Chapter 5: Speculations About Aunt Wang

Yang Qing knew as soon as he went out that he and Chen Hong had been discovered.

The prickling gaze on his back, the icy sensation to his marrow, all told him that his marrying Chen Hong had been discovered.

Because Mrs. Wang had come many times to urge Yang Qing to marry the refugee girl, that too was common knowledge.

Moreover, Chen Hong's refugee garb made it obvious at a glance that she was almost certainly a refugee.

Yang Qing felt uneasy but not afraid, because these scoundrels would never imagine that my wife is from a martyr's family, an honorable household.

Bullying a refugee's son might be nothing, but if he's from a martyr's family, it changes everything.

Especially right under the imperial city, while still registered at the Jiedao Office.

But we cannot be unprepared; at the very least, Chen Hong needs to be mentally ready.

"Wife, I'm afraid that if we come back again, it will cause trouble."

Chen Hong, having practiced martial arts, felt very alert.

"When we came out, I also saw many hostile gazes."

"This courtyard really isn't a good place."

She had fled all the way, encountering who knows how many hardships, but none had chilled her spine like this courtyard.

It's not a good place.

Yang Qing nodded solemnly.

"You sensed it, those are wolf eyes, always ready to pounce and bite off a piece of your flesh."

"This feeling has accompanied me for over ten years."

Chen Hong, even now, still feels a bit of numbness in her spine.

"You being able to survive is truly not easy."

Yang Qing nodded.

"Thanks to Aunt Wang."

Hearing Yang Qing mention Mrs. Wang, Chen Hong grew suspicious.

"By the way, why does Aunt Wang help you so much?"

"Helping someone like you, a capitalist refugee background, brings no benefit and only brings infamy."

Yang Qing showed a bewildered expression.

"You don't know either, but anyway Aunt Wang takes good care of me, and I suspect that her never getting promoted might be because she's too close to me."

Chen Hong: "If that's the case, it's even stranger—does she know your parents?"

Yang Qing shook his head.

"I don't know."

His parents, as small merchants, had served the Japanese, served the Nationalist Party, and finally likely were dragged along to Taiwan Island.

Even when they left, they didn't have time to see him one last time, taking him, the sole heir of the Yang family.

Yang Qing even doubts whether his parents are still alive.

That period was so chaotic that the original owner was beaten to death by robbers, and he transmigrated into this body.

Chen Hong lowered her head and spoke softly.

"Perhaps there's some hidden reason; otherwise Aunt Wang wouldn't help you so much."

"Moreover, when I was at the Jiedao Office, I heard that Aunt Wang is an old Eighth Route Army veteran."

"Think about it—how could her identity possibly favor you, a descendant of a capitalist, so much?"

"If before it was just because you were young, what about now?"

"You're twenty-two already."

Yang Qing's mind also flashed with inspiration.

"Right, that doesn't make sense—could I be her illegitimate child?"

Chen Hong gave him a white-eye look.

"That's even less likely; if it were true, she would have just acknowledged it, no need for all this."

"I guess she probably knew your parents, and maybe your parents initially cooperated with Aunt Wang and her group."

"Back then, many people tried to curry favor with both sides."

"Like that? It seems to explain things."

"Never mind, I can't figure it out at all—it's all just speculation, meaningless."

"Forget it, let's not talk about this; you need to be mentally prepared—when we go back, Jia Zhangshi might come knocking."

"At the latest, wait until Grandpa and them get off work."

"When the time comes, don't lift a hand—just bring out our family's Martyr's Family plaque."

"Push everything onto the Jiedao Office."

Chen Hong nodded upon hearing that.

"I can't beat them now; after half a month, you won't need to use the Jiedao Office as a shield."

Yang Qing grinned, a wife who understands you is truly rare.

"When I see Aunt Wang later, I'll tell her the situation—one matter, no need to bother two masters; I've already troubled her for so long, I don't mind one more time."

"From now on, I will repay her well."

In a expanse of white snow, the two walked along the cleared road to the Jiedao Office.

Grandpa still couldn't be bothered to deal with Yang Qing.

Entering the courtyard, there was a huge snow pile in the middle.

Aunt Wang seemed to know Yang Qing was coming, and just happened to open the door and come out.

Yo, just now you said you should come, and you did.

Come on, I'll take you to get the cardboard boxes.

Also, the Jiedao office has prepared a wedding gift for you; take it back as well.

Yesterday was too rushed, I forgot to give it to you.

Chen Hong apologized.

Last night it was too cold, I slept late and woke up late.

Yang Qing's place still isn't warm like the place prepared by the Jiedao office; it's chilly, one quilt covering two people, it's too long and doesn't cover.

Wang Dame, however, said.

I understand, I understand, we're all been there, but take care of your health, take it easy as much as possible.

Chen Hong realized Wang Dame had misunderstood, and blushing, she said.

It's his home, there's only one quilt, we can't cover ourselves, we're freezing.

Wang Dame's body jerked.

Oh like that, it's my fault; in a moment, take the quilt you've been using here with you.

Chen Hong stopped her.

How can that be, this belongs to the Jiedao.

Wang Dame waved her hand, saying heartbrokenly.

It's fine; in a moment I'll pay for the quilt, your livelihood is important.

Yang Qing tugged at Chen Hong.

Aunt Wang, thank you; when the weather warms up, I'll definitely earn the money back.

Aunt Wang smiled.

Well, I'll be waiting for you, kid.

Not long after, the quilts and cardboard boxes were carried out.

Yang Qing, however, didn't leave; instead, he pulled Wang Dame to one side.

Aunt, I think the people in my courtyard will cause trouble again today.

As soon as she heard about the people in Yang Qing's courtyard, Aunt Wang's teeth itched with anger.

If it weren't for Yi Zhonghai being a worker, a senior worker at that, with too much impact, I would have already removed them.

Like this, after work I'll go over; don't be afraid, your family now has a sign, they won't dare go too far.

Yang Qing said softly.

It's fine, Aunt, you don't need to go; going would just be asking for trouble. I'm just using the Jiedao office as a shield to let you know.

There's another matter I'd like to consult you about.

Seeing Yang Qing no longer timid like a mouse, and even proactively coming to consult her, Wang Dame felt relieved inside.

Go ahead.

Yang Qing moved closer; the outdoor temperature was cold, his scent wouldn't carry far, so he dared to get nearer.

I'm thinking this way: could my urban hukou be transferred to Chen Hong?

That way Chen Hong would have an urban hukou and, as a Martyr's Family, the Jiedao office could prioritize arranging work for her, right?

Otherwise, we two—one from the countryside, one unemployed—would have a hard time, especially Chen Hong, who's nothing but skin and bones.

Wang Dame thought it was indeed a good idea.

Just relying on pasting cardboard boxes, this little bit of work earns only a few bucks a month.

It's enough to buy the ration, but twenty jin for two people is just barely enough to survive.

If the hukou were changed, the prospects would improve instantly.

I can't decide on this matter; I'll ask my superiors first. As Chen Hong is a Martyr's Family, even a family of five martyrs, the state should give it due consideration.

However, you'd better think it through; at most it's just an exchange, giving an urban hukou directly—many people would probably object.

And if the hukou is exchanged, if anything happens, you might not be able to stay in Jingcheng.

Yang Qing nodded seriously.

Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Wang.