Chapter 16: A Good Calculation

Upon hearing her father’s words, Tang Wanning’s eyes lit up. If that was the case, wouldn’t she be able to go into the mountains too? Although it was only a sweep of the outer deep mountains, that still covered a large area. If she could follow behind, she was sure she could earn a lot of points. Unfortunately, tomorrow she was going to the military district with her mother, and she wasn’t sure if the timing would allow it.

Su Meijuan poured herself a glass of water and gulped it down. “The village chief really thought this through. Otherwise, who would dare go into the mountains after this?”

“What happened in the mountains? Did something happen?” Tang Huaixu’s voice arrived before he did.

“Nothing.” Su Meijuan looked anxiously at her son. “Well, did you get the tickets?”

“Yes, yes! Two tickets for tomorrow afternoon to the provincial city.” Tang Huaixu looked at Su Meijuan with a hint of grievance. “Mom, really… can’t I go with you? I also want to go help my sister get revenge.”

Su Meijuan knew how close the siblings were, but adding one more person would cost quite a bit. “No, I’ll handle helping your sister. You and your dad just stay home and wait for our news. Besides, if your sister and I leave together, there’s still plenty of work at home. Do you want to exhaust your dad too?”

Hearing this, Tang Huaixu drooped his head, dejected. But he knew his mother was right; there was still a lot of work to be done at home.

“Alright, but if anything happens, make sure to call.”

“Got it, got it… I don’t know if I’m your mom or if you’re mine.” Previously, it had only been Su Meijuan giving repeated reminders. Now someone else was nagging her, which was honestly a little annoying. Perhaps she should nag less in the future—once or twice is enough for the kids to remember.

Feeling scolded, Tang Huaixu became even more dejected, looking pitiful like a little abandoned puppy. Seeing this, Tang Wanning curved her lips into a smile. “Alright, don’t be down. When I come back from the provincial city, I’ll bring you the newest model of Warrior sneakers.”

Tang Huaixu’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”

“Of course! When have I ever lied to you?”

“Thanks, sis.” Tang Huaixu’s smile was radiant. “Sis, Mom, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Dad at home.”

Almost every classmate of his had a pair of Warrior sneakers. He couldn’t help but feel envious, but their family’s situation hadn’t been good the past two years, so he had never asked. Now that his sister was voluntarily offering to get him a pair, how could he not be happy?

Watching Tang Huaixu happily run off to do his homework, Tang Wanning couldn’t help but smile. After all, he was still just a child—a pair of sneakers was enough to cheer him up.

“Mom, I’m going to rest too. After running like that, I’m completely exhausted.”

Su Meijuan waved a hand with a smile. “Go ahead, go ahead.”

Back in her room, Tang Wanning checked the Lotus Leaf Maidenhair Fern on her black soil plot and was immediately puzzled. The herb seemed to have grown considerably. Was it her imagination, or did the black soil accelerate the growth of plants and herbs? Driven by curiosity, she took a small packet of radish seeds to the main hall and sowed them before falling into a deep sleep.

Though the afternoon had only involved a short run, it had been more exhausting than an entire afternoon digging for wild vegetables. The situation had been urgent; one wrong move and she could have lost her life. No wonder she was completely worn out physically and mentally.

She slept until around five in the afternoon and woke up refreshed. Just as she stepped out of her room, she saw her parents and younger brother making dumplings.

“Dad, Mom, are we having dumplings for dinner?”

Su Meijuan replied while shaping a dumpling, “Since we have to take the train tomorrow, it won’t be comfortable to eat on the train, and we have to stay alert. So I thought we should have a good meal before leaving.”

“I’ll wash my hands and help with the dumplings.”

“They’re almost done, so don’t bother.”

“Then I’ll boil water in the kitchen. Once you finish, they can go straight into the pot.”

Seeing her daughter restless, Su Meijuan smiled and nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”

With her mother’s approval, Tang Wanning happily bounced out of the main hall—but as soon as she stepped out, she saw Bai Xiuying, smiling broadly. Just her luck.

But thinking of how she could empty the Xu family’s house tonight, Tang Wanning grinned again. “Mom, why are you here?”

“Wanning, I came to talk to you about something.” Bai Xiuying smiled brightly. “By the way, are your parents home?”

Inside, Tang Dehou and his wife were nearly grinding their teeth in anger upon hearing Bai Xiuying’s voice. Tang Huaixu’s face was dark with anger as well. But now was not the time to make a scene—if they did, Xu Zhenhua would be on guard, creating unnecessary complications. Moreover, exposing his true nature in front of his superiors and comrades would be far more satisfying than petty village disputes. Thinking this, Su Meijuan quietly reminded her husband and son, “Keep your expressions in check. No matter how displeased, don’t show it—don’t ruin Wanning’s plan.”

Thinking of their daughter’s plan, their expressions of dislike faded.

Su Meijuan, now reassured, stepped aside. “Mother-in-law? Please come inside.”

“No, no. I just have a few words to say.” Bai Xiuying looked somewhat uncomfortable. “It’s like this: after learning Zhenhua had passed, a distant relative of mine wanted to have the youngest child in our family adopted into yours. They have many children and can’t afford another, so I wanted to discuss with the Xu family. If it’s suitable, we’ll adopt this child under Wanning and Zhenhua’s names. Since this trip could take a long time, I’d need your help taking care of the crops and livestock at home.”

After speaking, Bai Xiuying looked seriously at Su Meijuan. “Mother-in-law, rest assured. If Wanning ever wants to remarry, we’ll raise this child ourselves. It will never be a burden to Wanning.”

Tang Wanning remembered that in her previous life, Bai Xiuying had done exactly the same thing. Now it made sense—this was a precaution for her and her family. The goal was to smoothly bring Zhenhua and Wu Lifang’s child into their care. Though she didn’t know if it would be a boy or girl, as long as they married, eventually a boy would be born. Then it could naturally be taken in and raised, filling the gap left by her absent son. Truly a clever plan.

However, in the previous life, Su Meijuan had strongly refused. Her daughter was already struggling, often going hungry. If another child were brought in, Wanning’s life would become even harder.