Shen Meng called out gently to Lu Mingkai, who still looked a bit shy. “Mingkai, come over here.”

He hesitated, shuffling his feet as he slowly approached her. Despite his lingering nervousness, he still felt a strong desire to be close to his mother, a feeling he couldn’t quite ignore.

“Mom.”

Shen Meng got off the kang and scooped him up, settling him on her lap. Though he was only three, he felt bony as she held him, too thin for a child his age. She patted his head gently.

“Mingkai, were you asking about dinner because you’re hungry?”

Curled up in his mother’s arms, breathing in her soft scent, Mingkai felt like he was floating.

“No, Mom, I’m not hungry—I was just curious. Your cooking is really tasty, though. I’d love to eat it again.”

“Alright, I’ll make you more meals. I’ll feed you well so you grow big and plump, like a little piglet. How does that sound?”

“Hehe, that sounds good. You’re so nice, Mom.”

“Silly boy.”

Inside, mother and son shared a warm moment. Outside, Lu Mingyang was horrified. The evil woman said she’d fatten up Mingkai like a pig. Did that mean she planned to sell him when he got big? His face paled as he thought about it, and he watched Shen Meng suspiciously. If she tried to sell Mingkai, he’d fight her with everything he had.

By evening, Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao had just finished work when they were told to take dinner to Shen Meng. They carried a small pot of stir-fried greens topped with five cornbread rolls, and another pot of cornmeal dumpling soup. On their way, they passed other workers heading home, who sniffed the air, attracted by the delicious smell.

“Wow, that smells amazing.”

“The food is so good at night, you are worthy of being a surplus grain household!”

Zhou Jiaojiao smiled and replied to one of them, “Oh, no, this isn’t for us. We’re taking it to my sister-in-law and the kids. We’ll just grab whatever we can find when we get home. My sister-in-law’s still not feeling well.”

She turned to Lu Jiaxuan and added, “Let’s hurry up. Sister-in-law and the kids are probably hungry by now, and there’s still so much laundry to wash when we get back!”

Hearing her, Lu Jiaxuan’s face soured. His wife worked herself to the bone, while his sister-in-law just waited around for food to be brought to her. His frown deepened, and he quickened his pace.

“Exactly,” someone in the crowd agreed. “Earlier, I heard Old Lu’s family wasn’t sending food to Zhenping’s kids anymore, but now I see they’re still getting it. Must have been a misunderstanding.”

“I knew it wasn’t true. Maybe they were just late in sending food, and Shen Meng got upset and started spreading rumors. Poor Jiaojiao, working so hard all day, pulling almost as many work points as a man, and now she’s delivering food. What a pity.”

“Jiaojiao’s such a good wife. Lu Jiaxuan is lucky to have her. And with his three yuan salary, she’s living a decent life.”

“But no one’s living better than Shen Meng. Look at her, sitting in that big brick house with meals delivered to her. How lucky can a person get?”

Shen Meng came out of the west room, her face clouded. She had just checked the kids’ clothes, and there wasn’t a single decent piece among them. All patched up and dirty, it was obvious the kids had been washing their own clothes. In the afternoon, when she had held Mingkai, she could smell the dirt and sweat on him, and his hair was filthy. She had been so focused on building trust with the kids that she hadn’t noticed these things until now. If even the relatively well-cared-for Mingkai was in this state, Lu Mingyang and the others must be even worse off.

Seeing Shen Meng’s grim expression, Lu Mingyang and the other kids felt a pang of anxiety. Just as Lu Mingliang was gearing up to run if she tried anything, Shen Meng sighed deeply.

“Mingyang, how about you and Mingliang heat a pot of water later so everyone can take a bath? It’s too hot to go without washing, and when I held Mingkai earlier, he smelled all sweaty.”

“Alright, Mom.” Lu Mingyang nodded. For now, he would just go along with it.

Mingkai, whose name had been mentioned, turned pink with embarrassment. Mingfang also blushed and, unconsciously sniffing her arm, realized she smelled a bit too. Only Mingliang was unfazed; he thought it was the smell of a real man.

At that moment, Zhou Jiaojiao called from the doorway, “Sister-in-law, we’ve brought you and the kids some food. Can we come in?”

“Come in. The door’s not locked.”

Zhou Jiaojiao entered with a smile, carrying a bowl of vegetables, and saw Shen Meng standing in the center of the room with the children gathered around her.

“Oh my, Sister-in-law, what’s going on? Mingyang and Mingliang are good kids—they were gathering firewood all day. Whatever it is, you don’t need to discipline them so harshly!” Zhou Jiaojiao exclaimed, pretending to be concerned.

The door wasn’t fully closed, and several people outside heard what Zhou Jiaojiao said, gathering to eavesdrop.

“Jiaojiao, what are you talking about?” Shen Meng replied calmly. “I was just telling the kids it’s hot and they should heat some water for baths tonight. They’re such good kids, and I’m grateful to have them. I would never dream of punishing them.”

Hearing Shen Meng’s words, the onlookers outside lost interest and wandered off.

Inside, Shen Meng smirked inwardly. She had no reason to avoid Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao. In fact, she intended to keep them close—it was only fair that they eventually faced the consequences of their actions.

Zhou Jiaojiao’s smile faltered for a moment before she turned to Lu Jiaxuan, saying, “It looks like I was mistaken. Jiaxuan, put the food on the table. Third sister in law cooked it, and Mother had her make you an egg, Sister-in-law. Go ahead and eat it to build up your strength.”

Shen Meng looked at the dishes on the table and nodded, smiling. Liu Sanjin had indeed made a real effort—she had even used oil for the stir-fried greens, probably several days’ worth of the family’s oil rations.

“Please thank Mother for me. Jiaojiao, Jiaxuan, have you two eaten yet? Why don’t you join us?”

“Oh, no, Sister-in-law, we’ll head home. There’s plenty to do there. But if you ever need anything, just let me know. I’ll be happy to lend a hand.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose. But actually, if it’s not too much trouble, could Jiaxuan help Mingyang heat water? He is a child lighting the fire at night, and I’m afraid he will wet the bed. Also, the kids’ dirty clothes need washing, and I’m not well enough to manage it myself.”

Lu Mingyang: …

Wet the bed? I’m nine! I don’t wet the bed!

Zhou Jiaojiao had only meant to be polite, but Shen Meng took her up on the offer, fully leaning into it. Her smile froze for a second, but she quickly recovered.

“Of course, Sister-in-law. Jiaxuan, why don’t you help with the water? And I can pick up the dirty laundry tomorrow,” she replied, though she could barely keep the strain out of her voice.

Lu Jiaxuan looked at her, feeling pity for his wife, who always went out of her way to be helpful. But then he remembered what Sun Shanzi had told him earlier about the job opening at the commune. Weighing his options, he kept his mouth shut.