Chapter 105: Death Before Her

The sky was just beginning to lighten. Liu Guangmin, the political commissar of Taizhou Island Military District, stretched lazily as he rose from bed. His wife, Hu Xinxin, had already prepared breakfast, and their daughter, Liu Xiaoxi, had finished eating and was getting ready for school.

“Old Liu, hurry up and eat your breakfast. Take Xiaoxi to school early or you'll be late,” Hu Xinxin urged.

Within the family quarters, there was a dedicated kindergarten and elementary school for the military district. Liu Xiaoxi was just starting first grade this year. Most of the teachers were family members of the island’s officers, who had organized the school for their children. Though small in scale, in those days, the officers and their families possessed genuine skills and knowledge—teaching elementary lessons was hardly a challenge for them.

Liu Guangmin, responding as he moved, sat at the table and ate breakfast. Once everything was tidied up, Hu Xinxin slung a backpack onto Liu Xiaoxi’s shoulders and handed her a small can of milk, reminding her, “Remember to drink this at noon, don't pour it out. I’ll ask your teacher, Ms. Li, if you did!”

Liu Xiaoxi disliked milk but could only pout and take it reluctantly.

As Liu Guangmin and Liu Xiaoxi opened the door, they were met not by their vegetable patch, but by an imposing wall of men.

Song Tingshen, dressed in full military uniform, blocked every bit of light, startling Liu Guangmin so much that he uttered some words he hadn't used in years, earning a slap from Hu Xinxin.

“What are you saying in front of the child!” she scolded.

Clutching his chest, Liu Guangmin stammered, “Tingshen, what are you doing here at the door so early? You nearly gave me a heart attack…”

Hu Xinxin, seeing Song Tingshen, immediately greeted him warmly, “Tingshen, you’re here! Have you had breakfast? Come in and have some.”

Liu Guangmin echoed, “What brings you here? Come, come in and eat…”

But Song Tingshen refused, looking straight at Liu Guangmin. “Commissar Liu, this is my marriage application. Please review it. I hope you can give me an answer soon.”

With that, Song Tingshen pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to Liu Guangmin.

Hu Xinxin leaned over curiously, while Liu Guangmin’s eyes widened. “Who are you marrying…?”

He glanced at the name on the paper.

Zhong Xiao.

Liu Guangmin grew even more surprised, looking up at Song Tingshen, “Why so sudden… you…” He continued, “No, Tingshen, even if you want to submit a marriage application, you could wait until I'm in the office. It's barely morning…”

“Thank you, Commissar Liu.” Song Tingshen nodded slightly.

Liu Guangmin was left speechless.

Hu Xinxin cast Song Tingshen a knowing look, secretly amused.

This young man, usually so cold and reserved, unexpectedly became even more intense when faced with the woman he liked.

The commissar wanted to say more, but Hu Xinxin interrupted, “Oh, Tingshen came to ask you personally. What are you waiting for? Go deal with it! I’ll take our daughter to school, you head to the office.”

As Liu Guangmin changed his shoes, he muttered, “What’s the rush…”

Hu Xinxin replied, “When you married me, didn’t you camp at my door every day, begging my father’s approval? You were much more anxious than Tingshen—standing from dawn to dusk without eating, acting like you’d die at my doorstep if you couldn’t marry me. And you have the nerve to lecture someone else?”

Liu Guangmin’s face flushed red, embarrassed, and he spoke sternly, “Comrade Hu Xinxin! Why bring this up? That was… that was years ago! You’re… you’re damaging the image of a soldier!”

Hu Xinxin covered her mouth, laughing quietly. She took Liu Xiaoxi’s hand. “Sweetheart, let’s say goodbye to Daddy and Uncle Song.”

“Goodbye, Daddy, goodbye, Uncle Song!” Liu Xiaoxi chirped.

Twenty minutes later.

Zhong Xiao was still lying in bed when Song Tingshen’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear.

[Why isn’t Xiao up yet, is she still sleeping?]
[When will Xiao get up?]
[Song Tingshen, why are you so anxious? Xiao is at home, she isn’t going anywhere.]
[But I really want to see Xiao soon.]

Zhong Xiao opened her eyes drowsily.

Kept awake by Song Tingshen’s thoughts, she got up and opened her door.

Sure enough, Song Tingshen was standing there, looking calm, but Zhong Xiao noticed something.

Though it was early morning, Song Tingshen’s forehead was covered in beads of sweat, as if he had been running outside.

When he saw Zhong Xiao come out, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, quickly concealed as he spoke coolly, “You’re up? Get ready, we’re going to the city’s department store.”

“I have plenty of ration tickets. Whatever you want to buy, you can,” Song Tingshen said.

Zhong Xiao raised her eyebrow, “Anything? What if I want a color television?”

Song Tingshen was stunned.

In 1969, even black-and-white televisions were rare in the country, much less color ones. Though they existed, most were used in government offices, communes, or large factories. Taizhou Island probably didn’t even have one—the military district’s only television was black-and-white.

Song Tingshen’s expression turned troubled. “Does it have to be color? We’d have to take a boat to Shen City to look.”

Zhong Xiao looked at him and burst out laughing.

“I was joking. How could I buy a color TV? Am I looking to die young?”

Her status as the daughter of a capitalist already made her presence in the military district sensitive. Buying a color TV would only invite trouble—who knows how many people would report her.

It was an offhand remark, but Song Tingshen took it seriously.

He looked at her earnestly, his tone grave, “Comrade Zhong Xiao, rest assured. As long as I’m here, as long as my family is here, no one will harm you. You will not die. If that day ever comes, I’ll die before you.”