Luckily, the money hadn’t been touched. When they ask for it back, she could return it right away.

Even without using that money, with San’er’s (third son’s) earnings, the family was still financially comfortable.

Fang Dihua opened the locked drawer.

She took out five yuan and handed it to Lin Shu, saying, “Buy whatever you want.”

Lin Shu didn’t hesitate and accepted it. “Thank you, Mother.”

Fang Dihua continued, “If you need more money, just let me know. The money your husband earns is, of course, for you to spend.”

In the past, she was cautious about giving money to her previous daughter-in-law because she would be easily swindled out of it.

But now, not only was her current daughter-in-law not being swindled, she was actually bringing money into the household.

Naturally, Fang Dihua was no longer stingy.

The next time she went to town, she was determined to buy some sweets for her daughter-in-law.

She put away the remittance slip for now, planning to withdraw the money from the commune later.

Then she admired the rectangular award certificate.

The award itself wasn’t particularly special; the family already had several of them.

Both she, Lu Laodie, and Lu Shaotang had all received awards before, but this one was different.

This one was earned by her daughter-in-law and her two grandsons!

Her daughter-in-law was becoming more and more accomplished, becoming more and more of a match for her son.

San’er would be happy to know this.

When the time comes, the young couple would get along harmoniously.

Fang Dihua suddenly transformed into a cheerful old lady, completely different from her usual stern and fierce demeanor.

She was as joyful as if it were New Year’s and San’er had just come home.

She wanted to find a frame for the award certificate so that it wouldn’t get darkened by the smoke and soot.

But there was no glass at home, so she planned to get a piece from the commune later.

Tiantian and Panpan came running home together, shouting, “Grandma! Grandma! We have something to tell you! Did you hear?”

Fang Dihua, full of joy, replied, “Yes, yes, I heard it! What is it?”

Before they could say anything, she already claimed to have heard.

The two children clung to Fang Dihua’s arms, one on each side, and asked her to lift them up.

They whispered in her ear, “Dad sent money back home.”

Fang Dihua smiled and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, but if anyone asks, we’ll say it was sent by his comrade uncle.”

Panpan immediately waved his little hand and whispered, “We can’t say! We can’t say!”

This was to prevent anyone from borrowing money and taking advantage!

He even pointed to Zhao Meifeng’s house next door.

Fang Dihua laughed heartily and took the two children to pick some peaches.

Ever since she scolded him, Brother Lu didn’t dare to steal any more peaches, so the peaches could ripen properly.

Over the past few days, she had been picking the ripe ones to treat the children.

In a couple of days, a whole batch would ripen at once, and she could pick them all and share them.

Lin Shu finished cooking, tidied up, and brought out a new pair of shoes she had made for Fang Dihua. “Mother, try these on and see if they fit.”

Fang Dihua…

Looking at the large pair of shoes, she hesitated for a moment. “Shall I try them on?”

Lin Shu smiled and said, “Yes, this is a gift from your second daughter-in-law and me.”

Fang Dihua laughed.

This third daughter-in-law was becoming more and more like her third son when he was little—slightly mischievous.

She put on the shoes.

Her second daughter-in-law wouldn’t dare ask for them, but she’d definitely be fuming, throwing a tantrum and making a scene.

Fang Dihua wasn’t afraid of her daughter-in-law causing trouble; she just didn’t want things to get too ugly and become a laughingstock.

It’s better to live peacefully.

She asked, “How do you plan to deal with your second sister-in-law?”

Lin Shu smiled and said, “Our eldest cousin’s wife gave us so much fabric, I can spare a pair for the second sister-in-law.”

She wouldn’t say she wouldn’t make them for her, but when she’d make them would depend on her mood.

aIt also depended on the second sister-in-law’s behavior.

If the second sister-in-law kept being sarcastic and snide, Lin Shu wouldn’t bother making them for her.

If she was even half as good as the eldest sister-in-law, Lin Shu wouldn’t mind.

Fang Dihua said nothing more.

She put on the new shoes and walked around. The third daughter-in-law’s craftsmanship was really good—well-fitting and attractive.

Look at these stitches, so fine and neat, not uncomfortable at all. Unlike the eldest daughter-in-law’s rough work, which just hurt the feet.

Even someone as modest and practical as Fang Dihua wanted to wear these shoes out and show them off to the other women, making them envious.

She walked around the living room twice, then carefully took them off and dusted the soles. “I’ll wear them when I go to the post office to collect money.”

Lin Shu said, “Wear them next time you go for a hospital check-up.”

Recently, Fang Dihua had been using eye ointment, washing her eyes, taking anti-inflammatory medicine, and getting acupuncture from Old Lu.

Her left eye felt much better than before, so she was no longer averse to going for a hospital check-up or having surgery.

Who wouldn’t want to get better?

If it could be cured, who would choose to suffer?

It wasn’t about wasting money if it didn’t work—if it showed results, she’d be willing.

Lin Shu picked a few peaches, washed them, and put them in a small basket for Fang Dihua to take to the family members working in the fields.

She added a few more, so Fang Dihua could share them with close friends.

Fang Dihua said, “Eat as many as you want at home. No need to save them.”

There were three trees.

When they all ripened, they couldn’t finish them all. It’d be perfect for the three daughters-in-law to take some as gifts when they visit their families.

They were both presentable and delicious.

Most of the community members were happy about the Lu family being praised by the Public Security Bureau and the commune.

People like Jin Ping’er, Aunt Qiu, Aunt Li, and Aunt Wang were even proud, as if they themselves had been praised.

Of course, some people were unhappy. The most unhappy was…

The Chang Family

In the evening, Old Chang came home, and his wife immediately started nagging him.

“Tell me, why is it that our grandchild suffers, but they get all the benefits?

“That flashy little daughter-in-law of theirs is really showing off. I heard she even made it into the newspaper.

“It seems like a police officer was even carrying a camera, taking pictures of them.”

She urged Old Chang to go to the brigade to find out what was going on and why no one had sent any relief to Gangzi.

Old Chang, after being nagged so much, started to think this was a big deal too, so he decided to head to the brigade to see the brigade leader.

The brigade office was located in a large blue-brick mansion behind the Lu family village, separate from the production team’s office.

Next to the brigade office was a primary school, and a little further down the road was the back village production team.

The mansion was large, and the barefoot doctor’s clinic was also located there.

Old Chang first went to see his nephew to get some painkillers.

Ever since his eldest daughter-in-law was beaten by Fang Dihua and Xiao Gang was stolen away, his teeth had been aching terribly.

The cost of the medicine was less than a dime, so his nephew didn’t charge him.

Old Chang had grown accustomed to the special treatment.

Others had to pay five cents to see the doctor, which was both the consultation fee and the registration fee, and they had to pay separately for the medicine.

But the barefoot doctor, Zhang Peijin, was his nephew, so Old Chang didn’t have to pay.

When Old Lu came, he had to pay.

The old fool didn’t know what illness he had, but he’d been to the county hospital twice recently.

Old Chang told his nephew, “Next time Old Lu comes for medicine, make sure you give him a thorough checkup and find out what’s going on.”

Zhang Peijin replied, “Maybe it’s for his wife’s eye treatment. I noticed her eyesight has improved a lot.”

Old Chang added, “Anyway, when he comes, be sure to ask carefully, and let me know afterward.”

Zhang Peijin agreed and then asked about Xiao Gang’s condition.