WRS – Chapter 63

Over the next few days, Jin Xiuzhu stayed home to accompany the children. Liuliu was still very young; it was the first time she had gone so long without seeing her mother, and now she couldn’t let go for even a moment. Jiang Mingchuan told her that during the first two days she was gone, Liuliu would cry nonstop at night if she didn’t see her. She cried until she was exhausted before falling asleep, and cried again as soon as she woke up in the morning.

Hearing this made Jin Xiuzhu’s heart ache. She had always thought her child was obedient, so she assumed being away for a few days wouldn’t be a problem. She hadn’t expected the child to rely on her far more than she imagined. She felt both distressed and guilty, so during these days she handled everything related to the children personally.

Perhaps realizing that her mother wasn’t leaving again, Liuliu brightened up after two days and started smiling all day long.

Instead, it was Fanfan who became a bit unsettled. He had gotten used to having his little sister at home the past few days—opening his eyes in the morning and seeing her right there. Now he couldn’t see her and began missing her again, babbling “ah-ah” nonstop. At first, Fang Min didn’t understand what he wanted. When she finally realized the child was looking for his sister, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Holding the child, she told Jin Xiuzhu:

“When they’re together, they fight. When they’re apart, they make a fuss looking for each other. You really can’t do anything about them.”

The moment Fanfan saw his sister, he began babbling excitedly. When Jin Xiuzhu came back, she found that the living room had been sectioned off into a little area. On it were a woven grass mat and an old blanket—clearly something the two children had come up with for the baby to lie on and play.

Even though it was warmer now, lying on the floor for too long still risked catching a chill. So once she returned, Jin Xiuzhu placed two small quilts on top. The quilts she had made earlier had never been used—the baby had always slept with her since birth.

The little quilts were soft and thick, warm to lie on. But once Fanfan lay down next to his sister, it only took a moment before the two started quarreling again, babbling and shrieking, though no one knew what they were arguing about—only that neither would yield.

Fang Min watched, amused, telling her son not to bully his sister. Whether he understood or not was impossible to know—he simply stuffed his little hand into his mouth.

Jin Xiuzhu asked whether anything had happened in the unit during the days she’d been gone. Even though it had only been a few days, she felt like a lot had changed.

Fang Min shook her head. “I’ve been home every day, so I don’t really know. But I heard from the commissar that two battalion commanders are retiring this year.”

“Retiring?”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t understand much about these things. “Does that mean they’ll go back to their hometowns to work?”

“Something like that. I’m not too sure either. But their rank is high, so their reassignment shouldn’t be bad.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “Mingchuan still has several years before retirement. Who knows what things will be like then.”

Fang Min comforted her. “The commissar said Captain Jiang is outstanding. He’ll likely stay.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “I don’t mind either way. As long as our family stays safe and sound.”

Fang Min agreed. Ever since having children, she too only wished for peace and for the whole family to stay together. That was better than anything.

Jin Xiuzhu had not expected that one of the battalion commanders retiring would be Wu Erzhu. Wu Erzhu’s hometown wasn’t here, so by regulation he should return home after reassignment. But the relocation of a soldier also depended on his wife’s household registration.

Qian Yufeng’s registration was originally in a rural village, but because Wang Ling had arranged a job for her at the city textile mill, her registration had since been moved into the county. There was even a small story behind this.

When Wang Ling arranged the job for her, she said that a county household registration was necessary—otherwise, if anyone checked, it could cause trouble. But for the moment, she could temporarily use a residence permit. Within a year, she must obtain a county household registration. As for how to get that household registration, Wang Ling suggested they buy an old house in the outskirts of the county. Unlike the city, the county wasn’t as strict, and houses out there were cheap—just a few dozen yuan.

Qian Yufeng originally thought her husband and mother-in-law would refuse. Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law immediately said she would pay for it. The very next day, she took Qian Yufeng to the county outskirts, looked at houses, chose the cheapest and most dilapidated mud-brick one, went to the local office to check the requirements, inquired how to buy it, bought it, and transferred the household registration. The entire process took several months.

Now the whole family was immensely grateful for that decision. Not only did Qian Yufeng have a job, but with her household registration in the county, Wu Erzhu would be able to stay there after retiring. That was far better than returning to a rural production brigade—or even worse, living with her natal family’s production brigade. His new job would also be much better.

By contrast, the other retiring battalion commander was not so lucky. His wife wasn’t local, and both were from rural villages; his reassignment could only take him back to their production brigade.

Thinking of this made Qian Yufeng even more grateful to Jin Xiuzhu. She arrived with a basket of good things. She told Jin Xiuzhu:

“If you hadn’t helped me find a good job back then, I would never have been able to transfer my household registration to the county. Then our whole family would’ve had to return to my parents’ production brigade. You know what my family is like—there would’ve been endless arguing. Now everything is good. My mother-in-law said she wants to tear down the old house in the county outskirts and build a new, bigger one. Then we’ll move there.”

Because she was local and had a city job, the process of buying a house in the county outskirts was smooth. Anyone else wouldn’t have been as lucky.

She lowered her voice. “She said she’ll pay for the new house as well. She secretly saved her entire life. If we don’t use it now, there won’t be many chances later. And I’m not spending my own money—the money I earn is for my two children. I’m not giving it to anyone. Who told Erzhu’s salary to always be divided with his eldest brother’s family? If we didn’t do that, would my mother-in-law have needed to spend her own money?”

Qian Yufeng didn’t think her mother-in-law had much money—this was probably everything she had saved for her funeral. Thinking about it made her angry.

“During the New Year, his eldest brother’s wife even came over with their two kids, bringing some vegetables and eggs from their home. I wasn’t home at the time—Daya told me they looked pitiful. Sigh, I don’t know what to say. Sure, they’re pitiful, but what about me? Are my kids not pitiful? My kids could’ve lived as well as Xiaoyan and Yanyan, but because we had to help them, they could only watch others eat well while they ate poorly.”

Jin Xiuzhu comforted her. “Things are getting better now. But every family has its own hardships. You envy others, but they might secretly envy you too.”

Qian Yufeng nodded. “I know. I used to care about these things, but now that I can earn money myself, I can’t be bothered. Things are better lately—we’re spending a lot to build the new house, so there’s no spare money for the old home.”

“That’s good.”

Qian Yufeng added, “I spoke with Sister-in-law Wang, asked if I could return to the county. The kids will go to school there later, and commuting back and forth every day is tiring. It’s better for the whole family to stay together.”

“What did Sister-in-law Wang say?”

“She agreed. She said she’ll arrange it for me in a while.”

Jin Xiuzhu was genuinely happy for her. “That’s wonderful.”

“Yes.”

Qian Yufeng looked at Jin Xiuzhu with deep gratitude. “If it weren’t for you helping me get this job, I’d still be worrying myself sick. These things are for you—take them. Captain Jiang is capable; he’ll only rise higher. Who knows how long we’ll still be neighbors, so don’t be polite with me.”

“Alright, then I’ll accept them.”

She unpacked the basket onto the table: a bag of eggs, two cleaned hens, fresh mushrooms, and dried sausages and cured meat.

“Stir-fry the mushrooms tonight, and stew the chicken soon. These are all to replenish your body. Women lose a lot of vitality after childbirth—chicken soup is the best. I had the kitchen staff help me buy them. Drink more yourself.”

Warmth filled Jin Xiuzhu’s heart. She walked her guest to the door and said:

“When will you start building the house? I’ll have Mingchuan help.”

Qian Yufeng waved her hands quickly. “No need, no need. We already found people.”

She lowered her voice again. “We hired villagers nearby to build it secretly at night, and we’ll pay them.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “That’s good.”

“Right?”

Qian Yufeng walked off happily.

In September, Wu Erzhu officially retired. Along with him, a few others did as well. A farewell ceremony was held in the auditorium, and Jin Xiuzhu brought the children to watch.

Since it was the weekend, Qian Yufeng didn’t have to work at the cafeteria.

After the ceremony, their whole family began packing up, preparing to move. Most things were already moved beforehand—today they planned to take the last of it.

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan went to help. It was Jin Xiuzhu’s first time seeing Qian Yufeng’s new home. According to Qian Yufeng’s description, the original old house had been an abandoned thatched hut in the production brigade. The mud walls had cracked, and it used to be lived in by an elderly person. After the old man was taken in by his son, the house had been left empty.

Now they had rebuilt it. Qian Yufeng said her mother-in-law insisted on constructing only two rooms—not too big—and enclosing a small yard. Enough for the family. They were new to the area; if the house was built too well, it would attract jealousy.

Qian Yufeng had wanted a large house where everyone had a spacious room.

Jin Xiuzhu advised her to listen to her mother-in-law. With both husband and wife working respectable jobs, building a fancy house would definitely attract unwanted attention.

Qian Yufeng valued her opinion and didn’t argue further.

Even so, compared to the surrounding homes, their house was still much better—blue bricks and black tiles, though a bit small. One building faced south, one east. The south-facing one was bigger, with rooms on both sides and a kitchen in the back. The east-facing one had only two small rooms, where Wu’s mother and Daya stayed.

There was even a well in the yard, so they could draw their own water.

The house resembled the old house they lived in on the base. Back then, she had wanted to move into the apartment building badly. But once she moved, she complained daily that the old house had actually been better.

All the furniture in the house was old; they even brought over a stool with a missing leg. Jin Xiuzhu handed Liuliu to Yanyan, then helped Qian Yufeng tidy up.

Da Ya carried a wooden bucket to fetch water.

As Qian Yufeng arranged everything neatly and wiped the surfaces, she said to Jin Xiuzhu, “A while ago some of the nearby sisters-in-law came by to chat. Between the lines they were trying to probe into my family’s situation. I told them we were poor, that all the money my man earned used to be sent back to his hometown to support his eldest uncle’s family. The money to build this house came from the subsidy he got when he retired from the army, and that’s all used up now. After that, they stopped asking and even said I was foolish for using our money to support someone else…”

She covered her mouth and laughed. “My mother-in-law heard it and her face didn’t look too good, but she didn’t dare say anything.”

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help laughing as well. “That’s good. Saves others from getting jealous.”

Qian Yufeng nodded. “I’ve discussed it with Zhuzi. We’ll stay here for now, start saving money properly, and eventually buy a house in the county town. He also said he’ll give me half of his salary from now on so I can save it all.”

Jin Xiuzhu congratulated her with a smile and casually said, “Who knows, maybe one day the county won’t be good enough for you, and you’ll buy a place in the city.”

Qian Yufeng laughed, “That’s actually possible.”

Neither of them expected that a casual joke would really come true years later. But by then, it would be difficult for them to meet again. When Qian Yufeng was paying the deposit for her new home, she suddenly remembered their conversation from long ago, and emotions surged in her heart. There was also a faint sadness — some moments could never be returned to.

Five years later.

In September 1977, news spread nationwide that the college entrance examination would be reinstated.

As soon as the news came out, the entire country was in an uproar. He Yan ran home after school, excitedly shouting to Jin Xiuzhu, “Mom, Mom—! The college entrance exam is back! We can all go to university now!”

Jin Xiuzhu was tidying up and asked curiously, “What’s coming back?”

He Yan grabbed the cup on the table and drank in big gulps. Following behind him, Fu Yanyan entered holding little Liuliu’s hand and said, “The college entrance exam is back. Now everyone can get into university by taking it.”

Jin Xiuzhu was stunned. “Really?”

He Yan put the cup down and nodded vigorously, grinning wide. “I’m going to apply for a military academy! I want to become a soldier like Dad.”

Hearing this, Fu Yanyan glanced at him but didn’t say anything.

Little Liuliu, standing beside her, asked curiously, “Sister, what do you want to do in the future?”

Fu Yanyan shook her head. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Liuliu said with admiration, “Then Liuliu hasn’t decided either.”

Yanyan’s heart softened; she reached out and patted her little head.

He Yan heard this and complained sourly, “In your eyes, only your sister matters.”

He couldn’t understand why — even though he was the one who took care of her the most when she was little, Liuliu favored Yanyan. Whatever her sister said or did was always right; she was like a tiny shadow following her everywhere.

Liuliu immediately said, “Sister is the best, Mom is second, you and Dad are third.”

He Yan was speechless. “Well, thank you so much.”

Liuliu proudly shook her two little braids. “You’re welcome.”

Jin Xiuzhu found it amusing and told them to hurry and wash their hands — she had bought oranges today.

When Jiang Mingchuan returned, it was already past nine in the evening. Today was a retirement farewell party for one of his comrades, so he didn’t come home for dinner. A few of them went to the state-run restaurant in the county, and they even invited Wu Erzhui along.

Wu Erzhui was now working at the county police station. With both husband and wife employed, their household conditions had greatly improved. Da Ya studied diligently — because she started school late, she always felt embarrassed and ended up skipping several grades in a row, even surpassing He Yan. She was now in her second year of high school.

As for Wu Xiaojun, he dropped out after finishing junior high and was currently working as a temporary worker at the county textile factory. In two years, he planned to enlist.

After Jiang Mingchuan came home, he called the three children over and said, “Tomorrow you need to get up early. We’re leaving at eight in the morning. The tickets are already bought. We won’t return to the capital — we’ll first visit your aunt and then go directly to G Province.”

Bai Jingzhi’s household registration was in S City. After graduating, she was assigned to work at the city’s newspaper office, now responsible for editing and publishing.

After she graduated, Jiang Mingchuan gave her the house that their mother left behind. It happened to be close to her workplace. He even bought her a bicycle so she could commute easily.

When the children heard they were leaving early the next morning, they felt reluctant. They had lived here for many years — it felt like home, with relatives and friends. Leaving so suddenly made them sad.

He Yan’s eyes immediately turned red. “I haven’t properly said goodbye to Wei Ningqing and Yang Yingxiong yet.”

Jin Xiuzhu stroked his head. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. You’ll see them again soon. I heard Wei Ningqing’s parents are returning soon, so he’ll probably be leaving too. And Yang Yingxiong — his father also retired today and will go back to their hometown.”

He Yan quickly wiped his eyes, a little embarrassed. He said stiffly, “I wasn’t crying.”

He wasn’t a child anymore — he wouldn’t cry so easily.

Liuliu tiptoed close to her sister’s ear and whispered, “Sister, don’t be sad. You still have me.”

Fu Yanyan shook her head. “I’m not sad. It’s not like we won’t see them again. Parting is normal. When we grow up, we’ll separate too.”

Liuliu puffed up her cheeks. “No way. I want to be with Sister forever. Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

Yanyan couldn’t help laughing — how could anyone always stay together forever?

The next morning, the family headed out with large and small bags. Their neighbors, Fang Min’s family, came to see them off. Fang Min held Jin Xiuzhu’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go, her eyes red.

Zhu Fan patted Liuliu’s head and sighed like a little adult, “You won’t see Big Brother anymore. Remember to listen to your parents and siblings. And if anyone bullies you, tell me and I’ll come protect you.”

Liuliu was also reluctant to part from Fanfan. “Fanfan, don’t be naughty anymore. I won’t be here to take the blame for you.”

“You can’t oversleep anymore either, or you’ll be late and no one will ask for leave on your behalf.”

“Fanfan, don’t sleep in class anymore…”

The two of them talked over each other like two little hens.

Zhang Qiulai, who had been helping out at Fang Min’s house, patted both children’s heads. She had watched both kids grow up and fed them every day. She would miss either of them terribly — her eyes were already red.

Wei Ningqing and Yang Yingxiong came to see He Yan off. The three boys walked together with arms around each other’s shoulders — Wei Ningqing handsome and refined, He Yan bright and sunny, Yang Yingxiong quiet and reserved. They had once walked together, clueless and young, through snow and mud to the elementary school in the production team, ran through the fields laughing, and grew up year by year. Now they had to part.

Even though they were sad, none of them cried. Instead, they smiled and agreed that three years later they would all take the college entrance exam and meet again at university.

Zhou Lili also ran over to see Fu Yanyan. She pulled out her favorite pair of hairpins from her pocket and handed them to her solemnly. “Yanyan, do you remember these hairpins? My aunt gave them to me. I like them so much. I’m giving them to you — don’t forget me.”

Fu Yanyan recognized them. She had seen them when she visited Zhou Lili’s home. Zhou Lili had even teased her about liking them.

Zhou Lili had been unwilling and said she’d give her the second-best handkerchief instead. In Yanyan’s eyes, the hairpins weren’t that pretty — thin iron wire twisted into butterfly shapes, strung with colorful beads.

But Zhou Lili loved them — enough to give them away now.

Yanyan looked at the two hairpins in her hand, and emotions she hadn’t expected surged up, bittersweet and warm.

She turned to look at Zhou Lili. The little girl met her gaze with a bright smile, though her eyes were red — clearly she had cried earlier.

Yanyan pursed her lips and looked past Zhou Lili at the familiar buildings behind her. This place had been home to her for two lifetimes. In her past life, Jin Xiuzhu had dragged her away in disgrace — she had thought of this place as the root of her pain. Now, leaving again, she unexpectedly felt reluctance and nostalgia.

She suddenly realized that this place didn’t give her only pain — there were many warm memories here too. Those good memories slowly washed away the ugliness of her past life.

She took the hairpins and suddenly smiled. “Study hard. After we finish the exams, I’m taking you to the capital.”

Zhou Lili’s eyes lit up. “Okay!”

She had thought Yanyan had forgotten. Her mother always said promises made by children didn’t count. But now Yanyan was saying it again — so it must be real.

Fang Min’s family accompanied the five of them onto the boat. After waving goodbye, the boat reached the county dock, where Qian Yufeng’s family was already waiting. Qian Yufeng had prepared a basket of food for their journey.

Choking up, she told Jin Xiuzhu, “Write to me often. I know a lot of characters now.”

Da Ya had taken leave that day. She said goodbye to Yanyan, then whispered in her ear, “Yanyan, thank you. It was you who encouraged me to fight for the chance to study. I’ve never forgotten. You must study hard too. When we grow up, let’s stay in touch.”

Yanyan was surprised and touched. It had been just a casual sentence back then — she didn’t expect Da Ya to remember it all these years.

After the boat left again, Yanyan turned back for one last look. She saw Da Ya waving vigorously, smiling brightly as she shouted goodbye.

She couldn’t help thinking: how beautiful Da Ya looked like that.

When they arrived at the city’s train station, Wang Ling also came to see them off. She wasn’t overly sentimental and chatted with Jin Xiuzhu as they walked, telling her to call after arriving. “I’m not around to keep an eye on you, so you’d better stay diligent. The factory has a lot of orders these days, and we need to keep up with the new pattern designs.”

Jin Xiuzhu felt a headache coming on. “Alright, alright, I know.”

“Good. Don’t worry, I’ll visit when I have time.”

“Okay, bring me some of the cured sausages from here — they taste great when stir-fried.”

“All you think about is food…”

They laughed and chatted.

But once the train carrying Jin Xiuzhu pulled away, Wang Ling’s eyes turned red. She waved. “Call me when you arrive—!”

He Yan leaned against the window, watching, and only sat down when he could no longer see her. He said to Jin Xiuzhu, “Mom, Auntie Wang was crying.”

Then he sighed. “So many people came to see us off today. I’m really sad, but also really happy.”

It felt like many people were keeping them in their hearts.

Jin Xiuzhu gazed at the scenery rushing past outside. She couldn’t deny she was moved. In the past, she had learned to be insincere for the sake of survival, with no one truly close to her. Now, she had started the same way, but unknowingly gained many good friends — and she found herself cherishing them.

Thinking about it carefully, this feeling wasn’t bad at all.

Fanfan: I’ll miss little sister.

Liuliu: I’ll miss big brother.

Years later.

Fanfan: Who’s this tigress?

Liuliu: Where did this pretty boy come from?