Second Aunt Bai went to persuade the onlooking women to leave. Taotao’s sister-in-law, Tan Fenghui, entered the room while supporting her pregnant belly. Bai Lili carefully helped Bai Zhengqian into the house as well.

Bai Zhengqian, holding his waist, immediately saw Taotao crying like that, with blood streaming down her arm. The head of the family gasped sharply, his bull-like eyes widening in shock.

Second Aunt Bai was talking to Tang Liren. “…Taotao has been good today. She didn’t go anywhere. I’ve been in the yard doing laundry all along. I didn’t even notice the fourth family’s person coming in. When I heard Taotao crying and came to look… Oh, sister-in-law, you’d better check on Taotao first. What’s going on here? She’s bleeding so much…”

Tang Liren was already wiping her daughter’s arm with a towel while listening to her sister-in-law. Seeing Taotao’s arm smooth and uninjured, she turned to her husband and said, “Taotao is fine. There’s no wound on her arm.”

Hearing his wife say Taotao was fine, Bai Zhengqian finally let out a sigh of relief. With Bai Lili’s support, he sat on the kang and asked Taotao, “Taotao, what on earth happened?”

He didn’t expect his simple-minded daughter to explain the situation clearly. He knew well how naive his daughter was. Still, he had to ask, as her father and protector. Even with his injured waist, he had to stand up for his daughter.

Bai Taoji crisply replied, “Fourth Aunt came to steal money.”

The words were barely out when the entire family was shocked!

Even Second Aunt Bai was stunned.

—How did Taotao speak so clearly?

Bai Lili was even more surprised. “Xiao Taozi, you… your speech isn’t stuttering anymore?”

“You-you’re the one who stutters!” Bai Taoji retorted.

Tan Fenghui, supporting her belly, slowly sat in a nearby chair and asked, “Taotao, how do you know Fourth Aunt came to steal money? What did she say or do? How did you respond? Why was there blood on your arm earlier? Did she hit you?”

Tang Liren frowned. “Hui’er, don’t ask Taotao so many questions at once. How can she answer all of them?”

Bai Taoji stammered, “Fourth Aunt asked me… where Dad’s compensation money was hidden… I-I didn’t know, and Fourth Aunt hit me.”

The family was shocked again!

Though fragmented, the content was quite clear!

Bai Lili was furious and gritted her teeth. “I’ll go find her!” She turned to head toward the fourth household—

“Stop!” Tang Liren shouted.

Bai Lili said anxiously, “Mom, we can’t let Fourth Aunt steal our family’s money!”

Tan Fenghui patiently asked Bai Taoji, “Taotao, did you tell her anything?”

Bai Taoji really wanted to explain, but she realized this body truly couldn’t… even say a few more words without stammering and gasping. So she just shook her head.

Tang Liren frowned. “What are you panicking for? Taozi might not even know where the money is!”

In fact, Bai Taotao knew everything.

It was mainly because she was “a fool,” that no one guarded against her.

Tang Liren discussed with Bai Zhengqian, “Husband, why don’t I deposit that money in the savings office?”

That way, it wouldn’t always tempt people at home.

Bai Zhengqian nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Tan Fenghui glanced at Second Aunt Bai, thinking that while Second Aunt Bai was trustworthy, after all, she wasn’t part of the immediate family. Matters involving money shouldn’t be discussed in front of her. So she changed the subject. “Second Aunt, where are Hongdou and Huangdou?”

Those were her and her husband Bai Dongsheng’s daughter and son, one six years old and the other not yet four.

Today was Bai Zhengqian’s follow-up appointment at the county hospital. Her mother-in-law, Tang Liren, borrowed an ox cart and decided to take Tan Fenghui, eight months pregnant, for a check-up as well.

Before leaving, Tan Fenghui had instructed her children to stay home and accompany their Fourth Aunt Bai Taotao.

Now, where were they?

Second Aunt Bai said, “They were just here! Oh, that’s right… Something big happened over at the Educated Youth Station, and it caused quite a commotion. They might have run over to watch the excitement.”

Just as she was speaking, Hongdou and Huangdou ran back, holding hands.

“Mom, Grandmother, Grandpa, Third Aunt, you’re back? Fourth Aunt, hello! Second grandmother, hello!” The two little ones were overjoyed. After greeting everyone, they chattered excitedly:

“Mom, there was a fight at the Educated Youth Station! One guy fought more than ten people! That big brother was amazing. He got hurt, but the ones who he beat had their front teeth knocked out…”

“Mom, big brother—fighting! Big brother—angry, big sister—wah wah, crying!”

Hongdou, being older, spoke clearly and rapidly without needing to catch her breath. Huangdou, only three and a half, still spoke with repetition and a drawn-out, childish tone.

Seeing how dirty her two children were, Tan Fenghui was a bit annoyed. “Hongdou, take your brother to wash your faces and clean your hands.”

Hongdou, clever for her age, guessed that the adults might have brought something nice back from the trip to town.

Realizing this, Hongdou grinned and pulled her brother away quickly.

Tang Liren motioned for Bai Lili to close the door. Then she took a plastic bag from her shoulder bag, counted the contents, took out a few meat buns, and, after Bai Lili handed her a clean plastic bag, packed the buns and gave them to Second Aunt Bai.

“These are meat buns we bought in town. Take some home for your family—one for each person.”

Second Aunt Bai’s face turned red. “No, no, no! Elder brother’s health is poor, and Dongsheng’s wife is pregnant. You all should eat them!”

Tang Liren said, “We bought them with you in mind! Each of our family members gets one, and that’s all. But there won’t be extras, so take them quietly, hide them with your apron… If Li Cui’er finds out, I won’t admit to anything! Don’t blame me—I never bought any meat buns!”

Second Aunt Bai was amused but firmly refused to take the buns.

Bai Lili and Tan Fenghui persuaded her with difficulty.

Finally, with a red face, Second Aunt Bai hid the buns and said, “I made noodle soup for lunch today. It’s ready on the stove. Hurry and take it before the third and fourth households mess with it.” Saying this, she hurried off.

Hongdou and Huangdou came back after washing their hands. Smelling the aroma, they clapped their hands excitedly. “Meat buns! I can smell the meat buns!”

Tan Fenghui quickly shushed them with a finger to her lips.

Hongdou got the hint, covered her mouth with her hand, and nodded.

Huangdou licked his lips and quietly asked, “Grandmother, when can we eat the meat buns?”

Tang Liren smiled. “We’ll eat them together after your dad gets off work. How about that?”

The little one nodded seriously.

Hongdou clutched the bag and counted the steamed buns. “One, two, three… grandmother, why are there only nine buns?”

There were eleven people in the family. Even if Second Uncle had joined the army, there were still ten people left!

“Your Second Aunt isn’t coming back for the next few days. She went to her parents’ house,” Tang Liren explained. “When I go to pick her up in a few days, I’ll buy more buns and make up for the meat bun then, okay?”

Hongdou nodded.

Bai Lili suddenly asked, “Hongdou, where’s your aunt?”

—Where had Bai Xingxing gone?

Hongdou pouted. “As soon as you all left, Auntie left too. She said she was going to Fangfang’s house to look at her snow cream.”

Just then, a commotion erupted outside—it seemed the production team had finished work for the day.

Tang Liren quickly said, “Lizi, let’s go to the kitchen and bring the food over!”

Tan Fenghui interjected, “Mom, I’ll go!”

“Don’t move!” Tang Liren said firmly. “You’re carrying a baby and already spent the whole day bouncing around. That’s more than enough, so take a rest! We’ll bring the noodle soup over. Paired with fermented bean curd and meat buns, it’ll do just fine!”

With that, Tang Liren took Bai Lili to the kitchen to fetch the food.

Meanwhile, Bai Zhengqian had started talking to Bai Taotao.

Earlier, Tang Liren and the others hadn’t stopped talking which made the room noisy. Bai Taotao couldn’t quite catch what her father was saying. It was only because Bai Zhengqian repeated himself over and over again that she managed to piece it together, then slowly responded to him word by word…

Now that Tang Liren and Bai Lili had gone to the kitchen and Hongdou and Huangdou had fallen silent, Bai Zhengqian finally heard his foolish daughter’s words clearly—

“Fourth Aunt said I’m retribution… That my parents did evil things… so I turned out stupid. She said giving me eggs to eat is a waste, and it would be better to raise a pig… If I died, I wouldn’t drag my sisters’ reputations down… The first branch does less work but eats more… My mom isn’t filial…”

Of course, those weren’t words Li Cui’er had said today. She had been speaking behind Bai Zhengqian and his wife’s backs everyday.

And since Bai Taotao was a fool, Li Cui’er had even deliberately pointed at her while scolding her to vent her frustrations.

Now Bai Taotao recited everything Li Cui’er had said in full detail. Though her speech was halting, her words were clear enough.

After rattling off the grievances in one breath, Bai Taoji felt drained. Her head grew heavier, and she collapsed onto the brick bed and fell asleep.

Bai Zhengqian’s face twisted in anger.

Tan Fenghui was furious too. “What does she mean we do less work but eat more? If we’re talking about working in the fields, the first branch has always contributed the most but received the least! It’s only in the past six months, after Nansheng joined the army, Lanfen (Nansheng’s wife) and I got pregnant, and Dad hurt his back, that we fell behind on work for a few days…”

Before she could finish, the door suddenly opened.

It was Bai Taotao’s eldest brother, Bai Dongsheng.

His face was dark, and there was someone behind him.

As soon as the door opened, Li Cui’er’s loud scolding from the yard poured clearly into the room—

“…Eleven people in the family, one cripple, one fool, two kids, and two pregnant women. The rest are all weak women who can’t lift a thing! Hmph, and one who said joining the army is glorious! Knowing the family’s short on labor, he still ran off to join the army!”

“This whole family relies on one person’s work points. It’s barely enough to survive! In the end, they’re spending what we earned? Are we supposed to work ourselves to death to feed others? Do we not need to live?”

“And look at them, acting all high and mighty! Hoarding all the money they saved up over the years and not sharing a single cent! But when it comes to stocking up on food and drink for themselves, they’re quick as lightning. Shameless! If you ask me, we should just split the family! Who can live like this…”

Bai Zhengqian was livid.

When his father died, Bai Zhengqian had only been fifteen. His second brother was eleven, and the two stepbrothers were seven and four.

He had no choice but to work in the production team by himself.

A thin and weak teenager couldn’t possibly earn as many work points as a grown man!

But if he didn’t work, the five people in the family wouldn’t even have food to eat! With no other options, he gritted his teeth and toiled away—others worked eight hours to earn enough points, but he worked ten, twelve, even fourteen hours to scrape together ten work points!

That kind of life dragged on for years until Tang Liren joined the family. Things finally improved a little.

Tang Liren was hardworking, proud, and unwilling to admit defeat. The couple struggled together to raise Bai Zhengqian’s younger brothers. Only after the younger ones got married did they dare to have their own child.

The third and fourth younger brothers were raised by Bai Zhengqian and Tang Liren.

And now the fourth brother’s wife was trying to steal money and even shouting about splitting the family???

Wasn’t it just because she thought the first branch was no longer useful?

Bai Zhengqian was seething.

Bai Taotao had just spoken too much and felt dizzy. When her brother came home and opened the door, the cold wind sobered her up a little. She also overheard her fourth aunt’s vulgar shouting from the yard and muttered to Bai Zhengqian, “Dad… Dad… Split the family, split the family! Let’s live a good life by ourselves.”

Hearing this, Tan Fenghui and Bai Dongsheng turned to Bai Zhengqian with hope in their eyes.

—The third and fourth branches had long clamored for the family to split, but Bai Zhengqian saw himself as the head of the household and clung to old traditions, believing that “the family shouldn’t split while the parents are still alive.” Even though his mother was actually a stepmother.

No matter who brought up the topic before, Bai Zhengqian would get angry.

But Taotao was different.

She was the apple of Bai Zhengqian and Tang Liren’s eye, cherished and protected. No matter what she said, Bai Zhengqian always thought she was sweet, pitiful, and precious…

This time was no different. Looking at his daughter curled up like a little cat, looking so delicate and exhausted, Bai Zhengqian’s heart ached. He softly coaxed her, “Alright, alright! Once you wake up, we’ll split the family, okay? Now rest and save your strength.”

Tan Fenghui and Bai Dongsheng were ecstatic, eyes wide with disbelief.

Just then, the young man who had followed Bai Dongsheng spoke up. “Brother Bai, I’d better… head back for now!”

Everyone turned to notice the stranger who had come in with Bai Dongsheng—he wore a slightly worn white shirt, but the collar and cuffs were torn. His clothes were stained with mud, and his face and hands were bruised and battered, with dried blood at the corner of his mouth.

Everyone froze.

—Who was this person?

Bai Dongsheng quickly introduced him. “Dad, this is Song Zhi, a new educated youth. He just arrived in the village today.”

Bai Zhengqian responded with an “Oh,” recalling the recent notice about urban educated youths coming to the countryside to experience rural life and help build modern villages.

However—

Bai Zhengqian sized up Song Zhi and thought this young man looked decent enough, so why was he in such a sorry state?

Hongdou and Huangdou also stretched their necks to take a closer look at Song Zhi and said in unison:

“Big Brother fights so well!”
“Even with ten of them together, they couldn’t beat Big Brother!”

Bai Zhengqian: ???

Song Zhi pressed his lips tightly together without saying a word, his expression gloomy.

Bai Dongsheng gave his family a look, signaling them not to ask questions for now. Then he instructed his wife, “Hui’er, go get the iodine and red medicine!”

Since Bai Zhengqian had been injured a while ago while saving someone, the family had stocked up on medical supplies. Tan Fenghui responded and waddled off to the next room to find the medicine.

In the corner of the heated brick bed, Bai Taoji, who had been dozing off, suddenly opened her cat-like eyes wide!

—Spiritual energy?! Dense, fragrant spiritual energy!!!

Where was the spiritual energy coming from?

At that moment, Song Zhi felt a little uncomfortable and said in a low voice, “Brother, I… I shouldn’t trouble you anymore…”

Bai Dongsheng firmly pressed both hands on Song Zhi’s shoulders and made him sit back down on the bed. “Don’t worry. Let’s take care of your wounds first, then have a meal, and rest for a bit.”

Bai Taoji finally located the source of the spiritual energy and quickly crawled from the other end of the bed to Song Zhi’s side, placing her little paws on his back…

Song Zhi noticed and turned his head, only to freeze in shock.

What he saw was a face as beautiful as a peach or a plum.

Meanwhile, Bai Taoji took deep breaths—then more deep breaths—

The young man in front of her was surrounded by a thick layer of spiritual energy. To Bai Taoji, who had been looking at everything as a blurry haze, it was like seeing a walking ball of spiritual energy.

At this moment, the endless stream of wonderful spiritual energy radiating from him enveloped her completely. After just a few breaths, she suddenly felt clear-headed, sharp-eared, and light on her feet!

Bai Taoji finally got a proper look at the first person she had seen since arriving in this world

She suddenly gasped in shock!

T/N: Imagine being a man in a conservative era and just having a random, pretty girl place her hands on you. *shy*