Another failed blind date not only left Rong Xiaoxiao resigned to her fate, but also completely deflated Wu Chuanfang’s spirits.  

Upon returning home, Wu Chuanfang barely rested. After rummaging through the house for some items, she prepared to head out again. Before leaving, she glanced at her daughter, who was already slumped in a chair, and couldn’t help but nag, “How are you this exhausted after just a short walk? You really should do more work, otherwise…”  

Otherwise, if she ended up being sent to the countryside, she’d have to labor sooner or later anyway.  

Rong Xiaoxiao, the target of the scolding, nodded repeatedly, letting the words go in one ear and out the other. A few light remarks were nothing—even if someone pointed at her nose and yelled, she’d take it with good humor.  

Of course, that only applied to family.  

If it were an outsider? They could try their luck.  

“Forget it, forget it.” Wu Chuanfang rubbed her temples at the sight of her daughter’s attitude and couldn’t be bothered to waste more breath. “Make your own lunch. I’ll be back late.”  

“!!” The slouched Rong Xiaoxiao immediately perked up. “Can I make whatever I want?”  

Wu Chuanfang rolled her eyes. “If you dare touch the pork hanging from the beam, I’ll stew *you* for dinner tonight!”  

“…Fine.” Rong Xiaoxiao sighed wistfully at the cured meat overhead.  

After a few more words, Wu Chuanfang left without explaining where she was going. By the time she returned, it was already four or five in the afternoon, and she was carrying a large bundle on her back. As she entered the compound, a curious neighbor called out to her.  

Wu Chuanfang answered briefly, “Pinghui is about to go to the countryside. I got her some supplies.”  

“Didn’t you already prepare things before? Why so much more now?” Granny Shi asked curiously. Wu Pinghui had been one of the first confirmed for rural labor, and Chuanfang had already exchanged for ration coupons and necessities with them earlier. Now she was bringing back even more. The old woman couldn’t help but remark, “You really do dote on your daughters. Others aren’t nearly as attentive to their girls.”  

Take Malian’s family in the same courtyard, for example.  

They also had two daughters, but once they came of age, they were traded off for bride prices. Yet Malian still boasted about how much she spoiled her children—who wouldn’t find that laughable?  

Wu Chuanfang forced a faint smile but said nothing as she carried the bamboo basket home.  

Just as she stepped inside, she heard movement in the room. Peeking in, she asked in surprise, “Why are you back from work so early today?”  

Before Rong Shuigen inside could answer, she smacked her forehead. “Ah, my memory! You took leave to go to the Youth Office, right? So? Can the two sisters be assigned together?”  

Rong Shuigen shook his head. “Pinghui’s assigned commune is already full. It won’t be easy to squeeze someone else in.”  

Wu Chuanfang’s shoulders slumped as she collapsed into a chair, suddenly feeling utterly drained. “Then what do we do?” she murmured. “With Xiaoxiao’s temperament, if she’s sent to some unfamiliar place, won’t she just get bullied to death?”  

Rong Shuigen asked, “What did the matchmaker say?”  

Wu Chuanfang sighed. “If there were any suitable candidates, I wouldn’t be so worried.”

This time when she went out, she had already guessed that her youngest daughter might very well be sent to the countryside.  

So she made a special trip to exchange for some national grain coupons and other ration tickets, then went to purchase some supplies.  

It was all to prepare for the worst-case scenario, so they wouldn’t be caught off guard and left scrambling for necessities at the last minute.  

While gathering these items, she also visited the matchmaker again.  

First, to return the letter of introduction.  

No matter how good Auntie Chen claimed that lame man was, it was clear he came with a heap of troubles—hardly a suitable candidate.  

Second, she still hadn’t completely given up hope and wanted to see if Auntie Chen could arrange another match.  

Auntie Chen was willing to help, but the only option she proposed this time was a divorced man over a decade older, with two children from his previous marriage.  

No matter how desperate Wu Chuanfang was, she would never send her daughter into a marriage as a stepmother.  

It also made her realize that, at this point, there really were no decent marriage prospects left.  

Just as Xiaoxiao had said—  

Rather than hastily marrying some unsuitable man, it might be better to take a chance in the countryside.  

But the countryside…  

The thought of the hardships her daughter would endure there made Wu Chuanfang’s heart ache. The more she dwelled on it, the more her eyes burned with unshed tears.  

“Chuanfang, don’t panic just yet.”  

Rong Shuigen moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Do you remember Hongshan Village?”  

“Isn’t that your hometown?” Wu Chuanfang wiped her face. “What about it? Did your family reply?”  

“No.” Rong Shuigen shook his head. “When I went to the Youth Office today, I found out that the commune Pinghui is assigned to isn’t far from Hongshan Village—just three or four hours by bus.”  

Wu Chuanfang immediately understood. “You mean… sending Xiaoxiao to Hongshan Village?”  

“It’s called Hongshan Production Brigade now.” Rong Shuigen held his wife’s hand, recalling the hardest times of his past. “Back during the famine, my whole family left our home, struggling every step of the way. The elders passed away one after another, and during a chaotic stampede, I got separated from the rest. If it hadn’t been for kind strangers taking me in, if your father hadn’t taught me a trade… I wouldn’t be where I am today.”  

His voice grew thick with emotion as he spoke.  

The words sounded simple, but only he knew just how difficult those days had been. Surviving after being separated from his family had been nothing short of a miracle.  

“Enough, that was over twenty years ago. Don’t keep it bottled up inside.” Wu Chuanfang comforted him.  

Rong Shuigen looked at his wife. Meeting the Wu family in this lifetime was surely a blessing earned from good deeds in a past life.  

“What are you staring at? Keep talking!” Wu Chuanfang smacked his shoulder, in no mood for sentimental gazes. “So you want Xiaoxiao to go to Hongshan Production Brigade?”  

“Ouch.” Rong Shuigen winced, quickly nodding when he saw her raise her hand again. “Yes, yes. Over the years, none of the letters I sent to Hongshan Brigade were ever answered. Not a single reply. Most likely, if any of my relatives are still there, they’ve either resettled elsewhere like I did, or… they’re gone. Still, there must be some distant relatives or old acquaintances left in the brigade. If Xiaoxiao goes, at least she won’t be completely alone—someone will look out for her.”

Back when he was separated from his family, only his father, older brother, and sister remained.  

After settling down here, he had occasionally sent letters to Hongshan Brigade over the years, but never received a single reply.  

So he never had the heart to go back.  

After all, traveling long distances nowadays was incredibly difficult.  

His father and siblings might no longer be there, but Hongshan Brigade surely still held distant relatives and old acquaintances from his past.  

Besides, the hometown he remembered wasn’t full of saints, but most people were simple and kind-hearted. And with the ties of blood, it was still far better than sending Xiaoxiao to some completely unfamiliar place.  

Wu Chuanfang considered this as well.  

She knew the marriage route was a dead end. Since they now had a better alternative, they had to seize the opportunity.  

Without hesitation, she rushed out the door again.  

By the time Rong Xiaoxiao returned from gossiping in the neighboring courtyard, the house was empty once more.  

“Xiaoxiao, your mom’s been running around all week—is it because of you?” Malian, a neighbor, took it upon herself to lecture her. “You’re so unfilial, making your parents worry like this. You should just pack up and go to the countryside already. Don’t burden them like this.”  

Rong Xiaoxiao grinned. “Yes, yes, Auntie, you’re absolutely right.”  

Malian was pleased with her attitude. “Look at my two daughters—they’ve always been so filial. Never once have they given me any trouble. You, on the other hand, still have a lot to learn.”  

Rong Xiaoxiao waved her hand cheerfully. “Oh, I’m too old to learn now. But your future granddaughters can definitely follow their aunts’ example—strive to carry on the tradition!”  

Malian frowned. The girl was agreeing with her, so why did it sound so… off?  

Rong Xiaoxiao stepped closer, offering earnest advice: “Auntie, you should really aim for more granddaughters. Granddaughters are wonderful—obedient, well-behaved, and hardworking. By four or five, they can help with chores. By eighteen or nineteen, they can marry off and bring in money. And even after marriage, they’re not just ‘spilled water’—they can keep squeezing their in-laws to support their birth family!”  

She started counting on her fingers. “If you had, say, ten granddaughters, your whole family could stop working altogether! Just live off their in-laws’ subsidies—what a comfortable life that’d be!”  

“……” Malian looked dazed.  

Wait… could it really work like that?  

Her fingers twitched, unconsciously mimicking the calculations.  

Rong Xiaoxiao blinked innocently. “I’m so jealous, Auntie. With daughters and granddaughters like yours, your family’s bound to prosper!”  

Malian’s counting fingers froze. Suddenly snapping back to reality, she sputtered, “Y-you—what are you implying?! Are you saying I sold my daughters?”  

Sold? Well, technically yes—ahem—no! She’d never sold them! She’d simply found them good husbands… and accepted some money in return for raising them. A perfectly reasonable exchange!  

“How could you call it selling?” Rong Xiaoxiao gasped, even more shocked. “They’re just being *filial*! If your future granddaughters aren’t as dutiful as their aunts, make sure to discipline them. If you can’t bear to hit the kids, just take it out on their mothers. Isn’t it only natural for a mother-in-law to ‘guide’ her daughters-in-law?”  

Then, with feigned curiosity, she added, “Isn’t Wang Cai looking for a wife right now? Auntie, maybe you should start ‘guiding’ your future daughter-in-law early—make sure she knows how to properly serve you!”  

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” Malian roared.  

If not for her fear of Wu Chuanfang’s temper, she would’ve lunged at the girl right then and there.

Damn this wretched girl! If these words got out, who would dare marry into their family? What woman would willingly bear children for the Ma family?  

If daughters were treated as goods to be sold off, what woman could guarantee she’d only give birth to sons? And what decent person would willingly subject their daughters to a lifetime of servitude?  

As for “guiding” daughters-in-law—what woman would want to marry into a family where she’d be tormented by her mother-in-law from day one?  

If word spread, no one would dare marry the Ma sons.  

Fuming, Malian spat out a curse. “What business is it of yours to meddle in my family’s affairs?”  

Rong Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly. “Oh, so Auntie does understand that principle.”  

Which meant her own family’s affairs were none of this gossipy auntie’s concern either.  

“……” Malian let out a loud, indignant huff. Too cowardly to confront Wu Chuanfang directly, she’d thought she could bully the daughter while the mother was away.  

Yet after just a few exchanges, she was the one left seething. “Hmph! Just wait until you’re sent to the countryside to suffer!”  

Watching the auntie stomp away, Rong Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly.  

What a letdown. Barely a few rounds, and she’d already forfeited. She wouldn’t have minded rolling up her sleeves for a proper showdown.  

But the drama wasn’t over yet.  

When Wu Chuanfang returned and heard about the incident, she promptly stormed over to kick down Malian’s door—again.

The already battered door now bore fresh scars, its structural integrity hanging by a thread…  

Having vented her fury, Wu Chuanfang marched back home, with an awestruck Rong Xiaoxiao trailing behind like an admiring duckling.  

Ah, to live as freely as Mom—now that’s the good life.

Once inside the side room, Wu Chuanfang turned to her little follower and declared, “Next time something like this happens, don’t hold back. As long as no blood’s shed, raise hell until they’re too terrified to mess with you again.”  

Rong Shuigen opened his mouth hesitantly. “Dear, maybe—”  

“Mom… we can really go that far?” Wu Ping’an gaped. This was a far cry from the “turn the other cheek” lessons they’d grown up with.  

Sure, they’d been taught not to be pushovers—but always with an emphasis on resolving conflicts peacefully.  

Since when did Mom advocate all-out warfare?  

“In a small town, reputation matters more than you think. Keep your head down, avoid trouble, and if you can’t take it anymore, at least make sure you’re in the right so no one can fault you.” Wu Chuanfang knew the weight of public opinion all too well.  

She’d suffered for it herself.  

Branded a “shrew” in her youth, she’d become the talk of the town. Her parents bore the shame, and no decent family would consider her for marriage.  

That was why her parents had ultimately settled for Rong Shuigen—a penniless, parentless refugee with nothing to his name.  

She’d been lucky.  

Meeting Rong Shuigen had been a blessing in disguise.  

But she didn’t dare gamble on whether her children would be equally fortunate.  

So she’d always taught them: Endure what you can, and when you can’t, make sure you’re justified so no one can criticize you. Don’t be a doormat, but don’t act recklessly either.  

But Xiaoxiao was different…  

Tears glistened in Wu Chuanfang’s eyes. “Xiaoxiao, your father and I have already signed you up. In a week, you’ll be sent to the Northeast—a place where you know no one. Out there, reputation matters far less than not being bullied.”  

So what if people called her fierce, or even a harpy?  

As a mother, none of that mattered.  

All that mattered was her daughter wouldn’t be bullied.