Chapter 003

The news that Shi Huaiming hadn’t died but had even become an officer spread quickly through the village and nearby towns. Along with that came the rumors—people whispering that he might divorce Zhenzhen.

No one knew who had started it. But rumors don’t need facts—just hearsay and wild guesses.

People who had once envied Zhenzhen now looked at her with thinly veiled sympathy.

And behind that sympathy? A barely hidden hope that the rumors might turn out to be true.

But Zhenzhen wasn’t rattled by it.

Just as Hongmei said, she seemed carefree, going about her daily tasks as usual.

Compared to the five years she’d endured before, this kind of idle gossip couldn’t shake her.

So she went on as usual for a few more days, and then finally found a free day to visit her maternal family.

This visit felt different from past ones. Everyone in her family was extra warm and welcoming.

The reason was obvious—Shi Huaiming had become an officer.

But Zhenzhen felt guilty about it.

She told her family, “We still don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Her eldest brother caught the tone in her voice. “You mean the rumors are true? Shi Huaiming wants to divorce you? Did he say so in his letter?”

“No, he didn’t,” Zhenzhen said quickly, shaking her head. “He never mentioned anything like that.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Her second brother said, “If he really does bring up divorce, then he’s no better than those heartless men from old stories! You’ve been married five years, waited five years. He can’t just walk away—what gives him that right?”

Her second sister-in-law chimed in, “Exactly! Just because he’s successful now, he thinks he can leave whenever he wants? Zhenzhen, even if he really tries to divorce you, don’t agree! Cling to him for life if you have to!”

Her eldest sister-in-law also offered her advice, “Doesn’t your mother-in-law like you? Then have her back you up. As long as she supports you, Shi Huaiming won’t go against her wishes.”

“And try harder to give him more sons. Once you have kids tying him down, your place will be secure.”

…

Zhenzhen’s parents had both passed away; only her two brothers’ families remained.

They all had their opinions, giving her various tactics on how to “lock in” Shi Huaiming.

Zhenzhen just nodded silently while listening.

Once the meal was done, she didn’t linger.

On the way back, she walked into a cold wind, head down, thoughts full of what her family had said.

Eventually, she gave her head a hard shake, tossing those ideas into the howling northern wind.

Halfway home, she ran into Mr. Xue from the village.

His name was Xue Fan, a teacher at Baiyun Elementary in the Baiyun brigade. He was two years younger than Zhenzhen.

He was driving a donkey cart and greeted her, “Third Sister-in-law, hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”

They were neighbors, so Zhenzhen didn’t stand on ceremony. She thanked him and climbed into the back of the cart.

As he drove the cart, Xue Fan chatted with her, “I heard Third Brother wrote home. He’s a regimental-level officer now.”

Zhenzhen nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”

Xue Fan looked ahead as he spoke. “He always had ideas—different from the rest of us. I knew he’d make something of himself. If he weren’t born in a place like ours, he’d be even more successful.”

Thinking of Shi Huaiming, Zhenzhen’s eyes lit up with a soft smile. “Mm. Third Brother has always been different.”

To her, he was especially unique—brilliant and shining.

Xue Fan glanced back at Zhenzhen.

Thinking of the rumors he had heard, he hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Third Sister-in-law, don’t listen to the gossip outside. What do they know? They don’t understand Third Brother at all. I grew up playing with him—he’s not the kind of person who shirks responsibility. Since he agreed to marry you back then, he wouldn’t divorce you so easily.”

Zhenzhen looked at Xue Fan and, after a long pause, finally asked, “Really?”

Xue Fan nodded firmly. “Trust me, it’s true.”

Zhenzhen lowered her head, fiddled with her fingers, and didn’t say anything else.

When the donkey cart reached the entrance of the village, Zhenzhen got off, thanked Xue Fan again, and turned to walk home.

As she pushed open the courtyard gate, she saw Zhong Minfen in the yard, cutting radishes to make dried radish pickles.

Hearing the gate open, Zhong Minfen looked up and greeted her. “You’re back.”

Zhenzhen walked over to her. “I ran into Teacher Xue on the road and got a ride back on his donkey cart.”

Zhong Minfen lowered her head again and asked, “Everything okay at home?”

Zhenzhen smiled. “Everything’s just fine.”

The weather was beautiful that day. The warm sunlight poured into the yard.

Zhenzhen stayed to help Zhong Minfen pickle the radishes. They chatted about daily life.

The scene of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law together was one of perfect harmony—even the curves of their smiles looked exactly the same.

After the start of winter, several rounds of rain had fallen, and the temperatures were dropping day by day.

Although the news about Shi Huaiming caused quite a stir in the Shi household and across the entire Baiyun Brigade, it didn’t change the routine of daily life.

When there wasn’t a market day and there were things to do at home, Zhenzhen stayed busy with household chores.

When there wasn’t anything urgent at home, she would join Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei in working at the production team.

Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo usually just focused on school but would sometimes help at the production team for a few extra work points.

The cold weather made sitting in class a miserable experience.

Especially for the poorest students, who didn’t even have proper cotton-padded jackets and could only grit their teeth through the cold.

When class ended, they’d jump up, hands and heads tucked in, stomping their feet as they ran outside to soak up whatever sunlight they could find.

When the school bell rang at noon, a large group of kids rushed out of the classroom with their schoolbags on their backs.

Shi Danling and her deskmate were slower than the rest and didn’t run, strolling home at a leisurely pace.

Her deskmate shoved her hands into her pockets and asked, “Why hasn’t your Third Uncle come back yet?”

Ever since it was revealed that Shi Danling’s Third Uncle had become a regimental commander, the village kids had been dying to catch a glimpse of him.

He had quickly become an idol for many of the children in the village.

Shi Danling replied, “Come on now, it’s the army—disciplined to the extreme. He can’t just come and go as he pleases. Even to leave the village, he’d need a letter of introduction from the brigade secretary.”

Her deskmate nodded thoughtfully. “Makes sense.”

The two girls continued walking slowly while chatting.

On the way, they ran into the postman. Her deskmate’s eyes lit up, and she nudged Shi Danling’s arm. “The postman’s here—do you think your Third Uncle sent another letter?”

Shi Danling thought that was quite likely.

It had already been a while since her father sent a reply to her Third Uncle.

She exchanged a look with her deskmate, and the two of them, without needing to say a word, suddenly held hands and took off running.

Their four braids flew wildly in the wind as they dashed all the way home. Shi Danling didn’t even catch her breath before throwing open the gate and shouting, “Grandma! Did Third Uncle send a letter?”

Zhong Minfen’s voice came from inside the main house, “Yes, he did!”

As expected! Shi Danling’s eyes sparkled as she ran into the house.

Her deskmate followed closely behind her.

Inside, there was a package already opened on the Eight Immortals table.

Shi Danling’s eyes grew even brighter. She looked at Zhong Minfen and asked, “Grandma, did Third Uncle send all this?”

Zhong Minfen smiled and nodded. “The postman just delivered it.”

There wasn’t just a package—there was a letter, money, and ration coupons too.

Shi Danling was over the moon. She reached into the package and rummaged around.

There were all kinds of goodies inside, most of which she had never seen before.

But the item that stood out most was a bright red sheer scarf.

Staring at the items, Shi Danling couldn’t stop herself from gasping in amazement.

Her deskmate, standing beside her, looked on with envy and softly echoed her amazement.

Zhong Minfen grabbed a few candies and handed them to the deskmate, whispering, “Eat them quietly.”

The little girl blushed from embarrassment but couldn’t hide her delight. She nodded happily.

Zhong Minfen didn’t let Shi Danling take any of the treats yet.

She packed everything away, causing Shi Danling to look on longingly.

As Shi Danling craned her neck trying to sneak a better look, Zhong Minfen handed her the letter and said, “Lingling, read it to me. Let’s see what your Third Uncle wrote this time.”

Shi Danling swallowed her saliva, carefully took the letter, gently tore it open, and pulled out the neatly folded paper inside.

She unfolded it and began reading aloud, word by word: “Dear Mother, Eldest Brother, and Zhenzhen…”

Zhong Minfen’s usually blank expression suddenly lit up. She looked at Shi Danling excitedly. “He included Zhenzhen this time!”

“Mhm!” Shi Danling nodded with a big smile and continued reading.

After finishing the letter, she summarized for Zhong Minfen: “Third Uncle said he won’t be able to come home for the New Year and asks us not to blame him. He said as soon as he gets leave, he’ll rush home to visit. Oh, and that red scarf—it’s for Third Aunt.”

Zhong Minfen was all smiles, eyes crinkling with joy. “Good, good, good.”

She carefully took the letter back from Shi Danling, then suddenly thought of something, turned into the inner room, and came out holding the bright red scarf and the letter. She handed them both to Shi Danling and said, “Take these to your Third Aunt.”

“Got it!” Shi Danling asked no further questions. She took the scarf and letter and immediately set off to carry out the task.

The girl sitting next to her, cradling some candies, went along. As they reached the courtyard gate, they ran into Shi Xingguo, who had just returned.

Seeing how excited Shi Danling looked, Shi Xingguo asked, “Sis, where are you going?”

Shi Danling didn’t reply. She just grabbed her friend’s hand and ran off.

Down by the riverbank, the commune members were still roasting sweet potatoes.

With the year drawing to a close, people were gathered around the fire, chatting about the upcoming New Year festivities.

Of course, no other household’s affairs sparked as much interest as the Shi family’s. Hongmei turned to Zhenzhen and asked, “Hey, is your Shi Huaiming coming home for New Year?”

He hadn’t returned in five years. Even the neighbors were hoping to see him again.

Everyone was curious to catch a glimpse of Shi Huaiming, now promoted to regiment commander.

But it took time for letters to travel back and forth.

Zhenzhen shook her head and replied, “Still no reply. I don’t know yet.”

Hongmei looked at Zhenzhen and added, “If you ask me, it’s better if he comes back a little later. If he comes back just for that, well… you know?”

Zhenzhen knew exactly what she meant.

She was referring to Shi Huaiming possibly returning to divorce her.

Zhenzhen was well aware that many villagers were waiting to watch this drama unfold.

Before she could say anything in response, a familiar voice called out from a distance: “Third Aunt! Third Aunt!”

Everyone turned to look. It was Shi Danling and another village girl running toward the riverbank.

Just like last time, Shi Danling was clutching a yellow envelope in her hand.

Everyone recognized the scene. One by one, they stood up.

Someone called out, “It must be another letter from Huaiming!”

Shi Huaizhong and Zhenzhen stepped forward to meet Shi Danling. The rest of the crowd followed, eager to see what was going on.

As Shi Danling approached, Shi Huaizhong was the first to speak: “Another letter from your Third Uncle?”

Shi Danling nodded vigorously, panting as she handed the letter to him.

Shi Huaizhong took the letter and turned to find Secretary Li, saying politely, “Could I trouble you to read it for us?”

Secretary Li accepted the letter and began to read aloud.

As he read the salutation—addressed to Zhenzhen—he paused, and so did everyone else. They all glanced at Zhenzhen with knowing eyes.

Zhenzhen froze as well. A slow blush crept from her ears to her cheeks.

Secretary Li continued reading.

The content of the letter was ordinary, but when he got to the part about the red scarf, Zhenzhen’s face turned even redder.

Everyone’s eyes shifted to her, each with a different expression.

After reading the entire letter, Secretary Li stopped. Shi Danling had finally caught her breath.

She pulled the red scarf out of her schoolbag and handed it to Zhenzhen. “Third Aunt, this is the red scarf Third Uncle bought for you. Try it on—it’ll look so pretty on you.”

The moment the scarf came out, all eyes were drawn to it.

In the countryside, people had never seen such a fine thing. Everyone thought it looked elegant and beautiful.

Zhenzhen blinked in a daze for a long time, not daring to reach out and touch it, afraid she might ruin it with a single touch.

Chen Qingmei chuckled and nudged her gently, whispering, “Zhenzhen, are you in a daze?”

Snapping out of it, Zhenzhen felt her face burning hot.

Yes, she was completely dazed.

She had no idea how to react.

Nor did she know what to say.

After a long pause, she looked at Shi Danling and finally said, “Auntie didn’t wash her hands. Could you help me keep it safe for now?”

“Sure!” Shi Danling smiled, carefully placing the scarf back into her bag.

Mission accomplished. She packed up the scarf and the letter, then ran home with her schoolmate.

Back at the riverbank, the commune members dispersed, sitting back around the fire and breaking into another round of lively discussion.

Zhenzhen sat by the fire, eating sweet potatoes that tasted especially soft and sweet today—sweet all the way to her heart. The smile in her eyes and on her lips simply wouldn’t go away, no matter how hard she tried.

She hadn’t meant to be so happy, but she just couldn’t help it.

Her joy was so contagious that Cuilan and Xiuzhu began smiling as well.

Cuilan nudged Hongmei with her shoulder and teased, “See that? I told you Huaiming wasn’t that kind of man. Just because he became a cadre doesn’t mean he’d abandon Zhenzhen.”

Hongmei chewed her sweet potato as if it were bitter fruit.

Dragging out her words, she muttered, “The letter didn’t say much. Just a scarf, that’s all. Back in the old days, they’d give you a good meal before beheading you. People really shouldn’t get too pleased with themselves—too much joy is never a good sign.”

Hongmei had a knack for raining on people’s parades.

But today, nothing could dampen the small flame burning on Zhenzhen’s face and in her heart.

Softly and sweetly, she said, “Let me be happy for a little while, at least.”

Hongmei: “…”

Now that’s what you call having a big heart.

Just that single opening word—“Zhenzhen”—and the vivid red scarf had left her beaming for half the day.

As she buried herself in her work, her face and eyes sparkled with joy.

When she spoke to others, her voice was as clear and bright as a yellow oriole’s song.

At dusk, she headed home from the fields.

The evening glow draped over her like a gauzy shawl.

It brushed over her long, curled lashes.

That day, the Shi household felt like it was celebrating the New Year.

At dinner, Zhong Minfen added a fragrant can of beef stew to the table.

After the meal, she handed out three candies to each family member—two hard, one soft.

After distributing the sweets, she declared solemnly, “Huaiming sent back a lot of goodies. I’ve put the rest away. We’ll eat them sparingly. There’s more if anyone wants some, so no one is allowed to give away their share.”

What she meant was clear: Shi Huaizhong, Chen Qingmei, and Zhenzhen were not to save their candies for the two kids.

Adults are people too. Adults have mouths. Adults deserve candy as well.

Of course, the three adults had planned to give their sweets to Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo.

When Zhong Minfen said that, Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo responded the loudest, and the three adults—Zhenzhen, Shi Huaizhong, and Chen Qingmei—each accepted their candies as well.

The six members of the family sat together, savoring their sweets.

They carefully unwrapped the candy and placed it gently into their mouths.

The sweetness spread across their tongues, slowly melting into their hearts and bringing out soft smiles.

Under the dim oil lamp, their exchanged glances and smiles seemed to make the sweetness multiply, five or six times over.

In the dim, narrow little room, a warm and sugary aroma lingered in the air.

After washing up and lying in bed, Shi Danling was still savoring the taste of the beef stew and candy from dinner.

It was her first time tasting canned beef and soft candies rich with milk flavor—both were delightfully new and unforgettable.

After a while, she hugged Zhenzhen’s arm and said, “Third Aunt, I feel so happy.”

Zhenzhen smiled and gently replied, “Mm, it is a kind of happiness.”

Shi Danling nuzzled her arm with her cheek. “With Third Uncle around, it’ll always be this happy, right?”

Zhenzhen gazed up at the wooden beams and blinked slowly. Her voice was soft. “Yes, it will be.”

Feeling content, Shi Danling fell asleep with Zhenzhen’s arm in her grasp.

But Zhenzhen wasn’t sleepy. Her mind was swirling with thoughts—some joyful, others tinged with bitterness.

Outside, the night was deep and heavy with dew.

From time to time, the sound of an old hen flapping her wings echoed from the chicken coop.

Zhenzhen gently eased her arm from Danling’s embrace and quietly got up, careful not to wake her.

She put on her padded coat and, after tucking Danling in, slipped into her shoes, lit a match, and kindled the oil lamp.

Bathed in its soft glow, Zhenzhen walked to her camphorwood chest.

She opened it and took out the bright red scarf, then sat down by the lamp, holding it reverently.

After examining it for a while, she carefully wrapped the scarf around her neck and turned to face a mirror with a peony print.

The flickering lamplight cast a warm glow over her face in the reflection.

In that hazy light, she looked like a beauty from a painting.

The red scarf around her neck was especially vivid and striking, making her look dazzlingly radiant.

Her eyes sparkled with the light of the flame.

Shi Huaiming had probably long forgotten what she looked like.

He had never liked her appearance, not even once.