Chapter 18: Sister-in-law Zhang

“Waaah… waaah…” Little Zhong Ling woke up to find herself alone in bed. Her parents weren’t there, and she burst into loud sobs of distress.

Zhong Youliang, who had just returned from his morning jog, heard her crying and immediately rushed in.

“Lingling, why are you crying? Did you have a bad dream?” Zhong Youliang looked at his daughter’s tear-streaked, red little face and felt a pang in his heart. He picked her up and clumsily tried to comfort the upset little Zhong Ling.

“I want Mama, I want Mama.” She was extremely aggrieved. She usually slept with her mother, and now, waking up alone in an unfamiliar place, she was overwhelmed with fear.

“Alright, alright. Daddy will take you to find Mama.” Zhong Youliang gently wiped away her tears, picked her up quickly, and carried her to the bedroom. He Yashu was already awake, having heard the child crying.

“Were you scared, Lingling? Don’t be afraid. Remember, this is where Daddy works. All the uncles here wear military uniforms. Didn’t Mama tell you that?” He Yashu realized she hadn’t thought things through last night. Little Zhong Ling already had little sense of security, and letting her sleep alone right after arriving at the base wasn’t wise. Seeing her child’s red, puffy eyes, she felt guilty.

“Mama, I know, I was just a little scared.” Zhong Ling’s baby voice still carried a sobbing tone.

“Then can you stop crying? If you cry too long, your eyes will hurt,” He Yashu asked gently.

“Okay. Daddy, thank you for comforting me.” Zhong Ling wiped her tears, glanced at her father, and looked quite proud—her dad had comforted her, too.

“You’re welcome. In the future, if something’s bothering you, you can tell Daddy, alright?” Zhong Youliang looked at his thoughtful daughter, his eyes growing moist.

“Okay.” Zhong Ling, feeling better, hugged her father’s neck and swung around playfully.

After He Yashu made breakfast, the family ate together and then went to the county to shop.

She had always liked stockpiling food. Without a stash at home, she felt uneasy. Since there was a market in the county, she insisted on going to buy some grains to store.

Along the way, He Yashu wanted to buy everything she saw. It wasn’t until Zhong Youliang pointed out that they couldn’t carry anymore that she finally stopped.

“Mama, I’m hungry.” Little Zhong Ling, clutching her rumbling belly, looked at her mother who was still lost in the joy of shopping.

“Got a little too into shopping. Let’s go eat something.” He Yashu laughed awkwardly as she looked at the large and small bags each of them was carrying.

“Come with me, I’ll take you to eat something good.” Thankfully, He Yashu finally stopped, and Zhong Youliang sighed in relief. He remembered how Liang Xiao would drag Cheng Qian out shopping, and Cheng Qian always pretended to be busy. Zhong Youliang had laughed at him for not loving his wife—but now he understood. Next time, he’d probably avoid it too.

Zhong Youliang led his wife and daughter through a few turns to a small courtyard.

“This looks like someone’s home?” He Yashu said skeptically. After all, private businesses were still banned during this time. Doing so could get you labeled as a capitalist.

“This is my comrade’s home. Every time we come, we stop by to eat a bowl of noodles,” Zhong Youliang explained, looking a little somber.

“Captain Zhong’s here! Is this your wife and child? Come in, come in!” A woman greeted them warmly.

“Sister-in-law Zhang is my comrade’s wife. Sister Zhang, this is my wife, He Ya Shu, and my daughter, Zhong Ling,” Zhong Youliang introduced.

“That’s great, that’s great! Erniu, come out and play with your little sister!” Sister-in-law Zhang looked happy to see them and called her son to come out and play with Zhong Ling while she went to cook noodles.

“Sister-in-law Zhang’s husband was my comrade. He didn’t return from a mission, so she moved out of the military family housing. We comrades often come by to help,” Zhong Youliang said, referring to a mission three years ago from which several comrades never returned.

“We’ll help more in the future,” He Yashu said, a little saddened. There’s no such thing as peace without cost—someone must bear the weight behind the scenes.

“The noodles are ready. Eat as much as you like, there’s more if needed.” Sister Zhang wiped sweat from her brow. Erniu came running over.

“Mama, is your back hurting again? I’ll massage it for you.” The four-year-old boy earnestly pounded his mother’s back. Although Sister Zhang was clearly tired, her son’s thoughtfulness brought a smile to her face.