Chapter 24: Su Dahai’s Fatherly Love

Li Xiangbei felt he had already won over his future mother-in-law, but he still hadn’t passed the test with his future father-in-law. So, when the afternoon work bell rang, he promptly followed Su Dahai to the fields.

Su Dahai did manual labor. At the moment, winter wheat had just been harvested, and the fields were full of leftover stubble.

Su Dahai’s task today was to clear the wheat stubble and dig over the land to prepare for the next season’s planting.

The two of them went to collect their tools and each picked up a hoe before heading to the field assigned to Su Dahai.

Unlike Shen Qiuxia, Su Dahai didn’t patiently teach Li Xiangbei how to work.
He simply swung his hoe, digging up a clump of wheat stubble from the roots, then tossed it aside before continuing to till the soil with practiced ease — clearly a veteran of many seasons in the field.

Li Xiangbei watched for a moment, then tried to mimic Su Dahai’s movements.
At first, his technique was a bit clumsy — the strength and angles weren’t quite right — but as time passed, he gradually improved. His hoe swung more smoothly and confidently with each strike.

Out of the corner of his eye, Su Dahai noticed Li Xiangbei’s determined attitude and increasingly fluid movements. Though he didn’t say anything, he silently nodded in approval — beginning to acknowledge this future son-in-law.

Before long, the two of them were working steadily side-by-side, hoeing with increasing speed and rhythm — as if secretly competing.

Nearby villagers took notice and began commenting with curiosity and amusement.

“Hey Dahai, you better pick up the pace or your son-in-law’s gonna outwork you!” one elderly man joked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“That young man’s a real worker — helped Qiuxia this morning, now helping Dahai in the afternoon. That’s a diligent fella!”

“You can tell Dahai’s trying to give the boy a hard time, but the kid’s holding up well!”

Meanwhile, Su Yue had gone to the fields with Shen Qiuxia. Their assigned task was nearly finished, and the two of them wrapped it up within half an hour.

Afterward, they headed toward where Su Dahai and Li Xiangbei were working, curious to see how the “father-in-law and son-in-law” duo were getting along.

Seeing the two of them hoeing furiously, Shen Qiuxia sighed, half complaining, “Your father really is something — already that old, and still competing like a kid.”

Su Yue smiled warmly, her face glowing with happiness. “Dad just doesn’t want to let me go.”

When she had first been reborn into this world, she had carried the memories of her past life. That made her feel distant from Su Dahai, and she couldn’t bring herself to call him “Dad.”

Even after learning to call everyone else in the family properly, that one word — “Dad” — always stuck in her throat.

But Su Dahai had never minded. He continued to dote on her like she was his most precious treasure — lifting her up with both hands and even carrying her on his shoulders.

Back in the field, Su Dahai and Li Xiangbei were still working hard.
Although Li Xiangbei was now gasping for breath, his arms aching badly, seeing Su Dahai still going strong lit a fire in him. He clenched his teeth, pushed through the pain, and swung his hoe even harder.

Su Dahai saw his determination and was silently impressed by the young man’s endurance and grit.

Su Yue and Shen Qiuxia exchanged a look and started gathering the scattered wheat stubble — useful for composting later.

Soon, Su Dahai and Li Xiangbei completed the day’s task.

Li Xiangbei straightened up, stretching out his sore shoulders and looking toward Su Dahai with anticipation, hoping for a word of acknowledgment.

Su Dahai also stood upright, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, patted the dust off his clothes, and looked at Li Xiangbei.

“Not bad,” he said — his voice weary but filled with approval.

Li Xiangbei’s heart bloomed with joy. His face lit up with a brilliant smile, and he quickly replied, “Dad, I promise I’ll always take good care of Yueyue.”

His tone was firm, his eyes sincere.

Su Dahai nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. “Let’s go home.”

The two of them returned their hoes and walked back together.

At home, Su Yue and Shen Qiuxia had already boiled two large pots of water.

Seeing them return, Su Yue called out with a smile, “Dad, Xiangbei, go get washed up — you’re both drenched in sweat. A bath will make you feel better.”

Then she turned to Li Xiangbei and said, “You and my third brother are about the same size. I made a set of clothes for him a while back, but haven’t mailed it yet. You can wear it for now. The clothes and towel are in the bathhouse — go take a hot bath and relax.”

About ten minutes later, Li Xiangbei emerged from the bath.

“Yueyue, these clothes fit perfectly! I didn’t expect you to know how to make clothes too!” His eyes sparkled with admiration — and a not-so-hidden hope that she might make more for him.

Su Yue noticed his expression and smiled. “I’ll make more for you in the future.”

Li Xiangbei grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, Yueyue — you’re the best!”

“Ahem!” Just then, Su Dahai walked over, pretending to be serious. He scowled and said, “You’re already bossing my daughter around before the wedding? Go, go, go — don’t be so mushy.”

Shen Qiuxia rolled her eyes at him, as if to say Don’t ruin the mood. Then she turned warmly to Li Xiangbei. “Ignore him, Xiangbei. I just washed some peaches — go have one.”

“Thanks, Mom, but you all should keep the peaches for yourselves. I’ll just have a tomato — that’s more my taste, fresh and light.”

He walked to the vegetable basket, picked a plump, ripe tomato, scooped out some water to rinse it, and took a big bite with a loud crunch.

The juice burst in his mouth, and his eyes lit up. “Mom, your tomatoes are amazing! So juicy and sweet — way better than what we get at the supply and marketing co-op!”

Su Dahai glanced at him and muttered, “I grew those tomatoes.”

Li Xiangbei quickly changed his tune. “Dad, the tomatoes you grow are the best!”

Shen Qiuxia chuckled. “Still early — let’s head to your uncle’s place to look at some furniture. You should pick things out for yourselves. Oh, and Xiangbei, I packed some tomatoes, cucumbers, and water spinach for you to take home.”

Li Xiangbei didn’t refuse and thanked her with a smile. “Thanks, Mom!”

Su Dahai immediately chimed in, “I’m going too.”

Su Yue laughed. “Of course you are, Dad. You know me best — you’ll know what I like.”

“Exactly! Sweetheart, no one knows you better than your dad,” Su Dahai said proudly.

Su Yue nodded enthusiastically.

After locking the door, the four of them set off toward the commune, carrying their bags.

At the entrance to the village, they saw Comrade Wu, the educated youth, holding a basket and seemingly waiting for someone. When he saw the four of them approaching, he turned and quickly headed back to the educated youth dormitory.