Capital City.

Capital University Family Compound.

At this moment.

“I wonder where Teacher Qiao and the others are now?! And how are Dabao and Xiaobao, those two kids?”

Sister Lu sighed deeply, putting down her bowl halfway through eating, unable to continue.

Thinking about having taken care of these two children almost single-handedly for nearly a year, Sister Lu felt unbearably sad inside.

“Mom, don’t worry so much. Professor Su and Professor Qiao should have some connections. A few days ago, they already sent the two kids to relatives’ homes, and only brought them back on the day they were sent down. The two kids shouldn’t be hungry.”

Sister Lu’s eldest daughter-in-law sneered a little, thinking her mother-in-law was just being overly kind-hearted—she couldn’t even take care of her own family properly but still sympathized with others.

“How do you know that?! Eldest daughter-in-law, can’t you hope things go better for them?!

Never mind how Teacher Qiao and the others are doing—since I helped take care of Dabao and Xiaobao, besides giving that much money every month, I also packed snacks for the kids.

Didn’t I give your son and daughter extra care?! Put yourself in my shoes—Dabao and Xiaobao are just little kids. Going to places like that with adults, just staying alive is a blessing.”

These past few days at home, whenever Sister Lu thought about Dabao and Xiaobao—those obedient and sensible children—she couldn’t sleep or eat well, full of worry.

It was one thing that her eldest daughter-in-law didn’t understand her feelings.

What upset her more was how quickly the daughter-in-law forgot: if it weren’t for the Su family paying her to help look after Dabao and Xiaobao, would their family be this well-off and relaxed?!

She didn’t just think the eldest daughter-in-law was ungrateful; at best, she was cold-hearted.

“Mom, I didn’t say that or think that way. Everyone naturally avoids these kinds of troubles—no one wants to get involved and get implicated. We’re barely managing ourselves, how could we help others?”

The eldest daughter-in-law felt wronged. She clearly understood that her mother-in-law wasn’t afraid of being implicated, but she was.

She still had a husband and kids to take care of.

How could she care about others?!

“Mom, Weimin’s mother was right. Everyone is just trying to survive. We don’t have the means. And today I found out that Professor Su was reported by that Liu Mingliang from our department.”

Lu’s son, Huang Xuewen, who had been listening to the quarrel between his mother and wife with a bad expression, finally sighed and lowered his voice to tell them.

Huang Xuewen was about five years older than Su Ze.

Both were ordinary lecturers, but his assigned housing was smaller and in a worse location than the Su family’s.

Still, to get such housing in the Capital University Family Compound, Huang Xuewen must be capable and competent in his field.

However, he had no background, was low-profile, didn’t fight for anything, and did whatever he was told.

Besides lacking a foothold at the university, he came from a pure poor peasant family, and the department already had top talents like Su Huaiyuan ahead, so he didn’t attract much attention.

This afternoon, the department had a meeting.

Since Professor Su’s family was sent down, the department had to promote someone to replace him.

Unsurprisingly, the professor who was usually on good terms with Professor Su, Liu Mingliang, was promoted.

There’s no wall that doesn’t leak!

After Professor Su’s family was reported, rumors circulated in the department that Liu Mingliang was the one who reported Professor Su.

Since the rumors appeared, everyone’s attitude toward Liu Mingliang changed slightly.

Some who were close quietly distanced themselves; those who were indifferent barely gave a nod in passing.

“What?!”

“Xuewen, you’re saying Professor Su was reported by Professor Liu?! Why?!”

Huang Xuewen’s wife was surprised and shocked, never expecting the kindly Professor Liu to report someone.

It really opened her eyes.

Wasn’t it that the Su and Liu families had no grudge?

She often saw the two professors commuting together, seemingly quite close.

“Why else?! To climb the ladder, to prevent Professor Su from blocking his way. I always thought Liu Mingliang wasn’t as friendly as he seemed. He’s fake.”

Sister Lu finally recovered from her shock at the news and, upon hearing her daughter-in-law’s foolish remark, couldn’t help but scoff.

Though she hadn’t met many people, she knew some scholars looked down on others and some were refined scoundrels.

“One is trying to climb higher, and I guess the other is jealous because the Su family not only had a good background but also good conditions. I heard that the overseas Su family left quite a bit of property and money for Professor Su.”

Huang Xuewen had heard rumors both openly and secretly these days about Professor Su’s family situation—overseas ties, a formerly wealthy family, overseas study background, and a legacy of wealth.

Money stirs people’s hearts.

Sister Lu and her daughter-in-law exchanged fearful looks.

“People like that will get their comeuppance.”

Sister Lu lowered her head and muttered to herself, not sure if she was speaking to herself or others.

“Mom, Weimin’s mother, we have to be even more low-key from now on. Stay away from anyone named Liu. But don’t show it—just pretend you don’t know.”

Huang Xuewen warned his mother and wife, especially his mother.

He knew Professor Qiao treated his mother well, but unfortunately, he couldn’t help and dared not help. Even when his mother later tried to bring food for them, he stopped her.

It wasn’t his mother’s fault, it was his.

…

Dabao and Xiaobao were full and comfortable, sitting by the warm kang (heated brick bed) wrapped in quilts, curiously looking around this new place while listening to their grandparents, father, and mother talking.

“Tomorrow I’ll find some time to get wood or stone nearby for a table and stools. Xiaowan, you stay home and take care of Dabao and Xiaobao. Old Su, you and Xiao Ze go to work.”

Qiao Jiuru held an aluminum lunch box, sipping porridge, while giving instructions to her husband, son, and daughter-in-law nearby.

Uncle Jiu and Brother Bai had told them to rest for a day, but they couldn’t really take that seriously.

If none of them went to work, it would not only be bad for themselves but also hurt Bai Lianshan’s reputation as the production team leader. They couldn’t do that.

Originally, Qiao Jiuru wanted Zhou Wanwan to stay home and care for Dabao and Xiaobao, but the family lacked so many things—even a place to eat—let alone other necessities.

“Okay, Xiao Ze and I really have to go to work. For the things missing at home, maybe wait until we get back to look for them. You and Xiaowan should rest.”

Su Huaiyuan also thought his wife’s plan was good.

They came here to reform; the sooner they started work, the sooner they adapted.

More importantly, it would leave a good impression on others.

Su Ze, also holding his lunch box and eating sweet potatoes with porridge, nodded.

He agreed—it wouldn’t do to neglect others just because familiar people were taking care of them. Otherwise, the favor would eventually run out.

“Mom, tomorrow morning I’ll look after Dabao and Xiaobao; in the afternoon I’ll also go to work. We can’t give people any reason to talk, and we can’t make things hard for Uncle Bai and the others.”

Zhou Wanwan’s change was quick.

She hurriedly said she wouldn’t rest anymore.

Now that they had finally arrived at such a good place, she only wanted to live a peaceful life with the whole family together.

In the dim candlelight, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan exchanged a glance and silently nodded.

As long as the whole family worked together, there was no fear of living poorly or not surviving.

Not to mention, they had a secret stronghold in the rear.

“Alright, let’s do it this way.”