My life revolves around you Novel – January 1970. In the dead of winter, during the coldest days of the lunar month, the early morning silence in Xinghuali Lane was broken by the sound of doors opening one after another in the various courtyards. In no time at all, the alley became a hive of activity. The reason? Everyone was rushing to use the public toilet. Within moments, a long queue had formed outside the alley’s public toilet.
Some were hopping from foot to foot, arms tucked into their sleeves, desperate to relieve themselves. Others stood patiently holding chamber pots, waiting to empty them. The line stretched far down the alley, with no end in sight. Despite its size, the public toilet was no match for the sheer number of residents it served in Xinghuali Lane. As the queue grew longer, a long-faced woman emerged from Courtyard No. 44. She wore a grey floral-patterned cotton jacket and looked sprightly as she joined the line, chamber pot in hand. No sooner had she taken her place than the gossip began.
The round-faced woman in front of her, wearing a small floral-print cotton jacket, turned and asked eagerly, “Zhao Guihua, now that your youngest son is married too, are you planning to divide the household?” This topic piqued everyone’s interest, and all ears in the queue pricked up. The long-faced woman, Zhao Guihua, maintained her composure and replied, “Well, I still need to discuss it with the old man. It’s not a small matter, you know.” Though she said this, in her heart, she was reluctant to split up the family. What parents ever truly want to divide their household? Zhao Guihua was no exception.
But given the public setting, she didn’t want to give a definitive answer, leaving some room for maneuver. Lost in thought about this matter, she wasn’t paying attention to her footing as she made her way back to the courtyard after emptying her chamber pot. Just as she reached the entrance, she stepped on a patch of thin ice. She slipped and fell hard, her bottom hitting the ground with a thud and her head knocking against the doorpost. “Ah!” she cried out. “Mom!” “Old woman!” The early morning quiet was shattered as people from every household in the courtyard rushed out. “What happened? What’s going on?” “Quick, let’s carry her inside…” “Why bother? Let’s take her straight to the hospital!” “How did she fall like that? I told you we shouldn’t pour water in the courtyard when it’s so cold…” “Old woman, old woman…” Zhao Guihua was in a daze, hearing someone call out to her. The voice was both familiar and strange.
This voice is so familiar, she thought. Has the old man come to fetch me? Hearing this voice, Zhao Guihua struggled to open her eyes. Even if he was a ghost, she wanted to see her old man one last time. Since he had passed away, she hadn’t had anyone to share her innermost thoughts with, anyone who truly understood her. Zhao Guihua forced her eyes open and got a shock. Startled! Everyone was leaning over her, peering down… “Old man? How did you get so young?” Old Man Zhuang, the head of the Zhuang family, blushed at these words.
This old woman! He coughed and said, “What are you talking about? The children are all here.” Seeing his wife still staring at him, his face reddened even more. Then, remembering that she had hit her head, he quickly added, “How do you feel? Is it serious? Should I take you to the hospital to check your head?” Zhao Guihua seemed not to have heard him. She slowly turned her head, seeing other young faces.
Without exception, every face looked exceptionally youthful. She looked around, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation. Old Man Zhuang hurriedly said, “Oldest son, go get the bicycle ready. I’ll take your mother to the hospital for a check-up.” As he spoke, Zhao Guihua reached out and pinched his arm hard. Even through the thick cotton jacket, her vicious pinch couldn’t be stopped.
Old Man Zhuang yelped, “Ouch!” Before he could ask why, Zhao Guihua asked, “Did that hurt?” Old Man Zhuang was speechless for a moment. Then he pursed his lips and said, “Of course it hurt!” This old woman, has she damaged her brain in the fall? He grew increasingly worried and said, “Let’s hurry to the hospital…” Zhao Guihua held his hand and shook her head, “No need!” She waved her hand, gesturing for everyone to step back, and sat up.
As she looked around closely, her emotions fluctuated, but she quickly composed herself. She observed the room’s furnishings and the concerned faces of her family members, big and small. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m fine.” Though she wasn’t sure exactly which day she had traveled back to, as a modern old lady who had watched her fair share of time-travel TV dramas, Zhao Guihua was certain she had returned to her younger days. Although her sons were already married and she was known as Old Lady Zhao, wasn’t being in her forties or fifties still considered young? She hadn’t even lived half her life yet. “Mom, don’t try to act tough. W