Chapter 6
With Fang Xiaomei no longer breathing down her neck, Ye Qingzhi felt the air itself was fresher.
The necessary crops had all been planted, so the work ahead wouldn’t be as hectic. Ye Qingzhi was finally able to get a day off to withdraw the money Wei Jiancheng had sent. She wouldn’t feel at ease until it was safely in her own pocket.
“Third Uncle, I’d like to take a day off tomorrow. Could you write me a permission slip? I need to go to the county town,” Ye Qingzhi said, having gone to the brigade leader’s house.
“The county town? What for?” the brigade leader asked, looking at her with curiosity.
“To buy a few things,” Ye Qingzhi replied with a smile, accepting the slip he wrote for her.
Seeing that the brigade leader was about to ask more questions, his wife, Third Auntie, nudged him with her elbow.
“Go early and come back early. Be safe on the road.”
After Ye Qingzhi left, the brigade leader looked at his wife. “Why did you stop me?”
Third Auntie shot him a sideways glance. “Auntie Ye introduced Qingzhi to a potential match. I reckon she’s going to meet him.”
The brigade leader pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, “But it’s only been a short while since Jiancheng died.”
Hearing this, Third Auntie was not pleased. “Wei Jiancheng was gone for six years, and for six years, Qingzhi lived like a widow. Others might not know, but you’re the brigade leader—don’t you know how hard it’s been for her to raise two children alone? And what about Wei Jiancheng? He was out there living it up with his other woman. Now he’s kicked the bucket, and what? You expect Qingzhi to be a widow for him?”
Seeing his wife stand up in anger, the brigade leader quickly tried to backtrack. “That’s not what I meant. Qingzhi is still young, and it’s not easy for a woman to raise two children alone. She should remarry. I just meant that doing it so soon might not be good for her reputation.”
Things were different now; divorce and remarriage were allowed. But doing it too quickly could still tarnish one’s name.
“It’s not like she’s getting married right away. She’s just meeting people first. If she finds someone suitable, they can make a private arrangement and get married after the hundred-day mourning period for Wei Jiancheng is over.” Auntie Ye had discussed this with Third Auntie, and she agreed.
That seemed reasonable. Besides, finding a suitable candidate wasn’t that easy.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingzhi returned home, took two eggs from the cupboard, and prepared to make scrambled eggs.
Since arriving in this world, although she hadn’t been able to eat meat, she had managed to have eggs fairly regularly.
It wasn’t just her own body that was weak; the two children were also thin and small, suffering from severe malnutrition. If they didn’t get some eggs, she was afraid they wouldn’t grow tall. Of course, she needed to eat them too; otherwise, she really would have a short life.
“Mama, we can’t eat any more eggs. Without them, how will we trade for salt and matches?” Wei Anmin said, his face etched with worry.
Ye Qingzhi pinched his little cheek. “Don’t worry. The work in the fields is slowing down. Mama knows a few medicinal herbs. I’ll go dig some up to sell. It will definitely be enough to trade for salt and matches.”
She knew of Gastrodia, Motherwort, Rehmannia, and Pulsatilla. In her past life, she had gone into the mountains with her brother to dig them up for fun. She wasn’t sure which ones the purchasing station would buy. Since she was going to the county town to get the money tomorrow, she would ask about it then.
“Mama, you’ll get arrested for selling things,” Wei Anmin said, nervously grabbing her arm.
“I won’t. I’ll sell them to the purchasing station. That’s selling to the state; it’s not against the law,” Ye Qingzhi explained with a smile.
Although speculation and profiteering were strictly forbidden, the state allowed ordinary people to sell some agricultural side-products during the slack farming season.
Hearing that they could sell to the state, Wei Anmin and Wei Anjie’s eyes lit up instantly. They begged Ye Qingzhi to teach them how to identify the herbs so they could dig them up while cutting pig feed, hoping to ease the family’s burden even a little.
At only seven and six years old, they were incredibly sensible, living up to the old saying: the children of the poor learn to manage the household early.
Ye Qingzhi ruffled their hair, then patted their backs and told them to go wash their hands for dinner.
Perhaps because of the recent increase in eggs, both children had a bit more flesh on their faces, and Ye Qingzhi’s own complexion had improved as well.
After washing the dishes and boiling water for a bath, Ye Qingzhi sighed. Not having a proper bathroom was truly inconvenient.
She touched her face. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt her skin had become smoother and more tender, and her hands and legs had become fairer, almost matching the color of her chest.
“Mama, can you tell us the story of the Monkey King again tonight?” Wei Anjie asked, hugging her arm with an expectant look.
“Of course. I’ll continue from where I left off yesterday…”
There were no phones or computers in this era. Televisions existed, but a family like hers couldn’t possibly afford one; they couldn’t even afford a radio. Lying in bed with nothing to do was boring, so she started telling stories to the two children to pass the time, and they were always happy to listen.
The next morning, after giving the boys a few instructions, Ye Qingzhi set off for the county town.
She first walked to Dayang Village to wait for the bus to the county. The fare was five cents. Ye Qingzhi handed the pre-prepared money to the ticket seller and found a seat.
“Comrade, the other seats are full. May I sit here?” a man with proper features asked softly, standing in the aisle.
Ye Qingzhi looked up at the sound of his voice, then quickly nodded. “Of course.”
The man had bought a ticket; asking was just a courtesy. How could she refuse?
The man glanced at Ye Qingzhi. Almond eyes, peachy cheeks, and full, red lips—she was a very beautiful woman, just a bit thin. The clothes she wore were washed-out and patched, indicating a poor family background.
His mind stirred. He was thinking of asking if she was married when he saw her lean against the window with her eyes closed, her brow slightly furrowed. She must be carsick. He didn’t dare disturb her further.
Ye Qingzhi was actually fine with riding in cars, but the smell of this bus was too strong, making her feel dizzy and nauseous.
An hour later, they finally arrived at the county bus station. Ye Qingzhi covered her mouth and nose and hurried off the bus, not noticing the hesitant look on the man who had sat next to her.
She asked for directions to the post and telecommunications office and walked over quickly. The county town wasn’t large, and it only took her about ten minutes.
“Hello, Comrade. I’m here to withdraw some money,” Ye Qingzhi said, handing the money order and her identification to the clerk.
“What is your relationship to the person who sent you the money? Do you have proof?” the clerk asked cautiously.
“He is my husband. I have the letter he wrote to me.” Ye Qingzhi quickly handed him the two sheets of paper. “My husband worked at a Third Front factory. He passed away from an illness last month. I was too grief-stricken, which is why I’m only coming to get the money today.”
After reading Wei Jiancheng’s letter, the clerk looked at Ye Qingzhi with sympathy and didn’t ask any more questions. He swiftly stamped the documents and handed her the money.
“The dead can’t be brought back to life. I hope you have a safe and smooth life ahead,” the clerk offered a word of comfort.
Ye Qingzhi’s eyes reddened slightly. “Thank you. I still have two sons. For their sake, I will live on.”
Watching Ye Qingzhi walk away, an older clerk remarked with a sigh, “She’s so beautiful and has such a good disposition. She doesn’t look like a country woman at all. What a pity.”
Having walked some distance away, Ye Qingzhi wiped the corner of her eye. The identity of a young widow was quite useful at times; at the very least, it garnered a lot of sympathy.
She first went to the county department store. Although it was called a “department store,” it was only slightly larger than the supply and marketing cooperative in town, not even as big as a regular supermarket from her previous life.
Everything required ration tickets. In other words, even with money, Ye Qingzhi couldn’t buy much. In the end, she only managed to buy two pieces of sponge cake. This was only because she was lucky; any later and they would have been sold out.
Then she went to the purchasing station. They bought Gastrodia, Rehmannia, and Motherwort. However, Motherwort was common, so the purchase price was low. Gastrodia was the most expensive. They even bought it fresh: ten cents for special grade, eight cents for first grade, and five cents for second grade. Anything of lower quality, the station wouldn’t take.
Ye Qingzhi’s eyes lit up. Gastrodia was heavy. She didn’t dare hope for special grade, but even at five cents a catty for second grade, it wasn’t a small amount.
Now, she could only hope there was Gastrodia on the mountain. If not, she would have to sell Motherwort, which she had seen there before.
She headed back early. The bus wasn’t as crowded, so the air was better. It wasn’t as uncomfortable, and she could enjoy the scenery along the way.
She got off at Dayang Village. After leaving the village, Ye Qingzhi picked a few large lotus leaves and wrapped the sponge cakes tightly.
The cakes were too fragrant. To outsiders, her current family situation meant she couldn’t possibly afford them. It wouldn’t be good if someone smelled them.
Finally back home, Ye Qingzhi put her things away. She didn’t see the two boys inside or out; they had probably gone up the mountain to cut pig feed again.
In the evening, the two boys returned after finishing their task. Seeing that Ye Qingzhi had dinner ready and was waiting for them, they beamed with bright smiles.
“Why are you so late? Did you go deep into the mountains again?” Ye Qingzhi fetched water for them to wash their faces and hands, nagging as she did. “You’re still little. You’re not allowed to go too far. The wild animals in the mountains love tender-skinned children like you. Don’t worry, Mama asked at the purchasing station. They buy Gastrodia, Rehmannia, and Motherwort. I don’t know if we’ll find Gastrodia or Rehmannia, but I’ve seen Motherwort. It will definitely be enough to trade for some daily necessities.”
The two boys nodded excitedly. Even a mosquito was meat. As long as the family had some income, they had something to look forward to.
By seven in the evening, the village was already quiet. Most people were asleep.
Today was the fifteenth of the lunar month, and the moon was bright and full. You could see clearly without a lamp.
Ye Qingzhi closed the door, took the sponge cakes from the cupboard, and whispered to the two children, “Mama bought these sponge cakes in the county town today. Let’s eat them together. Be quiet so no one finds out, and don’t tell anyone, understand?”
This last warning was directed at Wei Anjie. Wei Anmin was sensible and would have kept his mouth shut without being told.
The two boys stared at the fragrant cakes and nodded like chicks pecking at grain.
Seeing their eager expressions, the corners of Ye Qingzhi’s mouth curved up slightly. No matter how sensible they were, they were still children. Forget them, even she, an adult, was constantly swallowing her saliva. They smelled too good.
She divided the two cakes into three equal portions, one for each of them.
Ye Qingzhi had no intention of sacrificing herself and giving all the good things to the children.
It wasn’t because these children belonged to the original owner; even if they were her own, she would do the same. She was not a selfless person. It was everyone’s first time being human, so why should she have to suffer just because she became a mother? There was no logic in that.
The three of them finished the cakes in small bites. Ye Qingzhi and Wei Anjie were still savoring the aftertaste, but Wei Anmin was already filled with regret, heartache, and worry.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Qingzhi asked with a smile, watching his constantly changing expression.
“Mama, were the sponge cakes expensive?” Wei Anmin asked, his face full of gloom.
He didn’t know what had happened to his mother. Ever since his father died, she had become a spendthrift. The family didn’t have much savings to begin with. After buying the cakes, there surely wasn’t much left. How were they going to live in the future?
No, he had to keep a closer eye on his mother from now on. He couldn’t let her spend money recklessly again.
Sigh. Wei Anmin sighed softly. It seemed he had to carry the burden of this family.
Ye Qingzhi poked his puffy cheek. “Don’t worry, Mama knows what she’s doing. Come on, go rinse your mouths, and then it’s time for bed.”
Rinse their mouths?
Both Wei Anmin and Wei Anjie refused. The sweet taste still lingered in their mouths, and they wanted to savor it a little longer. They couldn’t bear to rinse it away.
After much persuasion, Ye Qingzhi finally made them promise to rinse their mouths before sleeping and then returned to her own room.
She carefully hid the money. Although it was only one hundred yuan, she had to admit, having it made her feel much more secure.
Three days after returning from the county town, Ye Qingzhi was weeding the fields when she saw Auntie Ye slowly make her way over to her.
“Qingzhi, I’m so sorry. The man I introduced you to before… he said he likes someone else,” Auntie Ye said, looking ashamed.
Ye Qingzhi had seen Auntie Ye looking conflicted all morning and had wondered what was wrong. She smiled lightly and said, “It’s alright. It saves me the trouble of meeting him.”
“Don’t you worry. Auntie will find you someone even better,” Auntie Ye promised, patting her chest.
“Okay. No rush. We can take our time,” Ye Qingzhi nodded.