Rebirth of Wu Tong

Chapter 3

The following day, in the early morning, after nearly a week of inclement weather featuring a mix of rain and snow, the skies finally cleared. Wu Tong, now a young and resilient individual, had essentially recovered her health. The speed of her recovery surprised even herself. Although she rarely fell ill in her memory, each instance of illness had been severe, sometimes dragging on for one or two months even for a minor cold. The current rapid recovery seemed almost like a blessing of rebirth.

Upon waking up in the morning, the two girls enjoyed a meager breakfast of watery millet soup and dark sorghum flatbread, accompanied by a bit of pickled vegetables. Of course, the recently recovered Wu Tong also had a bowl of egg soup seasoned with a few drops of fragrant oil. While the meals might not be considered lavish, the continuous gloomy weather had finally cleared, and the spirits of the two young girls were unexpectedly high, much like the emerging sunlight. A good mood translated to good appetite, and even the somewhat unappetizing sorghum flatbread became a delightful snack for the two.

"Xiaotong, shall we visit some neighbors today? Since we arrived here, we haven't connected with other educated youth or villagers. It's not good to be isolated from the local community," Chu Qing, swift in her movements while cleaning the utensils, teased Wu Tong, who was still lingering in bed. They had arrived just after the New Year, and Wu Tong fell ill before getting a chance to interact with her peers or the villagers. It had been almost two weeks, and it was about time they went out to socialize.

Aware of the impact of public opinion and rumors, Wu Tong didn't want to offend the simple villagers and her peers, who had various temperaments. Although she didn't have any arrogance or disdain, being from the capital might unintentionally give off such an impression. "Sure, just wait a moment. Let me change into some clothes. You should wear an extra layer; it's cold after the rain and snow. We wouldn't want you catching another cold," Wu Tong said as she rummaged through her belongings, looking for a thick cotton jacket.

In her previous life, despite the frugality of her so-called "parents," a family friend named Uncle Qin often bought her clothes, mostly of a relatively high quality. Although her "sister" wanted to snatch and wear them, Uncle Qin always bought the right sizes, making it impossible for her older "sister" to fit into them. Reflecting on her past decisions, Wu Tong realized her foolishness in rejecting the genuine care from someone who sincerely looked out for her. This time, she decided to be wiser and offered a loose navy blue cotton jacket to Chu Qing, saying, "Xiaoqing, how about you wear this? Uncle Qin gave it to me, but it's too big for me. Give it a try; it might fit you."

"No, no need. It looks thin, but it's actually quite thick. I won't feel cold at all. Really!" Chu Qing quickly declined, aware of Wu Tong's intention to give her something without hurting her pride. She didn't want to accept good things from others, especially when she knew they were valuable.

Seeing Chu Qing's reluctance, Wu Tong unleashed her long-unused skill of coquetry, playfully coaxing and finally managing to get the jacket onto Chu Qing. With laughter and light-hearted banter, they left the house hand in hand.

As they stepped out of the simple and dilapidated hut, a cold wind immediately sent shivers down their spines. It was mid-February in the lunar calendar, the time when spring still carried a chill. If it weren't necessary, Wu Tong wouldn't want to venture out in such cold weather. They arrived late, and there were no other available accommodations in the village, so they were placed in this abandoned courtyard that had been empty for many years. It was said to belong to a lifelong bachelor who passed away several years ago. Seeing two young girls unable to find proper lodging, the villagers arranged for them to stay here.

Wu Tong didn't mind, knowing that people had been absent from the place for years; there was nothing to be superstitious about. Besides, having their own courtyard was more comfortable than squeezing with others. She remembered vividly that among the educated youth in the village, there were some with less-than-desirable manners. If she had been unlucky enough to be assigned to live with them, she would have preferred sleeping on the streets.

The two girls first went to express their gratitude to Mrs. Yu, who had been very considerate towards them. Mrs. Yu, a widow, had lost her husband, who ventured into the mountains to hunt for food to replenish her strength during pregnancy but unfortunately met an accident, leaving her alone with a son she never got to meet. Despite the heavy burden of life, this resilient and optimistic woman managed her household impeccably and maintained excellent relations with every family in the village. She was genuinely kind and warm-hearted.

Wu Tong had been grateful to Mrs. Yu in her previous life, and now, she wanted to convey her thanks again. However, the moment she heard Mrs. Yu's son's name, Yu Lei, a mix of emotions surged within her. In her first taste of love, Yu Lei had been her first love. Although they couldn't openly have a relationship, given the circumstances, their secret interactions, unbeknownst even to Wu Tong's closest friend Chu Qing, brought sweetness to her life. However, as the unique period of "college entrance exams" came to an end, their relationship started to waver. Wu Tong, affected by illness, didn't perform well in the first "college entrance exam" and failed to get admitted. In contrast, Yu Lei excelled and secured a spot in a prestigious university. Although Yu Lei never explicitly mentioned parting ways, his actions gradually distanced him from Wu Tong. It was a painful time for the young Wu Tong, who took months to recover from the emotional blow. They had not been in contact for decades.

Now, reminiscing about the past, Wu Tong's resentment and bitterness had long dissipated. She could understand the predicament of a man with ambitions trapped in poverty. Yu Lei saw education as his only hope to break free from the struggles, and compared to the common people who failed to pass the exams (Wu Tong, in the eyes of others, was just the daughter of a slightly wealthier family), a girl who got into a good university would naturally be more attractive. Though not harboring any resentment, there was still a slight unease in her heart. Wu Tong made an effort to calm her emotions, wearing a sincere and innocent smile as she entered Mrs. Yu's tidy yet humble abode with Chu Qing.

"Mrs. Yu, we've come to visit. How are you?" Chu Qing, always respectful to elders, greeted warmly. Perhaps due to her upbringing in the countryside, her demure and charming appearance endeared her to the elderly.

"Xiaoqing and Xiaotong have come. Come inside quickly and have a seat. Xiao Tong, has your health improved, my dear? You've suffered..." Mrs. Yu, as kind and benevolent as ever, patted Wu Tong's hand gently, pulling her onto the warm heated brick bed inside the house. Wu Tong's makeshift bed on the soil platform in her shabby

little house had long become unusable. If not for the cold and damp wooden bed, she wouldn't have fallen ill so suddenly. However, it wouldn't be long before someone in the village helped them repair their beds, and then they could finally enjoy a good night's sleep.

The three women engaged in lively conversation inside. Just as they were chatting, a calm and gentle voice echoed from the yard. Though years had passed, Wu Tong immediately recognized the familiar yet unfamiliar voice, but the overflowing affection from the past was no longer present. Time truly was the best healing medicine, and even the most unforgettable emotions could vanish without a trace.

"My son, Lei, is back. He's a couple of years older than you. You can call him Brother Lei or Brother Yu," Mrs. Yu, full of excitement and joy, hastily put on her shoes while turning back to explain to the two seemingly bewildered girls (of course, Wu Tong was pretending).