Day 6

Geng Xu promised seven o’clock, and he truly arrived at seven.

When the red-flagged car pulled up to the courtyard gate, Wen Congyin had just made a quick stop at the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some candies and pastries. She wasn’t buying them for herself but rather preparing in case they might be useful once they reached Shanghai.

The car horn blared.

At first, Wen Congyin didn’t react and even moved aside toward the streetlamp. Only when the car stopped and the door opened did she realize it might be Geng Xu. She glanced back.

Geng Xu, dressed in civilian clothes that reached his knees, strode toward her, took the suitcase from her hand, and said, “Get in.”

Wen Congyin hesitated for a moment before quickly following him.

There was someone sitting in the driver’s seat. Seeing Geng Xu move to the back, Wen Congyin hesitated but then followed him to take a seat.

“Xiao Xu, start the car,” Geng Xu told the driver upfront, then turned back and pulled two hard-seat tickets from his pocket. “Things were too rushed, so I could only get hard-seat tickets last minute. I hope you don’t mind.”

Though Wen Congyin didn’t fully understand the era—having grown up after the millennium—she knew well how difficult it was to get last-minute train tickets. Having a seat was already a blessing. “That’s wonderful, thank you. But why two tickets?”

Geng Xu said, “I bought one for myself.”

?

Wen Congyin was puzzled, wondering if she was overthinking it. “Where are you headed?”

Geng Xu’s tone was calm and straightforward: “Going with you.”

Xiao Xu, the driver, quickly glanced at Wen Congyin through the rearview mirror.

Wen Congyin noticed but was stunned. “You’re coming with me?”

“If you go alone, taking a train to Shanghai late at night, what if something happens? Who will be responsible?”

His words were decisive, as if it were an unquestionable truth.

Wen Congyin’s eyes showed surprise.

She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated, fearing it might be self-important. Perhaps military men in this era were just that earnest and kind-hearted, committed to seeing a favor through to the end.

She recalled what the original story said about Geng Xu—only that the secondary male lead, Jiang He, mentioned his uncle as a man of principle and unwavering word, but unfortunately had never found the right match and remained unmarried.

With such character, there was no reason to suspect any ill intentions toward her.

“Thank you very much. Later, I’ll send a banner of appreciation to your regiment,” Wen Congyin said thoughtfully.

Geng Xu lowered his eyes, a faint smile flickering across his face but said nothing, merely replying with a hum.

Their tickets were for the 8:15 train.

At the station, Wen Congyin reached for the suitcase, but Geng Xu had already grabbed it, signaling her to get off first. Then he said to Xiao Xu, “Please drive back. Thanks for your hard work tonight.”

He handed Xiao Xu a pack of Da Qianmen cigarettes.

Xiao Xu grinned broadly, flashing his teeth, and saluted, “It’s not me who’s worked hard, sir; it’s you.”

Wen Congyin couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Geng Xu glanced at her, his eyes slightly raised as if asking something. He then waved to Xiao Xu, who started the car and drove away.

Despite being past eight, the train station remained crowded.

Wen Congyin followed Geng Xu onto the train step by step, thinking that once aboard, the hardest part was over. Yet, once inside, she was dumbfounded.

The carriage was packed far beyond seating capacity. Even the aisles were jammed with people, and someone shouted, “Oh no, my chicken, my chicken flew away!”

The chaotic scene aboard this green train defied description. Without Geng Xu leading the way, Wen Congyin felt she would never have found a place to sit on her own.

To keep up with him, she had to grasp his sleeve.

Fortunately, Geng Xu only glanced back without saying a word.

“Here it is, sit,” he said, looking at the ticket. Two burly men in worn cotton jackets silently stood up without a word.

Wen Congyin squeezed inside and sighed deeply.

“Your hand,” Geng Xu said, placing the suitcase at their feet and noticing Wen Congyin still holding his sleeve.

Blushing, she quickly let go. “Sorry, I was afraid we’d get separated.”

“No problem.” Geng Xu looked around at the ordinary passengers before asking, “I didn’t have time earlier to ask—what exactly brings you to Shanghai?”

If anyone else had asked, Wen Congyin wouldn’t have disclosed much. But since she might owe them favors, she recounted everything about her niece’s situation in detail.

She sighed. “It was too rushed to come now, but I’m really afraid that Aunt Lina’s uncle’s family might continue to drive her out.”

Geng Xu’s expression turned thoughtful.

He glanced at Wen Congyin. “You mean you want to bring her back?”

Wen Congyin looked at him. “Do you think I’m meddling?”

Geng Xu shook his head. Seeing a few young men with red armbands sitting opposite, he swallowed the words he was about to say. “I don’t think that way. We’ll talk about other matters later.”

Wen Congyin noticed the young men too and nodded in understanding.

The train journey from Shanghai to Beijing lasted all night, arriving in the early morning.

By 9:30 a.m., 287 Lane, Shandong Road in Shanghai was already alive with the bustle of daily life. Every household had coal stoves heating porridge at their doors, and elderly men and women hurried to the morning market for fresh vegetables.

“Oh my, the fish and shrimp at today’s market are fresh and cheap—only forty cents a pound,” an elderly woman boasted to her neighbors.

Shanghai residents valued appearances. No matter how poor they were, they still bought good food and meat for year-end.

When Wen Congyin and Geng Xu appeared there, they quickly drew the attention of several elderly women chatting in the hallway.

It was no surprise—they were strangers in appearance but well-dressed. The tall, spirited man and the delicate, refined woman didn’t look like locals.

“Comrades, who are you looking for?” Granny Lin approached, unsure but feeling Wen Congyin looked familiar.

The last time Wen Congyin came, she was seventeen; now she was twenty-one, naturally changed.

“It’s me, Aunt Lina’s maternal aunt,” Wen Congyin said quickly, recognizing Granny Lin.

Granny Lin was stunned. “Is it you, Little Wen? How did you come so quickly?”

She dropped her vegetables and hurried toward Wen Congyin.

Wen Congyin said, “I received your telegram and was quite frightened. I couldn’t delay. Where is Lina?”

She looked up toward the upper floor.

Zhao Anguo lived in Lina’s old home, on the second floor.

Just then, Wen Congyin looked up and saw a thin, small girl with yellowing hair being pushed out the door. The frail child stumbled against the railing but remained silent.

Sister Sun, cooking in the hallway, couldn’t stand it and put down her ladle. She went over to support Zhao Lina and scolded Huang Liying, who was pushing her out, “Huang Liying, what are you doing so early in the morning? Stop this cruelty!”

Huang Liying glanced at her mockingly. “Oh, Sister Sun, what’s it to you? She’s my child; I’ll do as I please. If you care so much, why don’t you take her home?”

Sister Sun was so angry she clenched her teeth. “What nonsense! The neighbors have been taking care of this child these days; otherwise, she would have frozen to death. Just this morning, Granny Lin returned her to you, and now, less than an hour later, you’re kicking her out again!”

The neighbors whispered and pointed fingers.

Huang Liying stood with hands on hips, ignoring the gossip and boldly declared, “Don’t just talk nonsense. If you can take her back, go ahead. This child is unclean, and we dare not keep her!”

Her eyes challenged the crowd.

Though the neighbors were angry at the cruelty of Zhao Anguo and Huang Liying, times were hard. In the city, people bought grain with ration coupons—27 jin per adult per month, half for children. It was barely enough to get by.

It was easy enough to give a bowl or two to Zhao Lina for a short time, but long-term support was impossible.

So, faced with Huang Liying’s aggressive gaze, the neighbors had no choice but to avoid eye contact.

“Look at yourselves, unwilling as you are. Why should our family suffer for it?” Huang Liying arrogantly lifted her chin.

Just then, Granny Lin arrived with two strangers. Huang Liying wasn’t afraid of others but still showed some respect for Granny Lin.

Seeing Lina silent and pale, protected behind Sister Sun, Huang Liying sneered, “Fine, fine, we’ve had bad luck.”

“What are you saying? What are you all gathered here for?” Granny Lin stormed in, leading Wen Congyin and Geng Xu.

She looked at Lina, who wore a thin, worn shirt, her hands and feet red from the cold, and scolded Huang Liying, “Comrade Huang, I told you this morning to pick out thick clothes for the child. Why is she still dressed like this? If she catches a cold, how will you explain it to her aunt?”

Wen Congyin saw Lina at once, and something struck her deeply.

The clever, cunning, cruel girl from the original story now appeared as a six-year-old child dressed in faded thin clothes, barefoot, her face, neck, and hands red and chapped from the cold. She was so thin she resembled a newly hatched chick—nothing but skin and bones.

Yet her eyes were dark, cold, and empty. Though only six, her tiny body seemed to harbor a soul weathered by hardship and numbness.

Wen Congyin immediately took off her own coat and wrapped it tightly around the child.

Zhao Lina didn’t react; she was like a mirror, her dark eyes reflecting Wen Congyin.

“Oh, who are you? Where did you come from, meddling like this?” Huang Liying rolled her eyes and sneered, sizing up Wen Congyin.

“I’m her aunt. You must be Lina’s great-aunt. A few years ago, when I came here, you promised the street office you’d take care of my niece. So this is how you take care of her?”

Wen Congyin’s fury rose from her heart. “Even Huang Shirun wasn’t as cruel to the White-Haired Girl as you are to this child. This is clearly abuse!”