Duan dasao received Song Zhaodi’s advice and immediately discussed the matter of attending the health school with her daughter, Liu Ping.
She knew her husband well.
Commander Liu had made it clear that the university recommendation spots would go to his soldiers, and he would not change his mind—even if Liu Ping threatened him with her life. However, if Liu Ping dared to make such a threat, her father would not hesitate to beat her with his belt. Compared to dying, Liu Ping and her younger brother, Liu Wei, feared being beaten even more.
Liu Ping agreed to go to health school, and Liu Wei followed by saying he would enlist in the military next year.
Duan dasao did not want her son to join the army. However, for young people on the island, if they didn’t join the military or become workers, their only option was to be sent to the countryside. Being from a rural background herself, she knew how hard life was there and had no desire to send her son back to such hardship.
Between two undesirable choices, she had to pick the lesser evil. Though not highly educated, Duan dasao understood this logic and agreed to let her son enlist.
By the time Liu Ping left for health school, the first-year students Song Zhaodi had been teaching advanced to their second year.
In the autumn of 1968, on the first day of school, Song Zhaodi arrived with Sanwa and immediately noticed the teachers gathering in the principal’s office. Her heart tightened, and she quickly asked if something had happened again.
Seeing her concern, the principal reassured her that there was no issue—everyone was simply waiting for her.
Song Zhaodi sat down with Sanwa in her arms.
The principal got straight to the point, saying that today’s meeting was to discuss an issue concerning Teacher Song.
This statement left Song Zhaodi both confused and curious. She asked the principal what the issue was.
The principal explained that Commander Wu had requested for Song Zhaodi to continue teaching English to the second-year students. At the same time, several teachers present had children entering their first year and also wanted her to continue teaching first-year English.
With Vice Commander Wu on one side and her colleagues on the other, the principal was in a dilemma, which was why he had gathered everyone to find a solution that would satisfy both sides.
Hearing this, Song Zhaodi shook her head and chuckled. Wasn’t the ‘perfect solution’ simply having her teach both first and second-year English?
The principal wasn’t foolish. The moment he saw her reaction, he knew she had guessed his intentions. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he asked if she would be willing.
Given her high salary, it was reasonable for her to take on two classes. So she asked, “What if, when these second-year students advance to their third year, they still want me to teach them? What will you do then?”
The principal was left speechless.
The school had only two English teachers. One had been transferred from the elementary division. When Song Zhaodi took over the first-year class, that teacher was reassigned back to the elementary school. If Song Zhaodi were to take on all three grades, the other English teacher would essentially be out of a job.
After considering this, the principal realised he couldn’t compromise on this matter. He went to speak with Commander Wu.
Commander Wu, not wanting to be accused of pushing another teacher out for his own son’s benefit, discussed the matter with his son instead.
Wu’s son aspired to become a diplomat and knew that mastering a foreign language was essential for the role. Thus, he told his father that Teacher Song should continue teaching his class.
To ensure Song Zhaodi would agree, the principal deliberately mentioned that Commander Wu’s son wanted to be a diplomat.
Song Zhaodi had not expected that, despite the suspension of college entrance exams, the Wu family’s child had not given up on his dream. Moved by this, she agreed to take on both first and second-year English. This incident also made her realise how scarce good English teachers were on the island.
Since English classes were scheduled in the mornings, Song Zhaodi had free time in the afternoons. She went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought a thick notebook. She carefully copied useful vocabulary from the first, second, and third-year English textbooks, adding Chinese phonetic transcriptions alongside each word. To help young children who couldn’t recognise all the characters, she also wrote out the pinyin above the Chinese words.
When Zhong Jianguo had first started middle school, he had also used this method of adding Chinese phonetics to learn English.
Song Zhaodi explained to Zhong Jianguo that she was doing this for his three children. Seeing her dedication, he was delighted and even helped by copying at night while she worked during the day.
By New Year’s Eve, the one-centimetre-thick notebook was completely filled with vocabulary.
On the morning of January 1, 1969, Song Zhaodi handed the notebook to Dawa. While he didn’t recognise the English words, Song Zhaodi had taught him pinyin early on.
Though Zhong Dawa had just entered first grade, he could already use pinyin to read Chinese characters. Picking a random phrase, he asked, “Mom, what’s ‘running to death’ (pǎo lèi sǐ)?”
“Police,” Song Zhaodi replied, pointing to the word. Then she turned to Zhong Jianguo and said, “Why do I feel like this isn’t very reliable?”
Zhong Jianguo replied, “It isn’t reliable at all. But speaking with an imperfect accent is still better than not speaking at all. When Dawa enters middle school, you can correct his pronunciation then. For now, he should just learn as much as he can.”
“So does that mean I can look at it if I want to, but ignore it if I don’t?” Dawa quickly asked.
Song Zhaodi laughed. “Your father and I worked so hard to write this. Do you really have the heart to ignore it?”
Dawa was stumped.
Song Zhaodi continued, “You can teach your younger brothers too.”
“That sounds fun!” Excited, Dawa called over his two younger brothers. “Come here! Big Brother will teach you English!”
Song Zhaodi quickly warned, “Don’t tear the notebook. If you do, I’ll spank you so hard your butt will bloom like a flower.”
“I won’t!” Dawa cherished the handmade English book. None of the other kids on the island knew English, and he was already thinking about showing off to his friends.
Having lived with the children for over two years, Song Zhaodi understood their nature well. Even the most introverted child couldn’t resist showing off a new outfit, let alone something as unique as knowing English.
She estimated that by the end of the year, a group of kids would be trailing behind Dawa. However, she underestimated his ‘diplomatic skills’.
On the afternoon of January 11, Dawa went out and returned with a string of children.
Song Zhaodi did a quick count—there were about thirteen or fourteen kids.
Half were the children of soldiers, and the other half were from the island’s fishing families. The moment they entered the Zhong family’s house, they started chattering, making such a racket that Song Zhaodi felt a headache coming on.
The weather had turned cold, and she couldn’t just kick the children out. So she told Dawa to take them to Ma Zhenxing’s house to play, as she needed to make winter shoes for her three boys.
Dawa thought he was disturbing his mother making shoes, so he waved his little hand and went to Ma Zhenxing’s house to play.
Sanwa liked the excitement and immediately grabbed Erwa’s hand, afraid that his two older brothers would abandon him.
Seeing that the little one also wanted to go, Song Zhaodi instructed Dawa and Erwa to take good care of their younger brother and to remember to take off his pants when he needed to pee.
Dawa wasn’t afraid of Song Zhaodi getting angry and spanking him—he was only afraid that she wouldn’t cook and would make his father do it instead. For some reason, even though Zhong Jianguo had been learning to cook for two years, whenever he did it, the food was either too salty or completely tasteless.
As a result, Dawa never forgot what Song Zhaodi told him. While playing at Ma Zhenxing’s house, he would constantly ask Sanwa if he needed to pee or poop.
Zhou Shufen, annoyed by the noise of the children, hid upstairs. When she came down once, she saw Dawa helping Sanwa pull up his pants. At first, she thought Sanwa had wet himself, but upon asking, she realised Dawa had just been watching him pee. She couldn’t help but praise Song Zhaodi for teaching her children well.
After sending the kids away, Song Zhaodi sat down to write a letter to her mother, informing her that she wouldn’t be able to go home for the New Year again this year. She also enclosed fifty yuan in the letter.
When Mother Song received the money, she knew her youngest daughter was doing well.
Since Zhong Jianguo could do laundry and wash dishes, Mother Song felt reassured. With a man like that, she wasn’t worried about Song Zhaodi suffering—even if they didn’t see each other for a year, or even ten years.
Still, as Song Zhaodi’s biological mother, it didn’t sit well with her that her daughter hadn’t come home since getting married.
Seeing that their parents had been downcast ever since receiving the letter, Song dajie suggested that they visit her instead.
There wasn’t much farm work in the production team during the winter, and their parents were still in their early fifties, healthy and strong. A long journey wouldn’t be a problem, and they did want to see her in person.
However, Mother Song hesitated because her second daughter had once complained that she only took the eldest sister’s family to visit and didn’t bring her along to Wengzhou Island. If she didn’t bring her this time, she’d have to deal with more complaints when she got back.
So, she asked her eldest son-in-law, Liu Yang, to send a telegram to Song Zhaodi, asking if her second sister could come along.
When Zhong Jianguo received the telegram, he frowned deeply and asked Song Zhaodi as soon as he got home, “What do we do?”
“My parents want to come see us. Do you want to refuse?” Song Zhaodi countered.
“If it’s your parents, of course, they’re more than welcome,” Zhong Jianguo said. “With your mother here, I won’t have to wash dishes or do laundry. And your dad will keep the duck and chicken coop spotless. But if your second sister’s family comes, the five of us will have to squeeze into one bed again.”
“No need,” Song Zhaodi said. “Dawa’s room has three beds. My mother and eldest sister can share one, the kids can sleep in the bunk beds, and my second brother-in-law and father can take the guest room.” She paused. “Besides, my second brother-in-law has work—he won’t stay more than three to five days.”
“Then I’ll send the reply?” Zhong Jianguo asked.
“Go ahead,” Song Zhaodi replied.
On the afternoon of January 31st, Song Zhaodi took the three children to the dock.
As soon as Mother and Father Song got off the boat, Dawa cheered, “Mom, Grandma—the one who bought us lots of delicious food—is here again!”
Mother Song laughed at Dawa’s words. “I brought you lots of treats this time too.” She handed him a bag. “You’re growing so fast. In a couple of years, you’ll be able to help your mom with chores.”
“He can already help,” Song Zhaodi said. “He can tend the fire, move firewood, and feed the chickens and ducks. Where are Second Sister and her husband?”
Mother Song sighed. “The two kids got seasick, so they’re still on the boat. Your father and I didn’t want to keep you waiting, so we got off first.”
Song Zhaodi’s second sister, Song Lainan, had only met her once—on the day she married Zhong Jianguo.
Back then, instead of congratulating her or asking why she had married a man with three children, Song Lainan’s first words had been, “What’s the point of all those years of studying? In the end, you still ended up as someone’s second wife.”
Song Zhaodi had been so angry she had nearly cursed her out. If not for her parents, she wouldn’t have agreed to let them bring her along this time.
When Song Lainan got off the boat, Song Zhaodi glanced at her. She was holding her youngest son and sneering as she looked around.
Song Zhaodi’s brow twitched. Pretending not to see her, she turned to her parents and said, “Dad, Mom, let’s go home. I already bought the groceries, so we can eat as soon as we get back.”
“Did you buy meat?” Song Lainan suddenly asked.
Zhong Dawa frowned. “Who are you talking to?”
“I—I’m talking to your—” Song Lainan hesitated. “What does this child call you?”
“He calls me Mom,” Song Zhaodi said.
“I was talking to your mom,” Song Lainan said.
Zhong Dawa was displeased. “Then why didn’t you say my mom’s name? That’s very rude.”
Song Lainan suddenly felt suffocated and glared at Song Zhaodi. “Is this how you’re teaching your children? No manners at all—don’t even know how to greet their elders.”
“What’s all the yelling for?” Mother Song scolded. She actually agreed with Dawa—Song Lainan hadn’t said a name, so it wasn’t clear who she was talking to. “Let’s go!” She shot her second daughter a glare before walking ahead.
Song Lainan huffed but pouted and followed.
Her husband—Song Zhaodi’s second brother-in-law—was carrying their eldest daughter. He gave Song Zhaodi an apologetic smile before quickly catching up to his wife.
Zhong Dawa tugged at Song Zhaodi’s pants. “Mom, who is she? Why does she talk exactly like Grandpa and Grandma?”
Song Zhaodi’s eldest sister, Song Laibao, took after their mother. She had a round face, big eyes, and well-shaped brows. Her nose was tall and straight, though she was a bit short.
Song Zhaodi suspected it was because their mother had been too young when she had her—her body hadn’t fully matured, so Song Laibao was born weaker and shorter than her younger sisters.
The second sister, Song Lainan, was about the same height as Song Zhaodi, nearly 1.7 metres tall. But aside from her eyes, she didn’t look like the rest of the Song family. Her face was broad like their father’s, and her other features resembled their aunts and cousins.
Previously, Song Zhaodi had joked that Song Lainan looked like Zhao Yin, and it wasn’t nonsense. She had a low nose bridge just like him. She also had a habit of curling her lips and wrinkling her nose when she spoke—just like Zhao Yin.
Her tone of voice was sharp and nitpicky, very similar to Zhao Yin and Father Zhong. Song Zhaodi hadn’t expected Dawa to notice so quickly, and she was quite surprised. “No need to doubt—it’s my second sister.” She patted Erwa’s head. “Let’s go home too.”
Zhong Dawa was puzzled. “That’s your second sister? But aren’t aunts supposed to be the same? Why is she different from Eldest Aunt?”
Song Zhaodi cleared her throat. “When your Second Aunt was young, she was just like your Eldest Aunt. But one day, she hit her head on a door, and after that, she started acting like your Grandma.”
“She got her head stuck in a door?” Zhong Dawa asked.
Song Zhaodi nearly burst out laughing. “Exactly! But don’t mention it in front of her, or she’ll get mad and beat you and Erwa when your dad and I aren’t around.”
Erwa was so frightened that he immediately covered his mouth.
Mother Song and Father Song had walked a short distance when they noticed something was off with the footsteps behind them. Turning around, they saw that Song Zhaodi was still standing in place.
Mother Song called out loudly, “Zhaodi, what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” Song Zhaodi responded just as loudly, then picked up Sanwa, held Erwa’s hand, and led Dawa to catch up with them.
On the way, Song Lainan kept looking around, listening in on everything, and talking nonstop about how Wengzhou Island was just a small fishing village, no different from her hometown.
When rows of two-story houses appeared in front of them, it was as if Song Lainan had suddenly been choked speechless. Before she could find her voice again, Mother Song said, “We’re here.”
Song Lainan asked in disbelief, “This is Zhaodi’s house?”
“Yes,” Song Zhaodi replied, giving Dawa a look.
Dawa took the key hanging around his neck and unlocked the bamboo gate.
The moment Song Lainan stepped inside and saw the lush greenery and spotless courtyard, it felt as if she had suddenly stepped from the countryside into the city. She couldn’t help but say, “Now this looks like the house of a military officer.”
“The house belongs to the army,” Song Zhaodi said, noticing how sour Song Lainan’s expression was and feeling secondhand embarrassment for her. “Once Jianguo retires from the military, the house will be taken back.”
Song Lainan stopped in her tracks. “Then where will you live in the future?”
“We’ll save up to buy a house, or buy land and build one ourselves,” Song Zhaodi replied. “Dawa, go open the door.”
Dawa glanced at Song Zhaodi. So even Mother tells lies…
“Come in,” Dawa said, opening the door. Then he gathered up the books and sewing kit from the long bench. “Grandma, Grandpa, please have a seat.”
Father Song was delighted. “This child is becoming more and more polite.”
Dawa pursed his lips in a small smile, then brought over little stools—one for himself, one for Erwa—and sat down beside Mother Song.
Song Zhaodi handed Sanwa to her mother and went to pour water from the thermos. “Dad, Mom, have some warm water first.”
“I’d like to put things upstairs first,” Mother Song said, just like last time, while pulling out the things she had brought for the children.
Dawa, knowing they were gifts for them, immediately opened the packages. Seeing something white inside, he took out a piece and asked, “Mom, what’s this?”
“Rice candy,” Song Zhaodi recalled after a moment.
Dawa had never had it before. He looked at it curiously, then handed it to Erwa and opened another oiled paper package. “What about this one?”
“Malt candy,” Song Zhaodi said as she unwrapped another package. Seeing that it contained sesame candy sticks, she frowned. “Mom, why did you buy them so much candy?”
Mother Song replied, “For them to eat, of course.” She paused before adding, “Last time your father and I came here, we saw that the supply store didn’t have any snacks for children. So I figured Dawa and Erwa must not have had these before. Dawa, Erwa, take some.”
“Mom, I want some too,” Song Lainan’s daughter suddenly said.
Dawa handed her the malt candy he was holding.
“I don’t want this one—I want that one,” the little girl said, pointing at the rice candy in Erwa’s hand.
Song Zhaodi said, “Dawa, give your little sister a piece of rice candy.”
“I don’t want it! I only want the one he’s holding,” the little girl insisted.
Dawa frowned deeply. “My brother already started eating this one. I’ll give you a fresh one.”
“I don’t want it!” the little girl suddenly raised her voice.
Zhong Dawa was so startled that he almost dropped the malt candy in his hand. Coming back to his senses, he looked at Song Zhaodi as if to say, Mom… is she crazy?
“Erwa, give this one to your sister,” Song Zhaodi said, swapping the half-eaten rice candy for a fresh piece and handing it to Song Lainan’s daughter, Du Tao. She then said meaningfully, “Second Sister, your daughter really has good taste.”
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