Chapter 101
The one who came to deliver the message was Xu Ergou, a notorious lazybones in the village. He usually avoided work whenever he could, but today his mother had chased him out to take a walk in the mountains.
Who knew it would lead to such commotion?
The team leader's good mood was instantly dampened by half, and he sighed, "Alright, I'll go over there right away. Xu Ergou, you should get back to your business too. Stay out of the crowd and do some work. Don't make your mother argue with your brother and sister-in-law every day because of you.
I've already mediated more than ten times for your family this year."
Xu Ergou reluctantly agreed, not daring to argue with the team leader.
A couple of years ago, when his family was almost starving to death, it was the team leader who brought them five jin of grain, helping them survive.
Given that incident, no matter how harsh the team leader's words were, he couldn't say anything, especially since the team leader was genuinely concerned about him.
"I'm going to the mountains to check it out." The team leader put on his hat, his tone heavy.
Chen Jinhua didn't lag behind: "I'm at least part of the Women's Federation; I should go along too. Miaomiao and Xiaohui, you two don't need to come. You just finished mediating this morning and haven't had a chance to rest yet. Xiuxiu and I will go. Xiuxiu, why don't you bring the children along?
I see these two kids have always been well-behaved and won't cause you any trouble."
Bai Xiuxiu also thought it best to keep Mingming and Yueyue close by.
"Aunt Jinhua, shall we go now?"
Bai Xiuxiu put hats on the two children and carried them as she followed her out.
They hurried to the mountains, and if Mingming and Yueyue walked by themselves, they wouldn't be able to keep up.
Seeing this, Chen Jinhua quickly took one of the children from her: "It's too tiring for you to carry both children up the mountain with your body. Let me carry one for you."
Bai Xiuxiu didn't refuse, knowing that she still had the image of being frail in Aunt Jinhua's eyes.
Once she left this village, she would definitely repay her properly.
"Thank you, Auntie." After expressing her gratitude, Bai Xiuxiu followed them into the mountains.
She was genuinely curious about Zhou Jiaojiao getting into an argument. In her previous life, Zhou Jiaojiao wasn't like this; arguing was something that never happened to her, given her incredible luck.
They hadn't gone far into the mountains, but the path was quite remote and difficult to navigate, so people rarely ventured here.
After several twists and turns, they finally reached the place where the argument was happening.
Due to Zhou Jiaojiao's argument with Xia Widow from Shanghe Village, many people had gathered.
There were villagers from Shanghe Village and their own village.
When they arrived, Xia Widow was sitting on the ground cursing, her arm and face swollen. There was a dead venomous snake nearby, about a meter long, with frightening patterns.
Zhou Jiaojiao was crying on a tree stump nearby, while Zhao Cuihua watched the scene in shock.
Others were pointing and whispering, unsure of what to say.
The ground was scattered with crushed goji berries.
The sight made the team leader's head ache.
"What are you all doing? Why aren't you helping her up?" The team leader saw Xia Widow sitting on the ground, an elderly woman, and no one was helping her.
He immediately reprimanded the onlookers.
Had they all gone mad watching the commotion? At the very least, someone should help the old lady. How did Old Fifth's wife beat her so badly?
How could her arm be so swollen that it stretched the sleeve of her clothes?
"Captain, please don't touch her. We don't know what to do. The Yang brothers have gone to borrow a stretcher."
Someone in the crowd quickly stopped him.
The team leader was bewildered: "Why borrow a stretcher?"
Confused, the crowd wore complex expressions, unsure how to explain.
"Second Uncle, after Xia Widow fought with Old Wang's young wife, she pushed her and tried to continue attacking. But before she could, she had terrible luck.
It's late autumn, yet somehow a venomous snake was on a tree. It fell directly onto Xia Widow's arm. Before she could even scream, the snake bit her. Her arm swelled up, and now we can't move her. What if the poison spreads?
We can only wait for a stretcher to carry Xia Widow down the mountain to the hospital."
Speaking was the team leader's nephew, who had also come to the mountains and witnessed the scene.
Even the team leader, who was usually experienced, was momentarily speechless.
This...
"What about the old lady's face?" The team leader noticed Xia Widow's face was also swollen, while Old Fifth's wife looked clean and unharmed. Why was Xia Widow in such a state?
"She was bitten by the snake and jumped in fright, killing the snake by slamming it against the ground. Then she tripped on a stone and fell, hitting her face and swelling it..." The nephew continued awkwardly.
This explanation left the team leader even more speechless.
What bad luck!
The widow Xia sat on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably: "You little brat with your teeth not even fully grown yet, I've had such bad luck, and it's all because of you! If you hadn't fought with me, would this have happened? Do you own this mountain?"
"How come when I find some goji berries in the mountains by luck, they suddenly become yours?"
"Why do you have such a big mouth?"
Zhou Jiaojiao's eyes also turned red; she didn't want this either.
She was in a bad mood today, mainly because of Zhao Cuihua!
Zhao Cuihua, that fool, wouldn't listen to her instructions along the way, walking as carefully as if her life depended on it.
Whatever Zhou Jiaojiao told Zhao Cuihua to do, Zhao Cuihua deliberately did the opposite, intentionally going against her.
This made Zhou Jiaojiao's harvest in the mountains quite limited.
Although she could still be lucky when entering the mountains alone, she wasn't exceptionally lucky. She only found slightly better things than others, and her luck wasn't as good back at her parents' home as it was at the Wangs'.
But now that she was at the Wangs', her expectations had risen, and she was certainly not satisfied with just a little bit.
Finally, Zhao Cuihua tripped, and Zhou Jiaojiao thought her luck might improve.
Following her intuition, she found a spot, but then this old woman intercepted her.
All the frustration built up over these days, and she accidentally blurted out what she was thinking.
As soon as she said it, she regretted it! But Zhao Cuihua had to shout it out, pointing at her when the widow Xia arrived, saying it was her who spoke.
This old widow isn't any better, rushing over without asking for details.
If it weren't for her luck, the widow Xia would have beaten her badly.
Thinking this, Zhou Jiaojiao looked at the team leader with a sense of grievance, then saw Chen Jinhua and Bai Xiuxiu, who had come along to watch the commotion, and felt a sharp pang in her heart.
Bai Xiuxiu again!
She must be here to watch the show on purpose.
"What's wrong with you? How can you think that everything in the mountains belongs only to you? This attitude of yours is absolutely unacceptable." The team leader looked at Zhou Jiaojiao, having no good impression of someone who had caused so much trouble for the team.
Chapter 102
How could the things in the mountains suddenly become hers? She had said such infuriating words before...
Zhou Jiaojiao knew she had spoken out of turn this time. If she didn't handle it well, it would cause trouble!
Crying as she explained, "Captain, that's not what I meant. Aunt Xia misunderstood. What I meant was, could I join in picking some of these? After all, Widow Xia was here first. I couldn't just rush over. She was far away and heard my sister-in-law shouting nonsense.
That's how the misunderstanding happened."
Zhou Jiaojiao decided to deny it. As long as she denied it, the blame wouldn't fall on her.
"Pah! Stop your lies. Could your sister-in-law harm you? And I heard clearly what you said." Widow Xia didn't believe her for a second.
"It was my sister-in-law who misunderstood," Zhou Jiaojiao said, grabbing Zhao Cuihua, who was watching the commotion, and urging her to explain.
"Sister-in-law, you misunderstood earlier. How could you spread rumors so casually? You caused people to misunderstand, which led to me being pushed. Now look at Aunt Xia... You..."
Zhou Jiaojiao cried even harder in frustration.
Zhao Cuihua was stunned.
Was Zhou Jiaojiao shifting the blame too smoothly?
Zhao Cuihua looked to Bai Xiuxiu, who was watching the commotion, for help.
Bai Xiuxiu had come to watch the drama unfold but suddenly found herself being stared at by Zhao Cuihua. Seeing Zhou Jiaojiao trying to diffuse the situation, she almost laughed.
To figure out the truth, why not ask the onlookers?
There were people from both Xiahe Village and Shanghe Village around, and not everyone from Xiahe Village would side with Zhou Jiaojiao.
Zhao Cuihua was confused by the sudden shift of blame.
Bai Xiuxiu discussed with Aunt Jinhua and the captain, "Isn't it simple to clarify this? There can't be only a few people in the mountains.
Ask others who heard what happened."
Zhou Jiaojiao hated Bai Xiuxiu for always being involved.
The captain agreed with Bai Xiuxiu, "That's right. Those of you who arrived quickly, did you hear anything? Whoever heard what, please tell me clearly. We cannot have anyone claiming ownership of everything in the mountains."
This is a serious matter; no one should cover up the truth.
The onlookers looked at each other.
Soon, someone stepped forward, "Captain, I wasn't far away. I heard a young voice say, 'This is mine.' Another woman repeated it, saying her sister-in-law said it belonged to her sister-in-law.
Then the fight broke out."
"I heard it too."
Some were from Shanghe Village, and some from Xiahe Village.
After hearing this, Zhou Jiaojiao turned pale.
"Zhou Jiaojiao, you can't claim everyone misunderstood you, can you?" The captain grew angrier looking at Zhou Jiaojiao. Admitting the mistake would have been enough, but she still tried to argue.
Zhou Jiaojiao remained silent, crying softly.
"Crying won't help. Your attitude is wrong. You need to apologize to Widow Xia. As for medical expenses, both of you are at fault, so you'll pay half. Also, tomorrow at noon, you must make a public apology."
The captain sternly gave Zhou Jiaojiao the notice.
This wasn't the first time Zhou Jiaojiao had made such remarks. Over time, it would harm her!
The captain felt he was doing this for the girl's own good.
Zhou Jiaojiao now hated the captain too. Making her give a public apology? How humiliating, especially in front of Bai Xiuxiu, that wretched woman.
"The stretcher is here; let's lift her up quickly." The voices of the Yang brothers echoed from afar.
Amidst the chaos, Widow Xia was carried away. The captain called out to Zhou Jiaojiao, "You're coming to the hospital too."
Zhou Jiaojiao was reluctant but had no choice.
Chen Jinhua handed her child to Bai Xiuxiu, "Xiuxiu, I need to go see what's happening. Take the child back slowly."
"Okay." Bai Xiuxiu took her son.
After Chen Jinhua left,
Zhou Jiaojiao whispered to Bai Xiuxiu as she passed by, "Sister-in-law, we are family. Why would you harm me for an outsider?"
Bai Xiuxiu smiled slightly and, under Zhou Jiaojiao's accusing gaze, calmly asked, "Are you sick?"
"You!"
Zhou Jiaojiao wanted to argue further, but Bai Xiuxiu ignored her.
She called to Zhao Cuihua and handed her the two children, "Hold them for a bit; they're heavy."
Zhao Cuihua was speechless but willingly held them, grateful for Bai Xiuxiu's earlier help.
On their way down the mountain, when there were fewer people around, Zhao Cuihua shared her shock with Bai Xiuxiu, "Sister-in-law, you didn't see it, but it was truly bizarre! Widow Xia's misfortune was shocking. It's the first time I've seen a snake drop from a tree and bite someone in this season."
"Really? Then why did you dare to oppose her?" Bai Xiuxiu was curious about what Zhao Cuihua was thinking.
Zhao Cuihua was not afraid at all: "I didn't hit her, and I didn't do anything. She brought it upon herself. Besides, if she's unlucky, so be it. I don't get along with her, so any misfortune that befalls her won't involve me.
When the time comes, I can still share in the benefits at home without having to suffer too much. How good is that?
Look at Chen Fang and Liu Xiaoe? And our mother-in-law.
Liu Xiaoe hasn't fully recovered from her injuries yet, and Chen Fang is still limping. Our mother-in-law has to limp around while carrying manure.
How miserable is that?"
Zhao Cuihua had now figured things out. She wasn't destined for great wealth or honor; as long as she wasn't hungry and had enough money.
If her husband gets a chance to go to the city in the future, that would be even better.
If there's no opportunity, begging won't help.
Anyway, her mother-in-law and father-in-law wouldn't let her husband live poorly. She needed to keep a distance from Zhou Jiaojiao—neither too far nor too close.
Bai Xiuxiu didn't expect Zhao Cuihua to have such thoughts, but this was indeed the most suitable path for Zhao Cuihua.
"Eldest Sister-in-Law, you'll eventually move out on your own. When that happens, if you occasionally give me some benefits, I can tell you everything about our family, how about that?" Zhao Cuihua probed for a new source of income.
There would definitely be plenty of benefits from Eldest Sister-in-Law in the future.
After all, if they separate households, Eldest Brother would listen to Eldest Sister-in-Law, and their money would all be in Eldest Sister-in-Law's hands. Not to mention, Eldest Sister-in-Law has a wealthy family!
Bai Xiuxiu was a bit tempted.
But it wasn't the right time yet.
Back at home, Wang Shoucheng was directing his sons to finish up the house extension, which was almost complete.
This simple house was built much faster than a regular one.
Seeing Bai Xiuxiu and Zhao Cuihua return, they were a bit surprised: "Why are you two back? Where's Old Fifth's wife?"
Chapter 103
Wang Shoucheng couldn't help but question them when he saw that the third daughter-in-law had returned early and there was still no sign of the fifth daughter-in-law.
Zhao Cuihua, upon hearing this, became quite animated. She recounted what had happened earlier, omitting the parts involving Bai Xiuxiu and herself.
"Dad, I'm not saying anything, but the fifth daughter-in-law is being too domineering. How can everything in the mountains be hers? If this gets out, our family's reputation will be ruined. The team leader said she needs to make a self-criticism; how embarrassing!"
Zhao Cuihua spoke with a sarcastic tone, which made Wang Shoucheng feel a surge of anger inside.
This fifth daughter-in-law really doesn't think things through. Even if it were true, she shouldn't have said it aloud.
What makes her think everything belongs to her?
How will we hold our heads high outside from now on?
Fortunately, Old Fifth has already paid for his job today. Second and Fifth should get their jobs sorted out today.
Once they're not in the village anymore, no one will be able to say anything bad about Old Fifth.
With this thought in mind, Wang Shoucheng began to admonish Zhao Cuihua: "Third daughter-in-law, what are you talking about? We're all family. She did it for the good of the family. Don't go spreading this around. When the time comes for the self-criticism, we'll stay home more.
It will pass after some time.
If you keep stirring up trouble outside, causing our family to lose face, your mother won't forgive you."
Zhao Cuihua was speechless. Saying that her mother wouldn't forgive her was just an excuse; it was really her father-in-law who would hold her accountable.
Her father-in-law was too partial towards Old Fifth and Second Brother.
Even when a daughter-in-law caused trouble, he would still side with these two sons.
"First daughter-in-law, don't think that because Eldest treats you well, you can keep inciting him to worsen relations with the family. If word gets out, you won't fare well either." Wang Shoucheng felt he needed to say something about Bai Xiuxiu to vent his frustration.
What schemes could the third daughter-in-law possibly have?
The fifth daughter-in-law couldn't even find someone to take the blame, so she must be involved somehow.
Recently, everything happening in the Wang family seemed connected to this first daughter-in-law. She's really not a good person.
Even the old woman couldn't handle the simple task of angering the first daughter-in-law.
Wang Shoucheng felt anxious. This was the best plan he had come up with for dividing the household, yet Eldest had done everything this morning without a single word from the first daughter-in-law.
Bai Xiuxiu found Wang Shoucheng's warning ironic.
How dare he say such things?
If Wang Shoucheng had shown any kindness to Qinghe over the years, things wouldn't have come to this point.
"Dad, I don't like fruit. My husband and I are honest people. Don't slander us like that." Bai Xiuxiu denied it outright and prepared to return to her room with her children.
In the main house, Zhao Guifen limped out upon seeing Bai Xiuxiu return.
Before Bai Xiuxiu could enter the house, Zhao Guifen shouted, "Who acts like a daughter-in-law like you? You don't care about anything, and your clothes don't even have a single patch. You won't even buy me a piece of cloth for my clothes.
When we divide the grain this time, you must buy me cloth for new clothes.
Also, we don't have much money left at home. First daughter-in-law, you need to contribute your money too.
Since your grain will be divided separately this year, neither you nor Eldest or your two brats can eat from the family's food anymore."
Zhao Guifen was speaking from the heart!
Zhao Cuihua was stunned. Was Mom crazy?
Was she planning to kick out the eldest sister-in-law right now?
Bai Xiuxiu, about to open the door, was also shocked by Zhao Guifen. Why was she acting like a mad dog today? What was wrong with her?
Although she was usually strange, today she seemed particularly aggressive.
"What are you waiting for? Say something! Didn't your mother teach you to respect your mother-in-law before you got married? Can't you understand human language?" Zhao Guifen thought back to previous arguments with the first daughter-in-law, who never really responded much.
Even when she did respond, it wasn't with anger.
Only when her own mother was mentioned did she get upset.
Bai Xiuxiu immediately became angry when Zhao Guifen mentioned her mother.
She stared at Zhao Guifen, narrowing her eyes.
Seeing this reaction, Zhao Guifen hobbled closer to Bai Xiuxiu. "What? You're not satisfied? Look at yourself—do you even act like a daughter-in-law? Why are you staring at me like that? Do you want to hit me?"
That's it.
Bai Xiuxiu finally understood what was wrong. Today's Zhao Guifen seemed intent on provoking her into hitting her.
Even now, Zhao Guifen stood close, hoping Bai Xiuxiu would make a move.
As for the reason?
Once she realized why Zhao Guifen was acting strangely, the reason was clear.
She wanted Zhao Guifen to give up the money, and Zhao Guifen wanted to drive her and her husband away.
What could be more unreasonable than hitting one's mother-in-law?
Wanting to beat Zhao Guifen up could happen anytime; why specifically today?
Bai Xiuxiu looked at her and felt like she was seeing a clown.
She casually opened the door, brought the two children into the room, and gave Zhao Guifen a slight smile. "Mom, did the wild boar stomp your head last time? Or did the manure fumes get to you? You should go to the hospital early; this kind of brain damage can't be delayed."
After saying that, she closed the door.
By the time Zhao Guifen realized she was being insulted, Bai Xiuxiu had already gone inside and climbed onto the bed.
"Mommy, hold me." As soon as Bai Xiuxiu lifted Mingming onto the bed, Yueyue eagerly wanted to climb up too.
The two children had been with the work team for several days and spent very little time playing at home during the day.
Bai Xiuxiu also lifted Yueyue onto the bed and took out the special mat used to insulate the children from the cold.
In late autumn, when the bed wasn't heated, it could feel a bit chilly. Keeping it heated all the time would make the children prone to getting overheated; this arrangement was just right.
After laying out the mat, Bai Xiuxiu placed the small table on the bed as well.
"Mommy will knit clothes, and you two play over there. If you need to use the toilet, call mommy to accompany you." Bai Xiuxiu, considering Zhao Guifen's mental state today, felt it was better not to let the children go outside alone.
She suspected that Zhao Guifen might harm the children to provoke her.
"Mommy, Yueyue can go by herself." The little girl didn't understand why her mother wouldn't let her go to the toilet alone.
Mingming, who was already playing with wooden blocks nearby, nodded in agreement with his sister's words.
"Mommy knows, but Grandma seems sick today. Look how scary she was just now? Mommy is worried she might scare you." Bai Xiuxiu gently explained to her daughter.
Yueyue thought about Grandma's appearance today and immediately hid next to her brother.
Grandma was scarier than usual today!
"Alright, play your games. When you're hungry, tell mommy, and I'll get you something to eat." Bai Xiuxiu took out the leftover yarn and continued knitting. This yarn should be enough to make a sweater for her mother.
When her mother and elder sister return, they will have new sweaters to wear.
Chapter 104
It's been years since she last saw them. They only sent back one photo, but photos from this era aren't as realistic as the ones that came later.
Bai Xiuxiu hoped to see her mother and elder sister soon. If they didn't come back, she would consider taking her family to visit them!
In the courtyard.
Zhao Guifen failed again to provoke Bai Xiuxiu and was left bewildered. This wasn't how she had imagined it.
Why didn't the eldest daughter-in-law hit her?
Seeing another failure, Wang Shoucheng felt frustrated too. He gave his wife a meaningful look, signaling her to go inside first.
Then he assigned the work to his two sons at home before following her into the house.
Wang Laosan, who was working, felt miserable: "What kind of situation is this? We're expanding the house for Second Brother because Old Fifth got married and Second Brother gave him his room. But neither of them is even here.
Making us do all the work and treating us like this?"
Wang Laosi also felt uncomfortable but had no choice.
They weren't in charge of the household: "Third Brother, think about it positively. Eventually, Second Brother and Little Wu will move to the city with their wives. This house will be ours."
"Are you dreaming?" Wang Laosan was shocked. How could Fourth be so naive?
"This job is just at the commune factory; going to the city? Even if it were the commune, they can't afford houses there. The factory housing allocation hasn't reached the old employees yet, let alone them?
In the end, they'll still live here.
We're just doing their work!"
The more Wang Laosan spoke, the angrier he became. Ever since Little Wu got married, the household had become chaotic. Although they had received some benefits, it was clear that Little Wu had gained more.
"I wonder when we'll get the chance to buy jobs. Alright, let's keep working." Wang Laosan grumbled and continued his work.
Inside the house.
Wang Shoucheng looked at his wife, displeased: "What's wrong with you? Can't you even provoke someone properly? Why are you so good at provoking me?"
"The eldest daughter-in-law was clearly angry; she just didn't act on it. Do you think she couldn't beat me or figured something out?" Zhao Guifen was worried.
"That's impossible. She doesn't have the brains. No one knows about our plan to separate the eldest. With him working for the family, who would think we'd separate him? I think she wasn't angry enough. If we touch her children, she'll definitely react."
Wang Shoucheng pondered over the eldest's two children.
"She watches them closely, always taking them out. When did you ever see her go to the brigade without them?" Zhao Guifen found Bai Xiuxiu increasingly cunning.
Wang Shoucheng grew more determined: "She can't watch them all the time. Children need to play and use the toilet. Watch them closely today. If those kids come out, give them a beating. I don't believe she won't react."
Zhao Guifen agreed: "Alright, let's do it your way."
She didn't believe the children could stay inside all day.
Zhao Guifen waited from morning until night, straining her neck, but saw nothing.
Even after Wang Qinghe returned from the mountains, his children hadn't come out.
Seeing him return, Wang Shoucheng checked the basket first, confirming it was empty as usual.
"Eldest, how many days has it been now?" Wang Shoucheng felt frustrated.
They hadn't managed to separate the household, and the eldest still brought nothing back. They were still relying on the family!
Wang Qinghe remained calm and patiently explained: "Dad, I told you before, with more people hunting in the mountains, there are fewer prey. Maybe you should try hunting too?"
Wang Shoucheng was speechless.
But he wasn't willing to give up: "Since you can't bring back any game, we need to separate the food distribution. That's not acceptable."
"Then, Dad, will you separate the household?" Wang Qinghe countered.
Wang Shoucheng immediately fell silent. Separating the household meant dividing assets, which required them to make mistakes first, so he wouldn't have to give them anything.
Keeping them alive was already the biggest mistake of the Wang family; he wouldn't give them money.
Wang Shoucheng said nothing, and Wang Qinghe didn't want to see them either. He put down the basket and went inside.
Upon entering, he saw his wife weaving clothes and their children playing happily.
Seeing him return, Bai Xiuxiu stopped her work.
"Xiuxiu, was everything alright today?" Wang Qinghe asked, concerned about the events of the morning.
As he spoke, he started lighting the stove skillfully.
Sitting by the bed, Bai Xiuxiu recounted the day's events.
"I think she might have that idea," Bai Xiuxiu shared her suspicions with her husband.
Wang Qinghe paused while adding wood, thinking: "Xiuxiu, starting tomorrow, I won't go out. This matter will be resolved in a couple of days. I don't want anything to happen to you and the children during this time."
Bai Xiuxiu thought for a moment and agreed.
"Alright. It's time to make them hate us even more. You staying home and not going out will infuriate them." Bai Xiuxiu felt relieved imagining their anger.
Not long after Wang Qinghe returned, the others came back too. Zhou Jiaojiao entered with red eyes, accompanied by Wang Qingqi and Wang Qingfu, who had gone to the city.
As soon as they entered the yard, Wang Qingqi started shouting: "Where are Eldest Sister-in-Law and Third Sister-in-Law? Mom and Dad, you need to call them out; they've gone too far! My wife works so hard for this family, and they don't even help. When my wife tried to explain herself,
they undermined her.
Now she has to write some kind of self-criticism. This is practically killing her!
This matter isn't over yet!"
"What happened?" Wang Shoucheng felt something was amiss.
Wang Qingqi was about to speak when the village broadcast interrupted: "Attention villagers of Xiahe Village. Tomorrow at noon, there will be a distribution of grain and money. Everyone, please bring those who can work and line up tomorrow at noon."
After repeating the announcement twice, another message followed: "The day after tomorrow, early in the morning, villagers from Shanghe Village, Xiahe Village, and Zhonghe Village will collectively fish. Come to the village granary the day after tomorrow to collect fishing nets; each household must send at least one person."
Once the announcements ended, Wang Shoucheng asked Wang Qingqi again: "Old Fifth, what happened?"
Zhou Jiaojiao recounted the incident while crying. After listening, Zhao Guifen angrily shouted: "Eldest Sister-in-Law, Third Sister-in-Law, both of you get out here right now."
Chapter 105
After Zhao Guifen shouted, there was no response.
Inside the house, Wang Qinghe had just taken out the steamed buns and meat he bought from the state-owned restaurant in the city, carefully preserved in lunch boxes.
Bai Xiuxiu found a small amount of soybean oil she had procured a few months ago.
She greased the pan, preparing to fry the steamed buns.
The family of four gathered around the stove, all waiting for their special meal. Hearing the shouting outside, Bai Xiuxiu frowned: "It must be Old Fifth's wife coming back. I'll go take a look."
"I'll go with you." Wang Qinghe put down the pot and covered the stove.
Bai Xiuxiu did not refuse him. She left the children on the bed and prepared to go out.
Outside, Zhao Guifen felt humiliated after receiving no response for so long.
"Where is everyone? Are you deaf? You two eat inside and steal outside, bullying your sister-in-law, and you dare not even admit it?" Zhao Guifen continued her tirade.
Just as Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe came out of the house, Wang Laosan's wife, Zhao Cuihua, seeing her eldest sister-in-law come out, felt reassured and emerged as well.
As soon as Zhao Cuihua came out, she joined the crowd: "Mom, what do you want with me and my eldest sister-in-law? It's not our turn to cook, and it's not time for a meal yet."
"Do you still have the face to think about eating? If I were you, I would kill myself. What did you do today? Why didn't you help Old Fifth's wife, causing her to have to write a self-criticism?" Zhao Guifen pointed at Zhao Cuihua and launched into a series of questions.
These questions infuriated Zhao Cuihua.
What nonsense?
Is Zhou Jiaojiao the only human here?
"Mom, how can you say that? Old Fifth's wife claimed everything in the mountains was hers and then got into a fight. After things escalated, she blamed me, saying I misunderstood. Isn't this trying to make me lose face?
If someone has to lose face, who cares who it is?
She did it herself!"
Zhao Cuihua was so agitated she wanted to scratch her mother-in-law's face.
This family never spoke reasonably lately!
"Can you compare yourself to Old Fifth's wife? Old Fifth will become a worker, and his wife needs to maintain her reputation. Even if not for her, you should think about the family's reputation and Old Fifth's future. How can you be so heartless?"
Zhao Guifen thought about how Old Fifth's wife cried, telling her this would affect Old Fifth's reputation, and wished she could strangle both her daughter-in-law and her eldest daughter-in-law.
"Why should I care about them? Don't they think about me? Old Fifth and his wife are going to live a good life, but I still have to survive in the village." Zhao Cuihua was equally defiant.
"You!"
Zhao Guifen, angered by her third daughter-in-law, turned to Bai Xiuxiu: "And you, why are you also causing trouble with the third daughter-in-law? Asking for witnesses, are you trying to drive Jiaojiao to death?"
Bai Xiuxiu almost laughed: "Mom, you can't say such things. If she wants to die, it's not because of me; I can't control others' lives.
As for witnesses?
If she didn't do it, there wouldn't be any problem.
She admitted it herself; isn't losing face natural?
Did I force her to say it?"
Compared to Zhao Cuihua, who got angry over the family's favoritism, Bai Xiuxiu wasn't upset at all. After all, how could one treat people like animals?
"Mom, look at them. They're clearly bullying my wife and won't even apologize." Wang Qingqi had just secured a job, albeit a simple one of stocking shelves in a warehouse, arranged by his uncle early on.
In two years, when the warehouse manager retires, he would take over.
This was a canned food factory; wouldn't he have access to plenty of good stuff in the future?
Leaving the factory, he felt like a winner. Compared to his second brother, who was sent directly to work on the production line, his job was much better.
But before he could bask in his success, he ran into Jiaojiao.
She was crying pitifully, and after explaining what happened, his elation vanished.
His eldest sister-in-law and her family were truly annoying.
They always opposed him and Jiaojiao.
He had planned to demand compensation for Jiaojiao from his eldest and third sisters-in-law, but they acted as if they deserved it.
What a bunch of hags!
They couldn't compare to the people at the commune.
Wang Qingqi began to despise his family from the bottom of his heart.
Wang Shoucheng, hearing Wang Qingqi's demand for an apology, frowned: "Alright, let's leave it at that. Old Fifth, although your two sisters-in-law were wrong, your wife shouldn't have said those things. We have a good day today, and we'll be distributing grain tomorrow.
No more talk about this."
"Dad, Xiuxiu did nothing wrong." Wang Qinghe genuinely began to loathe this family.
Suddenly, they caused a commotion and then tried to blame his wife in a few words.
Wang Shoucheng's next words instantly stuck in his throat.
"You wife how could she..."
"My wife gave a fair opinion from her professional standpoint. Where did she go wrong? If Xiuxiu is wrong, does that mean everything she does at the Women's Federation, mediating conflicts, is also wrong?" Wang Qinghe was always emotionally stable and clear-headed.
As long as it didn't involve Bai Xiuxiu, he was perfectly normal.
Wang Shoucheng's face changed.
Who dared to say that the legitimate work of the Women's Federation was wrong? That would just be asking for trouble.
With this accusation, he immediately fell silent.
"Father, Qinghe is right. Don't stay quiet; you should say I'm not wrong." Bai Xiuxiu urged him to take a stance.
This old man wanted her and Zhao Cuihua to passively admit fault and also wanted to suppress Zhou Jiaojiao a bit. He didn't want Zhou Jiaojiao to become arrogant because of Old Fifth's job, making her harder to manage.
If he wanted to manage Zhou Jiaojiao, that was his business, but he shouldn't expect her to admit any wrongdoing.
Wang Shoucheng truly wished he could kick them both out right now.
He was even more anxious, thinking, why couldn't the old woman avoid provoking others?
"If you don't speak up, Father, I'll have Qinghe go to the captain's house and let them judge for me. I think it's necessary for you to have the right understanding. The captain should be willing to educate you."
After Bai Xiuxiu finished speaking, Wang Qinghe started walking out directly.
"Stop right there!"
How could Wang Shoucheng dare let the captain's family know about their family drama?
Tomorrow, Old Fifth's wife had to go apologize and admit fault. More drama would make living in this village impossible.
Wang Qinghe completely ignored Wang Shoucheng.
Seeing him almost out the door, Wang Shoucheng had no choice but to shout, "Alright, alright, your wife is not wrong. It was a slip of the tongue on my part. The ones who were wrong are Old Fifth's wife and Old Third's wife. Go back inside quickly. Tomorrow is the grain distribution; don't cause trouble."
Wang Shoucheng had no choice but to admit his mistake.
Only then did Wang Qinghe return, leading his wife back into the house.
Just before entering, Bai Xiuxiu turned to look at them, "By the way, Father, Mother's shout just now made me uncomfortable. I might have been scared. I need to drink a bowl of egg water to calm down, with two eggs."
Chapter 106
Zhao Cuihua was so angry she almost fainted.
Why doesn't Bai Xiuxiu just die? She wants to harm my eggs again!
"If there are no eggs, I might get sick tomorrow. I will definitely explain tonight's incident when I ask for leave," Bai Xiuxiu added.
Zhao Cuihua cherished her eggs deeply, yet she refrained from voicing her concern.
This is clearly an attempt to extort eggs from her, but if she spoke up, the team leader would find out about this mess at home.
She looked at the old man, trying to seek help.
Wang Shoucheng was also troubled: "Alright, we understand. You should go back and wait. I'll have Old Second's wife prepare something for you."
Bai Xiuxiu then went into the house and closed the door.
Zhao Cuihua couldn't believe it; could this matter be resolved like this?
She was tempted too, but unfortunately, she was not like her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law was part of the Women's Federation, and her brother was obedient.
Her husband was still hiding and not saying a word!
Zhou Jiaojiao couldn't believe it either. Clearly it was Bai Xiuxiu's fault, yet now they had to make egg water for her.
What about her?
"Mom and Dad, I've never been wronged like this before," Bai Xiuxiu sobbed.
Although Wang Shoucheng wanted to publicly compensate Old Fifth's wife, he knew that if he did, the eldest daughter-in-law would cause another scene. He decided to endure it for two more days.
"Alright, you're not entirely blameless either. How could you say such things? Even if it's true, you must keep it hidden.
If others hear about it, how can our family still live in this village?
You usually seem quite clever, why are you being so foolish now? You're still young. When Old Fifth starts working at the factory in the commune, you need to learn from your mother how to interact with the villagers.
Don't think that just because you have some skills, you can ignore everything else.
Look at today?"
Wang Shoucheng began lecturing Zhou Jiaojiao.
Zhou Jiaojiao had hoped someone would stand up for her, but instead, she received a lecture. It was clear that they thought she wasn't cooperating enough and wasn't being obedient.
Even Bai Xiuxiu behaves like this!
"Did you listen to what I said?" Wang Shoucheng asked, seeing her head down and silent.
"I understand," Zhou Jiaojiao replied reluctantly.
"Good. The matter you mentioned earlier, once the grain is distributed tomorrow, we can start preparing. Don't go fishing the day after tomorrow; let the eldest go alone." Wang Shoucheng thought that this time, he had to use the eldest one more time.
In the future, when he finds a chance to separate them, he won't be able to use them anymore.
The eldest doesn't bring any benefits to the family these days.
It's not too much to ask for a bit of effort, right?
"No! Mom and Dad, this time, our whole family should go fishing. I keep hearing people say that our family relies on Eldest Brother to work. If we don't go fishing, wouldn't that confirm what they say?
My husband and Second Brother will both be workers soon. Our family needs to maintain its reputation.
Everyone must go."
Zhou Jiaojiao quickly made her request.
If only Wang Qinghe goes, Bai Xiuxiu will surely stay home and slack off or go to the brigade office.
Everyone must go to ensure Bai Xiuxiu doesn't stay home.
This is her best opportunity, and to avoid any mishaps, everyone must be present.
Wang Shoucheng frowned. Why does Old Fifth's wife have so many issues?
But... she does have a point. To separate the eldest and not give him money, they need a good reputation.
At worst, let the eldest do all the work.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. Everyone, go back and wait. Old Second's wife, make dinner." Wang Shoucheng agreed.
After everyone went their separate ways, he sighed heavily.
He felt incredibly exhausted.
He felt like he had to handle everything both inside and outside the home lately!
"Old man, what should we do next? The eldest daughter-in-law isn't following our lead at all," Zhao Guifen said anxiously.
Wang Shoucheng was also troubled: "Can't you use your brain? Is it full of potatoes? Also, you need to manage Old Fifth's wife better. Don't let her get too carried away. You haven't managed anything well recently.
I shouldn't have to worry about everything.
I'm a man of my age, and I should be enjoying life. Can't you take care of things?"
Zhao Guifen wanted to curse. He talks nicely, but look at what kind of family this is.
One by one, they all cause trouble. What can she do? Yunjiu novel
Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe went back into the house, set up the pot again, and the family had a small meal before going to eat dinner in the main room.
The dinner wasn't anything special, but with the mentality of taking advantage of Old Wang's hospitality, even if it was just one bite, they still came over.
Bai Xiuxiu's family of four divided the egg water among themselves and then, under the resentful gazes of the others, swaggered back to their room.
Early the next morning, everyone in the village got up early.
Chen Jinhua came over early to inform Bai Xiuxiu that there was no need to go to the Women's Federation today.
Every household had to prepare for the grain distribution.
When it was nearly time, Wang Shoucheng called his family and they set off.
Seeing Wang Qinghe carrying the two children and bringing Bai Xiuxiu along, Wang Shoucheng felt a knot in his chest.
The eldest son really isn't planning to share the grain anymore!
It's all because of the eldest daughter-in-law. If not for her, how could this happen?
"Qinghe, our family hasn't split yet. If we separate the grain, it will be inconvenient for you two to eat with the family in the future. Besides, it won't look good when people find out," Wang Shoucheng tried to persuade him once more.
Wang Qinghe glanced at Wang Shoucheng: "Dad, I've already earned enough grain for me and my wife these past few years. It's just that I don't want to add any more this year. Do you want to settle the accounts from previous years? If you do, I can."
"You ungrateful brat, what accounts? What's there to settle? I raised you this big, so why can't you show some filial piety?" Wang Shoucheng was completely thrown off by Wang Qinghe's words.
Before he could finish his tirade, he froze.
He happened to be cursing when the Yang brothers passed by.
Their looks at him were quite peculiar.
Wang Shoucheng felt extremely awkward.
This was utterly humiliating; that wretch must have done it on purpose.
He didn't say another word on the way.
By the time they arrived, the line had already formed.
"Xiuxiu, you're here?" Chen Jinhua was also in line, as her husband was in charge of distributing the grain. With the rest of the family either working or too old or young, she had to handle it herself.
Bai Xiuxiu happened to be standing behind her: "Aunt Jinhua, only you came from your family?"
"What else can I do? I asked the Yang brothers to help carry it home later. By the way, are you really separating your grain?" Chen Jinhua was happy for Bai Xiuxiu but worried about her in-laws' reaction.
Bai Xiuxiu nodded: "We have to separate it, otherwise things might get complicated in the future."
At the front, the team leader already had the work points book: "Everyone, the remaining grain in our village has been counted, and the work points have been calculated. Let's start distributing the grain!"
Chapter 107
The team leader held the work-point ledger in his hand. Although his voice wasn't loud, the villagers were much more enthusiastic than usual.
Listening to everyone's cheers and thinking about this year's harvest, Chen Zhuangshi felt confident. When he calculated the work points yesterday, he was so happy that he couldn't sleep.
This morning, before dawn, he had already gotten up.
This year's grain was good, and the stored seeds in the warehouse were better than in previous years. Next year would surely be even better.
"Our team, with three villages, has had a bountiful harvest this year. In our village, children under ten will receive one hundred pounds of grain per year. Children over ten and elderly people who average three work points per day will receive three hundred pounds per year.
Laborers earning eight to ten work points per day will receive six hundred pounds per year.
Those earning five to seven work points per day will receive four hundred pounds per year.
One work point in our village is worth eight fen this year.
Our village has a total of two hundred and forty work days, but those earning less than seven points only average one hundred and fifty days. Those earning ten points average two hundred days."
Chen Zhuangshi spoke confidently about this year's situation.
No matter where you looked around here, no other village had such a good harvest.
"The allocation of grain types is fixed for everyone. I don't care how you exchange it privately; in the team, we must distribute according to the regulations. Now let's start distributing the grain. Don't rush, take turns.
Rest assured, I won't delay anyone."
Seeing the villagers eager to move forward, Chen Zhuangshi quickly shouted to prevent any accidents.
They all lived in the same village; if someone got hurt, they'd still have to see each other later.
If anyone was anxious, he was the most anxious right now!
After all, the other two villages were waiting for him.
"Qinghe, watch the kids; I'll go help first." Bai Xiuxiu needed to help Miao Miao verify the work points with the accountant, which would speed up the distribution process.
Wang Qinghe responded affirmatively.
Watching his wife go to help, he found her beautiful both when she stayed at home and when she worked energetically outside.
She was beautiful no matter what.
"Sister Xiuxiu, you finally came! I thought you weren't going to queue up." Miao Miao was excited to see her.
This task was tedious, and with only her helping the accountant, mistakes were inevitable.
With two people, there would be fewer issues.
In the crowd, Zhou Jiaojiao stood next to her husband, glaring at Bai Xiuxiu, digging her nails into Wang Qingqi's arm out of anger.
"Ouch... Wife, what are you doing?" Wang Qingqi, preoccupied with thoughts of reporting early the day after tomorrow, snapped back to reality from the pain.
Zhou Jiaojiao remained silent and withdrew her hand.
If not for Bai Xiuxiu, the Women's Federation job would definitely have been hers.
Then she would be the one leading the distribution.
This prestigious task should have been hers.
Xiahe Village had over three hundred households, but the team organized enough people to distribute the grain.
Soon, it was Wang Qinghe's turn.
"This year, the young couple isn't living with the extended family anymore?" Chen Zhuangshi looked at Wang Qinghe, who was holding their two children, and patted his arm.
"You're one of the most capable in our village."
Miao Miao began calculating Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe's work points: "For Wang Qinghe and Bai Xiuxiu, each child gets one hundred pounds of grain, totaling two hundred pounds, twenty pounds of rice, twenty pounds of cornmeal, and one hundred and sixty pounds of sweet potatoes. Wang Qinghe and Bai Xiuxiu both earn ten work points.
Together, they get twelve hundred pounds of grain, two hundred pounds of rice, two hundred pounds of cornmeal, and eight hundred pounds of sweet potatoes.
In total, they receive fourteen hundred pounds of grain, two hundred and twenty pounds of rice, two hundred and twenty pounds of cornmeal, and nine hundred and sixty pounds of sweet potatoes.
Their combined work points this year are five thousand eight hundred, totaling four hundred and sixty-four yuan."
After calculating the work points, Miao Miao was astonished by the amount of money and grain.
Although this year's abundance was due to the good harvest, it was still very enviable.
When Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe's work points were converted into money, the Wang family turned red with envy.
Wang Shoucheng lamented deeply. If only they had known Wang Qinghe hadn't hunted anything in the mountains, they never would have agreed to let them separate from the family.
What was even more infuriating was the eldest daughter-in-law. If not for her constant troublemaking, things wouldn't have ended up like this.
It wasn't the old society anymore, and he couldn't force Wang Qinghe to stay with the family.
In front of so many people, he couldn't snatch their money either.
Over the years, their family hadn't treated Wang Qinghe well, and both the team leader and Chen Jinhua knew it. They couldn't cause a scene, and they wondered if they could use the four hundred yuan as pension money when they eventually separated.
Wang Shoucheng pondered this matter.
"I'll watch the children for you." Seeing the Yang brothers pulling the ox cart over, Chen Jinhua offered to hold the children for Wang Qinghe.
"Thank you, Auntie." Wang Qinghe placed the grain on the team's ox cart and looked worriedly in the direction of his wife.
"You take the children back first. I'll help finish distributing the grain and come home later." Bai Xiuxiu knew he was concerned about her, so after putting away the money, she went over to persuade him to go home.
The Wang family wouldn't dare do anything to her with so many people around.
"I'll go back first then, and return after delivering the grain." Wang Qinghe lifted both children onto the ox cart and hurriedly drove them home.
There were only ten oxen in the production team, and they had been brought out today specifically to help everyone transport the grain. Usually, they were treated as precious assets. After taking their share of the grain, they would have to bring the oxen back for others to use.
Soon, the grain distribution continued.
When it was the Wang family's turn, Wang Shoucheng was still feeling the pain of losing four hundred yuan from the eldest son.
"Your family will still be taking the grain together as before?" The team leader's tone was not friendly when he saw Wang Shoucheng.
"Yes, our family will still take it together." Zhao Guifen quickly confirmed this to prevent any of the daughters-in-law from having other ideas.
Bai Xiuxiu and Miao Miao began helping Accountant Wang verify if there were any mistakes in their family's work points.
After confirming everything was correct, Bai Xiuxiu took the work point ledger: "Your two granddaughters and one grandson amount to three hundred catties of grain. As for the daughters-in-law, Old Fifth's wife's work points are recorded at her natal home. Second's wife averaged about three work points per day this year.
Third's wife got five work points, and Fourth's wife got three work points. The old lady worked an average of one work point per day this year.
The second and fifth sons got three work points each, while the third and fourth sons got seven work points each.
Wang Shoucheng also got three work points this year."
As Bai Xiuxiu read out the figures, the Wang family's faces turned sour.
Not a single person in the family could work!
"The total comes to six thousand five hundred work points."
"That's impossible!" Wang Shoucheng felt completely undone. How could this be?
With so many people in his family, how could they end up with roughly the same as the eldest son's family?
Was this reasonable?
Hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu wanted to laugh. What was so impossible? With her husband around, no one in this family would starve, so they were all slacking off.
Chapter 108
The first couple of years were fine, but in the past two years, they've become even lazier.
It was the same in my previous life!
"The total grain allocation for your family is two thousand nine hundred catties."
After Bai Xiuxiu spoke, the entire family's expressions turned sour. Two thousand nine hundred catties of grain sounded like a lot, but with thirteen people, each person only got eighteen catties per month.
If they didn't work, it might be manageable, but how could that be enough for physical labor?
Fortunately, their luck held up this year with a good harvest.
If the harvest had been poor, they would have barely gotten ten catties per person per month with their laziness.
"This can't be right, Captain. Our family..." Wang Shoucheng found it absurd. Since the two lean years, they hadn't received such a small allocation, especially not during a bumper harvest.
"What's wrong with it? Do you think I made a mistake in my calculations?" Accountant Wang was unhappy; he had spent days calculating and double-checking everything.
To ensure accuracy, the captain had even asked two educated individuals to help. Did they still think there was an issue?
They knew exactly how much work they had done!
"Enough, Old Wang. You're getting on in years. You know your family's situation well. There are still many others waiting for their grain allocations. Once the ox cart returns, take your grain and money and leave." Captain Chen Zhuangshi didn't want to hear about their grievances.
He had all the work records from the past few years.
If it weren't for their eldest son, who worked twice as hard, the whole family would have starved long ago.
In this northern region, with a resource-rich mountain nearby and a river full of fish, other villages struggled to eat half-full meals, while their village had managed to save money and everyone could eat their fill. This was already a stroke of luck.
With their current approach, if the harvest were poor, they'd have to borrow grain to survive!
Wang Shoucheng was filled with resentment but knew that continuing to argue wouldn't help. He reluctantly led his family aside to wait for the ox cart.
Zhou Jiaojiao never expected their entire family to receive only slightly more than what Wang Qinghe and Bai Xiuxiu got together.
Fortunately, her husband had become a worker; otherwise, they would starve.
Wang Qinghe returned with the ox cart and saw the Wang family standing there with grim faces. He guessed what had happened; this year, they had been lazier than ever, working less and earning fewer points.
Their only fortune was the good harvest.
He lifted the two children off the ox cart.
Seeing his eldest son return, Wang Shoucheng thought about dividing the family sooner rather than later. He needed to get at least eight hundred catties of grain from his eldest son.
Indeed, he had to act subtly, making it seem like he was merely beating his parents.
If he sent him away with nothing, it would look justified!
Wang Qinghe felt disgusted by Wang Shoucheng's gaze, knowing they were scheming again. He moved farther away with the children.
"You're back? I'm almost done with the calculations." Bai Xiuxiu glanced at the Wang family and then at her sleeping children, eager to divide the family soon.
Living under constant scrutiny was exhausting for the children too.
The Wang family was loading the cart, and Bai Xiuxiu was uneasy: "Give me the children; you go back and watch over things."
Wang Qinghe understood her concern and left immediately after placing the children down.
It took another two hours to finish distributing the grain.
Captain Chen Zhuangshi was pleased with this year's harvest. In a couple of days, when the commune meeting was held, he would be the most admired among all the captains.
"Oh, Xiao Bai, when you get home, ask your sister-in-law to come to the office for a reprimand. What happened in the mountains must never happen again. I need to handle this seriously, or I won't be able to face Widow Xia."
Captain Chen instructed Bai Xiuxiu.
She readily agreed, packed up, and headed home with the children.
In the village, after receiving their grain, almost every household prepared a meal of white rice to celebrate the year's harvest.
In a couple of days, when the New Year pigs were slaughtered, they would also have dumplings.
From now until the New Year, life would be comfortable.
However, when Bai Xiuxiu returned, the Wang family was unusually quiet. There was no sign of white rice, and everyone seemed subdued.
Zhao Cuihua sat at the entrance of her room, mending torn clothes.
Seeing Bai Xiuxiu return, she felt envious and frustrated. She and her husband were the ones with the highest work points! With eighteen catties per person per month, it was manageable in winter, but during spring, when work increased, they would need sixty to seventy catties per month!
By then, the whole family would be starving! And this was during a good harvest; what if it wasn't?
Zhao Cuihua felt suffocated!
Zhao Guifen and Wang Shoucheng stayed inside the house, while Zhou Jiaojiao was talking to Liu Xiaoe.
The others were all busy with their work.
When Zhou Jiaojiao saw Bai Xiuxiu return, the smile on her face vanished.
Bai Xiuxiu didn't care whether Zhou Jiaojiao liked her or not; she gave Zhou Jiaojiao a friendly smile. "Sister-in-Law Old Fifth, the captain just said to have you write a self-criticism quickly."
Those words doubled Zhou Jiaojiao's hatred for Bai Xiuxiu.
"Big Sister, was it the captain's order, or did you remind him? I think you just can't stand seeing me happy. My husband is going to start working at the factory the day after tomorrow. If I really have to write a self-criticism, how embarrassing would that be?" Zhou Jiaojiao felt extremely wronged.
She turned to question Bai Xiuxiu instead.
As if Bai Xiuxiu was being unreasonable.
"That's right, Big Sister. Why do you always pick on Sister-in-Law Old Fifth?" Liu Xiaoe had just been flattered by Zhou Jiaojiao and now wanted to please her, so she echoed Zhou Jiaojiao's sentiment, questioning Bai Xiuxiu.
Bai Xiuxiu watched Zhou Jiaojiao's antics. After they both finished speaking, she responded sarcastically, "If you're afraid of embarrassing him, then don't do stupid things. You made your own mistakes; blaming others won't help. I think the one who doesn't want him to succeed is you yourself."
"Don't slander me." Zhou Jiaojiao was about to burst into tears.
Bai Xiuxiu ignored her. "Go if you want to, or don't. But when the captain and Widow Xia come looking for you, don't say I didn't pass on the message. By the way, if Widow Xia causes trouble at your husband's future workplace, it won't just be embarrassing for you."
"Sister-in-Law Old Fifth, what are you waiting for? Go quickly!" Zhao Guifen, who had been eavesdropping from inside the house, couldn't hold back any longer and shouted as she opened the door.
Zhou Jiaojiao bit her lip, got up angrily, and stormed out.
Bai Xiuxiu returned to the room, which was filled with bags of grain, leaving only a small space to walk.
"This is too much of a hindrance. I'll put them in the storage space for now. We can take them out when we move." Bai Xiuxiu said as she stored the grain in her storage space.
The storage space was thirty cubic meters, but it was enough for these items.
After storing the grain, Bai Xiuxiu also harvested a batch of herbs. However, she and Wang Qinghe currently had no shortage of money, and frequent sales of herbs would draw attention. So, she decided to stockpile them in the storage space.
Waiting for Wang Qinghe to decide when to sell.
Looking at the now spacious room, Wang Qinghe was reminded once again that the bracelet his wife possessed was the secret he needed to hide most.
Chapter 109
Wang Qinghe carried the two children to the bed and then took down the kettle from the stove to make brown sugar water for his wife and the kids.
It was cold outside, so after he returned and unloaded the grain, he lit the stove.
Thinking about how Bai Xiuxiu had to risk falling into the water to catch those who might want to harm her, Wang Qinghe found Old Fifth's wife and her sister-in-law from her natal family particularly annoying.
If they didn't exist, why would Xiuxiu have to face such dangers?
If he were more capable, Xiuxiu wouldn't have to do this either.
"Xiuxiu, drink the brown sugar water and warm up on the bed. When it's time for dinner, we'll go to the main house." Wang Qinghe cleared the ash from where he had placed the grain while showing concern for his wife.
"Alright, let's cook some rice tonight. Given the miserliness of the main house, I doubt they'll prepare anything good unless they kick us out of the Wang family. We'll eat there first and then come back for our own meal.
We still have the preserved rabbit meat and the jerky we made a few days ago; let's steam them." Bai Xiuxiu climbed onto the bed with her enamel mug, thinking about dinner.
Everyone prioritizes their own meals after dividing the food. She didn't care what the main house did; her family couldn't go hungry.
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Wang Qinghe didn't mind what they ate, but he enjoyed having just their family of four together.
Like other families, they could be happy and harmonious.
Compared to the harmony in Bai Xiuxiu's home, the main house was far from peaceful.
Wang Shoucheng looked at the five hundred and twenty yuan in his hand with a grim face. Even if he added the money his wife had, it still wouldn't reach six hundred!
This was the money earned by his sons, and they all knew how much there was.
Plus, after the commotion caused by the eldest son's wife, everyone knew they had over a thousand yuan in savings.
How could they fill this gap?
This year was a good harvest; what would happen in the next few years when there might not be one?
The two old folks couldn't come up with any more money.
"What should we do now?" Zhao Guifen looked at the family's money and was so worried she felt like pulling her hair out.
If the sons found out the money was gone, they would likely divide even the five hundred among themselves!
"What can we do? We'll try to appease them. Apart from the eldest, no one else should be allowed to separate. If they all split off, we'll starve." Wang Shoucheng thought about that distressing future and felt suffocated.
"Appease them? Which of our daughters-in-law isn't pushy? I bet once the eldest makes a fuss, the others will follow!"
Zhao Guifen had no good impressions of her daughters-in-law, including Old Fifth's wife, who brought them benefits.
"Get Old Fifth's wife to start the black market trade quickly so we can share the profits, and the family won't want to leave. Control your temper and stop causing trouble with Old Fifth's wife. If you cause trouble again, I won't hesitate to send you back to your natal family!"
Wang Shoucheng intimidated her with a cold face, though he wouldn't actually do it.
Although his wife usually listened to him, if he really sent her away, she would likely kill him.
Zhao Guifen was surprised by his harsh words and stopped her scheming.
She disliked these daughters-in-law. Before they married in, her sons were all aligned with her. Now, they sided with their wives. So, she couldn't stand any of them.
Except for the eldest's family—she couldn't stand them either!
They weren't her own children, so she couldn't feel close to them.
Every meal the eldest's family had meant less for others.
They should work but not eat!
Fortunately, they'd soon be gone.
"Mom, it's time to make dinner. What are we having tonight?" Liu Xiaoe came out from the adjacent room and knocked on the old couple's door.
Hearing the second daughter-in-law's voice, Zhao Guifen wanted to explode: "Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating! A useless person who earns three work points a day wants to eat what? Eat what you usually do, just like yesterday!"
Liu Xiaoe's hopes vanished instantly.
Her eyes turned red.
Who didn't eat something special at this time?
Besides, her mother-in-law didn't earn three work points either.
And everyone earned three work points, right?
Even her husband...
Why call her useless?
Inside, Wang Shoucheng glanced at his wife: "Are we still eating the usual?"
"What else? Once the eldest's family splits off, we can eat whatever we want. For now, stick to the usual. Besides, look at how much grain we got back. If we use it up now, what will we do in the spring?
Our village has work almost every day except winter and the hottest days of summer.
Will we beg for food then?"
Zhao Guifen felt justified. It was indeed the case!
Privately, she wasn't stingy with the second and fifth sons. The third and fourth sons had their own money; if they starved despite having money, it was their fault!
Anyway, she absolutely couldn't let her family take advantage of Big Sister's family anymore.
Wang Shoucheng couldn't refute this. Although they couldn't have white rice, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
At least he had his own small stash of food in private.
"Then let's add a few sweet potatoes. We can't leave them with nothing to eat. Third and Fourth do earn more work points after all…"
Wang Shoucheng offered.
Zhao Guifen thought for a moment: "Second Daughter-in-Law, go get a few of the newly distributed sweet potatoes. One for each adult and half for each child. Also, give them each a bran pancake. The vegetable dish will still be cabbage soup."
Outside, Liu Xiaoe felt her stomach ache just hearing about these things.
How could they eat this stuff every day?
There was so much grain distributed today; couldn't they have something better?
"Attention villagers of Xiahe Village, everyone please listen. This is Captain Chen Zhuangshi. I have an announcement for the village."
The loudspeaker crackled to life.
Inside, Bai Xiuxiu, who was snacking, quickly cracked open the window.
"Regarding the incident where Wang Shoucheng's Old Fifth, Zhou Jiaojiao, bullied the widow Xia in the mountains, she will now read her self-criticism."
Soon, the voice changed to Zhou Jiaojiao's.
Sitting in the broadcasting room at the brigade headquarters, Zhou Jiaojiao looked even worse than when she ate bran and vegetables at home.
She had imagined countless ways to become known, but never in a million years did she think it would be like this!
"I am Zhou Jiaojiao, Old Fifth of Wang Shoucheng's family, and wife of Wang Qingqi. Regarding the incident in the mountains where I had a verbal argument…"
"What argument? Explain clearly, and also explain why," the brigade captain corrected her impatiently.
Why couldn't she admit her mistake properly at this time?
Embarrassed, Zhou Jiaojiao started over: "Regarding the incident in the mountains where I claimed that all the goji berries seen by Widow Xia belonged to me."
Chapter 110
"It was my selfishness that made me think everything I saw belonged to me. There was something wrong with my thinking, and I promise it will never happen again. Please forgive me, everyone, and please forgive me, Widow Xia. In the future, I will definitely be a selfless person."
Zhou Jiaojiao felt as if every word she spoke was a slap in her face.
After finishing, she felt utterly humiliated.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Everyone, pay attention. Today's incident with Zhou Jiaojiao should serve as a warning to all. Our village must not have anyone who thinks of public wealth from the mountains as their own private property. Such thoughts are extremely malicious and incorrect!"
The team leader criticized her before cutting off the broadcast.
He glanced at Zhou Jiaojiao: "Alright, you should go home now. At your young age, you mustn't have such thoughts again. If there's another time, I'll send you to the commune for criticism."
"I understand," Zhou Jiaojiao thought bitterly of the team leader as she turned to leave.
At the Wang household.
Bai Xiuxiu listened to the broadcast and closed the window, feeling refreshed.
It seemed Zhou Jiaojiao had been having some bad luck lately. It looked like even the best luck couldn't withstand everyone going against her, especially since she had just married into the family and hadn't fully established herself yet.
At dinner that evening.
Wang Qinghe, holding the child, came to the main room with Bai Xiuxiu.
Seeing the food on the table—enough to make even a thief leave two steamed buns—Bai Xiuxiu realized the Wang family never disappointed in this regard!
"Let's eat, everyone. Come and sit down for dinner," Zhao Guifen said, feeling sorry for the eldest son's family.
These two no longer pooled their grain but still relied on their past contributions to eat with the family.
How vicious! Didn't they know they had received less grain this year?
Could their family of four actually eat all that much?
And Old Fifth's wife—what an embarrassment.
Not only did she lose the fight, but she didn't even get the goji berries. Even the snake that bit her ended up with Widow Xia.
The family ate in silence. Zhao Cuihua, eating the same food as always, felt her anger rise.
She and her husband earned the highest work points but ate the same food as everyone else.
Moreover, now that the grain had been distributed, they still weren't allowed to eat their fill?
Who could be satisfied with such small portions every day?
"Mom, shouldn't we change our meals? We don't have the strength to work like this," Zhao Cuihua put down her chopsticks, speaking irritably.
"What work are you doing? It's not spring planting season; winter is coming. What can you do? If you don't like the food, then starve. That way, there will be more for your husband."
Zhao Guifen started to take Old Third's wife's portion and give it to Old Third.
Zhao Cuihua couldn't let that happen and quickly resumed eating.
After dinner, Wang Shoucheng mentioned the plan to catch fish tomorrow.
"We're all going fishing tomorrow. Since we lost face today with the grain distribution, we need to regain some respect. We can't let others think we're lazy. The fourth daughter-in-law's leg isn't healed yet, so she shouldn't come. Everyone else must go. Eldest son, is your family okay with this?"
Wang Shoucheng stared at his eldest son.
Wang Qinghe nodded: "Xiuxiu and I have no problem."
Seeing his agreement, Zhou Jiaojiao was overjoyed.
Finally, one plan could proceed smoothly.
If Third Sister-in-Law succeeded, she would have nothing but good days ahead.
Her happiness didn't escape Wang Qinghe's notice. If Old Fifth's wife couldn't escape, neither could she.
"We have no problem either," Zhao Cuihua sensed something amiss but thought that picking up some small fish for fish sauce might be good.
Every year, the village allowed people to collect small fish that wouldn't grow.
After everyone agreed, they quickly returned to their rooms.
This meal had ruined any good mood from the grain distribution.
Zhao Cuihua returned to her room, seething with anger, and seeing her husband about to lie down on the bed, she rolled her eyes: "Can't you be a little more ambitious? Look at how we live! We earn the most work points!
In the past, they relied on the eldest brother to support the family, but now they might rely on us.
Don't you think about our son?
Can we let them keep draining us?"
Wang Laosan sighed helplessly: "What can I do? If we talk about separating, we don't have much to divide. Besides, didn't you say we should benefit from Old Fifth's wife? How can we gain any advantages if we separate?"
If we don't split the household, then it can only be this way."
"Can't you ask for some benefits from Mom and Dad? They should be fair to us, right? I'm telling you, they must be secretly giving good food to Second Brother and Old Fifth. And about their jobs, why can't they find one for you?"
Zhao Cuihua felt deeply resentful and decided to wait and see.
If Zhou Jiaojiao doesn't have anything worth taking, she would also split the household!
She just didn't know how her eldest brother and sister-in-law planned to do it.
In the eastern room, Zhou Jiaojiao's mood wasn't any better than Zhao Cuihua's.
After losing face outside, she came back to a cold reception from her mother-in-law, and what kind of dinner was that?
Who eats like this on the first day after dividing the food?
Even her own family wasn't like this!
Zhou Jiaojiao started crying.
Wang Qingqi looked bewildered: "What's wrong with you again? Who offended you in our family? No one said anything about your embarrassment. You're crying again."
"At my parents' place, we never ate this poorly after dividing the food. Can we even live like this in your family?" Zhou Jiaojiao asked her husband.
Wang Qingqi was also frustrated: "It wasn't like this in previous years. But this year, there were fewer people working. Eldest Brother divided their share out, so it ended up like this. Besides, all your work points went to your family. We added another mouth to feed but lost Eldest Brother and his wife's share of the food.
You need to understand Mom and Dad."
Zhou Jiaojiao angrily threw a pillow at his face.
The two started arguing.
The entire Wang family was in an uproar over this dinner.
In the western room, Bai Xiuxiu was watching her husband cook.
The aroma of the meal filled the air, and the two children were gathered around their father, unwilling to move.
Sweet white rice topped with preserved rabbit meat and dried meat, mixed with some sesame oil from home.
Unfortunately, they had too few condiments; otherwise, it would have been even more delicious.
"Dinner time." Wang Qinghe brought the food to the table, looking gently at his wife and children, feeling a slight unease.
After eating their private meal, the family went to bed early.
In bed, Bai Xiuxiu hugged Wang Qinghe, who was still uneasy: "Don't worry, nothing will happen tomorrow."
Wang Qinghe held his wife's hand and kissed it: "Yes... nothing will happen."
Early morning.
The loudspeaker of the brigade rang early: "Attention villagers of Xiahe Village, attention villagers of Xiahe Village, please gather by the riverbank quickly."