Chapter 11: The Infamous “Su Wenshen” is Here—Everyone, Retreat!

During the lunch break, Zhou Linglan couldn’t sit still. She busied herself cleaning the bathroom, tidying the chicken coop, and weeding the vegetable patch, spinning like a top. The two little ones wanted to help as usual, but Su Taotao firmly dragged them back to the room for a nap.

The two children in the family were both smaller than their peers and needed proper care.

Today, Fu Yuanhang finally had his fill at a meal, and he was feeling drowsy. So was Chenchen, so they obediently went to take a nap.

“Mom, these chores aren’t urgent. Take a break too,” Su Taotao said.

Zhou Linglan shook her head and smiled. “I’m too old to sleep much. If I nap now, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Moving around is more comfortable. Don’t worry about me—just go rest. I’ll wake them up when it’s time.”

Her daughter-in-law’s sudden transformation into such a kind and thoughtful person had left a perpetual smile on Zhou Linglan’s face. It made her seem years younger.

The hardworking spirit of laborers during this era was remarkable, and Su Taotao didn’t try to force her.

“Taotao, go wash your face. It’s a little dirty,” Zhou Linglan said, assuming Su Taotao had accidentally smudged her face while cooking. She had noticed it during the meal but had been too engrossed in the delicious food and the joy to say anything.

Su Taotao smiled and teased, “Mom, don’t you think I’m just too beautiful?”

Zhou Linglan froze for a moment, looking into her bright, clear eyes. Then she nodded. “Beautiful. Taotao, you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

The city-dwelling educated youth were usually better-looking than the villagers, but someone as stunning as Su Taotao was truly rare. Zhou Linglan couldn’t find the words to describe her. Having such a golden phoenix marry into their family was something she had never dared to dream of. Even after the marriage, it still felt surreal.

But Su Taotao’s temper and actions had gradually made Zhou Linglan forget her original appearance and even her beauty.

Su Taotao added, “That’s why, from now on, I’ll make my face look like this whenever I go out—to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

Having been widowed in her thirties, Zhou Linglan, once the village belle herself, knew all too well about attracting unwanted attention. Hearing this, she felt both comforted and sad. “Taotao, it’s our Fu family that’s let you down. Zhengtu, he…”

For such a young and beautiful girl to be stuck in their little mountain village, practically widowed, anyone would feel sorry for her.

Outsiders said Su Taotao was lazy, mean, and malicious, but only Zhou Linglan understood her suffering. Their family had no right to blame her for anything.

Su Taotao shook her head. “Mom, I didn’t mean to upset you. Believe me, Zhengtu will be back soon.”

Zhou Linglan nodded. “I believe you. Now go rest. Sleep as long as you need—I’ll take care of dinner.”

They say mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts are eternal, but with someone like Zhou Linglan, it was hard to have any disagreements.

In her previous life, Su Taotao didn’t have much of a connection with her parents. She truly liked Zhou Linglan as her “mom.” Unable to resist, she gave her a hug. “Mom, you’re the best.”

Su Taotao had never shown affection like this before. In fact, she wasn’t close to anyone. This sudden gesture startled Zhou Linglan, but she quickly relaxed. Those simple words almost brought tears to her eyes. She gently patted Su Taotao’s hand and said no more.

When Su Taotao woke up, it was already 2:30 in the afternoon. The kids were at school, and the adults were at work. Su Taotao found herself the only idle young person in the house—or perhaps the entire production team.

Not wanting to waste the beautiful spring day, she decided to take a stroll.

Since arriving, she hadn’t had a proper look at this small mountain village.

The vibrant greenery, lively spring atmosphere, glorious sunlight, and pure, sweet air made Su Taotao realize there were some perks to being in the 1970s.

She wandered to the big banyan tree where the villagers loved to gather. A group of kids was playing some game when a skinny, dark-skinned boy with a wooden toy gun suddenly shouted, “Comrades! Su Wenshen is here! Retreat!”

Su Taotao: “…”

Su Wenshen? What on earth?

The little boy, preoccupied with commanding the retreat, ended up being the last to leave. Su Taotao grabbed him by the collar, leaving him no chance to escape.

“Hey, kid, who are you calling Su Wenshen?”

The little boy, trembling, clutched his patchy pocket and stammered, “Y-you, let me go! I-I don’t have any candy left!”

Su Taotao’s face darkened. Who wanted his candy? Could the original owner have actually stooped to robbing kids of their sweets?

Seeing her scowl, the boy thought she was about to take his candy again and burst into tears.

His grandmother, who had been sewing and chatting with other old ladies on the other side of the banyan tree, immediately dropped her work and rushed over.

“What are you doing? Let go of my grandson!”

Su Taotao innocently blinked and released the boy. Things were getting tricky.

The boy cried even louder as he ran to his grandmother, accusing Su Taotao of trying to steal his candy.

A group of elderly women glared at Su Taotao with indignation.

The boy’s grandmother pointed a finger at her and scolded, “Su Educated Youth, how can you stoop so low? You’re young and capable but won’t go to work. Instead, you bully kids. Zhengtu must have been blind to marry you!”

The other women chimed in angrily, “Exactly, Su Educated Youth! How could you? I even heard people have to trade eggs to use your toilet. Are you that desperate for eggs?”

“She’s not desperate—she’s just crazy!”

…

Su Taotao felt more wronged than Dou E.

“This is a misunderstanding, ladies. Truly, a misunderstanding. I heard this little rascal calling me ‘Su Wenshen’ from far away and came to ask what’s going on. Hey, kid, tell them—didn’t you call me ‘Su Wenshen’?”

The boy, upon hearing this, looked at Su Taotao and started crying even louder.

Su Taotao: “…”
Was she really that intimidating? Could she scare a kid to tears just like that?

Grandma Heitan coaxed her grandson for a long time and glared at Su Taotao with her blurry old eyes. “I think you’re nothing but a plague! This time, I’ll let it go for the sake of Zhengtu’s mother. But if I ever see you bullying my grandson again, I won’t let you off!”

After all, whenever she complained to Zhou Linglan, Zhou Linglan would repay her double the amount of candy. She wasn’t losing out anyway.

Su Taotao felt like a scholar trying to reason with a soldier—completely futile.

Since she had no plans to salvage her reputation, she thought to herself: I’m already this beautiful. If my reputation were any better, wouldn’t that make me even more likable? But right now, she had no intention of being liked. So she decided to stick to the original owner’s persona. With her hands on her hips and a puffed-up attitude, she retorted:

“I’m letting this slide because you’re old. You better educate your grandson properly. If I hear him call me ‘Plague Taotao’ again, we’ll see if I let him off next time!”

“You, you, you…” Grandma Heitan clutched her chest, at a loss for words.

Su Taotao pretended to aim a gun at her, saying “Biu!” while mimicking the sound effect. She even blew on her index finger as if it were a smoking barrel. Loudly, she declared, “Did you hear that? From now on, don’t say it to my face, and don’t say it behind my back either. Or else, you’ll regret it!”

“Waahhh!” Heitan started crying so hard it seemed like the Great Wall might collapse.

Grandma Heitan pounded her chest in frustration. “Oh my, oh my! Everyone, come judge this situation! There’s no justice anymore! She’s bullying my grandson and me like this! I’m taking this to the team leader!”

Su Taotao took two steps back to avoid being falsely accused of causing harm. She said, “Grandma, your words are unfair. First, I said I didn’t take your grandson’s candy. Second, your grandson insulted me and refused to apologize, then turned around and played the victim. If you don’t educate him, I’ll do it for you. Instead of thanking me, you’re blaming me without figuring out the facts? Is there any justice left? Even if we go to the team leader—or the public security bureau—I’ll say the same thing!”

Pointing at Heitan, she added, “And you, stop crying. I didn’t bully you. Why are you crying? Tell me, did you insult me or not? If you dare lie, I’ll smack you a few times and then take you to the authorities!”

What started as a small matter had blown way out of proportion. Su Taotao’s original intention was just to clear things up. She’d even thought about finding an opportunity to give the kid some candy later. This level of escalation was beyond her expectations.

Heitan stopped crying, hiccuping behind his grandma.

“Who are you trying to scare with your nonsense?!” Grandma Heitan demanded, pulling her grandson close. “Heitan, don’t be scared. Tell me, did she take your candy or not?”

Heitan tugged at his grandma’s clothes and, with his head down, stammered through his hiccups, “Sh-she didn’t take it… but, but she was about to…”

Su Taotao couldn’t help but laugh. What a logical little rascal. “About to? What do you mean by ‘about to’? Are you me? How do you know what I was going to do?”

Heitan wished he could curl into a ball. “Y-you took it before…”

Su Taotao: “…” Oh right, she almost forgot about that.

“I took it before? Well, I apologize, Heitan. I fell into the water and hit my head, so I’ve forgotten everything. I promise I won’t do such a thing again. Will you forgive me? But you have to promise not to insult people anymore, okay?”

Su Taotao sighed inwardly. There goes the persona. She truly didn’t want to be a childhood nightmare for the kids. What if her own son had no friends in the future?

Forgive her? Was “Plague Taotao” apologizing to him? Heitan thought he’d misheard and peeked out from behind his grandma. Looking up at Su Taotao, he met her bright, smiling eyes and couldn’t help but nod.

Su Taotao smiled again, spreading her hands. “I don’t have any candy right now, but I’ll buy some tomorrow when I go to the county and repay you. But you have to keep your word. You and your little friends can’t insult people anymore.”

Heitan nodded again, still dazed.

Before leaving, Su Taotao reached out to pat his little head, then turned to Grandma Heitan. “Grandma, is everything clear now? I really didn’t take his candy, and I honestly forgot about the past. Now that it’s settled, I have to go pick wild vegetables on the mountain. Bye!”

The group of elderly women exchanged glances.

Grandma Heitan muttered, “Did I hear her right? Did she say she forgot the past because she fell into the water?”

Granny A chimed in, “She also said she’ll buy candy tomorrow to repay for the last time she took Heitan’s candy.”

Grandma Heitan looked up at the sky. “Did the sun rise from the west today? She’s acting like a completely different person!”

Granny B slapped her thigh and chased after Su Taotao. “Educated Youth Su, wait! You also dug up my yam last time…”

Although Zhou Linglan had compensated her for it.

Granny C joined in. “Right, right! Educated Youth Su, you also picked my starfruit once…”

Though Zhou Linglan had compensated her as well.

But what if Educated Youth Su was willing to compensate again? Right?