Chapter 53

The area below the single officers’ dormitory was in an uproar, and Zhang Huafeng was startled by the sudden arrival of his family.

The Zhang family had shown up unannounced, even bringing along a young girl with the intention of marrying him off to her—it was utterly absurd!

“Feng’er, this girl is from your maternal family’s side, so she’s technically your distant cousin.” Zhang’s father, a thin and hunched man barely over 1.5 meters tall, with deep wrinkles and dark skin, puffed on a dry tobacco pipe as he ordered his eldest son, “Hurry up and hold a wedding ceremony with Xiao Cui.”

Zhang Huafeng almost laughed in exasperation. “Dad, what are you doing? I told you, I have a fiancée! I’m marrying Comrade Yan Min. Why did you bring someone else here?”

He turned to the young girl beside him, who looked innocent and inexperienced, and lowered his gaze slightly. “Comrade Xiao Cui, don’t listen to my family’s nonsense, and don’t let them delay your own marriage prospects.”

The young girl, Xiao Cui, timidly looked up at the tall and imposing soldier, feeling both nervous and excited. She didn’t know what to do, so she whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, “But my father already said I can’t go back. I belong to your family now.”

Zhang Huafeng frowned deeply, unwilling to engage in further entanglement. “Don’t worry. Forced marriages don’t happen anymore. You can go home without concern.”

“How could she go back?” Zhang’s mother was immediately displeased by his words. She narrowed her sharp, triangular eyes and cast a sideways glance at her son. “Both families have already agreed. Besides, Huafeng, are you really not going to listen to your parents and insist on marrying that vixen?”

“Mom! Her name is Yan Min. The way you talk about her is just too awful!” Zhang Huafeng retorted angrily.

But Zhang’s mother didn’t care. Their family would never allow that vixen to marry into their home.

Her son used to be so obedient, caring only about his parents and younger siblings. Ever since he started dating that vixen, he had changed. He sent home less money and barely cared about the family anymore. How could they let this continue?

If they allowed that woman into their home, she would whisper in his ear every day, and soon enough, they would lose their son entirely! Xiao Cui was the better choice—an obedient girl with a good heart, someone who would listen to whatever they said. If she married Huafeng, she would certainly be a good daughter-in-law.

At this hour, several soldiers were passing in and out of the single officers’ dormitory. Some had already noticed the commotion around the Zhang family, and one even greeted them with a smile, “Political Commissar Zhang, is your family here for a visit?”

Suppressing his frustration, Zhang Huafeng forced himself to remain composed. “Yes,” he replied.

Then he turned back to his parents, reaffirming his stance. “Dad, Mom, no matter what you say, it won’t change anything. I will decide whom I date and marry. If you’ve come for a visit, you’re welcome, but if you’re here to force me into marriage, forget it.”

“Brother! How can you be like this?” Zhang’s second son, Zhang Huabing, was furious. He had a square face that resembled Zhang Huafeng’s by about sixty to seventy percent, and he angrily pointed a finger at his elder brother. “Is this how you talk to our parents? I swear, you’ve been completely bewitched by that vixen!”

He had heard that his brother’s fiancée was one of those dancers who swayed their hips all day long. How could that be proper? If she wasn’t a vixen, then what was she?

“Zhang Huabing!” Zhang Huafeng had no patience for his younger brother’s nonsense and immediately barked, “Who are you calling a vixen? If you can’t speak properly, then shut your mouth!”

The argument had grown loud enough to attract even more attention from passing soldiers. Curious glances turned their way, but while the Zhang family seemed unbothered, Zhang Huafeng still had his pride.

“Zhang Huafeng!”

Just as he was about to take his family to the guesthouse to settle them down, a familiar voice rang out. He looked up and, to his surprise, saw He Hongyuan approaching, with Lin Xiang beside him.

“Your family’s here. Why are you standing around arguing? Take them to the guesthouse,” He Hongyuan said, subtly exchanging a glance with Zhang Huafeng.

After fighting alongside each other for years, they had developed an unspoken understanding. Zhang Huafeng immediately caught the meaning behind He Hongyuan’s look—he was telling him to stay calm.

Causing a big scene in the army was never a good idea.

“Who’s this…?” Zhang’s father scrutinized the dignified officer before him, his curiosity piqued.

Over the years, the Zhang family had only visited the island once, and during that time, He Hongyuan had been away on a mission. They had never met him in person.

They had heard their son mention a good comrade-in-arms named He Hongyuan, but they had never actually seen him.

“This is my—” Zhang Huafeng was just about to introduce his brother-in-arms when Lin Xiang beat him to it.

“Uncle, Auntie, this is Captain He—your son’s superior,” Lin Xiang said with a playful wink at her husband before tossing Zhang Huafeng a knowing glance.

Zhang Huafeng was dumbfounded by the couple’s antics. When had Old He become a Captain?!

Hearing that this man was their son’s superior, the Zhang family immediately became nervous and excited, hurriedly greeting him, “Captain, sir! Captain!”

Only Zhang’s third child, Zhang Huajuan, muttered under her breath, “Can a Captain really be this young?”

But no one paid her any attention.

The group moved to the guesthouse, where Zhang Huafeng paid for three rooms for his family. Along with his parents, his second brother Zhang Huabing had come with his wife and child, and his younger sister Zhang Huajuan had brought her husband as well.

Now that they were behind closed doors, they no longer had to hold back their words. Zhang’s parents, seeing an opportunity, immediately turned to the “Captain” with complaints.

“Captain He, you must help us!” Zhang’s mother wailed. “Ever since Huafeng started dating that vixen from the cultural troupe, he’s completely neglected his family. He barely sends us any money now! That vixen keeps stirring up trouble between us—this just can’t go on!”

Her face was full of resentment, hating the so-called vixen while also being furious at her disobedient son.

Father Zhang placed his dry tobacco pipe on the table and said impatiently, “What kind of child doesn’t listen to their parents? We’ve found a match for Feng’er—Xiao Cui is very obedient—but that stubborn boy refuses to agree. He’s dead set on that vixen! Captain He, you have to help persuade him.”

Zhang Huajuan, the third child of the Zhang family, who had been quietly taking in the furnishings of the guesthouse with delight, quickly chimed in, “That’s right! They say she looks like a seductress and keeps whispering all sorts of nonsense to my brother. And she’s a dancer, too.”

He Hongyuan was momentarily caught off guard by his wife suddenly bestowing him with the title of “Captain He.” At first, he was surprised, but then he saw his wife, Lin Xiang, winking at him. The two had grown more in sync since their marriage, and he instantly understood her intention.

Now, playing the role of “Captain He,” he adopted an authoritative stance and spoke sternly, “A vixen? Uncle, Aunt, the female soldiers in the cultural troupe are legitimate members of the military. Performing arts is an important part of their duties, yet in your eyes, they’re nothing but vixens? Do you think soldiers can be insulted and slandered however you please?”

The Zhang family, who had been speaking so casually just moments ago, were instantly stunned by his sudden shift in demeanor.

They had always referred to Zhang Huafeng’s girlfriend, Yan Min, as a vixen. After all, they had read the letters he sent home, in which he enthusiastically introduced his girlfriend—a dancer from the cultural troupe. The accompanying photo showed a young woman so beautiful it was almost unreal.

But what good was beauty? Ever since he got involved with her, their son had become less and less concerned with his family. If that wasn’t the work of a vixen, what was?

They had gotten used to calling her that, so they didn’t even think twice about saying it in front of “Captain He.” But now, faced with his authoritative questioning, their confidence wavered.

Zhang Huabing licked his dry lips and stammered, “C-Captain He, that’s not… that’s not what we meant.”

He Hongyuan’s sharp gaze swept over them, his tone heavy with authority. “Then what did you mean? The military respects families of soldiers because providing support for those who put their lives on the line is no easy task. But that doesn’t give you the right to insult other soldiers as you please!”

Lin Xiang chimed in at just the right moment, “Besides, aren’t we in the midst of the Four Olds campaign? There’s no such thing as a ‘vixen’ anymore. You shouldn’t say things like that, or you might get reported to the Revolutionary Committee and end up in a struggle session.”

If they were just arguing with their son, the Zhang family would have felt justified in their stance. But now that they were facing “Captain He” and his wife, they dared not go against them. They quickly changed their tune.

“We won’t say it anymore… She’s not a vixen. Uh… Comrade Yan Min.”

Their eyes darted around uneasily. No matter how displeased they were, they had no choice but to correct themselves.

Zhang Huafeng watched as his brother and sister-in-law worked together to suppress their family’s domineering attitude. He felt a brief moment of relief but was also overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

“Father, Mother, I’ve already made it clear in the letter I sent home. I’ll continue sending you twenty yuan a month—more than enough for your expenses in the production brigade. As for everyone else, they’re all adults with working hands and feet, and they’ve all started their own families. There’s no reason for me to keep supporting them. As for my marriage to Minmin, you don’t need to concern yourselves with it!”

“Huafeng! Have you lost your conscience? Are you really going to ignore your parents?” Mother Zhang looked at her son in anguish, her voice hoarse. “That fox… that Yan Min, what’s so good about her? Ever since she showed up, you’ve changed! We don’t approve!”

Father Zhang, who had been cautious and respectful toward “Captain He,” now reverted to his usual domineering attitude with his son. He barked, “If you’re still part of the Zhang family, then break things off with Yan Min and marry Xiao Cui immediately! Xiao Cui is the only daughter-in-law we recognize!”

Zhang Huafeng felt a tightness in his chest. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at his family, who had always claimed to love him but were now forcing his hand. “Do you really not care at all about who I love or who I want to marry?”

Father Zhang snapped, “Your judgment is terrible! Just listen to us—you won’t go wrong!”

Lin Xiang, who had been observing the situation, raised an eyebrow and interjected, “So what you’re saying is, if Comrade Zhang follows your wishes and marries Xiao Cui, then he no longer has to send money home?”

She had rarely seen a family so blatantly exploit their only successful child. This bunch was truly shameless.

Mother Zhang immediately refuted her words, blurting out, “How could that work? Once he’s married, Xiao Cui will stay home with us, and Huafeng will need to send even more money back. We’ll be raising his children for him! And his younger siblings—they’ll need his help, too! That way, he can focus on his duties in the military without any worries!”

Just listen to that audacity! They were making it sound like they were doing him a favor by “taking care of” his wife and children when, in reality, they were just scheming to get even more money out of him.

With that single statement, Mother Zhang completely shattered the last sliver of warmth in Zhang Huafeng’s heart. He felt a cold emptiness inside as he scanned the faces of the family members who had traveled all this way to “visit” him.

A family visit was supposed to be about reuniting and enjoying time together, but where was the warmth and joy in this gathering?

The people he had worked so hard to protect and support were looking at him with nothing but calculation in their eyes.

Zhang Huafeng closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, his gaze was clear and resolute. His tone was calm but unwavering as he declared, “There’s nothing more to discuss. From now on, my affairs are my own. I’ll handle my marriage myself, and everyone should mind their own business.”

Father Zhang immediately flew into a rage. “Zhang Huafeng, what are you saying? Are you planning to cut ties with us? I dare you! No matter if you’re just a political commissar now, or if you become a commander, a general, or even higher in the future—you will always be my son! Do you really think you can ignore your old man’s words?!”

Zhang Huafeng felt as if an invisible mountain was weighing down on him, nearly suffocating him.

Mother Zhang, on the other hand, was wiping away tears and snot, lamenting how she had raised her son with so much hardship, only to be treated like this in the end.

“The elders are right—what kind of son doesn’t listen to his parents?” Lin Xiang exchanged a glance with He Hongyuan and said indifferently, “Can someone like this even stay in the military?”

He Hongyuan was angered but held back, considering that these were his brother’s family members. Instead, he and his wife acted in perfect sync, saying directly, “Comrade Zhang Huafeng can’t even manage his own family affairs properly. It seems he’s not suitable to continue serving as a political commissar. He should just retire early and go back home to farm.”

The Zhang family was completely stunned, their eyes widening in disbelief. What… what did this mean?

They had come to make Zhang Huafeng get married and hand over money—how had it turned into him retiring and going back to farm?

—

After dropping such an earth-shattering remark, He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang left first.

Zhang Huafeng quickly followed after them, his face full of distress. “Thank you for your trouble today.”

He Hongyuan understood the burden on Zhang Huafeng’s shoulders and simply patted him on the back. “There’s no hurdle you can’t get over—stay strong! I noticed that when I mentioned your retirement just now, your family actually got scared.”

Lin Xiang felt sorry for Commissar Zhang. Anyone would be tormented to the brink of despair by such a bizarre family, yet he remained optimistic, cheerful, and humorous. Truly, a fine bamboo shoot emerging from rotten roots—he had grown up well despite his circumstances.

“Commissar Zhang, reasoning with your family is pointless. They constantly use familial ties to manipulate you. Maybe this is the only way. But… have you really made up your mind to cut things off with them?”

Zhang Huafeng had once held onto lingering hope—a deep, innate yearning for family and affection. But over the years, that hope had been chipped away bit by bit, until just now, when it was completely extinguished.

“I’ve thought it through. I can’t keep tolerating this, or what hope do I have for the rest of my life?” Zhang Huafeng then asked the two of them for help when the time came. After a moment of hesitation, he added, “But don’t tell Minmin about this yet.”

He was worried that Yan Min would get even angrier and more upset after hearing all this.

“Don’t worry, we won’t tell Minmin for now.” Given the Zhang family’s background, it wouldn’t be good to involve Yan Min too soon. Lin Xiang pondered for a moment and then discussed a plan with the other two, preparing to turn the tables on the Zhang family.

Since the Zhang family was staying at the guesthouse, they would need time to fully grasp the consequences of Zhang Huafeng actually retiring and returning home. After all, how could they possibly be willing to see Commissar Zhang Huafeng turn into an ordinary farmer in the countryside?

“Commissar Zhang really has a lot of troubles.” Lin Xiang was shocked by the sheer audacity of the Zhang family. Every single thing they said was calculated for their own benefit, yet they claimed it was all “for his own good.” This kind of emotional blackmail was terrifying—at the slightest disagreement, they would start listing out how difficult it had been to raise him.

He Hongyuan knew his brother was hesitant when it came to dealing with his family, but this time, it was clear he had been deeply hurt. “He’s really made up his mind now.”

Three days later, the two of them figured the Zhang family had been left to stew long enough and prepared to head to the guesthouse.

—

The Zhang family had been staying at the guesthouse for three days. During this time, Zhang Huafeng only brought them meals in silence, without saying a single unnecessary word. The “Captain He” and his wife never showed up again, but their grave words about Zhang Huafeng’s retirement and transfer out of the military still echoed in their ears.

Zhang Huabing and his wife were deeply worried. He turned to their parents and said, “Dad, could Big Brother really lose his job? What are we going to do?”

“If Big Brother really comes back to farm, what’s the use? Earning a few work points a month—how is he supposed to support the family?”

The couple had originally come along to persuade their big brother to send money home like before. No one wanted him to lose his job!

Father Zhang shot them a glare and snapped, “How could he just lose his job? ‘Captain He’ was probably just saying that out of anger.”

Hearing this, Mother Zhang seemed reassured. “That’s right, there’s no way he’s not a commissar anymore!”

“Uncle, Aunt, Zhang Huafeng really can’t be a commissar anymore.”

He Hongyuan’s voice came from a distance, approaching steadily. Dressed in a crisp military uniform, he exuded an overwhelming sense of authority and pressure. “After serious consideration by the organization, since your family has such strong objections to Zhang Huafeng, it’s been decided that he will retire, transfer out of the military, and return home to farm—so he can properly accompany his family.”

His words were like a hammer striking the final nail. Even Zhang Huafeng, who had followed him into the room, accepted it as if resigning himself to fate.

“Dad, Mom, you say I’m unfilial, so I’ll retire. From now on, I’ll farm at home every day and be by your side to fulfill my filial duty. Huabing, Huajuan, you have so many kids—I can help take care of them. After all, I’ve suffered a lot of injuries from fighting in wars over the years, so I can’t do heavy labor anymore. Most of my past wages were sent home, so I don’t have much money now. I’ll have to rely on you guys to help me out. I’ll stay at home to look after our parents and help with your kids. Every month, you can just spare me a few bucks.”

Seeing that both “Captain He” and Zhang Huafeng seemed completely serious, the Zhang family panicked. They stammered, “N-no, that’s not right! Why should my son stop being a commissar? Captain He, you can’t do this!”

If Zhang Huafeng wasn’t a commissar anymore, where would they get their subsidies? Who would want a Zhang Huafeng who was just a simple farmer in the village?

Zhang Huajuan also became anxious. “Big Brother, how can you still expect us to come up with money? We don’t have any!”

Zhang Huafeng suppressed the discomfort in his chest and retorted, “Over the years, I’ve sent quite a bit of money back home. Didn’t Mom and Dad give it to you all? And now you’re saying there’s nothing left? I can see that the fabric of your clothes looks quite nice.”

Indeed, the Zhang family dressed better than anyone else in the village. With Zhang Huafeng’s monthly allowance being sent home, their days were comfortable—they ate meat, wore new clothes, and were the envy of everyone around them.

Father Zhang hurried forward to plead with Captain He. “Captain He, there’s nothing wrong at home! You can’t send my son back to the village to farm!”

He Hongyuan responded coldly, “Weren’t you the ones saying Zhang Huafeng was unfilial? The organization is simply helping you with that.”

Father Zhang quickly denied it. “No, no! Feng’er is very filial to us. He sends money home every month and listens to us.”

Lin Xiang watched the family change their stance as quickly as flipping a book and couldn’t help but feel sorry for Commissar Zhang.

Zhang Huafeng had also seen through everything now. His family only wanted a Commissar Zhang who could bring them benefits. The moment he lost his value, he was no longer treated as family.

He laid down his final ultimatum. “I might as well voluntarily retire from the army and go back to farming. Otherwise, who knows how people will gossip about me in the future.”

At that, the entire Zhang family immediately urged him not to act rashly or make a foolish decision.

Zhang Huafeng gave a bitter smile. “If I don’t retire, that’s fine too. But we’ll split the family assets—I don’t want to have too many ties with you all anymore.”

“Split the family?!” The Zhang family was stunned. They never expected Zhang Huafeng to propose such a thing!

“I’ve been away all these years and haven’t been able to take care of Mom and Dad properly. They should live with Huabing’s family. I’ll separate myself and have witnesses oversee a proper division. I’ll borrow some money and pay a lump sum in advance as filial support. In the future, if I have time, I’ll come back to visit during the New Year.”

Zhang Huafeng’s words sounded like he was severing his ties with the Zhang family, shocking his parents so much that they nearly lost their balance.

“No! You can’t do this!” Mother Zhang shouted.

Zhang Huafeng, having expected this reaction, remained cold. “If you don’t agree to splitting up, then I’ll apply for retirement right now. In a few days, I’ll go back to the village with you and farm the land together.”

Father Zhang’s hands trembled as he pointed at him, furious but powerless. He couldn’t even muster the strength to scold him—because at the slightest provocation, his son was ready to take off his uniform and return home to farm!

Neither choice was easy for the Zhang family to accept.

He Hongyuan and Zhang Huafeng left first, while Lin Xiang stayed behind to talk to them. She understood what that military uniform meant to the Zhang family.

Having a son who was a military officer allowed them to walk with pride in the production team, earning the respect and envy of other members. To them, reputation was everything, and with it came endless benefits.

Zhang Huafeng’s retirement was the last thing they wanted—it had now become the perfect bargaining chip against them.

“Uncle, Auntie, I think it would be a shame if Commissar Zhang retired. Since he’s willing to borrow a few hundred yuan as an advance for supporting his parents, a clear separation might be for the best. You two can focus on taking care of the second son’s family without worrying about the eldest son who’s stationed far away,” Lin Xiang spoke much more gently than He Hongyuan, making her words easier for them to accept.

Mother Zhang grabbed Lin Xiang’s hand, complaining bitterly about how heartless her eldest son was for wanting to cut ties. Lin Xiang didn’t argue but simply delivered the final blow. “Then why not let him retire and come home to take care of you?”

Mother Zhang fell silent instantly.

If her son really retired and returned home, they would lose everything—the respect of the production team, the envy of others, the benefits for military families, and, most importantly, the allowance and salary.

Zhang Huafeng’s determination had caught the Zhang family completely off guard.

After a long night of discussion, they finally agreed. It seemed like he had already angered his leader, “Captain He,” and his chances of advancing further were slim. If he retired now, they would get nothing out of it, so they might as well agree to the separation.

Especially the second son, Zhang Huabing, and his wife—they figured that splitting the family now would be better than having to take care of an injured and retired older brother later. It was better to take the money while they could.

In front of his family, Zhang Huafeng accepted the 800 yuan that “Captain He” had “loaned” him. Seeing his family reach for it immediately, he let out a soft chuckle. “We’ll go back to the village and have the team leader and the former village head witness the division agreement before I hand it over.”

Reluctantly, the Zhang family withdrew their hands. They had no choice but to wait.

Zhang Huafeng took leave and returned to his remote hometown with his family to handle the formal separation. The agreement was signed in black and white. Meanwhile, Yan Min had been looking for him at the army base, only to find out that he had taken leave. She was surprised.

Lin Xiang explained everything to her, then reassured her, “Commissar Zhang has finally seen things clearly.”

It was called a family separation, but in reality, it was more like cutting ties. They would still maintain a surface-level familial bond, but the chances of seeing each other in the future would be slim.

Yan Min was shocked and then overcome with sorrow. She had grown up in a loving home, with parents who were ordinary city workers but cherished her. She could never have imagined parents who would exploit their own child like this.

And this man was the one she had chosen.

“The first time I saw Huafeng, he was counseling a new recruit. The young soldier was homesick and in tears, and Huafeng, with his easygoing and humorous way of speaking, had him laughing in no time. He patted the recruit on the shoulder and told him to be a man and not cry. That was when I thought he was different,” Yan Min reminisced to Lin Xiang.

“Later, when the art troupe was performing, I sprained my ankle while dancing and lost my rhythm. I panicked, afraid that the audience would laugh at me. But then, in the third row on the left, I saw him clapping loudly, leading the applause, and even shouting that I danced beautifully. That’s when I thought he was quite something.”

Lin Xiang quietly listened to Yan Min, as if witnessing a pair of young lovers exchanging glances in a crowd, their hearts stirring with affection.

Yan Min had once felt troubled by Zhang Huafeng’s family, even blamed him, and wanted to break up with him. But now, all she wanted was to see him and give him a hug.

It was five days later when Zhang Huafeng returned from his hometown. He stepped off the boat at the dock, where He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang stood with Yan Min, waiting for him.

Having settled a major issue, Zhang Huafeng didn’t feel relieved—after all, they were his family by blood for over twenty years. Now, all that remained was a deep sadness.

But as soon as he got off the boat, his eyes locked onto Yan Min, who stood at the dock in her crisp olive-green military uniform, her posture sharp and upright. Her gaze burned with intensity, fixed solely on him.

“Huafeng!” Yan Min waved at him as the boat approached the shore. The sea breeze lifted her hair, brushing past her bright brows and eyes, which held nothing but Zhang Huafeng’s figure—there was no room for anything else.

Lin Xiang watched the lovers reunite at the dock and couldn’t help but sigh—watching other people fall in love was so sweet!

During his trip home, Zhang Huafeng had settled the separation at the commune under the witness of the most authoritative leader and the most respected elder from the village. His parents would stay with his younger brother, Zhang Huabing. He had paid them 800 yuan in one lump sum, along with all the money he had previously sent home every month, in exchange for his complete freedom.

“But as I was leaving, all I felt was ridiculous,” Zhang Huafeng said over dinner at a state-run restaurant, where he and Yan Min treated He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang to a meal to express their gratitude. “At first, my parents and siblings were all watching me like hawks. But the moment I left, they started fighting among themselves, arguing about how to divide up the previous money and the 800 yuan.”

“Let them deal with their own mess now,” Lin Xiang chuckled. “Zhang Commissar, you and Min Min should just focus on your own lives. Before, they were united in squeezing you dry, but now that you’re gone, they’re turning on each other over money. How fitting.”

At least now, they wouldn’t be able to harm anyone else.

That night, Zhang Huafeng indulged in half a jin of baijiu, drinking away the pent-up frustration of the past few days. He Hongyuan drank with him, both of them letting their emotions dissolve into the liquor.

“Come on, Old He, Lin Xiang—this time, I really have to thank you both!” Zhang Huafeng raised his glass to them.

There was no need for more words.

Yan Min had been quiet throughout the meal, listening as Zhang Huafeng talked about everything that had happened. Her heart swayed between emotions. Then, suddenly, she reached over and snatched Zhang Huafeng’s wine glass.

“Xiang Xiang, Captain He, thank you for helping Huafeng during this time,” she said, raising her own glass. “And also, I want you both to witness something…”

Lin Xiang, sipping on coconut juice, suddenly had a strange premonition.

“We’re getting married,” Yan Min declared, then downed her baijiu in one gulp, the strong liquor burning her throat.

Zhang Huafeng’s chopsticks slipped from his hand and clattered onto the table. He froze in place.

He had longed for marriage before, but Yan Min had worried about how it would affect her career in the arts troupe and insisted on waiting two more years. But now…

“Min Min, you…” Zhang Huafeng licked his lips, struggling to find his voice. “Didn’t you want to keep dancing? It’s okay, I can wait. Don’t act on impulse.”

Yan Min glared at him. “Who’s being impulsive? I want to marry you!”

Zhang Huafeng: “Calm down first. You still need to dance.”

Yan Min: “What do you mean? Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?”

Zhang Huafeng: “I want to marry you more than anything! But didn’t you say you wanted to wait two more years?”

Lin Xiang watched as the deeply tanned Commissar Zhang, flushed red from drinking, actually tried to dissuade Yan Min from “proposing” to him. The two of them had somehow turned a marriage proposal into an argument—it was hilarious!

“These two are a perfect match!” Lin Xiang said to her husband. “They’re arguing over getting married—the one who wanted to get married the most is telling the other not to rush, while the one who didn’t want to marry early is insisting on doing it right now.”

As they walked off into the dark night, He Hongyuan chuckled, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

—

The next day, when the alcohol wore off, Zhang Huafeng confirmed Yan Min’s feelings again. After going through so much together, they both wanted to settle down sooner rather than later. The only agreement they made was to delay having children for the first two years.

After all, these were the last two peak years of Yan Min’s dance career.

Zhang Huafeng took it upon himself to do some research and learned that married couples could get family planning supplies from the local health clinic.

“Hey, Old He, how many do you get per month?” Zhang Huafeng asked seriously. He saw it as his duty to make sure Yan Min didn’t get pregnant in the first two years for the sake of her career.

He Hongyuan calmly replied, “I don’t remember. There’s a whole stack of them.”

Zhang Huafeng: “…?”

Back when Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan got married, they also didn’t want to have children right away. After some inquiries, they learned that they could collect free condoms from the local health clinic. At the time, family planning policies hadn’t been fully implemented, and most people still focused on having as many kids as possible. Few ever thought about birth control.

He Hongyuan, always cold and detached, knew little about condoms, while Lin Xiang assumed they were the same as modern disposable ones.

So, they used one and tossed it out. The first time, they were given two, which ran out quickly. They went back to the clinic for more, and the nurse started looking at them strangely.

After this happened a few more times, the nurse finally couldn’t hold back.

“Comrades,” she said, exasperated. “You two are young, but you really shouldn’t overdo it.”

Lin Xiang: “?”

After inquiring, the two finally learned that the condoms could actually be washed and reused. Normally, they could receive two new ones each month, and using two alternately for a month was no problem.

No wonder the nurse was so shocked when they kept coming to collect new ones every few days.

Lin Xiang felt bitter and swore never to go to the clinic again. Next month, if they needed condoms, she would make He Hongyuan, the thick-skinned one, go instead!

Meanwhile, Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min had finalized their wedding plans. The two decided to take leave and visit Yan Min’s parents to officially confirm the marriage.

At ten o’clock at night, He Hongyuan diligently washed the two condoms and hung them on the wire of the second-floor balcony. A gentle breeze passed through, making them sway. Lin Xiang, sore and weak, lay in bed, already looking forward to Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min’s wedding.

“When the time comes, we’ll have to help out. Weddings are fun to attend!”

He Hongyuan, shirtless, climbed into bed and pulled his soft, fragrant wife into his arms. “You sure are enthusiastic.”

“Of course.” Lin Xiang nestled into the crook of his neck, excited to gossip about others’ love lives. “Watching other people fall in love is so entertaining.”

He Hongyuan pinched Lin Xiang’s chin and kissed her. “Forget about them.”

He was a fast learner, and Lin Xiang, dazed from his kisses, let out a contented hum. Then, suddenly realizing the shift in his body, she pushed him away. “We don’t have any left!”

The last two condoms were still swaying on the wire outside.

He Hongyuan gritted his teeth. “I’ll go get another one tomorrow.”

Lin Xiang wanted to maintain her image. “No need, two are enough!”

Having escaped his grasp, Lin Xiang went to work the next day feeling refreshed. After two months of physical training, her stamina had also improved.

She and Kong Zhenzhen discussed the task assigned by Zhao Jianjun. After analyzing the coconuts collected over the past month for juicing, they identified the best type for juice production.

Wild coconuts varied in size and shell thickness, and since they were picked by different people, their ripeness was inconsistent. This led to noticeable differences in the coconut juice produced.

The most suitable variety was the golden coconut, which had a thin shell that was easy to crack open, thick and juicy flesh, and yielded milky-white, sweet coconut juice with clear, slightly sweet coconut water.

After confirming this, Lin Xiang and Kong Zhenzhen followed Director Zhao on an inspection nearby. They sought out some elderly locals and heard that in the western part of Jinbian City, a production team had many wild golden coconuts, making it an ideal place for cultivating them.

The three took a bus to the Jiefang Commune, a relatively poor area surrounded by mountains and water. The land was not well-suited for farming, so most of the commune members made a living from fishing. Nearby, Wudaogou Production Production Brigade had an abundance of wild coconut groves, laden with golden coconuts, yet few people had bothered to harvest them.

“This place is perfect for growing golden coconuts,” Lin Xiang marveled at the dense, naturally thriving coconut trees sprouting from every nook and cranny.

Zhao Jianjun’s eyes gleamed. This place was a goldmine. He could already picture a partnership with Wudaogou Production, setting up a plantation, and having factory trucks transport coconuts regularly. Standardizing raw materials would allow them to control the color, taste, and quality of the juice.

On the way, they encountered a few women carrying children and curiously asked, “Comrade, do people here not eat these coconuts?”

A tanned woman holding her daughter, likely sun-darkened from occasional fishing trips with her husband, scoffed, “Only when there’s nothing else to eat.”

Otherwise, who would bother?

Zhao Jianjun chuckled. What a waste! He rubbed his hands together, ready to make big moves—this coconut plantation had to happen!

The three made their way to the Wudaogou Production Brigade office and met with the brigade leader.

“Captain Qian, hello, hello! I’m Zhao Jianjun, the office director of Jinbian City’s 119 Food Factory, Second Branch. These are my colleagues, Xiao Lin and Xiao Kong.”

Brigade leader Qian Yong looked at them in confusion. He had heard of the 119 Food Factory—it was famous. Who in Haining Province didn’t know about its shrimp paste cans? Last year, he had even splurged on a can for his kids to try.

Zhao Jianjun got straight to the point. “Our soda workshop is focusing on coconut juice production. Your brigade has an abundance of wild golden coconuts, which are perfect for this. Your land is also ideal for growing golden coconuts. We’re wondering if we could collaborate—your members could cultivate the coconuts, and our factory would purchase them, just like how many supply and marketing cooperatives buy oranges and pears from production communes.”

Captain Qian stared at him in surprise. “You mean we can actually sell these coconuts for money?”

Lin Xiang smiled. “Captain Qian, these coconuts might not be useful to you, but they are valuable to us. However, they do need further processing. We’ve noticed that many members of your brigade have idle time, waiting for good weather to go fishing. If they grow coconuts, at least they’ll have a stable source of income, right?”

Zhao Jianjun had already worked out the procurement quantities and pricing with Lin Xiang and the others in advance. He now handed over the contract. “Captain Qian, take a look. We can sign a contract with everything clearly stated in black and white.”

Qian Yong stared at the string of numbers on the paper, even more astonished. “Is this for real?”

His production brigade was indeed poor, with unstable income, but the idea that those coconuts could actually make money was shocking. Was this really a windfall from the heavens?

“I need to discuss this with the brigade’s leadership,” Captain Qian said cautiously.

Zhao Jianjun had no objections. “Of course, we’ll wait for you.”

As soon as Captain Qian left, Zhao Jianjun relaxed, as if he could already see a bright future for coconut juice ahead. “Xiao Lin, Xiao Kong, let’s go over the contract details carefully. We should secure this batch of coconuts as soon as possible—they’re top-quality! Once we standardize planting and set uniform harvest times and ripeness levels, the flavor of our coconut juice will reach a whole new level!”

Lin Xiang looked at Director Zhao squinting contentedly, a satisfied smile on his face, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Director, you’re even convincing yourself now.”

“That’s right.” Director Zhao patted his thigh and hummed a tune from a model opera, leisurely enjoying the moment. “I never expected this to go so smoothly!”

Just as Zhao Jianjun finished speaking, a sudden commotion came from the doorway. The once-amiable Captain Qian returned—this time, accompanied by several men in militia uniforms.

“These are the swindlers! Trying to scam us! Arrest them and take them to the commune!”

The three from the food factory: “?”