TBIJWFB: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The 1970s

This marriage had been the original host's own choice. The man was named Wang Hao, and he had two sons. His first wife was said to have been lazy and selfish, showing no care for the two children. Wang Hao's entire salary was taken by that woman and given to her parents' family. It was on her way back from visiting them that she encountered a flash flood and died.

Wang Hao was a driver for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. In this era, that profession was a highly coveted one. However, because he was frequently away on business trips, there was no one to look after his two children at home. Left with no other choice, he asked a matchmaker to find him a wife.

The impression left by Wang Hao's first wife was so profound that he was extremely cautious this time. He asked around and had many people check her background. He just never expected the original host to have been so deceitful in her efforts to marry him. Back then, everyone praised the original host for being gentle, kind, and capable. Wang Hao thought he had finally found the right person. Little did he know, she was a wolf in sheep's clothing. The original host's reason for being willing to marry Wang Hao was also to move to the city and escape manual labor in the countryside.

However, after following Wang Hao to his place of work, the original host discovered this was an island, not much different from the countryside. Furthermore, Wang Hao was often away on business, leaving the original host alone with the two children. At first, she treated them quite well, but later, she lost patience and would either hit or scold them.

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The older boy, Hu Zi, was seven and sensible. Whenever the original host hit him, he would cry and make a scene, and even tattle to the adults. Because of this, she didn't bully him as much. The younger one, Xiao Long, was only five, an age where he naturally craved a mother's affection. He had no memory of his birth mother, as he was too young when she died. Every time the original host hit this younger child, he didn't know to tell on her. And as soon as she was nice to him again, he would come toddling back to her. This, unconsciously, emboldened the original host.

Ai! At this thought, Han Wen couldn't help but pull the quilt over her head and let out a long sigh.

To think that in the prime of her youth, she was now a stepmother.

The one small mercy was that the original host shared her name, Han Wen. At least she wouldn't be confused when someone called her.

Before Han Wen could even get used to her situation, Wang Hao returned. He walked straight to the wardrobe as soon as he entered, not even glancing her way.

As he packed his things, Wang Hao said, "The transport team has an emergency assembly. I have to go on a supply run and might not be back for a while. I've left the children with Li Dasao. Stay at home and think things over carefully. If you want a divorce, we'll talk about it when I get back." Having said that, he left.

No way! A divorce right after she arrived? She didn't know anyone here! What was she supposed to do?

Han Wen sat on the bed, furiously ruffling her hair until it was a complete bird's nest before she finally stopped. Well, since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it.

After getting up and pulling herself together, Han Wen began to survey her new home. The entire house looked very simple. The white walls were adorned with a portrait of the current national leader. The area around the bed was lined with yellowed newspaper clippings, giving it a strong period feel. It was then that her stomach growled loudly.

Han Wen patted her belly. She hadn't eaten properly all day and was long since starving. She went to the kitchen, found some tomatoes and eggs from the cupboard, and decided to make tomato and egg noodles. But she stared blankly at the earthen stove in front of her. She didn't know how to use this thing! She'd always used an induction cooktop before. Oh, well. Since I've decided to live here, I'd better learn.

She first found some newspaper, lit it with a match, and threw it into the stove. But before she could add any kindling, the fire went out. After several attempts, she finally figured out a trick. She used the newspaper to ignite some small twigs inside the stove, waited for the twigs to catch properly, and then added larger pieces of wood. The crucial part was puffing out her cheeks and blowing into the stove, or the fire would easily die. Han Wen expended a tremendous amount of effort just to get this one meal cooked.

On her way back to the room, Han Wen accidentally caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The person who had just walked past now rushed back to take a proper look. Oh, heavens! Is that person in the mirror really me? This is too awful! With a bird's nest for hair, a face covered in ash, and prominent cheekbones, she looked exactly like someone who had been hit by a bomb in the movies...

Seeing that it was already dark outside, Han Wen decided to go and call the two children home for dinner. She wasn't sure if they would be willing to come back with her, but she felt it was necessary to try.

The original host's actions had already ruined her reputation on the island. If she didn't go to pick up the two children, leaving them at someone else's house, she might as well not bother living on this island anymore.

Han Wen closed the door behind her. Li Dasao's house was likely that of Wang Hao's team leader, about 500 meters away. Relying on the original host's memories, Han Wen found her way there.

Standing at the gate, feeling apprehensive, Han Wen peered inside and called out loudly, "Is Li Dasao home?"

(End of Chapter)