“Just look at Hei Dan’s injuries,” Song Wei said, showing the bruises and cuts on Hei Dan’s body to the captain.

The captain was immediately enraged. “How could they do this to him!”

Up until now, the captain had underestimated just how cruel the Lin family could be. He’d thought they were merely overworking the child and not feeding him well enough. In these tough times, plenty of young children helped out with work, and Hei Dan’s daily tasks, although demanding, weren’t something he could directly criticize. And while it was known that Lin’s family barely fed the boy, villagers with extra would occasionally give him food, though few could spare much themselves.

But seeing him beaten this severely was different. Now the captain was deeply angered and felt a growing disgust for the Lin family.

Seeing the captain’s response, Song Wei leaned in and suggested, “Captain, I have an idea, if you don’t mind.”

The captain, still fuming, looked at her with a resigned expression. Every time she started with that tone, it felt like she was up to something.

“Fine, let’s hear it.”

“Can I adopt Hei Dan?”

“What?!” Both the captain and Hei Dan stared at her in shock. Hei Dan’s wide eyes shone with a mix of disbelief and joy.

The captain nearly choked on his smoke. “You—you want to adopt Hei Dan?”

The look he gave her said, “Have you lost your mind?”

“What’s in it for you?”

Song Wei patted Hei Dan’s head and replied calmly, “The kid’s hardworking. Besides, he won’t eat much.”

The captain’s face twisted into a skeptical expression. “Not eat much? You think this is some kind of joke?”

Food was precious, and he couldn’t help but scoff, “You are an educated youth from the city. With the rations you get, you’re barely feeding yourself, and now you want to take on a child? He’s not a pet you can feed scraps to! Have you thought about food, clothes, and everything else?”

The captain genuinely wanted to help Hei Dan, but he also didn’t want to see Song Wei get herself into trouble. He thought she must be acting on a whim, feeling sorry for the boy. Adopting a child was far more complicated than she might think.

“Comrade Song, I appreciate your good heart, but raising a child isn’t simple. Even if we don’t talk about food or clothing, dealing with the Lin family won’t be easy. They’ll cling to you, and you’ll never have a peaceful day again.”

Hei Dan’s excitement waned at hearing this, leaving him feeling disheartened. He hugged Song Wei tightly, his voice laced with sadness. “I don’t want to trouble you, Sister Song. I can take care of myself.”

Hei Dan’s little voice, fighting back tears, was so brave that it tugged at the captain’s heart. The captain couldn’t help but feel pity for the boy, cursing the Lin family in his heart.

“Don’t worry,” Song Wei reassured him. Then, turning back to the captain, she added, “The main reason I came was to give you a heads-up. Yesterday I gave Lin Youfu a bit of a beating, so they’ll likely come looking for trouble today. If things get heated, I just hope you’ll be fair.”

The captain frowned. “What kind of man do you take me for?”

“Of course, you’re the fairest of them all,” Song Wei replied, grinning, “but it never hurts to be extra careful, right?”

“Get to work already,” the captain growled.

“Sure thing! Just taking Hei Dan along with me,” she said, cheerfully walking away.

For today’s work, Song Wei was again paired with Gao Le for planting cabbage. Cabbage and radishes grew quickly and were cold-resistant, which meant they’d be ready by the time winter hit in the Northeast.

When Gao Le saw her, he lit up like a 200-pound puppy. “Sister, finally!”

Gao Le was very servile and fawning.

“The land we received this time is the same as yesterday. Can we finish planting it?”

Song Wei set Hei Dan down and said, “As long as we don’t get interrupted, we should get it done.”

Gao Le, confused, nodded, unaware of what she meant by “interrupted.”

Song Wei moved with her usual speed, her seemingly fragile frame working with unexpected strength, swinging her hoe as if it weighed nothing. It was a sight—like a delicate lady doing heavy labor with grace. Even while working, she found time to chat with the village ladies nearby, picking up every morsel of gossip.

The villagers talked about everything, from mother-in-law arguments to kids getting spanked for wetting the bed, and Song Wei eagerly listened, always up for any story.

Hei Dan, eager to help, knelt down carefully to plant seedlings, making sure not to dirty his borrowed clothes. He was more helpful than Gao Le, who glanced over and felt a bit embarrassed.

Looking at Song Wei working nearby, Hei Dan’s eyes crinkled with joy. Back at the Lin family, he’d been overworked and underfed. But now, even though he was still working, he was happy.

However, the peace didn’t last long. Hei Dan spotted the Lin family approaching from a distance. Fear gripped him instinctively, and he began to shake.

Dropping his seedlings, he dashed over to Song Wei, pointing anxiously. “Sister Song… they… they’re coming.”

Following his gaze, Song Wei spotted the group. “Well, looks like they brought backup.”

From across the field, the villagers could see Lin family approaching, and everyone stopped to watch the show unfold.

“Song Wei, that Lin family’s here for you,” sneered a familiar voice. It was Liu Guifen.

This shout allowed the Lin family to immediately lock onto their target.

The group consisted of grandmother Lin, her three daughters-in-law, and her daughter. The whole gang was out.

The old woman led them, it is said that appearance reflects the heart, and this old lady Lin’s appearance is that of a cunning and mean person.She scanned Song Wei with disdain. But it was the eldest daughter-in-law who had the least patience. Furious about her son’s beating, she lunged at Song Wei, her fingers aimed for a fistful of hair.

“You lowlife, how dare you lay a hand on my son!”