She felt completely at ease, with no pain anywhere.

She removed the needle from the back of her hand and got out of bed to make noodles.

She pulled Lin Auntie, “Big Sister-in-law, come with me.”

Lin Auntie: “Let me go get some fine noodles.”

Seeing that Lin’s father and mother had regained their spirits, looking nothing like the depressed and repressed people they were moments ago, it was clear how much stress they had been under.

Lin Shu also felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

She was afraid that Lin’s father and mother would start overthinking things again—worrying about divorce, losing a large dowry, potential revenge from the Sun family, and how pitiful Bao’er would be.

So she deliberately provoked Lin’s father, “Dad, the family matters are settled. You should prepare to take the tractor driver exam with Lin Yue.”

Although Lin’s father was boastful, he was unsure about actually going, “I’m so old…”

Lin Shu: “Excuses? As long as they let you sign up, you should just give it a try. If you and Lin Yue both pass, our family benefits. Full work points, a monthly subsidy of about ten yuan, and various other benefits. Many people are scrambling for it. My big sister-in-law is going too.”

Lin’s father immediately said, “Then I’ll sign up too. If they don’t mind my age, I’ll go try.”

Lin Shu: “We’re not eating now; we need to hurry back and register. Dad, you should hurry up and sign up too.”

Lin’s father held his grandson, and Lin’s mother took over the family’s money box and grain bags, feeling an unexpected sense of relief.

Lin’s mother smiled and said, “Old man, is this house ours again?”

Lin’s father nodded, “Yes, it’s ours.”

Lin’s mother peered outside, worried that Sun Xiaohong might come back, “Not the Sun family anymore?”

Lin’s father choked up, “Not the Sun family. It’s the Lin family!”

Lin’s mother, tearfully happy, said, “Our daughter is amazing, and our son is strong. In the future, we…”

Lin’s father put his arm around her shoulder, “In the future, even if we live on coarse food, it will be a good life.”

Owning their own home and being in control of their own lives made even a diet of coarse food feel like a good life, at least without the daily mental strain.

….

Back at Lu’s village, Lin Shu went home to cook and urged Big Sister-in-law Lu Da to hurry to the brigade to register.

Usually straightforward and enthusiastic about matters involving friends and family, Sister-in-law Lu Da felt shy and hesitant when it came to her own involvement, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lin Shu suggested that perhaps Big Brother Lu Dage hadn’t registered yet, so she should go with him and check if there were any age restrictions for registration.

Lin Shu needed help, so Sister-in-law Lu Da quickly went to register.

She inquired and found that there were no age restrictions, but in their brigade, most applicants were men aged seventeen to thirty-five.

There were few women, and even fewer elderly people.

Lin Shu wasn’t insisting that Lin Father become a tractor driver; she just wanted to motivate him to participate in some competitions, make him face reality, and either learn something practical or stop boasting.

In the afternoon, Sister-in-law Lu Da didn’t go to work but stayed home to dig the fish pond as Lin Shu had requested.

When the family members returned from work, they all joined in the labor.

Fang Dihua also didn’t inquire further about Lin Yue’s situation.

She acknowledged the divorce with a nod and said it was a good thing, then joined the others in digging the fish pond.

Lu Erge and the others dealt with the large tree trunks.

Felling a tree wasn’t as simple as cutting it down.

The branches had to be removed, the bark stripped off, and then the trunks had to be processed according to their intended use.

If they were to be used as large pillars or beams, they had to be selected for appropriate thickness, left to air-dry, and could only be used after a couple of years.

If planks were needed, the wood also had to air-dry for several months to avoid swelling and deformation due to moisture.

A large locust tree, standing 30 to 40 meters tall, had to be cut into several sections, making it a labor-intensive job.

Basically, it was Lu Erge and Xu Laonian doing the work, while Lu Dage only gave instructions.

Sister-in-law Lu Da was excitedly talking with Lin Shu about the tractor.

Lin Shu explained the parts of a tractor to her.

Sister-in-law Lu Da looked at her in surprise, “Third Sister-in-law, how do you know so much?”

Lin Shu replied, “It’s not hard to understand. You see, there are illustrations in comic books, and I’ve seen them in the commune before.”

Operating a tractor isn’t something they expect you to know right away; they want you to learn quickly.

She would give Sister-in-law Lu Da some special instructions, and she’d learn it easily.

Sister-in-law Lu Da was quite adept, except for cooking and sewing.

Lu Dage tried to belittle his wife, “You’re just a woman…”

Lin Shu responded, “Big Brother Dage, Mother is a woman too. Are you afraid of her?”

Lu Dage was taken aback and realized he was scared—terrified, actually.

Lin Shu preemptively warned them, “Dage, if you don’t pass the exam but Sister-in-law does, you shouldn’t be unhappy. You also shouldn’t intentionally prevent her from passing just to save face. If she fails, it will be your fault!”

Lu Dage asked, “What? She fails and it’s my fault? Why?”

Lin Shu said, “Sister-in-law Lu Da is so capable and smart, how could she possibly fail? If she does, it must be because you deliberately made it difficult for her to pass, just to protect your own dignity.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Dage immediately said, “Wife, don’t worry about my face. You must pass the exam.”

He added, “Don’t let being a woman hold you back from learning to operate a tractor.”

He muttered to himself, “I have to pass the exam. I’m so smart, how can I be worse than you women?”

This time, the tractor driver selection didn’t involve any cultural knowledge; it was just about how quickly someone could learn to drive a tractor and operate it for plowing.

Repairing the tractor would be covered in subsequent training, which would also help improve individual cultural levels.

Lin Shu wanted to ask why Lu Erge (Second Brother Lu) hadn’t registered.

Lu Erge’s wife had been watching Lin Shu like a hawk, especially since Lin Shu had not donned mourning clothes for Lu Shaotang and was dressed up and wandering around.

She suspected Lin Shu might be trying to attract men.

She immediately said, “Your second brother isn’t going. No need to ask.”

Lin Shu didn’t ask, but Big Sister-in-law Lu Da did, “Second Brother, why aren’t you going?”

Lu Erge kept working, his hands busy, “I can’t learn.”

Since both the eldest brother and sister-in-law were going and the eldest brother was smart enough to pass, one person from the family was enough.

If everyone went, who would handle the work at home?

Although driving a tractor also earned full work points and subsidies, there were still many chores at home, and if everyone was away, the work would fall on their mother’s shoulders.

That wouldn’t do.

A few days before the exam, Lin Shu found time to chat with Big Sister-in-law Lu Da about the key components of the tractor, even drawing diagrams for her.

Big Sister-in-law Lu Da learned diligently, which made Big Brother Lu Dage suffer.

Big Brother Lu Dage complained to Lin Shu, “Sister-in-law, don’t instruct us blindly. Your big sister-in-law dreams about the throttle, brake, and clutch. Last night, she nearly kicked me off the bed.”

If it weren’t for the fear of being scolded by his mother, he would have shown Lin Shu the bruises on his waist from being kicked by Lu Da.

It was truly suffering.

Women shouldn’t be driving tractors!

Soon, it was the day of the commune exam.

The production teams going for the exam were given time off.

Sister-in-law Lu Da said to Lin Shu, “Sister-in-law, come with me.”

Lin Shu: “But there’s Big Brother.”

Big Brother Lu Dage: “What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just driving a tractor.”

Sister-in-law Lu Da insisted on Lin Shu going along, and Lin Shu thought it would be good to see the process too.

So, she decided to accompany them.

Their family didn’t have a bicycle, so they went on foot in a group.

On the way, someone saw Lin Shu and was surprised, “She’s going too?”

Before Lin Shu could reply, Sister-in-law Lu Da said loudly, “Why shouldn’t my sister-in-law go?”

The person, taken aback by her tone, didn’t argue and just awkwardly moved on.

When they arrived at the square in front of the commune, many people were already gathered—members from various teams and production squads, ranging from teenagers to those in their forties.

Most of the people here are men, though there are a few women too.

Regardless of gender, Lin Shu stands out the most among them.

While others have tanned dark from the sun, even those with lighter skin have darkened faces, forearms, and lower legs, her exposed skin remains fair and bright, which makes people feel pleased just looking at her.

Men steal glances at her, openly staring, while women both admire and envy her, some even scolding her as a seductress.

No matter what others think, Lin Shu remains graceful and confident.

These people just lack exposure; it’s a limitation of their social environment, not something done intentionally.

Among this group, many will later become key players in square dancing, their colorful scarves dominating the scene.

Sister-in-law Lu Da is very nervous, her tall frame hunched over. “Sister-in-law, I’ve forgotten everything.”

Lin Shu reassures her, “It’s alright, once you see the tractor, the driver will explain it to you, and you’ll get the hang of it right away.”

Brother Lu Dage glances at them, thinking that the third sister-in-law is really good at persuading, even better than him.

After a while, Lin’s father and Lin Yue arrive with a few young people.

In just a few days, Lin’s father seems to have aged back by ten years, his face beaming with smiles.

Lin Yue’s hair is neatly styled, looking relaxed, and his demeanor is more composed.

They chat warmly upon meeting.

Lin’s father mentions that Lin’s mother’s illness has suddenly improved, and she is even more energetic than before.

She now takes care of the children and does housework without needing help.

Lin Shu is also happy for her.

Just as she was about to ask if Sun Xiaohong had been causing trouble, the three brothers from the Sun family arrive.

Sun Er’s gaze toward Lin Shu and the others is fierce and unkind.

Sister-in-law Lu Da immediately glares back, “Who’s afraid of you?”