Chapter 6

“Why are you so shocked?” Zhao Fengying sat up, patting his back.

Wei Tao coughed, thinking, What you said was terrifying.

If this really happened, where would Huo Xiao find a wife when he returned?

Soldiers accepted the risk of sacrifice, but that was only a last resort.

Wei Tao put his teacup down, tucked his wife under the quilt, and lay beside her. Then, he casually asked, “Why bring this up so suddenly? Didn’t you admire Huo Xiao before?”

It had only been four months, and she was already arranging a remarriage?

Zhao Fengying sighed. “I still admire him, but we have to be responsible. If Lin Ting had lived in the military compound, the organization might have helped her meet someone. That’s how things are done. And I wasn’t saying she should remarry right away—I’m just discussing adopting the twins first.”

That made sense, but Huo Xiao wasn’t dead. Wei Tao felt unsettled but couldn’t explain it to his wife. He turned over irritably, his back to her.

Zhao Fengying poked him. “Hey! We were talking.”

Wei Tao muttered, “We’ll talk later. I’m sleepy.”

“You old man.” Zhao Fengying smacked him lightly.

Wei Tao stayed quiet, lost in thought.

It had been four months. Based on the mission’s calculations, Huo Xiao should return soon.

If you don’t come back soon, your wife will be remarried.

Maybe my wife will even be the matchmaker.

How terrifying.

_

In the second bedroom, separated by a wall, Lin Ting had no idea she was the main topic of discussion between the brigade commander and his wife.

For her, this trip was a success.

The most challenging part—the train ticket—was secured. The departure was at 5 p.m. the next day.

Brigade Commander Wei had arranged for a guard to escort her to the train station. Otherwise, traveling alone would have taken her two days for a half-day journey.

This time, Lin Ting didn’t refuse. Her return trip was too heavy to manage alone.

Everything was falling into place.

Feeling relieved, Lin Ting took a short nap.

Of course, she didn’t sleep too soundly.

_

I borrowed an alarm clock before bed and woke at four to help sister-in-law prepare dinner.

“You slept well this time. Your face looks much rosier than this morning,” Zhao Fengying said as she entered the room, inspecting me with satisfaction.

I smiled. “I’m happy because I can go home tomorrow, so I slept well.”

Zhao Fengying set down her vegetable basket, took a basin from the kitchen, and said, “You’re in too much of a hurry. This trip will take nearly ten days, and you haven’t fully recovered. You should rest a few more days.”

“My family must be worried. I can rest after I get home,” I replied, pulling a stool over to help. “Can vegetables still grow in this weather?”

Zhao Fengying examined the thin green leaves and smiled. “We cover them with straw, but they don’t grow well. We just eat them for freshness.”

“What are we making?” I asked.

“Didn’t I soak peanuts this morning? I also got a few ounces of soybean oil from the kitchen a few days ago. How about vegetable porridge and steamed sweet potatoes tonight?” she suggested.

“Sounds great,” I agreed.

Just the soybean oil alone made it feel luxurious. Only the brigade commander’s family could afford such a meal. Of course, my presence played a role in this, which was one reason I wanted to leave quickly.

“You’ll pass through Shanghai on your way back, right?” Zhao Fengying suddenly asked.

“Yes,” I nodded. “According to my train ticket, I have to stay there for a day and a half.”

“You should take the chance to look around. Traveling is rare. Shanghai has many things that don’t require ration tickets, and prices are cheaper than here. I heard about a shampoo cream—it’s fancier but much better than soap or rice water,” she said.

I glanced at my thick black hair, tempted.

I had always loved beauty. At 28 or 29, my skin had been fair and delicate, thanks to careful maintenance. Now, it was youthful, but in a few years, that might not be the case.

Maybe I should go see for myself? Though expensive, I still had my wedding gifts and dowry. Surely, I could afford vanishing cream, toothpaste, and shampoo… right?

No, I shouldn’t think too much—it would only make me sad.

But being Lin Ting in the late 1960s, I had to adapt. I needed to get used to it.

Making money had to become a priority. But was it right to go shopping now?

What would my mother-in-law think? The village had no secrets. If I used something new, everyone would know.

The village had no secrets—especially after the loudspeaker announcement.

For two hours, the broadcast repeated: Huo Xiao’s wife had not run away but had gone to the army to collect his belongings.

Though Secretary Wang’s method was dramatic, it stopped the rumors quickly. Now, people spoke of my kindness and righteousness instead of contempt. Some believed it, while others remained skeptical, but with Secretary Wang and the old secretary watching, no one dared to voice doubts openly.

One person, however, refused to believe it—Wang Xiuqin.

She had memories of a past life where I had run away with the money and never returned.

In her previous life, by this time, she had already been married, so she wasn’t sure if this broadcast had happened before.

She sighed at her misfortune. In her past life, she had lived until thirty, given birth to three daughters—seen as financial burdens in her society—and suffered under her husband and mother-in-law.

One snowy night, weak and frail, she was forced outside to fetch a barefoot doctor.

She collapsed on the road. When she woke up, she was 20 again.

But the timing was bad—Huo Xiao and I had already been married for three days.

If only she had returned earlier, I wouldn’t have had the chance to marry into the Huo family.

Still, it wasn’t too late. She was waiting for me to run away again. Then, she would go to the Huo family.

If Aunt Hu Xiu had chosen me, she could just as easily choose her. By being considerate and filial, she would eventually become a general’s wife.

_

The thought of Huo Xiao’s high status in her past life filled Wang Xiuqin with excitement.

“Where are you going again? Can’t you see it’s snowing?” Zhao Sanni scowled as she saw her daughter dressed to go out with a basket on her arm.

Lately, her daughter seemed distracted, always wandering off. She didn’t know what she was up to.

Zhao Sanni was extremely thin—one could call her gaunt. Her lack of flesh made her long face appear even more severe.

She wasn’t a bad person but had a naturally stern look, which scared people, including Wang Xiuqin in the past.

But after a lifetime of outwitting her cruel mother-in-law, Wang Xiuqin no longer feared this cold face.

She lifted her basket, smiling. “I’m going to chat with Aunt Xiu. She’s been down lately, and I feel bad for her. Since I’m already sewing shoe soles, I might as well keep her company.”

Zhao Sanni, suspicious, lifted the cloth covering the basket and rummaged through it. Finding only handmade shoe soles, she frowned. “Since when were you so close with Aunt Xiu? She hates being nagged.”

Xiu Meizi finally had something to look forward to, and Qin Yatou’s sharp tongue should avoid stirring trouble.

Wang Xiuqin thought that even if she didn’t like it, she had to please her future mother-in-law. She also tucked two candies into her pocket, planning to win over the twins. This was her chance to impress.

Wang Xiuqin firmly believed that if she gained the Huo family’s favor, Huo Xiao would marry her. After all, Lin Ting had entered the Huo family the same way. If she didn’t seize this opportunity, she would be a fool.

Of course, she couldn’t let anyone know her true intentions.

Ignoring her mother’s questions, Wang Xiuqin covered her ears, pushed the door open, and stepped outside. In moments, she disappeared into the snow. Her hurried figure seemed suspicious.

Zhao Sanni felt uneasy. She knew her daughter well. It wasn’t like her to slander Qin Yatou. She had always been talkative—sometimes persuasive, sometimes unreasonable—and had a habit of taking advantage of others. It was a trait she had since childhood and wouldn’t change.

Why was she suddenly acting differently?

Was she using the excuse of visiting Xiu Meizi to secretly meet someone? A few months ago, she had seen her chatting and laughing with the son of the accountant from Shanghe Brigade. That boy was spoiled, lazy, and lacked any real ambition. He was hardly husband material.

His family was troublesome too. If Wang Xiuqin married into that household, wouldn’t she suffer?

The more Zhao Sanni thought about it, the more worried she became. She took off her apron and hurried inside.

In the dimly lit room, Wang Liujin leaned on the kang and smoked his pipe. Seeing his wife’s anxious look, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhao Sanni put on her thick coat. “Nothing, just going for a walk.”

Wang Liujin glanced at the snow outside, puzzled. “At this hour?”

Zhao Sanni, feeling irritated, snapped, “Why so many questions? I’m leaving now!”

She grabbed her sewing basket and rushed out. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back and called, “I buried some sweet potatoes in the stove. They’re ready, so eat them soon.”

The wooden door creaked shut behind her.

Wang Liujin muttered, “This woman…” before lying back on the kang. Then, he called toward the west room, “Third brother, your mother is calling you.”