However…
His most pressing problem was finding a new wife.
Even Zhao Jun himself felt it was a headache. In the past, he was a widower with children, and that was already a tough sell in the countryside. Now, with Wang Lingling as his ex-wife sitting in prison and another failed marriage on record, it would be even harder.
But not remarrying wasn’t an option.
What worried Zhao Jun the most right now were the two kids. Before, when he didn’t have a wife, at least his mother could take care of them, and his brothers’ families would help occasionally.
But now, his mother was gone, his brothers had split from him, and the two kids had become a hot potato—no one wanted to deal with them.
Originally, Zhao Jun hadn’t planned on looking right now. He figured he would go back to his unit, process his transfer paperwork, and after a few months, he’d be assigned to a good unit in the county supply and marketing cooperative because of his rank.
Once he was stable in the county, finding a woman with good conditions wouldn’t be too hard.
Zhao Jun hadn’t studied much himself, but he understood the importance of education. Not to mention, the college entrance exam would be reinstated in a few years. By then, Zhao Dong would be just the right age for high school.
If they didn’t lay a solid foundation now, what would happen if the child couldn’t keep up later?
Zhao Jun knew that many people didn’t take schooling seriously now, and he couldn’t rely on the schools either. He had to find a woman with a decent education—like Wang Ying from his past life.
He remembered clearly—back then, Zhao Dong didn’t want to go to school, and it was Wang Ying who taught him to read and write every day. Later, when they moved the child to the city, he quickly caught up with the schoolwork, almost without a struggle.
Thinking of this, Zhao Jun quickened his pace. Today, he was going to visit a distant relative in town—someone well-connected—who had helped him find his first wife.
Zhao Jun arrived at his relative’s house. The two of them exchanged polite greetings, and the host saw him out courteously.
As soon as he left, the distant relative spat on the ground.
The relative’s daughter-in-law looked confused. “Mom?”
The older woman pulled her daughter-in-law close and began ranting. “Has Zhao Jun lost his mind? What’s he thinking, asking me to find him a high school graduate virgin girl from the town to be his second wife?”
The daughter-in-law was shocked. “He really said that? Didn’t he already marry a second wife?”
The older woman waved her hand. “That one didn’t work out. I heard she got into trouble and went to jail. They’re already divorced.”
The daughter-in-law tilted her head, thinking. “Still, that’s not appropriate. His situation is so messy, and he wants a town girl?”
The older woman said, “Exactly! He dares to ask, but I wouldn’t dare to agree. He’s split from his family, has no parents to help, and has fallen out with his brothers. He’s on his own now. Plus, he’s dragging along two kids! If he’d asked for a widow with kids, maybe I could’ve helped. But to ask for a high school graduate, a virgin no less? My goodness, a girl like that could easily get a job at the commune! With her qualifications and first marriage status, she could marry into the city! And he dares to ask her to be a stepmother?”
Daughter-in-law: “So what did you say to him?”
Relative: “I told him I’d keep an eye out, but no promises. What a joke. Even if I had someone suitable, I wouldn’t dare bring it up. Is this matchmaking or setting someone up to be cursed out? No girl from a decent family would agree to that, and I might even get beaten with a stick if I dared to suggest it!”
Daughter-in-law: “Exactly! But didn’t you ask him why he had such demands?”
Relative: “Heh, that kid’s slick. He said he’s about to retire from the army, and once he does, he’ll be transferred to the county supply and marketing cooperative as a small department head. He told me to explain everything clearly to the girl’s side—once he’s settled in his new job, he’ll bring his wife and kids to live in the county.”
The daughter-in-law, inexperienced with such matters, actually found this confusing: “Well, if that’s the case, then maybe trying for a high school-educated virgin girl isn’t impossible?”
The relative was furious and shot her daughter-in-law a glare: “Just because he says it, you believe it? Remember this—until a man actually delivers on his words, none of it counts! Over the years, everyone who’s come to me for matchmaking brags like they’re the emperor. Zhao Jun says he’ll be a small leader in the county, so it’s guaranteed? His retirement isn’t even processed yet! How can he know where he’ll be posted? Supply and marketing cooperative department head? You’re a fool if you believe that! Suppose the girl marries him, becomes a stepmother, and later he comes crawling back saying he couldn’t get transferred—what then? Should she get a divorce?”
The daughter-in-law was thoroughly scolded and lowered her head, silently reflecting. After thinking about what her mother-in-law said, she realized it made sense.
Claiming you’ll be a department head in a few months doesn’t make it true. The supply and marketing cooperative was a great unit—there’s no way it’s that easy to get in. Besides, when things aren’t finalized and he still acts like it’s certain, he’s most likely lying.
The relative thought more about it and got increasingly frustrated. She and her daughter-in-law discussed it quietly and decided to wait a few days, then send someone to tell Zhao Jun there were no suitable matches.
This was a mess they didn’t want to get involved in.
Zhao Jun never imagined that bragging about becoming a supply and marketing department head, which he thought would boost his appeal, would backfire. Because he sounded too certain, it made people suspicious.
But he didn’t have time to dwell on it—his army unit had urged him multiple times to return quickly.
Zhao Jun held out for a few more days and contacted several matchmakers in the area, but not a single suitable girl was found—not even a prospect to meet.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He had no choice but to leave his children with a distant relative in the village.
His own brothers were no longer an option. Ever since their mother’s burial, they hadn’t spoken to him, and the children were forbidden from going back to the old house.
With no other options, Zhao Jun paid 10 yuan a month to entrust the children to a cousin’s family, then hurried back to the army.
Meanwhile, back with Wang Ying—after running into Zhao Jun, she felt utterly disgusted.
She had always been a calm, emotionally detached person who rarely got angry. But when it came to Zhao Jun, she couldn’t contain her fury.
What kind of man was he?!
Wang Ying prayed silently, hoping Zhao Jun would never find another wife. A man like him, with his overbearing, sexist attitude, should have to raise his kids on his own and really experience the “worthless” life of a stay-at-home parent!
Around noon, Wang Ying picked up her medicine and went to eat at the state-run restaurant. Xu Shuang served her a bowl of celery and pork over hand-pulled noodles.
The light green chopped celery and fragrant pork belly over handmade noodles made a simple but mouthwatering dish.
Whenever Wang Ying came to eat, Xu Shuang always made sure to serve her meat dishes. That had become common now—if you went to a restaurant, you’d expect meat dishes, especially those that didn’t require meat coupons. Otherwise, you’d feel like you weren’t getting your money’s worth.
Wang Ying ate her noodles, and her anger started to subside. After the lunch rush, Xu Shuang brought her a cup of barley tea.
Wang Ying had asked him to make it, thinking she had gained weight over the summer and wanted to slim down.
Xu Shuang didn’t think she was fat—in fact, he secretly preferred her with a bit of softness. But Wang Ying insisted, saying her tops felt tight and she didn’t want to trouble Mrs. Xu to alter them, so she wanted to drink the tea.
In the end, Xu Shuang gave in. He roasted a small jar’s worth and kept it at the restaurant so he could brew it whenever she came.
The tea, made from freshly harvested barley, smelled amazing.
Wang Ying loved the scent so much she didn’t want to let go of the warm cup.
Xu Shuang: “Feeling better?”
Wang Ying, a bit awkward: “Who said I was mad?”
Xu Shuang: “You didn’t finish your food.”
Wang Ying: “…Who says? I clearly finished it!”
Xu Shuang: “I saw you were angry, so I served you less in advance. But you didn’t even notice and didn’t ask for more.”
Wang Ying’s anger melted away, and she responded irritably: “It’s just that some men, who benefit from others yet never admit it, have such repulsive faces.”
Xu Shuang: “???”
He cautiously reached for her hand, starting to reflect—had he taken advantage of her recently? Had he gone too far with the kisses? Did that count?
His nervous expression amused Wang Ying, and she gulped down the barley tea: “I wasn’t talking about you.”
Xu Shuang instantly relaxed.
He gently touched her hand again: “I’m heading into town later. Want to come?”
Wang Ying considered it. She originally planned to go to the mountains in the afternoon to gather herbs, but after the disgusting encounter with Zhao Jun, she didn’t feel like working at all. She just wanted to get out and clear her mind.
Xu Shuang sweetened the deal: “There should be a film screening at the commune tonight. If you come back from town, you can stay and watch the movie. Then we’ll go home together when I’m off work.”
Wang Ying: “Alright!”
Wang Ying and Xu Shuang rode their bicycles into town. At first, nothing seemed unusual. But when they entered Chen Dong’s courtyard, Wang Ying noticed something off.
The households in the front courtyard had noticeably lost weight—it was the kind of visible thinness that came from hardship. They didn’t just look pale; they looked malnourished. Even the kids looked the same.
Naturally, Wang Ying started to worry.
These are all families with several members, and even they went hungry. Who knows how Chen Dong is doing.
Xu Shuang and Wang Ying entered the back courtyard. Originally, the front and back courtyards were connected, but now a wall and a wooden door had suddenly been added between them. The old feng shui wall had long been taken down, and now a new wall had been built along its original line, so it didn’t look out of place.
Xu Shuang knocked on the door. Chen Dong usually came home to rest in the afternoon, so he came to open the door as soon as he heard the sound.
“Oh wow, what brings you two here? Come in, quick.”
Wang Ying saw that Chen Dong looked fine—though he had lost some weight, he was still energetic.
Chen Dong grinned, “You’re overthinking. A cook can survive even three years of drought without starving. This little stretch of time isn’t going to take me down.”
Xu Shuang opened the lunchbox he brought. Wang Ying had asked him to prepare two dishes before they left, packed hot and fresh, just in case Chen Dong was starving when they got there.
Chen Dong’s eyes lit up. He grabbed a pair of chopsticks and started eating right away, praising the food between bites: “This stir-fried wheat gluten is packed with flavor! Just like the solo gluten I used to eat back in Tianjin!”
Wang Ying asked him, “How are things in the city lately? Master, do you have enough grain and vegetables at home?”
Chen Dong replied, “The city’s so-so right now, nothing too bad. Worst case, we’ll have new grain supplies coming in by the end of next month. Even if we’re short on food, it’ll just be for a couple of months. Everyone’s tightening their belts. Our restaurant’s been closing every few days—what else can we do? Some folks who don’t have food at home come to the restaurant to eat, and we can’t handle that kind of demand.”
Wang Ying looked around and said, “Why don’t we have Xu Shuang bring you some more supplies?”
Xu Shuang had already delivered a sack of coarse grains and various dried vegetables once, but Wang Ying hadn’t seen them.
Chen Dong waved his hand. “No need!”
“Ying girl, think about it. All the restaurants are closed, and people can’t even eat. If I have a stash of food at home and show no signs of hardship, wouldn’t that make me a target? I sold part of what Xu Shuang brought me, and the rest I’ve hidden well. Don’t worry—I won’t go hungry, but no need to bring me more.”
Chen Dong understood the importance of blending in with the crowd, so he had lost some weight on purpose to make sure no one suspected he had stockpiles at home.
After finishing the meal, Chen Dong was in high spirits. He went into the house and pulled out a voucher, handing it to Wang Ying.
Wang Ying was overjoyed. “A radio voucher? Master, you’re amazing!”
Chen Dong looked proud. “I got it when I traded some grain—Shanghai brand! I heard it’s only about two palms wide, the latest model!”
Wang Ying happily accepted it.
Chen Dong added, “You two better hurry and go place the order. Who knows when this new model might sell out.”
Xu Shuang and Wang Ying rushed to the supply cooperative. Sure enough, there was only one new model left, and they quickly bought it.
The new radio was indeed expensive but also very good-looking. It had a metal casing, roughly the same size as future models, a honeycomb pattern at the bottom, frequency dials at the top, and a retractable wire in the back.
Wang Ying couldn’t stop admiring it.
The radio cost Xu Shuang 120 yuan.
Even the salesperson was full of envy: “This new model is the most expensive. The old-fashioned ones we usually buy only cost 60.”
The couple walked out of the supply store under the envious gazes of the other customers, but they hadn’t gone far when someone blocked their way.
A shifty-eyed young man came up and offered Xu Shuang a cigarette. “Hey brother, are you selling that radio?”
Xu Shuang handed the radio to Wang Ying and stepped in front of her. “Not selling.”
The young man stared greedily at the palm-sized radio. It was the latest model, and the voucher was special! If not for that, they would’ve bought it already. Flipping it would make them a good profit.
The young man tried to tempt them with profit: “I’ll pay you the original price, and throw in a radio case.”
Xu Shuang was about to refuse when Wang Ying peeked her head out from behind him and asked, “Radio case? What’s that?”
The young man got cocky. Women were always easier to fool.
“It’s a radio that we guys put together ourselves. Don’t worry, it’s exactly the same as the one in your hands. Works just as well.”
