Yang Dai carried the memories of her original self and had always worked hard to clear up her reputation.
But deep down, she never truly believed the original had committed any grave sins.
At the root, it was all because of poverty.
Because of poverty, every scrap of resource had to be fought for. When someone gained the upper hand, others inevitably fell behind.
Yet regarding the matter with her uncle, Guan Changlin, Yang Dai felt she could not in good conscience defend the original’s actions.
Yang Dai had originally had two uncles. The current one, Guan Changlin, was her younger uncle.
The Guan family were long-time residents of Zhanghe Brigade, making their living from medicine.
The two brothers were only two years apart, but Yang Dai’s maternal grandfather had very different opinions of them.
The elder brother had shown talent in prescriptions and medical knowledge since childhood and had received much attention.
Though Guan Changlin also studied medicine, with such a dazzling older brother above him, he barely stood out at home.
And with Zhanghe Brigade being so small, family rules dictated that only one son needed to carry on the profession of doctor.
Since the elder brother was gifted, it was inevitable he would inherit the trade. Guan Changlin would have to find another path.
Though unwilling, he admitted he couldn’t compete and accepted his father’s arrangement, knowing it was ultimately for his own good.
So at fifteen, Guan Changlin stopped learning medicine and prepared to apprentice in house building.
Back then, apprenticeships were strict, and times were unstable. He studied on and off for three to four years before finally completing his training and preparing to seek work on his own.
But then his elder brother had an accident and died suddenly.
Their father, wanting the family’s medical tradition to continue, could only place his hopes on Guan Changlin to uphold the family name.
Though he had finally put medicine behind him, Guan Changlin agreed without hesitation, burying himself wholeheartedly in the craft.
Knowing he could never match his brother’s talent, he compensated with relentless effort, working harder than anyone else—an early bird struggling to fly.
This was old family history, long before Yang’s mother had married, and long before Yang Dai had even been born.
But as a child, Yang Dai had been cute and dearly loved by her grandfather, so she often visited the Guan household.
Old men liked reminiscing, and naturally those memories included the two brothers.
Thus, from her grandfather’s lips, Yang Dai had often heard comparisons unfavorable to Guan Changlin.
These judgments had nothing to do with her. After all, her uncle’s brother had been dead for many years. Aside from her grandfather, the family rarely mentioned him.
Yet after hearing them, Yang Dai had run straight to Guan Changlin, boldly declaring that he wasn’t as capable.
Once wasn’t enough—she repeated it several times. Guan Changlin, out of respect for his father, endured it.
After all, she was just a child, and the words came from his own father. No matter how much they stung, he had no thought of contradicting him.
But after their father died, Yang Dai still clung to the claim that he lacked ability.
Once, as he was bent over sorting dried herbs, Yang Dai deliberately brought up his deceased brother again, mocking that the herbs he prepared didn’t look very good.
Mocked repeatedly by a junior who gave him no respect, Guan Changlin finally lost his temper.
He strictly forbade Yang Dai from ever coming to the Guan household again.
With their father gone, Guan Changlin was the head of the family. If he didn’t welcome a guest, she had no right to visit.
His sudden outburst had startled Yang Dai. In her eyes, this uncle had always seemed easygoing. Frightened, she swore never to visit again.
Because of her, Yang’s mother also bore the brunt. For years afterward, her brother treated her coldly.
In the countryside, whether a woman had her family’s support mattered greatly.
Because of her daughter, Yang’s mother lost much of her connection to her own family. She had grieved over it and worried. At first, she had repeatedly taken Yang Dai back to apologize.
But Yang Dai wouldn’t listen. After several failed attempts, her mother gave up on forcing her, instead visiting alone again and again, trying to mend the relationship.
As time passed, Yang Dai’s impression of her uncle grew fainter.
Recalling the original’s behavior, Yang Dai could only feel speechless.
“Your uncle isn’t a petty man. These years he ignored you only because you were useless. Now that you’re doing proper work, our family ties can be restored.” Yang’s mother sighed.
Back when it happened, she had regretted it deeply, even considered disciplining her daughter harshly.
But Yang Dai had always been scornful toward what she disdained, arrogant in her attitude.
Yet to those she valued, she could be warm and sweet-tongued.
At the time, knowing she had erred, she worked hard to please her parents. Being already the favored child, she escaped severe punishment.
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll sincerely apologize to Uncle. I’ve been so muddleheaded all these years. From now on, I’ll never repeat such mistakes.” Yang Dai promised earnestly, leaning in to hug her mother.
Her heart ached for her mother. Having such a troublesome daughter meant constant worry—always causing problems and leaving the family to clean up the mess.
Yang Dai stayed for lunch with her mother. When she returned home, Han Lin was lying on the bed, asleep.
“You’re back? I was just about to fetch you.” Han Lin sat up at the sound of her arrival.
“No need. You work hard enough. Rest while you can.” Yang Dai sat beside him, glancing at the newspapers on the table.
“They’re all the latest issues, quite a variety. Read them when you have time. If there’s any paper you want that I didn’t buy, tell me, I’ll bring it after work.” Han Lin spoke casually.
Yang Dai smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. Wanting to reciprocate, she asked about his work.
After all, he had never worked night shifts before.
Han Lin explained simply: he had noticed discrepancies in the steel inventory, kept watch a few days, and discovered theft on site. He reported it to the supervisor and then stayed overnight. In the end, the thief was caught red-handed.
He hadn’t told his father. All his father knew was that he’d suddenly been assigned to night duty.
“Tomorrow I rest. Let’s go to the county together?” Han Lin quickly changed the subject. He remembered their earlier talk about taking photos. Now, with rare free time, he wanted to make it happen.
So the next morning, they rose early, preparing to shop at the department store before their photos.
“Should we check the black market again?” Passing the commune, Yang Dai suddenly asked, recalling before.
“I heard they’ve been cracking down, arrested quite a few people. If you want to trade, I could check the county black market instead.” Han Lin replied.
“Another time, then.” They lacked nothing at home, and with ration tickets, they could buy what they needed. She was only curious about the black market as she had never seen it herself.
Photo-taking was still a luxury. The studio was empty, so they didn’t need to queue.
“You two look great. If your photos were displayed, people would flock here.” The photographer blurted. Seeing their expressions, he quickly backtracked. “Just an old man’s chatter, don’t mind me.”
Yang Dai only smiled, arranging a pick-up time for the prints.
Watching them leave, the photographer shook his head and smacked his own mouth. He reminded himself to stop being nosy.
The studio was state-run now, not his own business. More customers wouldn’t bring him extra pay. And those two, though plainly dressed, carried an air about them—clearly not ordinary people.
Unaware of the impression they had left, Yang Dai was busy shopping at the department store.
Since she intended to visit Uncle Guan Changlin soon, she wanted to prepare gifts. The department store had the county’s most complete selection, so she stocked up.
She lingered over the washing machines and televisions, thinking she should discuss electrification with the brigade leader when she returned.
And she ought to make her second submission. Though she hadn’t found any paid competitions, nurturing her pen name would be useful.
Publishing in the papers could bring her considerable extra benefit.
Once they finished shopping, they prepared to return.
Yang Dai, however, wanted to see Han Lin’s construction site. She had heard it would be a five-story building with electricity and running water—housing many people.
There were already such buildings in the county, but they were family housing, occupied, and she couldn’t just stroll in. She could only view a half-finished project.
But Han Lin discouraged it, promising to bring her once the building was complete.
They weren’t in a hurry to get home.
But before they reached the brigade, a group of children came running.
“Brother Han, sister-in-law, there’s someone waiting at your door!”
“They say he’s a worker from the factory. Wears glasses, looks real fancy.”
The children crowded around the bicycle, chattering the news.