[Time-Travel Rebirth and Revenge Sweet Love Cool Story Building a Fortune Daily Life]
Bai Xiuxiu only realized when she died that the world she lived in was actually a time-travel koi-fish novel!
In the book, she was the sister-in-law of the female lead of the time-travel novel. She was mean-spirited, lazy, and did all kinds of bad things!
After the female lead married into the family, she constantly made things difficult for her. Because she bullied the koi-fish female lead, she "accidentally" fell into the water and died.
And the man who was always silent like a mute and seemed useless except for being obedient in her eyes suddenly went crazy after her death, insisting that it was that family that killed her.
He went crazy to retaliate against them and wanted to drag them to hell. He became a villain hated by everyone!
The female lead, in the midst of the provocation of their family and countless cannon fodders and vicious villains, worked together as a family and gradually built a fortune. Her man became a well-known wealthy businessman across the country, and she also lived a spoiled and happy life as a rich lady!
As for her unlucky husband, he also died accidentally because he opposed the female lead. Her pair of children lived a lonely and uncared-for life.
Bai Xiuxiu, who didn't know why she couldn't be reincarnated and was forced to be the spirit behind her own man for decades, was so angry that she wished she could have a physical form and rush out to kill them all!
However, the next moment.
She was reborn to the second day when the koi-fish female lead just married in!
Chapter 1 - The Cannon Fodder Reincarnated
As October began, the villagers of Xiahe Village were bustling with activity under the leadership of their village chief, all focused on the autumn harvest!
Suddenly, a figure plunged into the paddy fields on the eastern side of the village!
"Xiuxiu? Oh my, Xiuxiu, what happened to you? Aunt Wang? Someone from the Wang family! Help, quick, Wang's eldest daughter-in-law has collapsed in the field!"
Someone shouted, and soon a crowd gathered.
A man rapidly approached from a distance. He was tall and thin, around six feet, with an attractive face that outshone even the village maidens. Without a word, he furrowed his brow and pushed through the crowd.
He scooped up the unconscious woman and sprinted towards the village clinic without uttering a single word.
"What happened? What's wrong with my daughter-in-law?" Outside the crowd, Zhao Guifen asked irritably.
"Your eldest daughter-in-law fainted in the field. Your eldest son just took her to the clinic," one of the onlookers informed her.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guifen's expression changed dramatically.
That gluttonous and lazy fool of an eldest daughter-in-law! She always feigned fainting when it came time to work!
"Mom, what's going on? I heard something happened to my sister-in-law?" Another woman, young and fresh-faced, perhaps in her early twenties, rushed over from the fields.
Seeing her youngest daughter-in-law approach, Zhao Guifen's expression softened. "Why are you here? Your sister-in-law will be fine. Don't worry about her; we'll see at lunch."
Zhou Jiaojiao hurriedly followed her mother-in-law.
She wondered what had happened! She had only married into the family yesterday, and her husband, Old Fifth, was the youngest. Last night, he had told her about his eldest sister-in-law: how she was both greedy and lazy, with a bad temper. She bullied others in the family because she had given birth to twins.
The second sister-in-law was soft-spoken and had only a daughter, which made her feel inferior and vulnerable to the eldest sister-in-law's bullying.
The third sister-in-law had a fiery personality but was straightforward and easy to get along with.
The fourth sister-in-law came from a wealthy urban family. They were well-off, and for her wedding, Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law had provided many valuable items.
However, as a newcomer, Zhou Jiaojiao decided not to involve herself in these family matters.
She didn't marry into the family to meddle in their affairs. Her husband promised her a good life and vowed never to let her suffer any injustice!
News of the eldest daughter-in-law fainting in the field quickly spread throughout the village.
However, the urgent need to finish the harvest meant no one paid much attention.
In contrast to the quiet in the fields, Bai Xiuxiu, who had just regained consciousness in the clinic, felt like her world was exploding!
Who could understand? After decades as Wandering Spirit, she suddenly reincarnated back in time!
"Xiuxiu... drink some water." Wang Qinghe, having fetched hot water from the village's barefoot doctor, Old Man Zhang, cautiously handed the enamel cup to Bai Xiuxiu lying in bed.
Bai Xiuxiu didn't want to drink anything!
Her mood was terrible!
In her previous life, she died in the third year after her fifth sister-in-law joined the family. She drowned while watching a commotion by the river, pushed by someone unknown!
After her death, a large screen mysteriously appeared, detailing her life and the future events in the Wang family.
From this, she realized that her death was orchestrated because she obstructed the path of the Heavenly Father's beloved daughter—her fifth sister-in-law!
Their world was actually set in a novel from a different era.
They lived in what later generations referred to as the Sixties.
It was popular in later times to travel back to this era and lead one's family to prosperity.
Her fifth sister-in-law, however, wasn't a time-traveling protagonist but an original character blessed with good fortune!
The fifth sister-in-law was naturally lucky, beautiful, kind-hearted, and hardworking!
Those who favored her would experience increasing good luck, while those who opposed her would suffer misfortune.
And she, the eldest sister-in-law, was the villainous cannon fodder in the story!
From their perspective, she was lazy, bullied her sisters-in-law, and was mean-spirited.
She also spread rumors about them outside and, out of jealousy towards the fifth sister-in-law, secretly reported her for illegal trading.
She was portrayed as both stupid and evil, deserving of punishment!
Eventually, she met her end by "accidentally" drowning.
After her death, her husband, Wang Qinghe, believed the Wang family had caused her demise. He became obsessed with avenging her, transforming into the main antagonist of the story, ruthless and heartless.
He neglected the upbringing of their children.
The fifth brother and his wife, the protagonists, thrived. After her death, Zhou Jiaojiao, the fifth sister-in-law, discovered a bracelet in a chest left behind by Bai Xiuxiu.
This bracelet seemed to have a spirit of its own, attaching itself to her wrist and refusing to come off. Moreover, it contained a space where she could grow medicinal herbs at an accelerated rate.
Zhou Jiaojiao believed it was a divine gift but also resented Bai Xiuxiu.
How selfish to possess such a treasure and not share its benefits with the family!
Zhou Jiaojiao used her bracelet to lead the family to prosperity and wealth!
Seeing this on the screen nearly made Bai Xiuxiu spit blood. What nonsense! She had no idea what kind of space that bracelet held!
To Bai Jiaojiao's surprise, her man, Wang Qinghe, was also quite successful. After the general situation improved, he started doing business as well. Compared to Zhou Jiaojiao, who had the spatial bracelet, his business flourished even more!
However, while she did it for prosperity, he did it to create trouble for the protagonists!
Thus, her man became the biggest villain in the book.
He almost forced the protagonists to their deaths, but unfortunately, before he could succeed, he suddenly fell ill and died.
Their two children were left orphaned.
The moment she understood the plot after her death, she felt terrible! That unlucky man didn't take good care of her two children!
She didn't believe that her man, Wang Qinghe, had such deep feelings for her, yet she wanted to curse at this damn screen!
What kind of twisted thing was this?
She hadn't fought with her fifth sister-in-law at all! On the contrary, the seemingly frail and harmless fifth sister-in-law, Zhou Jiaojiao, secretly caused her trouble!
Appearing amicable and sensible, she was actually calculating!
Why did she report Zhou Jiaojiao for speculation? It was because Zhou Jiaojiao wanted to secretly do business in the black market due to a lack of funds! When she persuaded her mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, to borrow money from Bai Xiuxiu and was refused, she grew resentful.
She then colluded with a trafficker, almost abducting Bai Xiuxiu's two precious children!
Reporting Zhou Jiaojiao for speculation was minor! If not for her sudden drowning, she would have retaliated!
As for being sharp-tongued, she barely interacted with the Wang family except during meals!
Her good mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, always tried to extract money from her and gain advantages!
Her father passed away early, and her mother raised her and her sister. Her sister married a capable man and now followed him into military service.
In her earlier years, her mother served a kind young lady, who gave her many valuable items.
Both she and her sister received substantial dowries when they got married!
Upon marrying into the family, her mother-in-law immediately targeted her dowry!
She would often provoke her with insinuating remarks!
As for chores, she indeed didn't know how to do them, but her man, Wang Qinghe, helped her. The couple did most of the household work, big and small.
They were like donkeys for the production team, or something similar!
How did this damn screen portray her as sharp-tongued, stupid, and wicked, and her man as ruthless?
Bai Xiuxiu couldn't understand and was highly suspicious!
However... as a Wandering Spirit, she didn't reincarnate after death but instead floated around her man.
She witnessed everything described in the book turn into reality one by one.
Her usually quiet man went crazy fighting against the family.
She watched him plan step by step, watched him suffer misfortune as he climbed up. His normally clear eyes became increasingly dark and terrifying after her death, watching as her and his children grew astray due to his neglect.
She wished she had a physical form so she could strangle him and make him come to his senses!
In the end, everything followed the book's trajectory. Her man died, and her children turned out unaccomplished, learning bad habits.
Then, she was reborn.
In her memory, this was the second day after her fifth sister-in-law married into the family?
Bai Xiuxiu looked at her man, Wang Qinghe, the eldest son of the Wang family. While alive, this man didn't have any particular strengths, except for his good looks! He was more handsome than any girl in the village, no, in the entire county!
However, despite his smart and good-looking face, he was usually as silent as a sealed jar.
He didn't talk much!
Regardless of major or minor family matters, he remained quiet and uncommunicative!
Her mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, favored her younger son and assigned all the dirty and tiring work to her man.
However, he never let her do any of those tasks.
Another advantage of his was that he listened to her! Whatever she wanted, he always found a way. He never complained about anything she asked him to do.
While alive, this man hardly spoke,
So, she didn't realize until her death that he loved her obsessively.
People of this era didn't care about love; she learned about it only during her years as a Wandering Spirit from the younger generation!
Seeing his wife staring at him strangely without moving, Wang Qinghe frowned in concern. He cautiously took a sip of water, sat down beside the bed, and patiently coaxed her: "I've already blown on it; it's not hot. Drink some water quickly. Uncle Zhang said you fainted from exhaustion.
Didn't we agree? I'll do your work, so why did you exhaust yourself?"
Chapter 2
The thick, sticky emotion in Wang Qinghe's eyes infuriated Bai Xiuxiu even more.
Her man was definitely the legendary love-struck fool!
She had never done any heavy work; she had merely fainted due to her sudden reincarnation!
Bai Xiuxiu silently stared at him, her emotions now incredibly complex!
She was moved by this man's all-consuming devotion to her, yet she couldn't help but resent him for not taking better care of her and their children.
Wang Qinghe looked flustered, his handsome face revealing his panic.
Why was his wife angry?
"Xiuxiu, I'll tell Mom this afternoon that you won't be working anymore."
As he spoke, he came over to support her.
Bai Xiuxiu allowed herself to be carried into his embrace, drank some water, but her gloomy mood didn't lighten in the slightest.
She knew that her sister-in-law, the ruthless and heaven-favored Zhou Jiaojiao, would cause her death, driving her man mad with grief. For the sake of her precious daughter and son, as well as for this man, she couldn't die just yet!
As for trying to please Zhou Jiaojiao like everyone else? That was absolutely out of the question!
She wasn't someone who could be pushed around. Although Zhou Jiaojiao hadn't directly killed her, her death was indirectly connected to her sister-in-law!
She hadn't forgotten how Zhou Jiaojiao had tried to abduct her two children in her previous life!
Furthermore... before his own death, Wang Qinghe had uncovered some clues about her murder. On the day she was pushed into the river, someone saw it happen. The culprit was Zhou Jiaojiao's sister-in-law from her natal family!
In addition, the people in this household had bullied her precious children both openly and secretly!
After her death in her previous life, Zhou Jiaojiao, upon discovering her husband's wariness towards the family, used her precious daughter to further her black market business. She tricked her daughter into delivering goods, claiming it was a simple errand, but in reality, it was to meet her black market contact!
They had kidnapped her daughter together, and Wang Qinghe nearly lost his life trying to save her.
Her daughter had been only ten years old then!
She was doing well just not to grab a knife and go after Zhou Jiaojiao's life!
Moreover, those who tried to curry favor with Zhou Jiaojiao didn't necessarily end up lucky!
Whenever something fortunate happened to Zhou Jiaojiao, someone else would suffer misfortune!
When she found ginseng in the mountains, someone got bitten by a venomous snake that very day. When she discovered a wild boar trapped in a pit, someone broke their leg in the mountains soon after. The better the things she found, the worse the misfortune befell others.
And these people all had one thing in common: they were with Zhou Jiaojiao when these events occurred!
This was something she observed when she became a Wandering Spirit, and her husband had noticed it too.
There was no way Zhou Jiaojiao herself was unaware of this pattern!
Bai Xiuxiu even suspected that Zhou Jiaojiao deliberately used her good luck to harm others!
Having listed Zhou Jiaojiao's various misdeeds in her mind, Bai Xiuxiu became even more resolute in her decision! She must not try to please Zhou Jiaojiao. With two years until her predicted death, she needed to find a way to avoid being murdered.
She had to protect her children and her unfortunate husband!
"Xiuxiu? What's wrong with you? Should I call Old Zhang to come take another look? You might have injured your head." Wang Qinghe was anxious.
Why had his wife suddenly become so quiet?
"You're the one with an injured head!" Bai Xiuxiu glared at him. Unlucky man! He seemed to have forgotten about their children!
Wang Qinghe sighed in relief when he heard her speak. "It's fine then. Rest here while I bring you some food."
"No need. We should go back together. I'm perfectly fine. Fifth Brother just got married, so the food at home is better these days. If you bring it here, that old woman will definitely not give me anything good. At least we can share the food if we go back."
Besides, if she didn't return, what if her mother-in-law gave less food to her children? Her husband was usually as silent as a clam!
With that, Bai Xiuxiu attempted to get up.
"Don't move. I'll carry you back." Wang Qinghe quickly squatted down in front of her.
As an old married couple, Bai Xiuxiu didn't hesitate and climbed onto his back.
"Going back? Your wife needs to rest properly for a while. Don't let her do any fieldwork," Old Zhang, the village doctor, kindly reminded them as they prepared to leave.
A few years ago, his grandson had gotten lost in the mountains, and it was Wang Qinghe who had accidentally stumbled upon him and brought him back.
So, Old Zhang wanted to look out for this young couple.
Hearing his words, Bai Xiuxiu, on her husband's back, had an idea. "Uncle Zhang, does my illness require me to lie in bed for half a month or so?"
Old Zhang hesitated, about to say no, but seeing the couple's earnestness, he played along. "Yes, it will take about half a month!"
Wang Qinghe grew even more worried. "Should we take her to the hospital in the county?"
"What for? Uncle Zhang has already said so. Come on, hurry and take me home!" Bai Xiuxiu pinched his cheek, urging him to leave.
The Wang family lived on the third street on the eastern side of the village. The houses were built close together, and theirs was the third one.
They were made of mud bricks, slightly taller than a person.
Upon entering the courtyard, their house faced them directly. Originally, the Wang family had three large rooms and two storage sheds.
Now, the heads of the household were the old couple of the Wang family, Wang Shoucheng and Zhao Guifen.
Ever since Zhao Guifen married Wang Shoucheng, she bore him five sons. In the Wang household, her word was law!
In the courtyard, Zhao Guifen's aged face was cold as her hawkish eyes swept across every corner! She scrutinized the several daughters-in-law working around the house, looking for any signs of mistakes.
The moment she saw Wang Qinghe return with Bai Xiuxiu on his back, her expression turned even more sour: "What? You still know how to come back? I thought you two had died out there! You pretend to be dead when it's time to work, but you come running back when it's mealtime, sniffing the food from afar.
How could we have such ungrateful beings in this family!"
There was not a hint of displeasure on Wang Qinghe's handsome face. He looked up at his mother, Zhao Guifen, and spoke: "Mom, Uncle Zhang said that Xiuxiu is seriously ill this time and needs to rest at home for over ten days. Her share of the work will be done by me."
"Pah! Stop trying to pull this trick on me! If she could work, the energy you save could be used for other tasks around the house! I said it before, we shouldn't have married such a jinx!" Zhao Guifen glared venomously at her eldest daughter-in-law.
Over the years, the eldest daughter-in-law had secretly enjoyed many good things without their knowledge! As if she didn't know!
Bai Xiuxiu's older sister had joined the military, and she had heard that they were doing well! Every year, packages would arrive from them, but the eldest daughter-in-law only ever shared a small portion!
Only a tenth of the contents of those large packages were ever distributed.
Whenever she mentioned it, the wretched woman pretended not to hear, no matter how much she threatened, it never worked!
If she dared to deny the woman food, she would cause a scene and prevent her eldest son from earning work points.
If she dared to say a few bad words about her, she would threaten to go to the Women's Federation and complain about her mistreatment.
She was nothing but a troublemaker!
It was truly bad luck to have married such a daughter-in-law!
Little Wu's wife was much better; although she had only been married into the family for two days, this morning, both of the old hens in the house laid an extra egg! It seemed like she brought good fortune!
Bai Xiuxiu remained expressionless as she rested on her husband's back, waiting until her mother-in-law finished her tirade before she coldly spoke: "Talking about jinxes all the time, what era do we live in now? This sounds like superstition. I heard that reporting superstition can earn you ten eggs..."
"You dare!" Zhao Guifen shrieked in fright.
"What's there that I wouldn't dare to do? You've already lost your shame, so why can't I do something good?
What do you mean my husband won't help me with work, so he can do other work for the family? Is this house just mine and Qinghe's? Have your other four sons died?"
Chapter 3
"You, you heartless and vicious beast, Big Brother! Big Brother, are you dead? You just watch her curse your younger brothers?" Zhao Guifen's face flushed with anger as she pointed at Wang Qinghe and started yelling.
"That's right, Sister-in-Law, your words are too harsh. Why would you wish death upon the family?" Wang's second daughter-in-law, who was washing vegetables nearby, chimed in disapprovingly.
"Hmph! How is it my doing that I'm wishing death upon the family? It's our mother-in-law who relies on Big Brother to do all the work, and I thought the others were dead. Since they're not dead, then this work shouldn't fall solely on my husband.
Uncle Zhang said that I need to rest for over half a month, or who knows what illness I might develop later.
Isn't it natural for my husband to help me with the work?
What? Do you want to force me to my death?"
Bai Xiuxiu swept them with a cold gaze and began mocking them mercilessly.
Her second sister-in-law was someone who knew how to read the situation. In her previous life, the second daughter-in-law followed Zhou Jiaojiao closely, leading a happy and smooth life. Her two daughters married into good families, and later, her son also enjoyed good fortune with Old Fifth's family.
She specifically helped Zhou Jiaojiao with unsavory tasks. One could say that Zhou Jiaojiao remained clean until the end, all thanks to the second sister-in-law, Liu Xiaoe, taking care of the dirty work!
In her past life, she looked down on Wang Jiari's attitude and ignored any words she didn't like. She would simply walk away after hearing what others had to say.
She believed that as long as she protected herself, everything would be fine. But in the end, she became nothing more than an unlucky pawn.
Regardless of whether she spoke up or not, she was still seen as a malicious pawn. So why stay silent?
Starting today, not a shred of this family's dignity would be spared! Especially Zhou Jiaojiao!
Her decades as Wandering Spirit weren't for naught!
The fifth sister-in-law's destiny as a lucky charm had its ways. If she failed to harm others, she would suffer misfortune herself for a few days.
Moreover, if the fifth sister-in-law gained any benefits, her strange fate would determine it as being for the fifth sister-in-law's good.
For example, if she gave something of unknown origin to the fifth sister-in-law, no matter how troublesome it turned out to be, she would be deemed a good person at the time. And she wouldn't suffer misfortune!
As for the subsequent troubles, that would be the fifth sister-in-law's and others' problem!
Thus, fate was fixed, but human minds were flexible!
This realization came during the later stages of her battle with her husband and his family.
Unfortunately, it was discovered too late.
Since silence was useless, she might as well speak up more. After all, she was going to offend them either way, so she might as well gain some advantage!
"Listen to this! Everyone listen! This is outrageous, truly outrageous!" Zhao Guifen lost her composure due to her eldest daughter-in-law's words.
Her mind buzzed; usually, the eldest daughter-in-law had a cold, expressionless face and rarely spoke. Today, she didn't know what had gotten into her, directly trying to infuriate everyone.
Wang Laoer's wife was also shocked. Had the eldest sister-in-law damaged her brain?
"Mom, it's time for dinner. Let's discuss matters later, okay?" Inside the house, Zhou Jiaojiao, having heard the argument outside, felt that this situation couldn't continue to escalate.
Otherwise, the whole village would find out, which would be embarrassing.
Furthermore, the eldest sister-in-law not wanting to work reflected poorly on her. Once everyone found out, the eldest sister-in-law would have to work in the fields to save face.
"What meal? I'm so angry I could die!" Zhao Guifen was furious.
Upon hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu immediately smiled. "Mom, see how I can't eat? No problem, Qinghe, go bring our share of the food back to our room. Mom sees we can't eat, and by the way, my head hurts, let's eat in our room."
"No way! What? You want to eat in your room? Are you trying to split the household early?" Zhao Guifen was livid.
Eating together at the table was her best method of disciplining her sons and their wives!
The eldest daughter-in-law was challenging her authority!
Why didn't she just drop dead?
While alive, the family received no benefits from the Bai family. But if she died, for the sake of her children, the Bai family would have to provide benefits to the entire family.
"Mom, do you want to split the household? I'm not against it. Anyway, Old Fifth has already married, and I think our house is almost too small. We can't let Old Fifth and his wife live in the shed, can we?" Bai Xiuxiu said cheerfully. She wasn't afraid of splitting the household.
However, her mother-in-law would never agree to it!
If they really split the household, it wouldn't just affect her family; others would also want to lead their own lives.
Moreover, her kind mother-in-law still hoped to benefit from her natal family.
What a dream!
"Pah! You heartless thing, causing trouble for no reason? I'll tell you, unless I'm dead, there will be no splitting of the household! If you dare cause trouble about splitting the household, I'll report you to the county! Say you're disrespectful! I, I'll see how you can live."
Zhao Guifen crossed her waist, cursing.
Bai Xiuxiu didn't even bother to respond. "Qinghe, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and bring the food back to the room."
With that, she returned to the room first.
She and her husband got married early and lived in one of the three main rooms of the house.
Later, the other sons of the Wang family also got married. She and her husband had twins, while Second House's Wang Qingfu and Liu Xiaoe had two daughters after three years of marriage. Third House's Wang Qingzheng and Zhao Cuihua had a son.
Fourth House's Wang Qingliang and his wife Chen Fang had been married for a year and had no children yet.
Then there was the newly married Old Fifth, Wang Qingqi, and Zhou Jiaojiao.
The elderly couple occupied the largest room in the main house, while they, the First House, took the western room, and the Second House lived in the eastern room.
Old Third and Old Fourth had converted the firewood shed into separate living quarters.
This had caused quite a few disputes.
Old Fifth had just gotten married and was currently living with the old couple, who had erected partitions to divide the space.
Bai Xiuxiu remembered that in her previous life, after Old Fifth and his wife moved in, her mother-in-law started causing trouble, demanding that she give up her room. She claimed that since Old Fifth and his new wife were just starting out, they should live with the older couple, even though there were partitions dividing the space.
But it wasn't convenient.
She and her husband were an old married couple, so it would be more suitable for them to move over.
At the time, she simply ignored them—she wasn't crazy! When this room was first allocated for them to live in, it leaked rain! The money to fix the house came from her own dowry.
The eastern room was warm, while the western one was dilapidated and cold. Her mother-in-law cared only for her second son, treating her husband as if he were nothing.
Leaving that aside, she had two children to consider—how could she possibly give up her room?
She had paid for it!
After refusing, she felt completely justified. However, after her death, this became one of the reasons she was vilified.
When the content of that book appeared before her, a barrage of strange comments also surfaced. They were all insults, calling her selfish and mean-spirited.
She had spent her own money to repair the house.
Her husband worked hard and helped her with chores; together, they earned ten work points every day. During holidays, some of the items her sister sent always got shared.
And yet, she was still considered mean?
She didn't understand, but she was utterly shocked!
Chapter 4
Pushing open the door, Bai Xiuxiu saw her two darlings crouched by the window, looking outside.
Seeing her enter, they both jumped off the bed and ran towards her.
"Mom!"
"Mommy, today Yueyue was super well-behaved, didn't cause any trouble at all!" The little girl, with her hair in two buns, looked up at her with an expectant face. Her fair complexion made her look incredibly adorable.
"Mommy, Mingming was also super well-behaved!"
The child beside her didn't want to be outdone and started to act coquettishly as well.
Looking at her two darlings, Bai Xiuxiu felt her heart, which had been wandering for decades, fill up instantly.
She scooped both children into her arms, carrying them over to sit on the bed. She kissed each of them, then went to a locked box on the bed and took out a candy box.
This was something she had asked her sister to send over for her.
They couldn't buy White Rabbit milk candies here, but her sister could find some way to get some.
It had taken a lot of effort to get these, all for the autumn harvest when no one would be watching the kids, so that they would behave.
These two were only two years old. Although they could speak, they still didn't understand much.
She had never been at ease with the people in the family.
She could only coax them with sweets.
"One each, and you have to behave tomorrow." After saying this, Bai Xiuxiu couldn't resist kissing the two children again.
It had been far too long since she had been able to touch her two children.
After her death, her husband hadn't cared much about these two children, as if he was afraid that seeing them would remind him that she was dead.
She could only float around him.
Only heaven knew how much she wanted to strangle her unlucky husband back then!
Inside the room, the three of them were enjoying a harmonious moment.
However, things weren't going well at the dinner table in the main room.
Zhao Guifen's face darkened as she blocked her eldest son. "What? You really dare to take it? Let me tell you, if you dare bring the food into the room, I'll die right in front of you."
"Brother, no matter how uncomfortable Sister-in-law is, your whole family can't just not come to the table to eat. What would people say if they heard about this? Are you really going to split the household?" Wang Qingfu, the second son, disapproved and tried to persuade him.
He was jealous of his taciturn older brother, yet also felt somewhat superior to him.
His older brother's looks had attracted every young woman in the village back then, but he was stubborn and didn't talk to anyone until he saw his sister-in-law. He fell for her at first sight and insisted on marrying her.
Although his sister-in-law was beautiful, her family wasn't from around here, so there was no maternal family support.
Moreover, Mother hadn't been as good to his older brother and sister-in-law as she had been to him.
Mother hadn't let his older brother go to junior high school, but she had let him!
He was able to work as a warehouse manager in the village because he had gone to school!
Looks didn't put food on the table!
Hearing her second son's words, Zhao Guifen felt much better. "Listen to your younger brother! That's what you call human speech!"
"Brother, why do you want to make Mom angry? We still have work to do this afternoon. No matter how much Sister-in-law throws a tantrum, it's not like she won't come out to eat." Old Fifth, Wang Qingqi, chimed in.
He had just gotten married, but he knew that he had to please his mother in this family!
They all took turns speaking, and after listening to them, Wang Qinghe calmly looked at them. "Mom, our family of four will eat in the room. Just divide it evenly. Otherwise, Xiuxiu won't be happy…"
Zhao Guifen: …
Was she talking to a wall?
Didn't he hear a single word?
"Brother, although I've just married into the family, I have to say something. If Sister-in-law acts like this, people will laugh at us. They might think she's giving Mom a hard time. Who has a sister-in-law like her?" Zhou Jiaojiao spoke up unhappily.
She had just married in, and Sister-in-law was causing a scene. Who was she trying to impress?
Moreover, if Sister-in-law didn't come out, how could Mom bring up the topic of switching rooms?
She and her husband had only just gotten married, and they shared a wall with their in-laws, making it difficult for them to be intimate.
Furthermore, she had seen the western room, and it was quite nice.
At home, she had always lived in a good room, and her husband had promised her that he wouldn't let her suffer.
"Jiaojiao is right! What? Do you really want your old mother to die in front of you?" Zhao Guifen felt even more justified hearing her family's support.
Wang Qinghe's expression didn't change at all. "Mom, even if I took all the food away from this table, you wouldn't die in front of me. But if I don't bring the food back, Xiuxiu will be upset, and if she gets upset, her illness will worsen.
She's sick, and if she doesn't let me bring the food back, I won't do any work for the family this winter."
He was strong and had learned hunting skills from an old hunter in earlier years. In winter, only he and a few other families could secretly hunt in the mountains.
If he didn't go to the mountains, the family wouldn't have enough meat to eat during the winter.
Zhao Guifen's vision went black with anger. "You, you ungrateful son!"
"Mom, get us some food." Wang Qinghe didn't lift a finger himself, and he also ignored the others in the house.
He disliked speaking with this family; each of them was calculating, for food, for their own benefits.
He only wanted to live well with Xiuxiu, to see her happy.
As for other matters, he didn't care much about them.
"Old woman, it's not easy for our eldest daughter-in-law; she's sick, and our son is worried about her. Let them eat in their room, and when she feels better, they can join us at the table." Old Man Wang finally spoke up.
He never got involved in the trivial matters of the household.
However... if the eldest didn't go hunting in winter, that would be a significant issue for the family.
The second son had a job as a warehouse manager, but it was just in the village.
The commune was hiring this year, Little Wu had finished junior high school, was smart, and now married. The winter hunt would provide gifts for Little Wu's new job.
When Little Wu and his wife started working at the commune, wouldn't life be better for the whole family?
For the long-term good, there couldn't be any conflicts now.
Zhao Guifen reluctantly agreed, though she didn't want to. Despite her unruly behavior, she listened to her husband.
She quickly prepared the meal for the four people in the west room, then pushed the basin towards him with an annoyed look: "Get out!"
Task completed, Wang Qinghe turned and left.
The others in the house felt uneasy.
Who wouldn't want to eat in their rooms, where they could enjoy their lives in peace?
Bai Xiuxiu didn't know or care about the messy affairs in the main room. Whatever she needed, her man provided. It was like that when she was alive, and he hadn't sought another partner after her death.
Soon, Wang Qinghe entered the room.
Upon entering, he saw his wife telling stories to their two children.
His usually calm heart warmed.
He placed the small table on the heated brick bed: "Xiuxiu, I've brought the food back. Shall we eat first?"
Chapter 5
"Wanming, Yueyue, stop bothering your mom, come over for dinner." Wang Qinghe said, prying the two children away from his wife's embrace.
For some reason, he felt that his wife's gaze had become less friendly.
Bai Xiuxiu stared at Wang Qinghe for a moment, looking at this face that met her aesthetic standards, and considering his feelings for her, she barely managed to hold back!
This wretched man! Can't he be a little kinder to their children?
What? His wife is his, but the children aren't?
What's going on in his head!
Wang Qinghe was unaware of what she was thinking. In the room, there were only his beloved wife and the two children she bore him, making him feel incredibly happy.
"Go get the food. Didn't Mom say anything else?" Bai Xiuxiu took the bowls.
It was 1966, and although they had passed the time of starvation, conditions hadn't improved much.
Every household didn't have enough to eat, and the Wang family, with many mouths to feed, had even more people eating.
Plus, the two elders in the family were biased, saving money to support their beloved youngest son and second son, making the food situation even worse!
Even with Old Fifth Wang Qingqi's wedding dishes, the quality of the meals wasn't much better.
A bowl of buckwheat porridge, paired with a scorched pancake, was one person's portion.
As for the dish, it was made by cooking leftover meat from the wedding with cabbage leaves picked from their own plot and prepared for drying.
Aside from being a bit fatty, it had almost no resemblance to good food!
Bai Xiuxiu had been a Wandering Spirit for decades, witnessing the prosperity of later times. Although she couldn't taste good food, she could see it! Looking at the current meal, she desperately wanted something decent!
Wang Qinghe sat across from his wife, feeding the children while watching her.
He saw her staring at the stewed dish with a sharp gaze, utterly puzzled. "Wife, what's wrong with this dish?"
"I want to eat something good," Bai Xiuxiu blurted out her thoughts!
"Mingming wants it too!"
"Yueyue wants it too!"
Looking at his wife and the two children, Wang Qinghe felt the pressure mounting. "Now the village is busy harvesting. We'll have to wait until winter to go hunting. How about... after lunch, I go to the commune and buy you some sponge cake?
Do we have enough food coupons?"
Bai Xiuxiu hadn't tasted good food for decades. Hearing "sponge cake," her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly opened the box to check their savings.
She was all about enjoying life!
She wouldn't let anyone, especially herself, suffer. Over the years, the good things her older sister and mother sent her had mostly been consumed, and as for money, she'd spent quite a bit.
Including the dowry money her mother brought, they had a total of three hundred twenty-seven yuan and twenty fen left.
They still had two hundred catties worth of food coupons, but if used, they would run out quickly.
There weren't many other coupons available for use either.
This was only possible because every winter, Wang Qinghe could hunt in the mountains and secretly stash some game under the Wang family's noses or occasionally sell medicinal herbs found in the mountains for money.
Being a Wandering Spirit didn't require eating, and Wang Qinghe later became successful, so he never lacked money! She hadn't felt the lack of money for a long time!
Seeing her lost in thought, Wang Qinghe assumed she was worried about running out of supplies and hurriedly comforted her. "Wife, we have enough food coupons. After the autumn harvest, I'll find a way to get you some meat coupons. I'll go buy you some sponge cake tomorrow!"
Wang Qinghe never carried more than one yuan in pocket money!
Bai Xiuxiu remembered this clearly, so she took out a ten-yuan note from the box and gave it to him. "Don't waste it, make it last till the end of the year!"
Then she handed him ten catties worth of food coupons.
After Wang Qinghe tucked them away, the family of four quickly finished the remaining food.
At this point, anything with meat was considered good, so regardless of whether they liked it or not, they ate everything!
The Wang family had the habit of taking a nap after lunch, but Wang Qinghe didn't!
With the money in his pocket, he headed out.
"What are you doing?" Zhao Guifen had been waiting at the door, hoping to talk to her eldest son first and give the room to Old Fifth.
Seeing him come out, she quickly tried to stop him.
But it was too late!
Wang Qinghe didn't hear a word and ran off quickly.
"Stop right there! Why are you running!" Zhao Guifen chased after him, cursing, but failed to catch up, turning back into the courtyard in frustration.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiaojiao, the fifth daughter-in-law, who had been observing from inside the house, also became anxious and fiercely pinched her husband.
Old Fifth, Wang Qingqi, winced in pain and came out of the house. "Mom, why don't we talk to Eldest Sister-in-Law first? This matter, sooner or later, needs Eldest Sister-in-Law's approval. Besides, if Eldest Sister-in-Law doesn't agree, Eldest Brother..."
Zhao Guifen was speechless upon hearing this.
Her eldest son, aside from having a handsome face, was completely useless!
He was terrified of his wife!
Zhao Guifen, after a moment's thought, knocked on the west room's door.
Inside, Bai Xiuxiu was sorting through the family's fabrics, planning to make clothes for herself, her two children, and... her unfortunate husband.
This fabric must not go to waste!
Hearing the knock, Bai Xiuxiu put everything back into her large chest and undid the door latch.
She was met with her mother-in-law's aged face right away.
Her good mood vanished instantly.
As Zhao Guifen entered the room, she saw the whitewashed walls, the fine mat on the bed, and the blue-brick floor, and her anger surged.
Living in the same house, ever since that jinx of a Bai had moved in, she only improved her own room.
Compared to this room, the others looked like dog kennels.
Didn't she realize how unworthy she was, being so lazy and gluttonous, to have such a nice room?
"Guifen, how's your health? I saw your husband rush out earlier, what was that about?" Zhao Guifen forced a smile as she squeezed into the room.
Following behind, Zhou Jiaojiao hurried in as well.
Bai Xiuxiu, seeing their eager eyes, knew they wanted to swap rooms just like in her previous life.
What a pipe dream!
Thinking about her husband's speculations from his last days in the previous life, Bai Xiuxiu decided to test the waters.
This room-swap wasn't just between the two of them.
In her past life, the second family had been Zhou Jiaojiao's lackeys. What if Bai Xiuxiu had offended them from the start?
With that thought, Bai Xiuxiu smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Mother. My head still hurts quite a bit. I sent my husband to the commune to buy some things. Since Jiaojiao has just married in, I thought I'd get her a couple of pictures to decorate her room."
Such kindness from her?
Zhao Guifen was stunned, while Zhou Jiaojiao felt smug inside.
Indeed, no matter where she went, nobody could dislike her! This was the blessing bestowed upon her by heaven!
It seemed the room situation might work out!
"Speaking of rooms, Xiuxiu, there's something I want to discuss with you," Zhao Guifen seized the opportunity.
"Mother, I also have something to say," Bai Xiuxiu quickly interjected, not letting her continue: "Mother, I think it's inconvenient for Fifth Brother and his wife to live in the partition next to yours.
They're newlyweds, why don't we move them to the east room?"
Chapter 6
"What? The east room? That won't do; it's your second brother's..." Zhao Guifen choked on her words.
Bai Xiuxiu smiled cheerfully as she asked in confusion and shock, "Why not? I think the Fifth Brother and his wife have just married, so they should move into the east room first. Then, when we expand the house near the woodshed later, wouldn't that be fine? Mom, you can't skimp on this kind of thing.
"In two years, each family will have children. How will they fit without an expansion?
"Shouldn't we start expanding after the autumn harvest?"
Bai Xiuxiu preempted all the words to be said.
She spoke from the perspective of seeking benefits for Zhou Jiaojiao. She wanted to test if she could really avoid Zhou Jiaojiao's strange luck!
Zhou Jiaojiao preferred this room, but with Bai Xiuxiu's words, there was nothing left to say.
She wanted to switch because it would be inconvenient for a newlywed couple to live with their in-laws.
But the east room was the same! If she refused to go to the east room, it wouldn't make sense!
Still... the eldest sister-in-law was being too much. It seemed like she was trying to help, but if Zhou Jiaojiao disagreed, she would seem ungrateful! In reality, wasn't she just unwilling to give up her own room?
Forget it, there would be other opportunities!
Zhou Jiaojiao convinced herself after some internal persuasion.
Zhao Guifen looked as though she had eaten something foul, feeling nauseated. "Expand? Expanding doesn't cost money?"
"It costs money, but it's for the sake of the Fifth Brother and his wife. Mom, you can't be stingy about everything, can you?" Bai Xiuxiu threw the problem back at Zhao Guifen without hesitation.
Zhao Guifen was so angry that she wanted to curse, but she couldn't find any words.
The second son lived in the east room, while the eldest son lived in the west room.
Bai Xiuxiu, that damned lazybones, had spoken first. Now, as the mother-in-law, she had no footing to stand on!
If she refused, the Fifth Brother's wife might think she was being biased!
The second and fifth sons were both her darlings!
Zhao Guifen was unwilling and decided to make one last attempt. "Eldest daughter-in-law, the second son's room is in disrepair. The Fifth Brother's young couple has just married, and your room is more festive. Why don't you let them have yours?"
"Mom, speaking of which, I was also going to mention this. The second son's room is too shabby. Look at my room—it was specially decorated with tickets and money sent by my mother and older sister. Although the second daughter-in-law's family doesn't have much money, the second son is still your child.
"At the very least, shouldn't the room be tidied up?
"This is a good opportunity since the Fifth Brother and his wife are moving in.
"Wouldn't living in a freshly tidied room be better than mine?
"Furthermore, if someone else lives in my room, my mother and sister will hear about it. It would be embarrassing for you."
Bai Xiuxiu maintained her smile. During her years as Wandering Spirit by Wang Qinghe's side, she had seen many things! This little trick wouldn't outwit her!
As long as this old woman was willing to spend money, the third and fourth families were still living in the woodshed!
Then, this matter wouldn't end.
She would stir things up so that her good mother-in-law would fairly allocate money to each family!
Although she had only been married for a few years, her husband had done a lot of work for this family.
If the Wang family's money remained in the hands of the old couple, she and Wang Qinghe wouldn't get a single cent in the future.
In her previous life, she hadn't cared as long as her two children were well-fed and comfortable, and she didn't want to cause trouble.
Now, it was different! No one in this family would take advantage of her!
During her years as Wandering Spirit, she knew all the sneaky things that happened in this house.
She would earn back everything Wang Qinghe had contributed to this family over the years!
Conditions were tough now, and even with money, it might not be possible to spend it. Before the golden age arrived, she would keep this family under control.
Until they were no longer valuable!
Zhao Guifen was speechless against Bai Xiuxiu's words, frowning in disgust.
Why didn't she just die! Zhao Guifen cursed viciously in her heart, her face darkening. "If you won't agree, then don't. Stop talking nonsense!"
Bai Xiuxiu was sincere. "Mom, I'm doing this for your own good."
"Tsk! As if I don't know what you are! Jiaojiao, let's go." Zhao Guifen pulled the Fifth daughter-in-law out.
Zhou Jiaojiao was actually tempted. If she could live in the east room and have it repaired, she would be more comfortable than in the west room.
With that thought, Zhou Jiaojiao spoke up as soon as she came out. "Mom, actually, the eldest sister-in-law is right. Why don't we live in the east room? When the new rooms are expanded later, we can let Second Brother and his wife live there, and Qingqi and I will stay in the east room.
"We can consider it paying back Second Brother and his wife for willingly giving us their room.
"The east room is closer to you, so we can take care of you better."
At the thought of expanding, Zhao Guifen felt pained!
In these times, what didn't cost money?
How much money did a family earn in a year?
They truly didn't know how to manage their finances!
But if she didn't do anything?
Zhao Guifen thought about her youngest daughter-in-law and the good times her family had experienced in recent years based on her observations...
She needed to be kind to her youngest daughter-in-law; only then would luck come to their home!
After some consideration, Zhao Guifen gritted her teeth and agreed: "Alright! I'll go along with your plan."
Dealing with her second son's family wouldn't be as troublesome as dealing with Bai Xiuxiu.
She feared Bai Xiuxiu because of Bai Xiuxiu's older sister, who had married well! Although she wasn't around, they could still communicate! Moreover, Bai Xiuxiu, that lazy one, would genuinely report any issues to her older sister!
Previously, when she wanted something that Bai Xiuxiu's older sister had sent, it escalated all the way to the commune!
However, things were different with her second son's family. They had no power or influence. Forget about a dowry; even the two bags of wheat that the Wangs had sent to her house weren't brought back!
"Liu Xiaoe? Liu Xiaoe? Where are you? Where have you gone off to?" Zhao Guifen shouted loudly.
Liu Xiaoe, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, quickly put down her work and ran out: "Mom, you...you called me?"
"Where is Old Second?"
"He...he is resting in the room." Liu Xiaoe, in her early twenties, was slender and had two braids. She was rather pretty, but due to her timid nature, she always seemed fearful.
She kept her head down, not daring to look at her mother-in-law.
Seeing her made Zhao Guifen angry! If it hadn't been for her second son saving his future wife from drowning back then, how could they have ended up marrying such a poor girl!
"Alright, come into the room with me."
Zhao Guifen led her second daughter-in-law to their eastern room.
Compared to the western room, the eastern room was much more dilapidated.
A mat covered the bed, and Wang Qingfu was lying there. Seeing his wife and mother, as well as his sister-in-law, enter, he quickly got up: "Mom, why didn't you say something before coming over?"
"This is a sudden matter," Zhao Guifen said, finding a stool to sit on. "Old Second, I've decided that you and your wife should move into Old Fifth's room, and you should let Old Fifth and his wife stay in this room for a while."
Wang Qingfu was now fully awake.
Liu Xiaoe turned pale with fright. Why? They were living comfortably here...
"Mom, why the sudden change?" Wang Qingfu was unhappy. The eastern room was spacious; how could living in a partitioned space compare?
"It's just that Old Fifth and his new wife have just gotten married; it's not convenient," Zhao Guifen explained awkwardly.
After all, both of her sons were important to her!
"Well, then we can move into Eldest Brother's room. Xiaoe and I don't have any children yet," Wang Qingfu grumbled.
Zhao Guifen: ...
Chapter 7
Why does Second insist on bringing up such an awkward topic?
If she could persuade that unfortunate Bai Xiuxiu, would they need to discuss it in this room?
Ever since her eldest daughter-in-law fainted in the fields today, Zhao Guifen felt like nothing had gone smoothly for her!
"Everything in your eldest brother's house was arranged by that black-hearted eldest daughter-in-law's family. If we switch houses with her, won't she complain to the commune?
Even if it were for no other reason, just for the sake of your job, we must maintain our dignity! We can't afford to lose face like that.
Besides, we're not letting them live here for free. Once autumn harvest is over, we'll expand our home. Then you can move into a new room, and this old house can be given to your fifth brother and his wife."
Wang Qingfu's eyes lit up at the mention of expanding their home and helping him with his job.
"Alright, if Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-Law won't give up their room for Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-Law, then we will." Wang Qingfu agreed readily.
Liu Xiaoe nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Seeing Fifth Sister-in-Law Zhou Jiaojiao following behind her mother-in-law with a smug look, Liu Xiaoe wished she could devour her whole.
On what grounds?
Just when everything was fine, they had to give up their room?
Talking about building a new room after the autumn harvest, wasn't that just code for adding onto the shed?
Given how stingy her mother-in-law was, what kind of decent room could they possibly build?
"Then it's settled. When we return from the fields tonight, we'll start switching. Xiaoe, quickly pack up your things."
With the matter resolved, Zhao Guifen's steps were lighter as she left.
As they departed, Zhou Jiaojiao took one last look around the room, already planning out its renovation.
The moment they left, Liu Xiaoe couldn't help but burst into tears.
Wang Qingfu's face darkened. "What are you crying for? It's broad daylight; do you want to bring bad luck?"
"Our mother-in-law is bullying us, and I'm not even allowed to cry? Why should we switch rooms with Old Fifth? Once we give up this room, there's no getting it back. At that point, Mother will only add a small space next to Third and Fourth.
It'll be cold in winter and hot in summer, not to mention unstable."
Liu Xiaoe grew more aggrieved the more she spoke.
Wasn't it just because she didn't have a son? Why did they treat her so poorly?
"Enough, what do you know? After the autumn harvest, we can use my job as leverage. Once I transfer to the commune, life will get better. Besides, only Fifth and I are well-educated in this family. In the future, we'll still be close to Fifth.
Let them have this.
Stop crying; it's giving me a headache. Three years, and you haven't even given birth to a son. You still have the nerve to cry!"
Wang Qingfu threatened her with a sour tone before falling asleep.
Liu Xiaoe cried silently, tiptoeing into the small partitioned room and holding her two sleeping daughters, tears streaming down her face.
She touched her stomach, filled with anticipation.
If only she had a son, life would improve!
The work in the fields during autumn was recorded for work points.
After the midday break, nobody was late returning to the fields.
Wang Qinghe timed his visit, estimating that it was almost time to resume work, and headed home.
At this hour, apart from the children of each household, only his wife was at home.
In the room, Bai Xiuxiu was putting their two children to sleep while staring at a bracelet her mother had left her, feeling troubled. This bracelet was a family heirloom, and her mother had given it to her as compensation for her poor marriage.
In her previous life, she had kept it hidden away, never knowing what kind of space it contained.
It was only after her death that Zhou Jiaojiao stole it!
In the terminology of later generations, this was called a "golden finger"!
Most revolting of all, Zhou Jiaojiao believed it was a gift from heaven!
How shameless!
So, the question remained: How exactly did one activate this blasted space?
Should she smash it?
Or perhaps she needed to perform some blood recognition ritual? Or maybe… aside from Zhou Jiaojiao, nobody else could open it?
The screen hadn't specified how to activate the space, only mentioning that the moment Zhou Jiaojiao touched it, the bracelet latched onto her!
"Xiuxiu, is something wrong with this bracelet?" Wang Qinghe noticed his wife staring intently at the bracelet upon entering the room.
He recognized the bracelet; it was from his late mother-in-law.
His mother-in-law had said that Xiuxiu had a bad temper and poor health, and was lazy. Since she lived in the countryside, she gave the bracelet to Xiuxiu, suggesting that if they were starving, they could sell it for money.
Was his wife taking out this bracelet now because she thought their money wasn't enough for her needs?
"Wife, in another half month, the autumn harvest will be over. When it ends, I'll take you to the county town. We'll eat steamed buns at the state-run restaurant. Don't have any ideas about this bracelet, okay? Didn't Mom say it's been passed down through our family?"
Wang Qinghe moved to help her pack things up.
Bai Xiuxiu shot him a glare. "When did I say I wanted to sell it? Stop causing trouble. I'm thinking. Go to work!"
Bai Xiuxiu set the bracelet down and opened the paper wrapping. She picked out an ugly-looking groat cake from inside and stuffed it into his mouth. "There, now go to work!"
Wang Qinghe's face flushed red. The sweetness of the groat cake and the aroma of eggs filled his mouth, making him feel deeply satisfied.
The fatigue from running to the supply and marketing cooperative without resting at noon vanished!
"I'll go to work then."
Once he left, Bai Xiuxiu picked up the bracelet again. Should she try the blood-recognition ritual?
With a plan in mind, Bai Xiuxiu didn't delay. She quickly found a needle for embroidery and a matchstick, lighting a flame to sterilize the needle.
She hated pain!
The prick of the needle made her frown.
Dropping a drop of blood onto the bracelet, nothing miraculous happened.
Bai Xiuxiu felt disheartened.
She wondered how Zhou Jiaojiao had used the bracelet after obtaining it!
In frustration, Bai Xiuxiu simply slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
But the moment she put it on, she froze.
This… This was a success, wasn't it?
A water screen appeared before her eyes, clearly showing a field of golden soil!
Nothing was planted in there yet, only a space that seemed to be about one mu in size, surrounded by a river.
In front of the water screen, there was a box-like object.
It read: Medicine Seed Box.
Was this where seeds were stored?
When Wang Qinghe returned, she would ask him to find some medicinal herb seeds to test it out!
Her good mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, kept a tight grip on the money. The family's funds were definitely not enough for her to spend freely.
Moreover, Qinghe and Yueyue still needed to go to school!
She also wanted to save enough money to leave Qingshu Village!
Although she knew that Wang Qinghe would eventually make it big, it didn't stop her from wanting to live well right now!
If this special ability could grow medicinal herbs, her husband would have capital to advance more quickly in the future!
Most importantly! This was something bestowed by fate to Zhou Jiaojiao!
Now that she possessed it, did that mean everything on that screen could change?
As for the idea that this world came from a novel, she didn't believe it! She was more inclined to think that the book had given Zhou Jiaojiao luck, allowing her to possess something extraordinary compared to others.
If everyone had a hundred points of luck, and she had a thousand, wouldn't everything revolve around her?
However, there were people far more powerful than Zhou Jiaojiao in this world, which meant she wasn't favored by fate. There must have been some unknown reason why she had gained incredible luck!
She had her two children here, as well as her mother and sister!
And there was Wang Qinghe…
She couldn't just give up based on an absurd record in a book and the future she had seen! Paths were created by oneself. Besides, even if she was favored by fate, so what?
Could she not defy fate and change her destiny?
"Mom, why are you crying?" On the bed, Wang Nianyue, who should have been asleep, climbed up and nestled into Bai Xiuxiu's arms.
Chapter 8
So tiny, it melted Bai Xiuxiu's heart.
She hugged her precious daughter tightly and kissed her. "Mommy didn't cry, Mommy just got something in her eye. Yueyue, you don't want to sleep anymore?"
The little girl shook her head, her round eyes fixed on the steamed cakes placed nearby.
Bai Xiuxiu quickly picked out a good piece for her daughter. "Yueyue has woken up, so let Yueyue eat first. Later, when your brother wakes up, Mommy will give him some! Mommy will pour you a cup of hot water."
Bai Xiuxiu got up to pour water for her daughter.
There was a thermos in her room, which she had bought with industrial coupons through her sister previously.
This caused a stir within the Wang family.
After all, such items were hard to come by.
But no one could touch her things!
She poured a cup of hot water for her daughter and another for herself. Then, Bai Xiuxiu returned to the warm bed.
They lived in the north, and snow would fall in two or three months.
While the weather was still warm, she needed to stock up on more delicious food.
After all, the food at the Wangs' during winter wasn't as plentiful as it was now!
The little girl didn't know what her mother was thinking; she only knew that the cake was delicious!
When the sky darkened, the family returned from outside.
The first to return was the matriarch, Zhao Guifen, who had to cook for the others, so she didn't need to complete her work points in the fields.
As for the daughters-in-law, one of them returned each day.
Today, it was the third daughter-in-law's turn.
However, today was different because Wang Qinghe also came back.
Bai Xiuxiu could see this through the window.
Zhao Guifen was extremely upset, and seeing her eldest son made her want to scold someone.
He was a grown man, yet he didn't help the others with their work, claiming he wanted to take care of his wife.
"I say, Eldest, even if your wife is resting at home, there's no need for you to rush back to serve her, right? I saw her jumping around at noon! At least show some consideration for your father and four brothers, and help them with their work!
What's the deal with coming back to wait on your wife?
I don't expect her to cook at home, isn't lying down enough?
Do you have to come back too?"
Zhao Guifen grew angrier as she spoke.
Wang Qinghe listened without a word and quickly entered the western room, leaving Zhao Guifen feeling snubbed!
Fuming, she glared at the third daughter-in-law watching the scene. "What are you standing there for? Go pick vegetables from our plot!"
Inside the house, Bai Xiuxiu put down her cup when Wang Qinghe returned. "Qinghe, can you buy medicinal herb seeds?"
"Seeds?" Wang Qinghe was taken aback.
What did she need those for?
"Yes, any kind of medicinal herb seeds will do, I want them." Bai Xiuxiu didn't explain why she wanted them; she simply said she wanted them!
Wang Qinghe's handsome face showed a hint of difficulty. He sat on the edge of the bed, pondering the possibility of obtaining them before responding to his wife. "I can get my hands on them, but it'll take a few days. After the autumn harvest, I can look for them in the mountains."
"Can't I go myself?" Bai Xiuxiu was somewhat eager to go to the mountains!
When she was Wandering Spirit, she often saw Wang Qinghe going into the mountains to find herbs to sell and exchange for resources and money!
She wanted to do it too!
Upon hearing this, Wang Qinghe was adamantly against it. Usually agreeable, his expression turned grim, and his usually emotionless eyes showed disapproval. "No!"
Bai Xiuxiu immediately became unhappy upon hearing this.
Seeing her frown, Wang Qinghe had no choice but to soften his tone. "It's dangerous in the mountains, I—"
"Then take me with you next time," Bai Xiuxiu didn't want to argue or listen to reasons.
Once he took her to the mountains a few times, he would naturally realize that she wouldn't get lost there.
Then, what would he have to worry about?
Seeing her insistence, Wang Qinghe didn't oppose it further.
Silently, he began gathering the dirty clothes at home, waiting for a good day to wash them.
After all, Xiuxiu wasn't very good at washing clothes.
And... he didn't want Xiuxiu to do it either. Every time he remembered that strange dream, he couldn't help but shiver.
In the dream, his Xiuxiu drowned while washing clothes by the river.
He couldn't remember the details of what happened afterward in the dream, but he vividly recalled the overwhelming sense of despair.
Wang Qinghe stole a few glances at his wife, who was drawing the curtains and eating pastries; he only felt reassured by her lively presence, believing it to be just a dream!
Still, if Xiuxiu had truly died, he doubted he would want to live on.
He didn't know why, but perhaps as his family had said, he was ill!
If not for an illness, how could one glance at Xiuxiu be enough to fall in love with her?
In fact, he felt that Xiuxiu was his very life!
"Why are you staring at me?" Bai Xiuxiu felt uneasy under his gaze.
Caught in the act, Wang Qinghe blushed, grateful that their two children were playing in the courtyard!
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Bai Xiuxiu was even more perplexed.
"Uh... I just had a nightmare, Xiuxiu. I dreamed that you died! Though it was just a dream, it might have been a premonition. Could you please avoid water? Please?" Wang Qinghe tried to negotiate.
It had been five years since Xiuxiu married him, and he knew her temper well.
She wouldn't and didn't like doing work. She enjoyed the life of a pampered lady as described by the elders. She had her own opinions and disliked arguing with others.
When it came to things she didn't want to hear or do, she simply ignored them.
Though it might anger her, he still had to say it.
Bai Xiuxiu was taken aback by his words. A dream?
A dream where she died?
That's exactly how she died in her previous life!
What was going on with Wang Qinghe?
But he did remind her. Bai Xiuxiu put on a stern face, sat cross-legged, and looked him up and down. "Wang Qinghe, if I were to die, would you neglect our two children?"
"How could I? They're your children!" Wang Qinghe was shocked. How could Xiuxiu think such a thing about him?
The most important person in his heart was Xiuxiu, followed closely by their two children!
Seeing his shocked expression, Bai Xiuxiu wanted to slap him. If she hadn't been his guardian spirit for so many years, she might have believed him!
This man had never really cared for their two children!
"Wang Qinghe, if I were to die someday, if you dare to ignore my two precious children, I'll never forgive you! Of course, I won't die so easily."
Bai Xiuxiu's face darkened.
Her warning left Wang Qinghe feeling uneasy and anxious. "Xiuxiu, why are you suddenly talking about this... Did you get seriously ill? Maybe we should go to the county for a check-up!"
"Tsk! Don't jinx me!" Bai Xiuxiu was both amused and exasperated, swatting away his hand that reached to feel her forehead for a fever.
Seeing his worried expression, she remembered how in her previous life, he had been consumed with avenging her death.
Rarely moved by this man, she leaned forward and kissed his forehead...
Wang Qinghe closed his eyes, his flushed face revealing his nervousness and excitement.
"Big Brother! Old Fifth and I are switching rooms, Mom asked you to help us move our stuff!"
Chapter 9
Outside, Old Second, Wang Qingfu, suddenly yelled, instantly dissipating the intimate atmosphere in the room.
Wang Qinghe wore an aggrieved expression on his face.
It was so close! Xiuxiu was about to kiss him!
In no time, Wang Qinghe appeared in the courtyard under a dark cloud.
Wang Qinghe had a face more handsome than most women, but he was also quite strong! He wasn't much of a talker, and when the family asked him to do work, he rarely refused.
In this household, he was considered the eye candy, the Old Niu!
Naturally, no one paid attention to whether he was in a good mood or not.
Wang Qingfu was also in a foul mood. Although Mother promised him many benefits, the sudden move from the large room to the smaller one inevitably left him feeling a sense of loss!
In the past, such unpleasant tasks always fell on Big Brother's shoulders. This time, it was his turn, and he couldn't help but feel disgruntled.
"Big Brother, you're supposed to be the eldest brother. How could you not consider Little Fifth? Asking Mother to assign this task to me, making me switch rooms with Little Fifth. If word gets out, everyone will think that you, as the eldest brother, aren't being humble."
Wang Qingfu grumbled, directing his resentment towards Wang Qinghe.
Wang Qinghe silently listened to his second brother's words, remaining silent.
He hated everyone in this family! But he was his parents' son and his younger brothers' older brother. Therefore, even though he disliked them, as long as they didn't cross his boundaries, he was willing to do things that were indifferent to him.
Whether it was work or hearing words he didn't want to hear.
As long as they didn't cut back on food for his wife and child or say hurtful things to his wife, he would tolerate anything.
Wang Qingfu felt even more stifled by his elder brother's impassive disregard.
"Big Brother, what's wrong with you today? First, you upset Mother, and now you don't care about us. Are you even our big brother anymore?" Wang Qingfu followed after him, dissatisfied.
Wang Qinghe furrowed his brow, unwilling to engage with him!
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and move your things. Big Brother, help Old Fifth move as well. And where's your wife? Why isn't she helping? As the eldest sister-in-law, doesn't she know to lend a hand?" Zhao Guifen emerged from the kitchen and called out twice.
She said it to Wang Qinghe but was actually calling Bai Xiuxiu inside the house.
Inside, Bai Xiuxiu, having eaten the cake and sipped hot water, felt like she had been brought back from the dead. The joy of figuring out all the intricacies of her situation, along with the happiness of having her children around her, made her ignore the commotion outside.
After all, her mother-in-law could only yell so much. If she really came into the room to drag her out, her husband would intervene first.
As for going outside to ruin her reputation?
If Zhao Guifen dared to say anything, Bai Xiuxiu would send her straight to the Women's Federation!
In the east room, Zhou Jiaojiao looked at her new room and felt elated.
Once the autumn harvest was over, she could renovate this room! She would make it better than her sister-in-law's room!
Thinking about it, Zhou Jiaojiao felt a bit depressed again.
When she was in the fields earlier, she had shared her plans with her husband, but he had mentioned that her sister-in-law's room was renovated using dowry money, and the Wang family wouldn't be able to do as good a job.
What did that mean?
Was he implying that she didn't have enough dowry?
Her sister-in-law came from elsewhere, which is why she had more dowry since her family couldn't help the Wangs much.
But could her family be compared? Her second brother worked at the commune! Her eldest brother worked in the county, while her third and fourth brothers, although in the village, lived a life far superior to the Wangs. Her marriage alone could greatly benefit the Wang family.
Furthermore, she didn't have a small dowry!
How many families in this village gave dowries when their daughters got married?
It was all because of her sister-in-law!
After feeling depressed, Zhou Jiaojiao blamed Bai Xiuxiu. Staring at her eldest brother, Wang Qinghe, as he moved things in, she felt even more envious.
In the village, she always thought she was unique! Her family loved her, and she was beautiful. She was destined to be the happiest.
However… there was Bai Xiuxiu, who despite being fatherless and considered a jinx, married a man who, aside from his good looks, had little else to offer.
That was what she originally thought, but after marrying in, she discovered that Bai Xiuxiu had a well-married sister and a caring mother. According to her mother-in-law, Bai Xiuxiu might have two hundred yuan in dowry!
That was two hundred yuan!
And… her eldest brother was truly handsome.
Although her own husband was good-looking, he paled in comparison to her eldest brother.
Bai Xiuxiu also had twins, a boy and a girl. How could that be fair?
Zhou Jiaojiao felt like someone had stolen her rightful happiness. No woman in this village should be more fortunate than her!
Looking at the room, Zhou Jiaojiao found it less appealing.
This room must be renovated better than her sister-in-law's!
During dinner time, Wang Qinghe, as usual, carried the food back to his room.
Seeing this, Zhao Guifen felt even more stifled. "How many more days does your wife plan to lie in bed? She can't possibly stay in bed until the autumn harvest is over, right? Also, must she eat her meals in the room while she's sick? What kind of rule is that?"
Wang Qinghe drooped his eyebrows. "Mother, you gave us one less serving of vegetables."
Guifen: ...
"Eat, eat, let her choke on it! Doing no work yet eating as much as those who do; doesn't she feel choked?" Despite her grumbling, Guifen still replenished the food.
There was no way around it; after the autumn harvest, winter would soon arrive, and in winter, the family's meat supply relied entirely on their eldest son.
Carrying the meals back into the house, Qinghe set the table with practiced ease.
Looking at the even worse food than during the day, Bai Xiuxiu felt bitter inside—she wanted to eat something good!
How could she manage to sneakily get some better food without anyone knowing?
It would be great if she could have a small kitchen in the room, but alas... that was almost like talking in one's dreams.
As for separating households?
Guifen would rather die in front of them.
Moreover, she had not yet reclaimed the money she and Qinghe had. She wouldn't be happy about splitting the household this way!
Lost in thought, Bai Xiuxiu couldn't help but touch her bracelet, wishing the space inside could hold some food for her!
While she was lost in thought, Qinghe had already placed the meal before her.
Bai Xiuxiu looked at his handsome face, which left her at a loss for words, then glanced at the two obediently eating children. She remembered when she first saw this man, she felt he resembled the noble young masters from the novels her elder sister used to read!
Later, she burned all the novels her elder sister had read.
But she simply couldn't forget those descriptions. Whenever she saw Qinghe, she felt those cold and handsome noble young masters became real!
In her mind, he was more like a full moon, glowing beautifully and giving her a sense of peace.
That was why she named the children as such.
"Xiuxiu, the team leader is going to the county tomorrow and has called a few people from the village to go along, including me. Should I bring some steamed buns back for you?" Seeing how reluctant his wife was to eat, Qinghe spoke up, filled with concern.
Bai Xiuxiu suddenly felt even happier, thinking her husband looked even more dashing. What did it matter whether he was like the moon or not? It wasn't food. But steamed buns—she could eat them tomorrow!
Overjoyed, she didn't hesitate to give him a quick kiss. "Bring ten!"
Chapter 10
Wang Qinghe's face flushed bright red from the kiss.
How could she...
The children are still here!
After kissing her, Bai Xiuxiu felt no pressure at all! During her days as Wandering Spirit, trailing behind Wang Qinghe, she had seen a lot of things!
In another few decades, there would be countless couples holding hands and hugging on the streets.
"Mommy, why didn't you kiss Yueyue?" The little girl, who was eating, tugged at Bai Xiuxiu's hand, staring at her with her watery eyes.
Bai Xiuxiu couldn't help but laugh and cry when she heard this. She gave each child a kiss. "Is that better? Hurry up and eat. I'll ask your father to bring some steamed buns back tomorrow."
Although the two children usually followed Bai Xiuxiu and had their own private meals, they were still happy to hear about the steamed buns.
After all, in this era, steamed buns weren't something that could be eaten every day.
Some families only got to eat them twice a year!
After dinner, Wang Qinghe took the dishes to the kitchen.
Zhao Guifen was talking to Old Fifth's wife when she saw her eldest son return. Her expression immediately turned sour. "It's your turn to wash the dishes tonight. Call your wife out."
"I'll do it." Wang Qinghe washed the dishes skillfully.
"What an incompetent thing! Jiaojiao, Mom will take you for a walk. You just married into our family, so there are still many things you don't know yet, right?" Zhao Guifen smiled kindly at Zhou Jiaojiao.
Zhou Jiaojiao nodded obediently. Seeing Wang Qinghe washing the dishes made her feel even more uncomfortable.
Why did Bai Xiuxiu get to live such a good life? She didn't even have to wash the dishes?
As they went out, Zhou Jiaojiao lowered her head and said casually, "Mom, if word gets out about Eldest Sister-in-Law, it would be so embarrassing."
"Does she have any shame? Jiaojiao, you just married into our family and don't know anything. Your eldest sister-in-law is lazy and gluttonous. Our family has been cursed for eight generations by marrying her. Don't provoke her. If anyone says anything about her, she'll go to the Women's Federation to cause trouble.
She's ruined the reputation of our family!"
Zhao Guifen was furious when she mentioned her eldest daughter-in-law!
Zhou Jiaojiao's expression changed. "Mom, don't be angry. How about this? After the autumn harvest, I'll take Eldest Sister-in-Law to the mountains. After the autumn harvest, there's still one last batch of mushrooms and wild vegetables in the mountains. We can at least bring back something.
We can increase the winter food supply for the family.
And it will also make Eldest Sister-in-Law work for the family."
Zhao Guifen thought it was feasible. "Little Wu has good judgment. When you marry into our family, we'll do it like this!"
Zhou Jiaojiao was satisfied.
The reason why she was pampered by her family was because of her good luck. If she took her eldest sister-in-law to the mountains and her eldest sister-in-law suffered in the mountains and came back empty-handed, it would create a contrast.
Her status in the Wang family would rise higher and higher.
As for her eldest sister-in-law...
What could someone lazy and gluttonous do other than leech off the Wang family?
It would be well-deserved if she suffered!
"Achoo..."
Inside the house, Bai Xiuxiu suddenly sneezed twice.
She quickly touched her forehead. She wasn't running a fever.
Forget it. She'd better drink some hot water. She shouldn't catch a cold!
Bai Xiuxiu poured herself a cup of hot water.
When Wang Qinghe returned after washing the dishes, it was already dark.
"I'll boil some water for you." Wang Qinghe said softly to his wife, who was still drinking water.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" Bai Xiuxiu said, handing him the thermos.
It was inconvenient to bathe in autumn, and the road to the county wasn't close. Therefore, she was used to wiping her body with hot water every day and going to the bathhouse once a month. She couldn't break these habits!
At home, her mother and elder sister spoiled her. After marrying Wang Qinghe, he boiled water for her.
Initially, Zhao Guifen scolded her, but regardless of how much she scolded, Wang Qinghe never stopped meeting this demand of hers.
Her husband did the most work around the house.
Therefore, her mother-in-law couldn't control her.
After boiling the water and wiping her body, Bai Xiuxiu comfortably climbed back into bed.
Wang Qinghe returned after cleaning the room.
Lying in the slightly warm quilt, Bai Xiuxiu's sense of reality in her rebirth grew stronger.
Indeed, it was good to be alive!
This time, she must live a long life! She wanted to have a full house of descendants with Wang Qinghe.
Just as she was imagining her future, Bai Xiuxiu felt someone stick close to her.
The warmth from the man brought her back to her senses, and she grabbed his wandering hand. "What are you doing? We have work tomorrow!"
Wang Qinghe felt particularly aggrieved. "I'm the one who has work, Xiuxiu. You're resting tomorrow!"
After saying that, he sealed her lips, and took the opportunity to draw the curtain between their two children and them in the room.
This curtain was something Bai Xiuxiu insisted on hanging in the middle of the heated brick bed as a partition!
Early in the morning.
The exhausted Bai Xiuxiu was woken up by her mother-in-law Zhao Guifen's scolding.
"In the early morning, which daughter-in-law doesn't get up? If you're sick, don't you know you still have chores to do? It's your turn to cook today, don't you know? Some people are only active when it's time to eat! How shameful is it to make your husband cook for you?"
Bai Xiuxiu frowned at the words and got out of bed. She washed her face, kissed the two sleeping children, and went outside.
It was autumn, and the mornings were a bit chilly.
Seeing her come out, Zhao Guifen sneered. "You still know how to come out? I thought you had died in there!"
"If I had died in there, it would've been because you wore me down. Everyone's heard of working horses to death, but not of trying to work a daughter-in-law to death. Didn't everyone in our village see me faint in the fields yesterday? Even Uncle Zhang from our village said that I need ten days or so to recover.
The work in the fields that I should've done, my husband did.
The meals that I should've cooked, my husband cooked.
What? Are you trying to be like those feudal old ladies? Should I bow to you?"
Bai Xiuxiu spoke with cold sarcasm.
Zhao Guifen was so angry that her hands trembled. "Rebellion! Rebellion! Listen, everyone! Listen! Is this how a daughter-in-law should speak? Who could put up with someone like you? Eldest son! Eldest son? Get a divorce immediately! Divorce!"
Wang Qinghe came out of the kitchen, looking unhappy. "I cooked the meal and did the work. Xiuxiu is my wife. Mother, why are you trying to make us get a divorce?"
Zhao Guifen: ...
"Mother, if we can live together, let's do so. But if we can't, you suggested dividing the household. In that case, Xiuxiu and I will leave." Wang Qinghe usually kept quiet, but when he spoke, he could infuriate eight people.
"What's all the commotion about so early in the morning? Everyone, go back inside. Eldest daughter-in-law, since you can come out, you might as well eat in the main room." In the main room, Old Man Wang couldn't sit still when he heard talk of dividing the household.
He came out of the room and interrupted the argument.
Bai Xiuxiu glanced at her father-in-law. This father-in-law of hers usually pretended to be a good person, but in reality, he was an expert at smoothing things over.
However, she didn't plan on dividing the household right now!
Everything they owned was accumulated through her husband's hard work, and she wouldn't give up any of it!
The family entered the room.
At the dining table, Zhao Guifen immediately brought up the matter she and the old man had discussed last night. "I heard from your cousin that the commune's garment factory is hiring. He can help us get in touch with the factory. It'll cost five hundred yuan plus three fish.
Eldest son, we don't have enough money at home. Why don't you go into the mountains earlier this year and hunt some game to raise the money."
"Mother, are you trying to arrange a job for Qinghe?" Bai Xiuxiu smiled innocently, speaking without thinking about the implications.