“Laidi’s awake! Just in time—here’s a new toothbrush and towel for you.”
Jiang Fusheng reached out to take them. “Thank you, Auntie!”
Xiao Mother said, “The washbasins are by the water jar. Just use whichever one you like best.”
“Right!” Jiang Fuseng nodded. “Auntie, has Brother Changhe woken up yet?”
“He woke up ages ago. He ate a few steamed sweet potatoes and went out to work.”
Jiang Fuseng froze. “When will he be back, then? Aren’t we supposed to go and register our marriage today?”
Mrs Xiao chuckled, “He’ll be back any minute! Don’t worry, just go and brush your teeth, wash your face and have breakfast.”
Jiang Fuseng nodded and walked out.
Breakfast today consisted of steamed sweet potatoes and pickled vegetables.
She wasn’t used to sweet potatoes with pickled vegetables, so she simply ate a sweet potato on its own.
After finishing her meal, seeing that Xiao Changhe still hadn’t returned, she found Xiao’s mother, who was hanging out the washing. “Auntie, I’m going to the brigade to sort something out. I’ll be back in a bit. If Brother Changhe comes back, just tell him to wait for me at home.”
The brigade referred to the Production Brigade Management Committee, the predecessor of the village committee.
Xiao’s mother: “All right, take care on your way.”
……
Upon arriving at the brigade, Jiang Fusheng, following the memories of her former self, met with the village chief and the Brigade Secretary of Heping Village.
As described in the book, both the village chief and the Brigade Secretary were mild-mannered and friendly towards the villagers.
“Village Chief, I have a favour to ask of you…”
“Take a seat and tell me all about it.” The Village Chief gestured to an empty stool in front of him.
“Village Chief, I’d like to ask you to issue a certificate for me, along with the brigade Secretary I wish to change my name,” Jiang Fusheng stated his request.
In those days, if you had a rural household registration and wished to change your name, you first had to obtain a letter of recommendation from the village committee before you could go to the police station in town to have your name changed.
As identity cards were not yet in use, changing one’s name was difficult, though not as difficult as it would be once identity cards were introduced; she had to get it done as soon as possible.
The main reason was her marriage to Xiao Changhe; she did not want the words ‘Jiang Laidi’ to appear on her marriage certificate!
This was the first time anyone had come to the village committee to request a certificate for a name change, and the Brigade Secretary, who was working nearby, could not help but look up.
The Village Head put down the book he was holding. “Changing one’s name is no trivial matter. You must have a valid reason before I can issue the certificate and the organisation can approve it.”
Jiang Fuseng spoke with conviction, “I do have a reason.”
“And what is that?”
“Village Chief, our country has advocated gender equality since 1954. In my view, the name ‘Laidi’ carries a distinct air of male chauvinism and has serious feudal overtones!”
“Well…” The village chief was taken aback and turned to the Brigrade Secretary. “What do you think, Secretary?”
The Brigade Secretary put down what he was doing, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and said earnestly, “That reason makes sense, it really does, but it’s a bit of a stretch! Comrade Jiang, why don’t you give it some more thought?”
Jiang Fuseng’s eyes darted about. “If that reason doesn’t work, well, what if I say my name is far too common? When I go to the city to run errands, it’s bound to cause trouble and confusion. ”
The Party Secretary nodded. “That is a valid point, but…”
Seeing that the Village Head and the Party Secretary were still hesitating, Jiang Fuseng clasped her hands together and said pitifully, “Village Head, Brigade Secretary, please help me. You know my parents favour sons over daughters. I really want to change my name so it’ll be easier to find work in the city in future. I promise I won’t do anything wrong with my new name, and I won’t let the commitee down!”
Hearing this, the village head and Brigade secretary relented and issued her the certificate.
Seizing the moment, she also asked for a letter of introduction.
…….
At that moment.
Xiao Changhe was pacing restlessly back and forth in the courtyard, constantly glancing up at the gate.
“Big Brother, why are you pacing back and forth like that?” asked Xiao Changhong, who was sifting beans, looking puzzled.
Xiao’s mother chuckled. “Your big brother’s worried about your sister-in-law!”
“If he’s worried, he should go and find her. What’s the point of just fretting?”
“He’s just too proud…” Xiao’s mother muttered to her daughter, taking a dig at her son.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a small figure appeared, beaming with joy. “I’m back!”
Xiao Changhong asked curiously, “Sister-in-law, what were you doing at the village committee?”
“I went to ask the village head and the Brigrade secretary to write me a certificate to change my name!” Jiang Fuseng walked over, held up the certificate and showed it first to Xiao Changhe, who was standing closest to the doorway, pointing to the new name on it. “Brother Changhe, look—from now on, I won’t be called Jiang Laidi anymore. I’m Jiang Fuseng! From now on, you can call me Fuseng, Little Fu, or Little Sheng—any of those will do!”
“A name change?!” Xiao Changhong put down the beans she was holding, wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist, and stood up to come over.
Even Xiao’s mother stood up and came over.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao’s father and Xiao Changqing, who had been inside, also came out to join the commotion.
It was quite a novelty to hear of someone changing their name for the first time.
“Jiang Fuseng…” Xiao Changhe murmured her name softly, turning to look at the sparkle in her eyes as the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. “It’s lovely.”
“I think it’s lovely too!” Xiao Changhong nodded. “Sister-in-law, did you come up with that name yourself? It’s just that the characters are rather complicated to write.”
“It’s not too bad!” Jiang Fuseng pulled another certificate from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Changhe. “Brother Changhe, take a look. I’ve also managed to get our marriage introduction letter. Once we get to the city, we’ll go and change our names first, then pick up the marriage certificate!”
Xiao Changhe took it and looked at the names belonging to himself and her on the introduction letter. “So you just… went to the village committee earlier… for these two… things?”
“That’s right!” Jiang Fuseng nodded.
“Why didn’t you ask me to… come along?”
Jiang Fuseng explained, “Auntie said you were busy working in the fields for a while. I thought I might as well make use of my free time, so I went on my own. Besides, the village head and the Brigade secretary were both very easy to talk to.”
Xiao’s mother took Jiang Fuseng’s hand. “laidi… no, Fuseng, if you ever need to run any errands in future, as long as anyone from our family is free, you can ask anyone to come with you. We’re family—there’s no need to be so formal!”
“Right!” Jiang Fuseng nodded again. “I’ll go and change my clothes first, then head into town.”
At last! Xiao Changhong darted in after her. “Big Sister, let me help you!”
Seeing this, Xiao Changhe also went back into the house to fetch some things.
A few minutes later.
Xiao Changhong emerged from the room first, glanced at everyone in the living room, then opened the door with an air of mystery.
“Ta-da!”
Jiang Fusheng emerged, her cheeks flushed, wearing that red floral dress, paired with a pair of white trainers. Her straight hair fell over her shoulders, gathered by a red hairband and tucked behind her ears. She looked lively and spirited, yet retained an air of innocent charm.
Xiao Changhe felt as though his breath had caught in his throat for a moment; he couldn’t help but stare intently at Jiang Fuseng.
Was this really his wife? She looked absolutely stunning!
“Well? Do you like it? I picked this out specially for my sister-in-law!” Xiao Changhong was thoroughly pleased with everyone’s reactions, a huge grin spreading across her face.
“Oh my! She looks absolutely stunning!” Xiao’s mother stood up, walked over, and spun Jiang Fusheng around. “So radiant, so beautiful! Little Sheng really does look best in such a lovely dress!”