Knock, knock, knock!
Xia Yuge was jolted awake by the pounding on her door.
“Who is it? Hammering away at the door at this hour? Does anyone get to sleep around here?”
She stumbled blearily to her feet, hair sticking up like a bird’s nest, rubbing her bleary eyes, and grumbling her displeasure as she shuffled over to unlatch the bolt.
“It’s me—Gu Nianchen. Are you awake, Yuge? If you are, please open the door. I need to speak with you.”
Gu Nianchen had scarcely slept a wink all night—partly from an empty stomach, and partly from sheer exasperation with his parents, his sister, and his eldest brother’s wife. He had truly believed they meant to help smooth things over; instead, they had driven the situation straight off a cliff. After turning the matter over in his head until dawn, he had come to the unavoidable conclusion: he must apologize to Xia Yuge in person.
After all—he was a soldier. If he could not keep peace within his own household, what hope had he of building a career or earning advancement in the wider world?
At the sound of his voice, Xia Yuge’s grogginess vanished.
Well now. He certainly had stamina. She had half-expected him to show up last night; instead, he had held his ground until morning. There really was something different about a soldier’s resolve.
“Heh. That’s a fine question. As if I could possibly say I’m still asleep?” she retorted, throwing the door open.
Gu Nianchen stood struck speechless for a moment. How was he supposed to answer that?
“—Wait there. Let me get dressed.” She scratched at her wild, unkempt hair, frowning at the dry, brittle strands that looked as though they had never known proper nourishment. How, she wondered, did the original girl ever summon the confidence to wear it long when she went hungry nine days out of ten?
But none of that mattered now. This body was hers to care for, and she would nurse it back to health properly. Her irritation melted away at the thought. She smoothed her hair as best she could, pulled on a patched, faded tunic, and tied it neatly. It was the cusp of autumn—still warm enough that dressing took no time at all.
Five minutes later, she pulled the door fully open.
“Come in.”
“Thank you.”
It was only the second time Gu Nianchen had stepped inside her room since his return. He drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her with a look of profound discomfort.
“Yuge. This is the compensation I promised yesterday. One hundred yuan, plus a ration of vouchers. Please—count them and see that everything is there.”
“Very well.”
She opened the envelope right there. Just as he had said, it contained a stack of crisp, new banknotes—exactly one hundred—along with an assortment of coupons: grain tickets, cloth tickets, and even industrial-supply vouchers.
“Everything appears to be in order. Then hand me the annulment agreement.”
“Yuge… I am truly sorry. I apologize on behalf of my parents and my sister-in-law. I had no idea they would behave so shamefully. Had I known, I would have stopped them before it came to such a pass.”
“It matters little to me what they do,” she replied evenly. “My path is my own. I shall not suffer them to interfere. Now—unless there is something further—you may go. I intend to walk into town and purchase supplies for the journey.”
“Would you like me to accompany you?”
“—No need. I am hardly some sheltered maiden. I can manage the walk to town perfectly well alone.” She refused outright. She was certainly not the meek original girl who needed an escort.
Seeing her firm refusal, Gu Nianchen pressed no further—it had been a tentative offer, after all—and took his leave.
With money and vouchers secure in her pocket, Xia Yuge skipped breakfast and set off for town alone.
Gu Village lay roughly fifteen li from the market—close enough, yet far enough to be a proper journey. She declined the village ox-cart and set out on foot, settling into a steady pace. It took her roughly an hour and a half to arrive.
Though Gu Village stood somewhat remote, Qingshuo Town occupied a fine position—backed by the Blue Camel Mountains, with the Qing River running north to south before it, and countless villages scattered across the surrounding countryside. Yet times were hard, and supplies scarce; villagers rarely came to town unless they had vouchers to spend—money alone bought nothing. The streets were quiet, almost bleak.
Qingshuo Town was small. Xia Yuge asked directions and soon found the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. She would be leaving for the army soon; whatever she might need, she must procure it now.
Unfortunately, this was but a modest township, and the store shelves were sparsely stocked—mostly daily necessities, coarse and fine cloth, and the like. Every single item required a corresponding voucher.
“Comrade—how may I help you?” asked a kindly middle-aged woman behind the counter.
“Do you have any ready-made clothing?” Xia Yuge asked. “I should like two sets.”
She had no choice but to ask—neither she nor the original girl knew how to sew. Even if she bought cloth, she could not wear it.
“I am afraid not, Comrade. We are a small town; we do not stock finished garments. But—if you are truly in need—you might purchase cloth and have someone make them up for you. It would not take long.”
“Truly?” Xia Yuge’s eyes lit up. That would be ideal—bespoke clothing would also cost far less than ready-made garments.
“My sister-in-law lives just behind the cooperative. She is an excellent seamstress. If you wish, I can introduce you.”
“Yes—please, at once!” Xia Yuge said eagerly. “Then—first—cut me one length of fine cotton, and one length of coarse cotton. Make the coarse cotton a little longer; I intend to have a sturdy pack sewn from it—something I can sling over my shoulder for the journey.
And—one pair of cloth shoes, one pair of rubber-soled work shoes, two pairs of dark socks… and a bar of laundry soap…”
She listed every single item she required, one after another.
“Certainly! Coming right up!” The woman piled the goods onto the counter with a smile. “That will be eighteen yuan, twenty-eight fen. And—your vouchers, please.”
“Here you are.” Xia Yuge handed over money and vouchers without hesitation.
The woman glanced at the vouchers, then looked up with new respect. “Comrade—you are a military family member?”
Xia Yuge offered a faint, knowing smile and said nothing. At once, the shopkeeper’s warmth deepened—soldiers were held in the highest regard in this era, and their families were honored equally.
Purchases complete, the shopkeeper led her around to a low cottage behind the cooperative.
“Sister-in-Law!” she called out. “This military family member needs two sets of clothing made up. Take her measurements, and please—work quickly. She is in haste.”
“Right away!” The seamstress smiled and gestured her inside. “Two sets are nothing at all—an hour at most.”
And so Xia Yuge waited. She did not wait idly, however—she looked about the humble room and struck up easy conversation. The seamstress was not only skilled with her hands but also remarkably talkative. Before long, Xia Yuge learned something fascinating: Qingshuo Town had a black market.
Prices there were higher, yes—but goods changed hands without requiring vouchers. And the selection was vast. With luck, one might even find rare curios and goods brought upriver from distant cities.
Xia Yuge’s interest quickened instantly. Since she was already here, she would certainly go and see what it was like. Who knew what treasures she might chance upon?
True to her word, the seamstress finished both sets of clothing within the hour, and fashioned the remaining length of coarse cotton into a sturdy shoulder pack exactly as Xia Yuge had described. Xia Yuge paid her, stowed everything inside the new pack, and asked precisely where the black market lay. Then she set off at a brisk pace toward town.