“Zhaozhao please take it. Think of it as compensation from me.”
Yu Zhaozhao shook her head. “Xiangyang you are also a victim in this. I do not blame you. Yu Zhaodi lost her post and they have already paid me one thousand yuan in compensation. I have enough money.”
“That came from them. It is what they owed you and what you deserve.” Zhou Xiangyang pushed an envelope toward her. “Inside is one thousand yuan. Five hundred was originally set aside as your betrothal gift. The other five hundred my father sends on behalf of Zhou Caixia. Even though we cannot be husband and wife I truly hope you will have a good life ahead.”
Zhou Xiangyang spoke with visible sorrow and Yu Zhaozhao’s heart ached in turn.
“Xiangyang I cannot take your money. You have not yet graduated or begun working and your Father works hard for every yuan. I shall accept the five hundred yuan from Zhou Caixia. Please thank your Father for me. But do take this other five hundred yuan back.”
“Zhaozhao my Father and I discussed this together and agreed. If you refuse who can say it might not end up in Yu Zhaodi’s hands instead.”
At those words Yu Zhaozhao promptly accepted the envelope. “Thank you Xiangyang. I shall accept it gratefully then. Should you or your Father ever need help in the future I shall do everything within my power to repay this kindness.”
Seeing her accept brought Zhou Xiangyang some peace. This whole ordeal had wounded him deeply. No one liked being schemed against especially in such an ugly fashion. Zhou Xiangyang had never wished to marry Yu Zhaodi yet the price of refusal had proven impossibly high. His dreams his career years of effort his Father’s hopes his Mother’s final wishes… Others might sympathize yet far more would judge him irresponsible. Not only his reputation but his Father’s standing would suffer as well. These were consequences he could not bear.
He had not slept all night thinking it through. He could marry Yu Zhaodi yet live entirely on his own terms. And toward Zhaozhao he owed whatever amends he could make. Betrothed since childhood loving her longer than he could remember closer than kin he could not bear to leave her wronged.
“I must be going now.”
“Take care.”
After seeing Zhou Xiangyang off Yu Zhaozhao returned to her room. She locked the malted milk and other gifts inside her Mother’s dowry chest. Cash was far too risky to keep lying about the house. She retrieved her savings hidden beneath the water jar.
She counted carefully. Three hundred plus one thousand plus another one thousand brought the total to two thousand three hundred yuan. Together with her secret savings over the years that amounted to five yuan eighty eight cents. She also held one bicycle ration coupon and twenty seven jin of grain coupons.
Glancing at the clock barely past eight Yu Zhaozhao placed the cash securely in her canvas shoulder bag. She tucked the household registration booklet inside and filled her canteen then set out. Gossip and curious stares from courtyard neighbors meant nothing to her now.
She went straight to the bank and purchased a one thousand yuan fixed deposit certificate and opened a demand deposit passbook for the remaining thirteen hundred. She sewed them deep inside a specially made inner pocket of her clothing close to her body and only then breathed easy.
After a sip of water she began searching for work. State run hotels department stores supply cooperatives hospitals clinics factories… Every doorway stood bare of recruitment notices. Even after offering cigarettes to the gatekeepers she met only headshakes. There were no housing listings available either.
By eleven the sun blazed scorching hot. She had walked all morning and met nothing but closed doors. Her legs ached her throat burned with thirst and hunger gnawed at her. Spotting another state run hotel she stepped inside without hesitation. It was still early and few tables were occupied. The waitress did not lift her eyes from the counter.
“Noodles only.” The tone carried an unmistakable do as you please indifference.
Yu Zhaozhao ignored the rudeness. “One bowl of lean pork egg and greens noodles please.”
“Two liang grain coupon plus thirty eight cents.”
After paying she looked toward a window table and saw Lu Shiguang eating. A takeout container sat before him.
“Comrade Yu Zhaozhao.” Lu Shiguang’s face brightened at the sight of her. “Are you eating here as well?”
Yu Zhaozhao had not expected such a coincidence. Seeing him brought a thought to mind. She ought to visit Lu Shiye in the hospital.
Less than two weeks remained before the rural assignment deadline. Unless she secured work or married before then she would be sent down alongside Zhou Caixia.
“I am indeed. Is that meal for your brother?”
“It is. My parents are at work and my wife is timid and dislikes going out. I am on leave so I look after him.” Lu Shiguang rose. “Would you care to come with me to the hospital to see him?”
Yu Zhaozhao fell silent. She had been thinking exactly that yet he moved with remarkable haste.
“You wish me to marry your brother. Is it so you will have someone to care for him?”
The question was reasonable. Lu Shiguang moved with undeniable urgency.
“To speak plainly yes. My leave is nearly over and my brother has not fully recovered. There were several young women interested in him before this. Yet once they heard the doctor’s diagnosis every single one broke off the engagement.”
“What diagnosis?”
“That he may never have children. And if his recovery continues poorly he may be discharged from the army.” Lu Shiguang added quickly. “These are only possibilities mind you. Nothing is certain.”
Yu Zhaozhao found these matters of little concern. “Very well. I shall accompany you to the hospital.”
Lu Shiguang beamed. “Splendid!”
Seeing his delight Yu Zhaozhao added quickly. “I go only to visit. I have not agreed to marry him.”
Lu Shiguang thumped his chest confidently. “Once you meet him I am certain you shall like him. I guarantee it.”
Yu Zhaozhao said nothing. They finished eating quickly. At the supply cooperative she bought a bag of apples and walked with him to the hospital.
Upon reaching the ward entrance they encountered a young woman dressed in a blue Lenin style suit and leather shoes standing at the doorway speaking in a haughty tone.
“Comrade Lu let me speak plainly. We are not suited. My parents favored you but I do not.” With that she turned and walked away. She glanced at Lu Shiguang barely enough to acknowledge his presence then swept past Yu Zhaozhao as though she did not exist.
Yu Zhaozhao paid her no mind. Lu Shiguang explained quietly. “She is the daughter of my Mother’s superior. She showed interest in my brother before. Her parents approved and awaited his return. Now she has changed her mind.”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded. It was only natural. People weighed interests and prospects. There had been no deep bond between them merely an introduction. Marriage spanned a lifetime. If she saw no future in him her refusal was understandable. Yet the girl’s arrogance was striking and likely to cause offense. She clearly cared nothing for appearances. Her bearing alone spoke of extraordinary family standing.
Inside the ward Lu Shiye lay motionless face blank expressionless. He felt nothing but bewilderment. Since being hospitalized with severe injury how many such scenes had played out before him? How many matches had his parents arranged only to fall apart? Seeing his brother enter he rolled his eyes in exasperation. Then his gaze fell upon the young woman standing behind Lu Shiguang. Lu Shiye froze. For a moment he could have sworn he heard the sound of a flower bursting into bloom.