Jiang Defu was a graduate of the artillery school, and he could have chosen to stay in the school as an instructor, but he chose to be sent to Songshan Island as the chief of staff of the garrison division. Life on this island is like a paradise, away from the invasion of the catastrophe, and An Jie and Jiang Defu's family enjoy tranquility.
But at the same time, Lao Ding, who replaced Jiang Defu and stayed in the artillery school, lived a less fortunate life. Although Lao Ding was educated, he was suppressed because of his identity and was eventually relegated to a small island. The look of loneliness on his arrival on the island reveals the devastation he suffered, and such an environment undoubtedly affected his family as well.
When Jiang Defu's family went to greet their old neighbor Wang Xiu'e with anticipation, they were surprised to find that Wang Xiu'e did not bring joy, but a sense of heaviness and decadence. Although Lao Ding had a smile on his face, he revealed bitterness, as if he was not smiling.
Dehua keenly asked about Wang Xiu'e's situation, and Lao Ding had to tell the truth: Wang Xiu'e had a difficult birth and died of massive hemorrhage when she gave birth. This news shocked everyone present, because in such an environment as the army compound, dystocia seemed to be an incredible thing.
Wang Xiu'e's life is full of hardships. She was born in the countryside, did not have much education, and surrounded Lao Ding all day long. Dehua often takes her children around, while Wang Xiu'e is busy with housework. After Lao Ding was suppressed, Wang Xiu'e became the pillar of the family, shouldering the responsibility of taking care of the children and housework.
Not only did she have to deal with physical hardship, but she also had to endure mental blows. After Lao Ding was suppressed, Wang Xiu'e faced an unpredictable future, and she was alone to bear all the problems of the family, and her mood can be imagined.
Wang Xiu'e did not pay attention to prenatal check-ups when she was pregnant, relying on her experience of giving birth to three children and a fluke mentality. However, the accident happened - she had a difficult birth. Wang Xiu'e did not realize that the baby was breech, and she did not seek medical help in time when she was waiting to give birth at home. Even in the event of heavy bleeding, it is possible to get alive with prompt medical attention.
However, Lao Ding's absence from home does not excuse him from seeking medical treatment. Perhaps it was because in that special environment, the suppression of Lao Ding's identity made people afraid to lend a hand. Wang Xiu'e may also have her own ideas, maybe she doesn't want to trouble Lao Ding, or she can't find a suitable helper. Whatever the reason, the end result was that Wang Xiu'e was alone with all the pain and pressure.
Lao Ding seems to have resigned himself to his fate. He once fell in love with Teacher Ge, but because her status was too noble, the leader did not approve their marriage application. Although Jiang Defu persuaded him to fight for it, Lao Ding chose to give up without hesitation, and everything ended cleanly. Perhaps it was because he had already gone through the trials and tribulations of previous years that he had lost confidence in the struggle.
Wang Xiu'e's death dealt a huge blow to him, and since then he has been raising his children alone and taking on household chores. After losing his wife, he could only face children and a mess, and this may be one of the reasons why he began to change girlfriends after he began to let go of pressure on Songshan Island.
Wang Xiu'e's tragedy has taught people a profound lesson. In that special period, a helpless rural woman faced the challenges of life, and her loss not only brought pain to her family, but also made the society full of reflections on that period of history.