Shen Meng couldn’t quite understand why the families of two village cadres had come to see her. She assumed they might be seeking some favor, though she wasn’t sure what. Either way, it didn’t seem to concern her directly.

Wang Guizhi fried up some shredded potatoes, made a batch of flatbreads, and boiled a pot of brown sugar eggs. She used all ten eggs that Zhou Jiaojiao had given her. Both for her and her husband and for Shen Meng and her children, a good meal was in order.

Noticing that the two women visiting Shen Meng had yet to leave, Wang Guizhi washed up, ladled two bowls of brown sugar water from the pot, and quickly set aside an egg flower that had snuck into the ladle. She refilled it with just brown sugar water, leaving the eggs for her own family.

“Old man, you start eating with the kids. I’ll take some of this brown sugar water into the house. I overheard that it’s the village chief’s sister-in-law and the party secretary’s mother. I’ll say a few kind words; maybe, when we leave, they’ll lend a hand to our daughter.”

“Alright, go ahead,” Shen Fugui replied. “I’ll heat some water so we can all wash up later.”

Wang Guizhi paused at the doorway, then turned back and instructed, “Just warm the water, don’t let it boil. No need to waste firewood.”

“Got it!” Shen Fugui waited until she left, then moved the small kitchen table closer to the door, as dusk was already upon them and they needed the fading daylight to eat. Any later, and they’d have to use kerosene lamps.

“Mingyang, Mingliang, bring your siblings and come eat. Once you’re done, wash up and head to bed before it gets too dark.” After calling out, he set about serving the meal.

In the back room, Mingliang instantly sprang up from the kang. “Hey, did you hear that? Grandpa’s calling us for dinner—let’s go!”

Having already eaten an egg earlier, and feeling bolder with his grandparents around, little Mingkai clambered off the kang, toddling along after his older brother. “Let’s go, let’s go!”

But Mingyang held back and grabbed Mingliang’s arm. “Don’t go. If you eat now, after Grandpa and Grandma leave, the bad woman will just take it out on us. We’re big enough to run, but what about our little brother? He can’t run fast, and he’ll be the first to get caught.”

Mingyang’s voice was steady and cold as he frowned at Mingliang. To him, the stepmother’s earlier speech had been nothing but an act for the village chief and the party secretary to secure her return to the brick house. He didn’t believe for a second she was actually sick. Grandma, Uncle, and even the village leaders had all fallen for her lies. Not only had she managed to reclaim the house and their food, but she’d also gotten Grandma and the village chief to pay her. This was no longer the foolish woman they’d known—she’d hit her head and suddenly grown smart.

“Second Brother, I think Big Brother’s right. What if Mother hits us again? It hurts, you know. Last time she hit me, and I still feel my legs go weak when I see her. We go without dinner most nights anyway. Let’s just skip it.”

Ignoring them, Mingliang scooped up the reluctant Mingkai, saying, “Let’s go. Why shouldn’t we? There’s brown sugar eggs tonight and flatbread! Grandma made it with lard; it smells amazing. If we get hit, so be it. At least we’ll be full first.”

He dashed out before he could even put on shoes, carrying three-year-old Mingkai, wobbling and nearly tripping. Mingyang watched, worried, then hurriedly ran after him, taking Mingkai from his arms.

“Be careful. Don’t drop our little brother.”

“Hehe, Big Brother, I’m strong!” By now, they had reached the courtyard, where Shen Fugui pointed to a basin at the kitchen door.

“Wash your hands and come eat. I’ve heated water so you can all clean up. Afterward, I’ll sleep with you kids tonight. Where’s Mingfang? Come quick; your Grandma made plenty, so eat till you’re full.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!” Mingyang said quickly, then called to Mingfang, who came running. She was hungry too; as long as her brothers ate with her, she felt safe.

They ate happily—savory scallion flatbreads, sweet brown sugar eggs, and a large bowl of stir-fried potatoes. Compared to their usual meals, this was an absolute feast. Their eyes gleamed with delight as they ate, and soon, tears welled up in Mingkai’s eyes as he sniffled.

Startled, Shen Fugui paused, putting his flatbread in the basket. “What’s wrong, Mingkai? Why are you crying?”

Mingkai looked at him, eyes glistening with tears, and clutched his clothes tightly. “Grandpa, don’t leave. You and Grandma stay, okay? Mother hits us. She hits Big Brother and Sister, and she hits me too. I’m scared.”

Seeing the young boy, his own blood, Shen Fugui sighed deeply. “Don’t be afraid, Mingkai. Your mother said she would change. Grandma and I will come see you often, and if she goes back on her word, I won’t acknowledge her as my daughter.”

Mingkai shook his head vigorously. “No, don’t do that. You have to love Mother, or you won’t come see us.”

Shen Fugui, filled with sorrow, gently patted Mingkai’s head, resolving to speak sternly to Shen Meng before they left. The kids were so young; she couldn’t keep disciplining them with violence and risk breaking the bond between mother and child.

Mingyang glanced at his grandfather, then looked down. Change? Not likely. He didn’t believe for a second that his stepmother would change.

---

In the east room, Tian Guihua and Chen Jinling sipped their brown sugar water, taking polite sips and occasionally nodding in response to Wang Guizhi.

“Sister, my husband and I will head back tomorrow. There’s still so much work waiting at home. Shen Meng’s recovery may take a while, so we’re counting on you to help look after her.”

Chen Jinling chimed in, “Helping is what neighbors do. Besides, my son made a mistake today When he heard from Old Lady Liu that Xiao Meng was fine he rushed off without looking into Shen Meng’s condition properly. He’s only been the party secretary for two years and is always busy. He doesn’t know that some people are as scheming as hornet nests.”

As a mother-in-law, how could she not know Liu Sanjin’s tricks?—sweet words masking a bitter heart, and always scheming. She was like this when she was young, and she didn’t expect that she is still like this when she is old.

“And I’ll be here for anything you need,” added Tian Guihua. “Shen Meng, if you need help, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Shen Meng grinned, grateful. One was the village chief’s sister-in-law, the other the party secretary’s mother. If she established good relationships with these two people, it would be like giving herself a buff.