Chapter 1: Taking a Wife

January 1961.

On Drum Tower Street, few people were coming and going, because it was just after the New Year, everyone still had some food at home, so there were far fewer street vendors.

The hazy snowflakes floated along with the swaying north wind, and the chill of the late spring cold snap seeped straight from the ankles into the pant cuffs.

Yang Qing lowered his head, trying to minimize his presence, with a persimmon‑cake black‑bean ball in his mouth, slowly dissolving.

(This famine‑relief food is made by grinding persimmon cake and black beans into flour; it is very hard and dark, like a mud ball.)

He cupped his hands by his mouth, warming his chilblained hands with the hot air exhaled from his nose and mouth.

He recalled the words that Aunt Wang of the subdistrict had said to him.

"Yang Qing, your family background is bad; it's hard to start a family. It would be better to pick a woman from among the refugees."

"No matter what, it still counts as having a family."

"Once you have a family, you have someone to rely on, and you can suffer less bullying."

Yang Qing knew that Aunt Wang was doing this for his own good.

Back in 1960, she had advised him once, but since he could barely support himself, he dared not take on a woman.

Now it's 1961, the famine is about to end, and this is the only chance to change his situation.

He curled up his body as much as possible to avoid being noticed, and made his way all the way to the Jiedao Office.

The old man at the gate didn't even glance at him before letting him in.

There's no blame on the old man for looking down on him; Yang Qing was simply poor and thin, his clothes were filthy black and hadn't been washed in who knows how long, patched over and over.

Someone like that hardly elicits anyone's courtesy.

Arriving at Director Wang's office, Yang Qing knocked lightly on the door.

He was careful everywhere, afraid of causing anyone's displeasure.

"Come in, someone's here."

Aunt Wang's voice came out.

Yang Qing bent at the waist, head down and eyes downcast, and pushed the door open cautiously.

He gave a weak smile and offered a feeble greeting.

"Aunt Wang."

As soon as Aunt Wang saw Yang Qing, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

The Jiedao Office was also under great pressure during this famine year; they couldn't ignore the fate of those who had fled to the Four Nine City.

The best solution was to stuff people into every household.

Yang Qing, she had mobilized many times; each time he promised to come, but he never actually came.

This time Yang Qing came; it seems he has figured it out.

"Yang Qing, hurry up and come in, close the door, it's cold outside."

Yang Qing embarrassingly glanced at his own filthy self, stood by the door, and didn't go further inside.

After all, his stench could knock someone out; better not to annoy anyone.

"Aunt Wang, I'm here… that… refugee… woman…"

Yang Qing's speech was stammering, and a flush rose on his chapped face.

Aunt Wang nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good, good, you've finally figured it out."

"Come sit, come sit, tell me your requirements, and I'll take you to see the people."

Yang Qing didn't go over to sit, but continued standing there, stammering.

"I have no particular requirements; preferably a woman who is a martyr's family member. Aunt Wang, you know my family situation—having martyr's family status would make things easier for me."

Aunt Wang thought it over and seemed to find no one who met the criteria.

Just as she was feeling troubled, suddenly a person came to mind.

"Well, Yang Qing, there is indeed a martyr's family member, but this child is a bit tall—you don't mind, do you?"

Upon hearing that there really was a martyr's family member, Yang Qing was overjoyed and forgot everything else.

Martyr's family members are extremely rare; he had also wanted to try his luck, never expecting there actually to be one.

Normally, the Jiedao Office would prioritize arranging martyr's family members.

It's extremely difficult for any to remain.

As for height, he didn't care at all; he desperately needed martyr's family status, even if the person were a sickly weakling, he would accept it.

"No objection, no objection."

Upon seeing this, Aunt Wang immediately gave her approval.

"Good, then that young woman will go with you; you must not bully her."

Yang Qing was left a bit dazed by Aunt Wang's actions; what else could this excitement be if not that you're so excited?

"Aunt Wang, should we first take a look?"

Aunt Wang waved her hand.

"You, just don't be picky; do you really want to remain a bachelor for life?"

Afterward she took two introduction letters from the drawer, quickly filled in the names, held them in her hand, and walked out.

She completely disregarded Yang Qing's opinion.

"Come on, I'll take you to see the prospective partner, and then we'll get the marriage certificate."

Yang Qing could only say weakly.

"Aunt Wang, is she really a martyr's family member?"

"She really is a martyr's family member, and she's the only one left; even if there were more, it wouldn't be your turn—if you miss this chance, you'll truly remain a bachelor for life."

Others also have no demands; as long as there's food to eat and a room to live in, that's fine.

After receiving affirmation, Yang Qing gritted his teeth and accepted it; even this ugly freak, he also accepted.

He transmigrated here, living from age ten until now, having suffered too much; and the cause of everything is the problem of his background and the fact that orphans have no one to rely on.

This is also why he lives so cautiously; because people like him, if they die, they truly die, and no one will care—anyone can step on his head.

It's only because his parents followed the Nationalist Party and fled.

That he can stay alive is already a miracle; plus, having a few shacks makes him a thorn in the flesh, a sore spot in others' eyes.

If it weren't for the Street Office, he would have died long ago.

He also doesn't know why the Street Office treats him so well; maybe it's out of pity.

So Aunt Wang's face must be given, and he also truly needs this Martyr's Family status.

Yang Qing followed Old Lady Wang to the backyard; he didn't go further inside, and Aunt Wang had him wait here at the Moon Gate.

He waited anxiously, not knowing what the outcome would be.

If it doesn't work out, he might really have to remain a bachelor for life; in normal times, who would marry him?

Soon after, two people walked out from the snowflake crowd.

In front was Aunt Wang, behind was a bamboo pole.

The visitor was extremely thin, emaciated, like a skeleton grown on a bamboo pole.

Very tall; Yang Qing straightened his waist, and he could probably only reach up to the person's mouth.

This must be at least 1.9 meters, right?

Female lead Chen Hong, online pictures rights protection must be deleted.

Yang Qing finally understood why she had been left over.

With such height, appetite must be big; such a frail appearance, maybe she's ill—is her body still okay?

He widened his eyes, face full of shock, even forgetting to speak.

Chen Hong also looked at Yang Qing at this moment.

At first glance, scrawny, like a rat turned spirit, also extremely thin, just like me, with frostbite all over the face and ears.

She skeptically looked at Aunt Wang, wondering if this person could support himself.

Aunt Wang seemed to see what she meant and explained.

"He has urban household registration and receives grain coupons every month; you should be frugal, you won't starve."

"He's like this mainly because he has no money to buy grain."

"Don't worry; after you marry into this family, that matchstick-box work will still let you work, and it definitely won't let you starve."

Upon hearing Old Lady Wang's words, Chen Hong fell silent; leaving it to fate— in this world, what else is there to be picky about? Just being alive is a heavenly grace.

Furthermore, being this tall and otherwise fine, who would want to marry me?

(In the past, a woman who was too tall found it hard to find a partner.)

Let the rat be a rat; I also count as married now, no need to remain an unmarried maiden.

Aunt Wang's words also brought Yang Qing back to his senses.

He felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say.

But Aunt Wang was very straightforward.

"Alright, you've met; if there's no problem, let's go get the certificate."

Yang Qing raised his head again and looked at the woman whose face was full of frostbite like a skeleton; he wanted to voice opposition, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

"Are you a Martyr's Family?"

He wanted to confirm this situation.

Chen Hong nodded.

"My grandfather died resisting the Japanese; my eldest uncle and my third uncle died during the liberation."

"My father, my uncle, died in the Korean War."

"My mother is back home, and I also have a younger brother; I don't know if he made it through."

Her voice was flat, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs; the disaster had worn away all her emotion.

"I came out to flee the famine."

She added again.

Aunt Wang also added at this time.

"She has a martyr certificate; we've checked and it's genuine."