In this era, individual households and small vendors were beginning to emerge. Tape shops along the streets were already playing Hong Kong and Taiwanese songs, as new ideas and trends gradually swept through, permeating every aspect of life.
Even in the villages, while the older generation still addressed their parents as “father and mother,” the younger generation had started imitating city dwellers by calling them “dad and mom.”
Su Tong learned from the passersby to tuck her hands into her sleeves, strolling back and forth on the street, soaking in the unique atmosphere of the times.
The thought of returning to face the original host’s family—a house full of difficult relatives—stirred both irritation and a tinge of eager excitement in her heart.
The original host had muddled through nearly nineteen years of life, burdened from a young age with labels like “nemesis” and “ominous,” enduring exclusion and injustice at every turn.
The original host may have been muddled, but the current Su Tong was not. She needed to see for herself what kind of soul-crushing place that was.
Moreover, she could keenly feel the original host’s deeply suppressed grievances, unwillingness, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes—emotions the girl had never dared to express.
The original host had valued her life and wanted to live, but her existence had been so arduous that she was driven to a dead end.
Su Tong took a deep breath, the dry, cold air filling her lungs and clearing her mind.
She looked up at the pale sky, vast and devoid of even a single cloud.
She had arrived, and she would live well on behalf of that ill-fated girl.
In the end, Su Tong bought herself a cotton-padded jacket and trousers, long underwear, an outer coat, changes of undergarments, and some daily necessities.
The cotton-padded jacket she was wearing still had to be returned to Doctor Zhao. In these times, even an old cotton jacket was considered property—cotton was a precious commodity!
There was nothing decent left in her home to change into, so after some thought, she also bought a new set of bedding. Finally, she purchased some practical small gifts for the doctors and nurses who had taken care of her in the hospital.
They had given her the first warmth she felt in this world, and before leaving, she wanted to express her gratitude in a small way.
The next day, accompanied by Nurse Xiao Li, Su Tong completed the discharge procedures early and handed out the small gifts one by one. Unexpectedly, she received a wave of gifts in return—pastries, handkerchiefs, candies…
She ended up holding an armful of assorted items. Finally, Head Nurse Chen hurried over to give her a round mirror and made sure to slip her a note with the address of her father-in-law’s pharmacy.
After packing her things, Su Tong took a stroll around the hospital’s backyard. The row of single-story houses at the back was already empty—Lin Li and the others had likely left long ago.
On the basketball court in front of the houses, only a father and son were taking a walk. The child had an IV needle in his hand, and the father held a bamboo pole with a net bag hoisting the IV bottle high, slowly following behind the child like a bodyguard.
Su Tong suddenly thought of the child named “Dongdong” who had been taken hostage and initially admitted to this hospital. She wondered if he had been transferred or had already recovered?
She never did run into him.
When she returned to the ward, she saw Xing Dongyang standing in the corridor, smiling at her from a distance.
Jiang Pinglu had already relayed the message yesterday that someone from the village would come to pick her up today. Xing Dongyang was a tractor driver, so Su Tong wasn’t surprised to see him there.
After saying goodbye to everyone, Xing Dongyang carried Su Tong’s two large bundles and followed her onto the tractor.
A large bundle of straw was placed in the tractor trailer. Xing Dongyang had Su Tong sit on the straw, explaining that he had deliberately put it there for the journey to cushion the bumps.
Su Tong thanked him, tossed her bundle into the trailer, and lay down on the straw. Her body bounced slightly—it was soft and quite comfortable.
Xing Dongyang laughed. “Wu Tong, you’ve really changed so much!”
The old Wu Tong wouldn’t even dare to look people in the eye, let alone lie so casually on a pile of straw.
“After dying once, you learn to take everything in stride.”
Su Tong chuckled in response, then rolled over and sat up.
It was only then that she noticed several large, round oil cakes tucked under one corner of the straw. Made from fermented rapeseed dregs after oil extraction, they were considered premium supplements for cattle.
Unfortunately, they were expensive, and the village usually wouldn’t splurge on them unless it was the busy farming season when the animals needed extra strength.
Su Tong casually asked, “Brother Xing, are the village cattle eating oil cakes this winter?”
Xing Dongyang laughed. “How could that be? It’s just that the village cattle have fallen ill these past few days and aren’t eating anything. They’ve visibly lost more than a full round of weight. Secretary Wu was so worried he had no choice but to ask me to pick up a few oil cakes on my way back to try.”
Xing Dongyang had already started the tractor, stored the crank in the toolbox, and taken the driver’s seat.
Amid the rumbling engine noise, he glanced back at Su Tong and said, “Wu Tong, it’s good to see you like this. Living well is what matters most.”
Although the tractor was loud, Su Tong heard him clearly.
She paused, then turned back and said earnestly, “Brother Xing, don’t worry! From now on, I’ll live well.”
The tractor drove along the narrow county road for about ten minutes before Xing Dongyang slowed down. He turned and shouted to Su Tong:
“There are a few fellow villagers to pick up on the way back!”
Su Tong nodded. The village had only this one tractor, and it was common for people to hitch a ride when going to town or the county—it saved on bus fare and was more convenient than the scheduled buses.
A little further ahead was the county bus station. Outside stood a large locust tree, beneath which a few people were waiting, waving from a distance.
Xing Dongyang usually arranged to meet here so that if anyone was delayed or missed the ride, they could still take the bus back.
As soon as the tractor stopped, two aunts grabbed the sides of the trailer and climbed aboard, moving with practiced ease.
One of them, while climbing, said to Xing Dongyang:
“Educated Youth Xing, Sister-in-law Li went to see her daughter and won’t be back until tomorrow. Old Zhang and his wife have a lot of errands to run and said they’ll take the afternoon bus back. The rest of us are all here—we can leave as soon as we’re on!”
Xing Dongyang helped the aunt into the trailer as he replied, “Got it, Aunt Wangcai. Nine people came this morning, so six are returning now, right?”
As soon as Aunt Wangcai stepped into the trailer, she hurried over to the straw bundle and sat down right next to Su Tong.
“Ah! Little Xing! The straw today is placed just right—it’s like a soft seat!”
Two young men followed, sitting along the edges of the trailer, which suddenly felt crowded.
Su Tong shifted aside. Having secured a good spot, Aunt Wangcai contentedly called out to the other aunt, “Sister-in-law Laifu! Come, come! There’s still room to squeeze in here—it’s more comfortable than sitting on the edge.”
Both aunts were broad and stout. Su Tong quietly moved further into the corner of the trailer, making just enough space for the two to settle firmly on the straw pile.
Aunt Wangcai noticed Su Tong had given up seats for them. Tilting her head, she asked with some confusion:
“Oh! Whose girl is this? She looks quite familiar!”