Chapter 31: Notice

After sending off Section Chief Chen, Meng Yufei said to Xiao Zhang, “I guess the recruitment will happen in the next couple of days. Oh, right, who did you say you wanted to recommend just now?”

Xiao Zhang replied, “She’s an old comrade from my former arts troupe. At the end of last year, her husband was transferred to our island, so she followed him here as a military spouse, and we reconnected. I figured that since the kindergarten teacher’s job involves singing and dancing with the kids, she should be able to handle it.”

Meng Yufei nodded, “Of course! That’s a perfect fit. Hurry up and let her know—the recruitment should start in the next couple of days, so she should prepare well.”

Then, she smiled at Xiao Zhang and said, “Xiao Zhang, I didn’t expect you to be from an arts troupe. No wonder you always look so light on your feet when you walk.”

Xiao Zhang chuckled and said, “I had a back injury before and had to leave the troupe. I didn’t want to go back to my hometown, so I was eventually assigned to the logistics department of our division.”

Meng Yufei asked, “Xiao Zhang, where is your hometown?”

Xiao Zhang replied, “I’m from Jingzhou City.”

Curious, Meng Yufei asked, “Jingzhou is a big city. Why didn’t you go back? Were you unhappy with the job placement?”

Retired arts troupe members usually get assigned jobs, and Xiao Zhang always seemed to prefer big cities.

Xiao Zhang shook her head. “I just didn’t want to go back. Sigh, my family situation is a bit complicated. To be honest, I’d rather stay on this island than return home.”

Seeing the difficulty in Xiao Zhang’s expression, Meng Yufei didn’t press further and just smiled. “This place isn’t bad either. You’re still young—it’s normal to want to explore the world a bit more.”

Xiao Zhang shrugged. “I’ll just take it as it comes.”

After work, Xiao Zhang ate at the cafeteria, but instead of returning to the dormitory, she headed toward the row houses in the family compound.

She stopped at the easternmost house in the last row, walked up, and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

No response.

Xiao Zhang kept knocking persistently. About a minute later, the door finally opened.

The person inside was wearing pajamas, her hair messy, shielding her eyes from the outside light with a slender, pale hand—so thin that it looked almost skin and bones, ruining what could have been an elegant sight.

Xiao Zhang was surprised. “Wenqian, don’t tell me you were sleeping? In broad daylight? How are you going to sleep at night then?”

The woman opened the door wider. “Why are you here? Come in.” She turned around and walked inside, slumping onto the couch in the living room, weakly pointing at the teapot on the table. “Pour yourself some water if you want.”

Seeing her in such a lethargic state, Xiao Zhang frowned. “Were you up all night like a thief? Look at your dark circles—they’re awful.”

The woman yawned and said indifferently, “I lost track of time reading last night.”

Xiao Zhang shook her head, walked over, and sat beside her. “Your husband, Battalion Commander Zhao, isn’t back yet?”

The woman replied flatly, “Probably working overtime.”

Xiao Zhang sighed. “You can’t just stay cooped up at home all the time. Look at yourself—you’ve lost so much weight. Have you eaten?”

The woman shook her head. “Not hungry.”

Xiao Zhang frowned. “Even if you’re not hungry, you still have to eat! Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria.” 

She reached out to pull the woman up, but the woman pushed her hand away and said, “I’m really not hungry. He’ll bring dinner when he gets off work.”

Seeing her like this, Xiao Zhang sighed, poured her a cup of water, and advised, “You and Battalion Commander Zhao can’t keep going on like this. He went against his family’s wishes to come to this remote island just to start over with you. Now that you finally have the chance to be together, staying stuck in this stalemate won’t solve anything. Life has to go on.”

The woman stared blankly out the window and muttered, “I’m just… tired.”

Xiao Zhang said, “Tired? But all you do is stay home all day! Back when we were in the arts troupe, you used to dance for ten hours straight and still had energy left.”

A flicker of emotion crossed the woman’s face, and her gaze seemed to drift into memories. After a moment, she whispered, “Yeah… those were good times. But it’s a past that can never come back.”

Xiao Zhang immediately regretted bringing up the past and quickly changed the subject. “Let’s not dwell on that. I actually came here to tell you something—the family compound are setting up a kindergarten, and they’re hiring teachers. I think you’d be a perfect fit. Singing and dancing with kids every day has to be better than staying cooped up at home.”

The woman shook her head. “Forget it. I don’t like kids. I don’t want to go.”

Xiao Zhang tried to persuade her. “Wenqian, don’t be like this. You need to get out of the house. Remember what we once said? Even if we’re no longer in the arts troupe, as women in this new era, we should take advantage of the opportunity to study and work. We have to step out, be independent, and support ourselves.”

The woman’s expression wavered slightly. Seeing this, Xiao Zhang pressed on, “There are hardly any job opportunities on this island. This is a rare chance, and you’re qualified for it—don’t let it slip away!”

She stood up and added, “I’ve said what I needed to say. Think about it carefully. The recruitment notice should be out in the next couple of days—keep an eye on it.”

After Xiao Zhang left, the woman sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the sliver of sunlight streaming through the doorway.

—

That night, Xia Junshan worked late again.

By the time he got home, the sun had already set, and darkness had fallen. Walking from the residential area to the family compound, he saw that the houses were gradually lighting up.

It was said that installing the power lines on the island had been a major challenge. But with electricity, the nights here were no longer lonely. Otherwise, the island would have been pitch black at night, with nothing but the sound of crashing waves, making it feel completely isolated from the world.

Among the scattered lights in the family compound, Xia Junshan, with his sharp sniper’s vision, easily spotted the light from his own home and walked toward it.

From then on, amid the thousands of twinkling lights, there was finally one that belonged to him.

Meng Yufei had just finished bathing Xia Qinqin and was sitting with her on the sofa. The brightest lightbulb in their home was in the living room, making it the brightest place at night.

In this era, most household light bulbs were incandescent, with filaments made of tungsten. Despite being called “white light” bulbs, they actually emitted a warm yellow glow. When the voltage was lower than the rated level, the light would turn a dim reddish color.

Worried that the dim lighting might strain Xia Qinqin’s eyes while reading, Meng Yufei had her sit beside her while she read aloud instead.

Tonight’s book was ^[1]“From Hundred Grass Garden to Three Flavor Study” is a short autobiographical essay by Lu Xun describing his childhood, contrasting the freedom of playing in nature (Hundred Grass Garden) … Continue readingFrom Hundred Grass Garden to Three Flavor Study by Lu Xun.

She had found this book in the bookshelf of the small northern room in their house. That room currently served as a storage space, with most items covered in dust—except for the bookshelf, which was spotless.

Although Xia Junshan didn’t have a high level of education, he had developed a habit of reading and learning over the years. The bookshelf was packed with books. Meng Yufei guessed that it had originally been in the bedroom, but when he prepared for their arrival, he must have moved it to the storage room while tidying up.

“Behind my house, there was a large garden…”

Meng Yufei held the book and read slowly. Xia Qinqin nestled against her mother’s side, listening quietly and occasionally asking questions.

“Mom, does fleeceflower root taste good?”

“It’s a type of traditional Chinese medicine. You’d only eat it when you’re sick, and it’s very bitter.”

“Ah! Qinqin doesn’t want to take medicine!” Xia Qinqin covered her mouth and frowned, recalling the bitter experience of taking medicine before.

Meng Yufei smiled and said, “Then you have to eat well from now on and not run around barefoot on the ground, okay?”

“Mom, is the red-banded snake the one I saw the other day?”

“No, red-banded snakes are red and venomous—very dangerous. The one you saw was a water snake. Qinqin, remember, if you ever see a snake again, you must stay far away from it, okay?”

“Mm-hmm, I got it.”

Halfway through reading, Xia Junshan came home. Seeing the book in Meng Yufei’s hands, he smiled and asked, “Reading a book? Qinqin, does your hand still hurt today?”

“Dad, you’re back! My hand doesn’t hurt anymore!” Xia Qinqin beamed as she raised her right hand. Then she pointed at the book in Meng Yufei’s hands and said, “Mom is reading me a story.”

“Oh? What story did you hear?”

“A little kid has a big courtyard at home…”

Meng Yufei put down the book, got up, and brought out the food that had been kept warm on the coal stove. “You haven’t eaten yet, right? Qinqin and I already had dinner.”

Xia Junshan followed her into the kitchen and took the plates from her hands. “Work has been busy lately. I’ll probably be coming home late for a while, so I won’t have time to go on walks with you two.”

Meng Yufei brought over a bowl and chopsticks. “That’s okay. Your work is important. Qinqin and I can just read at home. By the way, why did you move the bookshelf to the small room?”

Sitting at the dining table, Xia Junshan replied, “I thought it took up too much space in the bedroom, so I moved it there.”

The master bedroom was already crowded, with the wardrobe and double bed taking up two-thirds of the space. Originally, the bookshelf was by the window, but to make room for Meng Yufei’s dressing table, Xia Junshan had moved it to the small room. If they wanted to read, they could just take a few extra steps—it wasn’t a big deal.

Meng Yufei, sitting beside him, suggested, “Once my books arrive, let’s get another bookshelf and tidy up the small room. We can turn it into a study.”

Xia Junshan nodded. “Good idea. We should also get a bigger desk and two chairs. Hmm, I’ll find time to go to the power station and ask them to install a higher-wattage bulb in that room.”

Meng Yufei pointed at the food on the table and urged, “That can wait—just eat first.”

Seeing both her parents sitting at the table, Xia Qinqin ran over and climbed onto a chair. Worried she might hurt her injured hand, Xia Junshan quickly reached out to steady her.

“Dad, I’m going to kindergarten!”

Xia Junshan was surprised. “Huh? I thought the kindergarten in town was too far away?”

Meng Yufei explained that the family compound were setting up their own kindergarten. Xia Junshan nodded repeatedly. “That’s great! Now the kids in the family compound can go to school right near home. It’ll be much easier and safer for the parents too.”

Turning to his daughter, he asked, “Qinqin, do you want to go to kindergarten?”

Xia Qinqin nodded excitedly. “Yes!”

“Oh?” Xia Junshan was a bit surprised.

Xia Qinqin started counting on her fingers, listing all the great things about kindergarten. “They have yummy biscuits, a swing to play on, and Teacher Linlin will teach us how to sing…”

As she spoke, a loudspeaker announcement suddenly sounded outside. 

The broadcasting officer from the propaganda department was making an announcement: “Attention, comrades in the family compound! To meet the preschool education needs of military families, with the approval of leadership, the logistics department will soon establish a kindergarten within the family compound…”

The kindergarten plans to hire one principal, three teachers, and two childcare worker. Family members who are interested in applying should report to the Personnel Department of the Logistics Division tomorrow. Below are the job requirements for each position:

Principal: Must have at least a junior high school education, with teaching and management experience preferred.

Teachers: Must have at least a primary school education, with teaching experience preferred.

Childcare worker: Must have a gentle and patient personality, and experience with children is preferred.

This notice was broadcast three times.

Listening to the announcement, Meng Yufei remarked, “It’s so late, and the Public Affairs Section is still working overtime. It seems Deputy Director Fu really cares about this matter.”

Xia Junshan responded, “At this time, most people in the family compound are home. During the day, some people are usually not around. Important notices are often broadcast at this time. Moreover, this is a work-related matter, and in the family compound, it’s a big deal.”

Meng Yufei nodded in agreement. These days, having a job was not only a big deal for an individual but also for the entire family.

Xia Junshan then asked his daughter, “Qinqin, what kind of teacher do you like?”

“I like teachers who are pretty!”

“…”

Xia Junshan didn’t expect his daughter to be so particular about looks.

—

When Commissar Yu returned home, he immediately smelled the fragrance of oil-splashed noodles. He smiled and said, “Director Wang, you’re in a good mood today.”

Wang Cuilan came out of the kitchen with two bowls of noodles, gave him a glance, and said, “Making oil-splashed noodles puts me in a good mood.”

Commissar Yu went to the kitchen, took out a garlic bulb, and sat at the dining table, saying, “Looks like I’m lucky today to catch Director Wang’s oil-splashed noodles.”

With a garlic clove in one hand and noodles in the other, Commissar Yu ate heartily.

After eating for a while, Wang Cuilan couldn’t help but say to him, “Our family compound are finally going to build a kindergarten.”

Commissar Yu responded, “I thought so. This solves one of your worries.”

Wang Cuilan smiled, saying, “Looks like it was the right decision for me to recommend Xiao Meng to the finance department. Not only has she resolved the ticketing issue these past few days, but now they’re even building a kindergarten.”

Commissar Yu continued eating noodles, nodding as he listened to Wang Cuilan, then heard her ask, “Who do you think they’ll choose as the kindergarten principal?”

Commissar Yu replied, “This is a matter for the Logistics Department. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Wang Cuilan said, “I’m just curious. Who do you think in our family compound is suitable?”

Commissar Yu, peeling garlic, said, “Even though it’s a kindergarten, they won’t just pick anyone for the position of principal. Qualifications, work experience, leadership ability—all need to be considered. Looking around, there aren’t many suitable candidates in the family compound.”

Wang Cuilan stopped eating with her chopsticks and said, “Now that you mention it, I do think of someone. I wonder if Deputy Director Fu will think the same as me.”

Seeing that the person next to her was focused on eating and showing no curiosity, she nudged him and asked, “Aren’t you curious about who I’m talking about?”

Commissar Yu swallowed the noodles in his mouth and slowly said, “It should be Sister Tian.”

Sister Tian is the wife of the chief of staff and was previously a primary school principal. She also taught literacy classes in the family compound, making her highly experienced in education. Appointing her as the kindergarten principal would be more than sufficient.

Wang Cuilan gave Commissar Yu a light slap and said, “Hey, you really know everything!”

—

Battalion Commander Zhao returned home late from working overtime. There was no light, and the room was pitch dark.

He switched on the living room light and was startled to see someone sitting on the sofa. When he took a closer look, he let out a breath of relief and asked, “Why are you sitting here in the dark?”

The woman on the sofa didn’t respond.

Battalion Commander Zhao awkwardly said, “I worked late today. Have you eaten?”

Still, no response.

He placed a meal box on the dining table and said, “I got there late, and the cafeteria only had one dish left. Just make do with it.”

As he spoke, he opened the meal box, went to the kitchen to grab two pairs of chopsticks, and had just sat down when the loudspeaker outside began broadcasting. He listened carefully—it seemed to be about building a kindergarten.

Thinking of their child, his heart tightened, and he immediately looked toward the sofa. She sat there with a blank expression, listening to the announcement.

Battalion Commander Zhao opened his mouth to say something but didn’t know how to begin.

Four years ago, during a military New Year’s gala, Battalion Commander Zhao saw Zhou Wenqian perform a dance and fell in love at first sight. After a year of pursuit, they finally got together and married.

But married life was not what he had imagined.

Battalion Commander Zhao’s real name is Zhao Zhengliu. His father was a chief of staff in the military. As the youngest son in the family, he had been doted on by his elders since childhood. He was the kind of person who wouldn’t even bother picking up a fallen oil bottle at home.

After their marriage, Zhou Wenqian continued working in the arts troupe, fully dedicated to her dance career and naturally having no time for housework. Their small household often felt rough around the edges.

Zhao Zhengliu’s mother suggested they move back home. Zhao Zhengliu was more than happy to—having someone cook and do laundry for them sounded great. But Zhou Wenqian disagreed, she didn’t want to live with in-laws.

The couple argued over this several times, and under the pressure of Zhao Zhengliu’s parents, they eventually moved back to the Zhao family home.

After some time, Mother Zhao started pushing Zhou Wenqian to change jobs, saying that performing on stage was no longer suitable for a married woman. Zhou Wenqian refused, and from then on, tensions arose between her and her mother-in-law.

A year into their marriage, Mother Zhao began pressuring them to have a child. But Zhou Wenqian felt she was still young, and her dance career was taking off—she wanted to wait a couple more years.

When her daughter-in-law wouldn’t budge, Mother Zhao turned to her son. Zhao Zhengliu didn’t really care—whether they had a child sooner or later made no difference to him.

Since neither of them listened, Mother Zhao resorted to a devious trick. She secretly entered their room and tampered with their contraceptives.

At the time, Zhou Wenqian was competing with a colleague for the lead dancer position in a performance. She was training hard every day, even ignoring a cold.

Then, one day, she suddenly fainted while practicing and fell off the stage.

When she woke up in the hospital, she was told she had miscarried. She hadn’t even known she was pregnant!

During her hospitalization, Mother Zhao took the opportunity to process her discharge from the military, forcing her to leave the arts troupe. By the time Zhou Wenqian found out, all the paperwork was already completed.

After returning home, she discovered what Mother Zhao had done to the contraceptives. Furious, she immediately demanded a divorce—she could no longer tolerate living with the Zhao family.

The Zhao family had no intention of keeping this “stubborn” daughter-in-law. They called Zhao Zhengliu back from his mission in the military and told him to handle the divorce.

But Zhao Zhengliu refused. In the end, he volunteered for a transfer to an island post and brought Zhou Wenqian with him, taking her along as a military spouse—far away from home.

After arriving on the island, Zhou Wenqian never brought up divorce again, but she remained distant and withdrawn. She stayed at home all day, barely speaking, and grew thinner with each passing day.

Zhao Zhengliu saw it all and felt both anxious and frustrated, yet he didn’t know what to do.

Now, hearing the announcement about the kindergarten, he couldn’t help but think of the child they never had. For a moment, silence stretched between them once more.

“Do you think I could handle being a kindergarten teacher?”

Hearing her familiar voice suddenly, Zhao Zhengliu was stunned. After a moment of processing, he quickly nodded and said, “Yes, definitely!”

After thinking for a moment, he added softly, “But there’s no need to rush. Taking care of your health is the most important thing.”

Right after speaking, he regretted it—would she think he didn’t support her going out to work? He hurriedly added, “I mean, of course, I support you working! There are plenty of job opportunities, and even if you miss this one, there will be others…”

Zhou Wenqian watched him ramble on anxiously and suddenly smiled. She said calmly, “I know. I just want to give it a try.”

Seeing her smile, Zhao Zhengliu was momentarily dazed. How long had it been since he had seen her smile? At this moment, he felt both guilt and heartache.

He nodded and smiled. “Alright, let’s go check it out together.”