章)In 1993, under the scorching sun of Phoenix Street in Stoneville, a group of tireless children gathered under the shade of a large tree at the alleys mouth, slapping cards. These cards, made from matchbox covers with intricate designs, were a prized possession among many. To collect more, children would play games to win these valuable matchbox skins from their friends.
The game was simple: each player would place a card, stack them, and use the force of a slap to flip them over. The one who turned the card won, and if not, the opponent would take their turn, continuing the cycle.
Both boys and girls were keen on this game. As children huddled in groups to play, adults chatted with each other, fanning themselves with cattail leaves.
Todays story revolves around the Smith family.
Three months ago, Lindas father, Tom Smith, was waylaid by a gang during a delivery. His leg was broken, and his fellow security guard, John Doe, was killed. Tom lay on the ground all night before being taken to the hospital by a passerby. Due to necrosis of the bone and soft tissue, the hospital amputated his leg to save his life.
As it was a work-related accident, the factory covered his medical expenses and provided a compensation of $2000, in addition to a monthly disability allowance of $20.
"Ah, $2000 seems like a lot now, but its uncertain for the future," someone remarked, based on the fact that eggs, which were seven cents each in the 70s, now cost twenty cents.
"Indeed, just look at Lindas mom, shes not the type to endure hardships," a woman commented, glancing at a little girl playing in the game, and then leaning in to whisper to the others, "I saw Lindas mom going back to her parents home again yesterday. This month alone, shes been there eight times. Do you think shes planning something?"
The group exchanged glances. With the man out of action, his wife not caring for him at home but frequently visiting her own family instead, it seemed she didnt intend to weather the storm together.
"Oh dear, Tom was so good to Lindas mom. During her confinement, he, a big man, washed diapers, bought brown sugar, and made chicken soup, trying every way to nourish her. He didnt smoke, drink, or even play cards. Such a good man, and she doesnt even remember the old feelings. Her heart is really rotten," another person interjected.
Another chimed in, "Divorced women are just unreliable. Marriage is just a game to them, they dont take it seriously at all."
The crowd despised Lindas mom for her poor character.
A small figure appeared at the end of the path. Despite the sweltering heat, she ran as if being chased by a dog.
As she approached, the neighbors recognized Linda Smith, the eldest daughter of the Smith family.
"Youre running so fast, whats the rush?" the neighbors chided.
Linda, a bit embarrassed, wiped her forehead with her sleeve, "I need to go home and cook."
She carried a basket on her back and held a long, thin bamboo pole, likely used to collect cicada shells from the woods earlier. Cicada shells, the exuviae of cicadas, are a type of traditional Chinese medicine. Diligent children would wander in the woods behind the garment factory to collect and sell them to herbal medicine stations.
As she was about to leave, someone grabbed her, asking, "Linda, did your mom go back to her parents home again today?"
Linda shook her head, "No, she was still at home when I left this morning."
The neighborhood committee director, who was close to the Smith family, waved Linda over.
Linda approached, and she whispered, "Next time your mom wants to go back to her parents home, dont let her. You should stick with her, understand?"
In her previous life, Linda didnt understand the meaning behind these words, finding them perplexing. However, living through this life again, she understood the directors intention.
This was a concern that her mom might abandon her dad and remarry.
Though well-intentioned, Linda knew she couldnt stop her mom from remarrying if thats what she intended.
Linda thanked her for her kindness and was about to leave with her basket when a scream from Lindas sister, Lisa, interrupted the game.
Everyone was startled, and even the children stopped playing to look over.
Lisa jumped up, and the adults were frightened, especially the boys parents who were playing with her, "Whats going on! Whats going on! Did you bully Lisa again?"
Who in the alley didnt sympathize with their family? To bully their child at this time would give people something to talk about.
The boy looked confused, "I didnt. We were playing just fine. She suddenly went crazy."
The adults were skeptical.
Suddenly, another little girl ran over from the distance. This girl, a neighbor named Wang, was a classmate of Linda and Lisa, "Linda, Lisa, your parents are discussing divorce at home. You should go see."
Everyone looked at the twin sisters with concern.
Twins are usually very similar in appearance. When they were born, people in the alley couldnt tell them apart. But as time went on, everyone noticed some differences.
Linda, born five minutes earlier than her sister, took on the responsibilities of an older sister, often helping her mother with housework and having a more composed personality. She wore her hair tightly pulled back and was careful with her clothes, usually wearing an apron over them, even in summer.
Lisa, on the other hand, was different. The girl loved beauty and didnt have to do housework. Her mother doted on her, often braiding her hair and adorning her with pretty hair clips. Her attire was the most eye-catching in the entire alley. Every child in the alley envied her.
Lisa rushed home first, with Linda following closely behind. The same thing had happened in her previous life.
But her sisters reaction was different from her previous life. At that time, her sister was timid and scared, clutching her arm and asking, "Sister, what should we do?"
Linda was still young then and could think of no solution, only comforting her sister over and over, "Mom and Dad wont divorce."
But now her sisters reaction was completely different from her previous life. What had changed?
The sisters ran home one after the other. Linda remembered her home as it was鈥攔ed brick and black tiles. She had grown up in this house, filled with many childhood memories.
At this moment, the Smith familys living room was full of people.
Hearing the commotion, everyone stopped talking and looked over.
The neighborhood committee director, Director Zhou, saw the two children run in and became a bit anxious, "You two go out for now. Your parents and I have some things to discuss, and its not suitable for children to listen."
In the morning, it was their mother who had sent them out. They didnt think much of it. They believed whatever the adults said.
But now that she knew what was coming, how could they leave?
Linda watched as her sister, who she remembered as timid and fearful, stepped forward and protested with determination, "Grandpa Zhou, I heard that Mom and Dad are getting a divorce. This is our familys business; why cant we listen?"
Director Zhou was taken aback, looking at her and then at Linda beside her, almost thinking he haded them. Was this still the ignorant youngest child who always pestered her mom for candy?
Lisas mother, Min Wu, had red eyes and did not urge her daughter to leave but instead spoke in her favor, "They will know about it anyway. Let them listen."
Director Zhou looked at Tom Smith. Since his accident, his spirit seemed to have been taken away, and his face was even more pale and frightening.
Tom nodded, "Let them listen."
Director Zhou did not stop them anymore, but he had no good face for the nosy neighbors who came to watch the excitement, directly driving them out, "Alright. Its none of your business. Hurry up and leave. Dont affect our discussion."
The crowd was reluctant to leave, begging, "Director Zhou, lets listen in."
How novel, these days someone is getting a divorce. It would become the talk of the town.
Director Zhou drove them away in a bad temper, "Alright! Go do your thing! Why are you everywhere?"
Director Zhou couldnt drive them away alone and signaled to others to drive everyone away, including