Chapter Seventeen: Thank You, Mom

This matter cast a heavy shadow over Fa Fu’s heart. The image of Cai Yun weeping profusely often surfaced in his mind, her cries ringing incessantly in his ears. He could not understand why she had cried so bitterly, nor what state of mind she had been in at that time. He suspected that perhaps Cai Yun did not like him at all, and might even despise him.

Fa Fu thought that if Cai Yun’s heart belonged to Da Zhi, he could accept it—after all, Da Zhi was her first love, and no one knew whether he was alive or dead. But if she loved his elder brother Fa Cai, he would find it unbearable.

Upon learning of the situation, Fa Cai reproached his younger brother for hurting Cai Yun. Out of sympathy, he took on the role of the elder brother to comfort her, offering her more care and affection.

Cai Yun’s reaction to all this completely surprised her adoptive parents, deeply shaking them. When they had taken Cai Yun, an orphan, into their home years ago, they had shared a common wish: no matter how poor or difficult life might be, they would treat her like their own child and ensure she lived a happy and joyful life. The recent events filled them with guilt; they felt they had wronged Cai Yun and caused her undue suffering.

So the two of them sat down with Cai Yun, expressed their apologies, and hoped for her forgiveness. They promised her that her marriage would be her own choice—if she did not love Fa Fu, they would not force the matter.

Three years later, Cai Yun had turned twenty, and the new China had been established for some time.

Fa Cai noticed that the relationship between Fa Fu and Cai Yun had cooled. He sought every opportunity to spend time with her, showering her with more love and care.

Da Zhi’s parents also repeatedly urged Cai Yun not to wait any longer. All the girls her age had already married and started families, and her mindset began to change. She hoped her adoptive parents would bring up her engagement to Fa Fu again, or that Fa Fu would speak to her directly. Sometimes she even considered initiating the conversation herself, but felt too embarrassed to do so.

It was under these circumstances that Fa Cai made his move. After fierce struggle and resistance, the mighty Fa Cai eventually won over Cai Yun, impregnating her. Only then did she reluctantly agree to marry him and become his wife.

After Cai Yun’s marriage, Fa Fu seemed transformed. He was gloomy and dejected all day long, listless and silent, speaking neither to Cai Yun nor to Fa Cai.

The haunting memory of Cai Yun’s tear-streaked face during the straw-man incident lingered in his mind, impossible to dispel. He had intended to soothe her wounded heart, but not knowing the true reason behind her tears, he feared hurting her again.

He waited patiently for Cai Yun’s attitude to soften, hoping she would willingly accept their union.

When he learned that Cai Yun was carrying Fa Cai’s child, it struck him like a thunderclap, making the world spin. The woman who should have been his was now claimed by his brother. Burning with rage, his teeth clenched tightly, unable to contain his fury. In his uncontrollable anger, he confronted Fa Cai, and the two brothers fought fiercely.

Only after their parents’ consolation and Cai Yun’s intervention did the brothers’ relationship begin to ease, though the wounds remained scarred.

After the autumn harvest, the brigade held a summary meeting, requiring each team to report their total grain yield for the year. All teams reported increases except the Wang Jiayu production team, whose yield declined compared to the previous year. Afterwards, Secretary Yang of the brigade summoned Wang Hongkui and demanded he revise his report.

Wang Hongkui had no choice but to comply and report an increased yield as requested by Secretary Yang.

After more than two months of effort, all scrap iron used for the great steel campaign had been exhausted, and the trees of West Mountain were all cut down. Without raw materials or fuel, the steel production had to be halted.

Although the steel produced was full of holes, they barely met the quotas set by higher authorities.

Once the steel campaign ended, the canteen, under the captain’s orders, imposed rationed servings, with all meals strictly controlled by the kitchen staff.

For several days in a row, the dishes were either unsalted or excessively salty to the point of being inedible.

The captain repeatedly questioned Cai Yun about the uneven seasoning, but she merely responded that she would pay attention next time.

Cai Yun herself felt distracted these days, as though her soul had been lost, listless and without energy.

She knew where the problem lay and had tried many solutions, but to no avail.

Since that evening at the drying ground, Wang Hongbing’s attitude toward her had done a complete 180. He neither spoke nor even looked at her, his former warmth and smiles vanished entirely.

At first, Cai Yun found this change rather pleasant; she no longer worried about Fa Cai discovering Wang Hongbing’s harassment and causing troubles, allowing her to live a peaceful and stable life.

But over time, she grew tired of this existence. It felt dull, revolving only around her small home and the canteen. Compared to before, she sensed something was missing from her life, a feeling of loss she had never experienced before.

One night, compelled by some unseen force, she went to the drying ground in search of the straw pile where she and Wang Hongbing had once struggled.

She searched for a long while but found nothing beyond a few stacks of straw. Dejected, she returned home.

That night, in her dreams, she found the straw pile again. Wang Hongbing was there waiting for her, and she immediately rushed forward to embrace him…

At that moment, a thunderous crash tore them apart.

Cai Yun woke from her sleep, drenched in cold sweat, silently praying, “Heaven above, please calm your wrath and spare me. I won’t dare do it again.”

Just after the New Year of 1959, the commune held a conference against “concealing production and private division,” urging all brigades to take the matter seriously and implement it thoroughly.

The Wang Jiayu brigade even formed a “grain inspection team,” personally led by the brigade secretary, to inspect each production team and ensure any hidden grain was promptly handed over.

Though Cai Yun had prepared in advance, the two sacks of rice and one sack of corn hidden in the backyard straw pile were all discovered and confiscated. The grain was gone.

One morning, after returning from the street, Qing Ying called Yulan over and pulled out a large package, saying, “Guess what’s inside?”

“I don’t know,” Yulan replied.

Qing Ying opened the paper wrapping for her to see. Yulan immediately exclaimed, “Candy and biscuits! Are these for me?”

“Do you like them?”

“Yes.”

“If you call me ‘Mom,’ I’ll give them all to you, and from now on, I’ll buy you all kinds of treats often. How does that sound?”

Yulan hesitated, unsure how to respond. After a moment, she asked, “Aren’t you my second aunt? Why should I call you ‘Mom’?”

“I just like it when you call me that.”

“What if my mother finds out?”

“When we’re alone, you can call me that. Otherwise, just call me second aunt. That way, your mother and others won’t know.”

“As long as no one knows, that’s fine.”

“Then why don’t you call me once now?”

After some effort, Yulan finally said, “Mom!”

Qing Ying smiled broadly, pulling her into a hug. “Good girl, that’s just what Mom likes!” She then stuffed a biscuit into Yulan’s mouth.

“Is it tasty?”

“Delicious!”

“Say it again.”

“Mom!”

Qing Ying hugged her tightly, kissing her several times. “My good daughter, Mom is so happy!” She then gave Yulan all the candies and biscuits. “These are all yours now.”

“What should I say if my mom asks where these came from?”

“That’s right, Mom’s so happy I’m a bit confused. You can’t take these back home. Leave them here with me. Whenever you want some, just come and get them. I’ll keep them safe for you.”

“Okay, thank you, Mom!”