It was nearly dusk when work at the boiler room finally stopped.
After washing her hands, Wang Guihua took out a small jar of lard. She didn’t even use any for herself, scooping out a fingertip’s worth for
Lin Yuqiu instead. Smiling warmly, she said, “Don’t mind the coal dust on top. I rendered this lard from good pork fat myself. I can barely bring myself to use it.”
After rinsing her hands in hot water, Lin Yuqiu rubbed the lard evenly over them. The thick, greasy coating wrapped around the broken skin. Cool and soothing, it truly eased the stinging pain of her blisters.
“How could I mind? Thank you, Sister Wang,” she replied gently.
Wang Guihua was warm-hearted; being able to offer comfort to others brought her joy. She patted Lin Yuqiu’s shoulder. “Times are hard. We’re all suffering people. Helping each other out it’s nothing.”
Just as they were chatting and laughing, Master Wang came over to hand out wages.
This was Wang Guihua’s happiest moment of the day.
Counting her crumpled bills, she leaned close to Lin Yuqiu and whispered, “Only one yuan and five mao today. That stingy old turtle… Girl, how much did the old man give you?”
Thinking of the wages she would receive today enough to at least pay part of her mother’s medical fees Lin Yuqiu finally felt the heavy weight in her chest lighten. The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
But when she finished counting her pay, the smile froze on her face as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head.
Heat of humiliation surged up her cheeks, spreading from her ears down to her neck.
Under Wang Guihua’s expectant gaze, the injustice and anger she had been suppressing boiled over. Clutching the thin bills tightly, she forced herself to walk up to Master Wang and ask, “Master Wang, you said it would be one yuan and five mao. Why is it only seven mao?”
Wang Guihua hadn’t expected that either and spoke up indignantly. “That’s right! The girl didn’t slack off today. You’re bullying her!”
Master Wang offered no explanation. He sneered and waved his hand dismissively. “Take it or leave it. If you don’t want to work, get lost!”
Lin Yuqiu suspected that perhaps it was because of her “class background” that he docked her wages or perhaps some other reason.
She had no way of knowing. All she could do was swallow the grievance.
She knew she wasn’t as quick as Sister Wang, but she had never dared stop. If not one yuan and five mao, she should at least have earned a full yuan.
She swallowed the bitterness in her throat and chose not to argue further. She didn’t want to offend anyone and give them an excuse to use her capitalist background against her sending her to the countryside for labor reform. If that happened, there would be no one left to care for her mother.
Dragging her aching body back to the ward, she hadn’t even sat down to rest.
The door opened again. The duty nurse knocked. “Lin Yuqiu, come out for a moment.”
In the corridor, Lin Yuqiu took out her wrinkled few mao, rehearsing what to say. “Comrade, I only have this much. Could you give me a few more days?”
Before she could speak, the nurse had already looked her up and down coldly. “Your mother’s medical fees have been settled. Our hospital can’t provide further treatment. The higher-ups intend to transfer your mother to the Military General Hospital. It depends on your decision.”
Then she asked mysteriously, “Do you know Regimental Commander Zhou?”
Still stunned by the sudden good news, Lin Yuqiu blinked in confusion. “Which Regimental Commander Zhou?”
The nurse replied through clenched teeth, “Zhou Runqing.”
She slapped the transfer form in front of her. “If you agree, sign here.”
In her mind flashed that cold figure behind the jeep window. Her heart stirred faintly, though she didn’t fully understand. Thinking of her mother’s increasingly gaunt face, she picked up the pen and signed.
When she returned to the ward, she saw the kind soldier who had given her a ride standing at the door.
Surprised, she smiled politely. “Comrade, were you looking for me?”
Xiao Liu walked over with a grin. “Comrade Lin, our regimental commander would like to see you.”
Her heart tightened. She didn’t understand what that man whom she had only met once wanted. Perhaps he had learned of her brother’s identity and offered help because of it?
She followed Xiao Liu downstairs to the parking area, where the military jeep was waiting.
Xiao Liu opened the door and gestured for her to get in.
Lin Yuqiu looked at the man seated in the back.
He wore a crisp Type 58 uniform, his back straight as a pine. He wasn’t wearing his cap today; a few strands of hair fell naturally over his forehead. His jawline was sharp as if carved by a knife. From the moment she appeared, his gaze had remained on her.
The oppressive strength of his presence felt like an invisible net, pressing down until it was hard to breathe.
She didn’t dare raise her head. His gaze lingered, unreadable.
Instinctively, she clenched the hem of her clothes only then realizing she was still wearing the shabby work uniform. She even worried the coal dust might dirty the seat, making her movements awkward and restrained as she sat down.
The door closed. Xiao Liu walked away. The narrow space felt suffocating.
Beside her, the man’s low voice broke the silence. “Your mother’s condition will improve if she’s transferred to the Military General Hospital.”
“I’m truly grateful. Thank you, Regimental Commander Zhou,” she said sincerely, then turned to him in confusion. “But why are you helping us?”
Zhou Runqing turned slightly, his gaze sweeping over her.
She was wearing oversized men’s work clothes, like a child stealing an adult’s garments, making her small frame look even more fragile.
Her once delicate and charming features drooped with exhaustion.
Even from earlier, he had noticed her calves trembling beneath the loose trousers evidence of heavy labor. The slender pale hands resting tensely on her knees were wrapped in white gauze, faint red seeping through.
His eyes lingered on her bandaged hands. Calm and deep, his voice was steady. “I was your eldest brother’s comrade-in-arms.”
Realization dawned on her. It was just as she had guessed. Relief washed over her, gratitude deepening in her eyes.
He reached forward and handed her a paper envelope. “This is your brother’s compensation. Take it. Martyrs’ families receive preferential treatment. The army will cover your mother’s medical expenses. You don’t need to do that kind of heavy work anymore.”
Taking the envelope, her throat tightened painfully. “Then… my brother. His ashes?”
Zhou Runqing lowered his eyes, watching her eyes redden, mist gathering within them.
His voice grew heavier, restrained in a soldier’s way. “He’s buried in the Martyrs’ Cemetery.”
She choked back tears, unable to speak clearly, yet still trying to maintain composure before an outsider. “Thank you, Regimental
Commander Zhou, for your care. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“There is one more matter.”
Her hand paused on the door handle as she turned back in confusion.
His tone was firm, authoritative like that of an elder making a decision. “Before your brother died, he entrusted you to me.”
“I will marry you. You won’t have to go to the countryside, nor do this kind of labor anymore. I’ll be responsible for your mother’s continued treatment. I will also investigate the whereabouts of your father and second brother.”
His handsome face was solemn almost severe in its seriousness.
Her heart thudded violently. She stood frozen, unable to process his words for a long moment.
Zhou Runqing’s cold, sharp features showed no softness. His tone was calm, as if stating a simple fact.
“Your brother once saved me. This is repayment. You need not feel burdened.”
“Think it over. Then give me your answer.”