Zili and Gengsheng didn’t move.
Erwa followed Sanwa to the staircase and saw that their two new older brothers hadn’t caught up. He went back, grabbing each by the hand. “Come on.”
“They’re arguing,” Zili said worriedly in a hushed voice, reminding Erwa.
Zhong Erwa glanced back at Song Zhaodi and Zhong Jianguo, then said in a normal tone, “My mom and dad argue every day for fun. Don’t be scared, it’s nothing serious. They’ll make up soon.” As he pulled them along, he asked, “Do you like sleeping on the top bunk or the bottom bunk? Let me tell you, my brother and I like sleeping on top.”
Song Zhaodi pressed her forehead in exasperation. This Zhong Erwa—was that something to say?
Zhong Jianguo wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t.
“Zhaodi, let me explain. I didn’t mean to hide it from you,” Zhong Jianguo said. “I just thought that if you knew, you’d definitely refuse. And I was afraid you’d explode, so I didn’t tell you.”
Song Zhaodi asked, “And you weren’t afraid that even if I got to Shencheng, I still wouldn’t go along with it?”
“You wouldn’t make things difficult for the kids,” Zhong Jianguo said with confidence. “Even though those two are at the centre of this, they’re innocent. I know you wouldn’t blame them.”
Song Zhaodi sneered. “You really do understand me, Zhong Jianguo.”
“We’re husband and wife.” Zhong Jianguo thought for a moment, then sat beside her. “Listen to me first. After I finish, you can hit me or scold me however you like.”
After spending ten days in Xiao Song Village, Zili and Gengsheng hadn’t caused her any trouble. They ate whatever was served and wore whatever was given. Seeing how well-behaved they were, most of Song Zhaodi’s anger faded. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Their grandfather’s surname is Qi, one of the founding marshals,” Zhong Jianguo said, glancing outside to make sure no one was around before turning back to see Song Zhaodi’s shocked expression. “I was just as stunned when I first heard—”
Song Zhaodi quickly interrupted, “Wait a minute. What were their original names?”
“That, Commander Zhao didn’t say.” Zhong Jianguo thought for a moment. “At first, General Qi was only under restricted movement. Then, at the beginning of this year, he was imprisoned, and their aunt and uncle were exiled to different places.
“Their father was driven to suicide, so the two of them stayed with their mother. Later, their mother cut ties with the Qi family, and their maternal uncle sent them back. With no adults at home, they relied on General Qi’s old comrades, subordinates, and neighbours to survive in secret.
“In July, Commander Zhao went to the capital for a meeting and heard about their situation. He figured that if they kept living like that, they’d eventually starve, so he ordered his guards to sneak them out at night.
“The people watching over General Qi probably thought the kids weren’t a threat, so when they went missing, they didn’t even bother looking for them. But Commander Zhao was still worried they’d be discovered, so he placed them with a family that had no connection to him. Unexpectedly, that family didn’t want to raise them either.
“Commander Zhao didn’t want to give them to just anyone again, afraid another rejection might drive them insane. So, he decided to take them in himself.” Zhong Jianguo took a deep breath before continuing. “He had people investigate the island’s fishing families to see who might be suitable, and somehow, they found out about your meddlesome ways… so he figured you were the most suitable.”
“So, this all comes back to me?” Song Zhaodi pointed at herself in disbelief.
Zhong Jianguo nodded. “I swear to the heavens, everything I said is true.” He hesitated before adding, “Besides worrying that you wouldn’t agree – since, after all, their background is troublesome – I was also embarrassed. We already have three kids.”
Song Zhaodi scoffed. “Your real reason is that you were afraid I’d say no, isn’t it?”
“I knew you’d agree.” Since Song Zhaodi didn’t immediately walk away and was instead mocking him, Zhong Jianguo knew she had accepted the two children. “Don’t worry, from now on, I’ll do the laundry, wash the dishes, and clean up.”
Song Zhaodi looked him up and down. “Like you weren’t already doing those things before?”
Zhong Jianguo was at a loss for words. “Comrade Song Zhaodi, I don’t mind not sleeping tonight, but at least give me some dignity, especially in front of the kids.”
“If you keep being unreliable, even if I save your dignity, the kids still won’t admire you.” Song Zhaodi added, “Don’t believe me? On the way to Shencheng, Dawa said you’re untrustworthy and fickle. He even repeated the phrases I taught him.”
Zhong Jianguo felt a pang in his chest. “I spoiled him too much!”
“Back to the main point.” Song Zhaodi smacked his arm. “What’s Commander Zhao’s connection to General Qi?”
Zhong Jianguo answered, “General Qi saved his life.”
“No wonder.” But then Song Zhaodi realised something was off. “Then why do the kids call Commander Zhao ‘Uncle’?”
Zhong Jianguo explained, “Commander Zhao is about ten years younger than General Qi. They’re not from the same generation.”
“I see.” Song Zhaodi nodded. “But if they’re connected like this, how come Commander Zhao wasn’t investigated?”
Zhong Jianguo replied, “That happened during the war against Japan. After we drove Jiang Kai-shek out, Commander Zhao was transferred to the East China Sea Fleet. It’s been nearly thirty years, who even remembers anymore? Besides, back then, people were being executed left and right. Most of the soldiers who followed General Qi back then are probably long dead.”
“Your commander sure has guts.” Song Zhaodi studied Zhong Jianguo. “And you’re not lacking in courage either.”
Zhong Jianguo sighed. “Commander Zhao found me and even offered money. Even if I knew these kids were a hot potato, I couldn’t say no.
“Oh, and don’t let them go outside. Just have them sunbathe in the courtyard, and make them eat well. By next year, they’ll be so dark and chubby that even General Qi might not recognise them.”
“I’d love to cook for them, but even if we have money, there’s nothing to buy,” Song Zhaodi reminded him.
Zhong Jianguo said, “Two years ago, things were bad. Workers weren’t working, and farmers weren’t farming. But now, things are stabilising. Next year, with a better harvest, there’ll be more grain, oil, and fabric rations.
“If we really run out of food, we’ll just make them seaweed and pork bone soup or braised perch with tofu. Those don’t need ration tickets. Our salary is enough to feed five kids three meals a day.”
“What’s for dinner?” Zhong Dawa asked as he walked in.
Song Zhaodi sighed. This little foodie. “Ask your dad, he’s cooking. I’m going upstairs to rest.” Before Zhong Dawa could say anything, she got up and left.
“Did Dad make Mom mad again?” Zhong Dawa said with certainty.
With Song Zhaodi gone, Zhong Jianguo became bold. “Nonsense! Your mom isn’t cooking because I already did. Go check the kitchen if you don’t believe me.”
Zhong Dawa ran to the kitchen and lifted the lid off the pot, revealing a full tray of scrambled eggs with scallions. He immediately turned and dashed upstairs, shouting, “Mom! Dad wasted all the eggs!”
“Zhong Dawa!” Zhong Jianguo roared in fury.
Song Zhaodi appeared at the staircase and asked, “What do you mean by ‘wasted all the eggs’?”
Zhong Jianguo stopped, went into the kitchen, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and tasted the scrambled eggs with scallions. Then he quickly came back and said, “He means I ruined the eggs, but I didn’t mess them up this time. The kid’s just talking nonsense.”
Song Zhaodi sighed, exhausted. “I thought something serious had happened. Zhong Jianguo, put the food on the table. We’ll go down in a bit. Zhong Dawa, come here! Shouting without knowing the truth, are you just showing off how loud you are?”
Zhong Dawa turned to look at Zhong Jianguo, disbelief all over his face. “Not messed up? How is that possible?”
“What’s impossible about it?” Song Zhaodi took a couple of steps down and pulled him by the arm. “Scrambled eggs with scallions isn’t exactly difficult. Come take out yours and Erwa’s clothes and split them in half for Zili and Gengsheng. After the New Year, I’ll make you new ones.”
Zhong Dawa wanted to refuse, but the moment he heard “new clothes,” he quickly asked, “Do we have fabric ration tickets?”
“Tomorrow, your father is going to register Zili and Gengsheng. After the New Year, we’ll get seven tickets.” Song Zhaodi explained, “Erwa and Sanwa’s clothes will only need one ticket. Your father and I won’t be getting new clothes, so all six remaining tickets will be for you kids.”
Dawa beamed. “Thanks, Mom!”
“But you have to agree to two conditions.” Song Zhaodi said, “First, stop talking back to your father. Second, you’re not allowed to go out and play for now. Stay home and teach Zili and Gengsheng second-grade Chinese and math. After the New Year, they’ll be going to school with you.” She paused. “If you do both, I’ll make at least one good meal for you every day.”
Zhong Dawa held out his hand. “Make it two, and we’ve got a deal.”
“You want me to smack you?” Song Zhaodi glared at him.
Zhong Dawa backed down immediately. “Two meals, and I won’t go anywhere.”
“Greedy little thing.” Song Zhaodi tapped his forehead.
Zhong Dawa knew that meant she agreed. He hugged her arm. “Mom, where will Zili and Gengsheng sleep?”
“Big brother, they’re sleeping on the big bed,” Zhong Erwa called out from inside. “Mom, come quick, they don’t want to sleep on the bunk bed.”
The children’s room had three beds. In warmer weather, Dawa and Erwa slept on the top bunk, but in winter, all three brothers squeezed together on the bottom bunk for warmth.
The single bed was usually ignored. Over time, it had turned into a storage spot for Dawa’s schoolbag, Erwa’s clothes, and Sanwa’s diapers, piled with all sorts of things.
Song Zhaodi understood why Erwa was surprised. To him, if there was a place to sleep, it made sense to choose the newer bunk bed.
But she wasn’t surprised that Zili and Gengsheng chose the old bed. The two had been drifting around at such a young age. Having a place to stay, food to eat, and no longer freezing or starving was already enough for them.
She walked in and saw Zili and Gengsheng standing beside the bed, looking a little lost. Smiling, she said, “Zili, Gengsheng, we don’t have thick quilts. Zili, you and Dawa sleep on the top bunk. Gengsheng, you sleep with Erwa and Sanwa on the bottom. Once it gets warmer, you can sleep separately.”
“Yeah, I thought about that too,” Zhong Dawa added. “When Grandma and Grandpa visited, they used the quilt from Grandpa Liu’s house.”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “That’s right.” Then she took out all of Dawa and Erwa’s winter clothes. However, they only had three sets in total, and one set was already on Zili and Gengsheng.
Zili and Gengsheng noticed too. The brothers exchanged a glance before Zili said, “Auntie, what we’re wearing is enough.”
“No.” Song Zhaodi shook her head. “If you don’t change clothes, you’ll get lice.” She looked around. “Give me your thin jackets and pants. I’ll take them apart tomorrow and make a thicker set for you.”
Erwa chimed in, “Mom, make two sets.”
Song Zhaodi pinched his face. “I know. I’ll check the supply store tomorrow for cotton and make another set if I can buy some.”
After stuffing the clothes into a box, she took the five children downstairs. Not to eat, but to pick a full basket of fresh vegetables. She stir-fried a large plate of greens before they finally had their meal.
Worried it wouldn’t be enough, Zhong Jianguo also made a big pot of thick rice porridge. But even with so much food, they still finished everything – the porridge, the stir-fried greens, and the scrambled eggs with scallions.
Looking at the empty plates and bowls, Zhong Jianguo was stunned for a while. When he snapped out of it, he turned to Song Zhaodi. They only added two kids; how were they eating this much?
Dawa and Erwa didn’t usually like porridge and would only have one bowl. But today, seeing Zili and Gengsheng each drink two bowls, they followed suit. Sanwa, unwilling to be left behind, stuffed himself as well.
Song Zhaodi considered stopping them, but didn’t want Zili and Gengsheng to feel self-conscious, so she let the three little ones eat to their heart’s content.
Seeing Zhong Jianguo’s confusion, she didn’t explain but instead asked, “Erwa, are you full? If not, I’ll make more.”
Zhong Erwa clutched his stomach and shook his head frantically. “Make more tomorrow. I’m too full.”
Zhong Jianguo instantly understood and smacked Erwa’s head. “Idiot. Sit down and rest.”
“Mom, help me up,” Zhong Erwa held out his hand.
Song Zhaodi pulled him up and smacked his bottom. “Let’s see if you eat this much tomorrow.”
“No, I won’t,” Zhong Erwa shook his head repeatedly before flopping onto the long bench with a sigh. “So comfortable.”
Just then, Duan dasao walked in and saw five children lying in a row on the bench. “What happened?” she asked.
“They ate too much,” Song Zhaodi replied. “One is dumber than the other.” Then she asked, “Auntie, have you eaten yet?”
Duan dasao replied, “Liu Ping is still cooking. I suddenly thought that your family might not have enough thick quilts, so I came to check how many more you need.”
“No need,” Song Zhaodi said. “The kids will just squeeze together.”
Zhong Dawa, still rubbing his stomach, said, “I’ll sleep with Zili.”
“Call him ‘big brother,’” Song Zhaodi reminded.
Zili quickly said, “It’s okay, no need.”
“Up to you,” Song Zhaodi didn’t interfere in the children’s decisions. “Auntie, anything else?”
Duan dasao didn’t hold back in front of the children. “Here, take these fifty jin of grain tickets.” She stuffed the tickets into Song Zhaodi’s hands. “They’re not from us.”
Song Zhaodi understood immediately. “Alright, I’ll take them. I want to buy some cotton, but I’m not sure if it’s cheaper here or in the city. Do you know?”
“Buy it in the city,” Duan dasao advised. “I’ll watch the kids for you. Find someone to go with you.”
Song Zhaodi glanced at her brood of children. “No need. I’ll leave early in the morning and be back by noon.”
“Yeah, no need,” Zhong Dawa echoed. “Grandma, we can take care of ourselves.”
Duan dasao chuckled. “Dawa is getting more capable.”
“Of course,” Zhong Dawa sat up, trying to pat his chest, only to let out an “Ow!”
Duan dasao was startled. “What’s wrong?”
“Too full. Sat up too fast and squeezed my stomach,” he groaned.
Song Zhaodi knew immediately what had happened. “Stuff yourself again tomorrow morning, and there’ll be no lunch or dinner.”
Duan dasao laughed. “I thought you were joking earlier.”
“I wish I were,” Song Zhaodi sighed. “Too bad I’m not, raising a bunch of fools.”
Zhong Dawa made a face at her. “Not fools at all.”
Duan dasao shook her head, amused. “I’ll head back. You all get some rest.”
“Alright.” Song Zhaodi walked her to the door, then turned to the kids. “Wash your feet and faces and get upstairs. Now, Commander Zhong, where are you sleeping tonight?”
Zhong Jianguo stiffened. “The bench, the guest room, anywhere is fine. I don’t have to sleep at all, as long as Teacher Xiao Song is happy.”
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