After settling Yaoyao, Wen Yining stood outside the Cheng family gate and took a deep breath of fresh air.
She first went to the local street office, though she wasn’t used to going out, and it took her a while to find the right place.
The clerk looked up at her. “What can I do for you?”
“Hello, comrade. I need to get a letter of introduction to visit the southern border,” Wen Yining said calmly.
The clerk frowned. “Visit whom? What’s your relation?”
“My husband, Cheng Yifeng. He’s a soldier, serving at the southern border.” Wen Yining handed over her marriage certificate and household registration.
Seeing that she was the wife of the Cheng family, requesting to visit the military unit in the south, and that all documents were in order, the clerk didn’t make things difficult and issued her the introduction letter.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the Cheng family had a son in the army. When Cheng Yifeng first joined the military, the street office even sent the family a red flower to commend them.
Later, when people heard that Cheng Yifeng performed well in the army and received promotions, neighbors would always compliment Zhang Xue, saying how lucky she was.
“You’ve been married a while, haven’t you?” the clerk said, glancing through Wen Yining’s documents with a hint of envy. “Cheng Yifeng has been promoted again. Planning to bring you and your child along to enjoy life with him?”
Wen Yining gave an awkward smile and sighed softly. “Not at all. If it were to enjoy life with him, he would have taken my parents-in-law too. I just thought since it’s rare for Yifeng to come home, and my child and I are idle here, I might as well take her to see him.”
The clerk smiled mischievously. “Young couples shouldn’t be apart too long, but you’re really thoughtful for your husband.”
“Well…” Wen Yining fidgeted with her clothes, letting out a sigh as if she was struggling to speak. “Actually, Yifeng just left yesterday. His leave was supposed to be five days, but he stayed less than three, and when he left, he took a woman with him. They seemed pretty close. I was a little worried, so I want to see what’s really going on.”
Not only did the clerk hear this, but the woman at the next desk overheard as well.
The two exchanged a glance. The woman casually leaned over with her tea tray. “Are you sure you saw correctly? Cheng Yifeng doesn’t seem like the type to behave badly. Besides, if he really got involved with another woman, the army wouldn’t have let it slide.”
The clerk added, “Exactly. As a soldier, if he can’t even remain loyal to his marriage, how can he be loyal to the country and the people?”
Wen Yining pressed her fingers together, forcing a small smile. “I’m just worried that Yifeng isn’t thinking about it, but someone else might be.”
“True. Some women can be very forward,” the woman said disdainfully, sipping her tea and spitting out the tea leaves into the tray. “If you take your child to see him, those single women around will know he already has a wife and child, and they won’t make a move anymore.”
“Better to see for yourself. If he’s unfaithful, you won’t have to worry—just take it to the army, and they’ll handle it,” the clerk said, handing Wen Yining the stamped introduction letter. “You’ve spent years serving your in-laws at home, raising his child—this is nothing compared to that.”
Wen Yining carefully put away the introduction letter and ID, nodded shyly, thanked them both, and hurried off.
Once she left, the clerk and the woman immediately turned to gossip with the others inside.
“Did you hear? The Cheng boy is fooling around in the army, and his wife saw it!”
“No way! The army wouldn’t allow that! They require proof for marriage! Who’d dare date him?”
“Where did you hear this rumor? If Cheng Yifeng had bad conduct, he’d already have been disciplined!”
The woman at the next desk chewed on her tea leaves, rolling her eyes. “It’s not a rumor. Cheng’s wife just came for an introduction letter to visit the unit. She said she personally saw him acting close with another female comrade.”
“I can vouch for her—the introduction letter was issued by me!”
“No way…”
“Why not? Men only behave on the day they’re pinned to the wall!”
“Still, he doesn’t look like that kind of man, does he?”
“Hah, who would write ‘I’m a scumbag’ on my face?”
“Looking all proper, yet doing these things…”
“Poor wife and daughter.”
“Didn’t her family sell her to the Chengs? Soon after marrying, her mother jumped into the river and died. Alone, and then married to such a man… really…”
“The Cheng family may look respectable, but they’re all mean!”
“Every family has its struggles. Let’s hope the Chengs don’t make a huge scene and embarrass the street!”
…
Wen Yining left the street office with none of the timid demeanor she had shown earlier.
She glanced back at the office’s gate, a faint smile on her lips.
After getting the introduction letter, she went to the train station and waited in line for nearly an hour before reaching the ticket window. She bought two train tickets to the southern province, scheduled for early morning three days later.
By the time she returned home, it was already afternoon.
Yaoyao seemed to have just woken up, her hair messy, sitting in the yard, still holding a small piece of cake.
Hearing Wen Yining call out, Yaoyao stuffed the cake into her mouth and ran over to open the door.
As soon as it opened, she threw herself into Wen Yining’s arms, clutching her legs tightly. “Mom! You’re finally back!”
Wen Yining gently touched her hair, soft as dry straw, and spoke kindly, “Mom was delayed a bit while shopping. I’m a little late. Were you scared, Yaoyao?”
Yaoyao nodded and mumbled, “I was afraid you wouldn’t come back and would leave me.”
“Of course not! Mom said she’d come back, and I always keep my word.” Wen Yining led her into the yard, squatted in front of her, and pinched her thin little cheeks. “Mom could never abandon such a good child.”
Though she wasn’t the original Wen Yining, she now occupied her body and was Yaoyao’s mother. The original Wen Yining had been weak and timid but had always wanted to protect her daughter, just like her mother had once protected her.
If even she abandoned her child, the two Cheng elders would certainly treat Yaoyao cruelly. She might even be sold before reaching adulthood.
“Are you hungry, Yaoyao?” Wen Yining led her to the kitchen. “Come on, Mom will make you some noodles.”
Yaoyao crouched by the stove, lighting the fire and boiling water. Wen Yining pried open the locked cabinet, taking out two eggs and a bundle of dried noodles.
Soon the noodles were cooked.
Though they didn’t look perfect, they smelled delicious. Once eaten, that was what mattered.
Wen Yining knew her cooking skills weren’t great, so she focused on making something filling, not fancy.
Yaoyao took two bites and frowned. “Mom, why do these noodles taste different from before? Not as good.”
Wen Yining choked slightly on her noodles, coughing to cover her embarrassment.
She didn’t know how to answer Yaoyao—she couldn’t exactly say, I’m not your mother.
After a pause, she took out a small chocolate cake for Yaoyao, awkwardly changing the subject. “Here’s the little cake I promised you today.”