“Qinghe, your cousin has a respectable job, and she’s smarter than you. She’s more suited to marrying Zhang Lei. Don’t compete with her.”
“Marry into the Gu family[1]In traditional Chinese marriage customs, a bride often joined her husband’s household and family network, although living arrangements varied. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); in your cousin’s place. Once she’s settled in with the Zhang family, she can help you out later.”
Shen Qinghe sat propped against the headboard, hands folded behind her head, watching the woman order her around with a blank expression.
Who would have thought transmigration[2]A Chinese web-fiction trope in which a character enters a different time, world, or body while retaining memories of a previous life. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); would happen to her—and take her back to the 1980s, no less?
The original owner[3]In transmigration stories, the “original owner” is the person who previously inhabited the body or identity taken over by the newcomer. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); was twenty years old. Both her parents worked at the steel plant and doted on her; she’d had a happy, comfortable life.
Then, five years ago, her parents died from work-related injuries. After her grandmother took charge of the household, the original owner’s painful life began.
Old Madam Shen brought her eldest son’s family in from the countryside. They lived in the original owner’s house and spent the survivors’ benefits paid after her parents’ deaths. They even had the original owner’s cousin take the job that should have gone to her[4]In the late 1970s and early 1980s, some Chinese work units allowed a worker’s child to take over a parent’s job through a practice called dingti; such transfers were not universally automatic. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, while she stayed home to do the laundry, cook, and keep house—and put up with the family’s snide remarks from time to time.
And that wasn’t even the worst of it.
A few days ago, Zhang Lei’s parents had come to the house and said that before the original owner’s parents died, they had arranged for Zhang Lei and Shen Qinghe to marry. They discussed choosing an auspicious wedding date[5]In Chinese wedding customs, families sometimes choose dates believed to bring good fortune, often using traditional calendars or other customary methods. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); with Old Madam Shen.
Both of Zhang Lei’s parents worked at the steel plant. At only twenty-four, Zhang Lei had already become a deputy director there.
The Zhang family was well-off, and Zhang Lei had a respectable job. Old Madam Shen was very tempted.
So was the original owner’s cousin, Shen Zhenzhen, who had insisted that the original owner give Zhang Lei up to her.
The Shen family had arranged Shen Zhenzhen’s engagement[6]Family-arranged engagements were a longstanding practice, though Chinese marriage law required the couple’s voluntary consent to marriage. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); to Gu Bei, a man from Huaihua Village, but Shen Zhenzhen had never even met him.
The matchmaker[7]A traditional intermediary who helped families identify prospective spouses and negotiate marriage arrangements. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); said Gu Bei was quite handsome. After leaving the army, he’d become a carpenter in the village, and by Huaihua Village’s standards, he was a good catch.
Shen Zhenzhen was deeply against the match. She’d finally made it to the city and started living comfortably—how could she go and marry back into the countryside[8]In 1980s China, the hukou household-registration system created sharp differences in access to urban and rural jobs and public benefits, making the distinction socially important. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });?
But at the time, she couldn’t find anyone better, so she’d had no choice but to agree for the time being. Then Zhang Lei came along, and she knew she’d found the man destined for her.
Why suffer through an uncertain life in the village when she could enjoy a comfortable one in the city?
A catch like him ought to be hers.
Shen Zhenzhen was so used to taking things from Shen Qinghe that she felt no guilt at all.
The original owner, naturally, refused. She might have been timid, but she wasn’t stupid. The only way to escape the Shen family’s den of misery was to marry into a decent family.
The original owner had gone to the river and jumped in, intending only to frighten the Shen family with a suicide attempt. She hadn’t expected it to cost her life.
The one who’d been pulled from the water was Shen Qinghe.
As soon as Shen Qinghe woke up, Old Madam Shen had hurried over to “talk some sense into her.”
She not only wanted Shen Qinghe to willingly give Zhang Lei to Shen Zhenzhen, but also to marry Gu Bei in Shen Zhenzhen’s place.
That way, Shen Zhenzhen would get what she wanted, and Old Madam Shen wouldn’t have to bear the blame for breaking off the engagement or repay the betrothal gifts[9]Often called caili, these were money or goods customarily given by the prospective groom’s family to the bride’s family as part of marriage arrangements; practices varied. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_9').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_9', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); from the Gu family.
They got every advantage and still expected her to be grateful.
What a convenient little scheme.
In her previous life, Shen Qinghe had been a fashion designer. She’d been abroad for Fashion Week when she got caught in a pileup.
At first, she had been reluctant to accept her new circumstances.
But since she was here, she might as well make the best of it. She’d live her own life—and the original owner’s, too.
The Shen family was like a wolf’s den. There was no reason to stay.
Shen Qinghe spoke up. “Give me five hundred yuan, and I’ll not only give Zhang Lei to Shen Zhenzhen, I’ll agree to marry in her place.”
Old Madam Shen stared at her for a long moment before she finally understood.
Her face immediately darkened. “Shen Qinghe, these are things you ought to do. How dare you ask me for money? Who gave you the nerve?”
Their family spent everything they had; they had no savings at all. Even the one hundred yuan in betrothal gifts from the Gu family had nearly all been spent. How could they give Shen Qinghe any money?
She was asking for five hundred yuan right out of the gate. She had to be out of her mind!
Shen Qinghe’s voice was cool. “If you won’t give me the money, I’ll go make a scene at the steel plant.
“Then Shen Zhenzhen’s reputation will be ruined, her job will be at risk, and the Gu family will come demanding justice. Do you think you’ll be able to live in peace?”
Old Madam Shen stared at Shen Qinghe in shock. Before, this coward hadn’t even dared breathe too loudly in front of her. Why was she suddenly so aggressive?
Could she have been so badly shaken that she’d actually gone mad?
Even if Old Madam Shen emptied the family’s coffers, she couldn’t come up with five hundred yuan. But if she refused, what if this little wretch really went to the steel plant and got Zhenzhen fired?
Old Madam Shen glared at Shen Qinghe, speechless.
Just then, Shen Zhenzhen came in, arm in arm with a man, looking radiant.
“Grandma, Zhang Lei and I have already registered our marriage[10]Under China’s civil-registration system, an official marriage certificate establishes a legal marriage, separately from any wedding celebration. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_10').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_10', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. We’re legally husband and wife now. She can make a scene if she wants.”
Old Madam Shen immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Her eldest granddaughter really was something—clever and capable.
Now, even if Shen Qinghe made a scene, all she’d get out of it was a bad name as someone who’d tried to destroy another couple’s marriage.
“What about the Gu family? This wretched girl won’t go unless we give her money.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything.” Shen Zhenzhen pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and tossed it onto the bed. “Don’t say I never look after you, cousin. Here—this is your marriage certificate with Gu Bei. Once you marry him, just settle down and make a life with him.”
Given Shen Zhenzhen’s abilities, there was no way she could have gotten hold of the marriage certificate herself. Someone must have helped her.
Shen Qinghe’s gaze fell on Zhang Lei, standing beside her.
Of course. It wasn’t difficult for a deputy director at the steel plant to get someone to arrange a marriage certificate.
Zhang Lei awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Qinghe, I like Zhenzhen, so…”
“You two are a good match,” Shen Qinghe cut him off.
One liked stealing other people’s partners; the other was two-timing. They were made for each other.
“What do you mean?” Zhang Lei’s brows knitted together. Why did her words sound so strange?
It felt like Shen Qinghe was insulting him.
But what right did she have?
Shen Qinghe was fairer and prettier than Shen Zhenzhen. At first, he really had liked her.
But Shen Qinghe was always so timid, and she seemed dull and slow. She’d held a certain novelty for him at first, but the longer he’d known her, the less interesting she’d become.
He’d grown tired of her.
Shen Zhenzhen, on the other hand, was warm and lively, good at handling people, and knew how to keep him happy.
He was a deputy director at the steel plant. Wasn’t he entitled to choose a good match for himself?
Shen Qinghe couldn’t be bothered to answer.
Seeing Zhang Lei’s unhappy expression, Old Madam Shen quickly signaled to Shen Zhenzhen.
Shen Zhenzhen coaxed him out of the room.
Before leaving, she told Old Madam Shen, “Grandma, my in-laws are treating the whole family to dinner tonight at six. They won’t be pleased if that eyesore is there.”
“All right, all right. I understand,” Old Madam Shen replied with a smile.
She knew Shen Zhenzhen meant Shen Qinghe.
As soon as they were gone, Old Madam Shen’s face turned gloomy. “Now that the marriage certificate’s been arranged, you can go to Huaihua Village. Don’t come back here again. Zhenzhen and Zhang Lei won’t be happy if they see you.”
Shen Qinghe nodded. “Fine.”
She agreed just like that? Wasn’t she going to ask for money?
Old Madam Shen eyed her warily. “Everything in this house belongs to Zhenzhen. Don’t you dare touch a thing.”
In other words, she was being kicked out with nothing.
“Fine.” Shen Qinghe smiled, got out of bed, and walked straight out. She took nothing with her except the clothes she was wearing.
“She’s really gone mad,” Old Madam Shen muttered from the doorway. A moment ago she’d been demanding an outrageous sum, and now she was leaving without asking for anything. What else could it be?
Still…mad might not be so bad.
At least there’d be no outsider in the house anymore.
Shen Qinghe was perfectly clearheaded. If Old Madam Shen wouldn’t give her what belonged to the original owner, she’d find another way to take it back.
Following her memories, she went to the easternmost part of the steel plant’s staff housing compound[11]Many urban Chinese factories operated as danwei, or work units, which could provide employee housing and other benefits in dedicated residential compounds. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3736159_1_11').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3736159_1_11', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and knocked on a door.
A woman with curly hair opened it. “Well, if it isn’t the little Shen girl. What brings you here?”
Shen Qinghe smiled sweetly. “Deputy Director Meng, I came to ask you for a favor.”
“…What is it?” the woman asked, leaning against the door without any intention of letting Shen Qinghe inside.
Shen Qinghe knew why.
This woman and Zhang Lei were both deputy directors, and they’d pulled no end of tricks against each other in their competition for the director’s position. They were the steel plant’s most notorious rivals.
Back when Shen Qinghe had been Zhang Lei’s fiancée, Deputy Director Meng had disliked her by association and had always treated her coldly.
“Zhang Lei and Shen Zhenzhen have registered their marriage.”
“What?” Deputy Director Meng was taken aback. She hadn’t heard about that. Once she’d recovered, she considered it briefly, then stepped aside. “Come in. We can talk inside.”
References[+]