Chapter 349: Memories

Chapter 349 Memories

Because of her father, Hou Sifang, along with Hou Li's own striking looks and her job as a substitute teacher, she had no shortage of admirers back then.

Among them, Zuo Shangdang was the most unusual. His family was shunned and isolated because of their political class.

But unlike others who accepted their fate, he refused to resign himself to it.

Young Zuo Shangdang was strikingly handsome, and compared to the illiterate crowd, he had some education. His persistent courtship eventually won her over.

After they married, Hou Li didn’t mind Zuo Shangdang helping outcasts. Instead, she believed it reflected his kindness—having endured hardship himself, he sympathized with those in similar straits.

Their love went both ways. Her husband treated her well, so she supported whatever he wanted to do.

It was while pregnant with their second child that she first noticed Lu Yazhi.

Back then, Lu Yazhi was being bullied, and Hou Li saw Zuo Shangdang lose his temper for the first time.

The normally mild-mannered Zuo Shangdang violently beat two young men harassing Lu Yazhi, pulling her protectively behind him.

Only after taking Lu Yazhi home did he remember his wife, whom he had left behind on the road.

Before Hou Li could say anything, he apologized repeatedly the moment he returned. "I'm so sorry, I was just too angry. In broad daylight—whether it was a childhood friend or a stranger, I couldn’t just stand by."

When Hou Li questioned him, Zuo Shangdang embraced her firmly and declared, "Sweetheart, I have a mother, a wife, and a daughter. Even the Party gives people a chance to reform and start over..."

"Honestly, besides justice, I have a personal reason. You know my family used to work for the Lu family. Because of my parents, I grew up with their children. The second daughter of the Lu family once helped me."

"To survive, my parents betrayed them, but I can’t repay kindness with betrayal. You’re a woman too—even if it was a stranger, I couldn’t just stand by, let alone someone I grew up with. So I might still help when I can, but rest assured, you and our children will always come first."

Hou Li trusted him. She appreciated his honesty.

Her resentment faded with her husband’s affection. From then on, she turned a blind eye to his overt and covert assistance to Lu Yazhi.

But Lu Yazhi was helpless. With her family ruined, she was still like a pampered noble, unable to handle the jobs assigned to her. She went through several jobs, still failing each time, always resorting to tears when things went wrong.

Without work, she had no rations. At first, Hou Li tolerated Zuo Shangdang’s support.

Later, when she objected, Zuo Shangdang stopped providing aid but began helping Lu Yazhi with her tasks instead.

Whenever Lu Yazhi came to him in tears, he would rush to her aid without hesitation.

Hou Li, being quiet by nature, kept her frustrations to herself, leading to a prolonged strain in their marriage.

Eventually, the Lu family dwindled until only Lu Yazhi remained. Around the same time, Hou Li’s father, Hou Sifang, fell seriously ill, leaving her no energy to dwell on other matters.

Hou Sifang, already carrying old war wounds, deteriorated completely. During Hou Li’s lowest moments, Zuo Shangdang stood by her, shouldering the family’s burdens.

He devoted himself to caring for Hou Sifang until his passing and arranged a dignified funeral for his father-in-law.

The couple grew closer through this hardship.

By the time Hou Li regained her bearings, Lu Yazhi had vanished. Rumors circulated that the young woman had fallen ill, and people wondered if the cities outside could cure her, their tones tinged with pity.

Hou Li had always been uneasy about Lu Yazhi’s presence, so hearing she was gone gave her quiet relief. She never mentioned her to Zuo Shangdang again.

They'd only had one fight in their whole marriage because of Lu Yazhi, and for so many years, they'd enjoyed a harmonious and loving relationship.

Zuo Shangdang treated her well, especially when there were conflicts between Hou Li and his parents. He always stood by his wife's side.

Knowing his wife didn’t get along with his parents, he deliberately arranged for them to live in the old house and hired someone to take care of them. Hou Li only visited every few days to check if they needed anything.

Compared to the wives around her, Hou Li lived a very carefree and happy life, the envy of every woman in the small town.

Her husband was considerate, sending his salary back on time every month. Her in-laws didn’t interfere with her, and she didn’t have to serve them or endure any grievances. Most importantly, her husband doted on her and supported all her decisions. He often said out loud, "My wife makes the decisions at home. I listen to her," which made Hou Li feel greatly respected.

With a man so obedient and indulgent toward her, if anyone dared to tell Hou Li that Zuo Shangdang was having an affair and raising a mistress and love child outside, she would've ripped their head off.

Stepping out of the A City train station, Zuo Jinghuan looked excitedly at the surrounding buildings. "So this is A City! It’s definitely much better than our little county. When the train entered the city, I saw so many factories and several new high-rises going up."

Zuo Zuying said lazily to Zuo Jinghuan, "So quit that lousy substitute teaching job of yours. The pay is peanuts—can't even buy you a nice outfit. Follow me, and I’ll treat you to the good life~"

A spark of amusement crossed Zuo Jinghuan’s eyes, but just as she was about to banter back with her brother, she noticed their mother’s low spirits and immediately restrained herself. She shot Zuo Zuying a meaningful glance, signaling him to look at Hou Li.

Zuo Zuying leaned over and threw an arm around Hou Li’s shoulders. "What's with the long face, Da Meili? Aren't you here to save me?

Snap out of it, or you and Jinghuan should just go back. I don’t want to drag you down with me."

Hou Li straightened her back and instantly perked up.

Right, she was here for her son. Compared to him, Zuo Shangdang was nothing.

Zuo Shangdang was good, but in the past six or seven years, he hadn’t been home much. She'd gotten used to being alone—it wasn’t like she didn't need him.

She still had her son and daughter.