Duan dasao anxiously said, “You can still laugh? Xiao Song, Dawa’s grandmothers are both here. My goodness, how did the two of them end up together? No, Dawa, quickly go find someone… but who? No one’s home—”
“Saozi, don’t worry, it’s fine.” Song Zhaodi reassured her. “Can I trouble you to take the three children upstairs?”
Duan dasao had heard from Bai Hua that Zhong Jianguo’s stepmother was heartless. Back when Bai Hua had her third child, Zhong Jianguo had brought Mother Bai over. During that time, Duan dasao ran into Mother Bai a few times while buying meat and could tell she was not a reasonable person.
With these two arriving together, Duan dasao didn’t dare leave. “I’ll take them upstairs first and when I come back down, then you open the door.”
“Dasao, are you afraid I’ll be bullied?” Song Zhaodi laughed. “I’m half a head taller than both of them and younger. If it really comes to a fight, I’d be the one beating them up.”
Duan dasao waved her hand. “You’re a university student, you can’t fight two troublemakers. Oh, I just remembered—I have a phone at home. Dawa, Erwa, come with me—my goodness, where did you get that knife? Dawa, give me the knife!”
Song Zhaodi turned around to see Zhong Dawa holding a large kitchen knife and Zhong Erwa clutching a small hoe, both looking ready to face a deadly enemy. She wanted to laugh, yet her heart ached—after all, the people outside were their family.
“Dawa, Erwa, trust me, it’s fine.” Song Zhaodi took away the knife and the hoe. “Killing someone means paying with your life. You two are so young; it’s not worth it to trade your lives for two old troublemakers.
“Saozi, please take the kids to your house. Dawa, if you’re still worried, stand by your aunt’s wall and watch. If you see me being bullied, use your aunt’s phone to call your dad, okay?”
Zhong Dawa looked at Song Zhaodi with worry written all over his face. “Do you need my help?”
“No, no.” Song Zhaodi patted his head. “I’m a university student and I was the top scorer in our county. A top scorer solves problems with this.” She pointed to her head. “The Art of War says that using strategy is the best approach; only fools resort to violence.”
Duan dasao said, “Xiao Song, while you’re talking about military strategies, your door is about to be torn down by Dawa’s grandma.”
Song Zhaodi walked to the door and called out to the thin woman outside, “Biaoyi, when did you arrive?” She pretended to be surprised and delighted. “Come in, come in.” Then she turned to the slightly plump woman beside her, furrowing her brows in confusion. “And you are?”
“I’m Dawa’s grandmother.” Mother Bai huffed coldly, shoved Zhao Yin aside and walked in. Seeing Dawa, she immediately looked heartbroken. “Dawa, my dear Dawa, you must have suffered! Grandma is late, Dawa…” She reached out to hug him.
Dawa quickly dodged and ran behind Song Zhaodi.
Zhao Yin, who had been pushed aside, was about to curse but burst into laughter when she saw Dawa’s reaction. “Dawa’s grandmother? Why do I feel like that’s not the case? Dawa, is she your grandmother?”
“Dawa, go to our house first.” Duan dasao reached out her hand. “Erwa, come here too.”
Song Zhaodi noticed Zhao Yin’s suspicious expression and said, “Auntie, this lady is the wife of Commander Liu, the commander’s wife. Did you come here for something? Let’s discuss things first and let the children go next door to Commander Liu’s house.”
Zhao Yin had sharp, calculating eyes and the mention of the word ‘commander’ made her beam with a Buddha-like smile as she said to Duan dasao, “I just need to talk to Zhaodi for a bit. Sorry to trouble you.”
Duan dasao had travelled across the country with Commander Liu and prided herself on having seen all sorts of situations. But watching these two women, who were just a few years older than her, switch expressions in an instant was still astonishing. “No trouble at all, you two talk.”
Dawa walked to the doorway, unable to resist looking back.
Song Zhaodi waved him off. “It’s fine, go ahead.”
“Still afraid I’ll hit your stepmother?” Zhao Yin narrowed her eyes.
Song Zhaodi smiled. “Dawa isn’t worried about you; he’s worried his grandmother will hit me.” Then she closed the door, turned to Mother Bai and smirked. “I heard from Dawa that his grandmother is quite formidable.”
Zhao Yin was surprised. “Not me, but her?” She pointed at the woman across from her.
“What are you pointing at?” Mother Bai, embarrassed by her grandson’s rejection, snapped back with a fierce front. “Dawa thinks I’m formidable because you deliberately slandered me in front of him!” She pointed at Song Zhaodi. “Don’t think I don’t know what you—”
Song Zhaodi interrupted, “Know what? Two months ago, I didn’t even know whether Jianguo was good or bad. My aunt arranged my marriage to him. Are you saying my aunt deliberately set Jianguo up?” Without giving her a chance to speak, she turned to Zhao Yin. “Biaoyi, you did this for Jianguo’s good, right?”
“Of course!” Zhao Yin responded without hesitation. “Jianguo is always busy with military affairs. He needs a woman to take care of the household. I wouldn’t trust anyone else, so I had Zhaodi marry Jianguo.”
Mother Bai sneered. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Doing it for Jianguo’s good, yet sending him to live with his grandmother? Doing it for his good, yet marrying him to some dark-skinned, skinny village girl? Doing it for his good, yet his son didn’t even know his paternal grandmother when he was three?”
“You—” Zhao Yin took a deep breath. “Even so, I’m still better than you. If I’m bad, then are you good? If you were good, why would Dawa avoid you? Why wouldn’t Erwa even call you ‘Grandma’? Don’t think I don’t know how Dawa’s mother died. The Zhong family hasn’t held you accountable, yet you’re here causing trouble first? I’ve seen shameless people, but never one as shameless as you!”
Mother Bai’s face turned red and her fingers trembled. “You—you—”
“You what?” Zhao Yin snapped. “I’m Jianguo’s mother. How I treat him is my business. You, an outsider, come meddling in the Zhong family’s affairs just because Jianguo isn’t home? You really think the Zhong family is empty?”
Song Zhaodi held back laughter. “Biaoyi, say no more. Come inside and rest. And as for you, ma’am, come in as well.” She led them into the house.
Duan dasao glanced at the three of them going in and said, “Dawa, let’s go back too.”
“My stepmother won’t be in trouble?” Zhong Dawa looked at Duan dasao.
Duan dasao chuckled. “Don’t worry. Your grandmother and your maternal grandmother are like two needles clashing head-on. It’ll be a sharp fight. Probably until your dad gets back.”
As soon as Zhao Yin entered, her eyes darted around, taking in everything. She saw two long benches in the living room, a small square table, a few stools, a broom behind the door and portraits of the Chairman, Premier and Marshal on the wall. Nothing else. She curled her lips. How poor.
Song Zhaodi brought out two coarse porcelain bowls and a thermos, smiling awkwardly. “There are no mugs downstairs, so we have to use bowls.”
“That thermos was bought by me.” Mother Bai suddenly declared.
Song Zhaodi really wanted to say a word—shameless.
A few days ago, she had specifically talked to Zhong Jianguo about the Bai family, fearing that Mother Bai would show up unexpectedly and catch her off guard. Zhong Jianguo had mentioned that when he married Bai Hua, Mother Bai only made her a new outfit and a pair of new shoes.
Bai Hua sent twenty yuan home every month, yet when she got married, Mother Bai hadn’t even been willing to buy her a box of Snow Cream. Even though Song Zhaodi had mentally prepared herself, she was still almost disgusted enough to vomit.
“I remember Jianguo saying he bought this thermos before Dawa was born,” Song Zhaodi deliberately asked. “Could it be that Jianguo lied to me?” She paused. “But Jianguo wouldn’t need to lie to me. It’s just a thermos, not a bicycle or a sewing machine.”
Mother Bai was momentarily speechless. “Of course, Jianguo wouldn’t want to lie to you. But if you knew I bought the thermos, you’d definitely ask him to get you a new one. Our Jianguo is very good at managing money—”
“Our Jianguo?” With a loud “bang,” Zhao Yin put down her bowl. “Since when did Jianguo become yours? Did you ask me and his father first?”
Mother Bai’s breath caught. “There’s a saying that a son-in-law is half a son. Is it wrong to say Jianguo is part of the Bai family?”
“That’s the saying,” Song Zhaodi pulled up a stool and sat beside Zhao Yin, directly opposing Mother Bai. “But I also heard from Jianguo that Dawa’s mother gave all her earnings to you. Whether before or after marriage, Jianguo never saw a single cent from her. Biaoyi, did you know about this?”
Zhao Yin instinctively replied, “I didn’t know.” Then, realising what she had just said, she froze. “Are you saying that after Bai Hua married Jianguo, she continued giving her teacher’s salary to the Bai family? Zhaodi?”
“Yes.” Song Zhaodi nodded. “She used Bai Hua’s money to buy milk for her grandson, but when Dawa wanted to try some, she told him milk tasted bad. Later, when Dawa’s mother couldn’t work anymore, she made Jianguo send her twenty yuan every month. Aunt, you have no idea—Jianguo’s money was all taken by her.”
Zhao Yin was instantly furious and shot up from her seat.
“Nonsense!” Mother Bai reflexively stood up as well.
Song Zhaodi remained seated, completely unfazed. “I’m making things up? Look at all the fat on you—do I look like I’m making things up? Jianguo told me you don’t work, Dawa’s grandfather doesn’t work, and your son and daughter-in-law are just ordinary workers. Two workers supporting an entire family, yet somehow your life is more comfortable than Aunt’s? If no one was giving you money, who would believe it? Biaoyi, do you believe it?”
Zhao Yin and Zhong Jianguo’s father both had jobs. Zhao Yin’s son had not yet married and although all three members of the family were employed, Zhao Yin was much thinner than Mother Bai.
Earlier, Zhao Yin had only been angry at Zhong Jianguo for secretly getting married and had not taken a good look at his former mother-in-law. Now that she examined her closely, she saw that Mother Bai was dressed better than her. She sneered repeatedly, “Logically speaking, Jianguo’s salary increases every year, so the things he sends home for the holidays should also improve year by year. But over the past few years, they’ve been getting worse instead. So this is where it all went. And you still dare to come here?! Let’s see if I don’t—”
“Biaoyi, you can’t resort to violence,” Song Zhaodi quickly grabbed Zhao Yin. This old shrew—how could she be so impatient? “You and Aunt Bai came all this way; there must be something important. Tell us what it is first.”
Zhao Yin calmed down, turned to Song Zhaodi and frowned. “I heard from my eldest daughter-in-law that you and Zhong Jianguo got a marriage certificate. Why didn’t you tell me about such a big matter? Were you afraid I’d find out? Do you think I’d eat you alive?”
“Aunt, we didn’t mean to keep it from you,” Song Zhaodi said earnestly. “We got the certificate on the morning of the 9th and returned that afternoon. If you don’t believe me, wait here—I’ll get the marriage certificate. Oh, and the train ticket too.” Without waiting for a response, she went upstairs.
Mother Bai followed her.
Zhao Yin rushed over to block her. “Where do you think you’re going? Are you trying to take Jianguo’s things again? I’m telling you, as long as I’m here, don’t even think about it.”
“This is my son-in-law’s house. I can go wherever I want,” Mother Bai brushed Zhao Yin’s hand aside. “Get out of my way!”
Zhao Yin had complicated feelings about Zhong Jianguo. When her own life wasn’t going well, she would curse him and wish him an early death. But whenever her family encountered difficulties, the local community or factory would help them out because Zhong Jianguo’s family was considered military dependents. In those moments, she hoped he would get promoted and become wealthy.
Whenever she saw Zhong Jianguo, her ingrained habit of flattering those in power made her eager to ingratiate herself with him. Even the frown on her face seemed like a calculated act of appeasement. But at the same time, she didn’t want him to live too well.
Because of her contradictory feelings, when she saw Song Zhaodi as just a country bumpkin from the mountains, she introduced her to Zhong Jianguo under the guise of doing it for his own good.
Zhao Yin believed no one could see through her schemes, but even the simple and guileless Song Zhaodi’s mother could tell that she had ulterior motives when matchmaking Song Zhaodi with Zhong Jianguo. However, there was one thing Zhao Yin never dared to hope for: Zhong Jianguo’s salary.
Everyone in Zhao Yin’s apartment complex knew she had kicked the Zhong brothers out of the house. If she wanted Zhong Jianguo’s things, she could only make a fuss over holiday gifts.
She wouldn’t dare ask him for money directly. If Zhong Jianguo’s eldest brother got angry and reported her to her workplace, she could at best be scolded by her factory leaders and at worst, be fired.
In a few more years, Zhao Yin would retire. She didn’t want to lose her pension in old age. As she aged, Zhong Jianguo’s status grew and she became more afraid of him. She only dared to come this time because she felt she was in the right.
Zhong Jianguo seemed far too poor to be living in a house like this, which puzzled Zhao Yin. After hearing Song Zhaodi’s words, she became convinced that all of Zhong Jianguo’s money had been taken by the Bai family.
Just thinking about the money she never dared to dream of, stack after stack, flying into Bai’s family’s hands made her stomach ache with rage. “I haven’t even told you to get lost and you dare to tell me to? Let’s see which one of us is leaving today!” She grabbed Mother Bai’s hair and dragged her outside.
Song Zhaodi retrieved the marriage certificate and the train ticket she had kept as a memento. When she reached the staircase, she saw Zhao Yin and Mother Bai locked in a scuffle. Amused, she sat down to quietly watch them fight.
Only when their clothes were dishevelled and they were panting from exhaustion did Song Zhaodi leisurely walk downstairs and feign surprise. “Biaoyi, Aunt Bai, what are you doing? Oh no, my bowls! My bowls are broken! Biaoyi, did you break them?”
“It wasn’t me!” Zhao Yin blurted out without thinking. “It was her!”
Mother Bai saw the two broken bowls, now completely unusable. “It was your aunt who knocked them over.”
“You knocked them over,” Zhao Yin retorted, catching her breath. One hand on her hip, she pointed at Mother Bai. “The bowls were closer to you than to me. Zhaodi, make her pay. She must compensate.”
Mother Bai’s eyes widened and she jumped up in anger. “Why should I pay? Did you see me knock them over? Don’t slander me!”
“I don’t care who did it. The bowls are broken either way,” Song Zhaodi said. “Since only the two of you were downstairs, you each pay for one. One dime each.”
Mother Bai shrieked, “Why don’t you just rob me?!”
“A coarse porcelain bowl and you expect your aunt to compensate for it? And to think I introduced you to Jianguo.” Zhao Yin sneered. “Song Zhaodi, do you have any conscience?”
Song Zhaodi sighed. “I originally had several bowls at home, but Dawa and Erwa weren’t careful while eating and broke three. Now you two have broken two more. If we don’t buy more, we’ll have to eat from basins at lunch.
“Jianguo’s salary wasn’t high before. Not only did he have to support a family of five, but he was also constantly chased down by this aunt for money. When Dawa’s mother passed away, Jianguo had to borrow money from Commander Liu for the funeral. Aunt, Jianguo is still deep in debt and this month’s salary hasn’t been paid yet. What do you expect me to do?”
Zhao Yin pointed at Mother Bai. “Ask her for it!”
“Don’t listen to her nonsense,” Mother Bai snapped. “Jianguo never gave me money.”
“Not anymore,” Song Zhaodi said. “But I heard from the neighbours that you used Jianguo’s ration coupons to buy extra food at the supply store and sent it home.
“Dawa even said you stole things from the house—honey, malted milk, cloth, anything that could be mailed to Shanghai, you secretly sent it. When you stayed here for two months after Sanwa was born, the Zhong family’s monthly food expenses weren’t even enough at 30 yuan.”
“Thirty yuan?” Zhao Yin’s eyes widened. “Even if you ate meat every meal, it wouldn’t cost that much in a month.”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “That’s right. Biaoyi, look, here’s the marriage certificate and here are the train and boat tickets.”
Zhao Yin was illiterate before, but Zhong Jianguo’s father had taught her to recognise numbers. She examined them carefully, then returned them to Song Zhaodi. “I misunderstood you. How’s life here? Is Jianguo treating you well?”
“Jianguo hasn’t come home for two days,” Song Zhaodi sighed, looking troubled. “I feel like I’m just a nanny.”
Mother Bai hadn’t expected that Zhong Jianguo and Dawa would tell Song Zhaodi everything. Feeling cornered by Song Zhaodi’s words, her chest ached. Hearing this, she sneered and said, “You are my son-in-law’s nanny.”
“Aunt Bai, why did you come here?” Song Zhaodi asked. “As far as I know, your family background is problematic. Do the revolutionary committee members know you sneaked over here?”
Mother Bai’s face changed dramatically.
Zhao Yin was shocked. “She’s a ‘black five category’1?”
“Something like that,” Song Zhaodi said. “Aunt Bai, if you don’t tell me the truth, don’t blame me for sending a telegram to Shencheng.”
A few days ago, Mother Bai received a letter from someone claiming to be Bai Hua’s good friend. The letter expressed deep sorrow over Bai Hua’s passing and stated that even now, every time she thought of Bai Hua, she felt it was unfair to her.
The letter mentioned that Bai Hua had given birth to three sons for Zhong Jianguo, yet as soon as she passed away, he rushed to remarry. What was even more outrageous was that his new wife was the niece of his stepmother. The sender urged Mother Bai to step in and take control of Zhong Jianguo.
When Bai Hua died, Zhong Jianguo had sent a telegram to the Bai family. Mother Bai took the telegram to request leave from work. At the time, the revolution had not intensified too much, and Mother Bai was an insignificant figure, so the community director granted her five days off.
Mother Bai was sceptical about the letter’s claims, but when she arrived and saw that the Zhong family courtyard had completely changed, rage overtook her. She felt that Zhong Jianguo was truly heartless, which led her to start shouting at the entrance—completely forgetting that she was the least qualified person to berate Zhong Jianguo or show hostility toward Song Zhaodi.
As Song Zhaodi finished speaking, Mother Bai snapped back to reality. However, unlike Zhao Yin, who was shrewd and adaptable, Mother Bai was simply an ordinary, old-fashioned woman with a strong preference for sons over daughters. Lowering herself to apologise to Song Zhaodi was beyond her: “Who are you trying to scare?”
“If you think I’m trying to scare you, then go ahead and think that. But, Auntie, let me remind you—Jianguo has already told me where your family lives.” Song Zhaodi turned to Zhao Yin. “Biaoyi, do you have any other business here?”
Zhao Yin had initially wanted to remind Song Zhaodi to be grateful, but upon seeing that she seemed unwilling to take on the burden of looking after the children—especially with a pile of unwashed clothes still sitting under the eaves—she simply smiled. “No, I just came to see how you were settling in.”
“It’s almost noon, and we’re out of vegetables at home,” Song Zhaodi said. “Biaoyi, why don’t you come with me to buy some groceries? While we’re at it, we can send a telegram to Shanghai, letting them know that this auntie ran off here on her own.”
Zhao Yin was more than happy to do such a thing. “Sounds good, let’s go now.”
Send a telegram to Shanghai? Wouldn’t that expose her? A flash of panic appeared in Mother Bai’s eyes. “You wouldn’t dare?!”
A glint flickered in Song Zhaodi’s gaze—had she guessed correctly?
Seeing Mother Bai lose all her previous arrogance, Zhao Yin smiled and said, “There’s nothing I, Zhao Yin, wouldn’t dare to do. Zhaodi, let’s go.”
Song Zhaodi mouthed to Mother Bai, “She’s here, I can’t lock the door.”
“This is easy to handle.” Zhao Yin stepped forward and grabbed Mother Bai’s arm. “Come out.”
Mother Bai instinctively held onto the doorframe.
Song Zhaodi went up to pry her fingers off but couldn’t. Just as Duan dasao had said, Song Zhaodi didn’t know how to fight with women. She thought for a moment and spotted the large cleaver she had tossed under the eaves.
She picked up the cleaver and walked toward Mother Bai.
Zhao Yin’s face changed drastically. “Zhaodi, don’t do anything foolish.”
“Biaoyi, I know,” Song Zhaodi said. “I won’t kill her, just chop off her fingers first, then take her to the clinic to get them sewn back on.
“If the leaders in Jianguo ask, I’ll say this aunt was stealing from our house. Aunt, just remember to testify for me.” As she spoke, she raised the cleaver.
Zhao Yin instinctively let go.
Thud! Mother Bai collapsed to the ground.
Song Zhaodi looked at the cleaver she hadn’t yet lowered, then at Mother Bai, whose face had turned pale. She felt speechless but also amused. “Aunt, do you need me to help you up?”
Mother Bai scrambled to her feet and ran outside.
Song Zhaodi reminded her, “Aunt, you forgot your bag.”
Mother Bai halted, turned back to grab her bag and bolted again.
Swinging the cleaver in her hand, Song Zhaodi grinned. “Aunt, now we can go buy groceries.”
The first time Zhao Yin met Song Zhaodi was at the Zhong family home, where she made it clear she disliked her. The second time, at the Song family home, she was even more disdainful. Today was the third time Zhao Yin had met Song Zhaodi and she was surprisingly polite, as if she had forgotten their past conflicts.
Yet just moments ago, Song Zhaodi had complained about Zhong Jianguo not coming home for days. And now, she didn’t blame her? Zhao Yin had the unsettling feeling that Song Zhaodi’s smile hid a dagger and at any moment, that cleaver in her hand would come down on her head.
“You go ahead, I’ll wait at home,” Zhao Yin tested.
Song Zhaodi sneered inwardly. “Aunt, you’re not planning to steal from the Zhong family like Dawa’s grandma, are you?”
“You child, how can you talk to your biaoyi like that?” Zhao Yin had indeed been thinking about checking the upstairs rooms, but she quickly denied it. “Am I that kind of person?”
“Yes!” Song Zhaodi blurted. “Biaoyi, I only married Jianguo because you said he was well-off. But in reality, the Zhong family can’t even afford meat. It’s worse than our rural village, where at least we can catch fish from the sea if we crave it.”
“This place is also near the sea,” Zhao Yin pointed out.
Song Zhaodi sighed. “The troops train by the shore and family members aren’t allowed near. The places where fishing is allowed are over thirty miles away. I can’t go with three kids.
“Jianguo is never home and I’m starving for some good food. Biaoyi, Jianguo told me he’d buy a lot of things for you and Uncle for the Mid-Autumn Festival2. Since he’s so filial to you, shouldn’t you also be kind to his wife—your niece?”
“What do you mean?” Zhao Yin wasn’t stupid; she immediately sensed something was off.
Song Zhaodi grinned. “Give me five yuan. I’ll buy a chicken, a fish and a slab of pork belly.”
Zhao Yin gasped. “You—you’re really willing to spend that much?”
“If you’re willing, I am too,” Song Zhaodi said with a smile. “The three kids don’t eat much. Once it’s cooked, it’ll still be just the two of us eating. Biaoyi, just give me five yuan.” As she spoke, she reached directly into Zhao Yin’s pocket.
Zhao Yin instinctively pushed her away but, seeing the cleaver in Song Zhaodi’s other hand, quickly stepped outside.
“Biaoyi, where are you going?” Song Zhaodi followed her.
“I’m going home,” Zhao Yin blurted.
“Don’t you want your bag?” Song Zhaodi pointed to the cloth bag on the bench.
Zhao Yin paused, then ordered, “Bring it to me. And put down the cleaver.”
As Song Zhaodi turned to fetch the bag, she smirked. Two cowards—she had only used twenty percent of her strength and they had already surrendered. How boring. “Biaoyi, this cleaver is just for chopping vegetables, not for killing people. I wouldn’t hack you with it.”
“You—” Zhao Yin swallowed hard. “Then why did you just threaten that woman with it?”
Song Zhaodi lied without hesitation. “She was eyeing my family’s belongings. We barely have anything as it is. If she took everything, I wouldn’t even be able to cook. Then, what’s the point of keeping a cleaver?” She put down the cleaver, picked up the bag and handed it to Zhao Yin—but didn’t let go. “If you leave so soon, the neighbours will think I’m being rude.
“Biaoyi, stay until tomorrow. Let’s go buy groceries. I’ll make a nice meal for you. You can rest, I’ll satisfy my cravings and when the neighbours ask, I can tell them. It’ll also make Jianguo look good.”
“I have things to do at home.” Zhao Yin yanked the bag away forcefully. “Take good care of Zhong Jianguo’s three kids. Stop thinking about Xiao Song Village all the time and stop obsessing over fancy food.”
“Biaoyi, you’re really leaving? I only have one yuan left. Just give me five—no, even one yuan is fine, just enough for a chicken.”
“I have nothing. Not even a cent!” Zhao Yin hurriedly ran out of the Zhong family courtyard. She spat as she turned back. “No wonder she was suddenly being so nice to me—she was eyeing my money? Dream on.”
Hearing the shouting from next door, Duan dasao came out holding Sanwa. She saw Mother Bai running away like the wind. Before she could figure out what had happened, she saw Zhao Yin looking just as flustered, as if a wolf was chasing her. “Xiao Song, what’s going on?”
Song Zhaodi explained how Mother Bai had sneaked in and tried to steal, then added, “My aunt is the type who despises the poor and fawns over the rich. When she saw how little we had and then I asked her for money, she thought we were dirt poor and got scared away.”
“That woman, really.” Duan dasao sighed. “I remember you said you put away things you don’t use often to make it easier for Sanwa to learn to walk. That way, when he starts running around the house, he won’t bump into them. She didn’t even ask about that?”
“My aunt is shallow. She doesn’t truly care about me, so of course, she didn’t ask.” Song Zhaodi turned to the kids. “Dawa, Erwa, are you reassured now?”
“Will Grandma come back?” Dawa was still worried.
Song Zhaodi reassured him, “Shameless people don’t dwell on things like this. But for now, she’s a little scared of me, so she won’t be back anytime soon.”
“What about his paternal grandma?” Duan dasao asked. “You can’t always claim you have no money.”
“As long as she doesn’t come back before New Year’s, that’s good enough. No one knows what will happen in the future. Maybe she’ll choke on water and die tomorrow. Thinking too far ahead is useless.”
“That’s true,” Duan dasao agreed. “Xiao Song, let’s talk about your brother-in-law.”
Song Zhaodi glanced at the sun. “Let’s go inside. Is Commander Liu coming back for lunch? If not, saozi, have lunch at our place.”
“Xiao Zhong isn’t coming back either?” Duan dasao asked.
“He said he’d be back after dark,” Song Zhaodi replied. “Dawa, you didn’t call your dad just now, did you?”
“No,” Dawa looked up at her. “You’re really amazing.”
Song Zhaodi laughed. “Call me ‘Mom.’”
“No way! I’ll just call you ‘Stepmom.’” Zhong Dawa ran into the house.
Duan dasao shook her head, amused. “This child. Erwa, what do you call your stepmom?”
“Stepmom!” Erwa followed his brother inside.
Song Zhaodi pretended to threaten them. “If you don’t call me ‘Mom,’ I won’t cook lunch.”
“We won’t eat, but Aunt still has to!” Zhong Dawa reminded her. “Also, I haven’t had my candy today.”
Song Zhaodi chuckled. “Call me ‘Mom,’ and I’ll let you have two.”
“I’ll only eat one.” Zhong Dawa held up one finger. “Dad said I can only have one per day. If you let me eat two, I’ll tell Dad you don’t follow the rules.”
Song Zhaodi was speechless.
Duan dasao laughed. “Didn’t expect that, did you?”
“If you don’t stop talking, I’ll chop you!” Song Zhaodi threatened.
Zhong Dawa retorted, “You wouldn’t dare! You even close your eyes when chopping a duck’s head. Dad scolds you for wasting the duck blood.”
“Keep talking and I really won’t cook,” Song Zhaodi pretended to be mad.
Zhong Dawa covered his mouth and ran upstairs with Erwa.
Song Zhaodi sighed. “This little brat. It was easier when he ignored me.”
“It’s a good thing,” Duan dasao said with a smile. “What’s for lunch? Oh, how did this bowl break?”
Song Zhaodi: “They knocked it off while fighting.”
“They fought?” Duan dasao‘s eyes widened.
Song Zhaodi: “I didn’t expect it either. They started fighting at the slightest disagreement.” She pointed at a few strands of half-white hair on the ground. “This belongs to my maternal grandaunt and that thick black one belongs to Dawa’s maternal grandmother. They yanked it out while fighting.”
“No wonder they broke a bowl.” Duan dasao clicked her tongue. “Did you get hurt?”
Song Zhaodi couldn’t admit that she had been watching the commotion from the stairway. “I hid in the kitchen. Sigh, they both ran off right after. I don’t know how I should explain this to Jianguo when he comes back.”
“Just tell him the truth,” Duan dasao said. “I know Xiao Zhong. He doesn’t like his stepmother and despises Dawa’s grandmother. He’d probably wish those two women fought each other to death.”
Song Zhaodi: “They’re both quite old. My aunt has more strength, but her punches won’t really hurt Dawa’s grandmother.” Suddenly, a thought struck her. “Is there only one ferry trip out to sea?”
“There’s one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Why?” As soon as Duan dasao asked, her eyes widened. “The morning ferry has already left, so they can only leave in the afternoon. You mean to say they’ll come back here?”
Song Zhaodi didn’t want to nod. “Saozi, lend me a few locks. I need to lock all the doors upstairs and the kitchen cabinets.”
“You’re acting like an enemy invasion is coming.” Duan dasao hurriedly handed the clueless Sanwa to Song Zhaodi and ran home to find some locks.
When Dawa and Erwa heard that their grandmother and great-grandmother might return, their faces showed no fear—only excitement. Dawa picked up the large kitchen knife again and waved it at Song Zhaodi. “I’ll help you scare Grandma.”
“Put that down.” The knife was very sharp. Song Zhaodi didn’t even dare to lose focus when cutting vegetables. “I’m going to cut some tomatoes and steamed rice. You two stand by the door. If you see your grandma coming back, call me immediately.”
Dawa was surprised. “You’re still making food?”
“Of course,” Song Zhaodi said. “Starving yourself because of a bad person is a foolish thing to do.”
“I’ll light the fire for you,” Duan dasao offered.
Song Zhaodi knew she had something to say and nodded. Once inside the kitchen, she spoke first. “My jiefu‘s name is Liu Yang.”
“Liu Yang?” Duan dasao shook her head, looking disappointed. “Old Liu’s nephew isn’t named that.”
Song Zhaodi: “Liu Yang is his official name. My father named him—Yang, as in ‘ocean.’ What was the commander’s nephew originally called?”
“Old Liu only had one older brother,” Duan dasao recalled carefully. “When the child was born, his brother saw that it was a boy and said the Liu family had an heir. So he named him Yougen (literally ‘has roots’).”
Clang!
The ladle in Song Zhaodi’s hand dropped into the basin, splashing water onto Duan dasao’s face.
Duan dasao looked up, seeing Song Zhaodi’s expression. She was stunned, her lips trembling. “Really? Is it true?”
“Saozi, don’t get too excited yet,” Song Zhaodi took a deep breath. “There are many people in the world with the same name. Yougen, Jiagen, Jiabao—these names are quite common. Tell me, how old is your nephew now?”
Duan dasao thought for a moment. “The year I married Old Liu, that child was about five years old. Yes, I remember! A year later, we drove the invaders away. Then came the civil war and Old Liu went to the battlefield, so I followed. Was he five years old back then?”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “What was your sister-in-law’s surname?”
“Yang,” Duan dasao said firmly. “Mu-Yi Yang. Every time I watch an opera performance of Si Lang Visiting His Mother3, whenever they mention ‘Mu-Yi Yang,’ I think of my sister-in-law.”
Song Zhaodi didn’t believe in coincidences, but when Duan dasao said she was from Spring City, two words flashed in her mind—what a coincidence. So she asked, “Saozi, I think my jiefu is very likely your nephew.”
“I need to call Old Liu!” Duan dasao abruptly stood up. “Hold Sanwa for me!”
Song Zhaodi quickly took the child and reminded her, “Saozi, don’t tell Commander Liu about this yet. Let’s wait until he gets back.”
“I know,” Duan dasao said. “Even though Old Liu always says that his sister-in-law and nephew are probably fine, deep down, he believes they’re long gone.” She paused. “The country is so big. Even if they were alive, it would be hard to meet again in this lifetime. Dameizi, thank you!”
Song Zhaodi couldn’t quite understand what it felt like to suddenly find a long-lost relative. But seeing how Duan dasao’s fingers trembled despite her attempt to stay calm, she patted her shoulder. “Go quickly.”
Duan dasao turned and ran next door.
Commander Liu received a call from his wife telling him to come home. He glanced at the man across from him. “Come with me. Apologise to Xiao Song properly and tell her about your investigation into her background.”
Zhong Jianguo had been summoned by Commander Liu early in the morning. He thought it was an important mission, but as soon as he entered the room, a dossier was thrown at him.
He instinctively caught it and opened it. The report detailed how hardworking Song Zhaodi had been during university. Even his political commissar hadn’t found any evidence of her being in a relationship back then.
Zhong Jianguo felt conflicted but didn’t say anything. Even with the documents in hand, he still found Song Zhaodi suspicious in some way. But he nodded. “I will apologise to Comrade Song Zhaodi. I shouldn’t have doubted her. However, Commander, I already told her that I investigated her.”
Commander Liu asked, “She wasn’t angry?”
“No,” Zhong Jianguo replied. “She was very understanding. She said that since the military arranged a job for her, it was natural for them to conduct a background check.” He paused. “However, Comrade Song Zhaodi said she would only teach first-year students.”
Commander Liu: “Why?”
“I have three kids to take care of,” Zhong Jianguo said. “Laundry, cooking, grocery shopping—she has to do all of it. If she spends all her time at school, I’ll have to handle everything. Where would I find the time?”
Commander Liu nodded. “Alright. Xiao Song has never taught at a middle school before. Let her start with one class.”
“One more thing.” Zhong Jianguo felt awkward. “How should her salary be calculated? By experience, she’s a new teacher. But by education, the principal only has a diploma, while she has a bachelor’s degree.”
Commander Liu: “I’ll discuss this with the political commissar. Let’s go back first and see what my wife needs.”
“Commander.” Xiao Li saw Zhong Jianguo coming out and gave him a meaningful look.
Commander Liu raised an eyebrow. “What’s so mysterious?”
“The commander is not an outsider, so just say it.” Zhong Jianguo said.
Xiao Li glanced around before whispering, “Your stepmother and Dawa’s grandmother are here.”
“Who?!” Zhong Jianguo exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. “My stepmother? Dawa’s grandmother? When did they arrive? Where are they?”
Xiao Li said softly, “Commander, don’t worry. They haven’t arrived yet. Our mess staff went out to buy supplies today. When they got off the boat, they saw Dawa’s grandmother and reported it to me.
“I borrowed your car to check. The women outside playing with their kids told me that your wife had already sent them away.”
Gone? Zhong Jianguo sighed in relief. That was great!
“If they left, why are we still talking about it?” Commander Liu asked.
Xiao Li replied, “The Third Company Commander saw them heading this way while going home for lunch, so he borrowed a bicycle and came to inform me. I estimate they’ll be here in about ten minutes.”
Zhong Jianguo had assumed Song Zhaodi was exaggerating. He hadn’t expected her to actually drive them away. Now relieved, he said calmly, “By the time they arrive, I’ll be home. Look at how nervous you are—anyone who doesn’t know better would think an invasion was coming.”
- The ‘Black Five Categories’ (黑五类) was a political label used during the Cultural Revolution to classify individuals considered enemies of the revolution. These groups included landlords, rich peasants, counterrevolutionaries, bad elements, and rightists. Being identified as a member of the “Black Five Categories” could lead to public humiliation, forced labour, or even imprisonment. ↩︎
- The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in September or early October. It is a time for family reunions, moon gazing and eating mooncakes, which symbolise unity and completeness. The festival has its origins in ancient moon-worshiping traditions and is associated with the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess. ↩︎
- Si Lang Visiting His Mother (四郎探母) is a well-known Peking opera based on the legend of Yang silang, the fourth son of the famous Yang family generals from the Northern Song Dynasty. Captured by the Liao dynasty, he marries a Liao princess and remains in enemy territory for many years. The opera focuses on his secret reunion with his mother, She Saihua, after years of separation. ‘Mu-Yi Yang’ (母仪杨) refers to the dignified and noble presence of the Yang family’s women, known for their loyalty, resilience, and strength. ↩︎
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