Chapter 15: Digging a Well

“Erbao reached out his little hands and cupped his mother’s face. ‘Daddy loves Mommy.’

Dabao chimed in, ‘Mommy, if Daddy hears that, he’ll be heartbroken.’

‘What’s that delicious smell?’ Ye Fan asked.

Dabao rolled his eyes helplessly, ‘Stop changing the subject! Mommy, I’m talking to you. Show the proper attitude!’

Ye Fan tugged his ear playfully. ‘Who’s showing the proper attitude?’

‘Me, me, me! Mommy, spare me! Daddy, help—’

Ye Fan interrupted, ‘Even calling Grandma won’t help.’

‘Sometimes it does,’ Geng Zhiyé said, entering the room. ‘Don’t bully him. I took the porridge out of the pot and started boiling some water. You can use the hot water to wipe yourself down and wash your hair.’ Then he asked the two kids, ‘The fish with tofu is ready. Do you still want some?’

The siblings hadn’t seen Ye Fan in the well with their own eyes, and since they thought Mommy was strong, and whatever she couldn’t do, Daddy could, they hadn’t been too worried when they saw her soaking wet. But the two little smarties noticed she didn’t look too well, and after she ate some porridge, she was hungry again soon, so they didn’t make a fuss.”

“But it was different when Daddy brought it up on his own. The siblings chimed in together, ‘We want some!’

Dabao slipped on his shoes himself. ‘Daddy, I can eat a big steamed bun.’

‘There wasn’t any flour. The cafeteria should be cooking soon. We’ll go check in a bit and buy a few,’ Geng Zhiyé said to Ye Fan, ‘Take a break; I’ll call you once the water’s ready.’

Not wanting to be left alone, Ye Fan put on her coat, slid into her shoes, and went outside.

Seeing this, Geng Zhiyé brought over a bowl of porridge from the enamel basin, along with four sets of bowls, chopsticks, and spoons. He served the kids each a half bowl of porridge and a full bowl for himself and Ye Fan.

Dabao looked at the bowls of his parents and then at his own, his little mouth pouting so much you could hang an oil bottle on it.

Geng Zhiyé, both exasperated and amused, said, ‘There’s more in the basin. Finish this, and you can have seconds.’ He scooped a spoonful of fish and tofu with Erbao’s small spoon. ‘Eat slowly, don’t choke.’ Then he reminded Ye Fan to use her spoon.

Dabao, momentarily forgetting his annoyance, asked seriously, ‘Where’s mine?’

‘Did your hand get hurt?’ Geng Zhiyé said teasingly, but he still gave his son a spoonful. ‘Erbao, is it good?’

Erbao, delighted, nodded repeatedly. ‘It’s so smooth. Daddy, you should eat some too.’

Geng Zhiyé turned to Ye Fan. ‘Shall I get a few more pounds tomorrow morning?'”

“In her previous life, Ye Fan was busy making money; in this life, she’s been occupied with raising kids and working, so she hasn’t really handled seafood much. ‘Buy a few more types, and I’ll learn from you how to cook them.’

Dabao nodded with great satisfaction. ‘Mom, that’s the right attitude.’

Ye Fan glared at him. ‘Talking like a little know-it-all—you should see how young you are.’ Thinking about her eldest, she couldn’t help but share with Geng Zhiyé, ‘The ones he plays sandbags with…'”

“A few older kids—he doesn’t even know their names, yet he dares to play with them. Does Geng Dabao even realize he’s so much lighter when he’s throwing sandbags with others?”

Dabao blurted out, “I wasn’t showing off.”

Ye Fan was left speechless.

Geng Zhiyé tried not to laugh. “Enough, everyone. Let’s eat first.”

Dabao scooped up some tofu fish, watching his mom as if saying, ‘I’m eating it, and you’re not getting any.’

Ye Fan rolled her eyes. How childish.

Pretending not to notice, Geng Zhiyé said, “Fan Fan, when I went shopping, a few people mentioned the furniture is ready. You can decide how to arrange it at home, and I’ll ask them to help us bring it over.”

“No steamed buns?” Dabao, who hadn’t had any in days, asked.

Geng Zhiyé replied, “We’ll go buy them after.”

Dabao leaned over the table, guarding his bowl with one hand as he shoveled porridge into his mouth, his eyes darting around, little brain spinning. Across from him, Ye Fan caught sight of his expression. “Geng Dabao, just say what’s on your mind.”

“‘Is that okay?’ Dabao sat up straight.

Ye Fan replied, ‘I’m in a good mood right now.’

‘I’m in a good mood too.’

Ye Fan was tempted to roll her eyes. ‘Stop copying me. Spit it out!’

Dabao immediately said, ‘Dad…’

‘I can buy things.’

‘I know. But freshly steamed buns are hot,’ Geng Zhiyé said, not mentioning the uneven roads on the island. Carrying the buns could make him trip, or else Dabao would be swearing up and down that he wouldn’t fall, maybe even picking up the enamel bowl of porridge to prove it.

Dabao nodded, a bit disappointed.

Geng Zhiyé added, ‘Tomorrow’s free. Daddy will take you, Mommy, and your sister out to play.’”

“Dabao asked curiously, ‘Is this place big?’

‘It’s over ten kilometers long and seven or eight kilometers wide. Not small,’ Geng Zhiyé replied. ‘But there are a lot of mountains, and the fields are like little tofu squares. Every few steps, there’s a small canal. It’s different from our hometown—you two should like it.’

Erbao put down her little spoon and loudly declared, ‘Daddy, I like playing in the water.’

Dabao quickly covered her mouth. ‘Why do you have to say everything out loud?’

Erbao looked at her brother with big, blinking eyes, exactly like Ye Fan’s, as if asking, Can’t I say that?

Dabao nodded. It’s fine as long as we know.

Erbao nodded along. Okay, big brother!

Ye Fan, no longer feeling hungry, forced herself to finish the porridge and then poured the rest from the enamel bowl into Geng Zhiyé’s bowl. Geng Zhiyé asked, ‘Are you giving it all to me? Aren’t you eating?’

‘Do you two want some?’ Ye Fan asked Dabao and Erbao.

Dabao, wanting to accuse her of favoritism, opened his mouth, but a satisfied burp escaped instead, and he slumped down immediately.”

“Erbao was clever, but since she was young, if Dabao didn’t speak, she wouldn’t know what to say. She obediently shook her head.

Ye Fan put her empty bowl in the basin, and seeing this, Geng Zhiyé said, ‘Leave it, I’ll wash up. The water in the pot should be hot now.’

Ye Fan filled a basin halfway with water and went under the eaves to wash her hair.

Geng Zhiyé mixed two ladles of hot water with a ladle of well water in a bucket and brought it over to Ye Fan. ‘Use this to rinse your hair.’

‘My hair is too long. Could you cut it a bit for me? It’s such a hassle to haul water just to wash it.’

Geng Zhiyé replied, ‘I’ll haul the water.’

‘…What about when you’re not home?’ Ye Fan asked, exasperated. ‘Just cut it to shoulder length so I can still tie it up. Oh, and by the way, can you buy hair ties?’

Geng Zhiyé said, ‘…Do you think I can’t support you? Just hurry up and wash, don’t catch a cold.’ He went inside, washed all the dishes and utensils, then took an enamel basin with a lid. ‘Dabao, Erbao, want to come with Daddy?’

Dabao asked, ‘Is it far?’

Geng Zhiyé nodded, and Erbao reached out her hands. ‘Daddy, carry me.’

‘…Why are you so clever?’ Geng Zhiyé just treated it as strength training.

But he hadn’t expected to end up carrying both chubby little ones on the way back. By the time they got home, his arms were sore. Ye Fan saw him rubbing his arms and asked, ‘Didn’t Dabao warn you not to overdo it?’”

“Dabao covered his face, shouting angrily as if embarrassed, ‘Don’t say that!’

Ye Fan rolled her eyes at him, grabbed her clothes, and headed outside. In the yard, there were only two thick sticks and a clothesline, making her sigh—she had once again forgotten that there was no water pump here, let alone running water.

Geng Zhiyé came out and took the basin from her hands. ‘I’ll haul water and wash tomorrow.’

Ye Fan felt a bit exasperated. ‘Captain Geng, ever heard the saying “where there’s a will, there’s a way”?’

Geng Zhiyé nodded. ‘I know. I asked around. The ground here has poor conditions for digging a well. If we really want to dig one, be prepared for a yard full of holes.’

Ye Fan replied, ‘Well, at least we wouldn’t need to till the soil for gardening.’

‘Since it’s decided, I’ll ask someone about it when I bring the furniture, then see if they can come by and take a look?’

Ye Fan was a bit worried. ‘I don’t understand the local dialect. Will you be around?’

‘If I get back early, yes. I still have a few days off.’ Geng Zhiyé moved the dining table to the side, held out his hand toward Ye Fan, who handed him the money. He nodded at her and headed out.”

Dabao was very curious: “How did Mom know that Dad was reaching for money?”

“How could he haul furniture without paying? Silly!” Ye Fan picked up a bucket of water from the kitchen and started washing clothes under the clothesline.

Dabao, new to the area and unfamiliar with where to go, carried two small stools. He and Erbao sat on either side of their mom, watching her quietly.

“They looked like two gatekeepers.”

Ye Fan asked, “Why don’t you go play with your new friends?”

Dabao lay on his legs, awkwardly saying, “I don’t know where Miaomiao’s sister’s house is.”

“Don’t you ask?”

“Who should I ask? I don’t know anyone.”

Ye Fan wanted to laugh but held it in. If he weren’t only four years old, she’d have to say that even you, Geng Dabao, have a shy side.

“They live to the east of our house. When you and your dad went to buy steamed buns, I saw the three siblings playing in the yard.” Ye Fan noticed him getting up and said, “What’s the rush? Sit down! What if they’re doing their homework?”

Dabao sat down, and seeing this, Erbao obediently sat down as well.

Ye Fan asked, “How many bottles of cola are left?”

Erbao stretched out two fingers and said, “One bottle for Gege, one bottle for Erbao.” After saying that, she asked for more cola.

With her teeth not fully grown, Ye Fan didn’t dare let her drink cola for several days in a row. “What about candy?” she asked.

Dabao replied, “There are still lots left. Mom, Dad promised to buy me two pounds.”

“And you also promised not to tell Grandma and Grandpa about what happened today. Did you keep your promise?”

Dabao hurriedly retorted, “Is it my fault if Erbao said it too?”

“You didn’t remind Erbao, so she wouldn’t have remembered,” Ye Fan said. “Erbao doesn’t even remember things yet. By the time Geng Zhiyé gets his next break next year, she’ll have forgotten. I don’t want to argue with you. If you want to keep your word, I’ll tell you what to do.”

The clothes they wore this morning hadn’t gotten dirty yet. While talking to the kids, Ye Fan hung them on the clothesline.

“Alright, alright,” Dabao said with an expression of “I’ll let you have it this time,” and glanced at his mom. “Can I say it now?”

Ye Fan waved at the kids. Dabao and Erbao stood up, and Ye Fan grabbed the two small stools, walking ahead. Dabao and Erbao followed behind, running with small steps. If you didn’t look closely, it almost looked like she was walking two little dogs.

Ye Fan placed the stools against the wall. “Wait here.”

The siblings sat down and waited.

Ye Fan went into her and Geng Zhiyé’s room and grabbed a handful of milk candies. She roughly estimated there were about twenty. Ye Fan stuffed five or six candies into Erbao’s pockets, then put a few in Dabao’s pockets. After that, there were a few left, so each child got two.

“Dabao, go next door and ask if Miaomiao’s sister is home. If someone tells you she’s home, ask if she has homework to do. If she says she has homework, tell her you’ll play with her tomorrow. If she doesn’t have homework, you and Erbao can play with her and invite her to have some candy.”

Dabao asked, “Aren’t we inviting the big brother and little sister?”

Ye Fan instinctively wanted to ask who the big brother and little sister were, but suddenly remembered that when Liao Miaomiao had come to their house, she had two younger siblings. “Her brother and sister? Yes, invite them. If her parents are home, don’t be stingy. They are your dad’s friends.”

“It’s like how the director of the supply and marketing cooperative is your mom’s friend.”

Dabao nodded. “Mom, when are we going?”

“We can go now. There are a lot of stones on the road, so you should hold onto your sister. If their yard door is closed, ask if anyone is inside. If the door is open, knock on the door of the main room and wait until someone sees you before going in. Even if the door is open, don’t just walk in directly.”

Dabao listens attentively when he doesn’t understand something. He and Erbao went next door, and when they saw the yard door open, they instinctively looked toward their own house. Ye Fan waved at him from the yard. Dabao pulled Erbao to the door of the house. No one was in the living room, so Dabao knocked on the door and asked, “Is anyone there?”

Liao Zhengwei’s wife, Zhuang Qiuyue, came out from inside.

Holding the needle and thread box and the shoe sole, Zhuang Qiuyue was momentarily stunned. “Who are you?”

“I’m Dabao, and this is my sister, Erbao. My dad is Geng Zhiyé, and my mom is Ye Fan.”

Zhuang Qiuyue seemed to recognize them. “I’ve seen both of you before, this morning, right? Come in.”

“Is Miaomiao Jie at home?”

Liao Miaomiao had already come out from the room.

Dabao, following his mom’s instructions, asked her if she needed to do homework. Zhuang Qiuyue, surprised by how well-spoken such a small child was, responded, “No rush.” Liao Miaomiao couldn’t help but wonder if she had heard wrong—since when was her mom so easygoing?

Dabao then asked if they could play with her.

Liao Miaomiao stepped aside and gestured to the bedroom door. “Come over first, I still have some homework to do, but I’ll be done soon.”

Dabao extended his hand to offer her candy, and Erbao, following her brother’s lead, also wanted to offer her some. Dabao took the candy from Erbao’s hand and gave one to Zhuang Qiuyue and the Liao family siblings.

The four of them exchanged looks, and it was Liao Miaomiao who spoke first, asking, “What are you guys eating?”

Dabao and Erbao both patted their pants pockets.

Liao Miaomiao felt reassured and led them into the house.

Zhuang Qiuyue couldn’t help but click her tongue. No wonder these kids came from a big place.

On the island, things are quiet, and even the smallest matters can attract people’s attention, especially something as big as a child being swapped. Zhuang Qiuyue went to fetch water at noon, and on her way back, she encountered three people who asked if she knew that her new neighbor, Ye Fan, was actually surnamed Chén.

The misdeeds of Chen Kuanren and Zhao Rujing left Zhuang Qiuyue with mixed feelings about Ye Fan. When Liao Zhengwei came home for lunch, Zhuang Qiuyue mentioned this and asked him what he thought. Liao Zhengwei asked her if she, after raising her own daughter with such effort, would be willing to send her away. Zhuang Qiuyue said that the Chén family had returned Chen Xiaohui. While working with cement, Liao Zhengwei had some idle thoughts and said to his wife that given the Yè family’s circumstances, if Ye Fan had been a son, the Chén family would have been willing to let go of her.

It wasn’t that Ye Fan was unwilling to leave her family; once Zhuang Qiuyue saw how well-behaved Dabao and Erbao were, she couldn’t help but think more highly of her.

By one o’clock, Ye Fan’s job could be given to Chen Xiaohui.

She had knowledge and experience that no one could take away from her. So the fact that Ye Fan’s original surname was Chén was something she welcomed as her new neighbor.

Zhuang Qiuyue went to her daughter’s bedroom door and asked, “Dabao, does your mom know that you and your sister came to find Miaomiao?”

Dabao nodded, “Mom knows.”

“What is your mom doing at home?”

Dabao answered, “My dad is buying furniture. Mom is at home waiting for Dad.”

Zhuang Qiuyue originally wanted to go next door to see if she could help, but she said, “Play,” and opened both doors to the living room while working on the shoes. Hearing movement next door, she peeked her head over, set down her needlework, and went next door to help move the furniture.

Zhuang Qiuyue had thought there would only be a few pieces, but when she arrived, she saw a long bench that could seat three people. She asked, “Geng Tuanzhang, why so much furniture? Are you planning to live here for a lifetime?”

“One or two years will still be needed,” Geng Zhiyé said as he and the carpenter carried the long bench down.

Zhuang Qiuyue grabbed a chair and almost dropped it. “It’s this heavy?”

Geng Zhiyé replied, “It’s made from solid wood. Fanfan, don’t touch it. Let me bring it down first, then you can take it.” He took down a chair and handed it to her.

Zhuang Qiuyue carried the chair toward Ye Fan and asked, “Where should I put it?”

“In the living room. Put it against the wall first. There are still two cabinets and a cupboard that haven’t been unloaded,” Ye Fan replied. “My name is Ye Fan. You can call me Xiǎo Yè.”

Zhuang Qiuyue introduced herself and mentioned that she could be called Saozi(sister-in-law), as she was a few years older than Geng Zhiyé.

Seeing her speak confidently while handling the chair, Ye Fan smiled and called out, “Sǎozi.”

Zhuang Qiuyue nodded politely on the surface, but inside, she was puzzled. What were the Chén family thinking, giving such a beautiful daughter to the Yè family? Was Chen Xiaohui really as stunning as a fairy?

She had never seen a fairy in her life, so Zhuang Qiuyue thought it was impossible. It must be that the Chén couple had lost their minds.

Seeing Geng Zhiyé and the carpenter carrying in a wardrobe more than a meter tall, she hurriedly stepped aside to let them pass. “Geng Tuanzhang, aren’t you making a wardrobe?”

“You mean the big wardrobe? It’s for Fanfan and me. This one is for Dabao and Erbao,” Geng Zhiyé replied.

Zhuang Qiuyue asked, “Each child gets one?”

Geng Zhiyé nodded, “I’m separating their things so they don’t fight.”

So meticulous! Zhuang Qiuyue glanced into the kids’ room. “One bed?”

“Erbao is too young. In a couple of years, I’ll make them bunk beds,” Geng Zhiyé planned. “If we’re still here, Erbao will sleep alone, then we’ll separate the rooms.”

Zhuang Qiuyue wanted to explain that she didn’t mean it like that. She had thought that the two-year-old Erbao would be sleeping with the parents.

But Geng Zhiyé and Ye Fan were too busy coming in and out to chat with her.

Zhuang Qiuyue stayed in the living room, helping by moving chairs, shifting stools, and opening doors. With some help, the furniture was quickly arranged in just a few minutes.

Curious about Ye Fan from the capital but unsure what to talk about, Zhuang Qiuyue asked if she wanted some vegetable seeds.

Ye Fan was caught off guard by the question, and Zhuang Qiuyue quickly realized her mistake. The young lady had never used an earthen stove, so how could she possibly plant vegetables? Zhuang Mingyue hurriedly said, “I—”

Geng Zhiyé interrupted, “Does your family still have vegetable seeds at this time of year?”

Zhuang Qiuyue nodded. Looking at Ye Fan, she added, as if asking her directly, “Do you want some?”

Ye Fan smiled and said, “Could you please get us some, sister-in-law?”

Feeling flattered by the politeness, Zhuang Qiuyue felt pleased and immediately went home to get the seeds. Geng Zhiyé quickly added, “Sister-in-law, do you have a hoe?” Then he quietly asked Ye Fan, “Do you know how to use it?”

Ye Fan helped Táo Chūnlán with the farming in the spring and autumn seasons: “All the fields in my yard were plowed by me. I don’t know if Chen Xiaohui knows how to help her plow the land. Comrade Táo Chūnlán’s waist isn’t in good condition.”

“She’s been in the countryside for seven years. Do you need to tell her? Stop worrying about it,” came the reply.

Ye Fan’s impression of Chen Xiaohui was that she lacked understanding. The words she said before leaving made Ye Fan certain that she was somewhat naive. People who are naive can barely take care of themselves, let alone others.

“Knowing how to do something doesn’t mean you’re observant,” Ye Fan couldn’t help but say.

Geng Zhiyé said, “I’ll send a telegram to my mother-in-law another day. When she sees the telegram and thinks of you, if she has any complaints about Chen Xiaohui, she won’t be able to resist writing to you.”

No one expected that a week after Geng Zhiyé returned to the army, having arranged for training and patrols, and thinking he could safely return home for dinner, he would bump into the mailman halfway and receive a letter.

When Geng Zhiyé saw the sender, he wanted to tear the letter up. But unfortunately, he didn’t dare.

When Geng Zhiyé arrived home and saw many people in the yard, both adults and children, dozens of people in total, he instinctively stopped and looked around. It was his home. Geng Zhiyé felt uneasy and slowly approached, asking, “What are you looking at?”

Liu Guihua was startled: “You walk without a sound? You scared me to death in broad daylight!”

“What are you doing?” Geng Zhiyé asked again.

Liu Guihua, sounding quite curious, replied, “Getting water. This well is really useful. Although it’s a bit slow, it’s clean. Geng Tuanzhang, is this well expensive?”

Geng Zhiyé answered, “We drilled eight holes. It wasn’t until the ninth hole that we got it right. The well pipes and head were carried by fishermen from the shore. What do you think?”

“I think it costs you half a month’s salary,” Liu Guihua said.

Geng Zhiyé shook his head: “Not that much, but it’s not cheap. Do you want to dig one? I can talk to the commune’s secretary for you.”

He made arrangements—

“No need!” Liu Guihua hurriedly stopped him from continuing, “My house is behind yours, not far.”

Liao Miaomiao’s voice came through the crowd: “Aunt Guihua, your bucket is full.”

Liu Guihua picked up the carrying pole and balanced two buckets of water, walking half the distance she used to and no longer worrying about the water buckets falling into the well. In a good mood, she weighed the buckets and smiled, saying, “Xiao Ye, come visit me at my house sometime.”

Ye Fan agreed. Geng Zhiyé couldn’t see the person, so he stood on tiptoe and saw Ye Fan behind Zhuang Qiuyue and the Chief of Staff’s wife. He also saw seven or eight more buckets in the crowd. “The water here is just like well water.”

Zhuang Qiuyue replied, “Well water isn’t as clean as the water we press ourselves. A few days ago, I thought it wouldn’t work, but yesterday the water started flowing.”

Dabao couldn’t help but say, “Dad, the water yesterday was yellow. Mom pressed and pressed, and then it became clear.”

“Did you help?”

Dabao answered, “Me and my little sister helped, but mom wouldn’t let us.”

“You’re not tall enough to press the well water. Bring your sister over here, don’t be in the way over there.” Geng Zhiyé waved, “Fanfan, have you cooked yet?”

Ye Fan shook her head, “I didn’t know you were coming back today. I planned to cook later.”

“I’ll do it.” Geng Zhiyé picked up Èr Bǎo and waved at Dabao, “Help me light the fire.”

These past few days when Geng Zhiyé wasn’t home, Dabao had been kept at the stove by his mom, watching the fire to make sure it didn’t go out. The first time was awkward, but after a few tries, Dabao got used to it and wasn’t afraid of the fire. It didn’t stop him from going to the kitchen to complain, though—when Dad wasn’t home, Mom wouldn’t let him do this or that. It was really annoying.

Geng Zhiyé asked, “She doesn’t let you play?”

“I can play, but… but Mom is just annoying!”

Geng Zhiyé deliberately asked, “Is it because her name is Ye Fan?”

Dabao nodded.

Geng Zhiyé couldn’t help but laugh, “Dabao, when you argue with your mom, should I help you or help her?”