Chapter 22

County Middle School.

Third floor of the girls’ dormitory.

Wrapped in a thick padded coat, Xu Wanchun stood in the hallway, sticking her head out to look down toward the first floor—

Only to bonk her head on something hard.

She instinctively pulled back and looked up—turned out it was an icicle.

Those things showed up every year, melting and freezing over and over, silently measuring the passage of time.

And just like that, under the witness of an icicle, it was now the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, 1956—the start of winter break.

The rest of the girls in the ninth-grade dorm had already gone home.

Wrapped up like a dumpling, Xu Wanchun was the only one left. She had to wait for her first-year friend, Yulan.

It was freezing… So cold, in fact, that the school hadn’t even bothered lighting the boiler on the last day. Shivering, she went back into the small dorm room to pace and keep warm.

She prided herself on being more cold-resistant in this life than her previous one, but in a place without central heating and temperatures dropping below minus thirty degrees Celsius, even she was struggling.

After waiting a while longer, just as she was about to go check again, she finally heard the familiar sound of hurried footsteps approaching.

They got closer and closer until they stopped right outside her dorm door. Guessing it was her friend, she didn’t even wait for a knock before swinging the door open.

Outside stood a girl bundled so tightly that only her round eyes were visible. Seeing her best friend wrapped up even more tightly inside, she smiled with squinted eyes. “Taohua, have you been waiting long?”

Growing up together meant no need for pretense. Xu Wanchun was nearly frozen and couldn’t help stomping her half-numb feet. “Your teacher talks way too much! If this keeps up, we won’t make it home today!”

“I know, right? He goes on and on, and it’s all nonsense. Ugh, it’s freezing. Should we head out now?”

“Yeah, yeah. Where’s your bedding? Already packed? Want help?”

“No need, it’s done. Let’s carry yours down first, then get mine.”

The ninth-grade dorm was on the third floor, the first-year dorm on the first. Perfect route. The two girls helped each other lug their rolled-up bedding and trudged toward the school gate.

There, a sled pulled by a horse-drawn cart was waiting to transport students.

The driver uncle helped load their bundles onto the sled.

Xu Wanchun thanked him, pulled her friend up onto the cart, found the most wind-sheltered spot, and covered them with an old blanket she had brought just for this.

After all that effort, the two thin fourteen-year-old girls were panting from exhaustion.

After a while, seeing that the sled still hadn’t moved, Xu Wanchun stuck her head out and called, “Uncle, are we waiting for more people?”

The driver pressed down his fur cap and spoke, his breath forming clouds. “Just waiting for two more. Hang tight, kids.”

Li Yulan whispered, “Should we just pay double and hire the sled ourselves?”

Xu Wanchun retreated back into the blanket, checked the time, and decided they could wait a little longer. She shook her head. “Let’s give it a bit more time.” She wasn’t short on money—but it was better to keep a low profile when traveling.

Fortunately, they only waited another five or six minutes before three more first-year students heading to Hongqi Commune arrived.

Once everyone was aboard, the driver uncle tightened his deerskin cloak, changed out the straw in his boots, climbed up onto the sled seat, and gave the reins a light snap.

With a crisp snap, the horse lifted its hooves, and the sled swiftly moved forward.

After riding sleds for so many years, the novelty had long worn off for Xu Wanchun. She and Yulan pulled the ragged quilt tighter, making sure not a single draft could get through, then huddled close together.

=

From the county high school to the Hongqi Commune was roughly 30 li.

Horse-drawn sleds were much faster than those pulled by other animals, so in less than two hours, the group arrived at their destination.

Of course, the commune wasn’t the girls’ final stop—they still needed to transfer.

The sled driver, an honest and warm-hearted uncle, helped them unload their heavy bedding and escorted them all the way to the sled depot before departing.

Perhaps because the New Year was approaching, villagers came to town in droves to shop for the holidays, and the sleds waiting for passengers were lined up one after another.

Xu Wanchun had Yulan watch the luggage while she ran off in search of someone. It didn’t take long before she spotted a familiar figure among the smoking and chatting drivers.

She didn’t want to inhale second-hand smoke, so she stood a few meters away and waved while calling out loudly, “Third Grandpa, are you waiting for us?”

Xu Jinghai, who had been chatting with another driver, quickly came over with a grin. “Of course, I’m waiting for you two little girls. Frozen stiff yet?”

“Absolutely. Good thing it’s the start of winter break.” Wanchun jumped in place a few times to get her blood flowing, then led him to Yulan.

With Third Grandpa’s help, the heavy bedding was soon loaded onto the sled.

Knowing the girls hated the cold, once they laid down and were covered with the quilt, Xu Jinghai added another blanket on top. He then proudly waved to his fellow drivers and cracked his whip to start moving.

And why wouldn’t he be proud? These two girls were the only junior high students in the entire village.

The other kids? The best of them were still in sixth grade, the worst had been repeating fourth grade for years—already fifteen or sixteen and still lagging behind.

But these two girls? They were outstanding, especially Taohua—she had skipped three grades and still maintained the top rank in her class.

Because of her, the men in the village had bragging rights when drinking: “Our Taohua’s going to high school next year, a real scholar who’ll study in the city!”

Would she pass the entrance exam?

Pff, no doubt about it!

Everyone in the village believed that clever little Taohua would become the first university student in ten villages.

Getting into high school was practically guaranteed.

That’s how confident they were.

=

Xu Wanchun had no idea her Third Grandpa was silently basking in pride.

The cold wind whipped against the sled as it dashed forward, biting like knives. She stayed huddled in the quilt, trying to survive.

Luckily, the commune wasn’t far from the village—within half an hour, she heard her foster mother’s voice, followed by the booming bark of Danggui.

They were home!

Just as that thought crossed her mind, the sled slowly came to a stop.

“Taohua, you must be frozen! Quick, come warm up—Mama’s lit the fire!” Seeing her daughter’s pale face, Xu Hehua was distressed. She quickly pulled her scarf and hat back in place.

Nearby, Su Nan took out a beautiful copper hand warmer. “Here, tuck this into your coat—your Master’s wife heated it just for you. It’s still piping hot.”

Doctor Cao urged, “Alright, alright, let the child go inside first.” He turned to the driver, handing him a packet of cigarettes. “Uncle Jinghai, I won’t bring up payment.”

Of course, Xu Jinghai couldn’t accept money—his brother, Xu Jingjun, would skin him alive. Besides, Doctor Cao had done so much for the villagers, and Taohua had once warned his brother about the village elections back in 1953, giving them the upper hand.

That favor alone was worth a lot.

Helping bring the kids home for break was nothing in comparison.

But… these were good cigarettes, and since Doctor Cao didn’t smoke, they’d go to waste…

Xu Jinghai grinned sheepishly for a long while but couldn’t refuse. “Then I’ll shamelessly accept them.”

Doctor Cao stuffed the pack into his hand and glanced at the pale-faced Yulan still on the sled. “I’ll trouble you to take Yulan home too—she’s frozen stiff.”

“Right, right, I’ll head off now. Catch up later.” Without another word, Xu Jinghai stowed the cigarettes and cracked the whip again, leaving so fast that Xu Wanchun didn’t even get to say goodbye.

“Don’t just stand there—come in.” Xu Hehua easily hoisted her daughter’s luggage and led her inside.

Su Nan and Doctor Cao didn’t follow. They’d all eat dinner together anyway—best to let the child warm up first.

“I heated up the cotton-padded clothes you left—hurry and change into them. You’ll warm up fast.” In the bedroom, Xu Hehua handed over the cozy clothes as Wanchun climbed onto the kang bed.

She didn’t waste time, quickly changing into the warm outfit.

After drinking a big bowl of hot red date tea, the stiffness in her body finally eased.

It wasn’t that she was delicate—it was nearly -30°C, and she’d been out in the cold since morning. Not turning into a popsicle was already impressive.

“Feeling better?” Hehua took the empty bowl and checked her daughter’s hands and feet. “Still so cold.”

Wanchun pulled her feet away with a giggle. “It’ll take a bit. I haven’t been home for half a month. Everything okay here? How are Master and Madam?”

While speaking, she studied her mother’s complexion. Six years had passed, but time hadn’t left many marks.

In fact, Hehua looked younger now than when they first met—probably from all the books she’d read and the confidence she’d gained as the village accountant.

“What could happen? Everyone’s hibernating these days. I barely go out—might get fat at this rate. Your Master and Madam are fine too. We eat together often. You little thing, always worrying.”

She really did look radiant—not like someone who spent her life in a rural village. Honestly, Wanchun thought her mother looked even younger than she had six years ago.

At that moment, a plump Fuling leapt onto the kang, sniffed around, recognized her scent, and immediately began rubbing up against her, meowing softly.

Danggui wasn’t to be left out either. Though he couldn’t get on the bed, he pushed his big head over and whined in protest—complaining his little mistress had been gone too long.

“You’re the one spoiling them. These two never come into my room,” Hehua scolded with a smile, then looked closely at her daughter’s face.

Though she was now 1.6 meters tall, a budding young girl, in her mother’s eyes, she was still her precious little child. “Your hands and feet are still cold. Want me to get some herbs from your Master to sweat out the chill?”

“No need—just make me some ginger tea. Lots of water, so I can soak my feet later.” Wanchun’s head did feel a bit foggy. While rubbing Danggui’s big head and stroking Fuling’s soft fur, she asked, “Any letters for me?”

Hehua had just stepped out of the room, but turned back, slapping her forehead. “Yes! Not just letters, a package too. One from the publishing house, one from Director Yu, and one from your senior brother. I’ll go get them.”