Chapter 27

After Liu Xiong left Fengming Mountain with Little Tiger, Ruan Cuizhi’s life returned to its usual calm. It wasn’t much different from the previous ten days, as the villagers had already gossiped about her impending divorce.

The continued gossip was nothing new.

Ruan Cuizhi’s situation affected Ruan Xi, but not significantly. She didn’t care about others’ opinions and spent her days practicing drawing at the old tailor’s house and learning from Ling Yao. The old tailor and Ling Yao paid no attention to the village gossip.

Although the Ruan family was the subject of gossip due to Ruan Cuizhi’s situation, having lived in the village for decades, few people would openly embarrass them. Gossip was a private matter, and in-person interactions remained the same.

Greetings were exchanged as usual, and the Ruan family’s divorce didn’t interfere with others’ lives. People gossiped but didn’t get involved. As long as they didn’t feel ashamed or humiliated, life continued as before.

Those with good relationships would even ask Ruan Cuizhi about her plans. Divorce wasn’t common in those days, making it difficult to initiate and finalize, causing others to worry for her.

Of course, people like Ruan Changgui and Sun Xiaohui, who felt inconvenienced by the situation, distanced themselves from the family, treating them as invisible to avoid any association with the scandal.

Elderly women like Zhao, Li, and Hu, concerned about Liu Xinghua’s well-being, visited her more frequently, keeping her company and chatting while doing needlework.

They didn’t avoid the topic of Ruan Cuizhi, asking Liu Xinghua, “What will Cuizhi do in the future?”

Unashamed, Li Xinghua replied openly, “Once Liu Xiong agrees, we’ll handle the paperwork. Cuizhi is only in her thirties, so there’s nothing to worry about. Xiao Xi said that once she learns the craft from the old tailor, she’ll teach it to her third aunt. If she becomes a tailor, there will be even less to worry about.”

Hearing this, the three elderly women became curious and asked, “By the way, Xiao Xi has been learning the craft from the old tailor for a while now, right? How is she doing? They say the old tailor can’t teach apprentices.”

Liu Xinghua replied honestly, “I haven’t seen her use the machine, so I really don’t know. But from what she says, she’s doing quite well. The old tailor likes her and is willing to teach her.”

Grandma Li said, “Really? But I heard that the old tailor doesn’t want to teach Xiao Xi and only lets her draw every day. It’s your nephew who uses the machine every day.”

Liu Xinghua sneered, “Is this another one of Sun Xiaohui’s boasts?”

Grandma Hu laughed, “If a son is successful and learns a good craft, who wouldn’t want to brag about it?”

Liu Xinghua chuckled, “If he is successful, that’s his ability. But I’m afraid he isn’t and doesn’t even know his limits, boasting constantly. He might end up slapping himself in the face.”

Grandma Zhao looked at Liu Xinghua and said, “But he’s still your grandson.”

Liu Xinghua sighed, “I wish I had never given birth to my second son!”

Previously, she only thought her second son and his wife were selfish. But after Ruan Cuizhi’s incident, she realized they had no humanity at all. If they could treat their own sister like this, how would they treat others?

If her son is like this, what can she expect from her grandson? A grandson is even more distant, like several mountains away.

She was waiting to see how this calculating family would live a life worth envying. Would they become the pride of the mountain, each one successful?

Although it was already autumn, the heat was still intense, and the daytime temperature hadn’t dropped. By mid-September, the rice fields were full of golden, heavy ears of rice swaying in the wind. As the autumn harvest season approached, the terraced fields transformed from summer’s lush green to golden yellow patches.

The joy of rural people is likely found in this season’s harvest. People said that this year’s harvest in Fengyan Village should be quite good.

In the evening, Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie helped Ling Yao herd the pigs home. On the way, anyone they met had a faint smile on their face, with golden hues shining through the lines of their skin.

Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie greeted familiar faces as they walked home.

As they were about to reach home, they saw a figure Ruan Xi had only seen in her memories.

Ruan Jie recognized her first and ran up to greet her, “Fourth Aunt, why are you back?”

Hearing Ruan Jie call out, Ruan Xi matched the person in front of her with her memory of Fourth Aunt Ruan Cuilan, and a sense of familiarity emerged. She walked over to Ruan Jie and also greeted with a smile, “Fourth Aunt, you’re back.”

Ruan Cuilan looked at Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie, smiling, “You’ve both grown taller.”

Ruan Jie linked arms with her, and they walked home together.

When they arrived home and saw Liu Xinghua, Ruan Jie called out first, “Grandma, Fourth Aunt is back.”

Liu Xinghua saw Ruan Cuilan and quickly got up, “How come you have time to come back now?”

Ruan Cuilan walked over to Liu Xinghua, “You didn’t tell me. I just heard about Third Sister’s situation today, so I came over. I came to see her. How is she now?”

Liu Xinghua said, “She went to work with the production team and hasn’t come back yet.”

Ruan Cuilan looked at Liu Xinghua, “She can still go to work, so she seems to be doing okay.”

Liu Xinghua patted her, “Married to such a man, suffering all these years, and now this mess, what’s okay about it? She just can’t sit still and has to work to feel at ease.”

Ruan Cuilan sighed, “All these years, I thought Third Sister was living a good life in town. Everyone said she married well, but it turns out she was living like this. I’ve been jealous of her for so many years, and it was all for nothing.”

Back then, because Liu Xinghua found a town family for Ruan Cuizhi, while she found a mountain family for her, she resented Liu Xinghua for being biased. This caused a cold and distant relationship between her and Ruan Cuizhi.

Liu Xinghua looked at her and asked, “What? Did you come to laugh at your Third Sister?”

Ruan Cuilan exclaimed, “Would I still be human if I did that?”

Liu Xinghua said, “If you’re like your second brother and sister-in-law, not worth anything, I’ll take a broom and beat you out right now. Don’t come back, and I’ll pretend I never raised you.”

Ruan Cuilan was curious, “What happened with Second Brother and Sister-in-law?”

This was a long story. The last time Ruan Cuilan came back was during the Dragon Boat Festival, so she didn’t know about the recent events. If it weren’t for the big commotion about Ruan Cuizhi’s situation, she wouldn’t have known.

Just as Liu Xinghua was about to speak, Sun Xiaohui and Ruan Cuizhi returned one after the other, so she didn’t say anything. When Sun Xiaohui went into her small kitchen, she looked at Ruan Cuizhi approaching and said, “Cuilan came back to see you.”

Ruan Cuizhi walked up to Ruan Cuilan and smiled, “Long time no see.”

Ruan Cuilan looked at her and said, “That’s because you’re busy, Third Sister. You haven’t come back in years. I thought you were living too comfortably down the mountain and had forgotten about us poor folks up here.”

Ruan Cuizhi felt embarrassed by her words, and Liu Xinghua patted her, “If you don’t know how to talk, just go back.”

Ruan Cuilan laughed, linking arms with Ruan Cuizhi, “My sister knows I don’t know how to talk.”

Ruan Cuizhi lifted her head and smiled, “Come inside and have a drink of water.”

With that, the three women went inside, poured some water, and sat down, letting Ruan Cuilan have a drink and rest.

Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie didn’t follow them inside; they stayed outside, busy cutting pig grass and chopping pig feed.

Inside, Liu Xinghua, Ruan Cuizhi, and Ruan Cuilan talked about Liu Xiong and Ruan Cuizhi’s divorce. Ruan Cuilan cursed Liu Xiong’s ancestors in every possible way, only refraining from cursing his lineage because of his son. After cursing, she took a sip of water and said, “Third Sister, you’re too honest. If it were me, I would have packed up and left the first time he hit me, letting his son fend for himself. Such a man deserves to be single for life!”

Ruan Cuizhi took a deep breath and said nothing.

Ruan Cuilan looked at her and asked, “When Liu Xiong hit you, what about the four kids? Did they just watch?”

Ruan Cuizhi replied, “At first, they were young. When they saw me getting hit, they would cry and ask their dad to stop, but Liu Xiong would scold them, telling them not to cry and locking them in a room. Later, they got used to it, probably thinking it was as normal as eating and drinking.”

Ruan Cuilan bluntly said, “Third Sister, that’s your fault for enduring it.”

Ruan Cuizhi admitted, “It’s true, I’m to blame.”

Seeing her like this, Ruan Cuilan felt sorry for her and held her hand, “In the end, it’s Liu Xiong’s fault. You endured it for the kids, but they didn’t see your suffering or know how much you endured for them. It’s not too late to realize it now. I support you; you must cut ties with him completely!”

Ruan Cuizhi nodded, “Yes.”

Ruan Cuilan continued, “If you ask me, don’t worry about the four kids. From what I see, they won’t care about you. Liu Xiong doesn’t hit them, so they side with their dad. They have food, drink, and someone to take care of them, not caring about your well-being. You always think about them, but they don’t think about you at all, not seeing how much you’ve suffered. Now that you’re getting a divorce, who knows what the Liu family is saying about you? Those four kids probably think you’re heartless for not wanting them.”

Ruan Cuizhi took a deep breath and said calmly, “Even if I want to care, what can I do?”

From the moment she decided to cut ties with Liu Xiong, Ruan Cuizhi knew she couldn’t take care of her four children, who were part of the Liu family.

Ruan Cuilan was straightforward: “Then be ruthless and act as if you never had them. Since you’ve decided to divorce and won’t go back, I can guarantee that these four children won’t acknowledge you in the future.”

Seeing Ruan Cuizhi remain silent, she continued, “Think about it. After you leave, they’ll stay with Liu Xiong and their grandparents, hearing all sorts of things every day. Even when you were with the Liu family, they didn’t protect you!”

Ruan Cuizhi still didn’t respond, so Ruan Cuilan turned to Liu Xinghua, “Mom, don’t you think I’m right?”

Liu Xinghua cleared her throat, “Maybe… probably.”

Ruan Cuilan glared, “What do you mean, maybe? It’s definitely true! So, Third Sister, I advise you not to have any expectations for the four children to avoid disappointment and heartbreak.”

After hearing Ruan Cuilan’s words, Ruan Cuizhi lowered her head and remained silent, her face showing no emotion. She was soft-hearted but not stupid; she had thought of everything, but it wasn’t as easy as an outsider made it sound.

Seeing her sitting there in a daze, Ruan Cuilan changed the subject and asked Liu Xinghua, “What happened with Second Brother and Sister-in-law? I noticed you weren’t talking to her. You didn’t finish telling me earlier.”

Liu Xinghua then recounted how Ruan Changgui and Sun Xiaohui caused trouble over the family split, falsely accused Ruan Xi of stealing grapes, and how Ruan Yuejin went to learn a craft from the old tailor, boasting about his skills, and their attitude towards Ruan Cuizhi.

After hearing this, Ruan Cuilan slapped the table, “See, having a child like my second brother is worse than not having one at all.”

Liu Xinghua said, “That’s how it is with Cuizhi. From now on, no one should mention the Liu family or their affairs. I’m just waiting to see if the second family can live a life worth envying.”

Ruan Cuilan laughed, “Live a life worth envying, like gods?”

Liu Xinghua glared at her, “If your sister-in-law hears this, she’ll report you to the village committee!”

Ruan Cuilan laughed nonchalantly, “My second brother and sister-in-law are a perfect match.”

Standing up, she said, “Alright, I’ve seen Third Sister. I need to go back.”

Liu Xinghua stood up with her, “You’ve come all this way, and you’re leaving without eating?”

Ruan Cuilan said, “Eat? It’s almost harvest time, and we’ve been so busy these days. I came specifically to check on Third Sister after hearing about her situation. Seeing that she’s doing well now, I’m relieved.”

She then looked at Ruan Cuizhi, “Third Sister, cheer up. Don’t be sad over someone who isn’t worth it. You have so many people here with you. Don’t worry about what others say. Now you’re free, just take care of yourself and be happy. I’m even envious of you. Come visit my place sometime, and I’ll cook a chicken for you.”

Ruan Cuizhi smiled and held Ruan Cuilan’s hand, “Alright.”

As Ruan Cuilan was leaving, she said to Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie, “You two little girls should come play at Fourth Aunt’s house.”

She added, “You’re getting prettier, just like me.”

Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie couldn’t help but laugh and stood up, “Okay, Fourth Aunt.”

Ruan Xi added, “We want to eat chicken too.”

Ruan Cuilan laughed, “Then bring your Third Aunt along.”

After chatting for a bit, Ruan Xi, Ruan Jie, Liu Xinghua, and Ruan Cuizhi saw her off.

After walking a few steps, she turned back and said, “Tell Dad and Xiao Wuzi that I’ll come to see them after the busy farming season. I don’t have time today, so I’ll head back now.”

Liu Xinghua nodded, “Go ahead.”

Ruan Cuilan waved casually and left.

After Ruan Cuilan’s visit, Ruan Cuizhi’s situation was temporarily settled.

Soon, the village entered the busy farming season, and no one paid attention to these miscellaneous matters. All the members focused on the harvest, concerned only with how much rice the team could gather this season.

Compared to having enough to eat, everything else seemed trivial. The joy of the harvest filled the village with a festive atmosphere. Ruan Xi didn’t go to the old tailor’s house for a few days. She and Ruan Jie went to the production team, helping with cutting and carrying rice, doing whatever they could.

After the rice in the fields was harvested, she and Ruan Jie, along with a group of girls, would pick up the leftover rice ears on the ridges. Whoever picked them up could keep them, and they would take them home to process into food for themselves.

For the past few days, she has become a little girl picking up rice ears. Although she doesn’t walk barefoot on the ridges, she wears a wild chrysanthemum in her hair and carries a small bamboo basket on her arm. She also competes with Ruan Jie to see who can pick up more rice ears and then proudly shows their haul to Liu Xinghua at home.

Life in the countryside was poor but carefree, with a unique sense of freedom and joy.

As the sun set, they rested.

Today, Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie each picked up half a basket of rice ears. They were happily competing and grabbing each other’s rice ears when Ruan Jie suddenly stopped and curiously asked, “Sister, what’s going on over there?”

Ruan Xi turned around and saw a crowd of people standing by the pond not far away. Unable to see what was happening, she quickly grabbed Ruan Jie’s wrist and headed towards the pond, saying, “Let’s go see.”