Chapter 29

The village chief also could not tolerate how selfish some villagers were, so he immediately agreed to Shen Yiyi’s proposal. However, he still seemed to have something to say.  

Shen Yiyi noticed the expression on the village chief’s face and smiled, saying: “Village Chief, my family really doesn’t need it. I went to the market this morning and bought some pig’s trotters. I plan to stew them tonight. There’s too much wild boar meat, and we won’t be able to finish it all.”  

???  

The village chief, who had been about to persuade her otherwise: “…”  

So it turns out I was overthinking.  

Wang Yan stood behind Jiang Ailing. Her family had few laborers but many mouths to feed, making her one of those unwilling to let Shen Yiyi take an extra five jin of pork.  

But to her surprise, not only did Shen Yiyi refuse the extra five jin, but she also distributed even more of the meat, leaving Wang Yan’s family with even less.  

Cursing Shen Yiyi for meddling, she sneered with a hint of sarcasm: “Li Chen’s wife is really living the good life, huh? Eating meat every day—she’s not much different from a landlord, is she?”  

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Shen Yiyi’s expression change, but so did the expressions of the village chief and all the members of the Li family clan present.  

Shen Yiyi was now married into the Li family. If such words were taken seriously, the entire clan would be implicated.  

Shen Yiyi immediately realized the severity of the accusation. Her sharp gaze shot straight at Wang Yan as she spoke firmly: “My Dad is the director of a machinery factory, my Mom is a neighborhood committee official, my brother is a soldier defending our country, and I myself responded to the nation’s call to go to the countryside and contribute to rural development. Our entire family is working hard to build our country!”  

Her voice was clear and powerful, striking deep into the hearts of everyone present.  

“My husband’s family has been poor farmers for three generations. Their roots are pure and red! They are nothing like those landlords who exploited the people. Sister-in-law Wang, if you have no brain, then speak less. No one will treat you as mute. If you continue to talk so recklessly, I will have to take this matter to the Public Security Bureau.”

As soon as Wang Yan finished speaking, she realized that she had made a mistake.

The Li family was a prominent clan in Qingshui Village. If they were labeled as “landlords.” no one knew how many people would be implicated, including the current village chief.  

She was just about to change the subject when she heard Shen Yiyi’s firm and powerful voice. The more she listened, the wider her eyes grew.  

It wasn’t just Wang Yan—many others present had their eyes widened in shock. The once noisy threshing ground fell into complete silence, so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.  

With such a family background, no wonder she had so much money, dressed so well, and ate meat every day.  

Shen Yiyi had deliberately spoken in one go—not just to counter Wang Yan but also to take this opportunity to clarify her family’s situation to everyone.  

After all, she couldn’t spend her days living in fear, hiding her wealth, avoiding good food, and refraining from wearing decent clothes just to keep a low profile.  

She had returned to make up for Li Chen and the Three Baos, not to let them continue suffering.

In this turbulent era, she wanted to provide the best possible material conditions for them and for herself.  

With the status of her parents, things would be easier to handle. It would also give a clear and legitimate explanation for the money and ration tickets she had.  

Besides, her family was far away, and it was unlikely that anyone would go investigate. Among the Educated Youth who had come with her, only Lin Jiadong was from the same place.  

But Lin Jiadong’s family had been sent to a labor farm long ago, and he had no way of knowing anything about her family’s current situation.  

In the book, Lin Jiadong had only found out after returning to the city; otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to use her family’s influence to make a comeback.  

Now that she had said everything she needed to, she still had to teach Wang Yan a lesson. Otherwise, people would think she was easy to bully.  

Shen Yiyi turned directly to the village chief and said: “Village Chief, how do you think this matter should be handled?”

The village chief quickly came to his senses. That kind of label had to be dismissed immediately, so he turned to Wang Yan with a stern expression and said: “I know that what you said today was an unintentional mistake.”  

“Yes, yes, Village Chief.” Wang Yan was filled with regret, cursing herself for being so thoughtless and speaking out of turn. She quickly said: “It’s all my fault for not keeping my mouth shut. Ugh, this foul mouth of mine!”  

Wang Yan was a tough person—without hesitation, she slapped herself across the face.  

The village chief twitched at the sight, then looked over at Shen Yiyi. Wang Yan also turned to her and pleaded: “Li Chen’s wife, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me, alright?”  

Shen Yiyi remained unmoved. “Since Sister-in-law Wang has realized her mistake, I won’t be too harsh. However, your family won’t be receiving any wild boar meat this time. Consider it a small punishment to serve as a lesson. I hope you will be more mindful in the future about what should and shouldn’t be said.”  

Wang Yan felt bitter. Just one wrong sentence had earned her a slap and cost her the meat. When she got home, her Mom-in-law would surely scold her to death.  

But she didn’t dare protest. She could only force herself to look away from the meat and agree: “Yes, yes, Li Chen’s wife, you’re right. I won’t take the meat. A small punishment as a lesson—haha.”  

Jiang Ailing… Jiang Ailing didn’t even dare to speak.  

With that, Shen Yiyi led the Three Baos home, walking with pride and confidence.  

Da Bao and Er Bao had understood that their Mom had just argued with Wang Yan—and won. They were absolutely thrilled, skipping all the way back.  

When they arrived home and saw their Dad, they called out loudly: “Dad! We’re back!”  

Li Chen turned to them with a puzzled expression, but the two little rascals just giggled and played around.  

Li Chen: “…”  

Shen Yiyi handed each of them two White Rabbit Creamy Candies and sent them off to play.  

Er Bao, however, was still thinking about his Dad’s candy. He didn’t forget to remind his Mom: “Mom, Dad wants one too! Yesterday, he even told me to ask you for one.”

Li Chen, who was fixing the table, froze for a moment.  

Shen Yiyi found it amusing and promised Er Bao that she would definitely give his Dad a White Rabbit Creamy Candy. Only then did he happily run off with Da Bao to play.  

Xiao Bao, who had yet to receive a candy, tilted his head up and looked at his Mom expectantly.  

Shen Yiyi peeled one for him, and he happily started eating.  

Then, she peeled another one and walked over to Li Chen. “Brother Chen, have some candy.”  

“I don’t like candy. You eat it.” Li Chen said without even turning his head.  

If not for the faint redness creeping up his ears, Shen Yiyi might have believed him. Without hesitation, she poked his broad back and playfully scolded: “Come on, I already peeled it for you.”  

Only then did Li Chen slowly turn around, glance at her, and lean forward to take the White Rabbit Creamy Candy directly from her hand.  

As he ate, his lips accidentally brushed against the pad of her finger. The soft, warm touch made Shen Yiyi feel a little flustered. She glanced at him, and their eyes met midair.  

For a moment, neither spoke. Then, as if nothing had happened, they both looked away.  

Shen Yiyi casually found something to say. “Almost done fixing it?”  

Li Chen propped the table upright and gave it a firm pat. It stood solidly without a single wobble. “Done!”  

Shen Yiyi nodded in satisfaction. Li Chen washed his hands, grabbed a cloth to wipe them dry, then glanced at the sky and asked: “It’s about time to cook, isn’t it?”  

“Yep.” Shen Yiyi replied. Taking Xiao Bao’s hand, she started toward the kitchen. “I’ll go steam the rice.”  

Li Chen stopped her. “I’ll do it. You just stay with Xiao Bao. What do you want to cook?”  

But Shen Yiyi ignored him and led Xiao Bao along as she walked toward the kitchen. “We’ll make a broth with the pork bones, braised pig’s trotters, and stir-fry some greens from our garden.”