Day Five

As Geng Xu was about to step out in his civilian clothes, Zhang Yang called out to him. Looking him up and down, he asked, "Old comrade, tell me the truth—is there really no chance with Brigade Commander Lin’s daughter?"

Geng Xu straightened his hat and glanced at Zhang. "Comrade Old Zhang, you’re not that old; when did you become such a gossip?"

Zhang Yang huffed, setting his bag down on the living room table. "How can you say that without a guilty conscience? I’m doing this all for your own good. Think about it: that child is six or seven years old now, and you’re constantly off on maritime patrols, with time tight and tasks urgent. Finding such a good match is a rare opportunity."

Geng Xu replied, "How do you know I don’t have another partner?"

"Eh?" Zhang Yang jumped to his feet, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Really? When did you meet? What does she do?"

"I’m not telling you. You’ll know once it’s a done deal." Geng Xu waved his hand and added, "I won't be back for dinner tonight; tell your wife for me."

With that, he left. Zhang Yang chased after him, shouting questions, but Geng Xu didn't even look back, leaving Zhang Yang seething with frustration. He didn't believe for a second that Geng Xu could find a partner. With Geng Xu’s temperament—utterly incapable of being gentle or considerate—he had remained blind to the affections of countless women from the art troupe and the medical station. Having only been in Beijing for a few days, how could he possibly have found someone?

Wen Congyin arrived home late after work. The sky was pitch black, and the north wind was biting; she only felt warm once she reached the hallway. Tightening her scarf, she hadn't even reached her door when Auntie Han winked and whispered, "Little Wen, your visitor is here."

Her visitor? Who?

When she saw Zhao Shiren being treated like an honored guest, Wen Congyin’s face visibly darkened. She unwound her scarf and hung her coat on the rack.

"Congyin, why aren't you greeting Little Zhao? How rude!" Her father, seeing his daughter's reaction, scolded her in a fit of rage.

Wen Congyin stood still. Zhao Shiren rose from his seat, a look of guilt on his face. "Uncle, don't scold her. It is I who have wronged her. Although I was muddled last night, I have ultimately failed her." He raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.

*Smack!* Zhou Yanhong and her daughter jumped in fright, and Wen’s father was startled as well, quickly reaching out to stop Zhao. "Little Zhao, what are you doing? Stop that, don't do this."

Zhao Shiren kept a solemn expression and pulled his hand away. "Uncle, don't stop me. I must make this right for Congyin. If she won't forgive me, I will not stop."

The more Zhao acted this way, the more uncomfortable Wen’s father became. He grabbed Zhao’s hand and glared at his daughter. "You child, why are you just standing there? Little Zhao is doing all this, and you’re still being petty. I think your grandfather spoiled you rotten!"

"How dare you talk about my grandfather? If it weren't for him, would you have even become a cadre at the Agricultural Machinery Department?" Wen Congyin respected the grandfather who had raised her. Since she had grown up by his side, she could tolerate many things, but she would never accept her father disparaging him.

"What are you saying? Without your grandfather, I could have become a leader regardless!"

Wen’s father, stung by his daughter exposing his shortcomings, flew into a rage. He pointed at her and shouted, "I see I’ve been too lenient with you! You will agree to this marriage with Little Zhao, whether you like it or not! Don't forget, if it weren't for Little Zhao’s generosity, what man would ever accept that you intend to adopt your cheap niece!"

"I truly don't believe that I have to settle for the only butcher in town!" Wen Congyin sneered. "Zhao Shiren can be involved with Wen Congli before he’s even married. Once he’s married, he’ll surely keep his wife at home while keeping a mistress on the side! If you force me into this marriage, I will report him for illicit affairs!"

"You!" Both Zhao Shiren and Wen’s father turned pale.

Just then, someone outside shouted, "Wen Congyin, you have a telegram!"

Wen Congyin shot a cold look at her father and Zhao, opened the door, and hurried downstairs without even grabbing her scarf. Her heart was burning with anger, and as she stomped down the stairs, she didn't look where she was going and collided with someone. She let out a cry, but the person on the other side steadied her, grabbing her arm.

She stood upright and looked up at the man. He looked very familiar—it was the man from last night.

"Comrade Wen Congyin?" The postman, looking between them with a gossiping glint in his eyes, handed her the telegram.

Wen Congyin murmured an acknowledgment, signed for it, and took the telegram, wondering who could have sent it. Upon opening it, her expression changed. It was from Shanghai, sent by Sister Lin from the neighborhood committee where her niece lived.

When her former brother-in-law passed away, Wen had gone to Shanghai once. Because she hadn't graduated yet, she couldn't secure custody of her niece, Zhao Lina, especially since the girl's paternal uncle—a local resident who fought tooth and nail for custody—was naturally favored by the neighborhood committee. But Wen had remained worried and had asked Sister Lin to send a telegram if the uncle, Zhao Anguo, ever mistreated the child.

The telegram stated that Zhao Anguo had punished the girl by making her sleep outside for two days. Although the weather in Shanghai wasn't as cold as in Beijing, it was deep winter—what kind of heartless person would leave a six-year-old girl outside like that?

Geng Xu noticed the girl’s face growing increasingly pale and spoke up at the right moment. "Comrade, are you in trouble? Do you need any help?"

Wen Congyin looked up from the telegram and blinked, surprised. "You’re still here?"

For the first time in his life, Geng Xu realized what it felt like to be ignored. He was a grown man, six-foot-one, standing there for quite a while, and she hadn't even noticed him. "I came to return your handkerchief. You forgot it last time." He pulled the handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.

Wen Congyin glanced at it; it was indeed hers. She had been so busy all day that it was understandable she hadn't noticed it was missing. "Thank you, but I have pressing matters to attend to; I don't have time to talk." Her mind was fixed on the little girl. While she knew from the original story that Zhao Lina wouldn't freeze to death, it was heart-wrenching to think of her suffering in the winter cold.

"You can tell me what the matter is. Perhaps I can help," Geng Xu said firmly, blocking her path.

"You?" Wen Congyin looked at him, confused.

Zhao Shiren and Wen’s father had descended the stairs and, seeing the two of them standing so close, both wore sour expressions. Zhao Shiren, in particular, felt a surge of jealousy upon seeing Geng Xu’s sharp, composed demeanor. "Congyin, who is this?"

Geng Xu glanced at him and addressed Wen. "Comrade Wen, I am Geng Xu, commander of the Third Regiment, Second Brigade, 31st Division of the Fujian Province. I am 29 years old and unmarried. If you trust me, I can help you with your situation."

???

Wen Congyin’s mind filled with question marks. Then, it clicked—why the name sounded so familiar. Wasn't Geng Xu the prominent, high-ranking uncle of the male lead in the original story? The location, the name, the age—it all matched.

"Go to Shanghai? Wen Congyin, what nonsense is this!" Her father frowned with deep dissatisfaction. "What does that telegram say?"

"Dad, don't worry about it. I know you won't agree, and I don't have time for this!" She knew if her father found out she was suddenly heading to Shanghai, he would try to stop her. She decided to go all in. Ignoring the others, she turned to Geng Xu. "Comrade Geng, under normal circumstances, I should be polite, but the situation doesn't allow for it. Can you help me get a train ticket to Shanghai? As soon as possible!"

"I understand." Geng Xu was a man of action. He checked his watch. "It is 6:10 PM. I will drive over to pick you up at 7:00 sharp. Is that acceptable?"

Wen Congyin gave him an "OK" sign, and after a moment of surprise from him, she added, "No problem." Even though she felt a bit overwhelmed that he was offering to drive her, she had no choice but to be thick-skinned. There was no subway, and the streetcars stopped running after six; she would have had to rely on a bicycle otherwise.

Zhou Yanhong and her daughter didn't dare go downstairs, but they listened from the window, catching only muffled fragments of "Shanghai" and "train ticket."

Wen Congli muttered, "What train ticket? Where is she going in the middle of the night?"

Just then, footsteps came thundering inside. Wen Congyin ignored her father chasing after her, went straight into her room, pulled her rattan suitcase from under the bed, and stuffed in several coats, money, food coupons, and the biscuits she had bought earlier.

Her father reached the doorway and, seeing her packing, nearly fainted from rage. "Wen Congyin, what kind of madness is this!"

Wen Congyin set the items down and looked at him. "Dad, Lina is in trouble in Shanghai, and I have to get there!"

"Lina, Lina! Why do you care so much? Her mother wasn't even your own sister!" Wen’s father gritted his teeth and grabbed her arm. "Yes, her parents helped you before, giving you money for college, but they are dead now, and their class background is poor. People are avoiding them like the plague, and here you are, rushing to them! You are not allowed to go! Listen to me, I wouldn't harm you!"

Wen Congyin pulled his hand away and stared at him. "Dad, we must have a conscience. They helped us with so much more than just tuition. When you offended someone, wasn't it Lina’s father who pulled strings to get you that Vice Department Head position? Besides, my sister treated me like a real sister. If you won't acknowledge her, I will!"

She grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door. Her father, seething with anger, roared, "If you walk out that door, don't you ever call me your father again!"

Wen Congyin paused. Her father, thinking he had finally intimidated her, began to breathe a sigh of relief. Then he heard her say, "Goodbye, Mr. Wen."

With that, she walked past Zhou Yanhong and her daughter, completely ignoring Zhao Shiren, and hurried downstairs.