Chapter 12

After leaving the space, Shu Yue drew some spiritual spring water and fed a little to her son. Since she already knew the spring water had miraculous effects on the body, how could she drink it alone? Her son was the most important person to her — of course he had to have some too.

Perhaps because she had also drunk the spring water, she felt her milk coming in — something she hadn’t had before. Just as she lay down, her chest began to swell. Her baby woke up at just the right moment, so she held him close to nurse. Watching her son’s tightly shut eyes and the determined way he drank filled her heart with warmth and contentment.

In her previous life, living with the Cheng family after Huang Fang switched her child, Shu Yue had never produced milk. Mother Cheng didn’t like her to begin with, and seeing she had given birth to a girl, paid even less attention to her. Without proper nutrition, she naturally had no breast milk. Now, after living two lifetimes, this was Shu Yue’s first time feeding her own child. The feeling was strange yet wonderful — her baby would not go hungry, and could grow up on mother’s milk. For once, she felt like a real mother fulfilling her very first duty.

Sleeping beside her son, Shu Yue rested deeply and peacefully. At dawn, she turned over, faintly hearing voices outside. She had intended to get up and check, but exhaustion pulled her back under. When she woke again, the sun was already high.

Her son lay wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling. When their gazes met, he broke into a smile. Their shared laughter filled the little room. Outside, Old Madam Cheng — Shu Yue’s grandmother-in-law — heard the sound and came over with breakfast, knocking gently at the door.

“Grandma, I’m sorry, I overslept,” Shu Yue said quickly.

Just because she was in confinement after childbirth didn’t mean she deserved special treatment. In the countryside, plenty of women gave birth in the fields, rested a day or two, and went right back to work. For someone like Shu Yue, whose husband was away and who was living apart from her in-laws with only her grandmother-in-law and sister-in-law, no one was obligated to wait on her hand and foot.

“You just had a baby. You were up taking care of him last night. Sleeping in a little is only right,” Old Madam Cheng reassured her as she entered. “This is food from the village chief’s wife, Da-Cui. I’ve already cooked it up. Eat while it’s hot.”

She took the baby from Shu Yue with care. He was her great-grandson, and though she had little to give, her fondness was genuine. At dawn, Da-Cui had sent over some millet, ten eggs, and half a jin of brown sugar — rare treats in the countryside. From these, Old Madam Cheng prepared a nourishing breakfast just for Shu Yue. She and Cheng Xiao-ying (the younger sister-in-law) only ate coarse-grain porridge, leaving all the good things for the young mother.

“Thank you, Grandma. Since we’ll be living together from now on, there’s something I want to discuss with you,” Shu Yue said.

She glanced at the precious food. Millet and brown sugar were hard to come by, sugar coupons even harder, especially for country folk. Shu Yue silently made note of Da-Cui’s kindness. But since she was staying in the old house now, she needed to speak plainly with Old Madam Cheng. If things weren’t made clear early on, it could cause friction later.

“Don’t worry,” Old Madam Cheng replied quickly. “If it’s sent for you, neither I nor Xiao-ying will touch it. I’m not—”

“Grandma, you misunderstand.” Shu Yue gently cut her off. “What I mean is — since we’re living together, let’s share the food as one household. I’ll need to rest these few days, but once I’m recovered, I’ll go work in the fields. When that happens, may I trouble you to help watch the baby? I told the Cheng family before that I’d live with you and care for you in your old age. I meant it.”

Shu Yue trusted Old Madam Cheng’s character. In her previous life she had already known the old lady was kindhearted. Right now Shu Yue was in her most difficult period; the old woman’s willingness to help already filled her with gratitude. How could Shu Yue possibly fuss over a little food? Besides, she had her space — she lacked for nothing. Supporting both the old lady and Xiao-ying would be no problem at all.

“I… I have money and ration coupons,” Shu Yue continued. “Uncle Village Chief and Aunt Da-Cui help me discreetly. In the future, since we’ll be living together, I won’t promise a luxurious life, but I will make sure neither you nor Aunt Xiao-ying ever go hungry or cold.”

As for her special connection with the village chief, Shu Yue decided it was best to be upfront. First, she trusted Old Madam Cheng. Second, Da-Cui bringing food so early in the morning proved she knew the old woman wasn’t a gossip. Since the chief would be secretly sending supplies or money every month, there was no hiding it from people living under one roof. Better to speak plainly now than let them guess.

“I don’t need you to support me or Xiao-ying,” Old Madam Cheng said after a pause. “I can grow vegetables, and Xiao-ying can earn work points. I can help with the baby too. Only… if one day I’m not around, I hope you’ll look after Xiao-ying. She’s had a hard life. With me here, at least she has a roof over her head. Once I’m gone, she’ll be all alone. I know you’re a good girl. If you can, help her when she’s in need — take it as me, this old woman, owing you a debt.”

The old lady wasn’t surprised by Shu Yue’s ties to the village chief. At her age, she could see things clearly. Everyone knew Shu Yue’s family background was “bad,” her relatives sent to the countryside while she went as an educated youth — proof that her family still had connections. During these years in the village, whenever Shu Yue had troubles — whether as a youth or after marrying into the Cheng family — the village chief always stepped in to resolve them. It would be stranger if there were no relationship there.

Old Madam Cheng’s willingness to help came from two reasons. First, sympathy — Shu Yue was a decent girl who had married into a terrible family and suffered unjustly. Second, she wanted someone trustworthy to rely on when Xiao-ying faced hardship in the future. The old lady had no one else to count on. She simply bet on Shu Yue’s character: if she helped Shu Yue now, maybe one day Shu Yue and her husband Cheng Jing-chuan would return the favor to Xiao-ying.

“I will,” Shu Yue said firmly. “You don’t owe me anything. I’ll protect Aunt Xiao-ying with everything I have.”

Shu Yue knew this was the old lady’s greatest worry, so she gave her the clearest promise. Only that could bring peace of mind.

“I believe you,” Old Madam Cheng said, visibly relieved. “Now eat while it’s hot, then rest some more. You only gave birth yesterday — you need to recover well.”

Shu Yue’s words had reassured her. Poor Xiao-ying had married the wrong man and now bore the reputation of being barren. Remarriage would be difficult. Even though Shu Yue was just a young woman herself, her words carried weight and sincerity that inspired trust.