Dinner at the Lu household was unusually tense that night. Liu Sanjin glared at Xie Jinghao with a sour expression, convinced that her nightly visits to Shen Meng’s house with Xiaogang must have earned her some benefits. She refused to believe otherwise.

Wu Xianglan was equally displeased. She had tried to borrow a sugar coupon from her sister-in-law earlier that day but was turned down. Yet Shen Meng had the audacity to give away meat dumplings to Da Qing and Er Qing. If she was so generous, why not share with Wu Xianglan’s own children, Yongqiang and Yongli?

Yongqiang and Yongli, oblivious to their mother’s thoughts, ate enthusiastically like their father, their chopsticks flying.

“All you know is how to eat,” Wu Xianglan scolded. “Why don’t you go and play with your cousin Mingyang sometimes? Look at your aunt—she shares her food with others, but not with you two. Are you not her real nephew and niece? Doesn’t she care about you at all?”

“Don’t blame the kids,” her husband replied. “It’s not their fault. But really, Shen Meng is something. She won’t even give me a single dumpling. Forget her nephews and nieces—she doesn’t even care about her mother-in-law. Jiaxuan, has your elder brother replied to any of the letters yet? It’s been so long. Why hasn’t there been a single word?”

Lu Jiaxuan drained his bowl of porridge in one gulp and answered gravely, “No. I’ve sent two or three letters, but there’s been no response. Mom, do you think Big Brother doesn’t want to reply?”

“That’s impossible,” Liu Sanjin declared with pride. “You know your brother. If he knew his mother was being wronged, he’d drop everything—even an important mission—and come back to see me.”

Lu Jiaxuan said nothing. While he doubted his brother would abandon a mission, he was certain that if his brother received a letter, he’d reply. It had been almost three years since his brother last came home. He must be missing the family, too.

“Jiaxuan,” his wife Zhou Jiaojiao interjected gently, patting his arm. “Your mom’s right. Didn’t Big Brother mention in his last letter that he was stationed in Yunnan? That place is known to be unstable. He’s probably just too busy to check his mail. Don’t worry.”

But Jiaxuan couldn’t help worrying. A position at the commune office was on the line—an iron rice bowl that came with a salary and benefits, a far cry from being a mere warehouse keeper for the production team. If he couldn’t secure it soon, someone else would take it.

“I’m going out for a walk,” he muttered, standing abruptly.

“Wait for me, Jiaxuan!” Zhou Jiaojiao called out, abandoning her chopsticks to chase after him. She hadn’t stopped dreaming about their new house, and Jiaxuan had promised that his elder brother Lu Zhenping would find a way to apply for bricks and tiles for them. She wasn’t about to let the matter slide.

Meanwhile, Liu Sanjin glared at Xie Jinghao and Xiaogang, who were still eating. Her tone dripped with disdain.

“Well, Xie Jinghao, you’re quite the daughter-in-law, aren’t you? Running off to Shen Meng’s house every day. Don’t tell me you’ve gained nothing from it. Shen Meng’s family is eating dumplings, and you’re kissing up to her. What’s next? Dragon meat?”

Xiaogang cowered, clutching his mother’s sleeve. Xie Jinghao, unfazed, calmly continued eating. She thought to herself: My husband earns money, these was food that belong to the third rooms. Why shouldn’t I eat?

“Fine, eat all you want,” Liu Sanjin snapped. “But when you’re done, clean the dishes, wash the laundry, sweep the floor, and feed the chickens and ducks. Hmph!” With that, she grabbed a cornbread roll and stormed back to her room.

Lu Jiahe, having eaten his fill, rose and left the table. “Always bickering,” he muttered. “It’s exhausting.”

“Where are you going?” Wu Xianglan called after him. “After a full day of work, you still have the energy to go out? What’s out there that’s so important? People might think you’re sneaking off to meet some hussy.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned to glare at her. “Can you ever be quiet for once? Listening to you gives me a headache. I’m going to the river to wash up.”

“It’s autumn already; the river water will be cold. Let me heat some water for you instead. Why the rush?” Wu Xianglan chased after him for a few steps before turning back to smirk at Xie Jinghao.

“Jinghao, it’s my turn to do the dishes and laundry today, but since Mom said otherwise, I won’t fight you for it. Hehe.”

“It’s fine, Second Sister-in-law. I’ll take care of it,” Xie Jinghao replied calmly.

Wu Xianglan, satisfied, leaned closer and whispered, “Hey, Jinghao, does Shen Meng really feed you well every day? Don’t tell me she’s cooking you special meals.”

“Shen Meng isn’t that kind of person,” Xie Jinghao replied. “I help her sew clothes, and she promised to give me some leftover fabric scraps. Xiaogang can’t stay home alone, so I bring him along.”

Wu Xianglan pouted skeptically but didn’t press further. She bid her goodbyes and left with her children.

---

Having thought things through, Shen Meng packed a basket with some items, including a bottle of herbal ointment she took from her space.

Outside, Mingyang and the other children were whispering among themselves. The creak of the door startled them into silence.

“Mingyang,” Shen Meng said, “I’m going to visit your Aunt Lianhua. Stay home and watch your siblings. Your Second Aunt will come later, and there’s some cornmeal soup in the pot for her and Xiaogang.”

“Got it, Mom!” Mingyang replied.

“Mom, I want to go too!” Lu Mingkai pleaded. He was still afraid that the kind and gentle mother he had grown used to might vanish if he let her out of his sight.

“Alright, you can come with me.”

“Yes! Mom, let me carry the basket. I’m really strong!”

Shen Meng smiled and patted his head. “Silly boy, I can manage. If you want to help Mom, study hard and earn lots of money when you grow up. Let me enjoy life, okay?”

Mingkai, though too young to fully understand, knew about earning money because his father sent home money every month. “Mom, when I grow up, I’ll let you enjoy life. You won’t have to do anything!”

“Good boy,” Shen Meng said warmly.

Meanwhile, Mingyang, broom in hand, rolled his eyes. “Hmph. His brothers and sister just knows how to sweet-talk Mom but he would not do that. I’m the eldest son of this family. With Dad away, it’s my job to protect everyone. I don’t have time for silly flattery!”

---

Later that evening, Chen Zhaodi and Zhao Jingu were publicly criticized under Guo Xiuqin’s supervision. Both were fined three yuan to compensate Wang Lianhua. Lu Yonggang received a stern lecture.

When the old women in the village who secretly tortured their daughters-in-law saw this, they were so scared that they tightened their belts, fearing that someone would report them.