Chapter 2: Wuwuwu, My Father and I Are Really Going to Starve to Death…

It had been raining continuously for a while, but today the sun was finally out. The sky after the rain was especially blue, the clouds thin like gauze, and the sunlight was so bright it was almost blinding.

The father and daughter, one carrying a hoe and the other carrying a bamboo basket, walked toward the fields under the dazzling sunlight.

If there was one thing to say about their household, it was truly poor. There were barely any usable items at home. Shen Shaoyuan had wanted to find a hat for his daughter to block the sun, but the only thing he could find was a broken hat brim. So he ended up tying it around her head with a strip of cloth. Although it looked quite odd, it at least offered some shade.

Shen Shaoyuan kept glancing at his daughter, his heart full of complicated emotions.

It was a blessing to be alive, no doubt, but he couldn’t help worrying about how much hardship his precious daughter would have to endure from now on.

Shen Mo’er, however, didn’t feel much of anything. The scenes in the dream had been far too terrifying. Just thinking about it made her heart pound. Compared to dying tragically under a blade, what was a bit of poverty? Besides, didn’t they still have a treasure vault?

What concerned Shen Mo’er more was how different this world was from Daliang. She reviewed the original host’s memories in her mind again, quietly reminded Shen Shaoyuan to be cautious in everything he did and said, then urged him, “Father, we’re already late. Let’s hurry up.”

Shen Shaoyuan didn’t seem too worried. “It’s fine. I’m sure someone’s even later than us.”

Yangliu Village was now called the Yangliu Brigade. The brigade was divided into twelve production teams. Their family belonged to the Eighth Production Team.

Villagers were now called commune members, who worked according to the brigade’s arrangements to earn work points, which were then used to divide food rations. The system followed a “60% per person, 40% per labor” ratio, meaning that the amount of food allocated depended partly on the number of people in the household and partly on how much labor was done. Because of this, the incentive to work hard was quite low.

Shen Shaoyuan remembered hearing a rhymed jingle while delivering grain to the commune:

“First whistle—pretend not to hear.
Second whistle—peek your head and peer.
Third whistle—start to stroll.
Reach the field—oops, forgot the hoe.
Back to the house—take a leisurely stroll…”

And really, some of the lazier commune members did behave exactly like that.

So although they had been delayed this morning, adapting to their new life and all, they weren’t actually the last to arrive for work.

Sure enough, when they got to the field, Team Leader Zhou Peijun was standing on the ridge, grumbling and scolding those who still hadn’t shown up for work.

Shen Shaoyuan, looking ashamed, stepped forward to explain, “Our roof leaks, and the bedding got soaked. My daughter caught a chill and wasn’t feeling well. I was in a hurry to boil some herbal medicine for her, and before I knew it, it was this late…”

Shen Mo’er cooperatively hung her head and gave a soft cough. Zhou Peijun glanced at the father and daughter. Shen Old Seventh and his daughter had always been diligent workers. He was just wondering why they were unusually late today—so that was the reason. His expression softened. “Alright, I won’t dock your work points.”

Thinking that this father and daughter were always so honest, he even kindly reminded them, “Since your house is leaking, make sure you fix it while the weather’s good. That’s important. If needed, just ask for leave.”

He didn’t suggest Shen Mo’er take a break. A minor cold wasn’t enough to skip work.

Shen Shaoyuan gave a silly grin. “Alright, I’ll fix it this afternoon.”

That, of course, was his way of asking for leave in the afternoon.

Zhou Peijun opened his mouth, wanting to say: “Since you’re already late, why not just take the morning off to fix it?” But seeing Shen Shaoyuan’s timid expression, he swallowed the words.

He thought, Shen Old Seventh is so honest, he’d never try to take advantage of the brigade. He’s just too rigid, that’s all.

Zhou Peijun had no idea Shen Shaoyuan was already “swapped out” inside. He didn’t suspect for a moment that this was intentional.

Work hours were shorter in the morning and longer in the afternoon. Since Zhou Peijun said their work points wouldn’t be docked, it was naturally smarter to take leave in the afternoon.

Father and daughter exchanged a glance. Shen Shaoyuan winked at his daughter, hoisted his hoe, and went down into the field on the right. Shen Mo’er curved her lips into a smile and headed for the left field.

Adult men like Shen Shaoyuan were considered strong laborers and were assigned to till the tougher fields. Shen Mo’er, frail since childhood and a woman besides, was placed with the elderly and children to pull weeds.

Once down in the field, Shen Mo’er didn’t join the larger group. Instead, she went straight to a secluded corner and crouched down to pull weeds.

The original host had been timid and introverted, rarely interacting with others. She never joined the crowd during work, which worked out perfectly for Shen Mo’er. She didn’t have to immediately face too many people upon arriving.

Not long after, two middle-aged women hurried into the field. Zhou Peijun’s eyes bulged with rage, and he roared, “Why don’t you just wait until the sun sets before showing up?!”

Shen Mo’er looked up. One woman had high cheekbones, the other had slanted eyes. The high-cheekboned one was Tian Fang, the original host’s second aunt. The one with the slanted eyes was Cao Mei, her third aunt. These were the ones who had stolen their food.

Tian Fang greeted everyone with a smiling face, “Peijun, dear nephew, we really didn’t mean to be late. I wasn’t feeling well this morning and had to drink some mugwort tea before I came. And Mei, she came along out of concern for me. If someone has to lose work points, let it be me.”

If it had been Cao Mei saying this, Zhou Peijun would never believe a word. Everyone knew that Shen Old Third’s family was the laziest bunch. They always dragged their feet.

But Tian Fang had a good reputation in the brigade for being gentle and hardworking. Since she said she wasn’t feeling well, Zhou Peijun believed her.

Still, he couldn’t help but think—how come so many people were feeling unwell today?

Considering the recent erratic weather—Shen Old Seventh’s home had wet bedding, and Tian Fang might’ve been affected by the sudden heat—he decided to let it go.

Since it was a matter of health, he naturally wouldn’t dock their points.

Zhou Peijun waved helplessly. “Alright, just get to work.”

After all, minor injuries don’t excuse one from the front lines. If she had the strength to drink mugwort tea, she could definitely work.

Tian Fang said a few more polite words. Once she confirmed that they wouldn’t be docked work points, she exchanged a smug glance with Cao Mei.

She hadn’t felt unwell at all. She had just stayed home to finish laundry.

Zhou Peijun might act tough, but among the twelve team leaders, he was the softest at heart. Fooling someone like him? Easy.

Standing on the ridge, Tian Fang scanned the field and saw Shen Mo’er crouched alone in the corner. She signaled to Cao Mei with her eyes.

Cao Mei immediately said, “Oh my, isn’t that Mo’er? All alone? Sister-in-law, let’s go keep her company.”

Tian Fang added, “Yes, let’s help her out. She’s so skinny, poor child.”

And just like that, the two headed toward Shen Mo’er.

Zhou Peijun watched their backs and thought to himself: In the Shen family, the only kindhearted one seems to be Aunt Tian. She actually cares about this motherless, pitiful girl.

If Shen Mo’er knew what Zhou Peijun was thinking, she’d call him a fool to his face.

There weren’t many good people in the Shen family, true—but Tian Fang was by far the most vicious. Take the grain theft: on the surface, Cao Mei did it, but it had been Tian Fang’s idea. The original host had even overheard them discussing how to divide the spoils.

So Shen Mo’er knew full well that the two weren’t coming over to help her. They knew “Shen Mo’er” never spoke up when bullied, so they were coming to slack off and let her do the work.

Sure enough, as soon as they got down into the field, Cao Mei started complaining, “You work so slowly. We’ve been here this long and you’ve only pulled this much grass?”

Shen Mo’er glanced at her and said nothing.

Cao Mei didn’t find it strange. Shen Old Seventh could barely say a word himself, and his daughter was the same. At least she looked at her today—in the past, she didn’t even dare lift her head.

Tian Fang played the good guy as usual and smiled, “Mo’er’s weak. You know that. As aunts, it’s fine if we do a bit more.”

It was true that “Shen Mo’er” was frail, but she’d always worked hard. Not top-tier, but average at least.

But thanks to her family always stealing her labor and Tian Fang spreading stories about her poor health for years, everyone believed she was too weak to work.

Not just the Yangliu Brigade—nearby villages also knew that Shen Old Seventh’s daughter had a weak body and was unsuitable for marriage.

The other commune members glanced at Shen Mo’er with pity. Poor girl. Obedient too. Such a shame she was born frail.

But Tian Fang and Cao Mei had no intention of helping. Before long, Cao Mei began dragging the grass Shen Mo’er had pulled toward her own pile—and even gave some to Tian Fang. Tian Fang glanced but said nothing.

Shen Mo’er wasn’t a block of wood. Of course she noticed.

Tian Fang and Cao Mei didn’t care whether she noticed or not. They assumed she’d just stay silent and swallow the loss.

Shen Mo’er glanced around to check her position, wiped her forehead, and suddenly began to sway. After two or three seconds of wobbling, she collapsed to the ground with a thump.

At the moment she fell, she cried out in a weak, hoarse voice: “Father—”

Before anyone in the field could react, Shen Shaoyuan—working across a small path—immediately let out a howl and bolted over. “Mo’er! My Mo’er!”

“What happened?!”

“Oh no! Shen Old Seventh’s daughter fainted!”

“Good grief, is it heatstroke or illness? Someone get Old Liu to take a look!”

The field erupted into chaos. Someone ran toward the First Team’s plot to fetch the barefoot doctor, Old Liu.

“No need for a doctor. Just pinch her philtrum and she’ll wake up,” Cao Mei said, reaching out. Shen Shaoyuan shoved her aside so hard she fell flat on her butt.

She shouted, “What are you doing, Old Seventh?!”

Shen Shaoyuan didn’t even acknowledge her. He just held Shen Mo’er in his arms and cried, “Mo’er! What happened to you? You’re my only daughter! What will I do if anything happens to you—”

Everyone: “…”

Zhou Peijun rushed over. “It’s not that serious. Probably just heatstroke. Uncle Liu is on the way. Don’t panic.”

But Shen Shaoyuan kept wailing. Someone nearby whispered, “Wow, I didn’t know Shen Old Seventh was such a crier.”

Another said, “It’s his only daughter, after all. Wouldn’t you panic too? Desperation makes people act out of character.”

Shen Mo’er was afraid Shen Shaoyuan might overdo the act, so when she heard someone shout “Uncle Liu is here!” from afar, she slowly “regained consciousness” and said weakly, “Father, I’m okay…”

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. “Phew, thank goodness she’s awake!”

Shen Shaoyuan cried again, “Mo’er, you scared me to death…”

Shen Mo’er grabbed his arm, looking weak but trying hard to sit up. “Father, I’m fine now. I can keep working. I’ve only done a little—how could that be enough? I can do more…”

Hearing this, everyone suddenly noticed the large pile of weeds beside her.

“Wow! That’s not a little at all. She did all that in just a short while? Amazing!”

“Didn’t expect that. Mo’er’s actually really capable!”

The onlookers all murmured in amazement. Everyone used to say Shen Old Seventh’s daughter was too frail to work, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case at all.

Tian Fang and Cao Mei, who had been standing nearby watching the drama, were suddenly dumbfounded. That pile of weeds was clearly theirs! Sure, a good portion had been snatched from Shen Mo’er, but plenty had been pulled by them too!

The problem was, at this moment, with someone having just fainted, they couldn’t exactly step forward and claim the weeds. Plus, Shen Mo’er had conveniently collapsed right on top of the pile. Even if they said something, no one would believe them.

Cao Mei opened her mouth to speak, but Tian Fang yanked her sleeve, and she shut it again, unwillingly.

Just then, Doctor Liu arrived. After checking Shen Mo’er and listening to the father and daughter’s account, he concluded: she had caught a chill, but the real issue was hunger.

The crowd let out a collective sigh. In recent years, things had been chaotic, and the commune’s agricultural production had suffered. Grain yields were low, and after handing in the public grain, the brigade had barely any left. Almost every household was struggling to get enough to eat.

However, some people still felt doubtful. Sure, food was scarce, but was it really that bad? Shen Shaoyuan and his daughter were known to be diligent and honest workers. Their household had no other burdens. Life for them shouldn’t have been this difficult, right?

And then they saw Shen Mo’er, her thin body trembling as she struggled to her feet. She reached out and grabbed Tian Fang and Cao Mei, tearfully crying out:

“Second Aunt, Third Aunt, can you please return the grain you borrowed from our house? Really, it’s not that my dad and I are being petty—it’s just that we’ve run out of food for several days now. If this keeps up, my dad and I are really going to starve to death!”

“If I had any other choice, I wouldn’t even dare to ask. But I’m just so hungry… I can’t work properly like this… sob sob sob I don’t want to drag everyone else down…”

Tian Fang and Cao Mei, caught completely off guard by being pulled into the spotlight: “……”