Chapter 39: A Casual Chat Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

Taking out the letters from her space, there were over 30 unopened ones and about a dozen that had already been opened. She remembered that those just briefly mentioned where the letter was sent from, what activities were happening, the local scenery and customs, how she was doing, and a detailed list of things mailed over. She opened the envelopes in order, pulling out the letter paper—this was the first one, written when she was ten.

“My precious child, Mama can’t bear to face you. Every time I look at your photo, I can’t help but hate him. He said you were his darling, that he’d hold you in his hands for a lifetime, watch you grow from babbling to a graceful young lady. But in the end, he still left without a second thought... He said that if a man can’t protect the land beneath his feet and the woman in his arms, then he’s not a real man. But he chose to protect this land, not us as he promised.

You have to learn to wait, just like I’ve learned to wait. I’m in Yunnan now, trying to follow in your father’s footsteps, to feel what he felt back then. Waiting turns into longing. You’re still young, but when you grow up and fall in love, you’ll understand—missing someone is the hardest thing. I’ve dreamed countless times of our family together, but every time I wake up, it’s still an empty dorm room. Ever since your father left, I haven’t had a home. I just drift from place to place. Maybe one day, when I’m tired of drifting, I’ll come back to you. But right now, I can’t. My heart isn’t at peace, and neither am I...”

Zhou Jiao sighed. At ten, she probably couldn’t understand these words, but now she did.

She opened the second letter, and as the letter paper unfolded, about a dozen crisp, first-issue RMB notes fell out, all carefully exchanged for small denominations.

“...Sweetheart, your second uncle’s daughter Xuezhen was born the same month as you. On your tenth birthday, your father once said he’d work hard to earn money and start preparing your dowry from the age of ten. But where is he now? I’m following in his footsteps, collecting things according to his wishes...

If, one day, Mama never makes it back to you, you have to learn to wait, just like I always believe your father and I are breathing under the same sky.

This time, I’m sending you clothes and a sweater based on Xuezhen’s height, and the rest I’ve left with your grandma for safekeeping. Your grandpa heard about your situation, so I put some money in the letter. I don’t know if you’ve received it. If money can solve a problem, then it’s not really a problem. Spend it as you need. Besides the regular remittance to your paternal grandparents, our family isn’t short on money...”

Zhou Jiao continued opening the letters one by one. The earliest ones all had money tucked inside; later, there were military supply vouchers, and finally, three 200-yuan foreign exchange certificates. Each letter listed what had been sent, but she really hadn’t received any of it. Looking at the pile, she realized her mother was as much of a neat freak as she was—the letter paper, money, and vouchers were all pristine and white.

After reading the letters, she organized the stack of vouchers. These didn’t have an expiration date. The foreign exchange certificates were from the provincial capital—she wondered how her mother had gotten them.

“Baby, look, these are vouchers, all from your grandma. Grow up quickly so you can enjoy good food. Your grandma is really rich—if money can solve it, it’s not a problem. Honestly, she’s silly and has too much money. But you mustn’t be like that in the future. Our baby is a good child who should run the household diligently and thriftily, understand?”

Her mother-in-law knocked lightly on the window. “Jiaojiao, are you asleep?”

Zhou Jiao glanced at the box—there were only letters, nothing else, so there was no need to hide. “Not yet, Mom, come in and chat. Ping’an isn’t asleep either.”

“Oh, my little darling, you’re still awake? What are you thinking about?” Mother Zhang came in and first saw her precious grandson. “All these vouchers came from your mother’s letters, right? You’re so stubborn, only opening them now. Looks like your mom was worried your grandparents would be too harsh on you, so she sent things secretly, not afraid they’d get lost. She’s really something.”

Zhou Jiao, with her own secret stash, didn’t care much about these things. “Mom, these are just military supply vouchers. If you want to buy anything, just take them. Those three are the most valuable—200 yuan each. You have to go to the provincial Friendship Store to use them. Those are for foreigners, and things are cheaper than at the department store. They’re used as cash, called foreign exchange certificates. Only with these can you enter the Friendship Store. Take one and have Dad take you to check it out. I’ve never been either, but my classmates say things there are really cheap.”

“You child, I just saw Xiao Wu buying so much yarn and stuff, so I wanted to talk to you. You’ll need money for your own household in the future, so you can’t keep spending like this. You keep those vouchers for yourself. When you’re done with your confinement, I’ll go with you to have a look.” Mother Zhang pushed away the vouchers Zhou Jiao handed her.

Zhou Jiao didn’t insist. Thinking about it, apart from their going-out clothes, her parents’ clothes were all homespun and patched.

“That’s fine. If you see anything the family needs for New Year, just let me know and have Brother Xiao Wu buy it. These cotton and fabric vouchers—I was thinking of using them to make clothes for you all.”

“No need, keep them for yourselves and for Ping’an. Kids go through a lot of fabric. I don’t think you should have Ping’an wear those old clothes anymore. No matter how many fabric and cotton vouchers you have, it’s never enough.” She laughed. “Our little Ping’an is a lucky boy—he gets to wear new things, even his little padded jacket is embroidered, and his diapers are snow-white.”

Zhou Jiao remembered how her eldest sister-in-law had stared wide-eyed when she saw Ping’an’s diaper changed that afternoon. Luckily, she wasn’t a gossip, or the whole village would have come to see the spectacle.

“Mom, have you eaten already? So soon?”

“Your dad saw the wine and beef and wouldn’t leave the table, so he’s still drinking with Xiao Wu and the others. The rest of us finished and left the table.”

Lin Juhua thought for a moment in her room, then came out holding her little girl, Maisui, and knocked on her third sister-in-law’s door.

“Jiaojiao, is Mom there? I’m coming in.”

“Second Sister-in-law, come in. Mom’s here.”

Mother Zhang quickly bundled up the pile of money and vouchers in front of Jiaojiao and stuffed them under the pillow, giving Jiaojiao a reproachful look—this girl was just too naive.

Zhou Jiao gave her a placating smile. She couldn’t help it—this was her mother-in-law’s way of protecting her, afraid her second sister-in-law would get jealous and ask for things.

Lin Juhua came in holding her daughter. “Mom, you’re here. I figured Jiaojiao must be bored during her confinement, and Xiao Wu and the others are with Dad, so I came to chat. Jiaojiao, I helped you wash your sheets and clothes today. If you need anything else washed, just have Xiao Wu bring it to me. This month, just focus on your recovery. I’ve already talked to Big Sister-in-law—now that we’re doing lighter work, and soon it’ll be winter, you just rest and get better.”

“I really have to thank you and Big Sister-in-law. You two have helped me so much. Put Maisui on the kang and sit down for a rest. Mom, could you make a cup of formula for Maisui?”

Zhou Jiao teased the little girl, “Maisui, Auntie will give you some formula. How about being my daughter?”

Little Maisui sat on the kang, looked at her grandma and her mother, and shook her head. “No, I’m my mom’s daughter. The little brother is Auntie’s. Auntie, little brother is so tiny, much smaller than me. Big Sister says it’ll be a long, long time before he grows up. Right now, he can only drink milk, not even porridge. I’m getting impatient waiting.”

Hearing her childish yet oddly grown-up words, the three women all laughed. “Don’t worry, soon you’ll be able to play together. Then you’ll have to be the big sister and look after your little brother, okay?”

Maisui, happily sipping her formula, nodded enthusiastically. She was eyeing her little brother’s bottle—it was so pretty."