Chapter 2: Don’t Show Yourself in Front of Me Again

Chen Manman led Dahu and Erhu to the kitchen stove, lifted the pot lid, and saw a bowl of steamed egg custard and a multigrain bun being warmed over a water bath.

She stared at the egg custard in a daze. Even though the original host’s father was the brigade leader, this era was marked by poor production and scarce resources. A bowl of egg custard was already a sign of how much Father and Mother Chen adored their only daughter.

Thinking about how, later in the book, the two elders turned gray overnight after learning of their daughter’s disappearance and death, Chen Manman’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Mom, why aren’t you eating?” Dahu asked as he looked at his mother standing motionless by the stove.

“Sigh, Mommy will eat as soon as she brings it out.”

—-

Chen Manman looked at the two little ones sitting at the table, eyes fixed eagerly on the egg custard in her hand, occasionally swallowing their saliva.

“Come, eat with Mommy,” she said, bringing a spoonful to Dahu’s mouth.

“Mmm~ So yummy!” Dahu’s eyes sparkled as he looked at her, revealing two white little tiger teeth—so adorable.

Chen Manman was instantly melted by the cuteness and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

Erhu, seeing his mom kiss his brother, looked a bit envious. But he didn’t move closer, only lowered his head. He wanted a kiss from Mommy too!

“Mua~” Chen Manman pulled Erhu close and planted a soft kiss on his chubby cheek.

His little face turned bright red as he quickly covered the kissed cheek with his hand, all shy. Mommy had never kissed him before—he was so happy!

Chen Manman: Too cute, seriously!

Just like that, one big and two small mouths shared and finished the bowl of egg custard without even noticing.

—-

September 1975, Chenjia Village Production Team

The air carried the damp scent of grass mixed with cow dung, and the fields were crisscrossed with small streams formed by spring water.

It was autumn harvest season, and everyone in the production team was rushing to gather the crops.

At the Chen household—

“Dahu, Erhu, be good. Mommy’s going to make lunch for you and Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle. Stay in the yard and don’t run around, okay?” Chen Manman reminded the kids. Right now was peak farming season, and every household was out in the fields earning work points.

Her family was no exception. According to the novel, Father Chen was the production team leader, managing everything big and small. Mother Chen was the women’s director, leading the women’s team to do light labor like gathering pigweed and picking cotton.

Lin Shuhe, being a high school graduate and with Father Chen’s recommendation, was the production team’s work point recorder, tallying up everyone’s daily labor.

“Mom, I’ll help you light the fire,” Dahu ran over, looking at her expectantly.

Erhu followed too, silently staring at her with big pleading eyes.

“Good boys, Mommy can handle it. You two go play in the yard for a while.”

“Alright then~” Dahu cheerfully grabbed Erhu’s hand, ready to leave.

“Mom~ I’m really good at lighting the fire. Grandma even praised me once!” Today’s mom was so gentle. She patted his head and kissed his cheek. He wanted to stay by her side forever.

“Sweetie, go play with your brother,” said Chen Manman. She wouldn’t dare let the kids play with fire—it was way too dangerous!

Erhu reluctantly followed Dahu, turning back to look at her every few steps.

—-

Almost noon—what to cook?

Chen Manman went into the kitchen and saw that the grain bin had cornmeal. These days they mostly ate cornmeal, dark flour, sorghum rice, etc. Rice was rare and usually mixed with other grains.

For the staple, she’d make cornmeal pancakes and mix in some white flour from her storeroom. Don’t ask how she knew how to cook—she grew up in the countryside too.

As for dishes: stir-fried shredded potatoes, garlic shoots with cured meat, sweet-and-sour cabbage, and finally stir-fried greens with lard.

For soup, she’d make an egg drop soup sprinkled with dried shrimp—so aromatic!

All the vegetables were grown by Mother Chen in their private plot: green veggies, garlic shoots, etc.

She fried the cured meat until fragrant, then scooped out the excess oil to use for the cabbage and greens later. She added garlic shoots and seasonings to the pan.

As for why she hadn’t brought out all her ingredients and condiments, it was because Mother Chen usually did the cooking. Suddenly having so much extra stuff would surely raise suspicions.

The kitchen soon filled with mouth-watering aromas, drawing the two little ones back again and again.

“Mom~ it smells soooo good~” Dahu sniffed, eyes narrowing in delight.

“You little foodie~ Mommy made cured meat today. When Grandpa and Grandma come back, we’ll all eat together.”

“Wow~ meat! That’s amazing!” Dahu was practically bouncing with joy.

“Work’s over!”

Chen Manman heard the noise outside and knew it was lunchtime. Her parents were on their way home.

“Let’s go welcome Grandpa and Grandma!” she said, holding the hands of her two little ones.

Just as they stepped out the yard gate, they saw a frail, short-haired girl standing at their door. Her features were delicate enough.

“Manman, I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. I didn’t mean it. Can you forgive me?” Li Yan’s eyes were wet as she looked at her pitifully.

Chen Manman: Why does she sound like such a green tea btch? Who is she trying to act for with that pitiful voice?*

Yesterday, the original host went to the production team to find her husband Lin Shuhe and saw the two of them pulling at each other by the creek. The original host confronted them, and during the chaos, Li Yan shoved her. She fell into the water and had to be rescued by Lin Shuhe. That was when Manman arrived.

Chen Manman looked at the girl. This was Li Yan, one of the female educated youths who came to the countryside with Lin Shuhe. In the book, she had always secretly liked him and frequently created trouble for the original host, causing all sorts of minor “accidents.”

“Oh? What are you apologizing for?” Chen Manman sneered.

“I… it was Lin pulling me yesterday, I didn’t mean…”

“Enough. Whatever you and Lin Shuhe are doing—I don’t care. Just don’t bother me.”

Chen Manman had a good temperament, but she hated trouble.

“Manman, it’s not what you think between me and Lin Shuhe. Don’t be angry,” Li Yan said, lowering her head bashfully, her cheeks flushing red.

“It’s none of my business. Move.” Chen Manman didn’t care at all.

Li Yan looked up at her, eyes full of envy that bordered on madness.

Chen Manman had an incredibly beautiful face—delicate features, cool fair skin, and eyes that sparkled coldly.

Why could she marry Lin Shuhe? Why, even after having two kids, did she still look like a young maiden? Why did she always seem so calm and composed?!

“Manman… don’t you want to know what I said to Lin Shuhe yesterday?” Li Yan tried to suppress the hate in her heart.

Chen Manman: Your acting sucks. Do you think I’m blind and can’t see that venomous look in your eyes?

“I don’t want to know! I told you not to bother me! You’re really pushing it. Fine, let me ask you—who spread the rumor that Dahu and Erhu weren’t Lin Shuhe’s kids? And who tried to convince that village pervert Li Er Lai…”

Li Yan’s eyes filled with fear—how did Chen Manman know about that? “You’re talking nonsense! I didn’t… it wasn’t me!”

She had only approached Li Er Lai once. No—impossible! Li Yan looked at Chen Manman in terror.

“Really? Should I get you evidence?”

Chen Manman’s voice was icy. If she hadn’t read the novel ahead of time, she wouldn’t have known any of this. Back then, the rumors didn’t have much impact. But after Lin Shuhe returned to Beijing, gossip spread like wildfire. Dahu and Erhu were often bullied and insulted. Eventually, they walked a villain’s path.

“No, that’s not right. I didn’t do it. I never said Dahu and Erhu weren’t his kids—really!” Li Yan denied frantically.

Just then, Lin Shuhe returned from the fields. Seeing Li Yan at the gate made his expression turn cold.

“What are you doing here?”

“Lin Shuhe, I came to explain about yesterday. I…” Li Yan began, but his cold gaze made her shiver.

“No need! Don’t show yourself in front of me again.” With that, he gave Chen Manman a glance and walked into the yard without another word.

“Let’s go. And don’t bother me again. I might slip up and tell someone about your little scheme with Li Er Lai’s…” Chen Manman leaned in and whispered coldly in her ear.

“You… I…” Her words hit Li Yan like a thunderclap. Hatred and fear surged in her heart. She didn’t dare say another word and fled in shame.