By the time the Bai family members returned home, Liao Guizhi had already set the dishes on the table in the main room.  

The Bai family was large, but most members were often away. The only ones who stayed home year-round were Bai Fumin, Liao Guizhi, Bai Junwu and his wife Huang Xiuyun, plus Bai Zhizhi—five people in total.  

Now, they all gathered around the table. Bai Fumin and Liao Guizhi sat at the head, with Bai Zhizhi beside Liao Guizhi, followed by Huang Xiuyun and Bai Junwu.  

Holding a rice-serving spoon, Liao Guizhi glanced around, cleared her throat, and said, “Everyone’s been working hard lately, and on top of that, Zhizhi has finally recovered—this is a joyous occasion. So, I decided to cook a goose to celebrate.”  

Bai Junwu nodded repeatedly, thinking it was only right. Huang Xiuyun had also come around—since everyone was sharing the meal, she wasn’t at a disadvantage.  

Seeing that neither her second son nor his wife had any objections, Liao Guizhi nodded in satisfaction and began ladling out the goose soup. She made sure to distribute it fairly, giving everyone an equal portion—neither too much nor too little.  

Huang Xiuyun, observing this, felt the last traces of resentment in her heart completely vanish. Over the years, she had come to understand what kind of person her mother-in-law was. From now on, she vowed not to misunderstand or misjudge her again.  

Once Bai Fumin picked up his chopsticks, the others began eating. Bai Zhizhi immediately lifted her bowl of goose soup and took a sip.  

Delicious! So good!  

Her eyes lit up—human food was amazing. She never wanted to be a little hedgehog again.  

“Don’t just drink the soup—eat some rice and vegetables too.”  

“Mm-hmm,” Bai Zhizhi nodded.  

She picked up some eggplant with her chopsticks and paired it with rice. It was incredibly tasty. She shoveled several mouthfuls, barely lifting her head from the bowl.  

By the end of the meal, Bai Zhizhi’s stomach was round and full—she was stuffed. Slumping back in her chair, she sprawled lazily.  

Liao Guizhi gave her an amused look and shook her head helplessly. “You little glutton!”  

She stepped forward to massage Bai Zhizhi’s belly, but the girl instinctively flinched at first. However, she quickly relaxed—this was her mother, not an enemy.  

Liao Guizhi’s hands were gentle, and the soothing motion made Bai Zhizhi drowsy.  

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard Liao Guizhi say, “Go nap in your room. I’m going to gather pigweed this afternoon—want to come?”  

Bai Zhizhi was tempted but shook her head. Going outside meant encountering many people, and she wasn’t ready for that.  

“Alright, then stay home and don’t wander off.”  

Bai Zhizhi nodded obediently before being shooed off to her room to rest.  

Unable to sleep, she curled up on the bed, digesting the inherited knowledge she had just acquired. She rehearsed it repeatedly in her mind until, without realizing it, she drifted off to sleep.  

She didn’t even notice when Liao Guizhi entered the room.  

Liao Guizhi walked in, touched her forehead to check her temperature, and left only after confirming she was sleeping soundly. She had arranged to gather pigweed with Aunt Sun.  

Aunt Sun was already waiting. “Guizhi, let’s go.”  

“Coming!” Liao Guizhi responded, slinging a bamboo basket over her shoulder and closing the door behind her.  

As they walked, Aunt Sun asked, “Xiuyun told me Zhizhi has recovered?”  

“Yes, she’s all better now.”  

Liao Guizhi hadn’t stopped smiling since learning of Bai Zhizhi’s recovery that morning.  

“That’s wonderful news!” Aunt Sun congratulated her warmly.  

Liao Guizhi: “I haven’t even thanked you yet, Aunt Sun.”  

“For what?”  

“That heavy rain yesterday—if you hadn’t told me Zhizhi went up the mountain, we wouldn’t have known.” The thought of Bai Zhizhi being stranded on the mountain yesterday still sent a chill down Liao Guizhi’s spine.  

Aunt Sun waved it off dismissively. “Oh, that? It was nothing. After all, Zhizhi calls me ‘Grandma.’ She’s family.”  

“But kindness shouldn’t be forgotten,” Liao Guizhi insisted. “In the future, I’ll make sure Zhizhi takes good care of you.”  

“Good, good. I’ll hold you to that.”  

When they reached the spot, the two separated to gather pigweed. Since most people were busy with work at this hour, there weren’t many others foraging. Soon, Liao Guizhi had filled her basket.  

Noticing Aunt Sun wasn’t done yet, she decided to go help.  

But before she could move, a shrill voice called out, “Liao Guizhi! I heard your silly daughter’s better now?”  

Frowning, Liao Guizhi turned around. It was Niu Shuxiang—the most notorious gossip in the village.

The two of them didn’t get along.  

“Niu Shuxiang, if you don’t know how to speak, then shut up. My daughter isn’t stupid!”  

Niu Shuxiang rolled her eyes. “Who doesn’t know you gave birth to a silly girl? Always chasing after the educated youth—aren’t you ashamed? If she were my daughter, I’d have beaten her to death long ago.”  

Hearing Niu Shuxiang’s malicious words, Liao Guizhi was furious. Planting her hands on her hips, she snapped, “How I dote on my daughter is none of your business! Who do you think you are? Take a look in the mirror—with your sorry face, you couldn’t possibly give birth to a fair and delicate girl like mine!”  

Niu Shuxiang was so angry she nearly toppled over. Losing all restraint, she spat, “Only you would treat a worthless girl like a treasure. Even if she’s not stupid anymore, she’s still a troublemaker. Just wait till she runs off with some man—then we’ll see where you go to cry!”  

Liao Guizhi couldn’t tolerate this. She threw down her basket and lunged at Niu Shuxiang, clawing at her clothes. “You old hag! I’ll tear your filthy mouth apart for spouting such nonsense!”  

Niu Shuxiang wasn’t one to back down either. Without hesitation, she fought back, and the two women began wrestling fiercely.  

By the time the onlookers reacted, they quickly stepped in to separate them. “Can’t you talk things out properly? Why resort to fighting?”  

Still fuming after being pulled away, Liao Guizhi glared venomously at Niu Shuxiang. “If I ever hear you spewing nonsense again, I’ll beat you up every time I see you!”  

A girl’s reputation was everything. If Niu Shuxiang’s careless words ruined it, how could her daughter ever hold her head up again?  

Niu Shuxiang avoided her gaze guiltily, regretting her outburst. She knew full well how fiercely Liao Guizhi treasured her daughter—why had she been foolish enough to provoke her?  

Despite her regret, Niu Shuxiang still muttered defiantly, “Hmph! I won’t stoop to your level!” She turned and stalked off, but once out of sight, she winced in pain. That damned Liao Guizhi had fought dirty—it hurt like hell.  

As Niu Shuxiang disappeared into the distance, Liao Guizhi’s tense posture finally relaxed. She staggered slightly, nearly losing her balance.  

She had charged too fiercely earlier and had twisted her ankle.  

Aunt Sun hurried over to support her. “Look at you—you’re a grandmother now, yet you’re still so hot-tempered.”  

In her youth, Liao Guizhi had been notoriously fierce, undefeated in brawls across the village. Only after having children and her husband becoming the production team leader did she gradually mellow out.  

Who would’ve thought she’d resort to violence again today?  

Liao Guizhi smiled bitterly. “Aunt Sun, you didn’t hear what she said. If those rumors spread, Zhizhi’s reputation would be ruined.”  

Aunt Sun fell silent. She understood a mother’s heart.  

With Aunt Sun’s support, they slowly made their way back to the Bai house.  

“Zhizhi! Zhizhi!” Aunt Sun called over the courtyard wall. “Come out and help your mother!”  

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Bai Zhizhi hesitated nervously. But she also sensed Liao Guizhi’s presence—and the pain radiating from her.  

Worried, she rushed outside without another thought and saw Liao Guizhi limping home.  

“Mom!” She hurried forward to support her, her eyes brimming with tears.  

Liao Guizhi patted her hand reassuringly. “It’s nothing, just a little stumble.”  

Aunt Sun helped Liao Guizhi sit down inside, then said to Bai Zhizhi, “Keep an eye on your mother and make sure she rests properly.”  

Bai Zhizhi nodded vigorously, her gaze never leaving Liao Guizhi.  

Seeing that the girl had truly recovered, Aunt Sun gave a few more instructions before leaving.  

Once alone, Bai Zhizhi asked timidly, “Mom, can I take a look?”  

“Really, it’s fine, don’t worry.” Liao Guizhi stroked her head soothingly. “Here, see for yourself.”  

She tried to move her foot to reassure her, but a sharp pain shot through her the moment she did.  

Bai Zhizhi immediately rolled up her pant leg for a closer inspection. The twisted area was already red and swollen.  

She looked up at Liao Guizhi with a reproachful stare—this was “fine”?  

Liao Guizhi chuckled awkwardly. She hadn’t realized it was this bad. “A night’s rest will fix it. If it still hurts tomorrow, I’ll go to the clinic and have Uncle Lin take a look.”  

“Go today,” Bai Zhizhi insisted, unusually firm.  

“Can’t today. Uncle Lin went to the county town and won’t be back at the clinic for a couple of days.”  

Frowning, Bai Zhizhi gently pressed the swollen area. Finding no serious damage, she sighed in relief.  

Liao Guizhi let her fuss, her eyes full of tenderness.  

When Bai Zhizhi looked up and met that gaze, she froze for a moment before quickly smiling. “Mom, wait here for me.”