Wang Ying took a bite of the meat bun and a sip of the soy milk—after eating and drinking, she felt completely awake.
“How are we getting there?”
Xu Shuang pointed to the outskirts of Xipo Town. “We’ll catch a ride by the roadside.”
As the town closest to the county seat, many people in Xipo Town rode bicycles to the city. Wang Ying and Xu Shuang stood on the roadside, watching several bicycles pass by.
Wang Ying proposed, “I don’t want a watch. Let’s buy a bicycle instead.”
The county bus only ran once a day—it was too grueling to wait. She figured she’d be going to the county seat a lot in the future, and a bicycle would be more convenient.
Xu Shuang was inclined toward getting a bicycle too, but he also thought he’d be the one using it more, and a watch would be more useful for Wang Ying to have at home.
“Let’s go look at bicycles first, and I’ll ask my master if he has a ticket for a watch.”
Worst case, he’d just buy both—he could afford it.
Just as they were talking, the county bus arrived.
The buses back then didn’t look like the ones in later years—no bright white paint jobs. Instead, it was army green, with few seats and most of the space left for standing passengers. Otherwise, people simply couldn’t get on.
Even though it wasn’t yet nine in the morning, the bus was already packed. Some passengers brought live animals—chickens and ducks shivering in the cold outside. Once inside the warmer bus, they started flapping around. Feathers flew, kids made noise—it was chaos, with barely any room to step.
Xu Shuang shielded Wang Ying as they boarded. The female conductor snapped impatiently, “Hurry up, squeeze in the back. Two mao per person. No refunds if you get off early.”
Xu Shuang handed over four mao and pushed with Wang Ying toward the back, squeezing into a spot by the window. Xu Shuang placed both hands on the window to shield Wang Ying inside.
Wang Ying: …
Xu Shuang said casually, “Let’s just stand like this for now. We got on at a later stop—usually there’s no seats by then.”
The driver started the bus, but after driving barely ten meters, he slammed the brakes.
The bus was already noisy, and the sudden stop nearly knocked people over.
A wave of complaints rose instantly, but the driver was already annoyed. He spent every day surrounded by this noise and was sick of it.
“What’s all the yelling for? Can’t you see someone’s deliberately blocking the road ahead?”
He stuck his head out the window and shouted, “Don’t you see a full bus here? Why the hell are you standing in the middle of the road?”
A woman ran up to the front and banged on the bus door. “I was yelling for you to stop, and you didn’t! Open the door! I’m going to the city!”
The ticket conductor, already arrogant, snapped at the woman’s rude tone, “What kind of person are you? Can’t you speak properly?”
The woman wasn’t one to back down either—she yelled back, “If you don’t open the door, I’ll stand right in the middle of the road! You’re supposed to serve the people—what, I’m not people now?”
After a few back-and-forths, the conductor grudgingly opened the door. The woman boarded like a triumphant rooster, head held high.
Through Xu Shuang’s arm, Wang Ying got a good look at the woman.
Whoa—it was an old acquaintance.
Wang Lingling’s hair was messy, her complexion pale and sallow, and her lips were cracked from dryness. She looked like a slightly prettier rural housewife, suddenly aged several years.
As Wang Lingling boarded and paid her two mao while grumbling, “What a crappy bus, still charging two mao,” the conductor rolled her eyes and shoved a ticket into her hand.
Wang Lingling showed no sign of embarrassment, nor did she care about the discontented glares from the passengers. She found a place to lean and started scanning around with darting eyes.
Wang Ying tugged on Xu Shuang’s sleeve and signaled for him to look.
Xu Shuang only glanced briefly before turning back. “Are you cold?”
Being by the window was nice and spacious, but it was drafty. Wang Ying shook her head—her health had improved a lot recently, and she no longer had freezing hands and feet like the original owner.
“That’s Wang Lingling, right?”
Xu Shuang grunted in affirmation. “People from nearby communes all board here.”
Other communes had their own buses, but they took roundabout routes. The Xipo Town stop was the closest to the county seat, so people from surrounding communes preferred to catch the bus here.
Their conversation wasn’t too quiet, so Wang Lingling soon noticed the familiar voices. She stared wide-eyed, disbelieving, rubbed her eyes hard, and finally confirmed it—those two stuck together were Xu Shuang and Wang Ying.
Wang Lingling: !!
Since marrying into the Zhao family, she hadn’t paid much attention to her natal family, so she truly didn’t know Xu Shuang and Wang Ying were now together.
Seeing the scene before her, Wang Lingling was first shocked and furious, as if Wang Ying had stolen something from her. Then her mind went completely blank.
She had originally planned to matchmake Wang Ying and Xu Shuang, but things changed so fast she had to take desperate measures.
But now they got together on their own—without her interference?
Wang Lingling wanted to slap her thigh in regret. If they were this compatible, wouldn’t things have worked out if she had acted a little earlier?
Why didn’t she get reborn sooner!
Watching Wang Lingling’s expressive face, Wang Ying leaned toward Xu Shuang and whispered, “What do you think she’s going to the city for?”
Xu Shuang had his arms around Wang Ying. When she suddenly leaned in, he froze completely and stiffly replied, “I don’t know.”
Wang Ying kept studying Wang Lingling. “I think she’s going to buy something.”
Wang Lingling hadn’t brought anyone with her, just carried an empty large cloth sack. She didn’t look like she had any urgent business—more like she was going shopping.
In fact, Wang Ying’s guess was mostly right.
Wang Lingling indeed brought money into the county today. Since marrying into the Zhao family, even if she lied to herself, she couldn’t say her days had been good.
Her mother-in-law had a terrible temper, and her sisters-in-law weren’t easy to get along with either. The men in the household mostly worked the heavy jobs, and the sisters-in-law squabbled over even thin rice soup. If one took an extra bite, another would claim they lost half a piece. Although they didn’t argue openly too often, small underhanded tricks were a constant part of daily life.
In her previous life, Wang Lingling hadn’t made a fortune, but she certainly hadn’t endured this kind of hardship.
The Xu family only had Xu Shuang left; his older brother had passed away, there were no sisters-in-law to cause trouble, and the mother-in-law didn’t meddle in their affairs. So when Wang Lingling married in, she was the head of the household.
Xu Shuang would hand over half his monthly salary to her; she lacked for nothing.
But the Zhao family was entirely different. Even though they had a man named Zhao Jun who joined the military, his allowance wasn’t nearly enough to support four households!
The Zhao men worked the fields but weren’t efficient, so although they had more men, they didn’t get much grain. Each sister-in-law had children of her own, and with five rooms in the house, the place was noisy every day. Mealtimes meant ten-plus sets of bowls and chopsticks.
There were two kids — one five years old, one three. The five-year-old ran around uncontrollably and needed constant supervision, while the three-year-old couldn’t even walk steadily and would fall down if you looked away for a second.
Still, Wang Lingling held on to the dream that these two children would bring her an easy life eventually, so she took great care of them.
But that only made her more of a target for the other sisters-in-law. They saw her — a stepmother — being more attentive to the children than they were to their own. In the mother-in-law’s eyes, didn’t that make the rest of them look lazy and incompetent?
So the backstabbing between sisters-in-law began, tangled up in the children’s daily lives. Wang Lingling was mentally and physically exhausted and had worn herself out completely over time.
This trip to the county had originally been her elder brother-in-law’s responsibility. But because the family had too many kids and not enough grain to last the winter, someone had to go buy food from the county.
Technically, they could barter for it in the village, but the Zhao family’s matriarch was disliked by nearly everyone in their brigade. Nobody was willing to trade with her. Going to another brigade was risky — they could be reported.
So they had no choice but to go to the county and find the black market.
It wasn’t an easy task. Just getting there was exhausting, but finding the black market was even harder, and they had to constantly avoid getting caught. The most difficult part was coming back — they had to hide what they bought and walk all the way back.
Originally, this job wouldn’t have fallen to Wang Lingling. But thanks to the back-and-forth drama among the sisters-in-law, she had offended the eldest one, who in turn tricked her husband into dumping the task on Wang Lingling.
Wang Lingling rubbed her arms — she was still wearing a single layer. A few days ago, she had torn apart one of her own thicker garments to make cotton jackets for the kids, and now she had nothing warm for herself.
She glanced over at Wang Ying and Xu Shuang and felt slightly better. Wang Ying was wearing old clothes too.
Clearly, Xu Shuang didn’t treat her that well either.
Wang Lingling thought back on her past life and silently encouraged herself. No matter what, she had picked someone who would be a future tycoon. Wang Ying, on the other hand, would end up just the wife of a measly cook, living poor in the countryside. Once she herself got her share of the family assets and started living separately with the two kids, things would turn around. When Zhao Jun came back, they’d strike it rich! Or maybe she’d get Zhao Jun to switch careers early this time — life would definitely be better…
So, the whole trip to the county, Wang Lingling floated in these beautiful fantasies.
Even when they got off the bus, Wang Ying thought Wang Lingling might come over to say something nasty. But instead, Wang Lingling just cast a condescending glance at her and Xu Shuang and left, leaving Wang Ying confused.
Xu Shuang picked up the basket they had brought into town and asked Wang Ying, “Should we head to my master’s place first? Eat lunch and then go to the supply and marketing cooperative in the afternoon?”
Wang Ying didn’t mind. “Sure.” She wasn’t familiar with the county, so naturally she just followed Xu Shuang.
Xu Shuang carried the basket, and the two walked one after another down the road. This was a characteristic of the times. According to the villagers, there had once been a couple who were arrested in town for walking too close together — the authorities said if you didn’t have a marriage certificate, it was “indecent behavior.” Once caught, you’d be detained for a few days to attend “reeducation sessions” and even have your work unit notified.
So, even legitimate couples walked apart in public. No one dared to show affection, fearing the Red Armband patrols would misunderstand.
Xu Shuang led Wang Ying to a neighborhood of low buildings. They followed an alley to a large courtyard.
He quietly explained to Wang Ying, “All the houses around here used to belong to my master. Later, he donated them all, leaving just this one courtyard for himself. But even this courtyard now houses a few other families — they’re renting it from my master through the state-run factory.”
Xu Shuang’s master was named Chen Dong. Before the Liberation, he had been a young master from a family that owned a sugar factory and had amassed significant wealth. When things turned chaotic, he sold off everything and moved to this small county of Nanshao to live a quiet life. His greatest love in life was food. Though his skills were only average, he had an extremely picky palate.
Wang Ying was surprised when she saw the large courtyard. It was built like a siheyuan (a traditional Chinese quadrangle), with main and side rooms, but no front gatehouse — only a decorative screen wall. Behind the front yard was another screen wall, indicating that this was a two-section compound.
Xu Shuang led her through to the main rooms at the back. Along the way, Wang Ying saw clothes hanging to dry, coal balls by the doors, and a shared water basin in the yard.
Xu Shuang said, “My master lives alone in the three main rooms at the back. He’s a cook at a state-run restaurant here in the county. Never married, no children.”
When they reached the main rooms, an elderly man was sitting outside.
The old man was bald, round like a white steamed bun, with a face full of cheer. The lines around his eyes suggested constant laughter. It was hard to tell his exact age — he looked fifty, maybe sixty, but saying seventy wouldn’t be too far off either.
“Aiyo! I heard magpies chirping this morning — turns out I was about to get a lucky meal!”
As soon as he saw Xu Shuang, the old man stood up. His chair creaked just right, as if telling a story of its own wear and tear.
The chubby old man’s eyes lit up. “Good apprentice, what brings you here today?”
Xu Shuang pulled Wang Ying over. “This is my fiancée. We’re getting married on the 26th of next month—I came to let you know.”
The old man beamed. “Getting married, huh? Good, good! This girl suits you! Are you going to host a banquet on the 26th?”
Xu Shuang replied with a straight face, “Yes, there’ll be a banquet, but I’m not cooking.” Who’s ever heard of a groom working the stove on his wedding day?
The old man looked a bit disappointed. “So… are you here to ask me to cook the banquet?”
Xu Shuang said, “That works. Mainly, I came to handle some wedding arrangements and exchange some ration coupons with you.”
The old man showed no pretension as a master. “No problem, no problem. What did you bring today? That’s quite a bundle.” As he spoke, he pulled them inside, his eyes fixed on the basket.
Xu Shuang, knowing full well what his master was like, directly pulled out the prepared items from the basket.
“My fiancée brought you some fish, and these are some dried vegetables my mother made earlier. This one is black fungus.”
The old man was thrilled. “This fish is great—looks delicious. Cook it for lunch.”
Only then did the old man remember Xu Shuang’s fiancée was also there. He hurriedly offered his hospitality: “Have a seat, girl. There are peach pastries on top of the cabinet and sunflower seeds on the table—help yourself.”
Wang Ying now understood why Xu Shuang had whispered to her earlier, saying his master didn’t have many faults, except for his obsession with food. He hoped she wouldn’t take offense if he seemed inattentive.
But… was this man’s blood pressure okay with that body?
Seeing it was about noon, and knowing his master well, Xu Shuang tied on an apron and headed straight into the kitchen.
After prepping the fish, he poked his head out and asked Wang Ying, “How would you like to eat it?”
The old man eagerly raised his hand like a student answering a question. “Fish head with flatbread!”
Xu Shuang said, “I wasn’t asking you… Wang Ying, what do you want?”
Seeing the old man’s hopeful face across from her, Wang Ying smiled. “Let’s go with fish head and flatbread.”
Only then did Xu Shuang go back in to start cooking.
The old man looked around, full of curiosity. “Young lady, that rascal Xu Shuang really listens to you. How did you two meet?”
Wang Ying casually said a few words—nothing more than how they mutually liked each other.
The old man leaned in and asked in a low voice, “That rascal doesn’t talk much even in front of you?”
Wang Ying: …
Well, Xu Shuang wasn’t chatty, but he wasn’t exactly cold toward her either. He said what needed to be said, and he didn’t hold back.
As they chatted, the aroma from the kitchen gradually filled the house.
Smelling the delicious scent, the old man’s fingers twitched in anticipation. Wang Ying had a thought: “Let me check your pulse?”
The old man didn’t look very healthy, and he clearly didn’t watch his diet. Even if it was just for the ration coupons they’d get later, Wang Ying felt she should check on his health.
The old man didn’t mind. Wang Ying took his pulse and said, “Your spleen and stomach aren’t in great shape. You should go to a hospital for a full check-up. Also, you need to watch your blood pressure—cut down on salt and fat.”
Chen Dong chuckled. “I already know that. But I’m seventy—if I don’t eat now, I won’t get the chance. By the time I can’t taste anything, I won’t even be able to eat if I wanted to. So I need to enjoy it while I still can.”
Wang Ying pulled out two packets of herbs from her basket and handed them to him. “Take these and brew them in water. They’re good for your spleen and stomach, and they lower blood pressure.”
The old man’s health wasn’t actually that bad, and at seventy, a good attitude was more important than strict dietary control. Wang Ying didn’t press the issue. The old man had seen a lot in his years, and he’d mentored Xu Shuang for three or four years. Once he started talking about Xu Shuang, he wouldn’t stop. Wang Ying played along, and the two got along well.
When Xu Shuang finally brought out the dish, the old man immediately sat upright at the table.
A large fish platter was placed in front of them. The fish head had been halved, the fish meat cut into chunks, the head and tail positioned neatly, and the pieces served in the center.
A plate of freshly made flatbread sat to the side. Xu Shuang had also steamed a big pot of rice. With the fish, the old man started eating without lifting his head once.
“Mmm! This fish is amazing—better than the stuff we order from the food station!”
Wang Ying used a piece of flatbread to soak up the broth—salty, fragrant, and rich. The fish was tender, the flatbread oily and flavorful. Together, the taste was deeply satisfying. The flatbread, having soaked in the broth, was so fragrant it could make your tongue fall off.
Three people, one large fish—by the time they were done, the old man’s belly looked even rounder, and he even saved a few pieces of fish. “I’ll add these to noodles tonight.”
After putting the dishes away, the old man came over holding a big bunch of ration coupons.
“Come, come—take a look. What coupons do you need?”
Xu Shuang’s master had received many of these coupons as part of his benefits, but he rarely used them. His family had always lived well, and he had a few fellow apprentices who helped out too. Life was comfortable, and most of the coupons ended up going to Xu Shuang.
“This one’s for leather shoes—take it and buy the girl a pair of nice shoes. All the girls in town are wearing them these days.”
“Take all the cloth coupons—I won’t use them anyway.”
“This one’s for industrial goods. I’m not sure what it can get you, but take it and ask around.”
By the time Wang Ying and Xu Shuang left, Xu Shuang’s pockets were stuffed with dozens of various coupons.
They discussed where to go next and decided to stop by the hospital’s purchasing station to sell some of the herbs Wang Ying brought, and then head to the supply and marketing cooperative to shop.
But they hadn’t gone far when they noticed a commotion at a street corner. A few onlookers nearby were whispering.
“Wow, how many times is this now this month? They’re cracking down on illegal trading again?”
“You don’t get it—there are more raids this month because next month the enforcement will ease up. Everyone starts preparing for winter next month, so they usually turn a blind eye. But if they don’t catch more now, they’ll have no revenue for this month. So of course they’re going hard now.”
“These people clearly aren’t from the county town—cluelessly heading straight to the black market. Not even bothering to pick the right time.”
“Let’s get out of here quick, before they set their eyes on us.”
…
Wang Ying and Xu Shuang also quickened their pace. Speculative trading wasn’t uncommon—not just in the county, but even in small towns. People often snuck around to avoid the anti-speculation unit. Some families even deliberately sent their children to do errands just to avoid drawing attention.
Just as Wang Ying and Xu Shuang were hurrying away, the anti-speculation officers were dragging along a woman with disheveled hair.
“You say your name is Wang Lingling, and we’re just supposed to take your word for it? Where’s your letter of introduction?”
“No letter, acting all suspicious—and the moment we asked questions, you ran. And you still want to claim you’re not here for illegal trading?”
“Take her back for questioning. Let’s see if she’s a bad element.”
I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.
