exaggerate the severity of my condition, so that my parents would stop trying to arrange matches for me. As for children, let us leave it all to fate. If we are blessed with one, we shall welcome it. If not, we shall walk through life together just the same. Should you wish to raise a child, we may adopt. And should you ever wish to leave I shall set you free.”
As he spoke, Lu Shiye looked like nothing so much as a great, dejected bear. The sheer contrast between his usual bearing and this vulnerable display brought a smile to Yu Zhaozhao’s lips.
Having lived two lifetimes, she had never held high hopes for marriage. She had agreed to this whirlwind union with Lu Shiye chiefly to avoid being sent down to the countryside.
“Marriage is like drinking water only the one who drinks knows its true warmth or chill,” she said softly. “We have all the days ahead of us. It is far too early to speak of such things. Perhaps in time it will not be I who seeks a divorce, but you. Still so long as we are wed, we shall make this home together. And should you ever wish to part ways, I shall not stand in your path.”
“I shall never ask for a divorce,” Lu Shiye declared, his voice ringing with unshakable resolve.
Yu Zhaozhao merely smiled and let the matter pass, choosing not to dwell on his words. People changed. He might mean it with all his heart in this moment but life was full of stumbling blocks, and the years ahead were uncertain.
“I shall prove it to you, through my actions,” Lu Shiye added earnestly.
“You are a soldier,” she said, looking at him steadily. “You bear the mission, duty, and responsibility of your calling. If I am to be your wife, I shall stand firm behind you and tend to our home so you may go forth with peace of mind. Yet let me speak plainly: I shall treat you well if you treat me well. This home belongs to us both. When you are not away on assignment or in training, when you are here and at rest you must lend a hand where it is needed. You may not leave everything to me and act as though you have no part in it.”
Yu Zhaozhao spoke from what she had heard while running her stall, where patrons had often complained of husbands who stood idly by, never lifting a finger even when the household fell into disarray.
Both partners worked and earned. Yet a man seemed to think that so long as he brought in a wage, his duty was done. A woman, meanwhile, was expected to earn her keep, manage every household chore, raise the children, and tend to the endless demands of her in-laws and if a single thing fell short, she alone bore the blame.
Worse still were the days when children were unruly, the mother-in-law made life difficult, and sisters-in-law stirred up trouble. What kind of existence was that?
“May I know more about your family?” Yu Zhaozhao found herself asking.
Lu Shiye currently held the rank of Company Commander. Yet according to Lu Shiguang, for his recent meritorious service he was soon to be promoted to Battalion Executive Officer and at that rank, a spouse was permitted to reside with the garrison.
If that were so, she need not live under the same roof as his family. Distance, she thought, often kept relationships sweet and prevented strife.
“There are four children in my family,” Lu Shiye began. “I was raised by my grandparents, who passed away during my high school years. My parents work in government departments their posts keep them busy, and they are often away on business or stationed in the countryside for days at a time.
“My younger brother, Lu Shiguang whom you already know works as a storekeeper at the grain depot. He married earlier this year, and he and his wife have no children as yet. She is gentle and somewhat timid, and prefers to remain indoors you will see for yourself when you meet her.
“My eldest sister, Lu Shixuan, married and settled in the provincial capital she also works at the provincial broadcasting station. My youngest sister, Lu Shimeng, is studying nursing at the provincial health school and returns home only during holidays.
“In short my family are all busy people. This house is little more than an inn to them. You would scarcely see them long enough to quarrel. Once I have fully recovered, I shall return to active duty and you may come with me. Should I eventually retire from service, you need have no fear. The military provides well for its own I shall not be cast aside.”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded, though inwardly she was astonished. The Lu family’s circumstances were truly most unusual. Yet marriage was never merely a bond between two people it was a joining of two families.
“Your family is so well-placed,” she said quietly. “I fear I am not worthy of you. Before we proceed, you should speak with your family. Should they disapprove of our marriage, then at least”
He cut her off.
“They will not disapprove. They will rejoice for me. We are right for one another no two are better matched than we are.”
Yu Zhaozhao looked at him bright-eyed, brimming with hope and chose not to dash his joy.
Presently Lu Shiguang returned, bringing paper, brush, ink, and an envelope.
Lu Shiye took up the pen with a steady hand. He wrote swiftly, in a bold and beautiful regular script that filled Yu Zhaozhao with wonder. In all her knowledge of him, Lu Shiye had never been particularly scholarly certainly no great scholar like Wang Baogen, yet neither had he seemed gifted in letters. She had never imagined he could write with such strength, clarity, and grace every character perfect, as though he had practiced it a thousand times in his heart.
Little did she know that Lu Shiye had first practiced this very calligraphy long ago simply because he had once heard her praise Zhou Xiangyang’s handwriting. This marriage application, he had written it out in his dreams a thousand times. Surely, he had told himself, one must dare to dream. And who was to say that dream might not one day come true?
Now, here it was realized at last.
“Send this to my unit at once,” he told his brother. “By priority post.”
“Very well, very well” Lu Shiguang rolled his eyes. “I shall deliver it myself, if it will satisfy you.”
He had always known his brother harbored feelings for Yu Zhaozhao, and had himself sought to bring them together. Yet he had never seen his brother in such a fever of impatience. With that, Lu Shiguang departed in haste.
Barely minutes later, however he came rushing back.
“Brother!” Lu Shiguang’s voice was taut with excitement. “Your superiors are here leaders from your unit!”
Over the three months of Lu Shiye’s hospitalization following his severe wounds, military medical staff had attended him daily, and his commanders had come several times to check on his progress. Comrades-in-arms had visited in rotation every few days. Yet never had a commanding officer arrived before the marriage application had even left his hands. What stroke of fortune was this? Lu Shiye would surely be grinning from ear to ear.