Returning to the dining room, Luo Meiyun and Yang Zheng were still eating when Qiaoqiao eagerly handed the books over. “Ge, Zhou Wenhui has so many books! I borrowed two for you.”
Yang Zheng furrowed his brows slightly. What time is it, and you’re still worrying about borrowing books for your brother?
Luo Meiyun chuckled. “Qiaoqiao, none of us even dare to touch Wenhui’s books. The fact that you managed to borrow them—that’s wonderful, a great start.”
“I…”
Qiaoqiao hadn’t thought that deeply about it at all. In the countryside, besides her brother’s school textbooks, she had never laid eyes on any extracurricular reading material. With her brother entering the machinery plant, these books were bound to come in handy.
Luo Meiyun looked over at Yang Zheng. “Yang Zheng, once you get to your unit, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Work hard and don’t just stop at being an ordinary worker. Once you have enough experience, you can become a team leader, a workshop director, or even a factory manager.”
“Auntie, I don’t have that kind of capability,” Yang Zheng blushed and said.
“Child, you aren’t just Qiaoqiao’s backing—you’re Wenhui’s backing, too. Just focus on doing a good job. With your uncle in his position, he’ll be able to help you along to some extent,” Luo Meiyun encouraged him.
“Thank you, Auntie. This opportunity means everything to me; I’ll cherish it.”
“Actually, Wenhui understands machinery quite well, too… but, sigh, never mind. Let’s not talk about it.”
Looking at the high-spirited Yang Zheng, Luo Meiyun couldn’t help but think of Zhou Wenhui. Her son, too, had once been full of boundless ambition and vitality.
That evening, Zhou Zhonghai returned dead drunk and had to be carried inside. Zhou Wenhui slept in the study, Yang Zheng slept in the guest room, and Qiaoqiao had the bridal chamber all to herself.
After washing up and shedding her heavy wedding attire, Qiaoqiao tossed and turned on the wedding bed with a profound sense of relief.
What a massive bed! What wonderfully soft quilts! What a warm, sweet-smelling nest!
Ever since the marriage had first been proposed, Qiaoqiao had been plagued by a knot of anxiety. But the moment she laid eyes on Zhou Wenhui, she knew instantly: pride was carved deep into his very bones, and he would never truly take a fancy to a country girl.
At that exact moment, Qiaoqiao’s heart had unburdened itself. Since there was no affection, she would simply treat him like an older brother. Without romantic expectations, there was no disappointment; sleeping alone turned out to be far more comfortable.
That night, she shed every bit of her nervousness and slept deeply and sweetly.
Early the next morning, Qiaoqiao was startled awake by the wake-up broadcast horn blaring across the military dependents’ compound.
On her very first day as a daughter-in-law in this household, she certainly couldn’t afford to sleep in. Hastily dressing, she jumped out of bed.
In the kitchen, Luo Meiyun was already up. Seeing Qiaoqiao, she smiled warmly. “It’s only five-thirty. You didn’t need to get up so early.”
“Mom, I’ll help you make breakfast.”
“That’s fine too. We usually burn coal here; I’ll teach you how to light the stove.”
Luo Meiyun carried the coal stove out to the kitchen’s side courtyard. Tucking a handful of small kindling wood inside with a layer of crumpled newspaper at the bottom, she struck a match, and bright flames licked upward.
“It’s pretty much like burning firewood back in your hometown. Once the wood is burning strong, you add the coal. For the first time, you only put in one piece. Once it burns right through, you add the second piece, then the third.”
Qiaoqiao nodded. “Let me try.”
As the wooden blocks turned into glowing embers, Qiaoqiao dropped in the first piece of coal.
“Right, yes, just like that. Qiaoqiao is so smart.”
Qiaoqiao blushed. Was something this simple really worth praising?
Following instructions, she added the second and third pieces of coal, and Luo Meiyun hoisted a kettle of water onto the stove.
“Once the water heats up, you’ll have hot water to wash your face and brush your teeth. Normally, you just adjust the air vent so the fire won’t go out. Your dad got too drunk last night, so I completely forgot to set it,” Luo Meiyun explained with a smile.
“Mom, what are we having for breakfast? I’ll make it.”
“Oh, no need to cook. Xiao Liu will bring breakfast over shortly. Qiaoqiao, the dependents’ compound has a mess hall, and we have meal tickets. There’s always prepared food available there.”
“No cooking? Then… what am I supposed to do all day?”
If she didn’t even cook, would she go mad from sheer boredom?
“If you ever want to make a home-cooked meal, there’s a supply and marketing cooperative outside the compound where you can buy vegetables, rice, and cooking oil. Here, Qiaoqiao, there’s money, meal tickets, and meat coupons in the desk drawer in the living room. Buy whatever you feel like eating.”
Luo Meiyun opened the desk drawer, revealing loose change and various ration tickets scattered inside.
“Qiaoqiao, from now on, Wenhui’s salary will be handed over to you to manage our daily meals. Cook whenever you feel like it, or have the mess hall send food over if you don’t. Just hand the meal tickets to Xiao Liu when he delivers it.”
“I can cook! But shouldn’t Dad and you come home to eat, too?” Qiaoqiao asked quickly.
Luo Meiyun offered a gentle, affectionate smile. “Qiaoqiao, Mom knew right away that you’re a sensible, capable housekeeper. It’s just that your father and I have to go to work at the military headquarters; sometimes we won’t be home for three or six months at a stretch. Normally, Xiao Liu is the one who looks after Wenhui.”
“You won’t be living here?”
“The military headquarters is our larger family; this place is our small home. The border isn’t entirely peaceful—the troops need training, Wenhui’s father has to lead his men, and I have my own work to handle. Qiaoqiao, Wenhui is in your hands now.” Luo Meiyun looked at her with motherly fondness.
So that was how it was. Even the bold, dashing Division Commander Zhou and Director Luo had to bow to circumstances beyond their control.
“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Wenhui,” Qiaoqiao promised solemnly.
The water had heated up. Luo Meiyun poured half a basin of hot water and said, “Qiaoqiao, go wash up first, then come with me to wake Wenhui.”
“Should I… go wash him first?”
“It’s fine, he wakes up later.”
Luo Meiyun picked up the washbasin. Outside, a simple twist of the outdoor water tap produced a steady stream of cold water.
After finishing her own wash, Qiaoqiao poured another basin of hot water and followed Luo Meiyun to the study.
“Wenhui, are you awake?” Luo Meiyun asked softly as she pulled back the bedcovers.
Standing right behind her, Qiaoqiao caught her first clear sight of Zhou Wenhui’s amputated legs.
Though she had mentally prepared herself, the reality still came as a shock. Across his pale thighs ran thick, angry scars, winding like earthworms.
The slender, fragile-looking Luo Meiyun lifted Zhou Wenhui into her arms and maneuvered him onto a commode chair. With a frown, Zhou Wenhui muttered, “Get her out of here.”
Qiaoqiao stepped backward, her face flushing red, and hurried out the door.
A short while later, Luo Meiyun called out, “Qiaoqiao, you can come in now.”
When she re-entered, the chamber pot was covered with its lid. Luo Meiyun instructed, “Qiaoqiao, would you mind taking this to the latrine and emptying it?”
Qiaoqiao picked up the chamber pot and headed out.
In the living room, she happened to run into Yang Zheng. Exchanging a single glance, Yang Zheng snatched the chamber pot out of her hands and marched straight to the toilet.
After emptying and washing the container clean, Yang Zheng handed it back to Qiaoqiao. Brother and sister didn’t exchange a word, but a deep, unutterable bitterness hung heavy in their eyes.
When Qiaoqiao stepped back into the study, Zhou Wenhui had already dressed and seated himself in his wheelchair. Luo Meiyun instructed, “Qiaoqiao, push Wenhui to the dining room. Breakfast is about to be served.”
“Okay.” Keeping her head down, Qiaoqiao wheeled him out while Luo Meiyun stayed behind to tidy up the study.
Xiao Liu arrived with breakfast: a large bucket of millet porridge, along with steamed buns, steamed twisted rolls, and fried dough sticks.
“Yang Zheng, Qiaoqiao, hello!” Xiao Liu greeted them cheerfully.
“You know us?” Qiaoqiao asked, puzzled.
“Even though this is our first time meeting face-to-face, I’ve known all about you for a while. Aunt Fang is my mother, after all.”
“Wait, you’re Aunt Fang’s son?”
“That’s right! I actually wanted to head back to the village yesterday, but Wenhui couldn’t be left without someone to attend to him…”
Realizing how that sounded, he quickly corrected himself. “I’m Liu Songming. I’m two years older than you both, so strictly speaking, you should call me older brother.”
“Songming-ge.”
“If you ever need anything in the future, just call the logistics department and ask for me directly.”
“Got it, thank you, Songming-ge.”
“Eat while it’s hot! I’ll bring lunch over at noon.”
Before leaving, Liu Songming grinned at Zhou Wenhui. “Wenhui, you lucky dog. Qiaoqiao was the belle of our production brigade!”
With a dark expression, Zhou Wenhui sat as still as a statue.
“You guys go ahead and eat, I’m off!” Liu Songming waved goodbye and left.
Returning to the table, Qiaoqiao nervously asked Zhou Wenhui, “What—what would you like to eat?”
“Millet porridge and a fried dough stick.”
Qiaoqiao hurriedly scooped a bowl of millet porridge and handed him a dough stick.
Without any pleasantries or hesitation, Zhou Wenhui began eating in large, indifferent bites.
Since Luo Meiyun and Zhou Zhonghai hadn’t taken their seats yet, Qiaoqiao and Yang Zheng held back, waiting awkwardly.
In just two or three bites, Zhou Wenhui finished his meal, completely ignoring everyone as he turned his wheelchair and wheeled himself back to his room.
Qiaoqiao quickly stood up. “I’ll push you back.”
Watching his sister push her new husband away, Yang Zheng felt an overwhelming urge to roar in frustration. He didn’t want to go to the machinery plant anymore; he wanted to take his sister back home.
Their family was poor, but at least at home, Qiaoqiao could laugh freely and act spoiled as she pleased.
This unequal marriage was like a prison cage, trapping his sister inside.
From the moment they stepped through the door, Zhou Wenhui hadn’t even deigned to look his sister in the eye—how was she supposed to endure the days ahead?
Just then, Luo Meiyun and Zhou Zhonghai walked over. Seeing that Yang Zheng hadn’t touched his breakfast, they urged, “Yang Zheng, go ahead and eat. You don’t need to wait for us.”
Noticing the grim look on Yang Zheng’s face, Luo Meiyun hastily opened a thermal bucket and poured him some porridge. “Eat up, Yang Zheng. Try the fried dough sticks—the ones from our mess hall are delicious.”
Feeling entirely out of place, Yang Zheng took the dough stick and took a small bite, his mouth full of sorrow and bitterness.
“Once you finish eating, I’ll go with you to the machinery plant.”
Zhou Zhonghai slurped his congee and bit into a steamed bun with heavy heart, tasting the very same sorrow and bitterness.
Luo Meiyun had prepared a bar of soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a mess tin for Yang Zheng.
She also packed some biscuits, repeatedly叮嘱 (advising him): “If you need anything, tell your uncle. And come over to visit when you have time off, Yang Zheng.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Qiaoqiao walked Yang Zheng out to the car and thrust the sixty-yuan “address-change gift” money that Zhou Zhonghai and Luo Meiyun had given her into her brother’s hands. “Take it. Don’t skimp on food.”
“No, the factory provides meal tickets.”
“You’re going to be out on your own; you need to keep some cash on hand.”
Stubbornly, Qiaoqiao pushed the money back at her brother, but Yang Zheng stubbornly refused it.
“Ge, do you look down on your sister, too?”
On the verge of tears, Qiaoqiao finally forced Yang Zheng to accept the money. He patted her head. “Qiao-mei, Ge has failed you.”
“Don’t say that. Get in the car, and take good care of yourself.”
“I’ll come visit you as soon as I get leave.”
“Mm-hmm, get in.”
Swallowing hard to force down her tears, Qiaoqiao smiled and waved goodbye.
Swallowing hard to force down his own tears, Yang Zheng smiled and waved back.
The car started up and pulled away, the distance growing wider and wider. Standing rooted to the spot, Qiaoqiao watched it go. From this moment on, she was entirely alone here.
Loneliness, fear, and sorrow rushed over her all at once. She felt like an abandoned, lonely goose.
“Qiaoqiao, come inside.”
Standing at the front door, Luo Meiyun called out. Understanding what Qiaoqiao was feeling, she sought to help her through each hurdle in her own way.
Sure enough, Qiaoqiao turned around, wiped away her tears, and hurried back home.
“Qiaoqiao, let’s go pack up your dowry items,” Luo Meiyun said with a comforting smile, pulling her close.
“Okay.”
“Spring is here, so we won’t be needing the heavy cotton quilts for a while. Let’s clear out a cabinet and store them away,” Luo Meiyun suggested.
“Alright.”
Keeping busy was the best cure for sorrow.
Luo Meiyun accompanied Qiaoqiao as she unpacked her dowry. Picking up a pair of pillowcases, she asked admiringly, “Qiaoqiao, who embroidered these? They’re gorgeous.”
A sweet smile touched Qiaoqiao’s face. “My mother and grandmother embroidered them.”
“I never would have guessed there were still people with such exquisite craftsmanship around.” Luo Meiyun praised them repeatedly.
“It’s a pity my mother and grandmother’s eyesight isn’t very good anymore, so they can’t do too much intricate work.”
“The country is developing fast. In just a few years, electricity will reach the rural areas, too. Those kerosene lamps are terrible on the eyes.”
“Mom, do you think people in the countryside will ever be able to eat their fill in the future?”
Luo Meiyun paused for a moment before smiling. “Of course they will. The progress of an era takes time. Our country has faced internal and external troubles, but it’s finally starting to turn a corner. I believe that in the near future, the nation will grow prosperous.”
“That’s what my brother says, too.”
“Your brother is a man of great vision.”
Chatting pleasantly as they folded the cotton bedding, a thick stack of banknotes suddenly slipped out from the folds and tumbled to the floor.
“Qiaoqiao, what’s this?” Surprised, Qiaoqiao picked them up and counted—it was exactly five hundred yuan.
Tears poured down her face. While she had hidden her own five hundred yuan under her grandmother’s pillow, her parents had quietly tucked theirs away inside her quilt rolls.
The harder she tried to hold back, the more heartbroken she felt. Luo Meiyun didn’t interrupt her, allowing her to cry it out fully.
After a long while, Luo Meiyun gently patted Qiaoqiao’s shoulder. “Qiaoqiao, you should be happy to have such wonderful family members. Put the money away; next time you go home, we’ll buy some urgently needed supplies to take back with them.”
Stifling her sobs, Qiaoqiao choked out, “My parents… they’re cutting right into my heart with a knife. They couldn’t even afford grandma’s medicine…”
“Trust Mom, Qiaoqiao. Everything is going to get better and better.” Luo Meiyun couldn’t help feeling a wave of heartache herself.
In the back seat of the jeep, Zhou Zhonghai and Yang Zheng sat side by side in silence.
“Yang Zheng, you and I are feeling the exact same thing right now. Except she is your sister, and he is my son.”
Away from home and finally dropping his facade, Zhou Zhonghai looked utterly exhausted.
He was a soldier, but he was also a father—just like any other dad, earnestly plotting and worrying over his children’s futures.
“At the front lines, I never feared death. But coming home, I’m terrified to look at Wenhui. As a soldier, he did his duty for the country; as a father, I thank heaven he survived. Yang Zheng, life doesn’t always give us simple choices. We carry far too many impossible dilemmas.
“Take yourself, for instance—you desperately wanted a chance of your own, yet your heart is heavy with guilt over how you got it. When we don’t know which path is right or wrong, let time be the proof.”
Zhou Zhonghai’s words echoed the exact turmoil in Yang Zheng’s heart.
He carried a profound sense of indebtedness; his job wasn’t earned through his own independent effort, but traded away for his sister’s happiness.
“I know my son. He is proud, wrapping himself in cold indifference to protect the last shred of his dignity—even with his mother and me, he speaks with agonizing caution.
“Time. Time will teach him that there are far more precious things in this world than a pair of legs. Yang Zheng, don’t worry about your sister. She will definitely be the one to help Wenhui let go of his inner demons.”
Zhou Zhonghai patted Yang Zheng’s hand and let out a heavy sigh.
“Don’t carry such a heavy burden either. Go make something of yourself in your field, and you won’t owe anyone a thing.” Zhou Zhonghai patiently comforted the young man.
“Uncle, thank you. I’ll work hard.”
“You’re both good kids…”
“Uncle, is there any way Wenhui could be fitted with prosthetic limbs?” Yang Zheng suddenly asked.
“Shanghai developed its first electrically powered prosthesis last year, but it’s still in the trial phase. Wenhui isn’t the only soldier who lost his legs; even if the experiments succeed, priority has to go to the older veterans. Maybe three years, maybe ten—but I believe the day will come when Wenhui can walk freely again.”
A bold idea suddenly sparked in Yang Zheng’s mind. If possible, he wanted to design and build a set of prosthetic limbs for Zhou Wenhui.
Rather than sinking away in despair, one might as well fight to overcome it.
As long as Zhou Wenhui could walk and handle basic tasks, his life would regain its color and purpose.
Yang Zheng was a man; whining and crying wouldn’t solve a single problem.