CHAPTER 5: Preparing to Go to the Countryside

In the Su family, the person closest to Su Yuan was her second sister-in-law — Wen Yan.

Not only had the two of them grown up together, they had also been the best of friends.

If she wanted to get to the bottom of her background, Su Yuan could only turn to Wen Yan for help.

The next morning, she carried two jin of fruit candy to the gates of a certain elementary school.

Through the gatekeeper, she called her out.

The last time they had met was about a week ago. Wen Yan came trotting over, her cheeks flushed and full of worry.
“What happened? Did that Zhao Xiaoxue bully you?”

“No, I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Su Yuan handed her the candy with a warm smile.
“Here, have a piece to sweeten your mouth.”

Wen Yan didn’t stand on ceremony, taking it and leading her to a quiet spot under a shady tree. She tilted her head and asked, “Really nothing’s wrong? You’re not lying to me, are you?”

“Really nothing. If you don’t believe me, ask my second brother.”

Su Yuan unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into Wen Yan’s mouth, then changed the subject.
“How are things between you and my second brother now? Still not forgiving him?”

At the mention of Su Aijun, Wen Yan instantly bristled.
“That man’s just stupidly filial. The moment his mother cries, he goes soft. Doesn’t matter if he can actually do it or not — he dares to agree to anything. Living with him is exhausting!”

It wasn’t just Su Aijun — all of the Su children had the same problem. Since they were little, Father Su had constantly warned them never to anger Zhang Lanjun. No matter who was right or wrong, they had to give in to her. Anyone who disobeyed would be in for a beating.

Wen Yan had never thought of it as a flaw before; she’d even thought it was filial piety. But now, as part of the Su family, experiencing it firsthand… she was finding it unbearable.

So, not long after marrying, she and Su Aijun were quarreling — small fights every three days, big fights every two — and she used it as an excuse to go back to her parents’ house often.

Out of respect for the long friendship between the two families, no matter how much Zhang Lanjun disliked it, she wouldn’t stop her from going home. She’d only vent her anger on Su Aijun instead.

Seeing how aggrieved she was, Su Yuan smiled helplessly.
“So what do you plan to do? Really never forgive him?”

Wen Yan’s expression turned awkward, and she mumbled, “Actually… Aijun’s pretty good. He’s honest, not scheming, and treats me really well. I just wanted to stay at my parents’ place for a while, so I picked fights on purpose. Sigh… I can’t divorce him just because of his mother, can I?”

They’d been childhood sweethearts with deep feelings — it wasn’t something you could just end.

Su Yuan smiled at her and suggested, “You two could move out. Then the problem would be solved.”

“You think I haven’t suggested it? That filial fool said his parents wouldn’t allow it.”

Every family has its own troubles. Su Yuan, having grown up under the same kind of emotional manipulation, could understand both Aijun and Wen Yan — but she couldn’t help much.

After a moment’s hesitation, Wen Yan asked, “So, why did you come here today? You’re not really just here to give me candy, are you?”

As she spoke, she suddenly thought of something.
“Wait… did you find a lead on your background?”

Su Yuan didn’t deny it. After a brief pause, she repeated the words Father Su had told her, then said seriously, “Yanzi, you’re the only one I can trust right now.”

Wen Yan frowned.
“You mean… Aijun’s dad didn’t tell you the truth?”

“Mm. I want to go to the Northeast and investigate in person.”

Wen Yan had heard that winters there were bone-chilling, with temperatures dropping to more than thirty degrees below zero. She didn’t approve.
“Isn’t there another way? And how would you even get there?”

It was 1973 — in that era, you couldn’t get anywhere without an introduction letter.

Su Yuan first glanced around carefully. Seeing no one paying attention to them, she lowered her voice and revealed her plan.

First, she would get those two addresses — they didn’t need to be too specific, just the name of the township would do. Then she’d sign up to go to the countryside as a “sent-down youth,” giving her a legitimate reason to travel to the Northeast.

After hearing the plan, Wen Yan was worried.
“A young unmarried girl going that far alone… are you sure? Why not take your time? If it really comes to it, I can have my father help investigate.”

Wen’s father was an upright, principled man. But Su Yuan didn’t want to trouble him, and even less did she want to make a fuss and alert Su Jianguo.

“Yanzi, thank you. Trust me — I can handle it.”

Half an hour later, the two parted ways under the shade of the tree.

When Su Yuan returned home, Zhang Lanjun was sitting in the main room, her face dark.
“Where did you run off to so early in the morning? Your father’s been looking for you everywhere!”

At the mention of her father, Su Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to look calm.
“What did Dad want with me?”

Zhang Lanjun pulled fifty yuan out of her pocket and slapped it onto the table.
“On Sunday, we’re having guests over. Your dad said for you and Xiaoxue to buy new clothes. My legs aren’t good, so you take the money and go to the department store with her.”

“Mm. Alright.”

Su Yuan took the money without another word.

….

The department store in the capital was located right in the city center, and getting there by bus took ages.

Clutching the handrail, Zhao Xiaoxue was nearly squashed flat, her face full of impatience. When they finally got off, she immediately started complaining.
“Why didn’t we take one of the jeeps from the compound? Instead we had to suffer through this bus ride.”

Out in public, she reverted to her true self — no pretense of gentleness or charm.

Su Yuan’s expression stayed cool, long since used to her grumbling.
“The jeeps belong to the state. If you want to borrow one, go ahead and ask. No one’s stopping you.”

Zhao Xiaoxue choked on her words, then muttered, “I don’t know anyone here. Who could I borrow it from? If it weren’t for you, my life wouldn’t be this miserable.”

That’s how she had thought in her past life — and still thought now.

“What does your misery have to do with me?”

Su Yuan actually laughed in disbelief. “You should be asking Auntie how you got lost back then. I was just a swaddled infant — what, did I have the ability to toss you out myself?”

Zhao Xiaoxue pressed her lips together, wanting to retort, but couldn’t find a single reason that held up.

They entered the department store one after the other.

The second floor sold fabric and ready-made clothing, with a wide variety of styles.

Su Yuan casually picked out a blue dress, just to get it over with.

As someone reborn, Zhao Xiaoxue had seen far more of the world. She made two careful circuits, but not a single item pleased her.

In the end, her mind turned. She bought four meters of floral print fabric, planning to make something herself.

In her previous life, she’d worked in a department store tailoring hems for customers — her sewing skills were decent. Making a dress now wouldn’t be difficult.

After paying, she still had more than fifty yuan left. Smiling, she suggested,
“How about we go to a restaurant for braised pork? Eating canteen slop every day is so boring.”

Su Yuan refused without hesitation.
“Mom said we’re only to buy clothes. The rest of the money can’t be spent.”

The Su parents were frugal, even stricter with their children. If they spent that leftover money today, Zhang Lanjun would never let it go — she’d lecture you with cutting words every single day until she’d vented her anger.

But Zhao Xiaoxue didn’t know that. Thinking Su Yuan was just being difficult, her face darkened.
“I don’t care, I want braised pork.”

“Then why don’t you write up a receipt? You can take charge of the rest of the money, and spend it however you like.”

For a moment, Zhao Xiaoxue couldn’t figure out Su Yuan’s angle. Afraid of being tricked, she finally shut her mouth and stopped making a fuss.

On the way back, they didn’t exchange a single word.

Su Yuan gazed out the bus window, feeling nothing but tired.

Sunday came quickly.

The Su family had a lot of visitors that day — all relatives and family friends — coming to see the injured Zhang Lanjun and to celebrate Zhao Xiaoxue’s return to her birth family.

On such an important day, Wen Yan, as the Su family’s daughter-in-law, had no choice but to show up and help entertain the guests.

She pulled Su Yuan into the kitchen, whispering,
“These relatives are so snobbish. Before, they couldn’t be warmer when they saw you. Now? They can’t even muster a smile — just about ready to look down their noses at you.”

Su Yuan just smiled, taking it in stride.
“At least I don’t have to hear them go on and on about that difficult birth and near-death anymore. No more guilt trips — I rather like it this way.”

Meanwhile, in the main room—

Several older relatives had Zhao Xiaoxue surrounded as they once again brought up the past, talking about how hard things had been for Zhang Lanjun, how she’d nearly lost her life giving birth.

Zhang Lanjun sat beside them, dabbing at her eyes, radiating the light of a selfless, loving mother.

Zhao Xiaoxue was growing irritable, but had no choice but to endure.

When Su Yuan came in with tea, she caught sight of Zhao Xiaoxue’s deadpan expression.

She was about to leave after setting down the cups when she suddenly heard someone mention her aunt. Her steps slowed, and she listened closely.

“How’s Su Yanning doing up in the Northeast? Does she still write home?”

“She writes every now and then — says she’s doing well. Her son’s about to start junior high.”

In the past, all the Su family’s letters had been sent to Su Jianguo’s office, so Su Yuan had never seen any of her aunt’s correspondence.

She pricked up her ears.

“Ah, she was too headstrong back then — insisted on marrying some poor boy, moving so far away. If she ever got bullied, there’d be no family around to help.”

“Jianguo’s done well as her brother. In someone else’s place, who would have supported a married sister for so many years? He not only arranged her a job, but sent her money.”

Afraid that lingering too long might draw Zhang Lanjun’s notice, Su Yuan quickly returned to the kitchen and asked Wen Yan to go take her place and listen for anything important.

Over ten minutes later, Wen Yan came back with an empty thermos, shaking her head.
“They didn’t bring it up again — just chatted about everyday things.”

Just then, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Thinking it might be another relative, Su Yuan hurried to open the door — only to find Sun Xiaohu standing there, looking anxious.

“Jie, bad news! That bastard Xiao Qi is spreading rumors again, saying you two are getting married at the end of the month, with both families’ approval. What do we do now?”

Her head buzzed, anger boiling up, and it took her a while to regain control.

This wasn’t the place to talk. Su Yuan took him to the empty woodshed, forcing herself to stay calm.

“You and Li Chaoyang mustn’t act rashly. I’ll tell you the truth — I’ve already decided to go to the countryside. He won’t be able to touch me.”

“What? The countryside?! Where are you going? Does Fu Mobai know?”

Sun Xiaohu’s eyes went wide in shock.

“No one knows for now. You have to keep this a secret.”

In the original plot, Xiao Qi hadn’t been this aggressive — maybe the storyline had shifted, making him more and more out of control.

With so many variables, Su Yuan decided to speed up her plans. She would leave this place of trouble before the Su family ever heard the rumors.