Hou Ziliang was the first to return. Compared to the anger he had shown on his last visit, his countenance now appeared calm and relieved.
“I have told my sister to hold fast to her position,” he said. “She must not foolishly be persuaded away from her work, nor suffer it to be seized from her.”
Yu Zhaozhao learned then that Hou Ziliang’s sister worked at the Towel Factory and held a formal permanent post. Yet even for a woman with such an iron rice bowl, an unfavorable marriage meant living in constant constraint and unease.
Presently Du Wen also returned.
“Sister-in-law,” Du Wen said. “My wife works selling ready-made garments at the Department Store. When one presents an officer’s identification card, half the required industrial coupons may be waived. It would be most convenient for purchasing household goods for your marriage. Should you visit the store, simply ask for my wife. Her name is Lin Yan. I have already spoken with her regarding you.”
“That is wonderful,” Yu Zhaozhao replied. “I have indeed been wishing to purchase clothing and such items. When I have the opportunity, I shall go to the Department Store and seek her out.”
For the moment however, she must inspect the rental properties.
“Zhaozhao, bring your marriage certificate and my officer’s identification card,” Lu Shiye told her. “You will need them to sign the lease and make purchases. Bring money and all necessary coupons as well. Go there by bicycle.”
Lu Shiye longed to accompany her, yet in his present condition he could not. He could only silently hope that his recovery would be swift.
Yu Zhaozhao agreed and departed. Once she had gone, Lu Shiye began slowly performing his rehabilitation exercises within the room. His bandages were soon to be removed, a fact he had chosen not to mention to Yu Zhaozhao, intending it to be a pleasant surprise.
Yu Zhaozhao went first to the room beside the hospital. It was in truth little more than a small storage chamber. Inside stood a bed measuring one meter twenty, a tiny table, and a long wooden bench. The furnishings nearly filled the space entirely. There was no window, only a narrow ventilation opening cut into the door. As a result, the doorway itself was unusually low. Yu Zhaozhao could pass through only with difficulty. Were Lu Shiye to visit, he would be forced to stoop in order to enter. And for this, the rent was five yuan each month. Its only merit lay in its proximity to the hospital and its advantageous location.
She then proceeded to the second property, the small courtyard home. Yu Zhaozhao took one look and felt immediate affection for the place. The owner had tended the courtyard with great care. Vegetables grew in the ground alongside ginger, scallions, garlic, perilla herb, and mint. Two hens wandered about the yard. Everything appeared wholesome and inviting.
The elderly lady who owned the courtyard was named Jiang. Her hair was snowy white, and deep lines marked the corners of her mouth. She carried herself with gravity and dignity. Her clothing bore patches yet was immaculately clean. Her hair was combed with exacting neatness, and her fingernails were trimmed perfectly smooth.
“You are the wife of a military officer?” she asked. Those were the first words she spoke to Yu Zhaozhao.
“I am,” Yu Zhaozhao replied politely. “We have only just married. Greetings, Granny Jiang.”
“My late husband was once Director of the Meat Processing Plant,” Granny Jiang explained. “This courtyard was purchased by us with our own funds. It does not belong to the state. My son gave his life serving in the War to Resist America and Aid Korea. My daughter married and settled in the provincial capital, returning only rarely upon holidays. If you wish to rent this place, I require no payment. You need only provide three meals each day. If those terms are acceptable to you, you may move in. If not, then you may go.”
Yu Zhaozhao was about to reply when a hoarse and strident voice called out from atop the dividing wall of the neighboring courtyard.
“Pay her no heed!” the voice cried. “That old woman is most particular and difficult. She turns up her nose at this and that. She is hard to please and will give you no end of trouble. If you move in, beware lest she fasten herself upon you. And when her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren come visiting, they will hold you accountable for everything.”
Yu Zhaozhao looked upward and beheld another elderly woman of similar age peering over the wall. Her eyes were wide and staring, and her lips were thin and sharp as knife edges. She appeared the very picture of a quarrelsome woman.
Granny Jiang retorted with exasperation. “Liu Jufang, have you nothing better to do? Or do you merely covet my property? You drive away every person who comes, one after another.”
“Jiang Juhong, do not speak such nonsense!” the other woman shouted back. “Do you imagine I envy your little courtyard? I have a home of my own!”
The two elderly women immediately fell into a shouting match across the wall. Granny Jiang stamped her feet in fury. The woman named Liu likewise stamped her feet in response. But as Liu stood upon a wooden stool in order to reach over the wall, the stool slipped beneath her. A cry of alarm rang out from the neighboring courtyard.
Yu Zhaozhao started in alarm and hurried around to investigate. Granny Jiang called out after her. “Pay her no mind. She does this at least once or twice each day.”
Yu Zhaozhao could not in good conscience ignore the cry however. Granny Jiang followed along slowly behind her. On the other side of the wall, thick piles of dry grass lay beside the fallen stool. Granny Liu sat amidst the grass making a great show of groaning yet shedding no actual tears. The sight was both exasperating and comical.
Granny Jiang rolled her eyes in utter disbelief. “Liu Jufang, you shameless old gossip! Have you never heard the fable of the Boy Who Cried Wolf? You carry on so each day. Surely retribution shall come upon you.”
“Pah!” Granny Liu spat back. “You malicious old shrew! May all misfortune befall you! I am perfectly well. Though you waste away, I shall remain strong!”
The two elderly women launched into yet another round of furious exchange. Yet for all their shouting and stamping and bitter words, neither actually laid a hand upon the other. Yu Zhaozhao watched in open-mouthed astonishment. Neighbors had begun gathering nearby, watching the spectacle and calling out encouragement to both sides.
A young woman holding a small child edged close to Yu Zhaozhao and spoke quietly. “Do you intend to rent Granny Jiang’s courtyard?”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded. “I do.”
“Then you shall have no end of entertainment,” the young woman whispered. “Those two have been at odds for decades. They argue from dawn until dusk.”
“Do they bear some deep grudge against one another?” Yu Zhaozhao asked, her curiosity thoroughly aroused.
“It is said that in their youth, both women set their hearts upon the Director of the Meat Processing Plant. In the end, he married Granny Jiang. Granny Liu has never forgiven her. They have bickered and quarreled for forty years or more. In truth, they are the dearest of friends.”
Yu Zhaozhao suspected the woman spoke ironically. To shout so loudly and hurl such cutting words at one another hardly seemed the behavior of close companions. Yet after shouting and gesticulating until their voices grew hoarse, the two women simply returned each to her own home and went about their day as though nothing had occurred. Yu Zhaozhao, who had grown up amidst the bustle of courtyard life, nevertheless found the sight truly extraordinary.
“Will you rent the place or not?” Granny Jiang asked.
“I will,” Yu Zhaozhao answered. “But upon one condition. Whatever I prepare, you shall eat. You may not be particular or demand special dishes.”
Yu Zhaozhao further proposed that they draw up a written agreement. She would pay rent, and provide meals for an additional agreed sum.
Granny Jiang considered for a moment and consented. What she truly desired was simply a trustworthy companion to share meals and household life with. Granny Jiang’s own cooking was indifferent at best. Her daughter had settled far away in the provincial capital, and Granny Jiang had no wish to join her. Several tenants had previously occupied the courtyard, yet none had proven satisfactory. She had agreed to rent to Yu Zhaozhao only because Lu Shiguang had spoken of her as the wife of a military officer.
“You shall occupy the west room,” Granny Jiang said. “You are welcome to use the kitchen, lavatory, bathing area, and vegetable garden as you please.”
“Very well,” Yu Zhaozhao replied. “I shall return shortly with my belongings.”
She inspected the room. It had been kept spotlessly clean. Bed, table, and cabinet were all provided. She would need to bring her own straw mat, bedding, and mosquito net.
After taking her leave, Yu Zhaozhao rode her bicycle to the Department Store. She had expected Du Wen’s wife Lin Yan might not be on duty. Yet upon making inquiry in the ready-made garments section, a young woman in her early twenties, possessing a gentle countenance and bright, open manner, turned and smiled warmly.
“I am Lin Yan,” the woman said. “And you must be Comrade Yu Zhaozhao, the wife of Deputy Battalion Commander Lu.”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded. Lin Yan greeted her with immediate enthusiasm. “It is such a pleasure to meet you! You are even more lovely than described.”
“Comrade Lin, you too are remarkably beautiful,” Yu Zhaozhao replied. “Graceful and bright, the more one looks upon you, the more delightful your appearance becomes.”
Lin Yan laughed with pleasure at the compliment. The two women exchanged pleasantries and mutual praise. When Lin Yan learned that Yu Zhaozhao wished to purchase clothing, she began showing her various items with great enthusiasm.
Yu Zhaozhao’s gaze however fell upon a dark navy blue Chinese tunic suit for men, together with a fine white cotton shirt of the highest quality. She had seen many such suits during this era, yet the cut and tailoring of this particular set were exceptionally handsome. Lu Shiye was tall and finely proportioned. He would look most distinguished wearing this.