BM in the 60s c16~20

Best Mom in the 60s 

六零之穿成极品他妈

Author：易楠苏伊

Word count: ~21k

16 Acting

Qian Shu Lan eyed the frosty silent treatment between Li Cai Ying and Wang Shou Zhi. She had no experience as a mother-in-law, so she was clueless on how to navigate this icy situation.

But one thing she knew for certain was that in a marriage, it was best for outsiders to stay out of it. And especially in her awkward position.

If she sided with her son, Li Cai Ying would feel like they were ganging up on her.

If she sided with her daughter-in-law, Wang Shou Zhi might interpret it as favouritism towards an outsider.

Caught in this lose-lose situation, Qian Shu Lan came to the decision that it was best to stay out of the conflict. 

• (If you think the author repeated themselves, it’s because in the comments, everyone was demanding MC to tell her son to divorce. The author tried to show the point of view where doing so would be more harmful to MC.)

She focused on her meal and sipped her tea, all the while pondering whether she should suggest to Wang Shou Zhi that she wanted to leave for the village early, allowing him to arrange for a cart to take her back.

Qian Shu Lan wiped her hands clean and decided to head out to the outdoor kitchen. As she stepped out, she couldn’t help but eavesdrop on a heated conversation inside.

Despite knowing eavesdropping was not proper, morbid curiosity bubbled up within her, urging her to inch closer. 

Li Cai Ying’s voice was sharp, “You see what a terrible idea you had. Your mother doesn’t care about you at all. Both of us have made it so obvious, but she acts like she can’t see. I don’t think she considers you her son at all. Wang Shou Zhi, you promised me last night that you would send your mother back to the countryside, or else I won’t let go of what happened with Lin Fang.”

Wang Shou Zhi’s voice was filled with defeat, “How should I know if she would agree or not?”

Li Cai Ying’s tone was scornful, “I bet she’s taken a liking to the good life in the city and doesn’t want to leave.”

Wang Shou Zhi sighed in resignation, “Well, maybe I’ll ask my mother tonight.”

“Fine, that’s what you said.”

As the two walked away, Qian Shu Lan’s blood boiled. What a bunch of heartless snakes! She had been cooking for them for days, and this was how they treated her?

The old lady couldn’t help but wonder if she was such an unbearable mother that her son and daughter-in-law couldn’t wait for her to leave. But soon enough, she shook off the thought. She wasn’t Wang Shou Zhi’s birth mother, and she had made up her mind to leave.

When she’d first moved in, Wang Shou Zhi had appreciated her cooking, care, and attention, which had raised his filial piety value a bit. But once that reached seven, it stopped increasing.

Meanwhile, Li Cai Ying remained at a constant zero.

Since this discipline approach wasn’t effective, she decided to try a different tactic.

That evening, after dinner, when Wang Shou Zhi subtly asked her when she planned to leave, Qian Shu Lan was straightforward, “I’m leaving tomorrow. However, we need to discuss the issue of support money.” She pointed at the closed door, “Bring Li Cai Ying in.”

Wang Shou Zhi’s face turned crimson as he lost face when he realised that his mother knew exactly who held authority in their household.

Meanwhile, Li Cai Ying, who was eavesdropping in the hallway, couldn’t help but smile. She’d been waiting for this moment, eager to see her mother-in-law leave for good. However, her joy was short-lived when she heard about the fee.

Soon after, the old lady called for her. Without hesitation, Li Cai Ying pushed the door open and walked in.

Qian Shu Lan didn’t beat around the bush, and straightforwardly said, “Fifty yuan a year, no more than before. But with my old bones, I can’t travel back and forth every year. Besides, our production team needs workers too. I’ve already been away for so many days, which has delayed my work points. How about you pay me for five years at once, so I don’t have to keep coming back and forth?”

She needed more cash to buy extra food. During a famine, having extra food could be a lifesaver. She had heard that in such times, some people could even exchange ten catties of grain for a beautiful woman. Maybe she could do the same and exchange grain for temporary workers. That way, her status would rise.

Wang Shou Zhi found the proposal reasonable, but Li Cai Ying didn’t want her mother-in-law to get her way so easily.

Subconsciously, she wanted to object, but Qian Shu Lan seemed to have guessed her thoughts. 

She took a step back and said, “If you pay me for five years at once, it would be more convenient. You wouldn’t want me to keep bothering you for support fees now and then, would you? If you’re willing, this old country woman will come and join in your daily life, and I wouldn’t mind. Speaking of which, life in the city is indeed better than in the countryside. There’s no need to work in the fields, just cleaning and cooking every day. It’s really quite easy.”

As the elderly woman continued to ramble, Li Cai Ying’s anxiety grew. It seemed like she had no intention of leaving. Hurriedly searching through her purse, Li Cai Ying pulled out money to give to Qian Shu Lan. These past few days had been absolutely dreadful, with the old woman constantly bickering and causing trouble. It was enough to make one’s blood boil in an instant.

Taking the money, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but grin. “Go on, I’ll be heading back tomorrow.”

Wang Shou Zhi hesitated, wanting to tell his mother that he would arrange for a cart for her the next day. However, Li Cai Ying had already grabbed his arm and was pulling him away. Wang Shou Zhi looked helpless, his mouth half open as he retreated.

Qian Shu Lan looked at the money in her hand and couldn’t help but feel sorry for its original owner. It seemed that her son was truly beyond redemption.

Reforming Wang Shou Zhi wouldn’t be too difficult. He had endured Li Cai Ying’s presence for so many years simply for the sake of his job, showing that work mattered most to him. If his mother could help him find a job, his sense of filial piety would surely increase.

Dealing with this matter under normal circumstances would be quite challenging. However, with the upcoming famine next year and widespread food shortages, there would be plenty of opportunities.

Qian Shu Lan had a dilemma on her hands. She knew she could reform this person, but the methods seemed too harsh for her to tolerate. She just couldn’t make up her mind.

The first option: divorce. Li Cai Ying was as stuck up as a peacock, and had an inherent dislike for her mother-in-law. She wouldn’t listen to a word Qian Shu Lan said. A softer approach was pointless. Only through divorce could she bring in a new daughter-in-law for reform. After all, the original body only mentioned reforming the son and daughter-in-law, without specifying that the daughter-in-law had to be Li Cai Ying. As such.

However, divorce would be a heavy blow to both a woman and her child. Besides, fearing that Wang Shou Zhi, being an unreliable man, would blame her, she remained hesitant.

The second choice: clipping Li Cai Ying’s wings, stripping her of all her peacock feathers to strip her of her pride. But to personally carry out such a despicable act seemed to contradict Qian Shu Lan’s principles.

So, she decided to let time do the honing.

Not to mention, next year the country would be hit with a famine. While the countryside could still scrounge for wild veggies and gnaw on tree bark, what would happen in the city?

Would they not have to beg to come to the countryside?

At that time, wouldn’t her intervention yield results beyond measure?

With the hope of making Wang Shou Zhi feel guilty, Qian Shu Lan decided to voluntarily leave. It wasn’t the bravest move, but she figured a bit of humiliation now was worth it if it meant reaching her goal.

She figured that in any career, one must face a certain degree of humiliation.

The next morning, before the sun had even risen, Qian Shu Lan prepared herself a bowl of noodles. After satisfying her hunger, she gathered her belongings and stepped out of the family compound.

As she walked away, she gave Wang Shou Zhi a heavy, disapproving look, then without uttering a word, she turned her back and walked on.

Wang Shou Zhi felt a pang in his heart, considering chasing after her and finding a cart to send his mother back.

But Li Cai Ying, who stood by his side, firmly held onto his arm, standing tall like a victorious rooster, “That old hag is finally gone! I thought she was going to stay here for the rest of her life.”

As soon as Li Cai Ying’s words hit Wang Shou Zhi’s ears, his head whipped around, revealing a fiery glare. Caught off guard, Li Cai Ying hesitated for a moment before launching into a tirade.

“Wang Shou Zhi, what’s with this aggressive behaviour? Don’t you know who you are? How dare you glare at me like that, as if you’ve grown a pair after eating bear’s heart and leopard’s gall!” She bared her teeth, claws extended, ready to pounce.

Startled by her outburst, instead of allowing her to beat him as usual, Wang Shou Zhi managed to push her away, snarling back, “You shrew!”

That single insult ignited a fire in Li Cai Ying. Her eyes turned red with fury, and she swiped at Wang Shou Zhi with murderous intent.

No matter how honest or cowardly a man may be, there comes a moment when he can no longer bear the public humiliation inflicted by a woman. Especially for Wang Shou Zhi, who prided himself on his self-esteem.

If it weren’t for the sake of keeping his job, he would have never tolerated such treatment for so long.

Now, witnessing his mother being driven away, guilt consumed him. He remembered how she risked her life to gather wild fruits in the mountains, barely escaping the jaws of wild beasts, and even stealing food from enemy territory, narrowly avoiding getting shot. She dared to face such dangers, yet he felt worthless.

For the sake of his job, Wang Shou Zhi had endured Li Cai Ying’s scorn. He wanted his mother to see his plight, but he didn’t want to lose his job. Torn between conflicting emotions, he suffered in silence.

Meanwhile, Li Cai Ying continued to rant on the side, disparaging Wang Shou Zhi’s mother as shameful and him as a hick from the countryside. If she despised him so much, why had she married him in the first place?

Wang Shou Zhi was having serious second thoughts. If only he had known Li Cai Ying would have such an explosive temper, he wouldn’t have even considered marrying her, not even if they promised to make him the President.

Now, he found himself in the middle of the courtyard, trading blows with the fiery Li Cai Ying.

It’s a known fact that men, even those who never lifted a finger, usually have more physical strength than women. But what made things worse for Li Cai Ying was that the peaceful boy, Wang Shou Zhi, had developed a rebellious streak, refused to back down. So when the fight escalated, Wang Shou Zhi, to her surprise, started gaining the upper hand.

A crowd gathered around in the courtyard, but no one dared to intervene.

Wang Shou Zhi seemed to have lost his mind. He was relentlessly throwing punches and kicks at Li Cai Ying. Anyone who tried to stop them received a swift kick, without any consideration for their dignity.

Li Cai Ying screamed in pain as Wang Shou Zhi, now firmly in control, was not doing much better. His once perfectly groomed face was now scratched with several bloody gashes, his usually neat hair was now a dishevelled mess, and his glasses lay shattered on the ground, stomped by Li Cai Ying during the scuffle.

Li Cai Ying cried out, her pitiful cries echoing through the bustling street. Yet the crowd walked on, barely glancing in her direction. Normally, she wouldn’t even spare them a nod, so why bother righting a wrong today?

As the crowd dispersed, Li Cai Ying crumpled on the ground, clutching her head, groaning in pain. Her face was a canvas of bruises, her hair a tangled mess.

Li Guo Cheng’s face turned red as he charged towards the man who’d hurt his daughter. He kicked Wang Shou Zhi aside, his anger barely contained.

Wang Shou Zhi landed on the ground with a thud, his senses slowly coming back to him. When he saw Li Cai Ying, beaten to a pulp, her face swollen like a pig’s head, he felt an unexpected sense of relief. 

With a cold gaze, he muttered, “Divorce.”

He rose from the ground, pushed through the crowd, and walked away without looking back.

**

Li Guo Cheng searched the courtyard, his anger growing with every passing moment. Both his children were beaten, and his mother-in-law was nowhere to be seen. He wondered what use she was, if she couldn’t even protect her own children.

As they returned home, Li Cai Ying gingerly recounted the whole incident to her father.

Upon hearing his daughter’s tale of driving the old woman away, Li Guo Cheng couldn’t help but rub his furrowed brow. He had spent days worrying if he’d spoiled his daughter too much, turning her into an arrogant, disrespectful girl with no manners.

Little did he know she could actually chase the old lady out. Remembering his son-in-law’s words before leaving, could it be that he really wanted a divorce?

But hadn’t he always disregarded his mother-in-law? That’s why he’d been away for six years. Why was he now so affected by her departure?

Li Guo Cheng just couldn’t figure it out. Seeing his daughter’s bruised and swollen face, he swallowed the words he wanted to say.

**

Outside the cotton mill workers’ residential area, Wang Shou Zhi stood at the door, realising that his mother was indeed missing. He felt a sigh of relief escape his lips.

It appears that his elderly mother had found a cart to return home.

The mere thought of his own wretched appearance made him cringe. At least his mother wouldn’t witness him in this state. Living with Li Cai Ying was an absolute nightmare. He was completely drained!

His mother had been incredibly kind to him. She didn’t insist he marry Li Cai Ying solely for his own comfort, but rather out of genuine love and concern for his well-being.

However, his actions had angered his mother, leading her to return home.

He was truly unfilial! Wang Shou Zhi crouched by the wall and harshly slapped himself.

17 Value of Good Rice

Qian Shu Lan’s heart sank after she left her son’s quarters. The prices at the guesthouse were outrageous – one Yuan and five Jiao for a single night! It felt like they were practically stealing her money right under her nose.

She couldn’t help but compare that price to a catty of regular rice, which cost one Jiao  and four fen. A night at the guesthouse was worth a small bag of rice! It was practically a highway robbery! 

Determined to find a more affordable option, Qian Shu Lan decided to look for a nearby house to rent. After all, it was still early, and she could always go back to the guesthouse if nothing panned out.

Liu Pass County, with its quaint and small county town, was rarely overcrowded. However, Qian Shu Lan’s luck seemed to be running out. She asked around several households, only to receive the same disappointing response – their houses were too full and they didn’t have any rooms to rent.

Feeling disheartened, Qian Shu Lan remembered the one person who might be able to help her: Zhang Shi Tou, the street-smart ticket scalper she had befriended over the past few days. He was familiar with all the ins and outs of the town, and she was confident he could point her in the right direction.

With newfound determination, Qian Shu Lan headed towards the alley where the boy usually hung out. To her utter dismay, he was nowhere to be found.

Qian Shu Lan trudged her way to the Red Flag Restaurant, hoping to catch a word with Boss Du about Zhang Shi Tou’s whereabouts.

Boss Du tilted his head, stroking his whiskers thoughtfully. “He usually stops by in the afternoon.”

Nodding, Qian Shu Lan’s mind raced as she considered her next move. “I wonder if there are any houses to rent nearby. Any ideas?”

Du Da Hai scratched his chin, searching his memory. “Hmm, let me think… Ah, I remember a girl who lives alone. I could ask her if she’s willing to rent a room to you.”

Qian Shu Lan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Really? That would be fantastic, thank you so much!”

Boss Du waved it off, “No problem, no problem.”

As it wasn’t yet lunchtime, Du Da Hai had his apprentice prepare ingredients while he set out to locate the girl in question.

Qian Shu Lan and Boss Du were more like acquaintances than friends, so she felt grateful for his assistance. Wanting to express her appreciation, she decided to visit a nearby department store to purchase a small gift for him. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?

The old lady pondered what kind of gift would be suitable for Du Da Hai, being a cook and all. She figured a sharp knife would be the perfect token of appreciation.

Luckily, industrial coupons weren’t required for purchasing knives, so Qian Shu Lan picked up three of them in one go. She had already bought two knives before, along with five big iron pots. Why so many? Well, she figured it was better to be prepared for any situation. 

In the future, if her family were to split up, it might be difficult for her sons to buy iron pots in the countryside, especially since gathering industrial coupons would be a hassle.

By purchasing them ahead of time, she was also being cautious.

When Qian Shu Lan returned to the Red Flag Restaurant, she didn’t expect to see a familiar face. Boss Du walked in with a girl in tow, and to her surprise, it was none other than the strong girl from before!

“Comrade* Jiang? Is it you?”

• (*同志: a term of address, especially common during socialist and communist periods of Chinese history, to refer to someone in a friendly or respectful manner.)

Jiang Yu Ying couldn’t believe her luck when she discovered the person Uncle Du had in mind was none other than this nice old lady. 

Her older aunt had been a real thorn in her side lately, showing up unexpectedly and rummaging through her belongings. Jiang Yu Ying had changed the locks, preventing them from entering. Consequently, they resorted to knocking on her door in the dead of night, disrupting her sleep. 

For the past few days, she had been coming over to eat in a rather gloomy manner, which Uncle Du couldn’t help but notice. When she expressed her concerns to him, she never expected that he would actually help her find a roommate. Having a roommate would surely deter any further disturbances from her eldest aunt.

After all, the housemate wouldn’t have any familial ties to her, making it a strictly non-family affair and thus off-limits to the ever-meddling neighbourhood committee (街道办). It was a win-win solution – she got to keep her house and her sanity.

Uncle Du raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “You two know each other?” 

Jiang Yu Ying and Qian Shu Lan exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. The old lady then filled Uncle Du in on their history. 

Uncle Du sighed, switching gears to address Jiang Yu Ying. “Why don’t you find a man to marry? With a husband to support you, you could suffer less!”

Little did he know that the very mention of marriage made her stomach churn. She shook her head vehemently, her eyes flashing with determination. “Uncle Du, I don’t need a man to save me. I’m doing just fine on my own, thank you very much.”

Uncle Du nodded, sensing her reluctance. He didn’t push the matter any further, instead turning his attention back to the topic of renting a room. “If you stay for ten days, you can bring your own food, and we’ll charge you just two yuan.”

As it was a short-term rental, it was twice as expensive as a long-term one.

Qian Shu Lan nodded understandingly.

She handed over the knife she’d bought, but Du Da Hai shook his head, declining the gift.

Qian Shu Lan insisted, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Boss Du, actually, I wanted to ask you for a favour. If you don’t accept it, I’ll feel awkward bringing it up.”

Du Da Hai raised a brow. “What is it?”

Qian Shu Lan didn’t really have a specific request, she just mentioned it casually, then looked around with a somewhat embarrassed expression, “I’ll talk to you about it later.”

Du Da Hai thought that what she wanted help with might be sensitive and not something to be shared in public. After a moment’s thought, he agreed.

He was still thinking that if he couldn’t be of help, he would return the item.

Jiang Yu Ying helped Qian Shu Lan carry the package, the two of them leaving the Red Flag Restaurant, one in front and one behind.

As they approached the gate of her house, Jiang Yu Ying couldn’t help but wince at the cacophony of shouting coming from next door. She shared a resigned smile with the old lady, who simply raised an eyebrow, choosing not to get involved.

Upon entering, Qian Shu Lan was genuinely impressed by the ample space provided. The room boasted a comfortable bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.

Jiang Yu Ying then proceeded to explain the cooking arrangements. “You can use the clay stove here. Feel free to use anything else you might need.” Her charges were double what other landlords demanded, but everything from oil to vinegar was included in the price.

Qian Shu Lan’s worries dissipated as they began to chat about their daily life.

It turned out that the young girl was an orphan, her entire family having perished during the chaos of war. Due to her father being a martyr, the higher-ups took pity on her and arranged a job for her.

This seemingly fortunate turn of events had only served to attract the envy of her extended family, who would frequently drop by to cause trouble.

Jiang Yu Ying was a fiery young woman, quick-witted and shrewd, not one to back down from a fight.

So, every time, they were sent back with their tails between their legs.

Qian Shu Lan thought about asking Jiang Yu Ying about her job.

Lately, she had been considering the differences between Wang Shou Zhi and Wang Shou Ren.

Their ideas of a good mother were very different.

Wang Shou Ren believed a good mother was someone who cared for him, loved him, his children, and encouraged him – that was enough.

But Wang Shou Zhi wanted something more. He also wanted her to find a job for him.

That’s why, even though she cooked and took care of him and gave him advice, none of it could significantly increase his filial piety value.

So, she needed to help him find a new job now. If she could find him a job, he could stand tall and no longer have to yield to Li Cai Ying.

Speaking of Li Cai Ying, she was clearly ambiguous.

She fulfilled her duties as a good mother-in-law, but she showed no warmth. She didn’t even earn a single filial piety point.

So, the only person who could change Li Cai Ying now, besides Li Guo Cheng, was Wang Shou Zhi.

She had given up on Li Guo Cheng’s help. She had reminded him several times already, but her efforts seemed to be nothing but a fart in his ear. His daughter was growing increasingly disrespectful, indicating that he hadn’t taught her well. It made sense though; if he had done a better job, she wouldn’t have turned out like this.

Now, all hope now rested on Wang Shou Zhi.

As long as Li Cai Ying still wanted to live with her son, she had to change her attitude. That’s why she didn’t return to the countryside but stayed in the city, buying food and keeping an eye out for job opportunities.

Jiang Yu Ying overheard Qian Shu Lan inquiring about work and pondered for a moment.

The old lady noticed her hesitation and quickly said, “Comrade Jiang, don’t worry about money. I’m not short on cash!” She added, “Even temporary work will do.”

Maybe finding a formal job would be tough, but temporary work could be an option. As long as it helped Wang Shou Zhi stand tall, he probably wouldn’t mind just being a temporary worker.

Jiang Yu Ying saw that Qian Shu Lan had misunderstood and quickly waved her hand, saying, “Actually, most factories nowadays only hire the children of internal employees for work. Even temporary positions are the same.”

Although Qian Shu Lan had long known that finding a job in this era was a challenge, hearing about such strict requirements still left her feeling disheartened.

It occurred to her that she might have jumped to conclusions. After all, if jobs were really that easy to obtain, Wang Shou Zhi wouldn’t be so downcast.

Little did she know, Jiang Yu Ying continued, “Recently, our grocery store is hiring a procurement officer. I heard that there will be interviews and written tests, and not many people are aware of it. But I heard from the manager that whoever can acquire a thousand catties of rice will be hired.”

Qian Shu Lan’s heart skipped a beat.

A thousand catties of rice?

She was ecstatic, but Jiang Yu Ying sneered, “The manager above is quite stingy, they only want top-notch rice. I heard this rice is specifically set aside for employee benefits. The rice at the grocery store is apportioned, and apart from the quota assigned to each street, there isn’t much left, not nearly enough to distribute as employee benefits. That’s why the manager came up with this clever ploy to test the new employees’ abilities.”

“Alright,” Qian Shu Lan beamed, holding tightly onto Jiang Yu Ying’s hand. “Where do we sign up? I’ll sign up for my son.”

Jiang Yu Ying raised a brow, eyeing Qian Aunt’s unwavering enthusiasm. “Remember, it’s not easy to buy so much good rice here. We’re up north, you know?”

Qian Shu Lan simply smiled, her eyes filled with determination. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it all figured out.”

A hint of scepticism crossed Jiang Yu Ying’s expression. Was Qian Aunt planning to travel south to buy rice? How would she obtain a recommendation letter? And how would she transport the rice back?

Nevertheless, she agreed, “Alright then. Let’s go register tomorrow. If he has an urban household registration, he might have a shot at a formal job. If it’s rural, he might have to settle for a temporary position.”

Changing household registrations these days was no easy task. It was intertwined with the distribution of essential goods like grain and oil, and the regularisation process was a nightmare. The complex procedures and stringent inspections made it nearly impossible for her other sons to switch.

Qian Shu Lan felt fortunate. With Wang Shou Zhi’s urban registration, there was still a chance for him to secure a formal job.

Overjoyed, Qian Shu Lan hurried to her room, grabbed ten catties of rice, packed it into a hemp sack, and offered it to Jiang Yu Ying with a smile. “Thank you, Comrade Jiang. I wouldn’t have known about this opportunity without your help.”

Jiang Yu Ying shook her head, refusing the offer. With rice prices skyrocketing to one jiao and four fen per catty, accepting such a generous gift was out of the question.

But Qian Shu Lan wouldn’t let her off, her voice earnest. “You’ve already helped me so much, and this bit of rice is nothing in comparison. If you don’t take it, I won’t even have the guts to ask you to come with me when I register.”

Feeling cornered, Jiang Yu Ying reluctantly took the bag of rice. As she reached inside, she was met with an unexpected sensation. The rice grains were all the same size, glistening with a sheen that spoke of quality. Not a single grain was broken or split, which was rare in this era of primitive husking methods.

She marvelled, “Such good rice.”

In those days, with technology scarce, most production teams relied on stone rollers to grind the rice stalks before passing them through a dehusking machine. Unfortunately, this process often resulted in the crushing and splitting of rice grains.

It wasn’t unusual to find rice grains split into two or three pieces, or even ground into fine dust. So, the sight of perfectly intact grains in her hand was indeed a pleasant surprise.

The rice grains were perfectly intact, with not a single piece broken. It was clear that they had undergone a meticulous sieving process to remove any crushed grains, with each one carefully selected.

Based on this quality alone, Jiang Yu Ying felt that this job might just fall into the lap of Qian Shu Lan’s son.

Upon hearing this praise, Qian Shu Lan felt a swell of pride. Initially, she had regretted her hasty decision to buy rice instead of corn or sweet potatoes. But now, she reconsidered. How could these immortal cultivation worlds possibly have such simple foods?

After all, they didn’t need machines there. A simple spell could cause these grains to thresh themselves. Why eat sweet potatoes when you can have rice?

However, what truly surprised her was the unexpected usefulness of this rice. It brought her immense delight.

18 Signing up

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Qian Shu Lan from her sleep. She rolled out of bed and began preparing breakfast, even making an extra portion in the hopes of sharing a meal with Jiang Yu Ying.

When the young woman stirred from her slumber, she noticed the steaming hot dishes laid out on the table. 

Qian Shu Lan called out to her, “Jiang Yu Ying, come join me for breakfast!”

“Aunt Qian,” Yu Ying protested lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble!” After all, she was a guest.

Qian Shu Lan laughed, shaking her head. “No need to be shy, I’ve already prepared everything. Besides, I’ll be staying at your place for ten days, so I’m the one inconveniencing you.”

The young girl’s face flushed red at her words. Qian had given her rice the day before and paid for her stay here. But the delicious smell wafting from the dishes made it hard to decline.

The old lady smiled warmly as she served Jiang Yu Ying a plate. “I made it a bit mild, just in case. I’m not sure about your tastes.”

Qian Shu Lan truly appreciated the young girl. Although she had given her rice the previous day, it seemed like a small gesture compared to helping her find a job. However, she couldn’t afford to give away too much food.

As her previous package was already large, it would have been odd for her to suddenly bring out a massive amount of food, wouldn’t it? So, she decided to cook a delectable meal to repay Jiang Yu Ying. It was just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks.

Jiang Yu Ying took a bite of the shredded green peppers and potatoes, her eyes widening in delight. The flavours were refreshing and rich, a testament to her culinary prowess.

She blushed a bit, feeling a bit embarrassed, “Aunt Qian, how about I give you some of my rations later? You don’t have much food yourself, I can’t just take advantage of you for free.”

Ever since Qian Shu Lan moved in, Jiang Yu Ying had felt awkward calling her “grandmother.” So, she just called her Aunt Qian directly.

Qian Shu Lan thought about it for a moment before nodding. This girl had a remarkably strong sense of morality; that’s why her values were so upright.

She eyed the three perfect scores on Jiang Yu Ying’s head with a hint of envy. ‘This is what I need to aim for.’ If all her daughters-in-law were as upright and honest as this girl, she wouldn’t have to worry about them.

As they finished their meal, Qian Shu Lan stood up and stretched. “Come on, let’s go register at the grain and oil office.”

As the two walked down the dusty road, with the sun casting long shadows behind them, they chatted.

Jiang Yu Ying, always curious, asked, “Aunt Qian, if this job turns out to be successful, which son do you plan to give it to?”

During their previous conversation, Qian Shu Lan had briefly mentioned her family situation to Jiang Yu Ying. Consequently, Jiang Yu Ying wondered which son Aunt Qian intended to give the job to.

Without hesitation, Qian Shu Lan replied, “The fifth son.”

Jiang Yu Ying raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit confused. Aunt Qian had mentioned that her fifth son already had a job. So, why would she still give it to him?

Sensing Jiang Yu Ying’s confusion, Qian Shu Lan explained, “My fifth son’s current job was arranged by his father-in-law. He’s constantly bullied at home by his wife and can’t even stand up for himself. It breaks my heart to see.”

Although Qian Shu Lan claimed to empathise with Wang Shou Zhi’s situation, deep down, she had already sensed that something was amiss about him from the first meeting..

In the original mother’s memories, Wang Shou Zhi was a lively and mischievous young man who couldn’t help but wear a grin. However, these days, the Wang Shou Zhi she saw was completely different – like a stagnant pond in a muddy field, devoid of any signs of life.

Wang Shou Zhi’s face was an open book. His furrowed brow and hunched back screamed of the pressure he was under, even as he tried to put on a brave face. If Qian Shu Lan were a psychologist, she might’ve been able to diagnose his issues, but all she could do was observe the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

It seemed that Wang Shou Zhi saw himself as Goujian, suffering through Li Cai Ying’s wrath and unreasonable demands. 

• (Goujian: An ancient Chinese king of the Yue state during the Spring and Autumn Period. Goujian is famous for his endurance and perseverance, as he endured hardship and humiliation in order to eventually defeat his enemies.)

As the old saying goes, “If you don’t explode in silence, you’ll go insane in silence.*” And Qian Shu Lan feared that if Wang Shou Zhi didn’t let out his pent-up anger, he would eventually break.

• (A saying from a Chinese writer Lu Xun 鲁迅 )

What she didn’t know was that Wang Shou Zhi had already exploded. The day she left, he had let loose his frustration in a way she couldn’t yet imagine.

As the old lady spoke, Jiang Yu Ying voiced her concerns. “Aunt Qian, if your other sons find out about this, they might argue with you. After all, your fifth son already has a job. It’s not fair to them.”

Qian Shu Lan’s jaw dropped in surprise. She mulled over her younger friend’s words and realised that she had been so focused on her fifth son’s precarious situation that she had completely overlooked her other children. 

But Jiang Yu Ying’s words sparked a thought in Qian Shu Lan’s mind. Would her other three sons end up fighting over this if they heard about it?

The toughest challenge for parents wasn’t dealing with multiple children, but the pressure to ensure fairness. Parents might think they’re being fair, but their kids might not see it that way.

Qian Shu Lan was caught in a dilemma. Should she let her sons compete fairly, or should she follow her own preferences?

Noticing Aunt Qian lost in thought, Jiang Yu Ying felt a bit guilty for speaking too much. She grinned and suggested, “Let’s go sign up first and then talk.”

After considering it, Qian Shu Lan nodded in agreement. It was uncertain if she would even be selected, so worrying about it now was pointless.

The Grain and Oil Bureau of Liu Pass County sat right in the heart of the county, not far from the girl’s place. They arrived after a short five-minute walk.

Already, many people had gathered early in the morning, forming a long queue. As they reached the front, they felt the weight of judgement from the others in line.

During the registration process, Qian Shu Lan stumbled upon a peculiar rule: only candidates who had a formal recommendation from an employee of the Grain and Oil Bureau were eligible to sign up.

Moreover, each Bureau worker was limited to recommending just one hopeful.

Qian Shu Lan’s heart swelled with gratitude when she saw her name written under Jiang Yu Ying’s recommendation. She hadn’t expected Yu Ying to be so generous, sacrificing a valuable recommendation spot for her. Touched by this act of kindness, she tightly clasped Jiang Yu Ying’s hand.

In return, the girl flashed a wide grin, exchanged pleasantries with the leaders, and posed a few questions… only to discover that there were more than five hundred applicants.

However, the Bureau was only planning to hire one permanent employee and five temporary ones. The selection ratio was almost as competitive as when Qian Shu Lan had taken the civil service exam.

It was no wonder the new leader had devised this method – to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. By giving everyone a recommendation spot, it would be unfair to favour someone in particular. Instead, they opted to ignite a healthy competition where individuals would showcase their worth through their abilities.

Qian Shu Lan trailed behind Jiang Yu Ying, her voice filled with sincere gratitude.

The girl, blushing, glanced at her watch and said, “Aunt Qian, I have to go to work.”

Not wanting to keep her from her job, Qian Shu Lan quickly responded, “I’ll bring you some food at noon. Don’t worry about coming home.”

Surprised by the offer, Jiang Yu Ying raised an eyebrow and replied, “But how can I—?”

Interrupting her, Qian Shu Lan firmly stated, “—It’s settled then. Hurry up and go to your job.”

Feeling the old lady’s insistence and realising she was running out of time, Jiang Yu Ying could only express her gratitude.

Qian Shu Lan watched her walk away, filled with happiness. She couldn’t believe her luck, encountering such a kind-hearted person.

Thinking about Jiang Yu Ying’s help, Qian Shu Lan felt the need to repay her kindness.

With the rabbit she had purchased from the black market in mind, she decided to go back home and start preparing it.

Last time, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that Li Cai Ying was out to get her, criticising her for her love of capitalism and pleasure-seeking lifestyle. She hadn’t dared bring out the rabbit, but now she realised it was just as well.

At noon, she whipped up a plate of mouth watering braised rabbit meat. The aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the white rice she had prepared.

Since she didn’t have any extra aluminium lunch boxes, she couldn’t make soup. Thinking that the grocery store would have hot water, she decided not to bring any along.

As she walked briskly towards the grain and oil store in the northern part of the city, she noticed that Jiang Yu Ying’s coworkers had already gone for lunch.

Qian Shu Lan quickly handed over the steaming meal.

Jiang Yu Ying accepted it, her eyes widening with gratitude as she thanked her profusely. It was the first time someone had brought her food since her parents had passed away.

As she looked at Qian Shu Lan, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. If only she had such a loving elder in her life.

Actually, Jiang Yu Ying had a good reason for giving her recommendation spot to Qian Shu Lan.

A few days earlier, two coworkers had given her gifts in the hopes of securing the spot. However, she didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so she told them it was already taken.

Initially, she had planned to give the spot to her cousin. Unfortunately, her eldest aunt and cousin were just too bullying. She would rather sell the spot than let them have it.

The day before, Aunt Qian had asked about a job, and Jiang Yu Ying thought it would be best to give it to her. After all, the old lady had always made her feel warm and valued.

Qian Shu Lan was clueless about her thoughts.

As the young woman took a bite of the rabbit meat, Qian Shu Lan asked excitedly, “You seem to handle spicy food well. I added some chilli and Sichuan peppercorn to this rabbit meat. What do you think?”

Hearing her words, Jiang Yu Ying’s eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded earnestly. Afraid that the old lady would notice her emotional moment, she began eating with gusto.

Watching her enjoy the meal so much, Qian Shu Lan also felt a sense of happiness.

Sometimes, fate works in mysterious ways. Qian Shu Lan had never expected to meet someone whose values aligned so perfectly with hers in this day and age.

Dealing with difficult people every day and trying to understand their way of thinking was exhausting. Sometimes, Qian Shu Lan wished she could send them all back to their mother’s womb for a fresh start. Unfortunately, that was not possible, which could be quite frustrating.

Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but feel a fondness for Jiang Yu Ying, who resembled her so much. It was a cruel twist of fate that Jiang Yu Ying had an even more difficult life.

Unlike Jiang Yu Ying, Qian Shu Lan still had her grandmother to take care of her. However, the young girl, an orphan, was under the care of her aunt, who was hell-bent on using her for her own gain.

Yet, despite all of this, Jiang Yu Ying managed to maintain her optimism. It was hard not to admire her for that.

After finishing her meal, Qian Shu Lan began to clean up the lunchbox. She was about to leave when Jiang Yu Ying spoke up.

“You don’t have to leave so soon, do you? I mean, you brought me food, so it’s only fair that you stay for a while.”

But Qian Shu Lan was already thinking about going to another grocery store to buy supplies. She might not be able to return to this northern grain and oil store in the future, so she needed to find another place to purchase her goods. 

• (tn: She’s changing places so people won’t notice that one person is buying such a large quantity of food. She might get in trouble for food speculation.)

With a brisk pace, Qian Shu Lan declined, “I still want to go to the department store for a bit. I’ll head back now.”

Upon hearing her words, Jiang Yu Ying began to rummage through her pockets.

Qian Shu Lan quickly stopped her, saying, “No need, no need. I’ve already exchanged some food coupons with someone else, so I don’t need them.”

Jiang Yu Ying reluctantly put the coupons back into her pocket.

19  She Made a Silent Vow

With a skip in her step and a newfound energy, Qian Shu Lan bid adieu to her new friend, Jiang Yu Ying. She then tossed her lunchbox into her storage ring and began striding towards the eastern side of town.

Recently, Qian Shu Lan had managed to purchase three hundred catty of fine flour. However, she couldn’t understand why she hadn’t been able to get even a single coarse grain ration coupon. Perhaps the city administration didn’t see much profit in selling coarse grain coupons, so they weren’t too interested in making them available.

Thinking that she might find a cunning scalper at the east side grain and oil store, Qian Shu Lan made her way there.

During her time exploring the city, Qian Shu Lan had noticed an interesting pattern. If you were looking for a specific type of ration coupon, it was best to wander around the area where that item was sold. Who knows, you might just stumble upon a scalper. Armed with only ten catty of ration coupons, she decided to venture towards the eastern part of the city.

Selling ration coupons was much easier than selling actual grains. Coupons were simple to transport, unlike grains which could attract attention from the militia on the road, and if it was fine flour, they might seize it, resulting in a tremendous loss.

As Qian Shu Lan arrived at the grain and oil store in the eastern part of the city, she didn’t bother going inside. Instead, she turned a corner and started scanning the nearby alley, remaining alert.

Just as she had suspected, there was a suspicious middle-aged man lurking in the shadows, puffing on a cigarette.

Qian Shu Lan’s eyes gleamed as she cautiously approached him. The alley was overgrown with weeds and thorns, so she had to be careful not to get trapped.

When she got close enough, Qian Shu Lan whispered, “Do you sell food coupons?”

The middle-aged man eyed her suspiciously, taking note of her wrinkled face and the fact that she didn’t look like a member of the Public Security Brigade. He promptly took out a stack of coupons from his pocket.

Unlike Zhang Shi Tou, this man was a coupon kingpin. He had all sorts of ration coupons clutched in his hand: meat coupons, soy product coupons, oil coupons, cloth coupons, cotton coupons, soap coupons, sewing machine coupons, and coal ball coupons, he had them all.

Qian Shu Lan eyed them, her gaze lingering on the meat coupons. They were a precious commodity, mainly due to the stringent rules set by the public security brigade. The city’s black market had become rather quiet, with fewer items available for purchase. Among these, meat was the rarest, while eggs were the most abundant. Qian could buy about fifty eggs almost every day.

As for oil coupons, she didn’t need them. The Wang Family Village had been growing soybeans on its barren land over the past year, and they also had an oil mill. So, there was no shortage of oil.

She eyed the cloth coupons, requesting an impressive 8 zhang/24 metres (1 zhang 丈 = 10 chi 尺 = 3.33 m ). With that much, she could make at least five outfits since 15 chi were needed for one.

Old Qian Shu Lan wasn’t exactly warm and cuddly with her daughter-in-laws and granddaughters. Their clothes were patched up, much to her disapproval. Except for Sun Da Qin, Li Chun Hua and Zhou Xue Mei were always seen in raggedy outfits.

Zhou Xue Mei was slightly better off since she received a new outfit last year from her mother’s side, who favoured her as their only daughter.

Li Chun Hua, on the other hand, was in a woeful state, with no support from her mother’s family. She had to make do with hand-me-down clothes from men.

Qian Shu Lan insisted on hygiene and managed to get two soap vouchers.

She considered buying a sewing machine voucher, but at thirty yuan each, she felt the need to be frugal. After all, she didn’t have many clothes to make. It wasn’t necessary to spend that much.

But she bought plenty of coal vouchers. Why? Because the Great Steel Refinery was about to start operations, leading to widespread deforestation. There would be a long period of afforestation afterwards, with tree-cutting prohibited in the countryside.

The city’s coal supply would also decrease accordingly. If the supply couldn’t meet the demand, black market coal prices would rise. Buying more coal vouchers would be wise.

Besides, if she didn’t buy them, the coal would end up being wasted on the iron-smelting industry anyway.

Qian Shu Lan bought all the remaining grain coupons, totaling 120 catties of fine grain coupons and 100 catties of coarse grain coupons.

In the end, she asked curiously, “Why don’t you have watch coupons?”

Industrial coupons were not available yet, but no watch coupons either, wasn’t that strange?

The scalper paused for a moment, looking at her in surprise. “Watches are foreign goods, they don’t need coupons.”

Now it was Qian Shu Lan’s turn to be puzzled. “Are there no domestically made watches?”

The scalper shook his head confidently. “None.”

Qian Shu Lan finally understood. It turned out that Chine* had not yet started mass-producing watches, so naturally there were no watch coupons.

• (*华国: flower kingdom. Probably to keep censorship at bay, the author never explicitly mentions China. Instead, they cleverly use various euphemisms to refer to the country.)

Qian Shu Lan lowered her head and looked at her old clothes, feeling that she should first buy herself a new outfit.

Her humble roots didn’t prepare her for the sight of her raggedy, patched clothes. She couldn’t help but feel that even beggars from her past life would show sympathy upon glimpsing her attire.

Her predecessor might have been a hardass, but she could never bring herself to mistreat herself like that. No, she wouldn’t save all the good things for her fart sons.

So, after obtaining some clothing vouchers, she made a beeline for the department store. She managed to get herself a set of durable work clothes – just the thing for a tough girl like her. To prevent her skin from itching, she also picked up a cosy cotton sweatshirt.

She grabbed the remaining fabric to take home for her family to make their own clothes. If she knew how to sew, and if she weren’t in such a hurry, she would have skipped the ready-made ones. Those things were pricey.

A complete set of clothing requires fifteen chi ( 1 尺 = around 1/3 of a metre) of fabric. This set of clothes was priced at six yuan and two jiao. One chi of work cloth costs two jiao and six fen, totaling three yuan and nine jiao for fifteen chi. The cost of labour in the store alone amounts to two yuan and three jiao. Even if she were to hire a tailor, the cost would only be one yuan and eight jiao. Surprisingly, the store’s price for ready-made clothing was more than double the cost of making it oneself.

• (1 Yuan (元 or 圆) = 10 Jiao/Mao (角 or 毛) = 100 Fen (分)) 

Ah, life in the city. Tailors were like gold dust, and you’d be waiting in line for days just to get your threads sewn. Qian Shu Lan couldn’t afford that luxury.

So, after scouring the market for hours, she finally found some clothes that fit her taste and budget. But even that wasn’t the end of it. Now, she had to wash them herself. She grumbled as she scrubbed away at the fabric, hands red and wrinkled from the hot water.

Qian Shu Lan sighed with relief when she hung the clothes out to dry in Jiang Yu Ying’s courtyard. At least her precious belongings wouldn’t be pilfered here.

As she wrung out the last piece of clothing, she heard a familiar cacophony from next door. 

Those neighbours sure loved to argue. Qian Shu Lan rolled her eyes, recognizing the nagging voice of Liu Lan Hua (刘兰花), the mother-in-law from hell.

She couldn’t help but eavesdrop as Liu Lan Hua berated her daughter-in-law, Chen Ming E (陈明娥), for some minor mistake. Poor girl, Qian Shu Lan thought, feeling a pang of sympathy. But she knew better than to get involved in their family drama.

Each morning, at the ungodly hour of four, Chen Ming E would groggily wake up to head to the market and haggle with vendors. Once her husband left for work, she faced the tedious, soul-crushing routine of laundry, cleaning, and making paper boxes, all while struggling to maintain her sanity.

Meanwhile, her mother-in-law, Liu Lan Hua, sat on a stool, gripping a long and intimidating bamboo pole. Her sharp gaze closely followed Chen Ming E’s every move as she went about her tasks.

If the old woman disapproved of something, she would swiftly strike out with a flick of her wrist, causing the bamboo pole to crack against Chen Ming E’s back. The scolding that followed each strike echoed through the courtyard, a constant reminder of the mother-in-law’s authority.

Upon witnessing this cruel spectacle, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but feel a wave of sympathy for the poor woman. Initially, she would gently reprove Liu Lan Hua in the hope of encouraging her to show Chen Ming E some kindness. However, the old woman’s stubbornness knew no bounds.

Each night, under the eerie glow of the moon casting shadows across the courtyard, Liu Lan Hua returned to her cruel game with renewed vigour, leaving Chen Ming E sobbing and bruised.

Qian Shu Lan sighed, ready to retreat back to the safety of her home. But the sound of a water cart rumbling down the street caught her attention, and she seized the opportunity.

The city had yet to have the luxury of running water. Instead, the water bureau dispatched young men to deliver water to the residents for a fee of one yuan per month.

As the water cart approached the entrance of the alley, Qian Shu Lan quickly grabbed a bucket and made her way toward the vehicle. She filled the bucket with water and prepared to pass by the neighbouring gate. 

Suddenly, a figure dashed out from inside, almost knocking her to the ground in their haste. The figure, realising their clumsy actions, hastily apologised and fled.

Qian Shu Lan, an elderly woman with a creaky back, rubbed her waist and stared at the overturned bucket on the ground, its water seeping into the earth. She couldn’t help but sigh in irritation.

But then, as she saw Chen Ming E scrambling away in a hurry, Qian Shu Lan decided to let it go, hoping the girl might have some urgent business. She bent down to pick up the bucket when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the courtyard.

Liu Lan Hua, a small woman with a pale complexion, hobbled towards her, her tiny feet* struggling to keep up. When she reached Qian Shu Lan, she panted heavily, her face flushed with exertion. 

• (小脚”: A disgusting practice of foot binding when young girl’s feet are tightly bound from a young age, breaking and deforming the bones. For the rest of her life, every step will be painful. Bound feet were considered beautiful and even erotic.
• In a region south of Beijing, Dingxian, where over 99% of women once had bound feet, no new cases were found among those born after 1919.
• By 2007, only a small handful of elderly Chinese women whose feet had been bound were still alive.) 

As soon as Liu Lan Hua spotted Qian Shu Lan, her eyes widened in fear, and she quickly forced a smile onto her face.

“Ah, elder sister, have you seen my daughter-in-law?” Liu Lan Hua asked, her voice wavering with anxiety.

Qian Shu Lan raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Liu Lan Hua’s behaviour. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of resentment towards the woman, who always seemed to create chaos, much like a feudal landlady.

So, Qian Shu Lan decided to play along, pretending to be disoriented and rubbing her forehead with dramatic flair. “You mean the one who just ran out is your daughter-in-law?” She pointed at the water on the ground. “Look, she knocked over my bucket. How do you intend to compensate for this?”

Liu Lan Hua eyed Qian Shu Lan suspiciously, as if she suspected the old lady of trying to swindle her before running back home. 

What a strange woman.

Qian Shu Lan chuckled to herself as she lugged the water back to her courtyard. Even if she wanted Liu Lan Hua to compensate her, the amount of water was so minimal that not even a fen was worth it. So why bother running away? Being so stingy was truly bizarre. 

As she prepared dinner, Qian Shu Lan heard a commotion next door. At first, she didn’t want to get involved. But life has a way of pulling you into its dramas, whether you like it or not. And so, as fate would have it, Qian Shu Lan found herself standing as a witness, testifying to what she’d seen.

She peeked out at the front gate and saw a middle-aged woman striding up, her short bob haircut swaying with each step. Clad in a blue Zhongshan suit, she commanded attention, hands behind her back. There was no doubt about it – this woman exuding an air of leadership.

Qian Shu Lan was a bit baffled by the sudden turn of events. 

The middle-aged woman noticed the old lady’s confusion, so she repeated herself, “Comrade, I am Zhou Sheng Nan (周胜男), the director of the women’s association in this neighbourhood. Chen Ming E has accused Comrade Liu Lan Hua of promoting feudalism and harassing her daughter-in-law at home. Do you know about this? Have you heard Comrade Liu Lan Hua hitting Chen Ming E?”

Qian Shu Lan glanced at the red armband on Zhou’s shoulder and realised the situation. She turned her gaze towards the two people standing behind her.

Chen Ming E was staring at her nervously, her eyes wide with anticipation, as if awaiting a judgement call. Liu Lan Hua had a similar expression.

When Qian Shu Lan looked at her, the old woman even winked at her, a gesture that she understood but didn’t want to respond to.

Qian Shu Lan nodded, “I heard.”

Zhou Sheng Nan nodded and made a note in her notebook, her writing as bold as her intentions.

But Liu Lan Hua charged forward like a mad dog, “You old hag, what rubbish are you spewing? When did I ever hit this wretched woman?”

Qian Shu Lan pretended to be terrified, hiding behind Zhou Sheng Nan, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Zhou Sheng Nan’s piercing gaze swept across Liu Lan Hua like a hawk’s talons, making her shiver and step back hastily. Her two henchwomen quickly snapped out of their daze and grabbed her, pulling her back.

Zhou Sheng Nan then turned to Qian Shu Lan and fired off more questions: when did the assault occur, how long did it last, and who else was privy to it.

Qian Shu Lan answered each question calmly, her eyes locked onto Liu Lan Hua’s menacing black orbs, which seemed to burn with hatred and hunger.

With a clear conscience, the old lady ignored Liu Lan Hua’s scorching gaze and answered the director of the women’s association’s questions without hesitation.

Zhou Sheng Nan was very pleased with her responses. She even shook Qian Shu Lan’s hand before leaving, saying with a smile, “Thank you, Comrade Qian, for your help.”

Qian Shu Lan nodded, waving her hand.

As Zhou Sheng Nan and her men whisked Liu Lan Hua away, Qian Shu Lan grabbed Chen Ming E, who was about to leave.

Just then, Chen Ming E’s eyes brimmed with gratitude as she revealed the truth. Tears streamed down her face, and she kept wiping them, almost rubbing her eyes red.

The young woman bowed deeply, her back at a perfect ninety-degree angle. Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

She decided to offer a word of warning, “Have you considered what will happen when your husband learns that you reported his own mother?”

Chen Ming E’s face paled, her body shaking, teeth chattering from fear.

Noticing her terrified state, Qian Shu Lan quickly reached out to steady her. But in doing so, she accidentally touched the scar on Chen Ming E’s arm, causing her to gasp in pain.

Startled by the sound, Qian Shu Lan froze, not daring to move.

“If you want to live a good life, you should report your husband too. Then, you can take over his job,” she suggested.

As Qian Shu Lan finished speaking, she locked eyes with Chen Ming E and noticed a brief widening in her gaze.

She let go of her arm and added, “This is your only lifeline. Otherwise, you might not see another sunrise.”

Before, when Qian Shu Lan had intervened, she noticed Chen Ming E’s husband standing quietly by his mother’s side, not uttering a word. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was the one who had caused his wife’s nightly cries of pain.

With a heavy sigh, Qian Shu Lan turned and walked into the courtyard, closing the door without waiting for a response.

Outside the door, Chen Ming E stood frozen for a moment before slowly moving her body. As she reached her own doorstep, her gaze lingered for a brief moment.

Should she report him or not?

As the sun cast long shadows on the street, Chen Ming E noticed Jiang Yu Ying making her way home from work. 

With her confident stride and radiant smile, it almost seemed like she defied gravity itself. Though she didn’t have any children yet, she appeared content with her life, taking each day as it came.

This made Chen Ming E ponder her possibilities. After all, she had already betrayed her mother-in-law; how much more harm could a few more reports cause?

With a renewed sense of determination, she veered off towards the street office.

Later that evening, when Chen Ming E’s husband walked through the door, he was unexpectedly confronted by Zhou Sheng Nan and her gang. This led to a heated argument.

Qian Shu Lan found herself unwillingly pulled back into the chaos. As the questioning began, she was asked whether she had witnessed Liu Chuan Jun abusing Chen Ming E. Unsure whether to lie or tell the truth, the old lady hesitated.

Standing next to her, Jiang Yu Ying confidently nodded, “I’ve seen it, more than once.”

Liu Chuan Jun’s mind buzzed with the desire to kick out like his mother, but the person currently holding him down wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. He couldn’t move a muscle.

Before long, Liu Chuan Jun and Liu Lan Hua were labelled as feudal degenerates and sent off to rot in detention.

Chen Yue E, Liu Chuan Jun’s wife, swiftly filed for divorce. Her daughter, Liu Fang Lin, didn’t hesitate to sever all ties with her father and grandmother.

As a recently divorced woman, Chen Yue E was no longer eligible to take over Liu Chuan Jun’s job. However, she had a talent for finding people who could skirt the rules, and with a generous sum, she managed to secure the position.

In the end, all the savings that Liu Chuan Jun had accumulated over his lifetime were handed over to her.

Qian Shu Lan quickly figured out why Jiang Yu Ying had chosen to help Chen Yue E.

Jiang Yu Ying squeezed Liu Fang Lin’s hand, her eyes shining as she introduced the young girl, “This is my little sister I’ve taken under my wing. She’s in primary school.”

Liu Fang Lin was immensely thankful to Qian Shu Lan and tearfully expressed her gratitude while gripping her hand, “Aunt Qian, if it weren’t for your help this time, my mom might not have succeeded. You’re our family’s saviour. I’ll definitely repay you in the future.”

Prior to this, Liu Fang Lin had attempted to find others to testify for her mother, but all the neighbours were too afraid of the Liu family to help. Only Qian Shu Lan had been brave enough to stand up for her. It was not an exaggeration to label her a saviour.

• (TN: For anyone who might be confused, let’s clear up the Chinese cultural aspect. In Chinese culture, Jiang Yu Ying is considered part of the younger generation when it comes to customs. This means that if she were to accuse someone from the older generation, her words would be seen as weak. Unfortunately, going against elders is considered rude, which could result in criticism and even job loss for her. However, the man in question belongs to the same generation as Jiang Yu Ying, so she can freely express her thoughts without facing the same consequences. )

The old lady felt a bit embarrassed and waved her hand dismissively, “I simply stated the truth; I don’t deserve to be called a ‘saviour’.”

Liu Fang Lin wiped her eyes, overwhelmed with emotions. Normally, when the neighbours saw her, they would offer comfort and advise her to be more considerate towards her mom, to assist her with household chores.

But when it came to actually providing help, they all acted as if they were deaf and mute, fearful of getting involved and lacking any sense of empathy.

Ah, she had been so naive, even giving sweets to their children, things she couldn’t afford to eat herself.

She let out a soft sigh, “People in this world are only concerned with their own interests and avoiding harm. There are very few individuals like Aunt Qian who are willing to stand up for justice.”

Jiang Yu Ying gently squeezed Liu Fang Lin’s hand, her gaze steady and understanding.

But Liu Fang Lin, her voice tinged with disappointment, replied in a somewhat plaintive tone, “I’ve tried talking to my mother about this so many times, but she just drowns herself in self-pity, whining about all her misfortunes. Now, she’s finally taken this drastic step, and it’s left me feeling… well, surprised.”

Chen Ming E, who had been staring blankly into space, suddenly burst into tears, her face hidden behind her hands. “It’s all because of your grandmother. She’s the one who wanted your father to divorce me and marry a new wife to bear him sons. I was so angry that I went to see the head of the Women’s Federation.”

The three exchanged astonished looks, their eyes seeming to convey to each other, “Are these two just facing the consequences of their actions?”

As Qian Shu Lan trudged back to her room and flopped onto the bed, she realised that this era was completely different from her previous life.

In this world, people like Liu Lan Hua and Liu Chuan Jun, who mistreated their daughters-in-law, could be punished. The penalties were severe, with a potential six-year jail sentence.

Qian Shu Lan suddenly realised something.

While living in the textile mill’s residential area, Li Cai Ying would frequently provoke her, pretending to be innocent and almost inviting Qian Shu Lan to hit her. It seemed like the peacock fart wanted to report her to the neighbourhood committee.

Qian Shu Lan sat up in bed, her suspicion growing stronger with each passing moment. She clenched her fists and slammed the bed, frustration coursing through her veins. That woman was not only morally bankrupt but also cunning and malicious. What’s the point of her to reform her?! She wasn’t even worth a fart.

But then, an unsettling thought crept into her mind. Was she overreacting? Could it be possible that Li Cai Ying was just a simple-minded fool, devoid of any ill intentions? Would she be wrongly accusing her?

Despite trying to rationalise her thoughts, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t shake off the nagging doubts in her head.

It took her several trips to different grocery stores to finally use up all her food coupons. And the following day, she deliberately wore her new clothes and traded her fine grains for coarse grains with others.

After spending some time in the city, Qian Shu Lan finally figured out that the rations distributed in the city were allocated in fixed proportions of coarse and fine grains. One couldn’t just request only fine grains or only coarse grains.

Qian Shu Lan, an elderly woman, found herself in a unique predicament. Desperate for more coarse grains, she started trading her own rice with others.

In the northern regions, where rice cultivation was scarce, many households didn’t consume it year-round. However, the nutritional benefits of rice were undeniable.

For example, pregnant women relied on rice to support the proper development of their babies’ brains and bones. Its protein and B vitamins provided essential nourishment, while its carbohydrates and fibre aid digestion and relieve constipation.

Likewise, infants benefited from rice porridge and soup, which nourished their energy levels and prevented dryness. These mixtures aided digestion, promoted fat absorption, and made milk powder easier to digest and absorb. As a result, rice soup was often used as a complementary diet for infants, a method widely considered ideal.

Although the people of that time were unaware of these specific benefits, they understood that rice was a valuable commodity, and its prices reflected its worth. In their minds, good things were naturally expensive. Those who could afford it naturally sought the highest quality options.

Qian Shu Lan strolled through the southern residential area of the city, careful not to arouse suspicion. She clutched ten catties in each bag, feeling the weight pull at her arms. Leaning against the wall at the alley’s entrance, she began sifting the rice with a winnowing basket, pretending to take a break every once in a while.

The rice bags attracted attention from passersby, but no one dared to steal them. After all, public security was relatively good back then, with the public security brigade patrolling the streets regularly.

As the old lady sat by the roadside, looking genuinely tired, the police officers simply thought she was helping her neighbour remove stones from the rice. They didn’t suspect anything amiss.

This was just an example of how people’s minds worked. They assumed that with the old lady’s frail appearance, if she were caught, she wouldn’t have a chance to escape. It would be like seeking death.

Additionally, Qian Shu Lan dressed neatly and carried herself with grace. When people smiled and greeted her, she came across as friendly and approachable, not showing the usual timidity and fearfulness common in rural older women.

The sun was scorching high in the sky as Qian Shu Lan worked at her makeshift stand. Anyone interested in buying would come over to take a look and inquire about the price.

Qian Shu Lan would quote them a price for the black market: three jiao per catty.

Those who could afford it were the ones asking about the price. By midday, she had sold three bags. Occasionally, someone would complain about the price being too high, but she didn’t get upset. Instead, she would ask if they had anything to trade.

If the other party was willing to trade and had something that caught her interest, they would bring over their extra items to exchange. She would exchange a few bags that way.

It wasn’t until three o’clock in the afternoon that Qian Shu Lan watched a group of security officers walk away into the distance. Once they were far enough, she reopened the bags of rice, ready to pour them into the winnowing basket when suddenly, a young man walked over, leading a bicycle.

He squatted down, lowered his head, and whispered to Qian Shu Lan, “Grandma, how much is this rice?”

Qian Shu Lan raised her head. The young man, about twenty years old, had a crew cut, thick eyebrows, big eyes, well-defined facial features, and tanned skin. He had the lively appearance of someone who worked outdoors. However, what was odd was that the skin exposed on his wrists and neck was very fair.

This young man didn’t seem like a soldier; Qian Shu Lan guessed he might do some labour work.

Qian Shu Lan narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp and discerning. “Young man, you’ve got it all wrong. This rice isn’t up for sale.”

Little did she know, the cheeky lad would be grinning from ear to ear. “Grandma, quit pretending. I just saw you sell three times in the alley across the street.”

Qian Shu Lan’s heart skipped a beat. She breathed a sigh of relief, realising that every time she brought something, she went to the adjacent alley to pick it up rather than magically producing it out of thin air.

With this in mind, Qian Shu Lan chuckled, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “I don’t sell things, but if you have something, we can make a trade.”

The young man was taken aback for a moment, starting to catch on to the old woman’s game.

He speculated that each time the old lady went into the alley to exchange goods with others, when she came out, besides a small bag of rice, she would have nothing in her hands. There must be someone inside waiting for her.

“Alright, what do you want to trade for?”

“Cornmeal, potatoes, radishes, cabbage.” It was now April, and even the wealthiest households would have leftovers. She looked around, hoping for inspiration.

After a moment of thought, she added, “Pens, ballpoint pens, pencils, and paper.” Qian Shu Lan really wanted to buy these items to trade with the immortality cultivators, but she wasn’t a city dweller and didn’t have ration coupons.

The young man raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her unusual request. “I might have a couple of pens at home, and we still have plenty of pencils and paper. I’ll go to the department store and get them for you.” He paused, glancing at the bag of rice in her hands. “Do you still have more rice? I’d like to get some more.”

Qian Shu Lan nodded, her eyes lighting up. “Yes, there’s more.”

After setting a time for delivery, the young man quickly left.

When the young man arrived at the agreed time, Qian Shu Lan had already sold several bags.

She watched as he put many of the things she needed in the basket of his bicycle.

Worried about the public security brigade coming, she immediately pointed to the nearby alley.

As he turned the corner of the alley, he saw a bag of rice by her feet, weighing about a hundred catties. Qian Shu Lan guessed the weight since she didn’t have a scale. It was almost exactly a hundred catties. The young man parked his bicycle, then approached and gave the bag a shake, nodding in satisfaction.

First, they calculated the price: the rice was three jiao per catty, a bit more expensive than the black market price, but it was premium quality rice, so the price naturally reflected that. The young man didn’t mind.

He then showed her the items he’d brought:

A brand-new Yongchuan 941 imitation Sailor pen, with a unique green enamel pattern that felt luxurious to the touch. Such a pen would cost nine yuan each at the department store and required a ticket to purchase. He also brought a box of black ink, a small but welcome addition.

Next, he pulled out two white plastic ballpoint pens from the Shanghai Fenghua Pen Factory, along with a box of ten blue pen refills.

He had quite a few pencils, around thirty of them, bundled in groups of ten and tightly secured with rubber bands.

There were also some rice paper, with an incredibly soft and smooth texture that made it look like top-quality goods. Judging by its thickness, it should easily withstand two cuts.

The young man then untied a sack from the back seat of the bicycle, which contained about thirty catties of red radishes and twenty catties of Chinese cabbage.

They quickly agreed on a price, based on the black market rates. Both of them followed the unspoken rules, which seemed fair. The young man didn’t raise any objections.

Once the transaction was complete, the young man placed the rice in the back seat of the bicycle and securely tied it with a rope.

Qian Shu Lan watched the stranger depart, her gaze following him until he disappeared around the corner. She quickly stashed away her new treasures in the ring before leaving the dimly lit alley. She knew that she wouldn’t be returning to this street anytime soon.

Back at home, Qian Shu Lan immediately opened the marketplace. She posted a task specifically for selling small surprise gifts. The price was relatively low, just ten gold coins.

She knew that posting a task cost her ten gold coins, but receiving good feedback would reward her with five additional coins. Not to mention, she could increase her stock up to 200 items. When she did the maths, it wasn’t really a loss.

Initially, Qian Shu Lan wondered if the system was losing money by allowing such low-priced items. After all, if a buyer gave two positive reviews, the posting fee for the item would be covered. However, as she thought more about it, she realised how absurd that idea was. These gold coins were just virtual; they couldn’t be directly exchanged for items with the system. To the system, these gold coins were just numbers.

With a satisfied grin, Qian Shu Lan began messaging her new friend number 153, hoping to spark his interest in her latest venture.

153 was so impressed by her description that he decided to make a purchase. Qian Shu Lan sent him a ballpoint pen, two extra refills for the pen, five pencils, and even a piece of high-quality rice paper.

Upon receiving the excellent pen and paper, 153 immediately left a positive review. This earned Qian Shu Lan five more gold coins, bringing her total to 35.

As she looked at the five gold coins, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. She speculated that the marketplace must have a rule similar to Taobao’s: a buyer could only leave one positive review for the same item. Therefore, even if 153 were to make another purchase and leave a review, her gold coin count would not increase.

Rubbing her chin in thought, Qian Shu Lan was a bit disappointed.

【Do you have any other items? This stuff is great; I didn’t expect your world to produce such interesting things.】

“Hmph, everyone’s too busy cultivating immortality to bother with industry,” Qian Shu Lan remarked, a smug grin playing on her lips. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret, though, when she imagined the advanced technology that future generations would develop. Those devices were crafted with even greater precision than what was currently available.

【A ballpoint pen, eh? Costs twenty gold coins.】 Qian Shu Lan had gone out of her way to find this little trinket, and selling it for such a price wasn’t exactly a steal. Number 153 looked tempted, but he sighed and shook his head, his pockets tight with gold coins meant for immortal cultivation tools.

Qian Shu Lan understood, of course. If no one else bid on it, she’d offer it to Number 153 for a mere ten gold coins, just to make a friend.

Two days later, Qian Shu Lan prepared to send Wang Shou Zhi to the Grain and Oil Bureau to complete their agreed-upon task. They’d decided earlier that the task needed to be finished within ten days. With two days already gone, she worried that Wang Shou Zhi might be away on some important business, which could lead to all sorts of complications.

After carefully considering her options, Qian Shu Lan decided to assign the job to her fifth son. Her other sons, on the other hand, stayed back at home, facing minor difficulties but living comfortably, unlike their younger brother.

With the weekend finally here, Qian Shu Lan took the opportunity to visit Wang Shou Zhi. She cleverly planned her arrival for Sunday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Li Cai Ying – the woman who had been looking down on others lately. A little confrontation might just teach her a lesson.

The weekend was blessed with an azure sky and a few scattered clouds. The soft breeze felt like a mother’s tender touch, and the air was filled with a faint, sweet scent of apples. As she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, she could almost taste the crisp, juicy fruits.

In Liu Pass County, which was famous for its juicy apples and sweet cherries, these fruits used to sell for one-third higher prices than those from other regions. While present-day Liu Pass County might not enjoy the same level of renown as in the future, every household still cultivated these two fruit-bearing trees.

Lost in her thoughts, the old lady Qian Shu Lan wondered if she had any knowledge about growing fruits. To her disappointment, she only knew how to eat them, not how to cultivate them. Her only clue? Apples could be protected from pests by using transparent bags.

However, in this time, plastic bags were considered a luxury that few could afford, which discouraged most people from using them.

With a resigned sigh, Qian Shu Lan quickened her pace.

As she walked, she noticed a constant flow of people rushing towards the nearby grocery store, each holding their bags tightly. Grain distribution took place on the last Sunday of every month, and being late was not an option. As a result, the entrance of the store was already crowded with customers, even early in the morning.

Qian Shu Lan knew Wang Shou Zhi would be itching to leave early to collect the rations, so she hightailed it out of the house before the sun had even fully risen. She figured that after wrapping up her duties, she could bring some food to Jiang Yu Ying, who’d left almost an hour ago. Today, they were dishing out rations to the neighbours at their grocery store, which meant a long day ahead.

Qian Shu Lan barely had time to finish her breakfast before she found herself hurrying down the street. She lived just a stone’s throw away from the cotton mill workers’ residential area, and in less than five minutes, she arrived at the compound.

Despite the early hour, she came across a few old fogies hanging out in the yard. Their faces lit up with a mix of surprise and confusion when they saw her. But Qian Shu Lan gave them a warm smile. Although she couldn’t remember their names after living there for a few days, she could at least recognize their faces. And a smile was her way of saying hello.

Carrying her belongings, she strolled straight to the middle house in the first row.

Qian Shu Lan was just about to knock on the door when she caught a peculiar sound coming from inside.

Pausing mid-swing, she pressed her ear against the cold wood, her face flushed red as she tried to decipher the strange noise. 

In broad daylight, of all times…

Qian Shu Lan wasn’t exactly an expert in matters of love, having never had a boyfriend.

Feeling her face heat up, she hesitated, thankful she hadn’t knocked. It would have been mortifying.

Just as she was considering leaving and coming back later, she heard Li Cai Ying’s voice from inside. The voice was so affected that it sent a shiver down Qian Shu Lan’s spine.

A sudden address made Qian Shu Lan jump. She was sure she heard Li Cai Ying calling someone “Brother Chen.”

Qian Shu Lan’s eyes widened in shock. She never thought Li Cai Ying could be so shameless. Not only was she cheating, but she even brought her lover home…

She was livid, ready to barge right in and confront them both. But then she hesitated.

If she exposed their tryst now, Wang Shou Zhi’s reputation would be in shambles. Gossip and whispers would follow him wherever he went. And we all know how that feels – like wearing a green hat.

She remembered an old story from her hometown. There was this man whose wife left him for another man. The entire family became the laughingstock of the village. The poor guy couldn’t handle it; he turned into a paranoid wreck, constantly suspecting everyone else of talking behind his back.

It didn’t end there though. He took out his frustration on his kids, using physical punishment and harsh words. People tried to help him, but he just got angrier and more defensive. In the end, everyone gave up trying to reason with him.

Qian Shu Lan didn’t want to see Wang Shou Zhi go through the same thing. She didn’t want him to be humiliated or turn into an angry, bitter father.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. There had to be another way to handle this without ruining Wang Shou Zhi’s life.

Qian Shu Lan couldn’t shake the feeling that Wang Shou Zhi and that man were cut from the same cloth.

Wang Shou Zhi had been Li Cai Ying’s slave for ages, yet not a soul knew about his secret servitude. It was obvious to her that this man cherished his pride and reputation above all else.

Both introverted and proud, both valuing their reputations more than life itself. Qian Shu Lan knew she couldn’t take that risk.

In addition, Wang Shou Zhi had already suffered so much. If another scandal were to surface, his fragile mind might not be able to bear it.

She could handle matters of morality and justice, but dealing with a broken mind was beyond her expertise; she wasn’t a shrink. Therefore, she couldn’t let this secret escape her grasp.

Qian Shu Lan’s fists slowly unclenched as she stood in front of the door. Her gaze remained icy, though, as she remembered how Li Cai Ying was mistreating Wang Shou Zhi. It was like watching a snake venomously coil around its helpless prey.

She couldn’t confront the problem directly, but it was undeniable that Li Cai Ying’s actions were malicious. They were practically pushing Wang Shou Zhi towards his own demise.

She made a silent vow. After their divorce, she would ruin Li Cai Ying’s reputation, tear off all her feathers of pride, and make her taste the same humiliation she was so fond of dishing out.

20 Reported

Qian Shu Lan clenched her fists, trying to contain her anger. She needed to act quickly before Wang Shou Zhi discovered Li Cai Ying’s infidelity. Given his deep resentment towards his wife and his current devotion to her, she believed that if she could just talk to him, he would support her plan.

Time was of the essence. In this time period, it was difficult to keep secrets. Unlike the future, where people tended to mind their own business, people here loved gossiping about others. With limited entertainment options, they found joy in discussing other people’s affairs. It was highly possible that someone in the neighbourhood already knew about the affair.

If this situation got out of control, Wang Shou Zhi’s reputation would be destroyed.

And if they didn’t get divorced, would the original owner still give her a high score for knowing about Li Cai Ying’s affair, but doing nothing?

It was obviously impossible. According to the old-fashioned thinking of the older generation, Li Cai Ying was considered a loose woman and deserved to be drowned in a pig cage.

It would be a mistake to assume that just because someone has lived a long life, they become forgiving. Li Cai Ying’s mother-in-law still clung to old-fashioned beliefs, as evidenced by her focus on reforming her son and daughter-in-law, but not her daughters. She even displayed deep-rooted favouritism towards sons over daughters. It was clear that her views on women like Li Cai Ying remained unchanged.

Therefore, a divorce was inevitable from any perspective, and it needed to happen quickly.

The only question was, how to go about getting a divorce? Qian Shu Lan needed to give this some serious thought.

As she walked out of the family courtyard, she furrowed her brow. Before she could take a few steps, she bumped into Wang Shou Zhi, who was returning. His face was scratched and bloodied from a fight. Qian Shu Lan frowned and asked, “What happened to your face?”

“Mother, why are you still here in the county town?” Wang Shou Zhi looked at her, his brow furrowed with concern. He had assumed she would have long since returned to their home village. Where had she been staying all this time?

Qian Shu Lan glanced at her son’s battered face, her eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and frustration. If she were to reveal the truth about Li Cai Ying’s secret tryst right now, Wang Shou Zhi would likely rush off in a blind fury, causing an even bigger mess than necessary.

So, she chose her words carefully, her gaze softening as she spoke, “Fifth son, I’m doing this for your sake.”

Wang Shou Zhi’s confusion only deepened. For him?

Qian Shu Lan didn’t waste a second, heaving a deep sigh of regret and looked at Wang Shou Zhi with a woeful gaze. “Your mother has been really worried about you. You’ve been living such a tough life. What if you divorced Cai Ying?”

Wang Shou Zhi’s eyes widened in shock, and he felt the immediate need to object. If he got a divorce, he would have to go back to the farmlands, and that was the last thing he wanted.

However, his mother had something up her sleeve. “The Grain and Oil Bureau is hiring workers, and your mother has already registered you.”

Wang Shou Zhi was surprised by his mother’s news. Usually, these city organisations don’t publicly announce their job openings. Only internal employees get the inside scoop. How did his mother find out?

But it didn’t change anything. He still had to face interviews and written tests, so the outcome was uncertain. Thus, he felt only surprise and no joy.

Qian Shu Lan eyed him calmly before she figured out his thoughts. 

She smiled, then said, “The task is out. Anyone who can buy a thousand catties of rice at the cheapest price will be hired as an official worker. Mother already bought a thousand catties of rice for you. Just take it to the Grain and Oil Bureau.”

Wang Shou Zhi was taken aback. His mother had bought rice for him? He wasn’t an imbecile; he knew Liu Pass County didn’t produce rice. So how did his mother manage such a feat? The thought filled him with a deep sense of guilt. Gripping Qian Shu Lan’s hand, he couldn’t find the words to express his gratitude.

These days, he’d been living in the factory, enduring a constant barrage of discomfort. On one side, there was his mother’s gaze before she left, and on the other side, there was his current comfortable life.

Wang Shou Zhi knew better than to give in so easily. He held onto his stubbornness, so much that he avoided going back home. But today, he had no choice but to face his fears and go back to retrieve the grain and oil vouchers.

Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but feel anxious as she saw Wang Shou Zhi still thinking about getting the grain. She wanted nothing more than to whisk him away. So, she grabbed him by the arm and led him back to her place. As they left, she had already hidden a thousand catties of rice on the cart in her yard, just in case.

The Jiang family’s yard was a fortress of blue bricks, enclosed by high walls. Therefore, she wasn’t worried about being seen.

As they walked, Wang Shou Zhi pushed the cart and listened to his mother’s excited chatter. When she mentioned that the grain and oil agency would price their rice at one jiao per catty, he couldn’t hide his astonishment.

“Mother, are you sure we should price such good rice so cheaply?”

Qian Shu Lan cut in, her tone with all seriousness and sincerity, “Despite the high price we paid for these grains, you shouldn’t sell them expensively. Those folks will sell at rock-bottom prices. How would you compete with them then?” Her comparison wasn’t just about grain quality but value for money.

She aimed to give herself some edge. Compared to those with connections, Wang Shou Zhi, a farmer’s son, had nil advantages. True, the leaders spoke of fair competition, but absolute fairness was a myth. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, she pulled a little stunt. How much did she spend per catty on this grain? Well, she wasn’t counting…

Wang Shou Zhi pondered, “What if the leaders ask me to buy rice at this price again?”

Qian Shu Lan gave a reassuring pat to her chest, “Don’t worry, I can bear this small loss!” She still had over 20,000 catties in stock.

In the future, as long as Qian Shu Lan sold more goods to save up gold coins, she could buy more rice. This wasn’t a concern for her.

Feeling a bit guilty, Wang Shou Zhi, who didn’t want any more mishaps to occur, was constantly reminded by Qian Shu Lan, “Don’t forget to charge one jiao per catty.”

Wang Shou Zhi found himself in a difficult situation and could only respond with a heavy sigh.

When they arrived at the Grain and Oil Bureau with the rice, the person in charge of receiving the goods looked at them in amazement.

He gave Wang Shou Zhi a complex look and signalled to the nearby accountant, “I’ll go get the director to come take a look first.” He couldn’t make the decision on his own.

Soon, the director arrived and upon seeing the energetic, polite young man with glasses and neat attire, he was quite pleased with him.

As he clutched a handful of rice, he couldn’t hide his satisfaction with its quality. He held it up and asked, “So how much per catty?”

Even as the director smiled, Wang Shou Zhi couldn’t shake off the feeling of authority that lingered around him. As an introvert, this was the first time he had ever lied in front of so many people. 

He hesitated, his head bowing slightly, “One… jiao.”

The director’s smile froze, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinised the young man. He sized him up, then chuckled, patting Wang’s shoulder. “Not bad, young man! Quite savvy! Starting today, you’ll deliver a thousand catty of rice every six months. Deal?”

Wang Shou Zhi knew what was coming, but remembering his mother’s words, he nodded weakly.

The director couldn’t help but grin at how pliable and eager to please the young man was. Unlike his other subordinates who were constantly squabbling over favours, this one could be devoted solely to him.

With the director’s old team constantly wavering in their loyalties, he knew he couldn’t afford to trust them blindly. Hence, the plan was hatched. As a newly appointed director, if he didn’t even have his own people, how could he arrange his work in the future?

Though the young man didn’t seem to come from a powerful family, at the very least, he had connections and was sincere. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to get his hands on such exquisite rice.

It was clear that this rice had been obtained through illicit means.

The director gave a brisk nod to the accountant, “Jot down his name, and the price.”

Accountant nodded, swiftly pulled out a pen from her shirt pocket, and scribbled down the details in the ledger.

Wang Shou Zhi heaved a sigh of relief, bowed to the director, and cracked a grin, “Thank you, leader.”

The director nodded back, as he strolled past, he muttered to Wang Shou Zhi, “See you at the training next month.”

Wang Shou Zhi’s eyes widened, his head snapped towards the director, and he almost leaped out of his skin. He was astonished to see the director smiling back at him.

Wang Shou Zhi landed the job. He couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

He eagerly extended his hand towards the accountant next to him, “Thank you, thank you, dear comrade accountant.”

The accountant, who was preoccupied with numbers, nearly dropped her pen in shock.

Wang Shou Zhi quickly caught the pen mid-air. “Oops, sorry. Couldn’t help myself, you see. I am just too happy.”

The accountant eyed him warily, snatched her pen back, and scribbled a few quick strokes on her ledger to test if it still worked. Finding nothing wrong, she didn’t scold him for his impulsiveness and mumbled, “Reckless, reckless…” With that, she turned and walked away.

Wang Shou Zhi didn’t take offence to her remark. He swiftly grabbed the cart and made his way outside.

Qian Shu Lan stood there, her nerves frayed. She worried that Wang Shou Zhi wouldn’t follow her instructions. 

With only one position available and five hundred people vying for it, some of them even relatives of higher-ups, she knew they had to be smart. In her previous life, despite acing the written test, she still got squeezed out. This opportunity was too valuable to miss.

As she paced back and forth, her anxiety grew. The door swung open. Wang Shou Zhi burst out, pushing the cart in front of him. He smiled at her but quickly wiped the grin off his face as he surveyed the sea of people around them. He didn’t want to give anyone a reason to be jealous of their sudden success.

Qian Shu Lan also noticed this change in his expression. They were mere commoners, without influence or power. If others found out about their success prematurely, it could stir up malicious intent. They had to be cautious.

Wang Shou Zhi and Qian Shu Lan trudged along, pulling their cart behind them for a few hundred metres, before the young man broke the silence with a grin.

“Mother, I have some good news!” he said excitedly. “The job is ours!”

Qian Shu Lan smiled back. “That’s fantastic, Little Five! Now you can finally divorce that Li Cai Ying woman. She’s not right for you.”

Wang Shou Zhi hesitated. While his wife did have a temper and was somewhat arrogant, she had helped him in the past. Plus, they had Xiao Die, their little one. He didn’t want to end up like Chen Shi Me

He sighed, “Mother, please give Cai Ying another chance. I’ll make sure she improves.”

Now that he had a job and some self-respect, his wife couldn’t control him as she used to.

Qian Shu Lan gave him a sideways glance. She didn’t want him to be stuck living with a woman like Cai Ying. But if she pushed Wang Shou Zhi too hard, he might think she was unreasonable and ungrateful. His thoughts were unpredictable, and she didn’t want to risk losing him.

So, after a moment of thought, she said, “Then you must agree to three conditions from me.”

Wang Shou Zhi nodded eagerly, “Of course, Mother. Tell me.”

After a brief pause, she said, “First, you cannot share a bed with Li Cai Ying.”

Cai Ying had been with another man, and if they slept together again and she got pregnant, whose child would it be? DNA testing was out of the question, as it was too expensive and not widely available.

Wang Shou Zhi felt a bit awkward and fidgeted nervously under his mother’s scrutiny. Qian Shu Lan’s stern gaze pierced right through him, and he couldn’t help but give a quick nod of agreement.

Qian Shu Lan caught the flicker of hesitation in her son’s eyes but was pleased when he eventually caved in. “Secondly, Mother will have to move in with you to keep an eye on Li Cai Ying and ensure she’s truly changed.”

Wang Shou Zhi pondered for a moment before following suit with another nod.

She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of triumph and shame for her meddling. “Thirdly, don’t mention your new job to Li Cai Ying just yet. I’m worried she might sabotage it again.”

Wang Shou Zhi didn’t hesitate this time, readily agreeing to this as well.

As Qian Shu Lan entered the house, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She scolded herself for being such a petty woman. She wondered how Li Cai Ying would react when faced with the growing influence of Wang Shou Zhi.

Li Cai Ying appeared in her nightgown, her calm demeanour causing Qian Shu Lan to wonder: Who is Little Butterfly’s father? Could it be Li Cai Ying and her lover? It wasn’t impossible. She didn’t know when Li Cai Ying had strayed.

Examining the photo on the wall that displayed Little Butterfly, Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between the two. 

The only difference was their lips – Li Cai Ying had full lips while Little Butterfly’s were thin. Wang Shou Zhi, on the other hand, had thin lips that matched Little Butterfly’s. The similarity in lip shape suggested that Little Butterfly might indeed be Wang Shou Zhi’s child.

Qian Shu Lan, however, needed more evidence to confirm her suspicions. She needed to lay eyes on Li Cai Ying’s lover.

Li Cai Ying’s patience snapped when she saw the old lady wavering back and forth. She pointed an accusing finger at the old lady and yelled at Wang Shou Zhi, “Why is she back?”

Before Wang Shou Zhi could respond, Li Cai Ying turned her wrath towards Qian Shu Lan, “You took the money for five years and promised not to come back. You’re a liar!”

Qian Shu Lan was momentarily taken aback by her outburst. She had almost forgotten the real reason for her visit. Could she really tell her she was there to make her son divorce her?

Before Qian Shu Lan could speak, Li Cai Ying charged towards her, fists clenched.

Qian Shu Lan instinctively prepared to defend herself, but as she raised her leg, she suddenly remembered that she was now an old, frail lady with weak health and couldn’t afford to engage in a physical altercation.

Wang Shou Zhi was caught off-guard by Li Cai Ying’s reckless behaviour. Even if he didn’t have his new job, he couldn’t stand by and watch his own mother being attacked!

He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Li Cai Ying’s arm, and forcibly pulled her away from Qian Shu Lan.

Considering that she was still his wife, he didn’t apply too much force, but Li Cai Ying refused to back down, stubbornly resisting him.

Li Cai Ying launched herself at Qian Shu Lan again, her relentless attacks causing Wang Shou Zhi to lose his patience. He forcefully shoved her to the ground.

The woman sat on the floor, her voice dripping with venom as she hurled insults.

Qian Shu Lan had been pulled and manhandled by Li Cai Ying, resulting in several buttons on her newly acquired clothes being torn off.

Infuriated, she settled back into her chair and smirked at the peacock fart, “Today, I won’t be leaving. I’ve never heard of a mother being kicked out from her son’s house. If you dare to argue, I’ll step outside and let everyone in the compound know just how filial you are. Besides, I never promised not to disturb you for reasons other than alimony. I came to see my youngest son, how about that? Do you have the audacity to stop me?” 

This was a matter of principle. She needed the money to buy food, and staying here would help reform Wang Shou Zhi. She couldn’t just dig a hole for herself!

Realising that she had fallen into the old woman’s trap, Li Cai Ying was taken aback. She had underestimated the cunning of a rural old lady.

Unable to argue back, Li Cai Ying, luckily, found a soft spot and began to berate her husband, “How could you agree to those terms? You promised to kick your mother out as long as I didn’t question your affair with Lin Fang. You agreed to this yourself, how dare you go back on your word! Are you still a man?”

As Li Cai Ying shouted about this matter, Wang Shou Zhi involuntarily glanced at his mother, her face contorted in a dark, menacing expression that made him feel a shiver down his spine.

His mother had sacrificed her time, money, and effort for him, even staying in town to help him find a job, without a single complaint.

Unlike Li Cai Ying, who treated him like a slave just because she had helped him secure a job.

His love with Lin Fang was water under the bridge, a relic from before his marriage. After getting married, he never saw Lin Fang again and had no connection with her whatsoever. However, Li Cai Ying was unreasonable and refused to let go of the past, constantly stirring up trouble.

He reluctantly agreed to her demand to send his mother back to their hometown.

In hindsight, he deeply regretted that decision, especially after learning that his mother didn’t return home but stayed with someone else, helping him find a job. His guilt skyrocketed.

Now, as Li Cai Ying dredged up the issue, he couldn’t help but feel irritated. He challenged her, “So what if I regret it! I have nothing to do with Lin Fang! You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. This is my house, and the property was given to us by the company as our marital home. Why do you have the right to stop my mother from moving in?”

Watching his face turn beet red and his aggressive stance, Li Cai Ying flinched in fear, only feeling relieved when her back pressed against the wall behind her.

Qian Shu Lan was taken aback by her son’s sudden transformation.

The man’s backbone was truly remarkable. Once he had it, he had everything. The Wang Shou Zhi who used to be meek and obedient to Li Cai Ying, never daring to raise his voice, had disappeared. She was incredibly grateful for finding a job, and of course, she appreciated Jiang Yu Ying’s help as well.

Li Cai Ying was taken aback by Wang Shou Zhi’s unexpectedly aggressive demeanour, as if he was reliving the memory of pinning her down and beating her. She shivered involuntarily, daring not to lift her head or meet his gaze. Suddenly, she noticed a black-and-white family portrait hanging on the opposite wall. 

The photo included her, Wang Shou Zhi, her father, and Little Butterfly, all smiling.

Seeing her father in the photo boosted her confidence. She quickly got up from the ground, dusted herself off, and said to Wang Shou Zhi, “Alright, Wang Shou Zhi, just you wait!” 

With that, she pushed the door open and stormed out.

Once she left, Wang Shou Zhi cautiously approached, carefully observing his mother’s expression. 

Seeing her still with a dark face, he felt a wave of regret. “Mother, I-I didn’t mean to. Cai Ying threatened me, saying she would report me and Lin Fang for inappropriate relations. I was worried she would cause trouble for Lin Fang, so I had no choice but to agree.”

Qian Shu Lan gave him a cold glance. “You chose to protect Lin Fang over your own mother?”

Wang Shou Zhi lowered his head, filled with guilt.

Qian Shu Lan looked at the filial piety value on his forehead, which had now reached 10. While this was commendable, she felt that she couldn’t easily forgive him.

“You did right by protecting Lin Fang, Mother doesn’t blame you!!” Qian Shu Lan said, her tone surprisingly calm. “But don’t you see, Li Cai Ying’s temper is all your indulgence, isn’t it? Your constant yielding only fans her arrogance. That’s why she’s so disrespectful, showing no regard for her elders. You married your own wife, Mother didn’t force you into it! Can’t blame Mother, can you? Nobody’s perfect, but once you bring a wife home, you must discipline her properly, not just blame others! Fifth Son, when did you become so spineless? Where’s your backbone? Do you even remember you’re a man? Why are you acting like a jellyfish, losing your backbone like that?” 

This was something the old Qian Shu Lan would never have said. If she had, Wang Shou Zhi’s filial piety value would have dropped drastically.

But now, his sense of filial piety was at its peak, and he felt extremely guilty. It was the perfect time for him to listen and reflect on his actions.

As expected, Wang Shou Zhi’s eyes filled with tears as he heard his mum’s scolding, and he knelt down in front of her.

Qian Shu Lan instinctively wanted to avoid it, but considering her current situation, she reluctantly sat back down after standing up.

**

On the Li family’s side, Li Guo Cheng repeatedly asked Li Cai Ying, “Are you sure? Do you really want to report Wang Shou Zhi for misconduct?”

With a fierce expression, Li Cai Ying gritted her teeth and reaffirmed, “I’m certain, absolutely certain. I must make Wang Shou Zhi suffer. I want him to never hold his head up high again.”

Li Guo Cheng found it hard to interrupt and give any advice. He also felt annoyed by the old lady’s dishonesty in keeping her word and worried that Wang Shou Zhi might stand up to bully his daughter. He couldn’t let such a situation happen.

**

Wang Shou Zhi cried for a while, his eyes swollen, but Qian Shu Lan stayed silent. She simply told him to rest in his room for a bit and then went to the kitchen to prepare food.

Before she could finish cooking a dish, she noticed several tall, strong men approaching from outside.

Quickly, Qian Shu Lan removed the firewood from the kitchen stove and put out the fire.

After making sure the fire was completely out, she untied her apron and went outside. “Comrades, who are you looking for?”

The leader of the men, around thirty years old, looked at her and smiled, “Hello, I’m Wu Zheng Yang from the labour union of Northern Terrace Iron and Steel Works. I’m here to confirm some information with Comrade Wang Shou Zhi.”

The labour union was in charge of monitoring the conduct of all male employees at the Northern Terrace Iron and Steel Works and would be renamed the Revolutionary Committee in a few years.

Qian Shu Lan frowned, feeling a sense of foreboding. “Comrade Wu Zheng Yang, I’m Comrade Wang Shou Zhi’s mother. May I ask why you’re looking for him?”

The tall man in front hadn’t said a word yet, but the shorter guy next to him was losing patience. “Why are you asking so many questions? This is confidential information from our factory. An old lady like you doesn’t need to meddle in this.”

Before Qian Shu Lan could respond, the door behind them swung open.

Wang Shou Zhi stepped out, rubbing his groggy eyes. When he saw them, he paused for a moment, then turned to Wu Zheng Yang with a puzzled expression. “Brother Wu, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

Wu Zheng Yang raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly disapproving. “Comrade Li Cai Ying reported that you and the female comrade were getting too close, indicating issues with your personal conduct.”

Wang Shou Zhi’s eyes widened, his voice rising in disbelief. “What?”

The shorter man next to him scrutinised him from head to toe. Seeing his fair and handsome appearance, looking like the scholarly type who enjoyed flirting with young girls, the man gritted his teeth and repeated the accusation with a cold glare.

Wang Shou Zhi finally realised that Li Cai Ying had indeed reported him. He felt like laughing. Just this morning, he’d promised his mother he’d give Cai Ying another chance. And now, his reward had arrived.

He laughed, chuckling softly with a hint of bitterness.

Qian Shu Lan nervously patted his back, her voice anxious. “Fifth son, fifth son, are you okay? Don’t scare your mother.”

Qian Shu Lan couldn’t help but compare Wang Shou Zhi to Fan Jin (范进)—the scholar who had failed the imperial examination. She worried that he might react as foolishly as Fan Jin had.

• (Classic Chinese novel “The Scholars”《儒林外史》, which depicts the life and society during the Qing Dynasty. Fan Jin’s story in the novel is a well-known example of the challenges faced by scholars taking the imperial examinations. Fan Jin is a well-known character who failed the imperial examination multiple times before finally passing. This story often serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures and potential disappointments associated with the highly competitive life.)

Fortunately, her worries were unfounded.

Wang Shou Zhi’s laughter turned into a soft chuckle, his eyes now reflecting sadness. He wiped away his tears and spoke to Wu Zheng Yang, “Brother Wu, I assure you, I am an honest man and have not engaged in any improper conduct with any female comrade.”

Wu Zheng Yang knew this well. He was quite familiar with Wang Shou Zhi. Overworked from his family situation, Wang Shou Zhi often stayed late at the factory, even taking on extra shifts for other workers without asking for any compensation. His colleagues in the same team all held him in high regard.

As the steel plant was predominantly male-staffed, with only a few female workers in departments like accounting and human resources, Wang Shou Zhi’s statement held some truth.

Wu Zheng Yang clarified, “It was with Comrade Lin Fang that there was an inappropriate relationship.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou Zhi sighed in relief. He turned to Wu Zheng Yang and said, “I will cooperate with your investigation.”

Wu Zheng Yang nodded and promptly led the other man away.

Before departing, Wang Shou Zhi said to Qian Shu Lan, “Mother, please wait for me at home. When I return, I will agree to what we discussed earlier.”

Qian Shu Lan was momentarily taken aback by his words, then understood he was referring to the matter of divorce. Her heart swelled with happiness.

Not long after Wang Shou Zhi left, Li Cai Ying returned from her father’s place.

Upon seeing Qian Shu Lan, she resumed her previous haughty demeanour. Perhaps she refrained from rushing over due to the presence of others in the courtyard.

Qian Shu Lan, having achieved her desired outcome, paid no mind to Li Cai Ying’s attitude. She could also deduce from her son’s words that there was no romantic entanglement between him and Lin Fang. When the matter was resolved, Wang Shou Zhi should return soon.

Li Cai Ying, noticing Qian Shu Lan’s lack of movement, muttered under her breath, “Why aren’t you hurrying to cook?”

Qian Shu Lan’s irritation nearly bubbled over into laughter. She shot Li Cai Ying a cold stare and retorted, “I cook meals for people to eat. What are you? You’re nothing but a spiteful, wicked snake!” With that, she turned on her heel and strode out.

There was no need for her to cook any longer; she would find her own meals elsewhere.

The investigation into Wang Shou Zhi and Lin Fang’s situation was swiftly resolved. Wang Shou Zhi hadn’t returned to the countryside in six years, and since the local street office hadn’t provided him with an introduction letter, his background was easily verified.

Lin Fang was married to someone from the neighbouring village and had rarely left her own village in the past six years, resulting in minimal possible interaction between the two.

Based solely on Li Cai Ying’s words, there was insufficient evidence to prove any misconduct between Wang Shou Zhi and Lin Fang.

Wang Shou Zhi was soon released.

Qian Shu Lan didn’t stay in the cotton mill’s residential area. She was afraid she would vomit at the sight of Li Cai Ying’s face, so she continued to reside at Jiang Yu Ying’s house.

The girl was aware of the divorce dispute between her son and daughter-in-law and supported their decision to divorce. 

Qian Shu Lan had not informed Jiang Yu Ying about the embarrassing predicament her son was in, only painting a negative picture of Li Cai Ying’s character and behaviour.

Jiang Yu Ying’s eyes widened in disbelief, “How can there be such a shameless woman, dragging our fellow women’s reputation through the mud?”

Without a doubt, Jiang Yu Ying also held Qian Shu Lan’s son in contempt. She couldn’t fathom how someone could endure such a wicked woman for seven years, either due to the patience of a saint or an overwhelming sense of tolerance.

However, even though she harboured these thoughts, she kept them to herself to avoid upsetting the old lady. It was evident that Qian Shu Lan genuinely cared for her son, or else she wouldn’t have been cast out by him and still worry about him.

Qian Shu Lan contemplated with a furrowed brow. In the morning, she had heard from the neighbours that on the day she left, Wang Shou Zhi and Li Cai Ying had a heated argument, with her son threatening to divorce her. However, in the end, he remained at the factory for several days instead of returning home.

It was clear how indecisive and hesitant he was, lacking determination in his actions. Despite mentioning the possibility of divorcing Li Cai Ying, Qian Shu Lan was truly fed up with his wavering nature and worried about any potential complications that might arise.

Therefore, she needed to seize the opportunity presented by Wang Shou Zhi’s current state of anger to persuade them to divorce as soon as possible.

Qian Shu Lan shared her thoughts with Jiang Yu Ying, who concurred with her perspective and offered valuable advice.

When Wang Shou Zhi returned home from the factory, he noticed Qian Shu Lan staring at him with a troubled expression as soon as he stepped through the gate.

“Little Five, are you okay?” Qian Shu Lan could tell from Wang Shou Zhi’s rough appearance that he must have had a difficult time these past few days.

During these few days, Wang Shou Zhi had been staying at the factory, unable to leave. He had to submit his political reports more than ten times a day, even during the night. The constant scrutiny had nearly pushed him to his breaking point, but his resilience allowed him to endure three days and nights of relentless questioning.

When the time came, the factory couldn’t hold him any longer, and the leaders of the steel plant didn’t want to cause Wang Shou Zhi any further distress. Although they had promised to help Li Guo Cheng, this stubborn man refused to back down, leaving them with no choice but to release the man.

As a leader himself, he couldn’t afford to be accused of using his position for personal gain, intentionally causing trouble for Wang Shou Zhi. That wouldn’t look good.

Seeing the concerned look in his mother’s eyes, he felt touched and smiled softly, “Mother, I’m okay.”

However, Qian Shu Lan felt like crying. She thought Wang Shou Zhi was just going to be investigated, but why did he look like he had been physically assaulted for three days straight? His entire body seemed limp and weak, with no strength left.

Qian Shu Lan considered taking Wang Shou Zhi back to her own living quarters but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, Jiang Yu Ying was still an unmarried young woman, and it wouldn’t be proper for Wang Shou Zhi to stay there.

So, the old lady guided him to a nearby guesthouse instead.

She told him to freshen up while she went back to Jiang’s house to simmer some chicken soup. She had bought the hen at the black market that morning and couldn’t bring herself to slaughter it. She had originally planned to take it home for egg-laying, but she couldn’t wait any longer now.

Wang Shou Zhi’s physical state was genuinely worrying.

Qian Shu Lan had already suspected that Li Guo Cheng was involved in some sort of shady scheme; otherwise, with Wang Shou Zhi’s honest nature, no one would intentionally target him.

She controlled her anger.

Jiang Yu Ying was resting at home today and came over to help with the cooking.

Qian Shu Lan described Wang Shou Zhi’s pitiful condition to Jiang Yu Ying, who became furious upon hearing the story.

After preparing the chicken soup in a stainless steel pot, Qian Shu Lan was ready. Jiang Yu Ying insisted on going with her to the guesthouse to check on Wang Shou Zhi.

Aunt Qian treated her so well. It made sense emotionally and logically to visit him.

Qian Shu Lan was worried about Li Cai Ying’s potential reaction, so she pleaded, “Yu Ying, please listen to Auntie. Li Cai Ying is a spiteful woman who won’t hesitate to ruin your reputation. Auntie doesn’t want you to get hurt. Just stay at home, okay?”

Jiang Yu Ying reluctantly nodded.

When Qian Shu Lan arrived at the guesthouse carrying the pot, she was surprised to see a crowd gathered there. She suddenly felt uneasy.

She hurriedly pushed her way through the crowd. Looking inside, she saw Wang Shou Zhi sitting on the steps, clutching his chest and struggling to breathe. Beside him, Li Cai Ying kept making accusations, suggesting that Wang Shou Zhi’s misconduct had been proven.

Setting the pot aside, Qian Shu Lan approached Wang Shou Zhi and noticed that his face had turned from pale to a deep crimson, his lips resembling fresh blood. It was clear that he had a fever.

Her heart skipped a beat; in these times, a fever was not trivial. She reached out to touch his forehead, feeling the unusual warmth. Feeling somewhat anxious, she looked around for any means of transportation but found no bicycles or carts nearby.

In that instant, Jiang Yu Ying, who had been anxiously keeping an eye on Aunt Qian all along, squeezed through the crowd with a young man who appeared to be a doctor. 

He seemed well-equipped, touched Wang Shou Zhi’s forehead, and promptly administered a fever-reducing injection, quietly advising Qian Shu Lan, “The patient needs to rest well.”

The young man and Qian Shu Lan assisted Wang Shou Zhi in standing up and led him back to the guesthouse. 

Jiang Yu Ying remained outside with the medical kit, staring warily at the imposing figure before her.

Bearing Aunt Qian’s words in mind, she feared that Li Cai Ying might stir up more trouble. So, she stepped forward to confront her hesitantly, “Are you the one causing problems for my cousin?”

Li Cai Ying raised her eyes disdainfully and retorted, “Who’s your cousin?”

Jiang Yu Ying furrowed her brow, “Who else could it be? My cousin has been married to you for seven years, and you haven’t given him a single penny. He’s been cast out with nowhere to go home to. A woman like you should burn in hell, truly unworthy of being human.”

The onlookers began to point and murmur at Li Cai Ying. Despite her thick skin, she started to feel self-conscious.

As she tried to push her way through the crowd, Li Cai Ying’s elbow was firmly gripped by Jiang Yu Ying. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break free. 

Seeing everyone pointing and whispering at her, Li Cai Ying desperately tried to escape, “You shrew, let go of me!”

Jiang Yu Ying refused to release her grip, holding onto Li Cai Ying’s arm firmly.

As more and more onlookers gathered, Li Cai Ying became increasingly desperate, “Let go now, or I’ll report you for assaulting me to the police.”

Before Jiang Yu Ying could respond, Qian Shu Lan appeared from the guesthouse, pushing her way through the crowd and sitting down on the ground, raising her voice in a wail.

Unable to physically fight Li Cai Ying, she resorted to acting out like the original owner. “Oh my Heavens, what kind of daughter-in-law has my son married? She acts like a pampered princess at home, leaving all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry to my son. She bosses him around because he’s honest. Oh my Heavens, it’s been nine years since the founding of New China, and there are still people bullying us poor farmers for generations. Chairman, please come and see. This capitalist lady is oppressing us middle peasants. Come and save us.” 

Qian Shu Lan grabbed Li Cai Ying’s leg, preventing her from walking away. 

She pounded the ground, shouting, “She’s made my son gravely ill and still slanders him here, ruining his reputation. I can’t bear it anymore.”

Li Cai Ying was furious, especially with the onlookers and her usually disdainful colleagues joining in, pointing and whispering at her as she was scolded by her mother-in-law.

She had never been so humiliated before, losing all sense of reason. She lashed out, “You old hag, you rural widow, what right do you have to be my mother? You have so many sons, just let Wang Shou Zhi die outside, why bother with him?”

The onlookers, who witnessed her unwavering demeanour, were startled and began to believe that this girl was, in fact, as the old lady had described – a pampered young woman who never lifted a finger.

Qian Shu Lan, as Li Cai Ying’s foot approached her, swiftly dodged to the side, pretending to have been struck on the head and began wailing.

She quickly applied the chicken blood she’d put in the ring after killing the hen, smearing it on her head and screaming, “Murder! Murder!”

Li Cai Ying’s eyes widened in shock as she watched the scene unfold. She had only lightly kicked, it couldn’t be true, it couldn’t be.

As everyone chattered and speculated, like an animated annual meeting, a sudden cry emerged from the crowd, “The police are here!”

(TN: Be nice and leave a like or a comment (´◉㉨◉) or Li Cai Ying will be your daughter-in-law!)

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TN

(1 Yuan (元 or 圆) = 10 Jiao/Mao (角 or 毛) = 100 Fen (分)

(1 jin (斤)= 1 catty = 500 grams, 1 liang (两) = 50 grams)

(一人3尺3: approximately 1 metre or 3 feet and 3.37 inches)

(1 zhang 丈 = 10 chi 尺 = 3.33 m ) 

Eldest Child: Wang Shou Ren (王守仁), 35 years old

Eldest Brother’s Wife: Sun Da Qin (孙大琴), 32 years old – Great Blessing

Children: Zheng Kang (正康), 15 years old; Zheng Guo (正国), 12 years old; Zheng Jun (正军), 6 years old; 

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Third Child: Wang Shou Yi (王守义), 32 years old

Third Brother’s Wife: Li Chun Hua (李春花), 31 years old – Spring Blossom

Children: Xiao Mei (小梅), 14 years old; Xiao He (小荷), 12 years old; Xiao Lian (小莲), 8 years old; Zhu Zi (柱子), 3 years old (adopted)

Fourth Child: Wang Shou Li (王守礼), 30 years old

Fourth Brother’s Wife: Zhou Xue Mei (周雪梅), 28 years old – Snow Plum

Child: Xiao Tao (小桃), 10 years old

Fifth Child: Wang Shou Zhi (王守智), 26 years old

Fifth Brother’s Wife: Li Cai Ying (李彩英), 26 years old – her father Li Guo Cheng (李国成) 

Child: Xiao Die (小蝶), 5 years old

Sixth Child: Wang Dan Na (王丹娜), 17 years old 

XXX

Girl in the town: Jiang Yu Ying (姜玉瑛) her aunt Qin Xiang Gui  (秦香桂)