Chapter 13

Wen Jiao wanted to see what Hu Shufang was going to say, so she turned to the girls in the room and said, “I’ll be right back.”

Lin Hui shot Hu Shufang a wary glance, then grabbed Wen Jiao’s arm and whispered, “Don’t go too far. If she bullies you, just yell and we’ll come running.”

Hu Shufang snapped, “Lin Hui, what do you take me for?”

Lin Hui curled her lip in disdain. “Who knows? You were shameless enough to make your father hog a return-to-the-city quota so you could marry Yang Shuming. What won’t your Hu family do?”

“Let me tell you, Hu Shufang—we met with the county revolutionary committee director today. He even treated us to lunch. The return-to-city quota’s been canceled. Go tell Yang Shuming he can forget about going back to the city.”

“Oh, and the director said if we ever run into trouble, we can go to his secretary. He’ll stand up for us.”

Hu Shufang hadn’t expected the county director to meet with these educated youth. She shot Lin Hui a venomous glare, then turned to Wen Jiao. “I just need a few minutes. It won’t take long.”

Wen Jiao followed Hu Shufang out to the big elm tree outside the yard.

“Go ahead,” Wen Jiao said. “No one’s here.”

Hu Shufang stared at her and asked, “Do you know why Zhou Changhuai is still unmarried at his age?”

“No.”

“Don’t you want to know why?”

“No.”

Hu Shufang blinked in surprise. “Why not? Don’t you think it’s odd? Zhou Changhuai’s an officer—decent-looking too. Isn’t it strange a man like that hasn’t married?”

Wen Jiao arched a brow. “Decent-looking? So you’re saying Yang Shuming’s better looking than Zhou big brother?”

“Of course,” Hu Shufang said smugly.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… You really ought to see an eye doctor.”

Hu Shufang scowled. “Stop changing the subject. Don’t you want to know his secret? Fine, since you and my husband are both stationed at the same educated youth point, I feel I should tell you.”

“Don’t be scared when you hear it… Zhou Changhuai’s sick!”

Wen Jiao feigned shock. “Really? What kind of sickness? He looks perfectly healthy to me.”

“Not something you can see from the outside!” Hu Shufang leaned closer, lowering her voice. “My mother told me. Four years ago Zhou Changhuai was badly injured. His mother came to mine asking for medicinal herbs.”

Wen Jiao already knew Zhou Changhuai had been wounded and sent here to recuperate, but she played dumb. “Your mother knows how to prescribe herbs?”

Hu Shufang curled her lips proudly. “Of course. She learned from my grandfather. Let me be blunt—Zhou Changhuai’s lower body was hurt. You know… a man’s part. Get it?”

Wen Jiao understood instantly but shook her head as if confused.

“You’re so dense! I’m saying if you marry him, you’ll be a widow in all but name for life. Understand? What’s marriage for, huh? Are you willing to spend your whole life celibate for him?”

Wen Jiao shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. As long as I get enough to eat.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Hu Shufang gaped.

“Perfectly fine,” Wen Jiao said lightly. “I’m not marrying him for that. I’m marrying him to leave this place—and to stay fed.”

“You—!”

Wen Jiao gave her a sweet smile. “Why are you so worked up? I’m marrying Zhou big brother, not you! But hey—are you sure that walking stick Yang Shuming can satisfy you?”

Hu Shufang’s face flamed red. “Wen Jiao, you have no shame!”

“Oh, come on,” Wen Jiao teased. “If anyone’s shameless, it’s you—you came to me to start this conversation. What’s wrong? You can gossip about my man’s private life, but I can’t mention yours? Double standard, much?”

“There’s no double standard! I’m telling you this for your own good. You’re so ungrateful!”

“And I’m telling you something for your own good too. By the way, looks like your mom’s herbs didn’t work, huh?”

“Leave my mother out of this! The problem’s Zhou Changhuai—he refused to take them!”

“Good thing he didn’t,” Wen Jiao said calmly. “If he had, he might not even be alive now. You can’t just toss random herbs at someone. They’re untested, could be toxic. Might even kill him.”

She slapped a mosquito on her arm. “That’s all you wanted to say? I’m heading in. No point feeding mosquitoes out here. You should hurry back to your wedding night—don’t keep Yang Shuming waiting.”

Hu Shufang fumed as Wen Jiao walked away, kicking a rock and muttering through clenched teeth:

“Wen Jiao, why don’t you care that Zhou Changhuai’s not a real man? Are you really fine with it—or just pretending? I don’t believe you don’t care. Just wait—you’ll regret this!”

As for Wen Jiao, she didn’t give the matter a second thought. She was a doctor—this was nothing serious. Once she and Zhou Changhuai reached Nanya Island, she’d find a way to treat him.

She knew full well Hu Shufang hadn’t told her this out of kindness. The woman just wanted to see her embarrassed.

Like she’d ever fall for that!

When Wen Jiao got back inside, Lin Hui darted over. “What did Hu Shufang say to you?”

“Nothing important,” Wen Jiao waved it off. “She was just bored. I’m going to wash up.”

Lin Hui eyed her suspiciously but didn’t press. “Alright, go bathe.”

Wen Jiao grabbed her clothes and toiletries, fetched some water, and carried it to the little wash hut to wipe down.

In those days, with no water heaters, bathing was a real hassle. She always felt like she couldn’t get properly clean, but there was no helping it.

After scrubbing up, she gathered her dirty laundry to wash later and lay down to rest.

Just as she was settling in, someone knocked on the door again.

Lin Hui muttered, “Don’t tell me it’s Hu Shufang again…”

One of the girls nearest the door got up to open it—then yelped, “Yang Shuming? Who are you looking for? Wen Jiao? What’s going on with you two? Why are you and Hu Shufang both coming here one after another?”

Yang Shuming looked surprised. “Shufang came to see Wen Jiao?”

Wen Jiao sat up and gave him a bored look. “Yang Shuming, tonight’s your wedding night with Hu Shufang. What are you doing here instead of with her? If she finds out you came running to the girls’ dorm, think she’ll let you off?”

“I just want to ask you a few questions,” Yang Shuming said.

“Ask.”

He glanced around at the other girls. “Could we talk outside?”

“No,” Wen Jiao said flatly. “I’m not about to be accused of seducing you. Out in the dark? I’d never clear my name even with a hundred mouths.”

“Exactly!” Lin Hui chimed in. “Yang Shuming, are you trying to set Wen Jiao up? You’re disgusting.”

“I’m not! I’m not setting her up,” he protested. “I just want to know why she’s marrying Zhou Changhuai. Wen Jiao, is it because I married Shufang? Are you doing this to spite me?”

Wen Jiao glared at him. “Where do you get that kind of ego? Don’t you own a mirror? No mirror? Go piss in a puddle and take a good look at yourself—see how filthy your face is, as black as a lump of coal.”

The girls burst out laughing.

Yang Shuming stared in disbelief. “Wen Jiao… how can you be so crude? You weren’t like this before! It’s like you’re a different person. You’re not the Wen Jiao I knew. Who are you?”

Wen Jiao rolled her eyes. “I’m your mother. Come on, be a good son—call me Mom.”

The girls doubled over with laughter.

Lin Hui pointed at Yang Shuming, laughing so hard she could barely talk. “Oh my, Yang Shuming, look at this—we’re all your moms now! Call us all Mommy! Want some candy, son? It’s from Wen Jiao’s wedding treats!”

“Tomorrow afternoon we’re all going to her wedding banquet with Commander Zhou. Wen Jiao’s right—you really should take a good look at yourself. Think everyone wants you? Hah! What a joke.”