Brother
By the evening, the sky had turned into a hazy gray-blue, and the biting north wind was even more relentless. Without rows of tall buildings and the urban heat island effect, winters in Shanghai were very cold.
Although there was no snow, the wind felt as if it could crack the skin, reaching all the way to the bones.
The streets were becoming emptier as people sought shelter from the cold.
Zhan Aijia reluctantly carried a basin of dirty laundry out of the door, fearing that she might not be able to wash it properly. Zhan Aiping acted like a supervisor, following closely behind her.
It was almost evening, and nobody wanted to go out in such cold weather. All households had fires burning in their stoves, with hot water bubbling away. Despite the chilly wind, there were occasional wafts of the aroma of cooked meals.
As the two sisters left their apartment, they encountered someone in the hallway. This time, it wasn’t Chen Jiabao, the big man, but his mother, Mrs. Chen.
Mrs. Chen had come from the countryside, and her Mandarin wasn’t entirely standard. She didn’t speak perfect Shanghainese either, but she was a warm-hearted person who liked to strike up conversations.
“What are you up to?” she asked.
Zhan Aijia immediately replied, “My sister asked me to help her with the laundry. Auntie, you tell me, she’s already grown up, but she still wants her little sister to do her laundry for her.”
Mrs. Chen exclaimed, “She asked you to do the laundry?”
Zhan Aiping crossed her arms and said, “My sister is of marriageable age now. She should also learn to do household chores. Her mother asked her to learn how to do laundry. Auntie, do you have any laundry to do? You can ask her to help.”
Mrs. Chen’s eyes brightened. On such a cold day, nobody wanted to do laundry. “That’s a good idea. Yes, we have some laundry to do at home. You, good sister, should learn more.”
Mrs. Chen was a shrewd woman who wouldn’t miss a chance to benefit, even if she didn’t have any laundry to wash. She would find some clothes to wash, even if she had to dig them out.
Zhan Aijia’s eyes widened in shock.
Zhan Aiping said, “Madam, would you mind watching my younger sister wash? She came to Shanghai looking for a partner, but she doesn’t know how to handle things. Who would be interested in her? Madam, you’ve been a good teacher to your daughter-in-law, so please, help teach my sister as well.”
“You’ve picked the right person. These delicate women, none of them can wash clothes properly. I’ll supervise her, and if she doesn’t wash them clean, I’ll make her do it again.”
Zhan Aiping nodded in agreement.
Zhan Aijia was going crazy. Madam Chen was a harsh mother-in-law. Previously, she had despised her city-born daughter-in-law and constantly criticized her. But now, she was standing with Zhan Aiping.
“Madam, my sister is getting married soon. She should learn how to take care of a man.”
Madam Chen went back home and brought three large basins of clothes. All the clothes accumulated by their family members were brought over. At this moment, there was no one in the hallway washroom, and all six faucets were empty. Her basins occupied a whole row.
Madam Chen was pleased, “No one is here now, so it’s convenient to wash. Little Zhan, you should start washing.”
“Your sister has already found a partner. How can you compare yourself to her? You, who haven’t found a partner yet, should demonstrate your virtuousness and capability to make yourself more appealing.”
Mrs. Chen was a shrewd woman who knew very well who the decision-maker was in the neighboring house. She wouldn’t dare to offend Zhan Aiping.
In life, one should be flexible. Face strength with strength, but be cautious when trying to take advantage.
By pleasing Zhan Aiping, she could enjoy some benefits, like having a sip of hot soup.
“On such a cold day, you should wash quickly. You, this younger sister, haven’t gone to college, have you?”
“Have you ever thought about what kind of person your sister is compared to you? She’s young, but she’s already a college graduate and a teacher. How accomplished she is! Her hands are precious.”
“You should learn from your sister!”
…
Zhan Aiping had Mrs. Chen supervise Zhan Aijia while she practiced a set of martial arts on the side. Mrs. Chen watched and gave instructions to Zhan Aijia on how to wash the clothes thoroughly.
The water from the tap gushed out, sounding like icy knives. The water was a bit warm as it came out but turned icy cold once it reached the basin and was exposed to the frigid wind.
Zhan Aijia’s hands turned red from the cold, but she dared not speak up.
If Mrs. Chen didn’t help her, she would only make matters worse if she tried to argue. Mrs. Chen might stir up trouble, and then her reputation would be tarnished in the building.
Zhan Aijia couldn’t afford to have a conflict with Zhan Aiping for now. They were living in Zhan Aiping’s house, and if she were kicked out, she wouldn’t be able to stay in Shanghai. She couldn’t accept that.
She had to endure for the time being.
“Oh!” She saw something and was so scared that she dropped what she was holding.
Mrs. Chen was furious. “What are you doing? Why did you throw my grandson’s clothes away?”
Zhan Aijia’s face felt like it was about to crack open. “There… there was something on it.” It was something a child had left behind. How could she wash it? It was too shameless.
“What’s on it? Haven’t you seen something like this before? Aren’t you a woman? Aren’t you going to have children in the future? Your sister is right; you should learn more. Pick it up, and I’ll teach you how to wash it.”
Zhan Aijia said, “I won’t wash it.”
“You won’t? I’ll let everyone else decide later. You threw my grandson’s clothes, and you still think you’re right?”
“Your sister is an outstanding female soldier and an excellent teacher. How can you be such a coward, unwilling to endure hardship or work hard?”
…
Zhan Aiping, watching Mrs. Chen scold Zhan Aijia mercilessly, suddenly thought of a phrase: “The wicked have their own ways to torment the wicked.”
Yes, she was determined to be the villain.
*
At night, Zhan Aiping switched the bedding around. She slept in the big bed, while Zhu Jiaorong and her daughter slept in the small one. Zhan Aiping didn’t care about their reactions; if they didn’t like it, they could leave.
Zhan Aijia complained a bit and then squeezed herself under the blanket with Zhu Jiaorong. The mother and daughter exchanged glances and decided to call Zhan Bo to complain tomorrow.
In the middle of the night, Zhan Aijia fell off the bed and let out a few cries. Zhan Aiping, lying on the bed, said casually, “Do you know how I used to kick people when I was a drill instructor?”
Zhan Aijia fell silent.
Zhan Aiping lay in bed, wide awake. She had a lot on her mind. She needed to contact her brother, Zhan Mingzhao, find Gu Sheng, and resolve the issue with He Mingzhang as soon as possible.
He Mingzhang was relatively easy to deal with. He was having an affair with a widow, and she had a “love child” from their affair… In this day and age, engaging in extramarital affairs like that would surely land him in prison.
As for Gu Sheng, Zhan Aiping had a rough idea of where he might be. However, she couldn’t help but feel a headache when she thought about how to make Gu Sheng marry her.
If she were to marry Gu Sheng, in the eyes of others, it would either mean she had gone insane or that Gu Sheng had lost his mind.
“Madness be damned,” she thought. “Tomorrow, I’m going to find Gu Sheng.”
*
At a military hospital in Shanghai.
Standing in front of the hospital gate, Zhan Aiping looked at the building before her and couldn’t help but sigh. This was the place where she had worked after graduation, and even though decades had passed, its original appearance was still etched in her mind.
Many people at the hospital still recognized her, and even the security guard greeted her, “Oh! Dr. Zhan.”
“Dr. Zhan, we wouldn’t have recognized you in those clothes.”
“You’re even more beautiful than the girls in the cultural troupe.”
…
After exchanging greetings with several familiar faces, Zhan Aiping encountered a female doctor with shoulder-length, evenly parted hair. As soon as the doctor saw her, she said with a hint of sarcasm, “Oh, look who’s here.”
This doctor was Xue Ningjia, who had been in the same department as Zhan Aiping. They had often clashed, with Zhan Aiping overshadowing her. After Zhan Aiping left, the assistant position under Dr. Sun had been given to her.
“Zhan Aiping, weren’t you going to become a teacher? Weren’t you getting married? Why are you at the hospital instead of being a proper newlywed at home? What are you doing here?” Xue Ningjia said.
Zhan Aiping replied coldly, “Did He Mingzhang see my photos here?”
Originally feeling proud, Xue Ningjia’s expression suddenly turned panicked. She hadn’t expected that Zhan Aiping would know about this. It was true that He Mingzhang was her distant relative. He was somewhat talented but a hypocritical and… shallow man. When he saw Zhan Aiping, who was not only beautiful but also the daughter of a martyr from a prestigious background, he had indeed taken an interest in her.
*Slap!* Zhan Aiping gave her two hard slaps, putting all her strength into them. Xue Ningjia was caught off guard and had blood at the corners of her mouth.
“You… How dare you hit me in the hospital!”
Zhan Aiping sneered, “You used such despicable means to get close to me?”
“I’ll tell Dr. Sun everything as it is.”
“No, no, no… Zhan Aiping, please, spare me. I won’t dare to provoke you again. If you want to vent your anger, you can hit me some more.” Xue Ningjia was now in a complete panic, not knowing how much Zhan Aiping actually knew. She thought that Zhan Aiping had come to the hospital today because of this matter.
The situation was not small, but Zhan Aiping was outstanding. She was the daughter of a martyr. If she caused a scene in the hospital and revealed the whole truth, Xue Ningjia would be finished.
“Or I can compensate you. Name your price, just spare me. I really want to stay in Shanghai, I want to stay at the hospital. Zhan Aiping, I beg you.”
Zhan Aiping looked at her with an icy tone, “Xue Ningjia, you can be a good doctor. Now, get lost and never appear in front of me again.”
Xue Ningjia held her ground and, in the end, became a renowned surgeon who saved many lives.
Zhan Aiping watched as Xue Ningjia hurriedly left, adjusting her hair and wearing a mask and hat to avoid being recognized. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this.
Thankfully, their conversation had taken place in a secluded corner of the hospital, and there likely weren’t many people around to overhear.
As she stood there, Zhan Aiping suddenly felt a pang of sadness. She had originally come to find Gu Sheng, but she had run into Xue Ningjia and was reminded of their absurd and laughable past.
When she was a child, people often said she was clever, but in reality, she couldn’t have been more foolish. Naive, innocent, impulsive – her mother always taught her to act like a man, to stand tall and strong. She tried to follow her mother’s teachings, but inside, she was conflicted because, like any young girl, she longed to be beautiful and cherished. Her mother wanted her to cut her hair short and forbade her from wearing dresses, but she secretly envied the little girls in the compound with their braided hair and pretty red dresses.
When she was pushed down the steps as a child and went to complain, she never received comfort from her mother. Instead, she was scolded:
“Why did he push you? Because you’re weak and easy to bully.”
“With your slender arms and legs, who wouldn’t bully you?”
She was rarely treated gently, and that’s why she had mistaken poison for honey when she was young.
She wasn’t as tough on the outside as she appeared; deep down, she was soft and longed to be cherished and protected.
—It was a complete mess.
The man standing beneath the window on the first floor of the hospital turned to face her, his piercing gaze meeting hers. He was clad in a new military coat, the vibrant green standing out in the dull winter surroundings, like a vivid stroke in an otherwise gloomy painting.
His prominent brow, deep eye sockets, bold arched eyebrows, and straight nose gave his features depth and dimension, even in the subdued lighting of the winter day. The contours of his handsome face were captivating.
As smoke spiraled upward, he held a cigarette between his fingers. The man lowered his gaze slowly, and a plume of smoke billowed out into the cold breeze.
Zhan Aiping’s heart skipped a beat, and she never expected to see him at this moment. Everything happened so suddenly, leaving her no time to react.
The young man before her had been her childhood nemesis, yet he was also the man who had shared her bed for a decade in their youth.
Zhan Aiping briskly walked towards him, her pace quickening as the wind around her intensified, the sound of the rushing wind echoing in her ears.
She deftly snatched the cigarette from his hand and expertly extinguished it, then said, “Smoking is prohibited in the hospital.”
Gu Sheng: “Do you care about me?”
“Your hand is broken, and you’re not taking good care of it. You’ll regret it later,” Aiping’s gaze lingered on his left hand, still wrapped in bandages. She frowned, knowing that although he had received a second-class merit this time, his left hand had been seriously injured and left with aftereffects. While it didn’t affect his mobility, it caused severe pain in cold and rainy weather.
She raised her eyes and noticed that Gu Sheng was staring at her, or more accurately, at the cigarette she had extinguished in her hand.
Though it had been a long time, Aiping vaguely remembered that this cigarette seemed quite expensive, a special variety.
Aiping thought to herself, “I do care about you. I’ve been looking after you for ten years. The medical staff says no one can control you, but I can.”
This guy was stubborn, full of bad habits like smoking, drinking, and eating meat. He was a cantankerous old man, but miraculously, he hadn’t suffered from lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, or pancreatic cancer, and he kept getting healthier as he reached his seventies…
She could only attribute it to his good genes.
Although Gu Sheng was only twenty-five now, considering his time at the military academy, he had almost ten years of military experience and was a seasoned soldier. He smoked, drank, and seemed capable of anything.
“Do you want it?” Aiping held up the remaining half-cigarette and shook it teasingly. In the next second, she flicked it into the hospital trash can. She said casually, “It’s gone.”
Gu Sheng: “Buddy, do you want to fight?”
Aiping was left speechless. “…Who wants to be buddies with you?”
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