Earlier, everyone saw with their own eyes that the fourth son and his wife of the Lu family brought meals to Shen Meng and several children. But how come they stopped delivering meals after only one day, leaving a patient and four children starving and going out to find food?

Liu Sanjin was furious, stomping her foot hard and shaking as she pointed a finger at Shen Meng.

“You’re lying through your teeth, aren’t you, Lu Zhenping’s wife? The doctor told us it would be a year and a half before you’d be out of bed—and now you’re telling me you just ran off to the county? And what’s this nonsense about starving your kids to the point that they had to go fishing? You’re just making up stories!”

The villagers knew that Shen Meng’s in-laws had already given her family rations when they moved back, and the village production team had even provided flour and eggs to help her out. Most of the neighbors also knew Liu Sanjin’s temperament; she was tough, but no one would believe she’d ever truly mistreat her daughter-in-law.

“Mother,” Shen Meng said in a weak, trembling voice, “Dr. Lu is well-respected, everyone knows that. When he saw I was struggling, he warned you that it was serious. I didn’t want you to be unprepared, especially if something happened to me while Zhenping is away. If I didn’t plan for Mingyang and the others in case of my passing, I’d be letting them down. Yesterday, after I read Zhenping’s letter, I suddenly felt stronger, as if it were some final burst of energy, so I went to the county. But the ride back was rough, and now I feel worse than ever.”

“Ah,” Liu Sanjin muttered, at a loss for words.

“And Mother,” Shen Meng continued, her face pained, “were you just here to scold me? I thought you might be coming to check on the kids and me. Didn’t I have Jinghao bring you the money Zhenping sent for you? And Mingyang left some of the dried noodles and mushrooms for you.”

“Lies! I didn’t see Mingyang at all,” Liu Sanjin shot back. “And that money your husband sends—our family is entitled to some of it. You’ve even hidden the letter, so I can’t read what Zhenping wrote! And here you are, letting the boys fish in the river at night. What kind of mother lets her children do that?”

As Shen Meng leaned heavily against the doorframe, everyone could see she was on the verge of collapse. The neighbors looked on uneasily, fearing that Liu Sanjin’s words would make song Wei’s condition more serious.

“Now, Third grandma, please calm down,” one neighbor coaxed. “Can’t we discuss this calmly?”

“Yes, Mrs. Lu, you’re always so reasonable. No need for all this anger. Lu Zhenping is clearly worried about you. Shen Meng, maybe you should fetch the letter for her to read,” another suggested.

“Yes, go on, Shen Meng. Don’t let your mother-in-law get worked up like this. She’s just missing her son. Mingfang could grab it for you if you’re too weak.”

Shen Meng hid a smirk as she watched Liu Sanjin struggle to maintain her composure in front of everyone. She thought, It’s your own fault for pretending to be so dignified. Look at you now!

“Mingyang and Mingliang are fine, Mother. They’re with Yongjun,” Shen Meng said weakly. “But alright, I’ll fetch the letter.” She turned and staggered back inside, leaving the neighbors feeling even sorrier for her. Anyone could see she was too frail to be running errands like that.

Not long after, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang came trudging up the path, covered in mud but beaming proudly as they held up a small grass carp. From a distance, they saw the group gathered around their front gate.

“Grandma, why are you here? What’s going on?”

Seeing Mingyang, Liu Sanjin’s expression softened instantly. She pulled him into a hug, nearly shoving Mingliang aside.

“Oh, my good grandson,” she cooed, “you’re so brave, going hungry and still listening to your mother! How could she let you go out to the river at this hour? What if something happened to you?”

Mingyang shook his head with a smile. “I’m fine, Grandma. Mingliang and I were with Uncle Yongjun. He even helped us catch a couple of fish.”

Yongjun grinned from ear to ear. “We just happened to catch a few while washing up. Mrs. Lu, these two kids are very thoughtful; they just wanted to catch some fish to nourish their mother.”

After saying this Yongjun left.

“Mingyang,” his grandmother called. “Mingyang, your mother said that your father sent you a bag of goods and you left some dried noodles and mushrooms for Grandma—is that true?”

Mingyang began to answer, “No, Grandma—”

But Liu Sanjin interrupted, her face brightening, “I knew it! She’d never be so considerate as to save any of Zhenping’s things for me. If she had, she’d have brought me the letter and the remittance slip to see for myself. After all I’ve done for her, treating her like my own daughter, she guards everything like I’d steal it from her!”

Mingliang, noticing his mother’s weary form returning, anxiously chimed in, “No, Grandma, the noodles and mushrooms weren’t from my dad—they were from his comrades in Yunnan. Most of the time, the allowance my dad sends isn’t very much, so Mother always makes sure to set aside your monthly allowance first, along with the ration tickets. She thinks of you like a real mother, and she’s always careful to share whatever she can.”

Listening to Mingliang’s careful, honeyed words, Shen Meng hid her amusement. Not bad, she thought, not bad at all. Even at his young age, the boy has a way with words.