Reborn in the 1980s: Recapture My Devoted Husband

"Last time, Ah Jiang called me and said we’d celebrate New Year in Capital City this year, not going back home. He’d take me to see the Forbidden City and Great Wall."

Lin Wan paused after a bite of greens, understanding Mom’s intention for them to spend New Year in Capital City.

Might as well get acquainted with the place.

In a past life, I had never been to the Capital City, mostly wandering around the South and North.

If the daughter wasn’t so young, I would surely agree to Mom’s request.

Liang Hongmei came home in the evening and saw the kitchen turned upside down by Zhang Dandan, feeling a rush of frustration.

Three pounds of pork, over twenty eggs, all eaten up by Zhang Dandan—she definitely doesn’t look like someone who’s sick.

The next day, Liang Hongmei left her only two eggs and some noodles in the kitchen. Even the market pancakes weren’t spared.

The backyard door was locked on Lin Wan’s side, so Zhang Dandan would have to take a detour past their front door to come over. The snow just officially stopped today. Lin Wan warmed up the kang, asked Shi Lan to look after Little Star, and washed Little Star’s diapers with hot water, then dried them over the living room coal stove.

Kids are hardest to take care of in winter; Little Star has plenty of padded jackets and trousers. Apart from the two sets made by her, Little Star’s Grandma, Grandma Jin, Mom, and Xiao Wan each made a set for her.

Even her distant Grandma from Capital City made several sets for her. Last time she called, she said if they were coming, there was no need to bring too much clothing for Little Star.

Everything was fully prepared over there.

Lin Wan mentioned this to Mom, who agreed Little Star was too young to travel.

Lin Wan was thinking of calling Han Yi today when she coincidentally received a parcel he sent back.

Upon opening it, there was a roasting duck wrapped in greaseproof paper, various fruit snacks, crisp sugar, tuckahoe cake, chestnuts from Huairou, and several Beijing pears.

These must be specialties of Capital City.

The postage for such a big parcel probably cost more than the items it contained.

But Lin Wan didn’t feel Han Yi was being wasteful; instead, she felt sweet comfort from his thoughtfulness.

"Xiao Wan, hope this finds you well.

Everything is fine here, no need to worry. It’s much warmer here in Capital City than in S City. It must be snowing in S City now; you and Little Star should stay indoors. Cancel night classes if possible, don’t make me worry. Winter is prone to illnesses; remember to dress warmly and drink ginger water to prevent them. Call me if anything comes up. During my last task, the unit gave out three months of extra allowance. I’ve put it in the envelope for you. Don’t save it while managing alone."

Moments like these, when Han Yi thinks of me, I miss him immensely, too. I’ve taken a photo with my comrade’s camera, so when you miss me, you can take it out to see me. Before long, I’ll be back."

Your husband, Han Yi

Giving warmth and urging caution with simple lines, he still writes letters. Though Lin Wan grumbles, she’s mostly filled with satisfaction and peace.

No matter what, whether it is significant or not, a family letter is worth a thousand gold. Han Yi’s letter was more delightful than earning ten thousand yuan.

I took out over a hundred yuan and a five-inch black and white photo from the envelope. The backdrop should be the school’s teaching building.

Vigorously handsome, his face bore a rare, gentle smile. So good-looking.

"Little Star, look, this is your dad’s photo, handsome, right?"

"Ah ah... ah"

"Your dad misses us, and I miss him too. Ah... it’s more than a month before we can see dad. Little Star must eat well and get chubby. Dad will be pleased when he sees, won’t he?"

"Eh... papa"

Lin Wan rejoiced at Little Star’s unclear pronunciation of ’papa’.

The batch of goods Wu Liu took last time sold well, earning a considerable amount. This year’s New Year should be prosperous.

I thought Wu Liu would take a break for a while, but this time, besides alcohol, he wanted to bring more mountain goods and Shi Lan’s sauce.

Shi Lan’s sauce is genuinely delicious, popular in Southern Sichuan. Most of the last batch was sold there. Shi Lan was overjoyed hearing about taking more sauce, business coming unannounced to her home, making it easy.

Since winter started, sales increased for items displayed at Lin Wan’s shop.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt she made the right decision in business.

The past few days, Zhang Dandan has been confined to her room grouchy, with Liang Hongmei locking the door to the main house for precaution. Since the first day she made off with the kitchen meat and eggs, Liang Hongmei kept her guarded. Every day, leaving only noodles, two eggs.

She doesn’t even know where the rice is, and as a southern person, not eating rice for days makes her uneasy.

Unwilling to spend money to buy more, she can only cope like this. Unable to eat today, thinking of sneaking to Lin Wan’s yard for a meal.

She unexpectedly encountered the man named Wu, who regularly dined at their shop, loading things onto his car. Surprised, she realized the fierce-looking man was wealthy. He owns a private car.

Really not what he seems! Previously, seeing him at the shop, always with a briefcase tucked under his arm, I thought he was just a petty thug on the street.

Unexpectedly, he’s a hidden rich man.

Watching Wu Liu’s brand-new truck, a glint flashed in Zhang Dandan’s eyes, abandoning the idea for a meal.

Later that night, Liang Hongmei returned and heard Zhang Dandan say she recovered from illness, suddenly proposing to go home.

Curiously thought, it must be these days deliberately putting nothing in the kitchen for treatment, driving her into desperation; grateful to send off this nuisance.

After Zhang Dandan left, Liang Hongmei rested at home for a day. Not wanting to care for Zhang Dandan convinced her to stay out, even with snowfall.

With new goals, Zhang Dandan was exceptionally diligent at work lately. Dressing flamboyantly, hoping Wu Liu will come to the shop, creating her presence.

It’s unfortunate she waited for over a week without sight of Wu Liu.

Instead, tossing herself into actual illness, feverish and weak at night, nearly fainting the next day.

No fire in the home coal stove, no hot water available.

"Is the elder sister home, comrade, are you home?"

Ye Qing rarely enjoyed a day off, the child was quiet in the morning, lying in bed lazily, the noise outside irritated her.

Braving the cold in her pajamas, she impatiently asked, "Who’s there, what’s going on so early?"

"Hello elder sister, I’m the girl from next door, my stove went out, can I borrow some fire from your home?"

Only then saw her holding coal with tongs.

Frowning slightly, she let her in, "Hurry, it’s freezing outside."

Zhang Dandan smiled awkwardly, swapping coal in her kitchen.

An unexpected sight of plentiful food, eggs by the basket, grain oil by the jar, half-eaten chicken on the cutting board; wow, that soldier financially supports this mother and child well.

Both a caregiver and supplies, finding a wealthy man is indeed rewarding.

Departing Ye Qing’s house, Zhang Dandan felt firmer in her resolve to snag a rich man.

After getting medicine from a nearby clinic, she heated the kang and indulged in a sweet sleep. She refused not to meet Wu Liu.

While Zhang Dandan dreamt fancifully at home, a harsh knocking woke her.

"Who’s there... midday, running here—oh, elder sister from next door, what’s going on?"

"Oh, little sister, you do know it’s midday, huh. You swapped coal this morning and took not the one at the bottom but took one from top. Is this how you exchange coal? My child needs hot water often, I kindly let you swap coal, and you extinguished mine, not even mentioning it, yet you’re impatient. Truly a kind act wasted."

Awoken early, Ye Qing was already fuming; hard-won lazy sleep cooled her temper somewhat, intending to cook for herself only to find her stove out.

A glance at the damp coal above fueled her anger immediately. This neighbor is really something, swapping coal this way!

Zhang Dandan hadn’t expected this woman to be so unyielding, reddening awkwardly, "Sorry sister, I had a fever all night; I’m confused today, didn’t notice. Let me swap a piece for you." Taking the tongs from Ye Qing, she headed to the kitchen.