After seeing the unit leaders off, Lu Shiye found himself grinning foolishly at the marriage application.
Brother, take it easy. Your smile is about to split your face open again.
Lu Shiguang watched his brother wince each time he tried to smile, a look of pure exasperation on his face.
Yu Zhaozhao stepped forward quickly and cupped his face gently in both hands. Stop smiling.
She did not yet know the full extent of his injuries but it was clear his face was bruised and bandaged too.
Lu Shiye looked at Yu Zhaozhao with eyes full of warmth and spoke with barely contained eagerness. My dear wife, let us go and collect our marriage certificate first thing tomorrow morning.
Yu Zhaozhao had suffered greatly at the Yu family’s hands and had already broken with them completely. Lu Shiye feared that delay might bring unexpected trouble. He dreaded the thought of what scheme the Yu family might hatch if given time. If it were not for the late hour he would have gone to register their marriage this very moment.
Yu Zhaozhao certainly wished to proceed as quickly as possible yet she asked softly. Should someone inform your family?
It seemed only right that the Lu family should be told. As for the Yu family she wanted nothing more to do with them. Yu Jianshe had forfeited all right to interfere in her life.
Shiguang, go home and tell Father and Mother. Call Eldest Sister and Youngest Sister too if you can. There is no need for them to come here. I will be discharged and back home by next week.
Yu Zhaozhao sensed that Lu Shiye stood somewhat distant from his parents and sisters. Yet the bond between the two brothers was clearly deep and affectionate. She herself had never known what it was like to grow up with siblings who truly cared for one another.
Lu Shiguang agreed readily. He glanced at the heavy bandages across his brother’s face and wondered whether the staff at the Neighborhood Committee would even recognize him looking quite so battered on the day of their registration.
Yu Zhaozhao had to return to the Yu family home. She had barely stepped out of the ward when she paused and turned back pressing her household registration booklet firmly into his hand. Keep this safe for me please.
After a moment’s thought she pulled out her bank passbook as well and placed it with the booklet in his palm. Then she turned and hurried away.
Lu Shiye stood staring at the doorway. He looked from the empty space where she had stood to the registration booklet and half open passbook resting in his hands.
Brother, your future wife places immense trust in you.
Lu Shiye shook his head gently at his brother’s words. It is not me she trusts. It is that she trusts no one at the Yu family home.
Lu Shiguang reached into his bag and drew out a small military green pouch which he handed over. Treat her well brother. Both our wives have known hardship and cruelty at the hands of their birth families.
Lu Shiye waved the comment aside and tucked the booklet and passbook carefully into the breast pocket of his uniform.
You need not tell me that. It is growing late. You should return home now.
Lu Shiguang did not linger. Two armed soldiers stood guard over his brother at the hospital so there was no need for him to keep watch through the night. His own wife was timid and easily frightened being all alone at home with their parents away.
Once his brother had left Lu Shiye began calculating his savings in his head. Over the years all his food and supplies had been provided by the unit. He had received extra pay for every mission. Aside from gifts and occasional contributions sent home he had saved nearly everything he earned. He realized with some surprise that he could not even say exactly how much he had managed to put aside.
Back at the courtyard Yu Zhaozhao ran into Aunt Ge who was returning from outside.
Zhaozhao you must hurry and find work or a suitable husband. Otherwise next month you will be sent to the countryside together with Zhou Caixia. If you truly cannot find anyone my own nephew is still unmarried.
Thank you Aunt Ge. I went to meet someone today and we have agreed to marry.
So soon? Who is he?
Aunt Ge’s voice carried across the courtyard and several other women turned and gathered around quickly.
Zhaozhao have you really found someone?
Zhaozhao marriage is for a lifetime. You must not rush into anything lightly.
Zhaozhao whoever he is he must not be worse than Zhou Xiangyang.
The voices came thick and fast and Yu Zhaozhao regretted having said anything at all. She had only meant to mention it casually to Aunt Ge and had forgotten how eagerly the whole courtyard gossiped about her.
He is the elder brother of a classmate. He serves in the army.
An army man. That is excellent.
Everyone viewed soldiers with great favour. Hearing that he was barely in his early twenties they stopped asking questions about character or family background entirely. They assumed he must be a new recruit. And since Yu Zhaozhao faced being sent to the countryside if she did not marry quickly everyone felt lenient toward her choice.
Yu Zhaozhao offered no further explanation. By the time she had stepped inside her home word had spread across the entire courtyard that she was betrothed to a young soldier.
Inside the Yu home all was cold and silent. Yu Jianshe and Yu Yaozu never lifted a finger in the kitchen. Yu Zhaodi clearly had no inclination to work either. Neither of them was home when Yu Zhaozhao returned. She had already eaten with Lu Shiye at the hospital so she simply heated water and washed her hair.
Yu Zhaodi was the first to return. She was preparing for her own wedding yet it seemed she alone cared about any of it. She had to buy every item with her own money and arrange everything herself and it filled her with bitterness. She burned with resentment whenever she thought of the one thousand yuan Yu Zhaozhao had taken and the five hundred yuan Zhou family dowry that had been lost.
Yu Zhaozhao I hear you have found yourself a soldier.
Yu Zhaozhao was drying her hair with a towel when she spoke. She glanced calmly at Yu Zhaodi whose face was still swollen and bruised and said nothing.
Well he is nothing but a common soldier. You could not have aimed higher than that?
Crack!
Before Yu Zhaodi could finish speaking Yu Zhaozhao slapped her hard across the face without hesitation.
How dare you speak with contempt of a soldier.
Yu Zhaozhao how dare you strike me. Do not think I fear you.
Yu Zhaodi clutched her stinging face and glared at Yu Zhaozhao with eyes burning with rage. Yu Zhaozhao tossed the towel aside seized Yu Zhaodi by the hair and pulled her forward. Her voice was cold and sharp with warning. You graduated high school. You know perfectly well what that phrase means. It is used by enemies and spies to undermine our nation. Are you a traitor?
Yu Zhaodi’s face drained of all colour and she stared back in utter terror. I spoke in haste. Do not try to twist my words and accuse me of such things.
Then watch your tongue.
Yu Zhaozhao shoved her away picked up her towel turned and stepped into her room closing the door firmly behind her.
Yu Zhaodi rushed over and began pounding on the door. Yu Zhaozhao open this door at once. That room belongs to me too.
She hammered and shouted but the door remained shut. Just as Yu Zhaodi was beside herself with fury the door swung wide open. Her clothes and belongings were thrown out one by one landing in a heap at her feet.
Yu Zhaozhao! Yu Zhaodi screamed in utter desperation. I am the true daughter of this house. If you want a room go and beg your own mother. Get out!
The door slammed shut inches from her face. Yu Zhaodi stood trembling with rage her hands clenched into fists staring at the closed door with eyes full of venomous hatred. She wished more than anything that she could tear the door down and destroy the girl standing behind it.
Elder Sister is dinner ready yet? I am hungry.
Yu Yaozu walked in and called out to Yu Zhaodi. He caught sight of the pile of belongings on the floor and frowned.
Yu Zhaodi burned with anger yet she knew better than to provoke Yu Zhaozhao now. She swallowed her fury and spoke to her brother with forced patience. Little Brother Yu Zhaozhao has thrown all my things out. I have nowhere to sleep so I must put them in your room for tonight. You can share Father’s bed just for this once and when I marry I will give your room back to you.
Yu Yaozu looked displeased at the suggestion. Father has been in a terrible temper lately.
Yu Zhaodi winced at the cost but made the offer anyway. I will give you ten yuan.
Agreed. Yu Yaozu said cheerfully. Then go and cook dinner. I will help you carry your things into my room.
Inside her room Yu Zhaozhao listened to everything and gave a quiet snort of disdain. She stood by the window letting the evening breeze brush against her damp hair and gently patted it dry with her towel. She paid no mind whatsoever to the shouting and scheming going on outside.
Later that evening Yu Jianshe returned home from work. He heard the news about Yu Zhaozhao and her soldier fiancé and decided not to interfere. He and his son ate their meal washed and went straight to bed. Meanwhile Yu Zhaodi stood alone in the kitchen staring at piles of dirty pots and pans with no idea where to begin. Overcome with grievance and rage she stood there helpless in the gathering dark.