Chapter 44

“…When you get to Tingting’s place, make sure you two don’t argue. Otherwise, people will laugh at you in front of your in-laws.”

Under the dim candlelight in the living room, Li Taohong swiftly packed a large cloth bag while chattering instructions to her daughter.

Lin Shuang leaned against her eldest daughter, holding her youngest in her arms. She lowered her eyes and muttered uncomfortably, “I’m not a child anymore. I have three children now—how could I still quarrel with my sister?”

In the past, she had been naive and full of romantic dreams. But now, reality had sobered her. All she felt was gratitude toward her sister.

Li Taohong glanced at her daughter. “You say you’ve grown up, but your reluctance tells a different story. Anyone who sees you would think you’re being sent to collect debts.”

Lin Shuang sighed. “Mom, you know Tingting and I have been distant these past few years. She’s doing well, while I’m a divorced woman with a bad reputation. Now, I’m bringing my children to her home—I don’t know if my brother-in-law will mind.”

If it weren’t for her second brother’s insistence that the army was the safest place and for the need to take care of her pregnant sister in exchange for a letter of introduction, Lin Shuang wouldn’t have wanted to impose on Tingting at all. She had not been a good sister before—how could she burden her now?

“Your brother-in-law isn’t that kind of person, and your mother-in-law is reasonable. Stop overthinking.” Li Taohong, unaware of her daughter’s guilt, reassured her before continuing in a firmer tone. “Family ties can’t be severed. And if we receive help, we just have to remember their kindness and repay it when we can.”

Lin Shuang’s throat tightened, and after a moment, she softly replied, “Hmm.”

Seeing how much her once lively and carefree daughter had changed, Li Taohong’s heart ached. She comforted her, “Just think of this as a visit to check on your sister. Tingting keeps saying she’s pregnant and that her husband is clueless—how can I not worry?”

Lin Shuang chuckled. “Mom, Second brother has never been married—how could he understand pregnancy?”

Hearing this, Li Taohong grew even more exasperated. “That brat is already twenty-five, but he refused to marry before, and now he’s far away. Who knows when he’ll settle down?”

“There’s no rush. Look at my brother-in-law—he married at twenty-eight, but he found my sister, a college graduate.” Though she had quarreled with her younger sister before, Lin Shuang was still proud of her.

Talking about her well-educated daughter made Li Taohong beam. “You’re right. Good things are worth waiting for. In that case, I guess it’s fine if my second son finds a wife at thirty.”

Hearing the talk of marriage outside, Lin Wei stiffened, afraid to move.

Meanwhile, Lin Ming pushed open the door with a smile. “Mom, I’m back.”

Li Taohong looked surprised. “Why are you back? Did you take leave?”

“No, I just have to wake up early tomorrow. Eldest sister and second brother are leaving for the army; how could I not come back to see them off?” As he spoke, Lin Ming pulled out ten big unity notes and stuffed them into his eldest sister’s pocket.

Lin Shuang frowned and dodged. “I have money.”

Seeing her refusal, Lin Ming shoved the money into her pocket anyway. “A poor family should have some extra for the road. You should take more money when traveling. Also, when you stay at your in-laws’ house, you should bring some gifts. Your sister-in-law knows about this money, but Yuanyuan has a fever; otherwise, she would have come with me. Don’t overthink it.”

Lin Wei’s job at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative had its share of twists and turns.

At first, she offered the job to Lin Shuang, who was reluctant to take it for free. They agreed that for the first five years, two-thirds of the salary would go to their younger brother.

But just ten days into the job, something went wrong.

Lin Wei had saved a considerable amount over the years by traveling for work, so instead of making a fuss over a few hundred yuan, she gave the job to her sister-in-law.

This allowed her elder brother and his wife to become registered city residents, ending their long-distance marriage. It also ensured that Yuanyuan could attend elementary school in the county.

Of course, Lin Ming and his wife, He Yun, were not the type to take advantage. They couldn’t afford to pay back a few hundred yuan immediately, so they agreed to repay in installments.

As for the hundred yuan they had painstakingly saved to pay off debts but instead gave to Lin Shuang, Lin Ming and He Yun had no regrets.

Times were changing. Lin Ming had solid carpentry skills and was recently certified as a senior worker. With his wife working as a salesperson at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, a hundred yuan was equivalent to their monthly earnings.

Thinking of this, Lin Ming refused to let his sister return the money. He glared at her and said, “I’m your elder brother. Now that I’m doing well, why can’t I give you some money? When you’re better off, buy me a woolen coat. Those things are expensive.”

It wasn’t easy for her to improve her situation. If she only farmed, it would take years to save a hundred yuan—especially with three children to raise. Her elder brother clearly wanted to support her.

Besides, how could he bear to wear a woolen coat when he worked with wood all day?

Clutching the stack of bills, Lin Shuang felt her throat tighten. After a moment, she chuckled hoarsely, “A woolen coat only costs a few dozen yuan.”

Seeing her accept the money, Lin Ming grinned and added, “Then buy me a pair of leather shoes too.”

Lin Wei laughed. “What about your wife?”

Lin Ming, embarrassed, rubbed his hands. “Fine, buy the coat for her instead.”

Li Taohong, more concerned about the granddaughter she had raised, asked, “Yuanyuan has a fever? What’s wrong? Did you see a doctor?”

Lin Ming waved his hand. “Don’t worry. She just took off her coat while playing outside and got chilled. It’s nothing serious.”

Still worried, Li Taohong frowned. “Making money is important, but children need care too.”

Lin Ming, who doted on his daughter, nodded immediately.

Then he turned to his eldest sister. “Your sister-in-law said that when you return, you should send Pingping and Meimei to school in the county. The education there is better. The Zhao family ^[1]Lin Shuang’s in-laws. doesn’t value girls, but we must educate our daughters. They deserve the same opportunities as boys. Look at how successful Tingting is—you’ll regret it later if you don’t.”

Lin Huiping and Lin Huimei, Lin Shuang’s daughters, took after their mother.

Naturally, Lin Shuang was moved. She had suffered from a lack of education herself. But she felt lost about the future—she couldn’t just rely on family support forever. She needed a way to provide for her children.

Thinking about her lost job, she muttered angrily, “Why am I the one suffering? What’s that Wang Meimei’s husband’s name? Why does he get off easy? Just because I’m a woman? Do women deserve to be unlucky?”

Lin Wei’s smile turned cold. “Don’t worry, sis. I’ve already arranged for someone to take care of him.”

Lin Shuang barely had time to react before Li Taohong, who had been about to get up and fetch some dried dates for her daughter, froze. “Don’t do anything crazy—at most, just break a leg.”

Lin Ming: (⊙??⊙)

Lin Qing: (^▽^)

Lin Shengli, who had been silent, hesitated, looking at his wife’s growing anger.

Lin Wei curved her beautiful peach blossom eyes. “What are you thinking? He won’t break his legs—your son is a proper soldier now.” At most, she had arranged for her brothers to ensure he had plenty of “romantic distractions” after he left town.

Otherwise, how could she make up for what her sister had suffered?

That would be fair, right?

_

At the military family compound, Hu Xiu prepared a room upon learning Lin Qing was coming.

She set up a wooden bed with blue checkered homespun sheets and matching curtains. A large wooden box for clothes and a small, slightly worn desk covered with floral cloth completed the setup.

To add a touch of warmth, Hu Xiu placed a bunch of small, wild purple flowers in a tin can and hung it by the window.

After a few days of decorating, the room looked quite cozy.

At least, Lin Ting, who came home for lunch, thought so. While it couldn’t compare to modern home decor, it was quite nice for this era.

The train we took this morning will arrive the evening after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I need to greet the kitchen staff and order two pounds of meat in advance.” Hu Xiu, feeling satisfied, made sure to close the door as she and her daughter-in-law left the small room, preventing Guoguo from running in and dirtying the bedding.

Lin Ting asked, “Do you still have meat tickets?”

Hu Xiu slapped her forehead. “Oh my, I almost forgot! Let me check.”

Sure enough, there were only a few meat tickets left.

However, Hu Xiu was used to soldiers exchanging ration tickets, so she didn’t worry. “Let Xiao take the cigarette tickets later and trade with comrades who don’t have families.”

Lin Ting replied, “It’s fine if we can’t exchange them. We’re all family. Don’t we have a pickled rabbit at home?”

Hu Xiu rolled her eyes at her daughter-in-law. “That rabbit was a gift from your parents. How can I serve it to your siblings?”

“You’re too particular,” Lin Ting said with a chuckle.

Hu Xiu, firm in her traditional values, insisted, “This is human nature and a rule we must follow.”

As they chatted about social customs, Tang Wenlan ran over with half-knitted pants in her hands. “Tingting, hurry! The art troupe is here to pick up Fang’s daughter.”

Lin Ting was startled and quickly stood up. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered something, turned back, and took a small bundle from the cabinet. As she walked out, she asked, “Didn’t they say it would take ten days? It’s only been seven.”

Tang Wenlan waved her hand dismissively. “There must be a ride available. They wouldn’t make a special trip for a little girl.”

Curious about the art troupe, Hu Xiu took the twins and followed them outside.

Since the car had arrived unexpectedly, Fang Yitong had to hurry and explain things to her sister as they walked to school. “Did you remember everything I told you?”

The ten-year-old Fang Yiling nodded firmly.

Looking at her sister’s thin frame, Fang Yitong felt a pang of sorrow. She was only fourteen herself, and the thought of separating made her eyes red. “Tell me what I said.”

Fang Yiling pouted. “When our parents hit me, I should run out and cry. When they don’t give me food, I should run out and cry. Otherwise, don’t bother with them.”

Satisfied that her sister understood, Fang Yitong still worried. But the soldier waiting for her was impatient, and she dared not delay too long.

She reminded her once more and promised, “I have one day off a week. I’ll try to visit you often.”

Fang Yiling, though young, was sensible. “No need. The bus fare costs money.”

Hearing that, Fang Yitong smiled slightly and leaned in to whisper, “Don’t worry. I’ve saved a few cents over the years—enough for a round trip. Next month, when I get my salary, I’ll bring you something tasty.”

The thought of food made Fang Yiling swallow unconsciously. “Then… can I have a meat bun?”

Fang Yitong had never eaten a meat bun herself, only smelled them when her younger brother ate them. She swallowed and gritted her teeth. “If you behave, I’ll buy you one.”

The sisters whispered as they walked, and when they reached the school, they found a crowd of teachers and students waiting.

Fang Yitong led her sister toward Teacher Lin.

Lin Ting handed over the package with a smile. “Congratulations, Fang.”

Fang Yitong hesitated. “Teacher, this is…”

Noticing her empty backpack, Lin Ting simply smiled. “Teacher Gu and I prepared some daily necessities for you. Work hard over there, but take care of your health too. Eat well, sleep well, and don’t worry—your sister will be looked after here.”

Hearing this, Fang Yitong could no longer hold back her tears. They poured from her eyes, but she remained silent, swallowing her emotions like a wounded animal.

Lin Ting sighed, walked forward, and hugged the little girl, patting her back gently.

Gu Fang, standing beside them, wanted to wipe away her tears but grew angry when she saw Fang Shuigen and Ding Feiyan—Yitong’s parents—only focused on showing off.

She signaled to the other teachers and nudged Tingting.

Lin Ting glanced at the couple but said nothing. She simply let go of Fang Yitong, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and tied a big red flower to her chest.

She smiled encouragingly. “From now on, you’re a soldier—well, someone with a salary at least. No more crying.”

Fang Yitong sniffled, rubbing the red flower on her chest. She stepped back, took her sister’s hand, and bowed. “Thank you, teacher. I will work hard.”

Lin Ting and the other teachers did not look away, knowing their gaze would give the girl reassurance.

After standing up, Fang Yitong gently ruffled her sister’s hair one last time before gritting her teeth and running toward the jeep.

Lin Ting held the crying Fang Yiling’s hand, just like the other teachers, watching the car disappear down the road with a mixture of relief and blessings.

_

Sitting in the back seat, Fang Yitong silently wiped her tears for a long time. The driver comforted her, and she finally calmed down.

It was then that she realized she was still holding the package from Teacher Lin.

After a few seconds of hesitation, curiosity got the better of her, and she carefully opened it.

Inside, she found a set of clothes, soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and other essentials. Seeing these items, her eyes reddened again.

A letter was tucked inside. With trembling hands, Fang Yitong opened the envelope.

There was only one sheet of letter paper, filled with words of encouragement from several of her teachers and Principal Huang.

Alongside it were a few banknotes—ten-yuan, five-yuan, and two-yuan notes.

Fang Yitong clutched the money in her hands. This was nearly life-saving for her, and she couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

She thought that meeting these teachers was probably the greatest luck in her otherwise unfortunate 14 years of life.

And she would do everything in her power to continue this good fortune.

Perhaps one day, she could bring the same luck to others.