Chapter 2

Xue Xiang walked out of the room and into the main hall, pushing open the small ventilation window on the left wall to survey the entire house. This was a small courtyard allocated to the No. 1 leader in 1957, within the military district compound. The main house had four rooms and a hall, with a spacious courtyard directly opposite the main hall. In the center of the courtyard were two flower beds placed side by side, with two rows of white birch trees standing two meters apart. The flowers and plants in the flower beds, neglected and overgrown, had given way to wild grass and flowers, thriving as if reflecting the state of the world. On the left side of the courtyard was a corridor leading directly to the main hall, while on the right was a row of side rooms, one of which was a kitchen, and the others were used for storing miscellaneous items or had empty beds that no one slept in.

Looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard, Xue Xiang felt a myriad of emotions. This was the only property the Xue family had managed to retain through the turmoil.

In 1967, the veterans from the compound stormed the military district, and the valuables in this house were looted, even the family's helper, Aunt Xu, was sent back to her hometown in Hebei. In 1970, his uncle was isolated for review and labor reform. Fortunately, unlike the residences of other leaders who were sent down, this small courtyard was not sealed by the Revolutionary Committee. Later, Xue Xiang learned from his uncle that during the rectification movement in 1941, Xue Anyuan had saved the life of the district Revolutionary Committee chairman, Zhang Guangzhu. When Xue Anyuan was reinstated, he often recalled this incident with resentment, saying, "Why did I save such a person back then?"

Xue Xiang turned on the incandescent light in the main hall and walked to the bedroom opposite his room, where Xiao Wan and Xiao Shi slept. After their parents passed away, Xiao Shi, who had left her mother's embrace, began sleeping with her sister. Xue Xiang gently pushed open the door and tenderly gazed at the two young faces on the bed. Xiao Wan had a hairstyle typical of the era, with neat bangs covering her forehead. Her nose was slightly wrinkled, and her little mouth was pursed, tightly gripping the edge of the quilt, perhaps having a nightmare. Seeing Xiao Wan's uneasy face, Xue Xiang felt a deep sense of guilt. At the age of 12, Xiao Wan had already understood the situation. After crying once, she silently took on the household chores, washing clothes and cooking for her four siblings while attending school.

Five-year-old Xiao Shi, with her rosy cheeks, slept peacefully. Being so young, the loss of her parents two years ago had not left a deep scar on her, which brought Xue Xiang some comfort. He gently pulled the quilt from Xiao Wan's hand, carefully placed her arm under the quilt, and pressed the edges of the quilt around her. He then quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

In the room to the left of the two sisters, Xiao Yi slept. Opening the door, he saw that the bedside lamp was still on. From a distance, Xiao Yi seemed to be sleeping soundly, softly snoring, her head with a bobbed hairstyle buried in a thick cotton pillow. Xue Xiang did not turn off the lamp, knowing it was a way for children to combat their fear of the dark. He gently closed the door.

Leaving the main hall and entering the courtyard, he saw a pressure tank washing pool five meters from the kitchen. Although it was an old-fashioned water-drawing device, it was as efficient as a tap. Xue Xiang saw a basin full of clothes in the washing pool. He knew these clothes were usually washed by Xiao Wan early in the morning. Since he was now in this world, he would not let his sister suffer anymore.

Xue Xiang poured the clothes into the washing pool, filled a basin with water, and immersed a small, faded military uniform, sprinkling soap powder and rubbing it vigorously. It was early spring, and the night was cold, but Xue Xiang was sweating profusely. After three hours, he looked at the clothes hanging on the clothesline, satisfied with his work.

After tidying up the clothes, he entered the kitchen and checked the rice bin and the vegetable basket. The rice bin was almost empty, and the bamboo basket contained a few white radishes. Xue Xiang took out a few large radishes from the basket, shook it to remove the debris, and decided to go buy more vegetables.

Perhaps some readers might wonder why Xue Xiang was buying vegetables at three or four in the morning. In those days, during winter and early spring, the supply of vegetables was very tight. Ordinary citizens would queue up at the market at two or three in the morning. Many people, unable to bear the cold, used stones, vegetable baskets (with stones inside), or small stools to hold their place, then went home to sleep, returning at four or five in the morning to continue queuing. Such scenes are hard to imagine today.

Xue Xiang found the compartment where the coupons were stored, opened it, and saw various coupons: grain, oil, meat, sugar, tofu, and their subsidiary coupons. At that time, coupons were more important than money, used to purchase limited quantities of eggs, fish, and other scarce foods. Even with money, one could not buy these items without coupons. Fortunately, with the introduction of "的确良" (a type of synthetic fabric) the previous year, various cloth coupons had gradually been phased out of daily life.

Xue Xiang took some coupons from the compartment, put them in the large pocket of his military uniform, wore a mink fur military cap, and wrapped a white fox fur scarf around his neck. He then put on his uncle's general's overcoat, which was gray-brown, thick, and soft. At that time, both young people and children liked to wear military uniforms, which were fashionable. In 1955, when the military was granted ranks, officers above the rank of major were given very fine uniforms, with winter uniforms made of wool and summer uniforms made of silk. The generals' uniforms were even more exquisite, with wool of a higher grade than that of the majors. They were also given mink fur caps and wool overcoats. Thus, various military uniforms became fashionable, and even the calf-high leather boots with elastic cuffs, known as "general and major boots," became highly sought after. The fox fur scarf was a trophy from his uncle's campaign in the northeast, soft and warm, providing excellent insulation.

Xue Xiang rode his "Forever" manganese steel bicycle, pedaling quickly, the bike whizzing through the cold wind. In about ten minutes, he arrived at the market entrance. The dark red gate, with most of its paint peeling off, stood there like a face that had fallen on hard times. Above the wide gate was a long banner, with the words "The great leader's thoughts guide us forward" written in red ink, the large characters glowing under the dim streetlights.

In front of the two-meter-wide gate, eight queues, each about ten meters long, had already formed, with small stools and bricks placed between people to hold their places. Most of the people queuing were elderly, women, and children, with no young men or strong adults in sight.

The early risers looked listless, some whispering, some dozing on small stools, and some leaning against the wall, snoring. Xue Xiang pushed his bike to the end of the second queue, parked it, hung the vegetable basket on the handlebars, and straddled the bike, one leg on the ground and the other on the crossbar. He took out a pack of "Jade" cigarettes from his overcoat pocket, lit one with a red military lighter, and smoked contentedly. At that time, a pack of "Jade" cost 90 cents, equivalent to two days' labor for a strong man in the countryside. The young Xue Xiang usually couldn't afford "Jade" and carried two packs of cigarettes, one for socializing and the other for personal use. The "Jade" cigarettes fell into Xue Xiang's hands, and he didn't care if they were for guests; he started smoking them.

Xue Xiang took a deep puff, the rich tobacco aroma masking the stench from a nearby garbage truck. After finishing the cigarette, a strong drowsiness overcame him. He got off the bike, parked it, found a sheltered spot by the wall, and sat down, using two bricks as a cushion. He pulled up his collar to cover his face, drew his legs up to his chest, and rested his head in his folded arms, soon falling asleep.

He didn't know how long he had slept when the noise woke him up. He looked at his "Mingzhu"梅花 watch; it was already 5:30. He rubbed his eyes, brushed off the dust, and walked toward the queue where he had parked his bike. After a few steps, he stopped, his eyes wide open, fixed on something he couldn't look away from.

A young woman was standing by his bike, a green vegetable basket on the back seat. She stood there like a lily in the morning sun, fresh and elegant. She had long, black, shiny hair, not tied into the popular braids but loosely bound with a red ribbon at the back. She wore a faded green military uniform, with white hemp patches in the shape of sunflowers on the cuffs and shoulders. Despite the worn-out uniform, she looked graceful and poised, her slender figure accentuated by the tight-fitting uniform, making her appear even more elegant and charming. She wore dark gray trousers, the cuffs a bit too wide, suggesting they were cut from a longer pair. The trousers, not originally hers, hung straight and covered her black-soled white sneakers. The simple trousers, paired with her tall figure, resembled modern pencil pants, making her legs look long and straight, elegant and refined.

Her face was delicate, not the typical sharp-featured one, but with a soft, rounded chin. Her large, clear eyes sparkled, her nose was delicate, and her lips were full and red, making her look like a fuller-figured version of Lin Zhi-ling.

Xue Xiang stared at her for a long time. Finally, the young woman noticed his gaze, stomped her foot in anger, and turned her face away. Unbeknownst to her, when she turned, her firm, round buttocks, breaking free from the loose trousers, created a stunning curve, almost making Xue Xiang bleed from his nose.

Xue Xiang felt embarrassed when he realized she had noticed his gaze. Neither the Xue Xiang from his previous life nor the young Xue Xiang had much experience with girls, let alone dating. The Xue Xiang from his previous life was introverted and shy, a typical homebody. The young Xue Xiang, though somewhat spoiled, was generous and outgoing, associating with energetic, troublemaking boys, with no experience in dating girls.

Xue Xiang continued toward his bike. Liu Ying'er felt anxious: How could this person be so rude? She had encountered small-time thugs before, but they were usually in secluded places. This was the first time she had met such a bold one. Seeing his high-ranking cadre attire, she concluded he must be a gang leader. At the time, gang members often dressed this way, and they were almost synonymous with thugs in the eyes of ordinary people, which was why Liu Ying'er misunderstood.

As Xue Xiang approached the bike, he reached for the handlebars. Liu Ying'er was startled and said, "Don't come any closer, or I'll call for help." She tightened her grip on the basket and took a step back, her voice trembling. Her warning sounded like a nightingale's song to Xue Xiang, making him feel as if he had eaten a life-giving fruit, his pores opening up.

"Comrade, this is my bike," Xue Xiang scratched his head, blushing.

Liu Ying'er didn't respond, took the basket off the back seat, wiped the spot where it had been, and took another step back.

Feeling annoyed at being mistaken for a thug, Xue Xiang ignored her, got on the bike, and resumed the pose he had taken while queuing, his leg shaking.

Xue Xiang took out a cigarette with his right hand, flicked the bottom of the pack with his index finger, and a cigarette shot out, heading straight for his face. He opened his mouth and caught the cigarette with precision. This subconscious action was so cool, as if he had practiced it a thousand times. Xue Xiang did it reflexively, wondering why he hadn't done it the night before. He concluded that attracting beautiful women was an instinct for all men.

Liu Ying'er was indeed drawn to his action, thinking, "How many cigarettes must he smoke to be so skilled? He's young but a real smoker." Fortunately, Xue Xiang couldn't hear her thoughts, or he would have been furious, thinking she was throwing her flirtatious glances to the wrong person.

Halfway through his cigarette, the queue in front of him surged backward as the market gates opened, creaking and swaying. The red gates were immediately crowded, and it seemed that with a bit more force, they would fall. The state-owned market staff, used to such scenes, calmly arranged the food and vegetables on the counters at the eight windows. The market was uniquely designed; after the hinged gates opened, a wall stood half a meter ahead, with eight wide, one-meter-high windows cut into it. The windows were connected by thick, transparent glass, allowing a clear view of the shelves inside. Each window had three staff members responsible for collecting coupons, money, and goods, making the process much faster.

The queue in front of Xue Xiang was pushed back by the opening gates, while the queue behind surged forward. Liu Ying'er, pushed and jostled, turned around to see that the old lady behind her had been replaced by a young man in his teens. He wore a yellow military uniform loosely, with yellow teeth and a face full of scars, a pea-sized tumor on his left cheek, making him look repulsive. His eyes were fixed on Liu Ying'er's round buttocks, and his mouth was drooling.

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Note: Here, I would like to thank Mr. Du Liang for some of the descriptions of military uniforms, and also for the inspiration from "Blood Red Romance." Thank you!