Volume One, Chapter Three: The City Girl

The Zhang Shengli and Li Ying families both lived in the fortified compound of Yangcao Village.

At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic, Zhang Shengli’s great-grandfather was a renowned camel caravan merchant and landlord in Sha City, wealthy beyond compare, with a thousand acres of fertile land and herds of mules and horses.

To defend against bandits and marauders, the Zhang family built a tall rammed-earth fortress, commonly known as the “compound.” Normally, only the Zhangs and their hired hands lived inside, but when bandits attacked, the entire village would seek refuge within its walls, and all able-bodied men would climb to the top to defend it.

During the Republican era, Zhang Shengli’s grandfather became the security captain of Qinghu Township, bought several rifles, and guarded the gates, protecting the peace of the land.

When the new society arrived, the Zhangs were classified as landlords, and the compound was divided among many village families. Yet, Zhang Shengli’s family continued to live in the central courtyard along the main axis.

The years had not been kind; the main house was now dilapidated, and with five siblings unable even to afford school, there was certainly no money to build anew.

The Zhang brothers set off on their bicycles, heading for the south wall outside the compound.

There, a few crooked Russian olive trees offered shade in summer and sun in winter, making it the village’s “gossip center.”

A group of villagers lounged beneath the trees. When they saw the brothers cycling over, they called out with teasing laughter.

“Well, the public servant is off to work again?”

“Nothing like a government job—easy work, good pay, plenty of leisure!”

“What delicacy are you cooking up for the township leaders today?”

Ever since Zhang Shengli became the township cook, his brother Zhang Xuewen had been boasting everywhere that his elder brother was now a government man, and the villagers had taken to calling Zhang Shengli “the public servant.”

Zhang Shengli ignored them, but Zhang Xuewen, delighted, chimed in loudly, “Today the leaders are having stir-fried noodles with meat!”

This “stir-fried noodles with meat” was the best dish Zhang Xuewen could imagine: hand-pulled noodles tossed with meat and vegetables.

Yangcao Village was fifteen li from Qinghu Township. Zhang Shengli pedaled hard and arrived at the township office already a little late.

Zhang Xuewen, hunched and timid, followed close behind his brother, sneaking into the compound kitchen as though he were up to mischief.

“Big brother, let me help you with the fire,” Zhang Xuewen offered, his eyes darting curiously around.

The kitchen roofs in farmhouses were always timber beams and reed mats, smoked shiny black over the years, so much so that city youths sent down to the countryside once thought the ceilings were painted. But the township kitchen’s roof was pasted with newspapers—neat, clean, and spacious.

“No need for you to make a mess. This kitchen uses a coal stove,” Zhang Shengli replied, strapping on an apron from his army bag. He scooped out the ash and sifted it outside, then chopped some wood and lit the fire, soon filling the stove with glowing red coals.

No matter the circumstance, Zhang Shengli always kept himself tidy and his affairs well in order.

Zhang Xuewen scampered about, eager to help, but Zhang Shengli told him to stay put and not to leave the kitchen.

After all, the township office was full of high officials; he couldn’t let Zhang Xuewen wander around.

Zhang Shengli filled the large pot with water and set it to boil, then pulled a thick book from his army bag and started to read.

“‘Ordinary World?’” Zhang Xuewen read the title, curious. “Big brother, you’re not in school anymore, why are you still reading?”

“It’s just a novel… Killing time,” Zhang Shengli replied offhandedly, eyes on the page.

“Oh…” Zhang Xuewen, having come to the township for a taste of the world, was now trapped inside the stuffy, hot kitchen. He leaned on the windowsill, gazing out at the row of blooming bread flowers planted by the vegetable plot.

He watched as a striking young woman, about twenty, rode a bicycle into the courtyard, wobbling uncertainly.

“Big brother, there’s a girl learning to ride a bike!” Zhang Xuewen called out with surprise.

“Hush, don’t shout!” Zhang Shengli put down his book and joined him at the window.

The young woman was delicate-featured, pale-skinned, and slender, dressed fashionably in jeans and a floral blouse—clearly a city girl.

With ten years of reform and opening, bicycles were becoming common even in small northwestern counties. Adults and children alike were swept up in the craze of “learning to ride.”

She was astride a brand new “Phoenix” bicycle, a costly high-end model. Hearing noise from the kitchen, she looked up to see two faces pressed against the window, staring at her. Flustered, she wobbled and lost her balance.

“Ah!” she screamed, falling and clutching her ankle, wincing in pain and unable to stand.

Zhang Shengli hurried out to steady the bicycle, but hesitated, not daring to touch the young woman.

Zhang Xuewen, however, dashed over, pulling her up and exclaiming, “Sister, are you alright? Come inside and rest for a bit!”

Leaning on his shoulder, she limped into the kitchen and sat down.

“How do you feel? Do you need to see the township clinic?” Zhang Shengli asked with a frown.

“It’s nothing, just a scrape. I’ll be fine,” she replied, smiling warmly at him. “Thank you both. My name is Zhou Ling. What are your names?”

“I…” Zhang Shengli opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Zhang Xuewen piped up eagerly, “Sister Zhou, I’m Zhang Xuewen, and my brother is Zhang Shengli!”

“Zhang Shengli…” Zhou Ling’s eyes lit up as she spotted the overturned book on the table. “You’re reading ‘Ordinary World’ too? Are you an employee here at the township office?”

“No… I just cook here temporarily. The book’s just something I’m reading for fun. Honestly, I don’t understand much of it,” Zhang Shengli said, flustered, as he put the book away.

“But it’s all about rural life—shouldn’t be hard to understand,” Zhou Ling replied, smiling. “Did you go to high school?”

“No, I finished junior high and that was it,” Zhang Shengli answered, touching his nose.

“High school’s open to nearly everyone now. Why didn’t you go?” Zhou Ling asked, curious.

“I…” Zhang Shengli hesitated, but Zhang Xuewen blurted out, “My brother got into high school but didn’t attend.”

“You talk too much,” Zhang Shengli shot him a look.

“Why not go, if you got in?” Zhou Ling pressed, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“I… I have too many siblings. Even making it through junior high was lucky,” Zhang Shengli replied, embarrassed.

“Oh…” Zhou Ling finally understood—his family’s poverty had kept him from further education. She didn’t press further. Testing her foot, she managed a few steps, smiled, and said, “I’m fine now. Could you help steady my bike? I’d like to practice a bit more.”

“Of course.” Zhang Shengli stepped outside, holding the rear rack as Zhou Ling circled the courtyard, with Zhang Xuewen trotting behind.

In truth, Zhou Ling could already ride well enough; she was simply timid about riding alone.

After a while, Zhang Shengli said, “Fifth, you take over. The water’s boiling—I need to deliver hot water.”

“Alright!” Zhang Xuewen eagerly took his place, steadying the bike for her.

“Will he be alright?” Zhou Ling asked nervously, gripping the handlebars.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall!” Zhang Xuewen, though small and thin, was toughened by life on the desert’s edge. He grasped the rear rack and ran forward, causing Zhou Ling to grip the handlebars even tighter.