Jiang Min asked Jiang Lin and Jiang Xinglei to read some books and newspapers while she went to get sauerkraut to stew venison for dinner.

She called out to Liang Tiefeng, “Old Liang, come on.”

Liang Tiefeng hesitated, only moving reluctantly after Jiang Min gave him a look.

When they were a bit further away, in a sheltered and secluded spot, Jiang Min said to Liang Tiefeng, “How could you talk to my sister like that?”

Liang Tiefeng stiffened, “I just said no, nothing else.”

“Your loud voice was deafening. How do you think that feels? When guests come, even if you’re not enthusiastic, you don’t have to be so harsh. How would you feel if my sister’s husband treated me like that? My sister came all this way to see me and talk to me. Why can’t you stand it?”

“Aren’t you already talking?” He assumed Jiang Lin came to take her away, so he was naturally hostile.

Seeing her upset, he grabbed her hand, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Min shook off his hand, “I’ll go by myself.”

Liang Tiefeng said, “Didn’t you say you’ll spend tomorrow night with her? I agreed.” He followed her.

Jiang Min ignored him and went straight to the room where the sauerkraut jars were stored.

Inside, there were rows of large jars, neatly numbered.

Liang Tiefeng kept talking to her, but she didn’t respond.

He got anxious, “Are you ignoring me again?”

Jiang Min sighed, “No, I’m looking for the sauerkraut, checking which jar belongs to our group.”

Liang Tiefeng was most afraid of her like this, angry and unwilling to talk to him, trying to avoid him, not even wanting to look at him.

He pulled her into his arms and demanded, “Do you want to go back to your family to attend college?”

Jiang Min replied, “No, I’m not going to college. I’m too old now; I can’t take the exams anymore. You really don’t need to worry.”

Liang Tiefeng was frustrated by her passive resistance, angrily saying, “Damn it, why did they have to prioritize you for admission? Otherwise, we could have gone to the local university.”

Jiang Min said, “Stop scolding. I really don’t mind. Graduating from university just means coming back to work as a cadre at the same place, with a slightly higher salary. It’s not that impressive, and I’m not interested.”

Liang Tiefeng could see from her expression that it wasn’t a matter of not being interested.

It was clearly an indication that she was pretending not to care while he knew she did.

“You’re unhappy,” Liang Tiefeng said, gripping her shoulder. “Did you deliberately choose that school?”

He had looked into Jiang Min’s academic performance.

Last year, she couldn’t pass the exams due to a lack of preparation.

This year, with his support, she studied well.

According to those who knew her, she might not make it into the top-tier universities, but getting into a regular undergraduate program wasn’t a problem.

He had advised her to apply to the universities close to home, figuring that at least one of the three choices would accept her.

But she applied to the most prestigious one, followed by a local college, and the third choice was a financial academy in X Province.

In the end, the financial academy accepted her first.

She had to either go there or forgo university altogether.

She was so smart; it must have been a deliberate plan on her part.

Jiang Min responded, “I had no experience. I just randomly filled out the application. Some classmates applied to the top two universities in the capital but didn’t get in. I never expected to be admitted to my third choice before my second choice.”

Liang Tiefeng didn’t believe her explanation at all.

When he first received the notification, he was furious, but he managed to suppress it.

She was also surprised and probably didn’t expect her third choice to be admitted before her second choice.

Knowing he was unhappy, she offered to withdraw.

When she didn’t show up for enrollment, he thought that was the end of it. But then her family called, and he was there when her sister asked about the university.

He got even angrier.

He ended the call for her, and although she was upset, she didn’t say much.

She mentioned writing a letter to explain, but she kept tearing it up and couldn’t finish it for several days.

He knew she actually wanted to go and was blaming him. He was also harboring a lot of resentment.

This morning, she had nearly returned to her old self, joking and chatting with him as usual. He hadn’t expected her sister to show up.

Liang Tiefeng was no fool; he could easily guess why Jiang Lin had come.

She was here to show off her family’s influence and their ability to bring Jiang Min back, possibly to go to college.

Or maybe she wanted Jiang Min to leave this remote frontier and return to the bustling provincial city.

Many educated youths who were sent to the countryside had managed to find connections and abandon their spouses and children to return to the city.

Already, several people who had gone to college in early 1977 had sent back divorce papers.

Did Jiang Min want to do the same?

She never wanted to marry him in the first place; it was due to special circumstances.

She must have been regretting it every day, just getting by until she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“You want to go back to him, don’t you?” His face grew more pained.

Jiang Min had been indifferent to what he said before, but now her expression changed.

She struggled slightly, suppressing her emotions, and said, “Liang Tiefeng, we’ve been married for so many years, our children are so grown up, and you still bring up other people. Aren’t you embarrassed? I am. You’re slandering his reputation, do you know that?”

“How is it slandering his reputation when you’re thinking about him? He himself said he would never marry and wait for you his whole life. Isn’t he embarrassed?” He tried to keep his voice down, but it was still laced with bitterness.

“Old Liang, calm down. Let’s not talk about those old matters, okay? My sister, brother-in-law, and brother are all here. Please, I beg you, don’t bring up those things again. Haven’t you seen how I’ve been since we got married?”

“What’s the use of seeing it? I can’t feel it.” He placed his large hand over her chest. “I can’t feel it. You don’t feel the same about me.”

Liang Tiefeng, with his limited education, struggled to find the right words.

Back then, she used to smile so sweetly and beautifully at that man.

They would sing and write poems together, and she was like a bright and cheerful nightingale, lively and joyous, her eyes full of passion.

But after they got married, she wasn’t like that with him.

When she looked at him, it was no different from looking at anyone else.

There was no passion, no sparkle.

She always brushed him off, always said no.

She never kissed him first, and she preferred to be with a group rather than alone with him.

Jiang Min smiled, tears streaming down her face. “Old Liang, we’re not kids anymore. We’re old now. Can we not talk about this? It’s so embarrassing. When we were young, we were sentimental and immature, liking to create drama over nothing. But in reality, it’s all useless. Living a life is about everyday things like tea, rice, oil, and salt.”

“I’m not afraid of being sentimental. Are you being sentimental with me?” Liang Tiefeng argued back. “You mentioned going to university, and I supported you. But we agreed you’d apply to the local schools. And yet you applied to the top ones. You actually wanted to escape, didn’t you? You’re tired of us, you hate me, you…”

“Calm down,” Jiang Min said, pushing him away. “I didn’t blame your mother for hiding my admission letter. I voluntarily chose not to attend. You don’t need to feel guilty about this. You did nothing wrong. I overestimated myself when I applied, thinking I could get into the best university. I really didn’t intend to go to school back in my parental home; it was just an application. And as for the college, I didn’t think much of it.”

Her voice was very calm and light, not angry at all, almost as if she was comforting him.

Her calmness only made him more distressed and angry.

He would rather she yelled at him. But she never got angry with him; she treated him just as the village women described—life is just about getting by together, what more could one want?

Even though she married him, he knew she still harbored feelings for another man.

She hated him but never blamed him, which only made him feel worse.

As Jiang Min was about to leave with the sauerkraut, she heard a loud “thud” and turned around in shock to see Liang Tiefeng banging his head against the wall.

“Liang Tiefeng, stop it!” Jiang Min rushed over, reaching to hold his neck. “Are you out of your mind?”

“If you leave, I’ll go crazy!”

“I’m not leaving, I’m not leaving. I really won’t leave. I’ve always said that marrying you means staying with you for life. With children and a family, I won’t leave. Why don’t you believe me?”

Liang Tiefeng’s eyes were bloodshot.

He had banged his head so hard that a bruise was forming on his forehead. “You really won’t go back with them?”

Jiang Min nodded. “I won’t go back, I really won’t. You need to be nicer to my sister. They’ll leave in a few days.”

Life’s path is one’s own to walk, and every choice is one’s own to make.

Since she married him, no matter the reason, she couldn’t go back on it or abandon him.

One must be responsible for their actions and choices.

Liang Tiefeng held her tightly, fearing he might lose her.

After a few minutes, Jiang Min said, “You should go back now. My sister and the others will think we’re being foolish.”

Jiang Min broke free, quickly wiped her eyes, and grabbed a few chili peppers.

She handed the sauerkraut to Liang Tiefeng and told him to take it back.

Cheng Rushan had already returned, and Jiang Lin was leaning against him, eating hawthorn berries that had been stored since late autumn.

The berries were the size of small crabapples, red and yellow, and tasted sour with a bit of astringency.

Jiang Lin found them delicious and asked Cheng Rushan to remove the seeds.

She took a bite and exclaimed, “Ah, so sour, but so good!” Then she shoved the remaining half into Cheng Rushan’s mouth, asking, “Is it good?”

Cheng Rushan lightly kissed her fingertips, looked down at her with a smile, and said, “Delicious.”

Jiang Min and Liang Tiefeng walked in just then, and Liang Tiefeng found their lovey-dovey behavior particularly irritating, wanting nothing more than to drive them away.

Cheng Rushan had already sent Jiang Xinglei outside to familiarize himself with the area, telling him that a young man should not stay cooped up indoors.

Seeing them return, Jiang Lin quickly sat up straight. “These are so good. Better than hawthorn.”

Jiang Min smiled, “There are more. I’ll buy some for you to take when you leave.”

Jiang Lin noticed Jiang Min’s eyes, which were swollen and red.

Given her fair skin, the puffiness was quite noticeable. “What’s wrong with your eyes?” she asked, suddenly standing up.

Jiang Min quickly explained, “The chili pepper got to me. The room where we store the sauerkraut is dark because the windows are sealed, and your brother-in-law bumped his head. I was helping him, and in my rush, I forgot I had just handled chili peppers and accidentally touched my eyes. It stung a lot.”

Jiang Lin glanced at Liang Tiefeng, who turned away and kept his hat on, hiding any evidence.

Jiang Lin didn’t believe the explanation but chose not to call them out, knowing it would be embarrassing for everyone involved.

…

In the evening, they had a hotpot.

Jiang Min’s colleagues didn’t show up, but Liang Tiefeng brought a few people over.

Some brought alcohol, some brought cigarettes, and others brought food.

The house was filled with noise and laughter, everyone eating and drinking together.

In the middle of winter, with the doors and windows tightly shut, the cigarette smoke made it hard for Jiang Lin to breathe.

“Sis, I want to take a walk. Will you come with me?” Jiang Lin said.

She had eaten some grilled fish earlier and wasn’t very hungry.

After having some sauerkraut and a few tender pieces of meat, she felt full.

The outside was already pitch dark and freezing cold.

Jiang Min didn’t really want to take Jiang Lin out for a walk, so she decided to take her to the room where they would be staying for the night instead.

Cheng Rushan suggested that Jiang Xinglei stay and eat while he accompanied Jiang Lin and Jiang Min.

Seeing this, Liang Tiefeng called out, “Wife, where are you going? We have so many friends here to help entertain our important guests.”

He had drunk quite a bit and was speaking more freely, his voice louder than usual.

Jiang Min responded, “I’m taking my sister to rest. Two days on the train is very tiring.”

As she walked away, she couldn’t help but add, “Keep it down, and smoke less. It’s choking.”

Someone laughed and replied, “Alright, alright, we won’t smoke. Don’t want to choke the college student.”

Outside, the night sky was deep and filled with stars, clear as if immersed in water.

The air, however, was so cold it felt like it had blades, cutting into the lungs with each breath.

Inside, the stove, the heated wall, and the heated kang bed-stove were all burning warmly.

Jiang Min smiled, “Don’t be fooled by how rough your brother-in-law looks. He’s actually very considerate. Everything is warmed up. Linlin, take off your shoes and get on the kang to warm up, but stay away from the wall, it’s quite hot.”

Cheng Rushan went over and opened the bedding he had brought.

Ever since they could afford it, Jiang Lin never slept in other people’s bedding when traveling.

Jiang Lin asked, “Sister, how long did it take you to get used to this cold?”

Jiang Min replied, “If you’re not born here, you’ll never fully get used to it. But you get by. I usually don’t go out on nights like this; it’s just too cold.”

Cheng Rushan went to fetch water, placing the kettle on the stove. After two days on the train, Jiang Lin definitely needed to wash up.

Jiang Lin pulled Jiang Min into the inner room to whisper, asking, “Sister, does my brother-in-law hit you?”

“No, no, Linlin, don’t misunderstand. Your brother-in-law looks fierce, but he’s really kind and has never laid a finger on me.” Jiang Min quickly explained to ease her worry.

“Then why won’t you stay with me tonight? Is your place really that small? Why don’t I go to your house? I want to see Xiao Meng and Xiao Jun.”

Jiang Min reassured her, “I’ll bring Xiao Meng and Xiao Jun here tomorrow. We’ll all stay together tonight. What’s the rush?” She pinched Jiang Lin’s nose. “You’re a mother of two now and still as impatient as a little girl.”

Around nine o’clock, the gathering finally ended, and Jiang Xinglei came over to rest. Liang Tiefeng came to take Jiang Min home.

Jiang Min gave Jiang Lin meal tickets, telling her to go to the cafeteria for breakfast and to take as much as she wanted, not to skimp.

Jiang Min and Liang Tiefeng returned to their house to tidy up.

Once they had finished, Liang Tiefeng said, “You stay and keep your sister company.”

Jiang Min replied, “We agreed that I’ll bring Xiao Meng and Xiao Jun over tomorrow.”

Liang Tiefeng insisted, “You stay here so it doesn’t seem like I’m being too controlling.”

“Just go on,” Jiang Min said, noticing he was quite drunk.

This was typical; whenever she made a request, he would immediately oppose it, then offer an alternative to avoid upsetting her, only to eventually agree with her initial request.

Seeing that Jiang Min was genuinely set on going home, Liang Tiefeng said nothing more.

By the time they reached home, it was already ten o’clock, and the entire area of Kaoshan Village was quiet, with only a few houses still lit.

Kaoshan Village wasn’t large, with only thirty or forty households scattered about. Each house had a small courtyard, usually half an acre to an acre, enclosed by wooden fences.

Jiang Min turned on her flashlight, pushed open the fence gate, and let Liang Tiefeng drive the three-wheeled motorcycle into the yard.

At that moment, the lights inside the house turned on, and Liang Laopo’s voice called out, “You’re back!”

Jiang Min responded, “Mother, why are you still up?”

“Oh, I can’t sleep if you’re not back. If you don’t come home for a night, I can’t sleep the whole night. If you don’t come back for a year, I can’t sleep for a year.” Liang Laopo said this as she started coughing.

Jiang Min lit an oil lamp inside and went to check on the children, asking what they had for dinner.

Liang Laopo replied, “They ate well. We don’t discriminate between boys and girls in this house. I made pickled cabbage with pork slices and vermicelli.”

Jiang Min touched Xiao Meng, who was thin and had no flesh on her bones. “Mother, Liang and I both earn money, so there’s enough to eat. Don’t be so frugal.”

“Not frugal, not frugal,” Liang Laopo said, “But why do you keep calling him ‘Old Liang’? I’ve told you a hundred times, just call him ‘Little Liang’. He’s only thirty.”

Liang Tiefeng was thirty-five this year and was called “Old Liang” at the work unit, while only teenagers would call him “Little Liang.”

Jiang Min didn’t argue with her; whatever Liang Laopo said was the final word.

Given her age, if she wasn’t followed, she could complain all night.

Jiang Min agreed and then checked Xiao Meng and Xiao Jun’s homework.

Xiao Meng was eight years old and Xiao Jun was six.

They both attended the nearby primary school.

Xiao Meng was diligent with her studies, while Xiao Jun was very mischievous, with his homework looking like scribbles and having even messed up Xiao Meng’s work.

Jiang Min said, “Mother, keep an eye on Xiao Jun. He’s not studying and keeps disturbing his sister.”

Liang Laopo responded, “What’s the big deal? It’s just homework. Whether you study or not, it’s all the same. Life is still about living. I think Xiao Meng is growing up and doesn’t need to go to school every day. She can help out at home instead.”