Five years of marriage, always separated [1970s]

Erbao stretched out his two little hands to cover his mother's face: "Daddy loves Mommy."

Dabao: "Mom, Dad will be sad if he hears this."

"What smells so good?" Ye Fan asked.

Dabao rolled his eyes helplessly: "Don't say anything else! Mom, I'm talking about you. Show your attitude!"

Ye Fan grabbed his ear and asked, "Who has a good attitude?"

"I, I, I, Mom, spare me, Dad, help me—"

Ye Fan interrupted: "It's no use calling grandma."

"It's useful occasionally." Geng Zhiye pushed the door open and came in. "Don't bully him. I'll pour out the porridge from the pot and boil half a pot of water. You can use the hot water to wipe your body and wash your hair." Then he asked the two children, "The tofu fish is ready. Do you want to eat it?"

The brother and sister did not see Ye Fan in the well, and because their mother was very capable in their eyes, their father could do what their mother could not do, so the two children did not panic when they saw Ye Fan soaking wet. However, the two clever kids also saw that their mother was not in good spirits, and they did not dare to make a fuss even though they were hungry after eating the porridge for a while.

But it was different when Dad brought it up. The brother and sister said in unison: "Yes!"

Dabao came down and put on his shoes by himself: "Dad, I can have a big steamed bun."

"I didn't buy noodles. The canteen is about to start cooking. Go to the canteen later and buy some." Geng Zhiye said to Ye Fan, "Take a break, I'll get you some water and call you."

Ye Fan didn't want to be alone, so he put on his coat and came out in his slippers.

Geng Zhiye brought the porridge in the enamel basin over, took four sets of bowls and chopsticks and spoons, served half a bowl of porridge to the two children, and served one bowl each for himself and Ye Fan.

Dabao looked at mom and dad's bowls and then at his own bowl, and was so angry that a bottle of oil could be hung on his mouth.

Geng Zhiye was speechless but wanted to laugh: "There's more in the bowl, serve more after you finish eating." He scooped a spoonful of tofu fish with Erbao's small spoon, "Eat slowly, don't get your food stuck." He reminded Ye Fan to use a spoon.

Dabao didn't have time to get angry, and asked seriously with a straight face: "Where's mine?"

"Your hand is injured?" Geng Zhiye said, but he still scooped a spoonful for his son, "Erbao, is it delicious?"

Erbao liked it very much and nodded repeatedly: "It's smooth, Daddy will eat it."

Geng Zhiye turned to Ye Fan and asked, "How many more pounds will you buy tomorrow morning?"

Ye Fan was busy making money in his previous life, and busy taking care of children and working in this life, so he had never played with seafood: "Buy a few more, I'll learn how to make them from you."

Dabao nodded with satisfaction: "Mom, this is right."

Ye Fan glared at him, "You talk like a child. Look at how old you are." Speaking of his eldest son, he couldn't help but imitate Geng Zhiye, "He didn't even know the names of the kids who played sandbags with him. They were so much older than him, yet he dared to play with them. Geng Dabao, when you throw sandbags at others, don't you consider how much you weigh?"

Dabao blurted out: "I'm not trying to be brave."

Ye Fan choked.

Geng Zhiye wanted to laugh: "Don't say anything, eat first."

Dabao scooped a spoonful of tofu fish, watched her mother put it into her own mouth, and refused to give it to you.

Ye Fan rolled his eyes, how childish!

Geng Zhiye pretended not to notice: "Fanfan, when I was shopping for groceries, I met a few people who said that the furniture was ready. You can see how to arrange it at home. I will ask them to deliver it to us."

"Don't you want to buy steamed buns?" Dabao hasn't eaten steamed buns for several days.

Geng Zhiye: “Buy it back and go again.”

Dabao was lying on the table, one hand protecting the bowl and the other hand scooping porridge into his mouth, his eyes rolling around, his little brain was busy. Ye Fan was sitting opposite his son, looking up and seeing his little look: "Geng Dabao, just say what you want to say."

"Is it okay?" Dabao sat up straight.

Ye Fan: "I'm in a good mood now."

"I'm in a good mood, too."

Ye Fan wanted to roll his eyes again: "Don't imitate my speech. Speak quickly!"

Dabao immediately said, "Dad, I can buy things."

"I know. But the steamed buns are hot right out of the pot." Geng Zhiye did not say that the road on the island was uneven and he might easily fall while holding the steamed buns. Otherwise, Geng Dabao would have sworn that he would not fall, and might even have picked up the enamel basin of porridge to prove it to him.

Dabao nodded his head in disappointment.

Geng Zhiye: "It's okay tomorrow. Dad will take you, mom and sister out to play."

Dabao asked curiously, "Is this place big?"

"It's more than ten kilometers long and seven or eight kilometers wide, not small." Geng Zhiye said, "But there are many mountains, and the fields are like tofu. There is a small ditch every few steps. It's different from my hometown. I think you two will like it."

Erbao put down her little spoon and loudly announced, "Daddy, I like playing with water."

Dabao hurriedly covered her mouth: "Why are you telling the truth?"

Erbao turned to his brother and blinked his eyes exactly like Ye Fan's. Can't I say it?

Dabao nodded and said, "It's enough for us to know it ourselves."

Erbao nodded and said, "Okay, brother!"

Ye Fan was no longer hungry and didn't want to eat. He drank the porridge reluctantly and poured the porridge in the enamel bowl into Geng Zhiye's bowl. Geng Zhiye asked, "You won't eat it if I give it all to you?"

"Do you want Dabao and Erbao?" I asked too much.

Dabao wanted to say that his mother was partial to him, so he opened his mouth and burped, and immediately became listless.

Although Erbao is smart, she is young and Dabao doesn’t speak, so she doesn’t know what to say and just shakes her head.

Ye Fan put her empty bowl into the empty basin. Geng Zhiye said, "Leave it there and let me wash it. The water in the pot should be hot now."

Ye Fan filled a half basin with water and went to wash his hair under the eaves.

Geng Zhiye added two scoops of hot water and one scoop of well water into the bucket and brought it to Ye Fan: "Rinse it with the water here."

"My hair is too long. Can you cut it off for me? It's too troublesome to fetch water to wash my hair."

Geng Zhiye: "I'll choose."

"..." Ye Fan asked helplessly, "You're not at home? Just cut it to the shoulders so it can be tied up. By the way, is there anyone who wants to buy hair?"

Geng Zhiye: "... Can't I support you? Wash quickly, don't catch a cold." He went into the house to clean the pots and pans, and took the enamel basin with a lid, "Dabao, Erbao, are you going with Dad?"

Dabao: “Is it far?”

Geng Zhiye nodded, and Erbao stretched out his hand: "Daddy, hold me."

"...How come you are so clever?" Geng Zhiye treated it as weight training.

However, he didn't expect to have to hold two fat babies when he got home. His arms were sore when he got home. Ye Fan saw him rubbing his arms and asked, "Didn't Dabao remind you not to be stubborn?"

Dabao covered his face and yelled in anger, "Don't say that!"

Ye Fan rolled her eyes at him and went out with the clothes. There were only two thick sticks and a clothesline in the yard. She couldn't help but sigh - she had forgotten that there was no pressurized well here, let alone running water.

Geng Zhiye came out and took the basin away: "I'll fetch water to wash it tomorrow."

Ye Fan was quite tired: "Captain Geng, have you heard of this saying? People are alive!"

Geng Zhiye nodded: "I know. I asked someone and they said that the geology here is not good for digging wells. If you really want to dig a well, you have to be prepared for a yard full of holes."

Ye Fan: "Growing vegetables saves the trouble of turning the soil."

"Now that you've decided, I'll ask someone when I move the furniture, and then ask them to come and take a look when they have time?"

Ye Fan was a little worried: "I don't understand the local dialect, are you there?"

"You're back early. I still have a few days of vacation left." Geng Zhiye pulled the dining table aside and stretched out his hand to Ye Fan. Ye Fan handed him the money. Geng Zhiye nodded at her and walked out.

Dabao was very curious: "How did mom know that dad asked for money?"

"Moving furniture without paying people? Stupid!" Ye Fan went to the kitchen to fetch a bucket of water and went to the clothesline to wash clothes.

The eldest child had just arrived and was unfamiliar with the place. He didn’t know where to play, so he carried two small stools and sat with the second child, one on each side, opposite their mother, like two door gods.

Ye Fan: "Why don't you go play with your new friends?"

Dabao lay on his legs and said unnaturally: "I don't know where Sister Miaomiao's home is."

"You won't ask?"

"Who are you asking? I don't know anyone."

Ye Fan wanted to laugh but held it back. If it weren't for the fact that he was only four years old, I would have said that Geng Dabao would also be timid one day.

"It's to the east of our house. When you two were buying steamed buns with your dad, I saw the three siblings playing in the yard." Ye Fan saw him stand up, "Why are you in such a hurry? Sit down! What if they are doing their homework?"

Dabao sat down, and Erbao also sat down obediently when he saw this.

Ye Fan: "How many bottles of Coke are left?"

Erbao stretched out two fingers and said, "One bottle for brother and one bottle for Erbao." Then he asked for a Coke again.

Her teeth hadn't grown in yet, so Ye Fan didn't dare ask her to drink Coke for several days in a row: "Where's the candy?"

Dabao: "There are still many more. Mom, Dad promised to buy me two kilograms."

"You also promised not to tell grandma and grandpa what happened today. Did you keep your promise?"

Dabao was furious: "Erbao, are you blaming me for what you said?"

"If you don't remind me, Erbao won't remember it." Erbao doesn't remember it yet, and she will have forgotten it by the time Geng Zhiye takes a vacation next year. Ye Fan doesn't want to waste time talking to him, "If you keep your word, I'll tell you what to do."

The clothes were all worn this morning, and before they had time to get dirty, Ye Fan hung the clothes on the line while talking to the two children.

"Okay, okay." Dabao glanced at his mother with a "I'll give you a chance" look, "Can you tell me now?" Ye Fan waved at the two children. Dabao and Erbao stood up. Ye Fan walked in front carrying two benches, while Dabao and Erbao followed behind with their little legs stepping on them. If you didn't look carefully, they looked like they were walking puppies.

Ye Fan put the bench against the wall: "Wait."

The brother and sister sat down and waited.

Ye Fan went to her and Geng Zhiye's room and grabbed a handful of candies, roughly estimated to be twenty. Ye Fan took five or six and stuffed them into Erbao's two trouser pockets, then stuffed a few into Dabao's pocket, and finally there were a few left, two for each of the two children: "Dabao, go next door and ask if Sister Miaomiao is home. If someone tells you she's at home, ask her if she wants to do her homework. If she says she does, tell her you want to play with her tomorrow. If she doesn't have to do her homework, you and Erbao can play with her and treat her to candy."

Dabao: "Aren't you going to invite your elder brother and younger sister?"

Ye Fan subconsciously wanted to ask about older brother and younger sister, but suddenly remembered that Liao Miaomiao had two children with her when she came to her house before: "Her brother and sister? Please. If her parents are at home, you can't be stingy. They are your father's friends, just like the director of the supply and marketing cooperative is your mother's friend."

Dabao nodded: "Mom, when are we going?"

"You can do it right now. There are many rocks on the road, so you can hold your sister's hand. If the gate to her house is closed, ask if there is anyone inside. If the gate is open, go to the main room door and knock. Only go in when they see you. Even if the door is open, you cannot go in directly."

Dabao was very obedient when he met someone he didn't understand. He and Erbao went to the next door and saw the gate was open and subconsciously looked in the direction of their home. Ye Fan raised his hand to him in the yard. Dabao took his sister to the door of the house. There was no one in the living room. Dabao knocked on the door and asked, "Is anyone there?"

Political Commissar Liao’s lover Zhuang Qiuyue came out of the room, holding a sewing box and shoe soles. She didn’t react for a moment: “Who are you…?”

"My name is Dabao, and this is my sister Erbao. My father is Geng Zhiye, and my mother is Ye Fan."

Zhuang Qiuyue remembered: "I have seen you two before. It was this morning, right? Come in."

"Is Sister Miaomiao at home?"

Liao Miaomiao has come out of the room.

Dabao followed her mother's instructions and asked her if she wanted to do her homework. Zhuang Qiuyue had never seen such a young and eloquent child, so she said there was no rush. Liao Miaomiao couldn't help but wonder if she had heard it wrong. When did her mother become so easy to talk to?

Dabao asked if he could play with her.

Liao Miaomiao turned sideways to the bedroom door: "Come here first, I still have some homework, I will be there in a while."

Dabao held out his hand to invite her to eat candy, and Erbao followed his brother's example and also invited her to eat candy. Dabao took the candy from his sister's hand and gave one to Zhuang Qiuyue and the Liao family siblings.

The four of them looked at each other, and Liao Miaomiao asked, "What are you eating?"

Dabao and Erbao patted their trouser pockets together.

Liao Miaomiao felt relieved and took them into the house.

Zhuang Qiuyue couldn't help but smack her lips, thinking that he was indeed a kid from a big city.

There were few things happening on the island, so even the smallest things could attract people's attention, not to mention something as serious as the wrong child being taken away. Zhuang Qiuyue was carrying water at noon, and on the way back and forth she met three people who asked her if she knew that her new neighbor Ye Fan's surname was actually Chen.

Chen Kuanren and Zhao Ruping did something immoral, which caused Zhuang Qiuyue to have mixed feelings about Ye Fan. When Political Commissar Liao came back for lunch, Zhuang Qiuyue mentioned this matter and asked him what he thought. Political Commissar Liao asked her if she was willing to give away the daughter she had raised with great effort. Zhuang Qiuyue said that the Chen family returned Chen Xiaohui. When Political Commissar Liao was talking about cement, he had nothing to do and thought of something, so he told his wife that with the conditions of the Ye family, the Chen family would be willing to give up Ye Fan even if he was a son.

It’s not that Ye Fan refused to leave the Ye family. Zhuang Qiuyue’s impression of her has improved a lot. Seeing that Dabao and Erbao are so sensible, she can’t help but think of one thing. Ye Fan’s job can be given to Chen Xiaohui. No one can take away her experience and knowledge over the years.

So Ye Fan, whose original surname was Chen, was also the new neighbor she was looking forward to.

Zhuang Qiuyue went to her daughter's bedroom door and asked, "Dabao, does your mother know that you and your sister are here to see Miaomiao?"

Dabao nodded: "Mom knows."

"What is your mother doing at home?"

Dabao: "My dad is buying furniture, and my mom is waiting for him at home."

Zhuang Qiuyue wanted to go to the next door to see if she needed help: "Let's play." She opened both doors of the living room and was sewing shoe soles in the living room. When she heard some noise from the next door, she looked over, put down her needlework, and went to the next door to help lift the furniture.

Zhuang Qiuyue thought there were only a few pieces, but when she got closer she saw a bench that could seat three people: "Captain Geng, why did you buy so many? Are you planning to live here forever?"

"It will take at least one or two years." Geng Zhiye and the carpenter lifted the bench down.

Zhuang Qiuyue was holding a chair and almost dropped it: "So heavy?"

Geng Zhiye: "It's made of solid wood. Fanfan, don't touch it. You can take it first after I take it down." He took down a chair and handed it to her.

Zhuang Qiuyue moved the chair towards Ye Fan and asked, "Where should I put it?"

"Living room. Put it against the wall first. There are still two cabinets and cupboards that haven't been removed." Ye Fan said, "My name is Ye Fan, sister-in-law can call me Xiao Ye."

When Zhuang Qiuyue told him her name, she said he could call her sister-in-law. She was a few years older than Geng Zhiye.

Seeing that she was not shy when talking or even taking a chair, Ye Fan looked very much like Liu Guihua who had helped her out in the morning, so he smiled and called her "sister-in-law".

Zhuang Qiuyue agreed politely, but she was wondering what Chen's parents were thinking, giving such a beautiful daughter to the Ye family. Could it be that Chen Xiaohui looked like a fairy?

Zhuang Qiuyue felt it was impossible that she had never seen Xian'er in her life. It must be that the old couple of the Chen family had been kicked in the head by a donkey.

Seeing Geng Zhiye and the carpenter carrying a wardrobe more than one meter high, he hurried to the north to make way: "Captain Geng, aren't you going to make a wardrobe?"

"You mean the big wardrobe? It's in my and Fanfan's room. It was made for Dabao and Erbao."

Zhuang Qiuyue: "One for each of the two children?"

Geng Zhiye nodded: "Put the things separately to avoid fighting."

How exquisite! Zhuang Qiuyue looked into the two children's room and asked, "One bed?"

"The second child is too young. I'll make bunk beds for them in two years." Geng Zhiye had made plans. "If they are still here, we can give them a room when the second child dares to sleep by himself."

Zhuang Qiuyue wanted to explain that this was not what she meant. She thought the two-year-old boy slept with his parents.

However, Geng Zhiye and Ye Fan were busy coming in and out and had no time to chat with her, so Zhuang Qiuyue helped to get chairs, move benches, and open doors in the living room.

With help, the furniture was put away in just a few minutes.

Zhuang Qiuyue was curious about Ye Fan who came from the capital, but she didn't know what to talk to him about, so she asked Ye Fan if he wanted rapeseed.

Ye Fan was stumped by the question, and Zhuang Qiuyue realized that she had made a mistake. How could a young lady who had never used a clay stove grow vegetables? Zhuang Mingyue hurriedly said, "I——"

Geng Zhiye interrupted: "Does my sister-in-law still have rapeseed at this time of year?"

"Yes." Zhuang Qiuyue looked at Ye Fan and answered, as if asking her if she wanted any. Ye Fan smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, please give us some."

Zhuang Qiuyue felt relieved after giving her face like this, and immediately went home to get the rapeseed. Geng Zhiye hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, there is still a hoe." Then he whispered to Ye Fan, "Do you know how to use it?"

Ye Fan helped Tao Chunlan to turn the soil in spring and autumn: "I dug all the soil in my yard. I don't know if Chen Xiaohui knew to help her turn the soil. Comrade Tao Chunlan has a bad back."

"She has been in the countryside for seven years. Do you need to tell me? Don't worry about it."

Chen Xiaohui gave Ye Fan the impression of being immature, and her words before leaving made Ye Fan certain that she was a simpleton. A simpleton would be lucky if she could take care of herself.

"Doesn't that mean there's life in your eyes?" Ye Fan couldn't help but say.

Geng Zhiye: "I will send a telegram to my mother-in-law someday. When she sees the telegram, she will think of you. If she is dissatisfied with Chen Xiaohui, she will definitely write to you."

No one expected that after Geng Zhiye returned to the army for a week and arranged training and patrol tasks, he could go home for dinner with peace of mind. As a result, he met a postman on the way and received a letter.

Geng Zhiye wanted to tear up the letter when he saw the sender, but he didn't dare.

When he got home, he saw many people in the yard, including adults and children, dozens of people. Geng Zhiye subconsciously stopped and looked around. It was his house. Geng Zhiye was very uneasy and slowly approached: "What are you looking at?"

Liu Guihua was startled: "Walking without making any sound? It's so scary in broad daylight."

"What are you doing?" Geng Zhiye asked again.

Liu Guihua said curiously, "Get water. This water-pressing well is really useful. Although it's a little slow to press a little bit, it's clean. Captain Geng, is this well expensive?"

Geng Zhiye: "Eight holes were drilled, and the ninth hole was drilled first. The water well pipe and well head were brought to the shore by fishermen. What do you think?"

"I think it's half a month's salary."

Geng Zhiye shook his head: "Not that much, but not cheap either. Do you want to fight one too? I'll tell the secretary of the commune and ask him to arrange it—"

"No need!" Liu Guihua hurriedly stopped him from saying, "My house is behind yours, not far away."

Liao Miaomiao's voice came through the crowd: "Aunt Guihua, your bucket is full."

Liu Guihua picked up the pole and carried two buckets of water. She had to walk half the distance she had to walk before, and she didn't have to worry about the buckets falling into the well. Liu Guihua was in a good mood, weighed the buckets, and said with a smile, "Xiaoye, come to my house some other day."

Ye Fan agreed. Geng Zhiye didn't see anyone, so he stood on tiptoe and saw Ye Fan behind Zhuang Qiuyue and the chief of staff's wife. He also saw seven or eight buckets in the crowd: "The water here is the same as well water."

Zhuang Qiuyue: "Well water is not as clean as pumping it yourself. I thought it was impossible to pump water a few days ago, but I didn't expect water to come out yesterday."

Dabao couldn't help but say, "Dad, the water was yellow yesterday. Mom pressed it hard and it became clear."

"Did you help?"

Dabao: "My sister and I want to help, but mom won't allow us to."

"You are not as high as the water well. Bring your sister over here and don't get in the way over there." Geng Zhiye waved his hand. "Fanfan, have you cooked?"

Ye Fan shook his head: "I didn't know you were coming back today, I was going to do it later."

"I'll go." Geng Zhiye picked up Erbao and waved to Dabao: "Help me light the fire."

Geng Zhiye was not at home these days, and Dabao was pressed by his mother in front of the stove to make sure the firewood did not fall. Dabao was not afraid of the fire, and he would complain if it did not prevent him from going to the kitchen. When his father was not at home, his mother would not allow him to do this or that, which was really annoying.

Geng Zhiye: "You are not allowed to play?"

"You can play, but, but, mom is just annoyed!"

Geng Zhiye deliberately asked: "Because her name is Ye Fan?"

Dabao nodded.

Geng Zhiye laughed: "Dabao, you said you had a quarrel with your mother, should I side with you or with her?"

(End of this chapter)