Chapter 2: Stealing a Chicken, Losing the Rice

How could that work? Even if the Tang family helped with the farm work, what about the housework? There was still laundry to wash, meals to cook, chickens to feed, and cleaning to do—how could she handle it all alone? Ever since the army had sent word of Xu Zhenhua’s death, Xu Dingbang and his wife had both fallen seriously ill, and all the household and farm chores naturally fell onto Tang Wanning’s shoulders.

The Xu couple feared Tang Wanning would remarry and leave them without anyone to care for them in old age, so they spent their days sighing and weeping. On the one hand, they were genuinely grieving; on the other hand, they wanted to make Tang Wanning feel guilty so she would willingly stay with them and provide for them in their later years.

After they recovered, they treated Tang Wanning even better than a real daughter—saving the best food and drink for her, and even giving her money to spend. But each time, Tang Wanning refused, saying she was still young and that they should keep the good things for themselves, and that she already had money to spend. She took on all the household and outdoor chores, rarely letting the old couple lift a finger. Of course, to avoid gossip and to keep control over Tang Wanning, the old couple still did some farm work, but all the housework was left to her. To make her willingly shoulder these burdens, Bai Xiuying would often praise her as sensible and filial. To anyone who would listen, she’d say that Xu Zhenhua had married a wonderful wife, and though they lost their son, they had gained a daughter.

With Tang Wanning as their hardworking ox, Bai Xiuying had long since grown lazy. Now being told to take back some of the chores, she was naturally unwilling. But unwilling or not, she had no choice. After all, she was still relying on Tang Wanning to provide for her in the future. Not only could she not complain or turn against her, but she also had to treat her even better.

Thinking of this, Bai Xiuying suppressed her discontent, her tone growing softer.
“In that case, you just rest well for now. Taking care of your health is the most important thing. How about this—I’ll go home right now and kill a chicken to make some broth for you.”

“Alright,” Tang Wanning replied with a bright smile. “Then I’ll trouble Mother with that.”

“I’ll also bring some eggs over—you mustn’t refuse this time…” Bai Xiuying was saying when she suddenly froze. “What did you just say?”

Seeing this, Tang Wanning’s eyes flashed with mockery, and her smile grew even brighter. “I said, then I’ll trouble Mother with that.”

This time, Bai Xiuying was sure she hadn’t misheard. But precisely because of that, she felt uneasy. What was wrong with this little wretch today? Twice now she’d gone against expectations. But since the words were already spoken, there was no room to take them back.

“Fine, then. Rest well. I’ll go back now to make chicken soup for you.”

With that, Bai Xiuying hurried off, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn’t be able to keep her smile.

Tang Wanning: Can’t hold it in already? Just wait—this is only the beginning!

At the doorway, Su Meijuan saw Bai Xiuying leaving in such a rush and greeted her with a smile.
“In such a hurry, in-law? Won’t you stay a bit longer?”

“No, no, Wanning isn’t feeling well. I’m going home to kill a chicken to make her something nourishing.”

Hearing that, Su Meijuan froze. By the time she came back to her senses, Bai Xiuying was already gone. Still bewildered, she carried a bowl of brown sugar eggs into the room and asked,
“Ningning, did I hear that right? Your mother-in-law said she was going to kill a chicken to nourish you?”

Seeing her mother’s reaction, Tang Wanning felt a deep ache in her heart. In her previous life, she had deprived herself at her in-laws’ house, unwilling to eat or drink anything good. Her parents, distressed for her, would often call her home to eat, saving the best food and drinks for her. One could say that instead of receiving any filial piety from their daughter, they worked themselves hard for her their entire lives.

Thinking of this, Tang Wanning’s heart grew sour, and her eyes welled up with tears. “Yes, Mother, you heard right.”

Su Meijuan teased, “Child, have you really changed your ways? Before, you wouldn’t eat a thing, saving everything for your in-laws. What’s gotten into you today? Still, you’re doing the right thing. Your health is the foundation of everything. I know your in-laws treat you well, but you still have to eat properly. As long as you honor them later, it’ll be fine.”

Hearing her mother’s words, Tang Wanning felt bitterness spread through her chest. The Xu couple really were excellent actors—not only did they fool her, but they had also deceived the entire village.

“I understand, Mother. I’ll take better care of myself from now on.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Su Meijuan pushed the bowl toward her. “Are you still feeling unwell? Do you want me to feed you?”

“No, I can do it myself.” Tang Wanning took the bowl and began eating in small bites. After finishing one egg, she picked up another and held it out to her mother. “Mother, you eat one too.”

“I don’t like eggs, you eat them while they’re hot. They won’t taste good when they’re cold.”

As if anyone didn’t like eggs—this was just an excuse, since Su Meijuan couldn’t bear to eat them.

Tang Wanning pouted and acted spoiled. “If you don’t eat one, I won’t either.”

Seeing her daughter’s cute, willful expression, Su Meijuan couldn’t refuse. “Alright, alright, Mother will eat.”

After happily eating one egg, Su Meijuan quickly found an excuse to leave, afraid her daughter would insist she eat another.

“Ningning, when you finish, just leave the bowl on the table by your bed. I need to hurry to the fields—better to finish our work at home early, then I can also go help out at the Xu’s place.”

“Mother, don’t go to the Xu’s today. You and Father come home early instead—I miss you.”

Hearing her daughter’s words, Su Meijuan smiled and agreed at once. To her, her daughter was the most important thing, and her daughter’s wishes mattered just as much.
“Alright, then. Stay put and rest. Don’t wander around. If you need anything, call your brother.”

“I know, Mother.”

Watching her mother walk away, then glancing at the two remaining eggs in her bowl, Tang Wanning’s resolve to lead her family into a better life grew even stronger.

She quickly finished the eggs and carried the bowl to the kitchen. Passing through the main room, she noticed the calendar hanging on the wall: July 6, 1986.

Only then did Tang Wanning fully believe this wasn’t a dream—she had truly been reborn.

At the table, Tang Huaixu was doing his homework. Seeing his sister staring blankly at the calendar, he put down his pen and asked curiously,
“Sis, what are you looking at?”

Hearing her brother’s voice, Tang Wanning snapped back to herself. “Nothing. Just focus on your homework.”

“Sis, if something’s bothering you, don’t bottle it up. It’s not good for your health. Talking about it will at least make you feel better.”

“I know. Now get back to your work.”

Looking at his young, innocent face, Tang Wanning’s thoughts drifted again. In her past life, because she stubbornly stayed with the Xu couple, her younger brother never got into university. His grades had always been excellent, but during the college entrance exam, he had underperformed. Tang Wanning suspected it wasn’t that he had performed badly—he had deliberately held back his score.