Chapter 126: A New Life Begins

The first day of Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen’s marriage was a whirlwind from morning until night.

The wedding banquet did not conclude until past four in the afternoon. Song Tingshen then returned to his unit to handle some official business, not returning until after six. The family had a simple dinner together, much of which consisted of leftovers packed from the Fumanlou Restaurant earlier that day. Song Qingfeng and Zuo Lan were accustomed to thriftiness and were content with the meal, though they worried Zhong Xiao might find it lacking.

To their surprise, Zhong Xiao simply waved her hand and said, "There is nothing to be unaccustomed to. This is all food grown through hard work; it’s delicious!" She then proceeded to eat with them heartily. Watching her, Song Qingfeng and Zuo Lan found themselves growing fonder of her by the minute. The thought that such a vibrant, lovely young woman was now officially their daughter-in-law filled them with genuine joy.

Suddenly, Zuo Lan seemed to recall something and asked Song Tingshen, "Your application for the new house in the family quarters has been approved. Find some time tomorrow to go into the city and pick out some furniture. While the service department has some, the quality and aesthetics at the department store are certainly better. Since Xiaoxiao likes nice things, we should go buy the nice ones."

Zhong Xiao smiled brightly. "That sounds wonderful, thank you, Mom."

That single word, "Mom," truly touched Zuo Lan’s heart. She felt incredibly blessed; with two daughters-in-law, Jiang Yuan and now Zhong Xiao, both were genuinely good-hearted young women who filled the void of never having had a daughter of her own. While Jiang Yuan’s parents were still alive, they lived far away in Xihai and were rarely seen. Zhong Xiao’s parents had both passed away. In a sense, both young women had left their own homes to join her sons. Zuo Lan did not merely see them as daughters-in-law; she treated them like her own flesh and blood.

After the meal, Zhong Xiao offered to wash the dishes, but Zuo Lan stopped her. "In our family, there is no rule that the daughter-in-law must do the dishes. Your sister-in-law has been married into this family for many years, and aside from asking her to help with breakfast occasionally, I’ve never made her do much in the kitchen. It will be the same for you. Since you’ve married into the Song family, your only job is to enjoy life, take care of your health, and be happy. Serving others and cooking—let your husband handle those things. Otherwise, what is the point of a fine young woman marrying a man who does nothing? Don’t you agree?"

Zhong Xiao covered her mouth and laughed. "Yes, whatever you say, Mom."

By the time night finally fell, the leaves of the poplar trees outside the window rustled softly in the evening breeze. A bright, clear moon hung in the sky, its light filtering through the window paper, casting a hazy glow into the small room. The red paper-cut "Double Happiness" character on the wall seemed exceptionally warm under the soft halo of the kerosene lamp.

Song Tingshen had just finished showering. As he stepped back into the room, he saw Zhong Xiao sitting on the edge of the bed. She wore brand-new red silk pajamas, her dark hair cascading over her chest, her cheeks flushed with a red even more vibrant than her shirt. The air was filled with the faint, clean scent of soap and a subtle, lingering fragrance of ink. Song Tingshen’s room was always stocked with brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, as he enjoyed calligraphy.

The room was so quiet that one could hear the occasional soft pop of the lamp wick, as well as the sound of their own racing heartbeats. Song Tingshen stood frozen in place; even though his heart was pounding so hard he could barely contain it, he kept his lips pressed tightly together, unable to utter a single word.

Zhong Xiao listened intently. She had wanted to hear his inner thoughts, but perhaps because Song Tingshen was so nervous, his mind was a blank slate. No matter how hard she tried to listen, she could hear nothing. Concealing her faint smile, she cleared her throat, her voice softer than usual. "You must be tired after such a busy day. Let’s rest early."

Song Tingshen seemed to snap out of his trance, offering a quiet, "Mm." He still could not bring himself to look her in the eyes. Looking away, he sat down beside her and noticed for the first time that the bed sheets had been changed to ones featuring a pair of mandarin ducks.

Song Tingshen stood up to lock the door, then returned to sit beside Zhong Xiao for a moment. They sat there in awkward silence until he stood up again, walked to the window to glance at the quiet family compound, and then blew out the kerosene lamp. The room was plunged into darkness, save for the moonlight that spilled in like water.

After a long pause, Zhong Xiao finally heard Song Tingshen’s deep voice. "Xiaoxiao, are you willing?"

Zhong Xiao bit her lip. It was an abrupt, aimless question, yet she understood exactly what he meant. She lifted her eyes, and even though she knew they could not clearly see each other’s faces in the darkness, she felt certain she was meeting his gaze.

Zhong Xiao’s voice was light and gentle. "I am willing."

The moment the words left her lips, her lips were met by his, both gentle and demanding. The scent of Song Tingshen filled her senses. It seemed he had waited for this moment for a long time; the instant he heard her answer, he could no longer suppress the surging passion in his heart, as if he needed to pour it all out at once.

In the darkness, the rustling of fabric and the sound of deliberately slowed breathing intertwined, punctuated by whispers so soft they sounded like dreams. Outside, the rhythmic footsteps of the patrolling sentry were distant yet clear, guarding the peace of the land and the warmth of this room.

***

The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, the bugle call of the military district pierced the dawn—distant and resounding. Song Tingshen opened his eyes the very second the sound began. Years of habit were etched into his bones, but as he moved to rise, he felt his arm go slightly numb. He turned his head to see Zhong Xiao sleeping peacefully.

For a moment, his expression softened immensely. He moved with extreme care, wanting to let her sleep a little longer. He watched his sleeping love, a faint, sweet curve still lingering on her lips. Song Tingshen watched her for a while before putting on his coat.

In truth, Zhong Xiao had already woken up, but for some reason, she felt too shy to open her eyes. Perhaps it was because she sensed his exceptionally gentle and lingering gaze, and not knowing how to face it, she chose to pretend to be asleep. It was only when she heard him tiptoe out to fetch water for washing that she slowly sat up. The soreness in her body made her let out a soft gasp, followed by an indescribable sense of sweetness.

As the sunlight grew brighter, tiny dust motes became visible in the air through the window. Zhong Xiao stepped out of the room just as Song Tingshen was returning from washing up. As their eyes met, both immediately looked away, their cheeks flushing bright red. The sweetness of the previous night echoed in their minds, leaving them both bashfully overwhelmed.

It wasn't until Zuo Lan’s voice called them down for breakfast that they descended the stairs, answering her as they went. Song Qingfeng had already left for work, and Song Yanzhou had finished his meal early and gone out for a stroll in his wheelchair. Only Zuo Lan and Jiang Yuan were in the house.

Seeing their flushed faces and their inability to look at one another, the two women exchanged a knowing smile. Jiang Yuan teasingly handed Song Tingshen a bowl of poached eggs, saying with a wink, "Here, have some of this to replenish yourself. You really worked hard yesterday."

Song Tingshen, already embarrassed, became even more flustered, causing Jiang Yuan and Zuo Lan to burst into laughter. Once they had finished laughing, Zuo Lan patted Jiang Yuan. "Alright, stop teasing your brother. Look how red his face is; what if he gets teased at work later?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "It's his own mind playing tricks on him! I was just saying he worked hard with the wedding and the banquet yesterday. Who knew where his thoughts went to make him turn that red?"

Song Tingshen cleared his throat and changed the subject. "I’ve taken the day off to take Xiaoxiao into the city to pick out furniture."

Zuo Lan nodded. "Oh, right. Go to Section Chief Zhang at the logistics department later to collect the furniture vouchers; your father should have already cleared it with him. There are also some industrial coupons and such—take Xiaoxiao and pick out plenty." She reached into a box, pulled out a stack of vouchers, and pressed them into his hand. "Take these and see if they come in handy. If you can use them, don't hold back. These were originally saved for your wedding anyway."

"Understood," Song Tingshen replied.

***

After breakfast, the pair changed their clothes and headed out, catching a Liberation truck used by the military logistics department for city procurement. Upon reaching the outskirts of the city, they took a bumpy bus ride to the downtown department store. The Taizhou Island department store was not grandly decorated—it was rather drab—but it remained the tallest building in the area. Zhong Xiao had visited before; though old, it was well-stocked with many high-quality goods. She was determined to choose carefully today, as this was for the home she would share with Song Tingshen.

The department store was bustling with people, its inventory far richer than the military service department. The air was filled with a mix of scents—fabric, leather, ink, candy, and paint. The furniture department was on the second floor, where an open area displayed several model sets, characterized by uniform styles, sharp lines, and a focus on practicality.

A middle-aged saleswoman in a white apron greeted the two warmly as they approached. "Are you two comrades here for furniture? Newlyweds, are you? Congratulations! What are you looking for?"

Song Tingshen nodded, feeling slightly awkward. "Listen to her. Whatever she wants."

The saleswoman smiled at Zhong Xiao. "My, what a beautiful young woman! A beautiful woman deserves beautiful furniture. Come, come, we have a batch of high-quality goods that just arrived the day before yesterday. Let me show you."

She led them a few steps to a row of wardrobes against the wall. "Look here, comrades. These are from the Shanghai Furniture Factory. They’re camphor wood, moth-proof, and incredibly sturdy. Listen, just listen to how solid they are!" She tapped the side panel expertly, producing a dull, solid wood sound. The wardrobe was deep brown with a glossy finish, featuring simple square carvings and small, star-shaped handles.

Zhong Xiao inspected the smooth finish, opened the door to smell the wood, and touched the shelves inside. "This is quite nice," she noted. "It has a large capacity and can hold quite a lot of clothes."

Song Tingshen nodded. "If you like it, we'll buy it."

Zhong Xiao shot him a playful glare. "Do you think we’re at the vegetable market? Furniture has to be chosen carefully. This is only the first piece; how can we just buy it right away?" She turned to the saleswoman. "Comrade, are there any others? I’d like something in a lighter color, do you have any?"

"Yes! Of course! I knew you had a discerning eye." The saleswoman beamed and led them further into the store.

The furniture in this section was clearly different, catching Zhong Xiao’s eye immediately. The wood was warmer in tone, not masked by dark stains, showing off the clear, beautiful grain—some a deep, steady reddish-brown, others an elegant light yellowish-brown. The designs were simpler and more fluid, with unnecessary carvings removed, and the edges were rounded and finely crafted.

The saleswoman explained, "Take a look at these, comrades. These are from the old Shanghai brand 'Shuimingchang.' They use imported oak and walnut, and the hardware is brass. The craftsmanship is completely different."

Zhong Xiao examined the wardrobe closely, pulling out the drawer to inspect the construction. The brass handles were uniquely shaped like simple clouds, polished to a high sheen. "The wood on this chest of drawers is truly excellent," she said with a smile. "I’m sure it will last for ten or twenty years without any issues."

Song Tingshen, while not as knowledgeable as Zhong Xiao, could clearly see the difference in quality compared to the other pieces. He nodded and asked the saleswoman, "What is the price for this?"

The saleswoman’s eyes darted around. Instead of quoting a price, she said with a hearty smile, "No rush, comrade. You are newlyweds; you certainly aren't just buying one piece, are you? Let’s take our time. When you’ve made all your selections, we can settle the bill together. I’m in no hurry."

Zhong Xiao nodded and continued browsing. Song Tingshen took a liking to a rectangular dining table made of oak, its surface featuring a grain as fluid as a landscape painting, matched with four Windsor chairs. They also chose a bookcase with glass doors, also in oak; the top glass section could display Song Tingshen’s medals and his calligraphy works. Zhong Xiao picked out a small bedside table in walnut, matching the wardrobe, with one drawer and a shelf.

Having chosen the wardrobe, dining table, bookcase, and bedside table, Zhong Xiao figured the big items were mostly covered. She still needed two beds. She spotted a double-spring bed—she hadn't expected to find one on Taizhou Island; it was a high-end luxury item. The frame was heavy, solid wood with a simple, grand design. The headboard had the perfect curve, tilted slightly backward, and was inlaid with simple geometric patterns made of polished thin film. Most importantly, the bed came with a thick mattress with an internal spring structure, wrapped in plain striped cotton, which looked incredibly comfortable.

The saleswoman noticed her interest and leaned in. "You have a great eye! This is a handcrafted spring bed from an old Shanghai master. The springs are top-notch—plenty of bounce without any squeaking. The frame is a single piece of wood; it's very steady." She tapped the frame, and it didn't budge, emitting a solid, dull sound. "But for the price, you’ll need special furniture vouchers—the kind that are specifically approved."

Fortunately, Song Tingshen had two such vouchers. Seeing how much Zhong Xiao liked it, he told the saleswoman, "Alright, we'll take that too. Please, let’s settle the bill."

The saleswoman led them to the counter, beaming. The commission from today’s sales was higher than her entire performance for the previous month. When it came time to issue the receipt, the price was naturally high, and the number of industrial coupons required far exceeded that of standard furniture. Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen pulled money, coupons, and the official stamped vouchers from their pockets, moving quickly and discreetly.

"Comrades, you have quite a lot of things here. How will you get them back?" the saleswoman asked kindly while processing the payment.

Song Tingshen replied, "We’ve arranged for a truck from the military logistics department to come by this afternoon to pick them up."

The saleswoman’s eyes lit up. "Oh, you’re military comrades! And newlyweds, too, right? Here, here—I’ll take the liberty on behalf of our department store to give you a small gift." She took a red box from the counter. "It’s two sets of bowls and chopsticks and two cups. They aren't expensive, just a small token from us. I wish you both a happy marriage and a future of peace and smooth sailing."

Zhong Xiao thanked her sincerely; for a military family, there was nothing more precious than peace.

That afternoon, when the Liberation truck carrying the furniture—still fragrant with fresh paint and wood—drove back into the family compound, it caused a small stir among the neighbors. Several comrades and residents came out without being asked to help unload, carefully carrying the wardrobes, tables, and beds into the new home.

The room suddenly felt complete. Everyone helped arrange the furniture—the wardrobe against the wall, the table by the window, and the bed in place. Once everything was set, the entire room seemed to brighten. The elegant, natural luster of the wood glowed warmly in the sunlight.

Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen looked at their little home, which was finally taking shape, and smiled at each other. Their new life had truly begun.