Qian Qinghua blurted out, “Impossible! My mom isn’t that kind of person.”
Song Zhaodi said nothing, only nodding toward Teacher Yao, signalling for Qian Qinghua to look for himself.
Qian Qinghua turned his head and saw that his mother had lowered her head at some point. A chill ran through him—he couldn’t believe it. Song Zhaodi was looking out for her, yet she actually blamed Song Zhaodi? “Mom, what are you thinking? Dad did something like that—”
Teacher Yao rubbed her temples and interrupted him, “Stop yelling, I can hear you. I am the daughter of a capitalist, your father wasn’t wrong.”
Qian Qinghua choked on his words. “Then do you realise that if Dad severs ties with you and it’s confirmed that you’re a capitalist’s daughter, you could lose your life?”
Teacher Yao froze completely.
Seeing her reaction, Qian Qinghua immediately guessed that his mother hadn’t realised how serious it was. Instinctively, he turned to look at Song Zhaodi.
Song Zhaodi shrugged, silently conveying: That’s your mother. The implication was that since it wasn’t her mother, it wasn’t her place to interfere.
But Qian Qinghua had no idea how to persuade his mom. The person in question was his mother—he couldn’t scold her, nor did he dare to yell at her. Frustrated, he glared at Teacher Yao. “Mom, don’t just sit there in silence. Tell me what you plan to do. There’s no outsiders here.
“This whole thing was discovered by Teacher Song. Other than Dad and us, no one else knows. You don’t have to worry about it reaching the commander’s ears.”
Teacher Yao took a deep breath. “Enough, let’s go home.”
Qian Qinghua shot to his feet, the small stool beneath him toppling over with a loud thud.
Teacher Yao flinched.
Song Zhaodi frowned. “Qinghua, sit down. Don’t throw a tantrum—you’re scaring your mother.”
“She—she’s about to become a blacklisted ‘Class Seven’ target, and she’s not scared, but she’s afraid of me?” Qian Qinghua saw hesitation flicker across his mother’s face and thought she was finally realising the gravity of the situation.
He never expected her to remain so stubborn. When she lowered her head again, Qian Qinghua was so enraged he almost wanted to slap her awake. “Mom, if you won’t speak, fine! Do you know who lives next door to Teacher Song?
“My dad’s superior—Commander Liu. I’m going to count to three. If you don’t say anything, I’ll go straight to Commander Liu’s house and shout that my dad is engaging in improper conduct. Let’s see how he explains himself.”
With that, he turned and started walking.
“Qinghua!” Teacher Yao lifted her head abruptly.
Qian Qinghua wasn’t bluffing. If his dad really married an untrustworthy stepmother, their family would be ruined. Since the family was bound to fall apart anyway, if ruining his dad’s reputation could stop the stepmother from coming in and prevent his mom from being labeled a ‘capitalist’, avoiding public criticism, then it was a worthwhile trade.
“Mom, I’m not joking.” Qian Qinghua turned back to look at her seriously.
Song Zhaodi was surprised. Seeing the unwavering determination in Qian Qinghua’s eyes, a trace of admiration flashed in her gaze. Now he looks like a little soldier, like a child raised in a military compound.
“Teacher Yao,” Song Zhaodi said, “Qinghua didn’t know before that if you were labeled a ‘capitalist,’ it could cost you your life. That’s why he agreed to the divorce.
“Now that he knows, he doesn’t agree. You should respect his opinion. In another year, he’ll be eighteen. If he doesn’t respond to the country’s call to work in the countryside, he’ll have to enlist. You don’t want your son to leave with unresolved worries, do you?”
Teacher Yao looked at Song Zhaodi, then at her furious youngest son, and suddenly burst into tears.
Qian Qinghua was dumbfounded. What kind of reaction is this? He opened his mouth. “Teacher Song, did I…” Did I go too far?
Song Zhaodi was also taken aback. Why did she start crying all of a sudden? She felt a headache coming on.
“Teacher Yao,” Song Zhaodi said gravely, “right now, neither Regiment Commander Qian nor my husband knows about this. I don’t intend to tell my husband either. I asked Qinghua to bring you here because no matter the reason for your divorce, you being a ‘capitalist’s daughter’ cannot be the reason. That precedent cannot be set. If Regiment Commander Qian insists on severing ties, then as long as you have evidence of his misconduct, he won’t dare divorce you.”
Qian Qinghua nodded repeatedly. “Exactly! Wait, Mom, here’s the letter that woman wrote to Dad.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket and extended it toward Teacher Yao, but halfway, he hesitated and turned to Song Zhaodi. “Teacher Song, can you hold onto it instead? This is our only piece of evidence. My mom listens to my dad too much—if he says a few sweet words, she might hand it over.”
Song Zhaodi waved a hand. “This is your family’s business. If your dad finds out, he’ll blame my husband for letting me interfere. If I take the letter, he’ll resent my husband even more.
“You’d better keep it yourself.” Seeing that Teacher Yao was still crying, she felt even more frustrated. “Crying won’t solve anything. My husband will be home soon, and if he asks, I won’t know what to tell him.”
“Teacher Song…” Teacher Yao sniffled, voice choked. “I—I wanted to say, now that Qinghua knows, there’s no point in hiding it anymore. So I’ll be honest with you—no matter what you say, I must get divorced.” She wiped her tears and took a deep breath. “It’s not that I want to involve the other teachers at school—I just have no other choice. Please understand.”
Song Zhaodi was puzzled. Even with the letter as evidence, what’s she still afraid of? She thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Qinghua told me earlier that your husband said if you don’t agree to the divorce, it will implicate your children.
“Now that you know you’ll meet a bad end if you’re labeled a ‘capitalist’ and that your husband will marry someone else immediately after the divorce, are you insisting on leaving for the sake of your children? Are you sacrificing yourself for them?”
Teacher Yao remained silent.
Song Zhaodi rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of course. I should have guessed. You really are self-sacrificing.”
“She really is.” Qian Qinghua gritted his teeth. “I should’ve figured it out sooner.”
Now that the root cause was clear, Song Zhaodi sighed. “Teacher Yao, when Regiment Commander Qian told you that authorities were strictly investigating people’s backgrounds, I bet he didn’t tell you that the current leaders have repeatedly emphasised that disorderly conduct will not be tolerated in the military.”
Teacher Yao’s head snapped up.
Song Zhaodi smirked. “Did I guess right? Then listen closely. Qinghua, you too. The navy isn’t as highly prioritised as the army or the air force. Even when there’s misconduct in the military, the main focus is on Beijing Military District, Northeast Military District, Southeast Military District, and Northwest Military District.”
“How does Teacher Song know the navy isn’t a priority? My dad said the higher-ups have said they’d spare no effort in building up the navy,” Qian Qinghua questioned. “Did Commander Zhong tell you that?”
Song Zhaodi replied, “No. But you can see for yourself—next year marks the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the country, yet the navy still has nothing. You call that ‘priority’? Then again, the navy is the most expensive and slowest to develop, and we’re currently broke, so prioritising more cost-effective forces makes sense.”
“It’s also because our navy was weak. In the early days of the founding of the country, we had nothing. Even then, we had to guard against Old Jiang, whose weapons were far more advanced than ours. We simply couldn’t afford any trouble. Later, if someone brought up personal issues, the Commander wouldn’t allow them to escalate or cause chaos here.
“But if Teacher Yao and Regiment Commander Qian really get divorced, with the Commander suppressing it, people below will see it as a serious issue and push him to take action. That’s why I said your divorce would implicate others.” After a pause, she added, “Teacher Yao, I can assure you, no matter how serious things get in the future, Regiment Commander Qian will never be dragged down because of you.”
“Really?” Teacher Yao wanted to believe it but didn’t dare to.
Song Zhaodi nodded. “Really! If you don’t believe me, I can write you a guarantee. If anything happens in the future, you can blame me.”
“T-That’s not necessary.” Teacher Yao was a kind person. Song Zhaodi’s words made her feel embarrassed, and she hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head.
Song Zhaodi asked, “So you’re not getting divorced?”
“No,” Qian Qinghua answered for Teacher Yao. “If it won’t affect my dad, then why divorce? Besides, if they divorce, my mom won’t be considered a military dependent anymore. Where would she go?”
Song Zhaodi looked at Teacher Yao and had a sudden thought. “Nowhere to go? Worst case, she could throw herself into the sea.”
Qian Qinghua frowned deeply and was about to say, “Teacher Song, what kind of talk is that?” But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his mother’s face turn pale. His body swayed, nearly fainting from anger. “Mom!”
Song Zhaodi quickly picked up Sanwa, who had been circling around her. “Qinghua, keep your voice down, you’re scaring my Sanwa.”
“My mom—she’s not dead yet, but I’m about to be angered to death by her.” Qian Qinghua was truly on the verge of lashing out, but the worst thing he’d ever done was argue with his mother. Hit her? He’d rather smash his own head first. But even if he wanted to die, he had to hold off for now. “Teacher Song, thank you. I won’t tell my dad about today’s events. If my mom tells him later, I’ll say I was the one who came to see you.
“Rest assured, I won’t agree to the divorce. They can forget about it. I have evidence against my dad. If they really push me, I’ll write to the Commander. Mom, you don’t want to live? If you dare have such thoughts, then don’t think for a second that Dad will have it easy either.” With that, he stormed off.
Teacher Yao instinctively stood up.
Song Zhaodi said, “Go after him. Your Qinghua has a strong personality—he means what he says and follows through.”
“T-Then I’ll go. Teacher Song, I’m sorry.” Teacher Yao was very embarrassed. She nodded at Song Zhaodi and ran outside.
Song Zhaodi sighed and picked up Sanwa, who was startled and didn’t understand what was happening. She couldn’t help but say, “I really should’ve listened to your father. I shouldn’t have meddled. I almost ended up being hated by everyone.”
“It’s a pity you don’t learn your lesson.”
Zhong Jianguo’s voice came from outside. When Song Zhaodi looked up, she saw Commander Liu and Duan dasao standing next to him. She immediately stood up. “You—when did you arrive?”
“Don’t worry, Xiao Song. We were hiding behind the pillar. That mother and son ran off too fast to notice us,” Chief Liu said. “Xiao Song, I heard everything you just said. A few days ago, the Commander called a meeting and specifically emphasised that there must be no chaos here. You did nothing wrong!”
Song Zhaodi wasn’t worried about being discovered by Teacher Yao or scolded by Chief Liu. What worried her was whether she had just said something she shouldn’t have.
Zhong Jianguo knew her well enough to see her nervousness from the way her eyes darted around. He smirked and turned to Chief Liu. “Commander, don’t praise her. She tried to keep such a big matter from us. Who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause next time?”
“Xiao Song didn’t mean to hide it from you,” Duan dasao quickly said. “If word gets out, it’ll affect Xiao Qian and Teacher Yao. Don’t blame Xiao Song.” Then she turned to Song Zhaodi. “I was just explaining things to Xiao Zhong when your Uncle Liu returned.”
Song Zhaodi chuckled. “Auntie, I don’t blame you. I was planning to tell the Commander anyway. Regiment Commander Qian insists on getting divorced, and Qinghua might not be able to stop him. In the end, the Commander will have to intervene.”
“Xiao Song is right,” Chief Liu said. “Although Xiao Qian has only been stationed here for two years, I understand him. He rules his household like a dictator and doesn’t tolerate any opposition from his wife or child.
“He’ll probably grab Qinghua and give him a beating. I’ll go talk to Xiao Qian later and tell him that people at the commissary are gossiping that he’s been visiting frequently because he has his eye on a young girl there.”
Duan dasao frowned. “Won’t that drag Xiao Song into it?”
“It won’t,” Chief Liu assured. “In a few days, I’ll assign him to a patrol ship so he won’t have time to ask around. Xiao Song, you don’t need to worry about this anymore. Just tell the teachers at school to focus on their classes.”
“Understood!” Song Zhaodi responded.
“Let’s head back too,” Chief Liu said, glancing at Duan dasao. “You can’t spread this around either.”
Duan dasao muttered, “If you hadn’t forced me to talk, I wouldn’t have even told you.”
Chief Liu was momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth to say something but, noticing Song Zhaodi and Zhong Jianguo, glared at his wife and walked off.
Zhong Jianguo watched them leave, then leaned against the doorframe and looked at Song Zhaodi. “Even you know that the higher-ups prioritise land forces over naval forces. You’re really full of surprises, Song Zhaodi.”
Seeing his expression, Song Zhaodi immediately guessed that she had slipped up. “Is that classified information? I thought anyone paying attention to current affairs and our military strength would know this.”
“You think there aren’t female officers in the army?” Zhong Jianguo sneered. “Everyone knows that China’s navy is weak, but very few female officers would openly say that the navy burns money, takes the longest to show results, and that for now, other branches of the military should take priority. You hide it well, don’t you, Song Zhaodi?”
Song Zhaodi didn’t want to talk about military matters. She had just recalled an interview with a navy general from her past life, where he had cried his heart out over the navy’s struggles, and she had let her tongue slip. “So, can you figure out which side I’m on?”
“You were sent by the heavens to piss me off,” Zhong Jianguo thought. If he could figure it out, he would’ve sent her away already instead of keeping her close and observing her. Would he still be here, wasting words and trying to probe her?
Song Zhaodi smirked. “I’m taking Sanwa to knead the dough.”
“What are you making?” Zhong Jianguo followed with their son’s small hand in his.
“Hand-pulled noodles in chicken broth.”
“You know how to enjoy yourself,” Zhong Jianguo remarked. “Can one chicken last three days?”
“If you leave it simmering on the stove for three days, the bones will dissolve. Besides, you bought a young rooster this time, not an old one like during New Year’s. The broth won’t be as rich.”
“Next time, you go buy it,” Zhong Jianguo said.
“Am I eating it alone?” Song Zhaodi quipped.
“Why do you always start dividing things between ‘you’ and ‘me’ at times like this?” Zhong Jianguo sighed. “Next time Dawa wants to eat chicken, tell him to go find his dad. Don’t come to me—I’m not his mom.”
Song Zhaodi huffed. “Don’t provoke me.”
“I’m just kidding, don’t take it seriously.” Zhong Jianguo was genuinely afraid that Song Zhaodi, who dared to meddle in something as big as Regiment Commander Qian and Teacher Yao’s divorce, would do something reckless. “Why are you adding bean flour? Are we running out of white flour?”
“A little bit is fine. Eating some whole grains every day is good for the body,” Song Zhaodi replied. “In a few days, after we finish the spinach and greens, I’ll clear the land on the west side and plant two rows of cucumbers and tomatoes. The rest will be all peas.”
“Not planting anything else?” Zhong Jianguo asked.
“The vegetables on the east side are enough for us,” Song Zhaodi said. “There are only so many people in our family. If we plant too much, we won’t be able to eat it all. I could salt some for preservation, but since you’re often not home, the kids shouldn’t eat too much preserved food. I can’t eat much of it alone either.”
Whenever Zhong Jianguo heard Song Zhaodi talk about the vegetable garden or saw her making clothes and shoes for the children, he couldn’t help but see her as just a housewife who revolved around the kitchen and the kids.
But every time he had that thought, Song Zhaodi would immediately prove him wrong with her actions. Zhong Jianguo was very curious—what exactly had she experienced in those three years at Binhai? What had her teachers taught her in private?
Unfortunately, the only man who really understood Song Zhaodi had run away. The highly knowledgeable teachers at Binhai Normal University had been sent to the countryside before Political Commissar Zhang arrived. As for where they had been sent, Political Commissar Zhang couldn’t find out.
“Why are you staring at me?” Song Zhaodi asked when she noticed Zhong Jianguo looking at her in silence. She raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Finally realising how great I am?”
Zhong Jianguo shook his head. “More like realising how beautiful you are.”
“Oh wow, so your eyes are all healed now?” Song Zhaodi asked in mock surprise.
Zhong Jianguo froze for a second before realising what she meant—she had called him blind before. He couldn’t help but chuckle in frustration. “Your mouth is too sharp. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get tired of you?”
“As if you aren’t already tired of me.” Song Zhaodi studied him and said, “Can you honestly say that, in the beginning, you weren’t just tolerating me because of your three kids?”
Zhong Jianguo sighed. “Song Zhaodi, sometimes you really are annoying!” After a pause, he added, “I’m a man!”
“I know you’re a man,” Song Zhaodi said. “If you weren’t, I wouldn’t have married you. Besides, it’s just you and me here, and a little one who doesn’t understand anything. Why are you so worried about face?”
Zhong Jianguo sighed. “Can’t you just give me a little dignity?”
“Fine, I’ll stop. I’ll let you have this one.” Song Zhaodi shrugged. “But one thing—I’ve spent all this time proving through my actions that I’m harmless. So stop doubting me.”
Zhong Jianguo snorted. “I don’t want to, but sometimes you just seem… off. I can never figure out what exactly is wrong, though.”
Song Zhaodi’s heart skipped a beat. Even her adoptive parents hadn’t noticed anything off about her after she took over their daughter’s life, yet Zhong Jianguo had? Was this what they called animal instinct?
“You’re overthinking it,” Song Zhaodi said. “It’s probably just because I lied to you at first and left a bad impression.”
“Well, let me tell you—back in Xiao Song Village, I already felt something was strange about you. But I subconsciously thought, ‘Her family has been farmers for generations, what could be the problem?’ So I never voiced my doubts.”
“Later, when you walked me to the village entrance and told me you’d been to school and had a fiancé who died, I assumed the man’s death had hit you too hard, which made you act a little off.”
“You’re the one who’s off!” Song Zhaodi glared at him. “Watch out, or I’ll poison your noodles.”
Zhong Jianguo laughed. “You wouldn’t dare. If I don’t show up to training, Xiao Li will come looking for me.”
“You already said I was sent by the heavens. You think Xiao Li could stop me?” Song Zhaodi shot him a glance. “If I wanted to leave, no one could stop me.”
Zhong Jianguo laughed. “True. If I let you go, no one would dare stop you.”
“You—!” Song Zhaodi grabbed a rolling pin. “Do you believe I’ll hit you?!”
“Fighting again?”
Both Song Zhaodi and Zhong Jianguo turned toward the door at the same time and saw Dawa and Erwa staring at them with wide eyes. Song Zhaodi quickly hid the rolling pin and forced a laugh. “Just joking around with your dad.”
“I know.” Dawa looked between the two of them and frowned. “You two argue and fight every day. Even kids don’t play around as much as you do.”
Song Zhaodi’s breath hitched, and she sternly said, “Zhong Dawa, do you still want that drumstick?!”
Dawa quickly covered his mouth.
Erwa chuckled. “Mom, when’s dinner?”
“Oh, now you’re calling me ‘Mom’ instead of ‘Stepmom’?” Song Zhaodi teased. “You’re a little schemer too. Go wash your hands and set up the table and benches.”
Dawa sighed dramatically and shook his head like he had no choice but to put up with them. He pulled Erwa along toward the living room.
“Pfft!” Zhong Jianguo burst out laughing. “Where did he learn that?”
“Don’t look at me. I never said anything about troublemakers,” Song Zhaodi said. “He probably learned it from Lin Zhong’s sisters. But back to serious matters—do you think Regiment Commander Qian will really divorce Teacher Yao?”
“Depends on how much he likes that other woman,” Zhong Jianguo said. “If he really likes her, he’ll argue his case when the division commander talks to him. If it’s just a shallow attachment, he’ll listen to the commander and settle down.”
“Tsk.” Song Zhaodi clicked her tongue. “Teacher Yao is a good woman, but she’s too good. People like her are bound to suffer their whole lives.”
“You can’t say that, Comrade Song Zhaodi,” Zhong Jianguo said. “You’re just a lazy woman who doesn’t even want to have kids—”
Song Zhaodi glared. “Who are you calling lazy?!”
“Arguing again?” Zhong Dawa suddenly appeared at the door and said with exasperation, “Stepmom, can you finish cooking first before you start another fight with Dad?”
Song Zhaodi shot him a glare. “Did you set up the benches?”
“Yes,” said Zhong Dawa.
“Then go wash your hands and get ready for dinner.”
Zhong Dawa smacked his lips. “Fine, fine. Erwa, come wash up with me.”
“Comrade Xiao Song, you should stop shouting at me all the time,” Zhong Jianguo said. “I’m their father, their role model—I need to maintain my dignity.”
Song Zhaodi rolled her eyes. “Talk properly, don’t make personal attacks and I won’t yell at you. Now, back to what we were saying.”
“Fine, skipping over you,” Zhong Jianguo said. “Maybe Teacher Yao’s happiness comes from taking care of her husband and kids—being busy all the time, making sure her family is comfortable.”
Song Zhaodi frowned. “She’s so exhausted she can’t even straighten her back, while Regiment Commander Qian lounges around like a lord—how is that happiness?”
“Yes,” Zhong Jianguo replied. “You can’t understand her, just like she can’t understand you. In Teacher Yao’s eyes, you’re a university student. Even if you haven’t graduated, you’re still a university student. Marrying just about anyone would be better than becoming a stepmother to my kids.”
Song Zhaodi said, “In the whole of Hongya Town, among people my age who aren’t married yet, including women, I’m the only university student. I’d love to find someone I can really talk to, but unfortunately, there’s no one.
“The big cities are in the midst of revolution. Among families who can afford to send their kids to university, nine out of ten have questionable class backgrounds. If I weren’t afraid of being labeled and criticised, I could try to marry into a wealthy family. But I am afraid.”
“You see? That kind of thinking is different from most people’s again,” Zhong Jianguo said. “If Teacher Yao were you, she would have chosen to marry Wang Degui and have three kids of her own, rather than marrying me.”
Song Zhaodi shook her head and sighed. “As expected, I am who I am, and I’ll never be someone else.”
Zhong Jianguo looked up and saw the smug expression on her face. “Weird woman!”
“Zhong Jianguo!” Song Zhaodi frowned. “Do you really want a fight?”
Zhong Jianguo snorted. “I’ll let you have one hand and both legs, and you’d still be the one getting beaten.”
“I’ll poison you with rat poison one of these days,” Song Zhaodi said fiercely, chopping noodles as if she were hacking Zhong Jianguo to pieces.
Zhong Jianguo added some firewood under the stove and told the little one nestled in his arms, “Your stepmother is even more childish than you.”
“Regiment Commander Zhong, we’re out of firewood,” Song Zhaodi said as she tossed the cut noodles into the pot. “After dinner, we’ll head up the mountain to gather some.”
Zhong Jianguo said, “From now on, use the stove to cook. I’ll buy another pot tomorrow.”
“Stove-cooked food doesn’t taste as good.”
“When I have time, I’ll go up the mountain and get some dry wood. Use it sparingly,” Zhong Jianguo said. “Also, keep an eye on my stepmother’s situation. Don’t leave anything conspicuous on the first floor. If she suddenly shows up, you might not have time to tidy up.”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “You haven’t written back to her?”
“Can’t be bothered,” Zhong Jianguo said. “Whether I reply or not, the result will be the same.”
Song Zhaodi thought about it carefully. “That’s true.” So she didn’t press him to write a letter.
Since morning, Dawa and Erwa had been talking about chicken legs. But at dinner, the two brothers only got to share one drumstick, which made them unhappy.
Before Song Zhaodi could say anything, Zhong Jianguo spoke first. “Eating too much at night makes it hard to sleep. I told your mom to give you one drumstick to share. Finish your noodles, and you can have another one tomorrow morning.”
“You didn’t even make the chicken,” Dawa said, looking at his father. Why are you so nosy?
Zhong Jianguo laughed. “The money used to buy the chicken came from my salary.”
“Stepmom, where’s your salary?” Dawa asked eagerly.
Song Zhaodi replied, “I spent it on fabric. In just over a month, summer will be here, and you three have all grown taller. Last year’s clothes don’t fit anymore, so I need to make you new ones.”
“And new shoes,” Zhong Jianguo added. “The milk powder and candies you drink and eat every day are bought with your mom’s salary. The oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, chicken, fish, meat and eggs—all are bought with my salary.”
Dawa opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. He pushed his noodles around before finally finishing most of his bowl and then had a sudden thought. “Stepmom, can you and my dad switch salaries?”
“Sure,” Song Zhaodi said. “But my salary isn’t as high as your dad’s. If you want to eat lots of chicken, fish, meat, and eggs, my salary won’t be enough. By the end of the month, I’d still have to ask your dad for money.”
At this time, prices weren’t high. As long as they didn’t buy big-ticket items like bicycles, a family could manage all their expenses for at most thirty yuan a month.
As a full-time teacher, Song Zhaodi’s salary was only slightly lower than the principal’s, reaching eighty-five yuan a month. No matter how much the two kids wanted to eat, she could afford it.
Although Dawa was already six years old, he had no concept of household expenses. Since Song Zhaodi spoke so seriously, he believed her and dejectedly finished his remaining half bowl of noodles.
Zhong Jianguo, full of amusement, felt even luckier to have married Song Zhaodi.
That night, as they were going to bed, Zhong Jianguo noticed that Song Zhaodi wasn’t wearing any undergarments. She sprawled out on the bed without a care in the world, leaving nothing to the imagination. He couldn’t help but take back what he’d been thinking earlier at dinner.
Song Zhaodi caught him glaring at her and found it both exasperating and amusing. “Regiment Commander Zhong, I really don’t care. You don’t have to hold back.”
“I’m not touching you until I know who you really are and what your true intentions are,” Zhong Jianguo said. “So just give up on that idea.”
Song Zhaodi believed him. “What if I really was sent by heaven to deal with you, not belonging to any earthly force? Are you planning to hold back for a lifetime?”
“No need for a lifetime,” Zhong Jianguo said. “You may seem cautious in your actions, but you’ve left too many clues. I believe that in a little while, I’ll figure everything out.”
Song Zhaodi was startled and quickly sat up. “I’ve left clues? And a lot of them? Like what?”
“If you really want to know, I’ll tell you,” Zhong Jianguo said. “When your parents visited last time, they told me you had never made cucumber scrambled eggs or braised pork at home. I can understand not making braised pork—rural families don’t usually eat meat except during the New Year.
“But your family has cucumbers in the yard, and your chickens lay eggs. Yet, you never made cucumber scrambled eggs. Does that make sense? Your mother also mentioned that your cooking has improved. I asked the people at the cafeteria, and they told me that if someone’s cooking is bad, no matter how much oil they add, the food still won’t taste good. How do you explain that?”
Song Zhaodi said, “Can’t my cooking skills just improve?”
“Sure, if you say so,” Zhong Jianguo said. “When you mended clothes for Dawa and Erwa, you embroidered little animals on them. Aunt Liu praised your skill. I told her you made them very simply and that it wasn’t anything special.
“But Aunt Liu said that after sewing clothes for half a lifetime, she still couldn’t cut fabric into little animal shapes. Comrade Song Zhaodi, how do you explain that? Does Binhai Normal University not only teach cooking but also papercutting and painting?”
“You’re overthinking,” Song Zhaodi’s heart skipped a beat. “I drew the animals on the fabric first, then cut them out according to the outlines.”
Zhong Jianguo chuckled. “Keep arguing. Let’s see how long you can hold out.”
“I’ll hold out as long as I want,” Song Zhaodi said, realising how meticulous he was. She simply decided to give up resisting. “I don’t know what else you’ve noticed, but I can tell you this—if I don’t want to say, no matter how hard you dig, you’ll never find out where I learned it.”
Zhong Jianguo said, “I don’t have that much skill, nor would I dig three feet into the ground just to investigate you. Either way, you’re under my watch. Even if you run, the monk won’t be able to escape the temple.”
“You’re the monk!” Song Zhaodi glared at him and pulled up the blanket. “This bedsheet needs washing.”
Zhong Jianguo was stunned for a moment before he finally reacted to what she was saying. “Can you not jump around so fast?”
“That’s because you can’t keep up with my thinking. How is that my fault?” Song Zhaodi looked at him with disdain. “Idiot!”
Zhong Jianguo raised his hand but then put it down. “Let’s see if you can keep this up for a lifetime.”
“Sure.” Her origins were far too shocking. Song Zhaodi hadn’t received any special training, so trying to act exactly like someone from this era was difficult for her, even with the original host’s memories. However, she had never considered revealing everything to Zhong Jianguo. “You already know there’s something off about me, yet you still dared to take me in. You’ve got some nerve.”
Zhong Jianguo replied, “Because up until now, you really haven’t done anything bad. I’ve even sat in on your classes. Your English is excellent—you’ve earned your salary.”
“When did you do that?” Song Zhaodi was genuinely surprised.
Seeing her reaction, Zhong Jianguo chuckled. “You tell me what I want to know, and I’ll tell you when I went.”
“That’s a bad deal for me.” Song Zhaodi huffed. “To be honest, our fabric ration tickets aren’t nearly enough to make three sets of clothes for the kids. Do you know where I can get fabric without them?”
Zhong Jianguo said, “Go ask at the supply and marketing cooperative. When the seasons change, they sometimes sell fabric without requiring tickets, but you might not be able to get any. Hangcheng also has places where you can negotiate prices, meaning they sell ration tickets at high prices. I’m not sure where exactly, but I can find out.
“Actually, just making one set for Dawa is enough. Keep the extra fabric for autumn, make another set for him then, and let Erwa wear his old clothes. Sanwa can wear Erwa’s. That’s how we’ve always done it.”
“New clothes for three years, old clothes for three years, patching them up for another three years,” Song Zhaodi sighed. “Honestly, rural life is better. Even though farmers work hard, we can still plant cotton on private plots and spin and weave our own fabric.”
Zhong Jianguo asked, “Then why didn’t you just stay in the countryside? Why insist on marrying me?”
“I don’t have that fate,” Song Zhaodi sighed.
Zhong Jianguo was speechless. “No matter how the argument goes, you always win. I give up. Sleep.” With that, he turned off the light.
The next morning, at seven o’clock, Zhong Dawa carefully led his younger brother downstairs. When they reached the bottom, they saw their father holding their youngest sibling in one arm while drinking porridge with the other. Dawa rubbed his eyes. “We’re eating already? So early?”
“Your mother has something to do later, so we’re eating early today. Hurry and wash your face,” Zhong Jianguo said.
Song Zhaodi put down her bowl. “I’ll wash them. If I leave them to do it themselves, they won’t even wipe away their eye gunk.”
“They’re not little anymore. They should learn to wash their faces properly,” Zhong Jianguo replied. “You can’t take care of them forever. Teach them how to do it, and if they try to cheat next time by just splashing water on their faces, don’t interfere. I’ll deal with them when I get back.”
Song Zhaodi agreed. “Alright. If you don’t punish them, I will!”
“You two made up again?” Dawa asked in surprise.
Zhong Jianguo chuckled. “We were just having a lively discussion. We’ve never actually fought. You’re overthinking.”
“Sure.” Dawa rolled his eyes. “Erwa, do you believe Dad?”
Erwa pursed his lips. “Yeah.”
“You’re not my Erwa,” Dawa frowned, pointing at him. “Tell me, who are you really? Where did you hide my real Erwa?”
Song Zhaodi quickly grabbed Dawa and wiped his hands. “You’re so dramatic. Erwa, come here, I’ll wash your face.” Then she gave Dawa a light smack on the backside. “Go eat.”
Dawa quickly covered his butt.
Erwa burst out laughing.
Song Zhaodi shook her head helplessly. “Did you two play ‘Cops and Robbers’ again last night?”
“No,” Erwa said. “There were too many people yesterday, so we played ‘Cat and Mouse.’ Big Brother was the mouse. No one caught him. He was amazing.”
Song Zhaodi glanced at Dawa. “Who had the bright idea of making him the mouse? If you want to catch the mouse, you should pick the biggest one.”
“Exactly!” Dawa suddenly realised. “Big mice are easier to catch, small mice are hard to grab. Today, Lin Zhong should be the mouse.”
Zhong Jianguo frowned. “You’re already thinking about playing tonight? Zhong Dawa, do you want a beating? Eat your breakfast and stop talking nonsense.”
“Fine, fine, I won’t say anything.” Zhong Jianguo had never actually hit them, but Dawa was still a little afraid of him. Maybe it was because every time he came back from a trip, he carried a certain intimidating aura. The moment Zhong Jianguo glared at him, the fierce and lively Dawa instantly became a quiet little kitten.
Erwa also didn’t dare say anything, quickly finishing his porridge before wiping his mouth with a towel. Then the two brothers held hands and headed off to school.
Zhong Jianguo knew Song Zhaodi had something on her mind, so after handing Sanwa to her, he motioned for her to leave first while he cleaned up the dishes.
Song Zhaodi couldn’t help but pat Zhong Jianguo on the shoulder. “Not bad!” Even in the 21st century, a man who was this proactive about housework wasn’t easy to find, let alone in the 1960s or 70s.
At school, Song Zhaodi didn’t go to the principal’s office but instead headed straight to the fifth-grade classroom and sent Lin Zhong to keep an eye on Qian Qinghua in the middle school division.
By 8:30, just before classes started, Lin Zhong hadn’t returned. Song Zhaodi was puzzled—had something happened? She entrusted the kids to a teacher who wasn’t teaching at the moment and went to check.
When she reached the middle school, she found out that Qian Qinghua hadn’t shown up at all. She sent Lin Zhong back and went straight to see the principal.
Since Qian Qinghua was absent, the principal couldn’t intervene directly and had to send the head teacher of the third-year middle school class to Qian’s home.
Around 10 o’clock, the teacher returned and reported to the principal and Song Zhaodi that Qian Qinghua had been beaten so badly his backside was torn. When he arrived at the Qian house, Commander Qian wasn’t home, and Teacher Yao was crying beside Qian Qinghua.
Song Zhaodi immediately asked, “Did Teacher Yao say she wouldn’t divorce?”
“She asked me to tell you not to worry. I’m guessing she’s decided against it. I’ve been anxious all night, but now I can finally relax.”
The other teachers also sighed in relief.
Song Zhaodi frowned. “That Commander Qian—he’s the one with bad conduct. Why take it out on his child?” Was he trying to seize the letter Qian Qinghua had? She wanted to discuss it with the others but remembered her promise to Teacher Yao. One must keep their word.
After finishing her English class, Song Zhaodi took Sanwa with her to the supply factory.
She wanted to see for herself what kind of woman this cashier was—the one who had bewitched a high-ranking officer into abandoning his wife and even laying hands on his own son.
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