Originally, Lu Shaocai wanted Zhao Meifeng and their children to come and eat and drink, but Fang Dihua blocked them at the gate.

That good-for-nothing!

I made that meat for us; we don’t even have enough to eat.

Why would I let four or five more people come and eat? Dream on!

“The meat has been divided up. There’s just a bit left for guests. If so many people come to eat and drink, what will the team secretary and team leader eat?”

Good-for-nothing, you didn’t even give a piece of meat to your second uncle.

Zhao Meifeng was also too proud to let others think she was coveting her second uncle’s meat.

Moreover, her family received subsidies from the capital and occasionally got some meat, so she wasn’t that greedy.

Lu Changfu also wanted to go and see Lin Shu openly, saying he could bring lunch, but Zhao Meifeng pulled him by the ear and dragged him back.

It’s embarrassing to not even pass the tractor driver test!

Once all the guests arrived, the meal began.

The team leader laughed heartily, “Big brother, you’re really lucky. I said back then that your mother did a great job picking this wife for you. She’s really accomplished!”

Big Brother Lu Dage had been feeling numb these days.

At first, he felt embarrassed and humiliated.

Even a bit jealous and frustrated, thinking his wife overshadowed him.

But later, his wife always excelled and was the top pick in every selection.

While he struggled and got eliminated in selections, he had to admit his wife was impressive.

When the instructor loudly announced the results, he felt extremely proud and honored.

That’s his wife!

His strong and capable wife!

Back home, Fang Dihua and Old Man Lu kept praising Lin Shu and Sister Lu Da, and the villagers also praised them.

Everyone knew that Lin Shu could drive as soon as she got on the tractor and was even better than Sister Lu.Da.

She just didn’t continue with the assessments because she couldn’t handle the big machinery due to her strength.

In comparison, the men from Lu Family Village lagged behind.

Big Brother Lu Dage felt numb.

Aside from praising his wife privately in their room and not complaining about her being a strong woman, he didn’t dare to say anything negative outside.

Whenever he spoke, Lin Shu would always retort.

In the past, if people spoke badly of him, his wife would defend him unconditionally.

But now, when Lin Shu retorts, not only does his wife not defend him, she even laughs.

He felt like his wife might prefer his younger brother and not like him anymore.

And if his parents heard, they would scold him even more, calling him shameless and worse than his wife.

He was just… feeling very down.

But fortunately, his wife was still his wife, and she treated him well.

She washed his clothes, gave him massages, and even sneaked drinks from his father and sweets from his nephew.

He decided to ignore what others said.

“Here,” Sister Lu Da put a piece of meat with ribs on his plate, then added pig ears, pig trotters, and a big piece of red-braised pork belly.

She encouraged him, “Husband, these are all your favorites. Eat up.”

Since she had earned some meat too, she thought it was okay to give him more.

Her mother-in-law wouldn’t complain about giving him extra.

Sister Lu Da whispered to him, “Husband, don’t worry. I’ll earn more money and buy more meat for you in the future.”

Brother Lu Dage was touched, “Wife, you’re so good.”

Fang Dihua finally couldn’t take it anymore and scolded him, “A grown man waiting for his wife to earn meat for him? Can’t you do better yourself?”

Brother Lu Dage felt very wronged, “I passed the test, but they eliminated me again.”

Sister Lu Da quickly defended him, “Mom, driving a tractor is exhausting. Husband is educated and has fair skin, so he can’t get dirty. I don’t mind getting dirty from the smoke.”

Fang Dihua was speechless.

She decided to just enjoy the meat.

Sister Lu Da served Lin Shu and the children some meat, encouraging them to eat more fatty meat.

Lin Shu’s cooking was excellent.

The pork belly was tender and flavorful, not greasy at all, and very delicious.

Lin Shu smiled, “Thank you, Sister Lu Da. You’re the best!”

Sister Lu Da blushed and said, “You’re just flattering me.”

Brother Lu Dage stiffened up and wondered if his younger sister-in-law was really trying to steal his wife from him.

He discreetly slipped a piece of fatty meat onto Sister Lu Da’s plate and whispered, “Wife, you’re the best.”

Sister Lu Da was so disgusted she nearly vomited.

At least she managed to hold it in and didn’t spit out the meat she had eaten.

Fang Dihua wondered if she was expecting a child.

The second daughter-in-law had only given birth to Cui Cui and hadn’t had another child in seven or eight years, so it was about time for her to have another.

The second daughter-in-law didn’t know.

Fang Dihua didn’t say anything more; she just guessed that she wasn’t pregnant.

Panpan and Tiantian raised their small teacups to toast the aunt, “Aunt, congratulations on becoming a tractor driver! You’re the best now!”

Sister Lu Da was very happy and clinked her teacup with theirs.

Lu Ping was smiling happily, but Lu An felt a bit jealous.

Lu Ping nudged his brother, signaling him to toast their mother too, but Lu An was too shy.

Lu Shaocai had a bit too much to drink, “Second uncle, your life is…”

The secretary said, “Alright, he’s had too much to drink. Second brother, take him home.”

After the meal and a few more conversations, looking forward to the future, the secretary and others took their leave.

As they left Lu’s house and reached the corner, the secretary and the production team leader sighed.

They thought it would be better if Lu Shaotang was around.

Seeing the old couple forced to smile, they felt uneasy.

Behind the village, Old Head Chang was envious and his teeth ached with frustration.

Neither of his two sons passed the test, while Lu’s daughter-in-law did.

Damn it, that l fox from the Lu family must have some exceptional cooking skills.

The smell of the stewed meat was so good that the whole village could smell it.

He had to drink two bowls of wine to go with it.

After drinking, Old Chang started cursing, “You two men can’t even compare to a woman! Really…”

Chang Dazhi was unhappy, “That little woman must know how to drive.”

Old Chang retorted, “Where would she have learned that? Did you teach her in your dreams? You don’t even know how to drive!”

Chang Er was silent.

Song Chunfang was displeased, “Dad, don’t try to boost their ego and dampen our spirits.”

Old Chang snapped, “If you don’t have any education, don’t use big words.”

Everyone was getting frustrated.

Song Chunfang had returned from her family a few days ago, and with all the new developments in Lu Family Village, her own situation seemed insignificant.

Besides, someone had to cook at home, and her son Xiaogang’s leg was injured, so she was naturally concerned and needed to come back to take care of him.

Old Chang looked at his two daughters-in-law, “In the future, let’s have the eldest family work, and let your mother stay home to cook.”

The old woman was getting sick from the stress caused by the Lu family and was no longer able to work in the fields.

Song Chunfang was anxious, “Dad, I can’t do it…”

Old Head Chang said, “Your mother is sick and still has to work in the fields. Can you bear to see that?”

Song Chunfang then pushed her husband, Chang Dazhi, to take the responsibility.

Chang Dazhi said, “Dad…”

Old Head Chang snapped, “Dad what? Unfilial wretch. Can’t you see…

“Is Mom sick?”

Chang Dazhi fell silent.

Song Chunfang, fuming with anger, turned and went inside the house.

She had no choice but to work under the hot sun in the fields from now on.

It was all Lin Shu’s fault!

.

The Lin family was also hosting a meal.

To thank everyone for their help and to encourage continued support, especially now that Lin Yue and his father had both been selected as tractor drivers, Lin’s family prepared a big feast.

They wanted to show their gratitude and ensure they had allies since the Sun family might still cause trouble, possibly involving Sun Xiaohong.

Lin’s parents weren’t stingy with the meat.

They used all the meat, ribs, and bones Lin Yue had received and cooked everything.

Aunt Lin, Mother Zhou, and two other women came to help.

They also brought extra vegetables from their gardens.

They first rendered the meat for oil and then prepared dishes like braised pork with radishes, braised pork with potatoes, stewed ribs with green beans, seaweed soup with bones, and various stir-fried and cold dishes.

Each type of dish was made in large quantities.

Lin’s father and Lin Yue first went to burn some paper for their ancestors, informing them of the good news about the divorce, and hoped it would make them happy.

Then they went door-to-door inviting relatives and neighbors who had helped them in the house and yard.

Most people understood the custom; even if they were invited, they wouldn’t bring their whole family.

It was usual to send just one representative.

Those who didn’t help wouldn’t be welcomed, and others would look down on them for taking advantage.

Notably, the village secretary and team leader didn’t come, but the secretary’s wife and the team leader’s daughter-in-law did.

Some guests brought vegetables, eggs, or even some cornmeal from their homes.

They were impressed by the Lin family’s generosity and knew they would need to support them in the future.

Meanwhile, Sun Xiaohong and her brothers Sun Er and Sun San were hiding in an alley outside the Lin home, their lips bleeding from biting them so hard.

Sun Xiaohong cried, “Second Brother, is Lin Yue looking for a partner?”

After the divorce, she had refused to eat or drink at her parents’ house, trying to force them to act.

Her father said to wait a few days; once Bao’er couldn’t do without her mother, Lin’s mother would have to take her back.

She waited and waited, but Lin Yue never came to get her.

Instead, she heard that both Lin Yue and his father had become tractor drivers!

Wasn’t Lin Yue even more in demand now?

Wouldn’t the village women be eager to find him a match?

She was anxious and dragged Sun Er to rush to the Lin family’s house.

When they arrived at the door, they overheard a woman shouting, “Don’t worry, if the Sun family dares to come here and make a fuss, I’ll make them regret it!”

“Right, and I will too!”

“Me too!”