◎ Third update ◎ 

In Liang Baozhen’s impression, her eldest sister had always been a law-abiding person. As the saying goes, the eldest sister is like a mother, especially in a poor family, where she has to help her parents take care of the children from a young age. Liang Baojun and Liang Baozhen were both raised by her. During the famine years and the subsequent commune period, Liang Zhigao and Song Chunhua were busy going out to find food and working in the fields to earn work points. They often went to do heavy labor for several days just so they could get a bite of steamed corn bread. 

In those times, Liang Baoying took on the chores at home and looked after her younger siblings at the same time. She was quick and hardworking, and although her personality wasn’t very lively, she was thoughtful, and the younger siblings were well taken care of. 

But now, the usually gentle and good-natured eldest sister was insisting on agreeing to a temporary divorce with her husband. 

Liang Baozhen was worried about her elder sister. 

“Sister, have you ever thought about it? If you really get divorced, can you bear the scrutiny and gossip from others? People in the village love to gossip. Although they may not have any bad intentions, it is still uncomfortable to hear what they will say.” 

Liang Baoying cried so hard that her face was all swollen. She wiped her face and sniffed, “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I’m always scared, but after such a long time, your brother-in-law is still thinking about going back to the city. If this matter isn’t resolved, he won’t be able to settle down. Mother always said that life is lived by oneself; as long as you can endure, you can live through it.” 

“If Mother heard you bringing up what she said, she would be so angry that she would scold you.” 

“Don’t tell Mother.” Liang Baoying looked at her sister and smiled. This smile seemed to be mixed with bitterness. 

Liang Baozhen had one more question, it’s important that she asked her sister about it. “What if your husband doesn’t come back to take you and Mengmeng?”

She asked bluntly since if this really happened, her eldest sister might not be able to survive. 

“Jianguo won’t do that. I believe in him.” Liang Baoying made up her mind, her eyes were gentle but firm. “I also want to earn a good future for Mengmeng. Later, Jianguo will pick us up. If I can find a job in the city and settle the household registration, Mengmeng can also get one.” 

Eager to find someone to stand by her side, Liang Baoying held her sister’s hand, “Baozhen, you’re going to support me, right? When I married Jianguo, our parents were not very willing. They felt that since he was from the city, he might have to go back sooner or later. At that time, you were only fifteen or sixteen years old, and Baoling was only six or seven years old. You told me to rest assured. It’s the same now; no matter what, I’ve decided. Please stand by me.” 

Liang Baozhen did not want to support her sister this time because she felt uncertain. To her, the idea of her brother-in-law returning to the city and a temporary divorce seemed unreliable, but she didn’t know what else to say. 

In the past, the family members themselves said that although Liang family were kind, they were very stubborn once they made up their minds. Liang Baoying seemed to be the same. Otherwise, such a gentle person wouldn’t have withstood many people’s objections to become the first person in the village to marry an educated youth. 

She still remembered that before the engagement, her eldest sister had shown a rare shyness in front of her. Her face was flushed, and her eyes shone when she talked about Song Jianguo. She said it was the first time she liked someone and wanted to marry him. 

But today, she agreed to divorce him. 

That afternoon and evening, the Liang family took turns talking to Liang Baoying. Except for Song Chunhua, who was too angry to speak to her daughter, everyone else participated. Liang Zhigao and his daughters rarely had heart-to-heart talks; it was usually Song Chunhua’s job. She would have heart-to-heart talks with her daughters before they got married, teaching them how to get along with men, their in-laws, and how to live in the future. 

But right now, Liang Zhigao looked at Liang Baoying with red and swollen eyes and couldn’t say anything harsh.

“Baoying, have you thought it through?” 

Liang Baoying was asked many times today if she had thought it through. As she was asked again and again, she became clearer and clearer. “Father, I have thought it through. Don’t worry. I have confidence in Jianguo. I also know about the incident with the production team next door. If Jianguo really wanted to run away, he could have done so like that educated youth and left both of us behind… The man I chose, I believe in him.” 

Liang Zhigao was not good at discussing these matters with his daughters. He sighed heavily, feeling that his child’s stubbornness came from him. When she was determined, no one could change her mind. 

As their conversation continued, the sun set behind the mountain. The golden sunlight turned into a warm orange, and it cast a gentle glow all over the place. The sun set gradually in the west, and the night in Damei Village deepened. Liang Baozhen went to the kitchen to cook two bowls of brown sugar water, one for Song Chunhua and one for Liang Baoying. 

Just as she was about to take a bowl to her sister, she heard a muffled groan from the courtyard.

Song Jianguo and Liang Baojun were standing in the yard talking but suddenly Liang Baojun attacked and punched him in the corner of his mouth, which immediately became red and swollen. 

“Second brother.” Liang Baozhen hurried outside and saw that the two men were standing still and showed no signs that they were planning to fight. 

“Baojun, Jianguo!” Liang Baoying was talking to Liang Zhigao in the main room. When she heard the noise, she hurried out. She knew her brother had taken action at a glance. 

“How are you?” Looking at Song Jianguo, Liang Baoying took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth. The blue floral handkerchief was stained with a few streaks of bright red blood. 

“It’s okay.” Song Jianguo knew he was in the wrong and accepted the punch, “I deserved Baojun’s punch.” 

Liang Baojun bit his cheek, feeling upset but unable to vent his anger. “If you don’t come back to pick up my sister and Mengmeng, I will chase you to the city and beat you up.” 

He was furious, but seeing how concerned his sister was for Song Jianguo, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her feelings. It was really frustrating! 

“Enough! Enough with the commotion! This place doesn’t even look like a home anymore!” Song Chunhua, who had been lying in bed, couldn’t stand the noise and got up to the yard. Seeing everyone looking dejected only made her more angry. “You’re already married Baoying, and now you’ve decided on your own that you want a divorce. Your mother won’t stand in your way. I can’t keep you here forever. But today doesn’t count. Go back and take some time to calm down. If you still want a divorce tomorrow, I’ll agree to it. I won’t stop you!” 

Song Chunhua stared at her eldest daughter in the middle of the yard with a blank expression. She felt a mix of anger and sadness and her heart ached with frustration. “Everyone has their own way of living and choosing their own paths. I don’t want to interfere anymore. I cared for you when you were young, and now that you’re grown, you still don’t let me rest. Forget it!” 

“Mother.” Liang Baojun followed Song Chunhua back to the house. He could see that her mother was not feeling well, so he helped her walk. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not to trouble you. Don’t be upset.” 

“You? You are the one who gives me the most trouble.” Song Chunhua is now like a warrior, and anyone who comes will be scolded. “You’re always running around, and the older you get, the more restless you become. I really feel like I’m suffering. You all love to stir up trouble!” 

“Okay, go to sleep first. We can talk about it tomorrow if there is anything.” It was rare that Liang Zhigao didn’t scold his son. If it were any other time, he would definitely kick him out of the house. But today, he just felt that this punch was worth it. 

However, it was already late at night and there was no point in continuing the trouble, so he told everyone to go back to their rooms. 

That night, Liang Baozhen went back to the room she lived in before getting married. The room had been empty, covered with an old sheet to keep the dust off. Lying on the bed, Liang Baozhen soon became drowsy. After a busy day, she was exhausted. When she was half asleep, she always felt that she had forgotten to do something, but when sleepiness came over her, she fell into a deep sleep without having time to think carefully. 

She doesn’t know what time it was, but Liang Baozhen suddenly woke up from her sleep, sat up straight, and was flustered. She forgot to tell Xu Shengjie that she would not be going back today! 

After the incident with her eldest sister, the house was in chaos. She had intended to borrow a phone from the commune in the evening to call the factory and ask someone to relay the message to Xu Shengjie. But with Song Chunhua feeling unwell and the cold war with her sister, she had been too busy to remember. 

It seemed to be late at night now. Liang Baozhen felt uneasy. She put on her clothes and got out of bed. She drew open the curtains and looked at the pitch-black night, not knowing what to do. 

 “Will Xu Shengjie think something happened to me?” 

“Should I go find the team leader to borrow a phone? But it’s the middle of the night; it wouldn’t be convenient for the factory…” 

“Maybe he’ll guess that I stayed at home?” 

Covering her face with her hands, Liang Baozhen was filled with regret. She really shouldn’t have forgotten! 

Although it was early spring, it was still chilly at night. The quiet, dark yard offered no comfort. Liang Baozhen sat on the edge of the bed, feeling completely awake due to her worries. 

Suddenly, there was a knocking sound at the window, as if someone had tapped a few times. Liang Baozhen looked up and saw a man standing outside the window. 

“Xu Shengjie!” 

Liang Baozhen was surprised when she saw her husband. She hurriedly opened the door and removed the wooden lock from the gate. Xu Shengjie was standing at the door while breathing heavily, and his face flushed. 

He had obviously rushed to get here. 

Grabbing his wife’s arm, Xu Shengjie looked up and down and felt relieved to see that she was fine. 

“I’m sorry, something happened at home. I forgot to tell you!” Liang Baozhen felt wronged and uncomfortable when she saw Xu Shengjie. She felt that she hadn’t handled things well. She whispered, “I was planning to borrow the phone from the commune to call the factory and have someone inform you, but then I got busy and forgot! How could I have forgotten?” 

It was the middle of the night, and the bus had long gone, but Xu Shengjie suddenly appeared in Damei Village. Liang Baozhen touched his arm, which was hot. He had rushed all the way here. She was overwhelmed with guilt and regret. 

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Xu Shengjie said in a deep voice and hugged Liang Baozhen into his arms while holding her tightly. 

Liang Baozhen felt the man’s broad shoulders were drawing her into his world. He hugged her tightly; his arms were strong, and he held her very close. 

Xu Shengjie recalled the night many years ago when his parents did not come home. They suddenly disappeared, and when they found out the next day, it was too late to save them. This time, Liang Baozhen, who was supposed to go home, also did not return. No one answered the call to the commune. He prayed that someone would pass by, hear the ringing, and help pick up the phone. After waiting for a while, he finally could not sit still and rode his bicycle from the city. He didn’t know how long he had been running. Even though he had received rigorous physical training, he was exhausted at this moment. 

Thankfully, she was alright!