Xu Qingzhou had spoken with humility and grace upholding his wife’s dignity while honouring the feelings of all present. By yielding gracefully while standing firm, he won the genuine goodwill of every villager there.
By nine o’clock, guests had gathered for the celebration. After a brief, simple ceremony, the feast was officially served.
There were not enough seats for everyone at once, so the meal was held in two sittings. Before the makeshift stoves, the cook’s ladle moved in a blur of steam and flame. Strong young men carried steaming platters back and forth, weaving between every table.
Xu Qingzhou and Fang Yao took their turn as well. Side by side with Fang Daguo and Liu Bailan, they walked from table to table offering toasts. Fang Zhen and Fang Tong followed behind with bottles though the cups were filled with sweetened water, a courteous formality rather than strong wine.
The feast stretched from bright daylight until dusk. Thanks to the Fang family’s discretion, not a single word had been breathed of the marriage exchange. To all appearances, Xu Qingzhou had been Fang Yao’s intended groom from the very start and their blessings and good wishes were offered wholeheartedly.
That evening, once the courtyard had been swept and tidied, Fang Yao prepared to return to her husband’s home.
Before leaving, Liu Bailan called the couple into her room. Fang Daguo had tallied the gifts and offerings received. After deducting all expenses, he placed the remaining sum one hundred and ninety yuan into two red envelopes and handed them to Xu Qingzhou.
Then he took Xu Qingzhou’s hand in his own, speaking earnestly. “Your father was a humble man who left little behind. But this daughter of ours she has been the very apple of our eye since birth. As you build your life together, if ever she should do wrong… come tell me. I shall hear her fairly. And above all never, ever raise your hand against her.”
A father’s love is like a mountain, steady and silent. Fang Yao remembered that in her past life, her quiet, unassuming father had spoken these very same words to Xu Manjiang handing him the red envelope, warning him with all a father’s heart to cherish his daughter.
And Xu Manjiang then?
He had smiled, tucked the money into his pocket, and spoken such fair, honeyed promises yet not one word had been truly meant for her.
Now Xu Qingzhou stood with head bowed, his hands resting within calloused, weathered palms. He fell silent.
At length he spoke, his voice low and thick with feeling. “Father.”
It was a single word strange yet heavy with emotion, spoken with such solemnity that every syllable carried weight. “I shall care for Fang Yao faithfully. I shall never give her cause for sorrow.”
Then, instead of accepting the envelope, he gently placed it back into Fang Daguo’s hands.
“To have your blessing and your daughter is the greatest gift I could ever receive. This money I cannot take. Keep it, you and Mother. Every month I shall place my wages into Fang Yao’s keeping we have all we need.”
He withdrew his hand, turned to Fang Yao, and said gently: “The hour grows late. We should go. I shall leave the bicycle here for you return whenever you miss your home.”
Before anyone could speak, Xu Qingzhou had turned and stepped swiftly out into the courtyard. Fang Yao hurried after him. He stood waiting beside the bicycle, ready to help her mount.
“Mother, Father, Grandparents we take our leave!” Fang Yao called back as she settled onto the rear seat. Fang Daguo hurried after them, but he was already too late.
As they rode away, Fang Yao looked back at her family’s fading figures and called out: “Go inside where it is warm! I shall come visit again soon!”
“Such a good child,” Fang Daguo murmured. Since they would not accept the gift, he placed the envelope into Liu Bailan’s keeping. “Set this aside. Should they ever have need, we shall give it then.”
The two villages lay several kilometres apart. Xu Qingzhou rode steadily for half an hour, and by the time they arrived home, night had fully fallen.
Wang Hua had prepared supper and waited for them. Learning that the return visit had gone perfectly, she breathed a deep sigh of relief and called them warmly to eat.
After the meal, Fang Yao felt utterly exhausted. She watched Xu Qingzhou change out of his uniform and frowned.
“Leave those. I shall wash them tomorrow.”
Xu Qingzhou fetched a basin of water and smiled. “I am washing my face anyway. I shall tend to these at the same time. Have you anything else that needs laundering?”
Fang Yao had left her day clothes at her parents’ home. She wore only the clean cotton coat she had worn the day before, and shook her head softly.
“I have nothing.”
“Rest then. Sleep well. I shall tend the fire once I am done.” He spoke naturally, without a trace of resentment or burden. He went about his work as willingly and faithfully as a strong, steady horse ever since marrying him, Fang Yao had known nothing but care and ease.
Fang Yao lay beneath the quilt. The sound of splashing water drifted in from the courtyard. She was weary enough to sleep instantly yet her mind turned restlessly, unable to settle.
The elder’s warning echoed again and again: Blood upon the groom brings ill fortune. And with it rose the dread of the fate that awaited him in years to come.
Xu Qingzhou returned indoors. His hands were pink and stinging from the cold water. He added fresh fuel to the stove, then glanced toward the bed.
“Still awake?”
“Mm.” Fang Yao sat up, gazing at his gentle, focused profile. “You return to the army tomorrow?”
Xu Qingzhou ensured the fire drew properly, then walked over and sat beside her on the bed.
“My leave is but three days. I have taken one extra. Tomorrow I must return.”
Fang Yao hesitated, then spoke carefully, testing the waters. “You have served so many years… always away from home. Have you ever considered leaving the service taking up other work?”
Deep surprise darkened Xu Qingzhou’s eyes. He looked at her steadily for a long moment. “Why do you ask this? I enlisted to serve my country not merely for wages. I have never once considered turning aside from that path.”
“But danger follows you everywhere,” Fang Yao said quietly, her lips pressed tight. “If anything were to happen to you… what then of your family?”
She knew the army’s rules left him bound by silence she could never ask what he did or where he went. If she was to alter his fate, there was only one way: persuade him to leave the service.
But Xu Qingzhou was not easily swayed. His expression grew grave and steady. He looked deep into her eyes, his voice solemn and firm.
“Comrade Fang Yao… on the day we married, you knew full well I was a soldier. That my life would be spent apart from home and that danger is ever present. Why did you not speak of this then? Why wait until all is settled before raising it?”
Fang Yao met his gaze, his tone cool and unyielding. She gripped the quilt tightly in her hands and spoke gently but clearly.
“I do not object to your service. Only… there are many ways to love one’s country. Teachers heal and teach. Farmers and builders build the nation. Each shines in their own place, does they not? Their work is honourable, steady, safe and they may be with their families.”