Day Eight

After settling into the guesthouse, Wen Congyin once again felt grateful that Geng Xu had come along.

Nowadays, guesthouses required a letter of introduction to check in; without it, no matter how much money one had, they simply wouldn’t be accepted.

Geng Xu booked two rooms, then took Wen Congyin and Zhao Lina to check in. Turning to Wen Congyin, he said, “You stay here and take care of the child. I’ll go buy some food. If you need anything else, just tell me—I’ll get it all at once.”

“That would be a bother, thank you,” Wen Congyin replied, not daring to leave the young Zhao Lina alone. She handed her wallet directly to Geng Xu.

“The money, ration coupons, and cloth coupons are all inside. Please buy two sets of cotton jackets and pants for the child, along with shoes and socks.”

Geng Xu didn’t take the wallet but said, “We’ll settle up later. I still have money on me.” Saying this, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Wen Congyin barely had time to call out before his footsteps echoed down the stairs. She sighed inwardly; Commander Geng was truly a man of swift action.

Lowering her head, she looked at the silent Zhao Lina and felt a pang of tenderness. Just as she was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

She went over and saw the guesthouse attendant standing there with two pots of hot water. The attendant’s face was full of cordiality. “Comrade, here is hot water for your room.”

“Thank you,” Wen Congyin said reflexively as she took the pots and set them on the table, her eyes showing surprise. “We didn’t ask for hot water.”

“The comrade who was with you just now instructed me to bring it. Use it first, and if you need more, just say so—I’ll bring more.” The attendant’s smile was warm and friendly, a stark contrast to the coldness Wen Congyin had seen earlier at the front desk.

Wen Congyin was speechless but nodded.

The guesthouse rooms were spacious; besides the sleeping area, there was a bathroom, which was a rare luxury. She took Zhao Lina there—partly to wash her, partly to check on her health.

The hot water steamed up the room. Wen Congyin tested it and found it a bit too hot, about to add cold water, when she caught Zhao Lina sneaking a glance at her from the side. She was moved and asked, “Lina, try the water—is it too hot?”

Zhao Lina said nothing, pursed her lips, but just as Wen Congyin thought the silence might stretch on and the water cool down, Lina dipped her hand in and shook her head. “Not hot.”

She was willing to speak?

Wen Congyin’s heart lifted slightly—this meant the child didn’t reject her.

“If it’s not hot, then I won’t add cold water. Let’s take a quick bath, okay?”

Zhao Lina nodded gently.

The enamel basin wasn’t large, but Zhao Lina fit comfortably inside. Wen Congyin noticed how hollow her ribs were, her body nothing but skin and bones, scarred across her back.

Her pupils tightened. She masked her concern by casually lathering soap into bubbles. The only relief was that aside from the scars, the child seemed otherwise unharmed.

After washing her, Wen Congyin wrapped Zhao Lina in a towel, dried her hair, and helped her onto the bed.

Geng Xu returned quickly, accompanied by the attendant. He carried clothes and shoes; the attendant brought wontons, fried dough sticks, and soy milk.

“I picked out the clothes and shoes myself—they might be a bit large, but they’ll have to do for now,” Geng Xu said. “You two go change, then come out to eat.”

When Wen Congyin emerged with Zhao Lina dressed in her new clothes, the breakfast spread had grown to include plain congee and a bowl of steamed buns.

“This much?” Wen Congyin’s mouth opened slightly.

Geng Xu smiled. “I have a big appetite. You pick what you like, and leave the rest for me.”

Zhao Lina’s stomach rumbled loudly, and Wen Congyin was starving too, so she didn’t hesitate. She gave the congee and a cabbage-filled bun to Zhao Lina, fearing oily food would upset her digestion, and ate a bowl of wontons herself.

The wontons were indeed exquisite—thin-skinned with generous filling, the broth clear and sweet, enriched with dried shrimp, seaweed, and egg ribbons.

Geng Xu seemed to have claimed all the other dishes for himself.

Wen Congyin held Zhao Lina and stared in amazement.

Surprised, Zhao Lina’s eyes brightened as well. Wen Congyin smiled at her. “Lina, Uncle Geng sure can eat, can’t he?”

Zhao Lina blushed, pressing her lips together.

A faint smile flickered on Geng Xu’s lips. Though he ate a lot, he did so gracefully, as if measured, sitting upright.

When they finished eating, before Wen Congyin could suggest tidying up, Geng Xu decisively stacked the dishes and called the attendant to take them away.

With full stomachs, they moved on to the matter at hand.

Geng Xu looked at Wen Congyin thoughtfully. “Judging from how the uncle and aunt look, it won’t be easy to take the child away from them.”

Wen Congyin felt the little girl stiffen in her arms. She hugged her tighter and said calmly, “No matter how hard it is, I have to take her away. Otherwise, I’d be betraying my sister and brother-in-law’s spirits.”

Zhao Lina clenched Wen Congyin’s sleeve with her thin, small hands. Wen Congyin stroked her head and held her hand in hers. “I’ve made up my mind. No matter what, I will take her away.”

“You sound like you have a plan,” Geng Xu observed, his eyes thoughtful.

Wen Congyin replied, “I wouldn’t say it’s a plan, but Zhao Anguo isn’t clean-handed. He’s the purchasing director at the cotton fabric factory and has embezzled quite a bit.”

This was a point mentioned in the original story, and also one reason why the heroine was accused of being calculating and cruel—she reported her uncle’s corruption without any gratitude, like an ungrateful wretch.

Geng Xu pondered for a moment. “That could be useful, but do you have proof?”

Wen Congyin hesitated. She had only been around for a little over a month and had no evidence; the original text barely mentioned this matter.

“I…” Zhao Lina suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse.

Both Geng Xu and Wen Congyin looked at her.

Zhao Lina averted her eyes, her cracked lips moving. “I’ve seen some people come to bring things to my uncle.”

Geng Xu and Wen Congyin exchanged a glance, both pleasantly surprised.

“Could it be the little girl was taken away?”

At home, Huang Liying grumbled as she swept the floor, nervously glancing outside.

Zhao Anguo was reading the newspaper and listening to a record player. Hearing this, he snapped the paper shut with a dissatisfied “clap.” “Keep your voice down. Haven’t I told you not to go too far? Now you’re afraid, huh?”

“What’s that? How am I going too far? That broom star brings bad luck, and we’re kind enough to take her in…”

Huang Liying’s anger flared at her husband’s scolding. She dropped the broom, hands on hips, ready to curse him out.

“Cough, cough, cough.”

Madam Lin’s loud cough interrupted her.

Wen Congyin held Zhao Lina, with Geng Xu nearby.

“Oh, Madam Lin, you didn’t even say you were coming.”

Zhao Anguo’s face changed instantly. He quickly folded the newspaper, uncrossed his legs, and hurried over.

“Madam Lin, out of respect for you, we planned to overlook today’s quarrel. But the woman at home called my niece a broom star. Even putting aside how offensive that is, aren’t we trying to break the old customs and ban superstitions? Is calling someone a broom star not superstition?”

Wen Congyin remained composed, not even glancing at Huang Liying.

Huang Liying was both ashamed and resentful. She hurried to explain to Madam Lin, “Madam Lin, it’s not like that, I just—”

“Enough, enough,” Madam Lin cut her off impatiently. “From now on, you are not to hit the child or drive her out. This time I’m letting it go for my sake, but if it happens again, you’ll have to deal with the consequences yourselves.”

Hearing this, Zhao Anguo’s heart steadied. He smiled broadly. “Yes, yes. We’ll treat the child well from now on.”

He feared Wen Congyin was here to take the child away. Zhao Lina was just a girl and not worth much, but without her, this house wouldn’t belong to them.

For years, the couple had searched the house for the deed but never found it.

“Alright then. Let’s leave it at that.”

Madam Lin addressed Wen Congyin and Geng Xu. “Don’t you have a train to catch? Put the child down and get going.”

Wen Congyin nodded, set Zhao Lina down, wrapped her scarf properly, and looked into the child’s eyes. “Take good care of yourself. Don’t suffer any wrongs.”

“How could we? How could we let the child suffer?”

Zhao Anguo kept up the pretense, pulling a pack of Red Mandarin cigarettes from his pocket and offering one to Geng Xu.

Geng Xu brushed his hand aside lightly. “I don’t smoke.”

Zhao Anguo looked embarrassed but dared not argue.

Small-town folk like him knew exactly whom to offend and whom to flatter. Though the man said little, his posture and bearing clearly marked him as a leader.

“We’ll come back to see the child when we have the chance.”

Wen Congyin left the child with the Zhao family, staring at Zhao Anguo and his wife. “If this happens again, don’t blame us if we become ruthless.”

Zhao Anguo smiled and agreed. Huang Liying’s face darkened like burnt charcoal but her eyes brightened when she saw Zhao Lina’s new floral cotton jacket, pants, shoes, scarf, and gloves.

Geng Xu and Wen Congyin descended the stairs and stepped out into the alley.

The dim light illuminated their path as Wen Congyin glanced back now and then. Geng Xu understood and said, “If you’re worried about your niece, we can go back now.”

Wen Congyin hesitated but shook her head. “No risk, no reward. I believe in Lina.”