Chapter 002

Before Zhenzhen could react, Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei had already rushed to her side.

Other curious villagers also gathered around, surrounding them.

Without a word, Shi Huaizhong snatched the letter from Shi Danling’s hand.

He carefully took the letter from the envelope and unfolded it with trembling fingers.

He barely glanced at the beginning before his voice shook:
“It’s Huaiming’s handwriting!”

At those words, the crowd burst into a commotion.

Moments ago, they had all been stunned into silence. Now, everyone was reacting at once—
Shi Huaiming is alive!

It was shocking—someone who had vanished without a trace for five years… was not only alive, but had become a military officer!

Was that even possible?

Shi Huaizhong ignored the noise. He didn’t know many characters, so he turned around clutching the letter and looked for someone in the village who could read.

Hands trembling, he brought the letter to Secretary Li, his voice shaky and eyes brimming with tears:
“Secretary Li, please—can you read it for us? Tell us what Huaiming wrote.”

Secretary Li took the letter. Everyone’s attention turned to him.

He held it firmly, cleared his throat, and barked, “Quiet, everyone!”

The crowd quickly fell silent.

By now, Zhenzhen had also snapped out of her daze. She blinked and perked up her ears, waiting for Secretary Li to read the letter.

Her heart still pounded, as if it might burst from her chest.

Secretary Li cleared his throat again and began to read, word by word, in a steady, measured tone:

“Dear Mother and Eldest Brother,

I haven’t written for so many years. Are you well?

Please forgive me for not sending word all this time—it was wartime, and communication was forbidden by military discipline. Once I have the chance to return, I’ll properly apologize to you and Mother in person…

The unit is currently being reorganized, so I still can’t come home…

I have not let you down, nor have I failed the country and the people. Over the years, I’ve fought on the battlefield and earned some merit. I now hold the rank of full regimental commander…”

…

Secretary Li read with no emotion, just voicing the words on the page. But Shi Huaizhong was sobbing uncontrollably, tears and snot running freely. Chen Qingmei stood beside him, dabbing her tears and gently patting his arm from time to time.

Zhenzhen cried silently, tears clinging to her lips.

Shi Danling’s eyes and nose were red too, as she clung tightly to Zhenzhen’s hand.

When Secretary Li read the final word, a woman in the crowd suddenly cried out:
“Oh my! Huaiming really didn’t die—he really became an officer! A full regimental commander! The Shi family’s ancestors must be smiling down from heaven!”

Right after that, another chimed in:
“Exactly! Huaiming always seemed destined for greatness since he was little!”

…

The crowd erupted into noisy praise, every voice trying to outdo the last, lifting Shi Huaiming up as if he were a hero beyond compare.

Huaizhong, Qingmei, and Zhenzhen, listening to all this, felt too many emotions at once—and laughed through their tears.

Chen Qingmei gently wiped Zhenzhen’s cheeks, then cupped her face and pressed her forehead to Zhenzhen’s, sobbing as if soothing a child:
“Zhenzhen… it’s over. You’ve made it through.”

Zhenzhen choked up and couldn’t speak. She only nodded slightly at Qingmei.

Beside them, Secretary Li folded up the letter and handed it back to Shi Huaizhong.

Patting his shoulder with a broad smile, he said, “This is a happy day. A truly great joy.”

Indeed, it was.

Shi Huaizhong wiped his tears and managed a broader smile.

He took the letter and carefully slipped it back into its yellow envelope.

Then, he returned it to Shi Danling, his voice still hoarse as he reminded her, “Keep it safe.”

Shi Danling nodded and gently tucked the envelope into her schoolbag.

Having delivered the letter and seen it read, she didn’t linger. She picked up the sweet potato that had rolled into the grass and handed it back to Zhenzhen, gave her hand a squeeze, and then walked back home for lunch, her schoolbag on her back.

The news had come so suddenly that the commune members gathered around Shi Huaizhong, Chen Qingmei, and Zhenzhen, chattering excitedly for a while.

It wasn’t until their stomachs began to growl from hunger that they finally dispersed and returned to their respective campfires.

Even as they sat down to eat their roasted sweet potatoes, the topic of conversation remained on Shi Huaiming.

Zhenzhen sat down by the fire pit with a sweet potato in hand. As she peeled it, tears kept rolling down her face.

She tried to stop herself from crying, but her tears wouldn’t listen—they kept falling uncontrollably.

Her head felt light, almost as if she were dreaming.

Everyone understood—they were tears of joy.

Cuilan smiled and said, “Zhenzhen, you’re truly blessed now.”

Her husband had suddenly become a military officer—didn’t that mean she had soared like a phoenix onto a high branch?

Among all the women in the Hongqi Commune, none were as fortunate as Lin Zhenzhen. What a lucky fate!

Zhenzhen sniffled lightly and spoke in a soft voice, “I just want him to be alive.”

As long as Shi Huaiming returned alive from the battlefield, that was the greatest blessing Heaven could bestow.

Across from her, Hongmei stared at Zhenzhen for a while, her expression tinged with bitterness. Then she suddenly said, “Zhenzhen, Shi Huaiming wrote such a long letter, but not once did he mention you. Could it be he’s forgotten about you?”

Zhenzhen blinked, a little stunned as she looked at her.

Cuilan and Xiuzhu also turned toward Hongmei, clearly having thought of the same thing.

Seeing that Zhenzhen didn’t respond, Hongmei rolled her eyes and lowered her voice slightly, continuing, “I’ve heard that some men, once they become officers, divorce their wives back in the countryside. You and Shi Huaiming—yours was an arranged marriage, a feudal marriage, you know what that means, right?”

Zhenzhen silently swallowed a bite of sweet potato, eyes downcast.

Hongmei sighed lightly and went on, “If you at least had a child, that would be different. A child can’t be left without a mother, and for the child’s sake, he’d probably keep you around. But you haven’t even given him a child—so who knows?”

Zhenzhen took another bite of sweet potato.

It was soft and starchy, with a mild sweetness.

But she couldn’t taste any of that. At this moment, her mouth felt numb to flavor.

It wasn’t just that she hadn’t borne Shi Huaiming a child—back when they got married, even after more than half a month, he had never once touched her.

Everyone could tell Hongmei’s words were meant to pierce Zhenzhen’s heart—to throw cold water on her joy.

“Don’t say such nonsense—Huaiming’s not that kind of person,” Cuilan said, giving Hongmei a light slap on the arm, trying to get her to stop.

“I’m not talking nonsense,” Hongmei huffed. “Shi Huaiming has always stood out. Now that he’s earned military honors and become an officer, he’ll definitely climb even higher. Do you think he’ll have trouble finding a better wife? Rural girls like us were picked by our parents. It was all feudal—no love, no children. Divorcing someone like that? Totally normal.”

Unable to shut her up, Cuilan could only glance worriedly at Zhenzhen.

Zhenzhen kept her eyes lowered as she ate her sweet potato, showing no visible reaction.

Cuilan patted her hand gently. “Don’t listen to her.”

Zhenzhen gave a small nod as she chewed.

But Hongmei couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She leaned in, nearly whispering into Zhenzhen’s ear, “I’m just giving you a heads-up. Better to be mentally prepared than caught off guard. If you ask me, you should start preparing now.”

Cuilan gave her a harder slap this time, shooting her a sideways glare. “What’s wrong with you? Can’t stand seeing someone happy?”

“I’m just being kind,” Hongmei said self-righteously. “I don’t want her to get carried away and be devastated later.”

Before Cuilan could say anything else, Zhenzhen finally lifted her head and spoke.

She looked at Hongmei and gave a quiet “Mm.” “I’ve noted it. I’ll be mentally prepared. Thanks for the reminder.”

Hongmei: “…”

Suddenly at a loss for words.

After finishing their roasted sweet potatoes and resting a bit by the riverbank, Party Secretary Li blew his whistle right on time.

At the sound of the whistle, the commune members covered their fires with dirt and stood up.

They helped brush the grass and dust off each other’s clothes before returning to the pond to resume work.

After finishing their half-day shift, they dispersed at the next whistle and headed home.

On the walk back, Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei were glowing with happiness, their eyebrows lifted and their smiles never fading.

Zhenzhen walked beside them, her eyes and lips carrying the same joyful light.

As brilliant and vibrant as the glowing sunset in the western sky.

Neighbors passed by and stopped to say a few more words.

Still talking about how Shi Huaiming had not only survived but become an officer—offering congratulations, praises, flattery.

Lifted by their words, Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei’s expressions shone even brighter than the sunset.

When they got home, shovels slung over their shoulders, smoke was already rising thick from the rooftop chimney.

Zhong Minfen heard them coming and rushed out from the kitchen. When she saw Shi Huaizhong, Chen Qingmei, and Zhenzhen, her tears instantly flowed.

Yet her face was lit with joy as she said, “Huaizhong, Huaiming’s not dead—he’s not dead!”

Then she grabbed Zhenzhen’s hand, exclaiming, “Zhenzhen, did you hear? Huaiming’s alive!”

Zhenzhen smiled and nodded through her own tears, which streamed down freely.

One moment talking, the next laughing, then crying again.

Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo, the two kids, couldn’t get a word in.

Once the four adults had finished their emotional whirlwind of talking, laughing, and crying, Shi Xingguo shouted, “Today’s even livelier than New Year’s—we’re eating meat tonight!”

Shi Danling gave his arm a twist. “All you think about is food.”

“Ow!” he cried, clutching his arm. “You’re not excited about eating meat?”

The two kids made the adults laugh again. Wiping away their tears, they all headed into the kitchen.

On the table inside, there was already a plate of sliced pork belly and a bowl of chopped napa cabbage.

Everything had been washed clean. Zhenzhen rolled up her sleeves to stir-fry the food, while Chen Qingmei went behind the stove to tend the fire.

The pork belly sizzled as it hit the pan. As the fat rendered out, the excess lard was scooped into a tin for storage.

The cabbage was tossed into the wok and stir-fried until softened, its aroma mixing with the scent of meat, instantly awakening everyone’s hunger.

Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo, the brother-sister duo, stood by the stove with wide eyes, drooling as they watched.

The six members of the family squatted in the small kitchen, filled with warmth and lively chatter, all surrounded by the comforting glow of home.

After the dishes were cooked, they sat down to enjoy the hot meal. Their hearts and stomachs were both full—it truly felt happier than New Year’s.

After dinner, more neighbors came by to visit. With so many people dropping in, the house remained lively throughout the evening.

Of course, they came because Shi Huaiming had become an officer, bringing gifts and congratulations.

Now that the Shi family had someone so accomplished, everyone wanted to share in their good fortune.

After a full evening of entertaining guests, their faces ached from smiling.

Zhong Minfen, being older, went to bed after washing up. Her head had barely touched the pillow when she fell asleep.

Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei, however, were still full of energy. They chatted in private for quite some time before sleeping.

Zhenzhen lay in bed, her arm held tightly by the sleeping Shi Danling.

She blinked up at the darkened ceiling beam, still feeling as though the entire day had been a dream.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten what Hongmei had said. Quietly, she couldn’t help but think—maybe for her, it really was just a beautiful dream.

Hongmei was right.

She wasn’t worthy of her Third Brother Shi.

She hadn’t been before, and now she was even less so.

In the following days, the Shi family remained steeped in joy.

The dark cloud that had hung over their rooftop for five years had completely lifted.

Sunlight poured down brightly, spreading warm, golden light everywhere.

This afternoon, Zhenzhen didn’t join the production team for work.

She stayed home to help Zhong Minfen harvest the napa cabbage from their private plot for storage.

Whenever there were chores at home, Zhenzhen always helped Zhong Minfen first.

The plot used for growing cabbage wasn’t very large.

By evening, the two of them had harvested and stored all the cabbage.

After everything was put away, Zhenzhen told Zhong Minfen to rest while she fetched water to prepare dinner.

Just as she scooped a ladle of water, she heard a ruckus outside.

These past few days, frequent visitors weren’t unusual, so neither she nor Zhong Minfen were surprised.

Zhenzhen put down the ladle and stepped out of the kitchen, only to see her sister-in-law Shi Huaixia and her family arriving.

Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo had just returned from school and came in with them.

Zhong Minfen hadn’t gotten up, so Zhenzhen turned back toward the kitchen and said, “Mom, Second Sister and Brother-in-law are here.”

Before she’d even finished speaking, Shi Huaixia slipped past her into the kitchen, laughing as she greeted Zhong Minfen, “Mom, I’ve brought your grandchildren to come see you!”

Her husband gently nudged their three children forward to greet Zhong Minfen.

The children called out in unison, “Grandma!”

He added, “Mother.”

Zhong Minfen responded warmly and asked, “You received the letter, right?”

The day Shi Huaiming’s letter arrived, she had sent word to Shi Huaixia.

Shi Huaixia nodded with a smile, “Yes, that’s why we made time to come today. Our Xiaosan (Little Third) has really brought honor to the Shi family. I’ve got bragging rights now!”

Shi Danling and Shi Xingguo chirped excitedly, “Us too, us too! These past few days at school, our classmates have all been so nice to us. They’re all super envious that Third Uncle became an officer!”

The difficult days were long behind them.

Now, even mentioning it brought only happiness.

Zhenzhen didn’t join in much, continuing to fetch water and cook, her face lit warmly by the firelight in the stove.

Before long, Shi Huaizhong and Chen Qingmei returned home from their work.

The house grew even livelier, buzzing with voices and bursts of laughter.

That night, with so many people around, Shi Huaizhong pulled out the Eight Immortals table^[1]The Eight Immortals Table is a traditional Chinese square or rectangular table that usually seats eight people—symbolizing the Eight Immortals of Chinese mythology, who each represent longevity, … Continue reading from the main room for dinner.

As they sat and ate, the conversation naturally returned again and again to Shi Huaiming.

Shi Huaixia said, “Honestly, it was so unexpected, completely out of the blue. When I first heard the news, I was nearly overwhelmed with joy. After so many years without a word, I really thought…”

She didn’t finish the sentence but continued, “I always knew our Huaiming had potential! He was never meant to be ordinary—I could see that even when he was little. I knew he’d make something of himself one day!”

The whole family agreed and nodded along.

After dinner, Shi Huaixia and her family didn’t leave right away.

She pulled Zhong Minfen into a room, and the two women spent a long time chatting in private.

Shi Huaizhong chatted with his brother-in-law while Chen Qingmei and Zhenzhen worked on some sewing together, keeping an eye on the five children.

In the room, mother and daughter first held hands and cried a little.

After that, it was all joy, with nothing left but happiness.

After praising Shi Huaiming for bringing glory to the family, Shi Huaixia suddenly sniffled and said, “That Lin Zhenzhen sure lucked out.”

Zhong Minfen didn’t like the tone and replied, “What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t it true?” Shi Huaixia said bluntly. “She hit the jackpot. Xiaosan spent five tough years fighting on the frontlines and became an officer. Now she just sits back and reaps the rewards as an officer’s wife. She’ll live the good life.”

Zhong Minfen said, “That’s exactly what Zhenzhen deserves.”

Shi Huaixia scoffed, “Deserves? Not in the slightest. She’s not worthy of Xiaosan. I didn’t like her before, and now that Xiaosan’s a cadre, I like her even less. If you hadn’t insisted on that marriage, he never would’ve married her. She’s been nothing but a burden. With his current status, he could easily find a city girl!”

Zhong Minfen took a quiet breath and said, “I don’t care about any city girl. I like Zhenzhen. She and Huaiming were promised to each other as children—there was an engagement. When the time came, he was supposed to marry her.”

Shi Huaixia gave a small laugh. “What’s the point of you liking her? It’s not like Xiaosan does. Can’t you see? They’re just not the same kind of people. So what if it was a childhood betrothal? This is the new society and a new era. Parents don’t get to arrange marriages anymore. Arranged marriages are feudal! I’ve even heard gossip—people are saying Xiaosan might divorce her.”

Zhong Minfen’s eyes widened at that.

She slapped her thigh. “Divorce Zhenzhen? I dare him to try! If he wants to divorce her, he’ll have to get my permission first. Unless I’m dead, he can forget about kicking Zhenzhen out of the Shi family! He’s not even home yet and already thinking about this?”

Shi Huaixia cried out, “Mom, why are you taking her side? Xiaosan is marrying a wife for himself, not for you. Times are different now. What you’re doing is ruining Xiaosan’s future!”

Zhong Minfen fired back, “And what about Zhenzhen’s future?”

Shi Huaixia protested, “Mom, you’re still siding with her? Xiaosan’s your real son! He’s a proper regimental-level officer now—regimental-level! He’s good-looking, talented. And you want him to spend his whole life with Lin Zhenzhen? Don’t you think that’s a waste? If you ask me, you should talk to Lin Zhenzhen, tell her to be sensible and ask for the divorce herself—let Huaiming be free.”

Zhong Minfen’s face turned cold. “I will never do such a thing. If Huaiming dares to suggest that, I’ll disown him as my son!”

Shi Huaixia was left speechless—older people really were set in their ways.

After seeing Shi Huaixia’s family off, Zhong Minfen pulled Zhenzhen aside and took her into the house.

She held Zhenzhen’s hand and said, “Zhenzhen, I’ve heard the rumors going around. But no matter what anyone says, don’t let it get to your head. Remember—I’ve got your back. As long as I’m around, I won’t let Huaiming act recklessly.”

Zhenzhen felt a warm rush in her heart.

She looked at Zhong Minfen and smiled. “Mom, I’m fine. I’ve thought it through.”

What she had with Shi Huaiming really was an arranged marriage—something old-fashioned, something he had no feelings for.

If he really did want to divorce her, she wouldn’t cling to him. Shi Huaiming was now a national hero, a soldier who had defended the country. He deserved a better future, someone who could truly make him happy. She wasn’t going to shamelessly hold him back.

But Zhong Minfen tightened her grip on her hand and said firmly, “I won’t let you think like that.”

Zhenzhen just smiled and nodded to placate her. “Alright.”