Chapter 21

Ruan Xi didn’t know how long she had slept. When Ling Yao woke her up, most people on the playground had dispersed. She blinked her eyes open, taking a moment to remember that she was watching a movie on the playground of Tianfeng High School.

Ling Yao said to her, “It’s over.”

Ruan Xi forced herself to wake up and realized she had fallen asleep hugging a tree. She blinked at Ling Yao, her voice nasal and a bit apologetic, “I was just too tired.”

Ling Yao’s left hand was still holding her arm, supporting her. He thought she was upset about missing the movie and comforted her, “It’s okay. There will be other opportunities to watch it. They always play the same few movies over and over.”

Ruan Xi felt falling asleep while watching a movie with him was inappropriate; she did not mind missing the movie. She yawned long and said, “Let’s go, let’s go back to sleep.”

As they walked back, she asked Ling Yao, “What was the movie about?”

Ling Yao still thought she was regretful, especially since it was her first time watching a movie, and she had fallen asleep shortly after it started and couldn’t be woken up. So Ling Yao explained the movie in detail, “It was about the Korean War period. A political commissar named Wang Wenqing went to the front lines to inspect and meet the son of his old comrade, Wang Cheng, on the battlefield. Wang Cheng said he had a sister named Wang Fang, who was also in the army. Later, Wang Cheng was killed in battle. Wang Fang was in the art troupe, and when Wang Wenqing met her, he recognized her as his daughter who had been separated from him eighteen years ago…”

Ruan Xi listened to him recount the entire movie and nodded, “I see. It’s a story about a father and daughter who were separated for many years, meeting on the battlefield, with the father helping the daughter to keep fighting and finally recognizing each other.”

Ling Yao nodded, “Yes.”

Ruan Xi twisted her neck and said, “I’m really too tired after walking for two days. I’ll watch it another time.”

Ling Yao saw that she didn’t seem to mind much, so he relaxed.

The two of them chatted as they returned to Ruan Cuizhi’s house. Ruan Xi’s uncle and cousins had already washed up. Ruan Xi greeted her uncle and exchanged a few polite words before he went to bed.

Ruan Xi had little contact with her uncle and cousins. In the past, Ruan Cuizhi would visit her family once a year, and they would see each other when she returned to the mountains. But in recent years, they hadn’t met, so they were somewhat distant and not very enthusiastic.

Ruan Xi didn’t mind. After this visit, she didn’t know when she would see them again. She planned to stay one night and go to the distillery to get some wine the next day before heading home.

However, Ruan Cuizhi was kind to her niece. While Ruan Xi and Ling Yao watched the movie, she washed their clothes, dried them, and ironed them. Now they were dry.

Ruan Cuizhi handed the clothes to Ruan Xi and Ling Yao and said, “While you were watching the movie, I washed your clothes. They’re dry now. Take a bath and go to bed early; it’s getting late.”

Ruan Xi wanted to chat more with Ruan Cuizhi and ask about her recent years on behalf of Liu Xinghua. Living in a town with more abundant supplies would be much better than living in the mountains. But tonight, time was tight, and Ruan Xi didn’t have the chance to talk much with Ruan Cuizhi. She agreed, washed up, cleaned her dirty clothes, and went to bed.

According to Ruan Cuizhi’s arrangement, Ruan Xi shared a bed with her three cousins, while Ling Yao shared a bed with her cousin. It was much better than sleeping outdoors, and both Ruan Xi and Ling Yao slept soundly.

Knowing they were exhausted from walking for two days, Ruan Cuizhi didn’t wake them up the next morning, letting them sleep until they naturally woke up. By the time Ruan Xi and Ling Yao woke up, it was almost noon.

Although they had slept well, they felt a bit embarrassed, as it wasn’t their own home, and it seemed inappropriate to sleep so late at a relative’s house.

Ruan Cuizhi saw Ruan Xi’s politeness and just smiled, saying, “It’s nothing. If you’re tired, just sleep a bit more; it’s fine.”

But this wasn’t just a bit more sleep; it was half a day more.

Ruan Xi felt a bit embarrassed but didn’t overdo the politeness with Ruan Cuizhi. After all, she was her aunt. Since it was almost noon, she didn’t go out with Ling Yao but stayed home to help Ruan Cuizhi with some chores.

While Ruan Cuizhi was making lunch, Ruan Xi and Ling Yao squatted nearby, ready to help with anything.

Taking this opportunity, Ruan Xi chatted with Ruan Cuizhi.

Concerned about her family, Ruan Cuizhi first asked Ruan Xi, “Xiao Xi, how are your grandparents doing lately?”

Ruan Xi smiled and said, “They’re doing well, eating and drinking fine, and still able to roll up their sleeves and fight.”

However, walking for two days in the mountains was no longer possible for them; they were old and didn’t have the stamina.

Hearing about the fighting, Ruan Cuizhi curiously asked, “Fighting? With whom?”

Some time had passed since the events, and Ruan Xi now spoke about it with ease. “You don’t know, my second uncle and second aunt had a falling out and decided to live separately. Before that, my second aunt even falsely accused me of stealing, and my grandmother gave me a beating.”

Ruan Cuizhi, who had spent some time with Sun Xiaohui, knew that although her second sister-in-law appeared honest, she was actually very cunning. There was nothing in this world she didn’t want to take advantage of, and she never wanted to suffer any losses. Fortunately, Liu Xinghua could keep her in check, so there was no fear of her causing too much trouble.

Ruan Cuizhi said nothing about Sun Xiaohui but asked why Ruan Changgui wanted to split the family. After thinking for a moment, she figured it out and asked, “Is it because your fifth uncle is getting married, and he doesn’t want to share the burden?”

Ruan Xi nodded, “You guessed it right.”

Ruan Cuizhi sighed lightly and said nothing bad about Ruan Changgui, but continued asking, “Has your fifth uncle found a match? Have they set a date? When is the wedding?”

If Ruan Changsheng was getting married, she would have to return to her family.

Ruan Xi shook her head and said, “Not yet.”

Ruan Cuizhi said, “At his age, he should be able to find someone. Once he does, they can get engaged and then married soon after.”

Ruan Xi nodded, “Grandmother is looking for a matchmaker. It should be soon.”

Ling Yao, being an outsider, didn’t know much about the Ruan family’s affairs and couldn’t join the conversation, so he sat quietly on the side. But Ruan Xi made sure to look at him occasionally to make sure he didn’t feel left out.

Then she noticed Ling Yao staring at Ruan Cuizhi several times.

At first, she didn’t think much of it, but later she felt something was off. She looked at his gaze and followed it to Ruan Cuizhi, noticing that Ruan Cuizhi had bruises on her arm.

Ruan Cuizhi was working, and every time she stretched her arm, purple bruises were visible on her wrist.

When Ruan Xi and Ling Yao stared at her arm, Ruan Cuizhi noticed and quickly pulled her arm back. A flash of embarrassment crossed her face as she tugged her sleeve down. She pretended nothing had happened and continued, “Once the date is set, let your fifth uncle know so I can return in advance.”

Ruan Xi lifted her gaze to Ruan Cuizhi’s face and responded after a moment, “Hmm.”

She really wanted to ask about the injuries on Ruan Cuizhi’s arm, but seeing her efforts to hide them, she refrained from asking.

During lunch, Ruan Xi and Ling Yao squeezed into a corner of the table without saying much, and the others were also silent. Then, Ruan Xi noticed the poor atmosphere in Ruan Cuizhi’s household, especially since her uncle had a perpetually stern face. Initially, she thought he was just tired from watching the movie last night, hence his lack of enthusiasm. But now it seemed unrelated to fatigue; her uncle was deliberately putting on that face, even less polite than the previous night.

Ruan Xi couldn’t help but wonder—was her uncle displeased because she had come over for a meal?

However, she said nothing at the table, simply eating in silence. She didn’t dare to eat much, stopping after half a bowl of rice.

Ling Yao, perceptive as always, ate even less than Ruan Xi.

Given the situation, Ruan Xi decided not to stay long at her third aunt’s house. After lunch, she and Ling Yao collected their dried clothes, filled a pot with warm water, and then informed Ruan Cuizhi that they were leaving.

Ruan Cuizhi, understanding the reason behind Ruan Xi’s decision, said, “It’s not often you come by. Stay a few more days. Your uncle is just like that. He doesn’t smile or talk much to anyone. Don’t take it to heart.”

Ruan Xi smiled slightly, looking at Ruan Cuizhi, and suddenly asked, “Third Aunt, are you doing well?”

The question momentarily stunned Ruan Cuizhi, who quickly smiled and said, “Of course, I’m doing well.”

Ruan Xi observed her expression closely, then suddenly grabbed Ruan Cuizhi’s wrist and pulled up her sleeve, revealing purple bruises over her arm.

Ruan Cuizhi was caught off guard and hurriedly pulled her sleeve back down.

Ruan Xi’s expression darkened as she asked, “Did he hit you?”

Ruan Cuizhi continued to cover up, “No, I accidentally hurt myself while working. Bumps and bruises are inevitable.”

Ruan Xi kept her gaze on her, “Has he been preventing you from visiting your family these past few years?”

Everyone in the village said that her third aunt, Ruan Cuizhi, was fortunate to have married into the town from the mountains and lived a comfortable and enviable life. But in the end, is this what comfort and fortune look like?

Ruan Cuizhi tried to continue covering up: “The road is too far. It takes four or five days to travel back and forth, and the family can’t do without me.” As she spoke, her voice choked up, unable to continue.

Then she composed herself, looked at Ruan Xi, and said, “Xiao Xi, I’m really doing well. In town, we have everything we need, plenty to eat, and warm clothes. Don’t tell your grandparents anything; they’re old and shouldn’t worry unnecessarily.”

Ruan Xi pursed her lips, looking into Ruan Cuizhi’s eyes without responding. After a moment, she sighed and said, “Third Aunt, then I’ll head back now.”

Ruan Cuizhi wanted to keep her longer but couldn’t find the words, so she just saw them off at the door. As they left, she stuffed a few egg cakes into their bags for the road.

Ruan Xi tried to refuse but eventually accepted them with Ling Yao.

As they left Ruan Cuizhi’s house and headed to the distillery, Ruan Xi was visibly unhappy.

Ling Yao walked slowly beside her, turning to ask, “Is it because of the injuries on your third aunt’s arm?”

Ruan Xi walked on with a gloomy expression, “She didn’t say anything, but I can tell she’s not doing well.”

Last night, the whole family went to watch a movie except for Ruan Cuizhi, who stayed home alone. The bruises on Ruan Cuizhi’s arm and her uncle’s demeanor explained everything. Her uncle didn’t value Ruan Cuizhi, so he also ignored and neglected her niece from her family.

Ruan Xi didn’t care about her uncle’s attitude towards her, but thinking about the bruises on Ruan Cuizhi’s arm made her feel blocked and angry. What frustrated her more was that, as a fourteen-year-old niece, she couldn’t do anything about it.

Thinking of this, she took a deep breath, trying not to let her bad mood affect Ling Yao, and said, “Let’s hurry to get the wine and go home quickly. I need to let my grandparents know about this.”

Ling Yao looked at Ruan Xi, “But your third aunt told you not to say anything.”

Ruan Xi replied, “How can I not say anything? Her husband thinks he can bully her and will keep doing it. I’m a junior and a child, so it’s not my place to intervene, but my grandparents and my fifth uncle can. If my grandparents find out that my third aunt is being mistreated and I didn’t tell them, they’ll be even angrier. This kind of thing can’t be tolerated or will only worsen. He must pay the price and learn a lesson!”

Ling Yao nodded after listening, “Then let’s hurry.”

The two of them quickened their pace, went to the distillery, and used their wine tickets and fifty cents to get a pound of wine. After getting the wine, they didn’t linger in town but hurried back home. Although they were tired, they didn’t slow down.

Ruan Xi wanted to get home quickly to tell Ruan Zhigao and Liu Xinghua about Ruan Cuizhi’s situation so they could support her.

Ruan Zhigao and Liu Xinghua were now too old to leave the mountains, but they could have Ruan Changsheng handle the matter. With this on her mind, Ruan Xi and Ling Yao walked even faster than when they came.

On the way there, they admired the scenery, but on the way back, they had no other thoughts; they just wanted to get home quickly.

Jinguan Village.

Seeing the sun about to set, Ruan Yuejin wiped the sweat from his forehead in the field, gathered his things, and returned to the old tailor’s house. Entering the yard, he put down his farming tools in the corner and greeted the old tailor, preparing to go home.

The old tailor naturally didn’t keep him, waving him off directly.

Ruan Yuejin held back his anger, not showing it on his face, and turned to leave the yard.

Once outside, his expression changed instantly, muttering, “Old bachelor, no wonder he can’t find a wife.” He walked all the way home, and even after sitting down to eat, he couldn’t shake off his anger.

Sun Xiaohui put some food in his bowl and asked, “How was it today? Did the old tailor teach you anything?”

Ruan Yuejin, holding his bowl, said, “He made me work all day again, doing everything around the house and the fields. He didn’t let me touch the sewing machine at all. Do you think he taught me anything?”

Sun Xiaohui frowned deeply, “Made you work again?”

He had already worked half a day yesterday. Shouldn’t he start learning the craft today?

Ruan Yuejin said, “He’s probably playing with me, took the eggs but didn’t teach me anything, just kept making me do this and that. If he doesn’t teach me tomorrow, I’ll go to the brigade revolutionary committee and find their secretary.”

Sun Xiaohui remained calm, “Don’t rush. If you offend him, you won’t have anywhere to learn the craft. What’s the use of finding the brigade secretary? If he gets angry, he won’t teach you anything; at most, he’ll just return the eggs.”

Ruan Changgui chimed in from the side, “Your mother is right.”

Ruan Yuejin took a deep breath and bit into a bun angrily as if he were chewing on the old tailor’s head.

After a tiring day, Ruan Yuejin went to bed early that night. Once asleep, he began to dream. In his dream, the old tailor turned into a field mouse. He carried a big hammer and smashed the old field mouse in the field, hitting it accurately every time, making the old tailor dizzy and disoriented. Feeling satisfied, he stood in the field with his hammer, laughing heartily. Then, just as he was laughing happily, he suddenly received a heavy slap on the face, waking him up with a start.

Startled, he opened his eyes and quickly sat up, still a bit dazed. He saw Ruan Changsheng lying down at the other end of the bed, saying sharply, “What are you laughing about in the middle of the night?”

Due to limited space and beds at home, he shared a room with Ruan Yuehua and Ruan Changsheng. Usually, he and his younger brother Ruan Yuehua slept at one end, while Ruan Changsheng slept alone at the other.

Being woken up from a pleasant dream was truly annoying, but seeing that it was Ruan Changsheng who slapped him, and knowing that his fifth uncle was tough and not to be messed with, he didn’t dare to react. He held his breath and went back to sleep. The next day, he woke up groggy, washed up, and went to the old tailor’s house with a heavy heart.

He thought the old tailor would make him work another day, but to his surprise, the old tailor didn’t ask him to work when he arrived. Instead, he asked, “Do you want to learn handcraft first or go straight to the machine?”

Was there even a choice?

Ruan Yuejin immediately replied, “Of course, the machine.”

He had gone through all this trouble to learn the craft, specifically to learn how to use the sewing machine, which only the old tailor had. If he wanted to learn handcraft, he could learn it anywhere. His grandmother and mother both knew some needlework. Besides, needlework was considered women’s work, so why would he learn that?

The old tailor didn’t say much and directly took him to the main room. He sat down in front of the sewing machine, reached out to pull the thread from above, took out the bobbin thread from below, and finally removed the needle. Looking at Ruan Yuejin, he said, “I’ll only teach you once. If you can’t learn it, I won’t teach it a second time.”

Ruan Yuejin swallowed silently and, after a moment, said, “Only once?”

The old tailor slightly raised his head, staring at him, his bald head particularly prominent, “Didn’t you say you were suited to be a tailor and could inherit my skills? I teach all my apprentices this way. Whether they learn it or not, I only teach once, no second time.”

Ruan Yuejin cleared his throat and said, “Alright, just once then.”

The old tailor lowered his gaze, put down the sewing machine’s presser foot, placed his foot on the pedal below, and continued, “To prevent you from wasting my materials, I’ll teach you the simplest thing first: pedaling the machine without thread. As long as you can keep the machine from reversing, that’s enough.”

Ruan Yuejin stood and responded, “Okay.”

The old tailor raised his hand to hold the wheel, demonstrating with his hand while saying, “Watch carefully. Turn this wheel on the right with your hand and pedal with your foot at the same time to get the machine running.”

He was an experienced craftsman, having used the sewing machine all his life. He didn’t actually need to turn the wheel with his hand; he could get the machine running with just his foot. So, using his hand made it look even easier.

Ruan Yuejin watched him pedal so effortlessly, blinking in confusion, “Just like this?”

He even felt like laughing—just this? Just like this?

The old tailor didn’t waste words, stood up, and gave him the high stool, “Your turn.”

Ruan Yuejin, with a relaxed smile on his face, sat down in front of the sewing machine. He placed his foot on the pedal, held the wheel on the right with his right hand, and mimicked the actions, turning the wheel with his hand and pedaling with his foot. But as soon as he pedaled, the wheel in his hand turned the wrong way.

The old tailor slapped him on the back of the head, “Wrong way!”

Ruan Yuejin instantly stopped smiling, holding the back of his head, his expression and tone subdued. ” I’m just not familiar with it yet.”

The old tailor couldn’t be bothered with him anymore. He had said he wouldn’t teach a second time, and he meant it. He couldn’t stand slow-witted people, so he turned and walked towards the yard, casually throwing out, “Figure it out yourself. You’ll have to pay for the sewing machine if you break it.”

Ruan Yuejin breathed a sigh of relief when the old tailor left, avoiding harsh words or slaps if he failed repeatedly. He was confident he could figure it out on his own. However, after a long time of trying, he was drenched in sweat and still couldn’t understand why the wheel reversed when he pedaled, despite turning it correctly by hand. It seemed almost supernatural. The more he couldn’t figure it out, the more anxious he became. He wanted to punch the sewing machine but held back, knowing it was too expensive to break.

At lunch, when Sun Xiaohui asked how he was doing, he saved face by saying, “Pretty good.”

In the afternoon, he continued to ponder the mechanism, torn between asking the old tailor for help or not. Finally, he couldn’t resist asking, but the old tailor bluntly replied, “I don’t teach twice. If you can’t learn it, leave.”

Ruan Yuejin was speechless.

The old tailor mocked him, mimicking his morning tone, “Just like this?”

Ruan Yuejin was again speechless.

Old bachelor, no wonder he can’t find a wife!

Ruan Xi hadn’t left yet, so how could he?

Naturally, Ruan Yuejin didn’t leave. He spent the afternoon trying to figure it out, growing increasingly frustrated. When he couldn’t vent his anger on the machine, he leaned on it, panting. After a while, he got up and continued pedaling. As the sun set, he suddenly felt a connection between his hands and feet, and the wheel started turning correctly!

Seeing the wheel turn properly, Ruan Yuejin was excited and tried a few more times. Each time the wheel turned correctly, he was thrilled, jumping up from the stool and shouting. His confidence returned, and he continued pedaling the empty machine, enjoying the sound of the sewing machine, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and feeling incredibly happy. He left the old tailor’s house in the evening, humming a tune.

Walking along the mountain path back to Fengyan Village, he happened to meet Ruan Xi returning from the commune just as he was about to reach home. In the past, he looked down on Ruan Xi, but now he felt even more superior.

He greeted Ruan Xi, “Big sister, you’re back.”

Ruan Xi had been traveling since noon yesterday, only stopping briefly to rest at night without finding a place to sleep. She was so exhausted that she felt like her soul was leaving her body and had no energy to respond to Ruan Yuejin, only replying with a “Hmm.”

Liu Xinghua, hearing Ruan Yuejin’s words from inside the house, quickly came out to check.

Seeing Ruan Xi return, she hurriedly took the wine gourd, backpack, and water bottle from her.

Noticing Ruan Xi’s tired face and dark circles under her eyes, Liu Xinghua said with concern, “You must be exhausted.”

Ruan Xi didn’t say anything, went inside, poured a bowl of water, and drank it all in one go.

After drinking, she sat down on a stool and, after a while, weakly said, “The gourd is filled with a pound of wine. Grandma, pour out half a pound for Grandpa, and I’ll take the rest to my master tomorrow.”

Liu Xinghua exclaimed, “You’re still thinking about whether he drinks or not. You should rest.”

Ruan Jie, who was stoking the fire behind the stove, saw how tired Ruan Xi was and said, “Sister, why don’t you sleep for a while? When dinner is ready, and Grandpa and Fifth Uncle are back, we’ll wake you up to eat.”

Ruan Xi shook her head, “Grandma, I have something to tell you.”

Liu Xinghua said, “What urgent matter must be said now? Go rest.”

Ruan Xi adjusted her breath and looked at Liu Xinghua, “I went to Third Aunt’s house and stayed there for a night. Uncle didn’t seem to welcome me, and I saw that Third Aunt’s arms were covered in bruises like she had been beaten.”

Hearing this, Liu Xinghua was stunned.

Ruan Xi continued, “She said she got the bruises from bumps and falls, but I don’t believe her. She also told me not to tell you, fearing you’d worry. But I think you need to know, or Third Aunt might keep getting bullied.”

Who would hide being beaten from them?

Liu Xinghua’s brow furrowed, “Does Liu Xiong dare to bully my daughter?”

Ruan Xi replied, “Why wouldn’t he? Over the years, you and Grandpa have aged and can’t leave the mountains. The commune is far from us, and it’s not easy for Third Aunt to visit. He can bully her however he wants.”

Liu Xinghua gritted her teeth in anger, “If he really bullied Cuizhi, I’ll fight Liu Xiong to the death!”

Ruan Xi, too tired to stay awake, rested her head on her hand and said, “Send Fifth Uncle. He’s strong, fast, and good at fighting. He’s the best choice.”

Her voice grew softer, and her words slurred more. “But it also depends on what Third Aunt wants. If she prefers to endure it and doesn’t want to cause a scene with Uncle, we can do nothing. After all, they are husband and wife…” As she spoke, her arm slipped, and she jolted awake.

She couldn’t hold on any longer and said, “Grandma, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to sleep.”

With that, she got up and went to the adjacent room, regardless of Liu Xinghua and Ruan Jie’s reactions. She fell onto the bed, set up the mosquito net, and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Liu Xinghua stood by the stove, still gritting her teeth in anger, but she said nothing more. There were many things that Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie, as children, didn’t know, and she couldn’t discuss them with Ruan Jie. She had to wait for Ruan Zhigao to come back.

After preparing dinner with Ruan Jie, Liu Xinghua found the household scale and measured half a pound of wine from the gourd.

As Ruan Zhigao approached the door, he smelled the aroma of the wine and immediately asked, “Has Xiao Xi returned?”

Liu Xinghua, still upset about Ruan Cuizhi’s situation, didn’t show much joy on her face and simply replied, “Hmm.” She then turned to Ruan Jie and said, “Xiao Jie, go wake your sister for dinner.”

Ruan Jie entered the room but found that Ruan Xi had tightly closed the mosquito net and slept deeply. She tried shaking Ruan Xi but couldn’t wake her, so she came back out and said, “Sister seems too tired to wake up.”

Liu Xinghua understood that kind of exhaustion, “Let her sleep then.”

Ruan Jie nodded and sat down at the table, just picking up her chopsticks when she smelled the aroma of the wine.

Getting a sip of white wine wasn’t easy, so Ruan Zhigao, reluctant to drink too much, poured only a small amount into a small bowl. After pouring, he looked up and saw Ruan Changsheng eyeing the wine hungrily. He asked with a smile, “Do you want some too?”

Ruan Changsheng was about to speak when Liu Xinghua said, “He won’t drink. He has something to do tomorrow.”

Ruan Changsheng was taken aback and turned to Liu Xinghua, “What else is there besides work?”

Liu Xinghua looked at Ruan Zhigao and then at Ruan Changsheng, her tone indignant, “Your third sister has been bullied. I want you to go to the commune tomorrow to see her and find out what’s going on.”

Hearing this, Ruan Zhigao put down his wine bowl and looked at Liu Xinghua, “Who bullied Cuizhi?”

Liu Xinghua, with a stern face, said nothing. Ruan Jie, beside her, whispered, “Sister said it was Uncle…”

Ruan Zhigao was stunned, “Liu Xiong hit Cuizhi?”

Liu Xinghua, biting into a bun, looked angry, “I don’t know the exact situation. Cuizhi is hiding it and doesn’t want to say it, but I think it’s very likely. Sometimes I regret letting Cuizhi marry him!”

Ruan Zhigao’s face darkened, “What’s the use of saying this now?”

Ruan Changsheng, who had been eyeing Ruan Zhigao’s wine, no longer craved it. His face and eyes looked even darker than Ruan Zhigao’s, slowly filling with anger like a fierce tiger cub ready to attack.

He took a big gulp of the porridge in front of him and said grimly, “I’ll go tomorrow. If he really hit Third Sister, I won’t let him off. He thinks our Ruan family has no one left, and Third Sister can be bullied at will!”

Ruan Zhigao took a sip of wine, “I’ll go with you.”

Ruan Changsheng said, “No need, I can handle it myself. You’ll only slow me down. Besides, you’re too old to do heavy work in the production team, and you might not make it to the commune.”

Liu Xinghua, knowing Ruan Zhigao’s health best, said, “You’re too old for this. Little Wuzi is Cuizhi’s brother; he can also support her.”

She then looked at Ruan Changsheng, “But when you get there, don’t be reckless. You must find out the truth from your third sister. If Liu Xiong really hit her, you must stand up for her. She hasn’t come back for years; it can’t be just once or twice. He bullies her because she married far away!”

Ruan Changsheng nodded, “I understand.”

To prepare Ruan Changsheng for the trip, Liu Xinghua packed his clothes and food that night.

Ruan Changsheng got up early the next morning. As he was about to leave, Liu Xinghua got up and saw him off. She held him back and said, “See how things are. If it’s terrible, bring your third sister back.”

Ruan Changsheng, eating a bun, nodded, “Okay, I got it.”

Without further delay, he shouldered his backpack and water bottle and headed down the mountain.

Liu Xinghua watched him leave and then went back inside, unable to suppress a sigh. She wished she could go and beat Liu Xiong herself. She had a tough personality, but her daughter, Ruan Cuizhi, was soft-hearted, which sometimes frustrated her.

Exhausted, Ruan Xi slept until noon the next day. When she woke up, her head was still groggy. She stood by the washbasin, poured water, and washed her face with cold water for a while before slowly waking up. Once awake, her mind was still sluggish, so she sat at the table in a daze.

Liu Xinghua and Ruan Jie came back from outside and saw Ruan Xi sitting blankly at the table.

Ruan Jie couldn’t help but laugh and greet her, “Sister, you’re awake?”

Ruan Xi nodded stiffly, “Hmm, feels like I slept for a lifetime.”

Liu Xinghua took a basin to wash rice for cooking, “You must be hungry after sleeping so long. Sit and wait a bit. Grandma will cook soon. If you’re really starving, I can get you a bun to tide you over. Want one?”

Ruan Xi shook her head, “I want rice.” She had been eating buns on the road for the past few days and didn’t want any more.

Rice had to be washed and steamed, so Ruan Xi sat at the table, letting her sleepy brain slowly wake up. It wasn’t until mealtime that she regained her ability to think and belatedly asked, “Did Fifth Uncle go out?”

Ruan Zhigao replied, “He went to your third aunt’s house.”

Ruan Xi nodded, “Oh.”

Good, he went.

Since Ruan Changsheng was already handling the matter, she temporarily put it aside.

After lunch, Ruan Xi took the gourd with half a pound of wine, shouldered her backpack, and headed to the old tailor’s house. However, shortly after leaving, she noticed Ruan Yuejin following her.

At first, she didn’t pay much attention, thinking Ruan Yuejin was going to find his peers and happened to be on the same path. But even after reaching the boundary of Jinguan Village, Ruan Yuejin was still following her.

Ruan Xi was puzzled and stopped to wait for a moment. When Ruan Yuejin caught up, she stopped him and asked, “Why are you following me?”

Ruan Yuejin glanced at her, “Who’s following you? I’m going to learn a craft.”

Ruan Xi looked confused, “What craft are you learning?”

Ruan Yuejin puffed out his chest slightly, cleared his throat, and said, “Of course, I’m learning tailoring from the old tailor. Now I’m his apprentice too, and I’ve been learning from him for a few days. He said I’m learning better than you.”

With that, he brushed past Ruan Xi’s shoulder and walked ahead as if the road belonged to him.

Ruan Xi watched him walk away, pursing her lips and squinting, feeling at a loss for words.

Had Sun Xiaohui caused trouble again while she was away?

What was she up to this time?

Letting Ruan Yuejin become a tailor?

Taking her job?