Chapter 29.2

Luo Lan took out the spray and handed it to her sister-in-law. “This is a special asthma medication I got from Beijing. It works immediately when she can’t breathe. Keep it for emergencies.”

Her sister-in-law’s eyes widened in a mix of surprise and joy. Holding the small bottle like a precious elixir, she asked, “Really? It works immediately? You don’t know how scared we were when she couldn’t breathe last time. It can be life-threatening in minutes.”

“Yes, that’s what the doctor said.”

Her sister-in-law, looking at the medication, seemed to see a glimmer of hope for her daughter’s future. “This must be expensive. How much did it cost? I’ll pay you back by the end of the year.”

“We’re family; don’t worry about it. What’s important is that it helps. Keep it safe.”

“I won’t lose it, not for anything.”

Receiving such a precious gift from her sister-in-law, though she hadn’t tested it yet, she believed that anything from Beijing must be good. Luo Lan didn’t stay for dinner. As she left, her sister-in-law gave her all the eggs they’d saved up to exchange for salt.

“Sister-in-law, you don’t have to do this.”

“Take them.” She didn’t have a penny left, having borrowed money to build a house for her son’s wedding. “Please take them; otherwise, I’ll feel bad.”

“Alright then.”

There were about twenty eggs, weighing around three jin. When Luo Lan brought them home, her mother-in-law learned they had gone to the countryside. Faced with such a generous gift, her mother-in-law felt quite embarrassed.

“You took something when you went, right?” She hoped they hadn’t gone empty-handed and come back with such valuable items.

“We took a jin of sugar.”

“That’s good.”

Zhou Qingshan explained the situation to his mother. “I plan to send Junfang to the countryside, to Luo Lan’s brigade as a substitute teacher.”

“What?” His mother was surprised. “I thought it was assigned? You can choose the place yourself? If high school graduates have to go to the countryside, this is a good option.”

“Everything is just starting; there’s more room to choose. I’ve already made arrangements. Next week, we’ll handle Junfang’s paperwork.”

“That’s good. There aren’t many teachers in schools now, so she can’t learn much. It’s better to find a place nearby where we can keep an eye on her.”

Luo Lan’s brigade had her big brother, second brother, and sister’s families, plus many cousins, so there were plenty of people to look out for her. If she were sent somewhere unfamiliar, with her soft nature, they would be really worried.

“Alright, I’ll pack her things.” Mother Zhou agreed with her son; it’s better to take the initiative than be passive. Besides, being a teacher was better than farming.

“You should tell Junfang so she can prepare.”

“Alright, I will.”

The family agreed on sending Zhou Junfang to the countryside. When Mother Zhou told her daughter, the always-obedient girl nodded as usual.

“Mom, can I really teach? What if the kids don’t like me?”

“You child,” Mother Zhou teased with a smile, “you’re going to be a teacher. Just focus on teaching the students. What are you worrying about?”

“But what if I can’t manage the students?” Zhou Junfang replied, frowning.

“You’re nineteen now, old enough to marry. You really can’t manage a few younger kids?”

Zhou Junfang pouted. “But—”

“No buts! If you encounter any troublemakers, just call their parents to deal with it.”

“Alright.”

The obedient girl accepted her family’s arrangements without any resistance. She understood that her brother meant well and trusted that her family wouldn’t harm her.

The next day, after school, she hesitated at the school gate. Her sister-in-law hadn’t told her to wait, but since her brother had brought her in the morning, should she go home by herself or wait for someone to pick her up? Usually, she walked home alone; the city wasn’t that big, and everyone commuted by themselves, so there was no expectation of family picking them up.

“Zhou Junfang!” A cold voice called out, and she looked up to see the man from yesterday. He was tall, about the same height as her brother. She wore a beige knitted vest with matching ribbons in her braids, while he was in a dark blue Zhongshan suit. The contrast made her unconsciously size him up.

“You look good in that shirt,” he said.

Being complimented, the girl felt her cheeks flush. She felt uncomfortable with a stranger saying such things but couldn’t rebut him, so she mumbled, “I’m going home.”

“Not in a hurry.” The man stood still, blocking her way. “There’s an opening at the department store; I think you’d be perfect for it. You’re over eighteen now, so you won’t have to go to the countryside.”

This was a tempting offer. At this time, it was a seller’s market, and selling was quite a prestigious job. He thought his suggestion had weight, but the obedient girl didn’t seem interested.

“My brother arranged for me to go to the countryside,” she said, attempting to walk away. “Comrade, I really have to go home.”

“Your brother arranged for you to go to the countryside?” The man clearly became annoyed. Although his tone wasn’t loud, the sensitive girl still sensed a hint of intimidation. She took a step back, and the man softened his voice again.

“Someone like you isn’t suited for rural life. Your brother’s decision is harmful to you. Trust me, go to the department store. The pay is good, and it’s a respectable job.”

“No free lunch.” At that moment, Luo Lan appeared, standing protectively in front of her visibly shrinking sister-in-law. “Comrade, my little sister is still young, and we family members will take charge of her affairs, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Who do you think you are? Coming here offering clothes and jobs. It’s like a cat paying a New Year’s visit to a mouse; your intentions aren’t good.

“Sister-in-law—”

“Don’t mention it.” Luo Lan refused again, feeling even more wary of the man’s eagerness. “If you have nothing else, we need to go home for dinner.”

She didn’t wait for his reply and pulled her sister-in-law away. On the way, she asked what the two of them had talked about, and the girl relayed everything honestly.

“I told him I wouldn’t go, but he… Sister-in-law, he won’t beat me with a whip, will he?”

Where is your mind going? “He won’t.”

“Oh. I was scared earlier; I’m so glad you showed up. You’re my great savior.”

Zhou Qingshan didn’t return for lunch, so Luo Lan told her mother-in-law not to send Junfang to school in the afternoon. “There’s really no one to supervise her; let her stay home and read.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Qingshan was busy helping his sister with her paperwork. Zhou Mama was thinking of renting out the half room of the outer house. After running around all afternoon, he returned home that evening and shook his head at his mother and wife.

“They said everything is now under the control of the commune. I went, and guess who it was?”

“That person who hit someone the other day,” Luo Lan chimed in.

“Exactly! You won’t believe it; he actually said we could stay.”

“Don’t accept it!” Luo Lan exclaimed. “Don’t be fooled; he’s just waiting to benefit from us.”

“I know, I didn’t take it. I started by asking to rent it, but then quickly said we didn’t need it because we can manage at home.”

Zhou Qingshan spoke up, “After Junfang moves out, we can replace the bunk beds with a big bed for Junhui.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Zhou Mama said, feeling a bit frustrated. “My mind is so slow! I shouldn’t have gone there. Once Junfang leaves, we can fit a big bed in that room. The clothes can go under the bed; I’ll get a wooden box for the rest.”

The three of them whispered in the kitchen until Zhou Junhui returned. During dinner, Zhou Qingshan asked about her wedding plans. “Where will it be held? At the workplace or at home?”

“I haven’t discussed it with him yet.”

“Time is running out; you need to plan this out. If it’s at the workplace, it’s simple—just invite colleagues for candy. If it’s at home, you need to prepare more tea.”

Hosting a meal at the cafeteria was too extravagant; given their situation, it wasn’t appropriate. When he got married, they had just offered candy and tea and had a simple meal at Luo Lan’s house with six people.

“Got it, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”

Zhou Junhui nodded with her head down, not eating properly, and absentmindedly poking her porridge with her chopsticks. Mother Zhou, annoyed by her behavior, gave her a gentle slap.

“Eat properly; don’t be lost in thought.”

“Okay.”

With two major matters settled at home, Mother Zhou felt relieved. After dinner, she started cleaning up and soaking her feet, and the noise from the room didn’t bother her anymore. She felt so relaxed that she forgot to take her medicine that night and surprisingly fell into a deep sleep without it.

“I forgot to take my medicine last night,” she casually mentioned to Luo Lan in the morning.

“You can’t stop, Mom. Don’t just stop taking your medicine on your own; even if you feel fine, you need to continue. After Junhui’s wedding next month, either I or Qingshan will take you to the provincial hospital for a check-up. We’ll see what the doctor recommends.”

“Mm.” Mother Zhou smiled broadly, feeling completely well now that her heart was at ease. “I understand. I can sense that I should be fine now. I don’t need to take any more medicine.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Let the doctor check first,” Zhou Qingshan reminded her. The doctor had said her condition needed to be stabilized, and she shouldn’t stop the medication lightly, or it might relapse.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you.”