Chapter 34

Jiang Chunzao couldn’t fall back asleep after being startled awake by her dream. She tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to find rest. By the time morning came, she was as worn out as if she had spent the night flipping pancakes. 

Meanwhile, Colonel Lu, who had slept soundly on the floor, woke up refreshed and went to prepare breakfast. Noticing his wife’s panda-like dark circles, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. When Jiang Chunzao sluggishly recounted her strange dream from the previous night, she couldn’t help but laugh. What kind of dream was that? 

Seeing that she still looked listless, Colonel Lu thoughtfully brought the breakfast into their room and didn’t leave for the base until he saw his wife finish every bite. 

Though it was winter, the army base was bustling with work, keeping the officers busy from dawn to dusk. The wives back home, however, had a much more leisurely time. 

A few days earlier, the season’s first snowfall had blanketed everything in white. It was so cold that stepping outside, even just to visit the outhouse, felt like a challenge. Before leaving, Colonel Lu had ensured the family’s kang bed was warmed thoroughly with wood he had chopped from the mountains in autumn. Stacks of logs were neatly piled in the kitchen, ready for use. 

Now, with the harsh winter upon them, the wives of the base didn’t have to work outdoors, and the children were on school holiday. After their husbands left for the day, the women would gather their children to stay warm by the fire. 

The Lu family was no exception. The snow in their courtyard was thick, but Colonel Lu had cleared a path before he left. Xiao Shitou and Moli, bundled up in thick cotton jackets, looked like two plump dumplings as they stomped around in the snow, giggling with delight. 

Inside the house, Jiang Chunzao lit a fire in a brazier she had brought from their hometown in Lu Village. Every household in the village had one of these braziers, which were perfect for keeping warm or roasting sweet potatoes and peanuts during the winter. 

The room was toasty warm, and outside in the courtyard, the two children had built a pair of small snowmen. Moli had brought two carrots from the kitchen to use as noses for the snowmen, while Shitou contributed his scarf to dress one of them. 

Once the chubby snowmen were complete, Jiang Chunzao had finished roasting a batch of fragrant sweet potatoes. She picked out two golden-brown ones and called to the children: 

“Shitou, Moli, the sweet potatoes are ready! Come inside and eat before they get cold!” 

Hearing their mother’s voice, the two children hurried into the house, their little legs kicking up snow as they ran. Their shoes and clothes were soaked from playing in the snow, with patches of wetness here and there. 

Jiang Chunzao quickly fetched fresh cotton jackets and shoes for the children. After helping them wash their hands and settle by the brazier to warm up, she gathered their wet clothes and laid them out on the heated kang to dry. 

After finishing all her chores, Jiang Chunzao returned to the main room, where the two little ones were happily munching on their sweet potatoes. She watched them with a smile, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction, as if their happiness was even better than eating the treat herself. 

In the afternoon, Sister-in-law Zhao, unable to sit still at home, came over with half a basket of peanuts and her two sons. As soon as the families gathered together, the house instantly filled with lively chatter. 

Jiang Chunzao brought out some more sweet potatoes to add to the peanuts that Sister-in-law Zhao had brought. She set everything near the brazier to roast. Before long, the room was filled with a rich, delicious aroma. The children stared eagerly at the brazier, their longing expressions making both women chuckle.  

The children, not at all embarrassed by being teased, confidently grabbed the freshly roasted sweet potatoes and began eating with great enthusiasm, savoring every bite. 

While the children enjoyed their snacks, Sister-in-law Zhao grabbed a handful of freshly roasted peanuts and started chatting with Jiang Chunzao. 

“You know,” she said between bites, “winter really is the best. No need to work outside, and the kids don’t have school. But, Springzhao, you don’t know how much grief my two rascals give me when school’s in session. They’re always counting down the days to the next break! Every time there’s a parent-teacher meeting, I don’t even know where to hide my face. And your Brother Zhao? He just sits around, eating and drinking, acting like it’s none of his business. Then he has the nerve to complain that I don’t manage the kids properly! Tell me, where’s the fairness in that?” 

Sister-in-law Zhao’s two sons, Qiangqiang and Zhuangzhuang, were sturdy and energetic boys. Though clever, they weren’t fond of studying, which often gave her headaches. It was a frequent topic of her complaints, but after venting, she usually let it go. 

Once she was done airing grievances about her family, Sister-in-law Zhao switched to gossiping about the military base. She shared all the latest happenings, such as how Sister-in-law Fang had made dumplings stuffed with shiitake mushrooms the other day, and they had smelled heavenly. Apparently, Mother Fang ate so many that she slept like a log, snoring so loudly that her own son couldn’t sleep. 

Then there was Fang Man, the wife from Colonel Fang’s household, who still couldn’t keep the peace even after getting married. She was constantly at odds with her mother-in-law, turning the house into a chaotic mess. Now, she was threatening divorce and demanding to move back to her parents’ home. 

“Divorce isn’t so simple these days,” Sister-in-law Zhao remarked with a click of her tongue. “And let’s be honest, the trouble in that house is all Fang Man’s doing. She just doesn’t know how to be content.” 

Jiang Chunzao nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. She had learned her lesson the hard way in her previous life, having spent it chasing things that didn’t matter and creating unnecessary drama. Only at the very end had she realized the importance of contentment. Truly, one could only find lasting happiness by knowing when to be satisfied. 

Sister-in-law Zhao stayed at the Lu family’s home all afternoon, chatting away. By the time the sky darkened, she finally left with her two sons, feeling thoroughly pleased with her visit. 

When Company Commander Lu returned home from the barracks, the house was silent. Upon entering, he discovered his wife and their two little ones sound asleep on the warm kang. They were bundled together, faces serene and content after a hearty meal. 

Lu Lin chuckled softly at the sight, his heart filling with warmth. Carefully, he picked up the two children and carried them to their small beds, tucking them in snugly. He then covered his wife with the quilt before heading to the kitchen. After preparing himself a bowl of noodles, he devoured it with gusto, cleaned up, and returned to bed. Pulling his wife into his arms, he finally settled in for a comfortable night’s rest. 

—

The leisurely days passed one after another, and soon it was the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. News came from a nearby production team that they were slaughtering some of the pigs they had raised throughout the year. Anyone interested in buying pork could come and purchase it. 

The wives of the military district were abuzz with excitement. Everyone wanted to buy some pork to stock up for the New Year. After all, what was a New Year celebration without meat on the table? 

At the Lu household, Jiang Chunzao, with her belly growing larger and needing to care for the two children, couldn’t go herself. She handed over some money to a group of sisters-in-law, asking them to buy ten pounds of pork for her. 

The women teased her with laughter. “Springzhao, you’re living like a rich family, buying a whole ten pounds of pork at once!” 

Jiang Chunzao laughed along. “What rich family? Normally, we wouldn’t dare spend so extravagantly. But it’s the New Year! It’s only once a year, so splurging a little won’t hurt. Besides, Lu Lin and the kids love eating meat. We can do without it on regular days, but during the New Year, the family should have their fill!” 

The sisters-in-law nodded in agreement. “That’s the truth! Didn’t the old folks say that the New Year is meant to be celebrated with abundance? If not, what’s the point of the New Year?” 

As Jiang Chunzao chatted with the women, Mother Fang passed by, carrying a basket and wearing a sour expression. She didn’t acknowledge anyone who greeted her, simply trudging along with a dark face. 

The sisters-in-law exchanged quiet whispers, guessing that Mother Fang must be upset about something again. “She’s always like this, scowling at everyone. Who knows what’s got her so worked up this time?” 

Jiang Chunzao, standing in the crowd, also noticed Mother Fang’s demeanor. She found it curious but didn’t dwell on it. She gathered her two children and returned home. 

Around noon, Sister-in-law Zhao arrived at the Lu household, beaming with joy. Behind her, her two sons, Qiangqiang and Zhuangzhuang, carried a large chunk of pork, grunting under its weight as they brought it inside. 

Jiang Chunzao was busy unpacking a parcel sent from her parents’ home when the Zhao family arrived. She quickly poured some hot water and handed the boys candies and pastries as snacks. 

Although the Zhao trio was wrapped in thick cotton-padded jackets, the bitter winter wind had chilled them to the bone. Once inside, the boys put down the pork and darted straight to the brazier to warm up. 

Xiao Moli, seeing how rosy Qiangqiang’s cheeks were, curiously reached out her small hand to touch them. The icy cold startled her, making her shiver and jump back. Her reaction sent everyone into fits of laughter, the room filling with warmth and joy. 

Sister-in-law Zhao gulped down a cup of hot tea before animatedly describing to Jiang Chunzao how terrifying it was when the production brigade slaughtered pigs. The scene was quite intimidating, but the pigs raised by the brigade were truly impressive—fat and robust, each weighing nearly 200 jin (about 100 kilograms). They were butchered with a few quick cuts, and almost 500 kilograms of pork were laid out. Just looking at it was satisfying.

After finishing her story, Sister-in-law Zhao cheerfully pulled out two jin (about 1 kilogram) of pork offal from her basket. She explained that she had snatched it up while buying pork, getting a total of four jin, with her family keeping two jin and bringing the other two here for them to enjoy.

Jiang Chunzao waved her hands repeatedly, refusing. “That won’t do. These days, even pork offal is a rare treat. If you can’t afford meat, cleaning and cooking the offal with the dried chili peppers from home makes for a spicy, fragrant, and absolutely delicious dish.”

But Sister-in-law Zhao had anticipated her refusal. She left the offal on the table and dashed off with her two boys, running so quickly they disappeared in no time. Jiang Chunzao stood there, dumbfounded, staring at their retreating figures. With no other choice, she had to accept the offal and put it away.

Outside, the cold wind howled as Lu Lin strode briskly off the cart and into the house. The kitchen glowed brightly with candlelight as Jiang Chunzao busied herself at the stove. She used lard and chili peppers to stir-fry, then added the sliced pork. A tantalizing aroma filled the room as the two children eagerly helped their mother.

That night, the Lu family indulged in a rare feast of stir-fried pork with chili, paired with freshly steamed white rice from the big pot. The meal was both satisfying and joyful.

The next day, Jiang Chunzao took a piece of homespun flaxen cloth that her grandmother had sent her. Though the material was a bit coarse, it was sturdy and practical. She cut off a few yards and went to Sister-in-law Zhao’s house, asking her to make clothes for her two robust children. Sister-in-law Zhao was delighted with the gift, chatting about how her two mischievous boys tore through clothes like they ate food, and this fabric would be just perfect.

Jiang Chunzao smiled. Soon after, Sister-in-law Fang also came to Zhao’s house, mysteriously announcing that the production brigade, which had slaughtered pigs earlier, would be slaughtering a few sheep that afternoon. She asked if Zhao and Jiang wanted to arrange for some lamb to be purchased.

After some thought, and hearing from the sisters-in-law that lamb was nourishing, Jiang Chunzao decided to buy more to supplement the health of Lu Lin and her two children.

Unexpectedly, when the lamb was brought home and stewed for Lu Lin that night, it turned out that someone, full of energy and vigor, overwhelmed Jiang Chunzao, leaving her crying loudly in the end.