How could Shen’s mother possibly agree? Over the years, their second son had sent home no small amount of money. They had used it to build a new house and buy their third son a job in the city. Now they truly had little money left. Besides, the third son had found a city girl to marry. Her family wanted two hundred yuan in bride price, along with the “three rounds and one sound”—a bicycle, a sewing machine, a wristwatch, and a radio. The girl came from a good family; supposedly, both her parents were employees of state-run units, and her mother was even a small supervisor at the factory where the third son worked. If the third son married her, his work unit would soon assign them an apartment. Shen’s mother was still counting on the second son’s money to arrange a wife for her third son.
Shen’s father put on the air of a kindly father. He knew his second son had always been softhearted. As long as he said a few nice words, the boy certainly wouldn’t hold a grudge. That was probably because of the resentment he harbored over the family’s failure to look after him when he was seriously injured.
“Second Son, your third brother has met someone too—a city girl, no less. Her family wants two hundred yuan in bride price and the three rounds and one sound. You know perfectly well that our family doesn’t have that much money. If you don’t help your brother, this marriage will fall through. That girl is an excellent match…”
Before Shen’s father could finish, Shen Linzhou interrupted him. “Dad, I’ve never heard of a younger brother expecting his older brother to provide the bride price for his wedding. I don’t even have my own bride price settled yet. Why should I be responsible for someone else’s?”
Shen’s father forcefully suppressed his anger. “Your father knows you’ve done a lot for this family. But your elder brother and your younger brother are both incapable, and as parents, of course we have to favor the one who’s worse off. You should understand us!”
“You may still resent us because of your injury, but we really had no choice at the time. If we’d stayed behind, the army might not have gone to such lengths to care for you. Since we didn’t, the army was pressured into doing everything it could to save you. Just look at how well you’ve recovered.”
“Besides, what your mother said is right. Until a son separates from the family, all the money he earns belongs to the household. We knew things weren’t easy for you out there, so we even let you keep some money for yourself. That was our way of showing parental affection. Look at your elder brother and your younger brother—what money do they have in their hands? As a soldier, you should know how to be grateful. You shouldn’t haggle over every little thing with your own family.”
Shen’s father had truly never imagined that his once-obedient second son would become like this. When the army had called his factory and said that Shen Linzhou was dying, urging the family to come quickly for one last farewell, how could they have known he would survive? Everyone had thought he was a goner. Wasn’t it normal to ask about the compensation? How had that become being petty?
Even Xiao Mandong was infuriated by Shen’s father’s words. She had never seen anyone so shameless! His monthly salary was sixty-eight yuan, and he handed sixty of it over to the family, leaving himself only eight yuan—yet they expected him to be grateful. The Shen Linzhou of the past had truly been spineless, just like she had been in her previous life.
“Then let’s split up the household.”
Shen Linzhou proposed separating from the family without the slightest hesitation. Things had already reached this point, and separation was the best option. From then on, whether he married or lived alone, Shen’s father would have no right to interfere with him anymore. His marriage and his life would be his own to decide.
The instant Shen Linzhou finished speaking, the tobacco pipe stem in Shen’s father’s hand struck him across the back. Shen Linzhou let out a muffled groan of pain, and cold sweat immediately broke out across his body.
Shen’s father failed to notice anything unusual about him and continued cursing:
“You little bastard! You’re a deputy regimental commander, are you? Do you deserve that title? A shameless, unfilial wretch like you doesn’t deserve to serve the people’s army! You’ve only become a petty officer, and now you think your wings have grown strong enough to defy your own father. And you dare talk about splitting up the household? Dream on! I’m not dead yet! Look around the village—what unmarried man has ever separated from his family? Do you want to make me lose face in front of everyone? Fine, if you want to separate, you can do it after you get married. Pack your things and come back to the village with us to recuperate. What’s the point of spending so much money here? Just have the army cover your medical expenses. We’ll take care of you at home, so you can’t accuse us of abandoning you. I’ll find you a wife, and after that I’ll let you move out and live on your own. Will that satisfy you?”
How could he possibly let the second son separate from the family? In those days, after farming for an entire year, a family might not even save thirty or fifty yuan by year’s end. Yet this second son sent them sixty yuan every month—a sum other families could hardly even imagine. Otherwise, how could their family have been the first in the village to build a brick house, or afford to buy the third son a job? If they separated, how could they continue receiving that much money? This household absolutely could not be divided.
Looking at his parents’ faces, Shen Linzhou remembered the dream he had experienced on the verge of death and clenched his teeth.
“If you refuse, I won’t give you any more money either. You can report me to the army if you want. At worst, I’ll leave the military. But if you agree to separate the household, I’ll still give you five yuan a month for your old age. The choice is yours.”
He had already taken a step back. If they still refused, he would simply drag things out. In any case, he would not give them another cent.
Shen’s father trembled with rage. “You ungrateful son! I’ll beat you to death today!”
This time, Shen Linzhou did not wait for him to strike. He grabbed the tobacco pipe stem from his father’s hand and hurled it hard onto the floor.
“Whether you agree or not, I’m separating from this family. You can leave now. Once I’ve recovered from my injuries, I’ll return to the village and ask the village leaders to settle this matter.”
Xiao Mandong was leaning against the door, listening, and growing anxious. She had just heard the sound of Shen Linzhou being struck. She had no idea whether his injury had been hit.
“Doctor Xiao, why are you leaning against the door? Is Deputy Commander Shen not here?”
The voice of the orderly, Xiao Ding, rang out. Xiao Mandong was so startled that she nearly dropped the tray in her hands.
The people inside seemed to hear the voice outside as well, and the hospital-room door opened.
When Shen’s mother saw Xiao Mandong, her eyes narrowed. “You’re the doctor who saved my second son? What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you were eavesdropping on us.” As she spoke, she noticed the lunchbox on the tray in Xiao Mandong’s hands and seemed to understand everything at once.
“Oh, I know! I was wondering why my son suddenly seemed like a completely different person. So you’re the one who put these ideas in his head?”
“Let me tell you, don’t even think about marrying into the Shen family. There’s no need for you to keep throwing yourself at my son, either. A woman like you thinks she can climb into the family of a deputy regimental commander? Keep dreaming!”
Xiao Mandong had been somewhat embarrassed about eavesdropping, but after hearing Shen’s mother’s words, that trace of awkwardness vanished without a trace.
“I’m Deputy Commander Shen’s attending physician. From now on, unauthorized visitors are not allowed to see him.”
Only then did Shen’s father notice the bloodstains on Shen Linzhou’s back. He suddenly felt somewhat guilty.
“Focus on recovering. We have other things to take care of, so we’ll be going.”
At that moment, Shen’s father was feeling uncertain. He had only come to ask for living expenses—how had things escalated into a demand to separate the household?
