Song Zhaodi couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you afraid he’ll steal from our house?”
“You never know. Better safe than sorry.” Zhong Dawa glanced at Zhong Jianguo. “That’s what Mom says.”
Zhong Jianguo lightly smacked the back of his head. Remembering how he made the kid cry last time, he kept it gentle this time. “Stop pushing everything onto your mom. Do you think I don’t know what you’re up to? Go to bed. Don’t make me say it again.”
“Hmph!” Zhong Dawa glared at his father. “Fine, I’m going!”
Song Zhaodi said, “Erwa, go upstairs with your brother. Your great-uncle won’t come to our house, don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense.”
“Okay!” Erwa held onto the railing and ran up.
Zhong Jianguo carried Sanwa while Song Zhaodi locked the door, and the family headed upstairs.
Dawa and Erwa were now used to sleeping on the top bunk of the bunk bed. But since it was winter and cold, Song Zhaodi had all three children sleep in the lower bunk under the same quilt, with Sanwa in the middle.
Worried that the kids would kick off the covers while sleeping, Song Zhaodi wrapped a thin blanket around the bed’s perimetre. No matter how much they tossed and turned, the blanket wouldn’t fall off, keeping them warm through the night.
The night before, Dawa had woken up suddenly in the darkness. Feeling around with his hands, his left touched his brother, and his right touched the blanket tied to the bedposts on either side. The small boy inexplicably felt safe and slept soundly until morning.
That night, after Dawa and Erwa climbed into bed, Zhong Jianguo placed Sanwa between them, tied the thin blanket around the bedposts again, and enclosed all three children inside. With no fear of them rolling off the bed, the three little ones giggled and played for a while before falling asleep.
Zhong Jianguo, however, was wide awake. The moment he saw Song Zhaodi, he grinned like a fool.
Song Zhaodi was creeped out by his smile. “Are you sick or something?”
“Say whatever you want,” Zhong Jianguo replied. “I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t argue with you.”
Song Zhaodi smiled slyly. “Then how about you cook breakfast and do the laundry tomorrow morning?”
“Sure.” Zhong Jianguo agreed without hesitation.
Song Zhaodi was momentarily stunned. “Just because I asked my eldest brother to go to Xiao Song Village and he happened to run into your uncle?”
“That’s not the only reason.” Zhong Jianguo said, “I think there’s no need to make such a big fuss over a book. I actually wanted to call your eldest brother and tell him not to go. But you insisted, and that’s why we got tonight’s phone call. I just want to say, Zhaodi, thank you.”
Song Zhaodi instinctively rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. “Zhong Jianguo, I’m used to you joking around. When you suddenly get all serious, it freaks me out. Hurry up and switch back.”
“How about this? Do you prefer it?” Zhong Jianguo said, leaning in closer.
Song Zhaodi lifted her leg and kicked him. “Stay away from me. Tell me, why did your uncle go to Xiao Song Village?”
At the mention of “uncle,” Zhong Jianguo paused and then rolled over to lie beside her. “I find it strange too. Of all places, why Xiao Song Village? My brother said he called from the factory’s phone, so he couldn’t discuss the details in front of the security guards. He’ll write about it in a letter later.”
Song Zhaodi calculated the time. “By the time his letter arrives, the one I sent home should have reached by then.”
On the morning of the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhong Jianguo received a letter from Binhai.
At noon, he brought the letter home. Meanwhile, in Xiao Song Village, Father Song also received Song Zhaodi’s letter.
With the high volume of year-end mail, the post office was swamped, so the letter to the village was delayed by two days. The postman apologised profusely when he handed it to Father Song.
Father Song waved his hand repeatedly, saying it was fine. But inwardly, he thought, I almost wish I hadn’t received this letter. At least then, I could still hold onto a sliver of hope that Lainan wasn’t actually stealing.
Song Zhaodi, understanding her parents’ way of thinking, had sent an additional letter. In it, she emphasised that the book Song Lainan took was handwritten by Zhong Jianguo, and it had taken him over two months to complete.
Father Song read the letter aloud in front of the whole family. Mother Song cried, tears streaming down her face. Song Laibao also felt terrible. He didn’t want to rub salt in his mother’s wound, but he couldn’t help but ask, “What will Jianguo think of Zhaodi now?”
“Jianguo is well-educated and reasonable. He won’t blame Zhaodi,” Father Song sighed. “Laibao, you and Liu Yang go to Lainan’s house tomorrow and get the book back.”
Song Laibao hesitated. “Lainan said she didn’t take Zhaodi’s book and that Zhaodi was falsely accusing her. If I didn’t know Zhaodi wasn’t short on money, seeing Lainan’s stubborn denial, I’d probably believe she was innocent too.”
“That’s right, Dad,” Liu Yang added. “Even if we go, it won’t change anything.”
Mother Song wiped her tears. “Then what should we do? That book was written for the children.”
“Didn’t Zhaodi say in her letter that if Lainan refuses to admit it, she won’t acknowledge her as her second sister?” Yang shi reminded them.
Among the three Song sisters, Yang shi liked Song Zhaodi the most. Back when the village chief suggested Liu Yang become a live-in son-in-law, she had wished Zhaodi were the eldest daughter instead.
But since Zhaodi was too young, she had chosen Song Laibao.
As for Song Lainan? Yang Shi had never even considered her. She disliked Lainan’s way of handling things—she was untrustworthy. She had wanted to warn Song Laibao, but fearing it would reach Father and Mother Song’s ears, she had kept quiet.
After reading Song Zhaodi’s letter, Yang shi once again felt admiration for her. She continued, “Laibao’s mother, it’s almost New Year’s. When Lainan comes to pay respects, you should tell her that Zhaodi is so upset that she doesn’t want to acknowledge her anymore.
“If she still won’t admit it, I’ll be blunt—don’t be mad—but maybe you should consider cutting ties with this daughter.”
Mother Song used to think that Zhaodi marrying Zhong Jianguo was a huge win for Zhong Jianguo.
But after visiting Wengzhou Island twice and seeing Zhaodi’s quality of life—and how she could even send her money—Mother Song now felt that it was a blessing that Zhaodi had married Zhong Jianguo. If she had married Wang Degui, let alone the quality of life, she wouldn’t even have things like scented soap and snow cream.
Now, she just hoped that Zhaodi and Zhong Jianguo could live a good life together. Once the children grew up in a couple of years, Zhaodi could have another baby, and everything would be perfect.
But now, with this mess about Song Lainan stealing, Mother Song was both angry at Lainan for being disappointing and worried that it would cause fights between Zhaodi and Zhong Jianguo. She also felt guilty for not raising her second daughter properly, thinking she had failed both her younger daughter and son-in-law.
Mother Song was a person who valued dignity. Because of what Song Lainan had done, she had been unable to eat or sleep well for days. Now, hearing Yang shi’s words, her freshly dried tears welled up again.
“Hey, saozi, I think Zhaodi is right.”
A voice came from outside. Mother Song was startled and went out to see another head appearing over the wall.
“Goudan’s mother, if you keep this up, I’ll go to the seaside tomorrow and pick up oyster shells to embed on the wall,” she said.
“It’s not that I wanted to listen. You kept crying, and it gave me a headache,” Goudan’s mother replied. “Yang saozi has a loud voice. What she said went straight into my ears. You can’t blame me.”
Mother Song was speechless. “My family’s affairs have nothing to do with you.”
“How is it unrelated? How is it unrelated?” Goudan’s mother retorted. “The wall between our houses is so low that my Goudan can climb over it. What if your Lainan sees no one home on my side and climbs in to take my things?”
Mother Song’s chest tightened, and she clutched at it.
Song Laibao, frightened, held onto her mother and said to Goudan’s mother, “Lainan isn’t that kind of person.”
“Then how did Zhaodi’s things go missing?” Goudan’s mother, though illiterate and unfamiliar with big principles, understood human nature well. “Regiment Commander Zhong is an officer. Besides your Lainan, who else would dare steal from a military officer?”
Song Laibao was at a loss for words. She could still clearly remember that during her days on Wengzhou Island, the Zhong family never locked their doors. Even at night, they only bolted the entrance from inside.
Seeing the Song family silent, Goudan’s mother knew she had guessed correctly. “Saozi, I may have some bad habits, like eavesdropping and repeating what I hear, but our families are still relatives, even if distantly related.
“Lainan stealing things—others might mock your family for it, but I won’t. And besides, I wouldn’t dare. I’m still hoping that Regiment Commander Zhong’s uncle will help my Goudan become a university student.”
“But Lainan… Lainan is my daughter,” Mother Song sobbed.
Goudan’s mother sneered. “Does she still see you as her mother? If she did, she wouldn’t put you in such a difficult position. That’s what makes Zhaodi better than Lainan. Even though Lainan refuses to return Zhaodi’s things, Zhaodi only cut ties as sisters; she never said she wouldn’t recognise you as her mother.”
Yang shi nodded subtly—Goudan’s mother was finally making sense for once. “Laibao’s mother, should we write back to Zhaodi?”
“I’ll write the letter,” Father Song said, turning to his wife. “Stop crying. Lainan has no sense of decency. Even if you cry your eyes out, she’ll just think you’re crying for no reason—it has nothing to do with her.”
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, married daughters return to their parents’ home.
Song Lainan knew that everyone in Xiao Song Village had heard about what she did. Afraid of being mocked by the villagers, she only appeared at the village entrance at noon, when everyone was indoors eating.
Song Laibao couldn’t believe Lainan could be so heartless, so she brought up the missing books. Lainan still refused to admit it. Song Laibao then told her that their mother had cried so much over this that her eyes were swollen.
Song Lainan dismissed it, saying, “She wanted to cry. It’s not a big deal.”
Father Song grabbed a broom and beat her out of the house. Standing at the door, he pointed at Song Lainan and said, “Don’t come back again.”
Song Lainan snorted. “Fine, I won’t.” Holding her son and calling her husband, she turned and left.
Mother Song, devastated, wept bitterly.
Over two thousand miles away, on Wengzhou Island, laughter filled the house.
In his letter, Zhong Weiguo wrote that one of his uncle’s students had pulled some strings to send their elderly parents, along with the student’s own parents, to the simple and peaceful Xiao Song Village. Though it was officially a reassignment, they weren’t suffering at all, as the villagers deeply respected educated people.
Zhong Weiguo also mentioned that his maternal grandparents had passed away a few years ago. His uncle’s two children were doctors and always busy, but they hadn’t suffered much. He reassured Zhong Jianguo that there was nothing to worry about.
For years, the situation with his maternal family had been a thorn in Zhong Jianguo’s heart. Now that it had been resolved, and since the military district commander hadn’t assigned their division to go out to sea, he could finally spend a peaceful New Year at home.
Overjoyed, Zhong Jianguo told the children, “Whatever you want to eat, I’ll buy it for you.”
Zhong Dawa eagerly rattled off a list: braised pork, pork dumplings, seaweed and pork rib soup, garlic lettuce, egg pancakes—every dish that Song Zhaodi had ever made that he thought was the best.
Zhong Jianguo didn’t dare tire out Song Zhaodi, fearing she’d refuse to cook at all. So he suggested making those dishes when they hosted Commander Liu’s family for a meal on the second day of the New Year.
Commander Liu was Liu Yang’s uncle. Since Liu Yang and Song Laibao lived too far away to visit for New Year’s, Song Zhaodi invited Commander Liu on their behalf, saying it was a gesture of filial respect from her brother-in-law and sister.
With that, Commander Liu couldn’t refuse. He arrived with meat, vegetables, and snacks for the children, ready to celebrate the second day of the New Year with the Zhong family.
In the kitchen, Song Zhaodi, Duan dasao, and Liu Ping prepared lunch. Meanwhile, Zhong Jianguo and Commander Liu sat in the living room, as the children jumped around in excitement at the thought of the upcoming feast.
Commander Liu didn’t find the noise annoying. On the contrary, he was delighted and couldn’t help but say to Zhong Jianguo, “Now this feels like the New Year.”
“It really does,” Zhong Jianguo agreed. He was in high spirits but still had a small regret. “If only Zhaodi could have a daughter—then I’d be completely satisfied in this lifetime.”
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