"It's her! It's her!"

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“I’m not lazy at all!” The eldest son was very angry, his voice doubling in volume.

The second son glared even more fiercely.

Lin Zhao smiled faintly. “What can I do? I married a man who can earn money.”

Chang Sheng’s mother: “...” What a shameless person.

Seeing that her mother wasn’t angry, the second son’s eyes sparkled cleverly as he said loudly, “Right, my dad can earn money and support us, so my mom doesn’t have to earn work points. Auntie isn’t lazy; she just earns more work points.”

The eldest son chimed in, “My mom doesn’t need to work now because of my dad. When me and the second son grow up, we’ll give our earnings to her, so she still won’t have to work.”

Lin Zhao hadn’t expected her children, so young, to already understand earning money to support their mother. Her heart softened completely, and she was deeply moved.

Chang Sheng’s mother was furious, thinking Lin Zhao and her little rascals were no good, each speaking more sharply than the last.

She pursed her lips and blurted out, “Now Old Third Gu can earn money, but who knows about the future…”

Lin Zhao stepped forward two paces, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes as she fixed her gaze on her. “What about the future?”

Her jaw tightened, face cold; no one around dared to speak.

Unafraid, Chang Sheng’s mother said, “Who needs me to tell them about the future? Everyone knows being a soldier is honorable, but soldiers don’t keep their brains in their heads; maybe one day…”

Before she could finish, Lin Zhao slapped her hard and kicked her into the river.

“Ah—!” Chang Sheng’s mother was caught off guard, landing on her rear and instantly soaked through. Her thin summer clothes clung to her body’s curves, an embarrassing sight.

She scrambled out wildly, lunging to hit Lin Zhao.

“Lin Zhao, I’ll beat you to death!”

Lin Zhao delivered another flying kick.

Chang Sheng’s mother fell into the river again, farther than before.

The first time she fell was a sneak attack; the second time was because she was too weak.

Her face, swollen from the slap, was bruised and ugly.

“Only a few years since the founding of the country, and you’ve forgotten who brought you good days. People like you… deserve to be beaten.” Lin Zhao’s chest burned with fiery anger, her voice cold and stern.

The eldest and second sons didn’t understand Chang Sheng’s mother’s curses, but as their mother’s most loyal supporters, when they saw her fighting, they picked up stones and threw them at Chang Sheng’s mother in the river.

Every throw was accurate.

The third and fourth sons wanted to join in, growling fiercely in childish voices. Lin Zhao, fearing the twins might fall into the river, quickly grabbed them.

In the river, Chang Sheng’s mother dodged stones, shouting, “You damned little brats, just wait till I get ashore, I won’t let you off!”

The eldest and second sons wanted to throw more stones but were stopped by their mother.

She was justified in fighting; if her sons threw stones, that would be wrong.

The two obediently stopped.

Hearing Chang Sheng’s mother’s curses, the second son snorted, hands on hips, saying, “We’ll wait, we’re not afraid of you.”

Hearing the commotion, Gu’s mother hurried over, accompanied by Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang.

“Eldest son, second son, are you alright?” Gu’s mother’s loud voice arrived first.

The talkative second son loudly complained, “Grandma, someone bullied my mom and me, and said our kids looked good!”

Chang Sheng’s mother trembled with rage. “...” Nonsense! When did she ever say that!?

Gu’s mother stormed over, eyes sharp as she scanned everyone. “Who?”

“Who dares to bully my Gu family’s daughter-in-law and kids!”

Zhao Liuniang stood with hands on hips, fierce as she roared, “Who is it? Come out and face me! I’ll smash your head!”

Huang Xiulan stood by her mother-in-law, eyes finally resting on the soaking wet woman.

Seeing so many from the Gu family arrive, Chang Sheng’s mother wished she could dive into the river and swim away, but she couldn’t swim and dared not go into deeper water. She regretted provoking Lin Zhao.

Then the second son pointed at her. “It’s her! It’s her! It’s Chang Sheng’s mother!”

“She bullied my mom, me, and my brother!”

The third and fourth sons felt left out and joined in with childish cries, “Me! Me!!”

Lin Zhao couldn’t help but laugh and cry, thinking, “These two can’t even speak clearly, why get involved?”

She looked at Gu’s mother seriously. “Mom, Chang Sheng’s mother cursed a soldier! She has problematic thoughts and needs a thorough ideological reform, from the marrow out.”

Chang Sheng’s mother’s face darkened and she hurriedly denied, “I didn’t! I was just trying to advise you not to be lazy. Why don’t you recognize kindness?”

“Tsk.” Lin Zhao scoffed. “Obviously it’s you. What I do has nothing to do with you. If you say it, you must stand by it. The kids are listening; don’t make them look down on you.”

Gu’s mother, who doted most on the son who left home young, felt a slight irritation hearing Chang Sheng’s mother curse a soldier and her son.

“Eldest son’s wife is right. People with low awareness do need deep ideological reform,” she said through gritted teeth.

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“I’ll go find the team leader later,” she said through clenched teeth.

Chang Sheng’s mother’s face became anxious.

Gu’s mother continued, “Whether Eldest son’s wife is diligent or lazy is Gu family business. I, as the mother-in-law, won’t say anything. Chenghuai doesn’t mind. Chang Sheng’s mother, you’d better mind your own business instead of meddling. Clean up your own mess first!”

She vaguely heard that Chang Sheng’s mother often spoke ill of Old Third’s wife. She had intended to talk to her after things settled down, but the woman only got worse.

Gu’s mother had many sons, including a very promising military officer. The family held a special status in the Harvest Brigade.

When she reported this, the team leader naturally paid attention.

Afterwards...

Chang Sheng’s mother was punished to shovel manure for two months and had to copy quotations. This was a tough task for the illiterate woman, who struggled awkwardly to write every day, too tired even to gossip.

Because of this, the gossip about Lin Zhao in the Harvest Brigade lessened significantly.

Meanwhile, at the Su family.

Su Yuxian heard about the riverside commotion and smiled lightly, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Lin Zhao was really lucky—loved by her family, protected by her in-laws, and with sensible children. Truly enviable.

Liao Hongjuan looked at Su Yuxian and said sternly, “I heard the Lu family boy is coming back soon. You must seize the chance. If this marriage doesn’t happen, you’ll have to listen to me.”

“I know. Brother Yizhou and I agreed to marry when he returns,” Su Yuxian lowered her eyes, her emotions unreadable.

Liao Hongjuan was dissatisfied with her attitude. Thinking her daughter was about to marry, she spoke more gently than when she scolded as a child.

“Don’t mind my harsh words. Our family is poor; your father has no skills. Your two little brothers need money for school and will need money for their weddings. I just hope you marry into a good family to support us.”

“If your brothers do well, you’ll be fine too. You know what happens to daughters who marry out without family support. I only want the best for you. You’ll understand when you have children.”

Su Yuxian was touched. “Mom, I know. As long as I marry into the Lu family smoothly, I’ll support my brothers.”

A faint smile appeared on Liao Hongjuan’s worried face. “You’ve been sensible since you were young. I trust you.”

Lu Yizhou was the most promising young man in the entire brigade, aside from Gu family’s Old Third.

Though he was remarried with a little financial burden, he was a soldier receiving a monthly subsidy. Rumor had it he was an officer with promotion prospects, which would increase his allowance. Lu Yizhou was highly sought after by dozens of women in nearby villages.

Fortunately, Yuxian was smart, helped write letters to build trust with the Lu family, and was well-liked by Lu Yizhou’s mother.

The opportunity was imminent.

Thinking of Lu Yizhou’s square, handsome face, Su Yuxian’s lips curled, and her eyes filled with hope.

She was over twenty and finally about to marry.

Being so diligent, she was sure she’d live better than Lin Zhao!

Su Yuxian firmly believed it.

—

Back to the riverside.

After Chang Sheng’s mother slunk away, the eldest and second sons continued washing clothes.

Seeing the two washing with so much soap suds—scaringly thick—Gu’s mother and the two daughters-in-law looked on with pity.

So much soap was such a waste!

Gu’s mother said, “Eldest son, second son, use less soap. Your clothes aren’t that dirty.”

Huang Xiulan stepped forward and said, “Let your eldest aunt wash for you. You’re wasting so much soap; all those suds could wash many clothes.”

The second son looked at his brother, who refused. “No need. We’re almost done.”

“Then I won’t help,” the second son said, always following his brother.

Huang Xiulan was disappointed but didn’t force it, sighing in sympathy.

The two were capable, rinsed the clothes clean, wrung them out, placed them in a wooden basin, and carried it over, looking up at their mother.

“Mom, we finished washing.”

“You two are so capable, the best examples for your younger siblings, and the most reliable sons to your mother,” Lin Zhao sincerely praised.

The children beamed with pride and worked with renewed energy.

Watching Old Third’s wife sweet-talk her grandchildren, Gu’s mother twitched at the corner of her mouth.

“...” Old Third’s family really is something!

As a mother-in-law, she dared not say more. Her own daughter’s recent troubles had just settled, and Gu’s mother feared Lin Zhao might cause more upheaval otherwise.

“Finish washing and then go back,” she said, walking ahead.

“Mom,” Lin Zhao called out.

Gu’s mother stiffened completely, her heartbeat slowing for a moment.

“Old Third’s wife, your father and I have already scolded Xing’er. It’s not right for an elder to hit a younger one. We won’t tolerate it anymore. We’ll work on her temper. Don’t be upset,” she hurried to reassure.

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Huang Xiulan felt sorry for her mother-in-law. At her age, she still had to bow to her daughter-in-law because of her troublesome daughter.

Gu Xing’er was truly heartless.

Lin Zhao was momentarily stunned and responded with a simple “Oh.”

On this topic, she couldn’t help but say more: “As long as mom and dad understand, that’s enough. Gu Xing’er isn’t a child anymore. Her antics damage the Gu family’s reputation.”

Gu’s mother knew she was right but... it was hard.

“Mom, I want to take the eldest and second sons back to see my father tomorrow. Can you watch the third and fourth? I’ll have the eldest son bring you their rations,” Lin Zhao said without hesitation.

“All right,” Gu’s mother agreed immediately.

In this, Gu’s mother was better than all the other mothers-in-law in the brigade. She took care of every daughter-in-law’s confinement period and never refused to watch the children when asked.

“Thank you, mom,” Lin Zhao said softly.

Gu’s mother felt a rush of emotions. “Watching your own grandchildren is no trouble. There are many people at the old house to help.”

Although Gu’s eldest and second sisters-in-law had some small jealousy, they weren’t cruel. Watching children was a small matter, and with Lin Zhao providing rations, they spoke well.

“Don’t worry, third sister-in-law. I’ll have Tiedan watch the younger kids,” Huang Xiulan said with a smile.

As the eldest sister-in-law of the Gu family, she was generous and rarely fussed as long as no one took advantage.

Zhao Liuniang added, “Yes, I’ll have Bangbang lend a hand too.”

Ever since her awakening, Lin Zhao felt she really knew how to find a good in-law family.

“Thank you, eldest and second sisters-in-law.”

Lin Zhao returned home with the four children, hung the washed clothes out to dry, and prepared the rations to take to the old house for the third and fourth sons.

There wasn’t much malt extract left, so she decided to take it all, along with a big bag of tangerine candies bought from the supply and marketing cooperative and five sesame crisps—just about right.

“Mom, you’re really good to the third and fourth sons,” the second son said admiringly.

He and his brother were going to the old house, but their mother didn’t prepare anything for them.

The eldest son dropped his eyes, head hanging low, like a little puppy without a home.

Lin Zhao hugged the two and spoke gently, “Next time, I’ll prepare things for you all too.”

The eldest son was especially easy to please. Nestled in his mother’s arms, he forgot his sadness; his little heart beat happily. Mom smells so good (★‿★).

“All right.”

The second son hugged his mother voluntarily and said softly, “I like it when mom holds me.”

The child’s voice was soft, tender, and pure.

Lin Zhao lowered her gaze, voice gentle. “Then mom will hold you more.”

The two boys grinned broadly.

Lin Zhao handed the prepared items to the eldest and second sons, instructing, “Give the laundry soap to grandma as a thank-you gift. Share the candies and sesame crisps with Tiedan and the others.”

The eldest son tried to suppress a smile but couldn’t help it. “Okay.”

As the two boys stepped out the door, Lin Zhao remembered something and called out, “Stay away from your aunt.”

The second son shouted back, “We know. If aunt bullies us, I’ll call grandma!”

Next door, Wang Chunhua heard the second son’s words and couldn’t help but laugh.

What a clever second son.

At the Gu family’s old house.

Gu’s mother, hearing that Old Third’s wife sent a thank-you gift, glanced toward the setting sun. Yes, it was definitely in the west.

“Did your mother send this?” she asked with a complex expression.

“My mom said it’s a thank-you gift for grandma,” the eldest son said confidently.

The second son, handing out candies to his older siblings, nodded as well. “My brother’s right. Mom told us to share them.”

Bangbang unwrapped a candy, popped it into his mouth, and sucked hard. He asked, “Did mom also tell you to share these with us?”

“Yes! Mom told my brother and me to share with you!” the second son said loudly.

It was the first time he had shared candy at the old house. Seeing everyone happy felt really good.

Bangbang smiled. “Third aunt is so generous.”

Tiedan smiled foolishly, “Third aunt is very nice.”

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang stood under the eaves, watching this scene, emotions swirling in their hearts.

“I feel like third sister-in-law has changed into a different person,” Zhao Liuniang muttered.