Because Li Chengze had been the one who was beaten the most severely, Lu Dan was both acting spoiled and stubborn.

Tonight, he insisted on sleeping with Su Xiangwan.

Lying beside her mother, he hugged her tightly, so tightly that Su Xiangwan could hardly breathe.

The original book had mentioned that this child would later have his legs chopped off, and while unconscious, he would repeatedly call out “Mom.”

By then, the original person had already disappeared, and no one knew where they had gone.

Even when he didn’t know if he would survive, he had told Song Qingshan that if he really died, he didn’t want the news to be published.

He was worried that if his mom saw it in the newspaper, it would make her sad.

Although he wasn’t as smooth-talking as Gou Dan, nor as perceptive as Li Chengze, he had always been like his father—strong-willed and resolute. Of all the children, he was the one who took the most responsibility.

Su Xiangwan gently patted him. The little guy had worked up a sweat, and before long, he started snoring softly.

Because the kang (heated brick bed) was too small, Zhao Yinshuang and Su Fufu slept outside.

Su Xiangwan quietly slipped out of the room and saw that Fufu was lying on a mat outside, sound asleep, surrounded by mosquitoes as big as moths, greedily sucking his blood.

These mosquitoes were hard to get rid of.

Su Xiangwan swung her arms to swat at them for a while, even causing Fufu’s face to swell up, but he still slept soundly.

She vaguely heard voices from the corner of the wall.

“Didn’t I tell you to eat when I offered it? What’s with the whining?” It was Zhao Yinshuang’s voice.

Su Xiangwan quietly moved closer and heard another man’s voice: “This is the melon your son-in-law brought. How can I eat it?”

“But you’ve taught Fufu so much. If it weren’t for you, his studies would have gone to waste. You eating some of our melon isn’t a big deal,” Zhao Yinshuang said.

Su Xiangwan quietly sneaked closer, and in her heart, she gasped in horror.

Why?

Because she realized that the person Zhao Yinshuang was secretly sharing the watermelon with was none other than Zhao Guonian, who would later become the wealthiest man in China.

Being the wealthiest man wasn’t easy, and he would soon become the director of the Qinzhou Sugar Products Factory.

Due to his expertise in sales, he would eventually become the director of the Qinzhou Cigarette Factory. However, about six years later, he would be imprisoned for ten years due to corruption.

Only after being released from prison would he go on to establish a private enterprise and gradually build it into a powerful, successful company.

Was it meaningful to be friends with someone like that?

“Your daughter and son-in-law are really something,” Zhao Guonian said in a muffled voice. “I heard that my oldest son is getting married too. I saved up for three months and managed to send him eighteen yuan, but the kid returned the money, along with a letter telling me to just be called ‘uncle,’ and he even changed his surname.”

His voice carried a sense of bitterness.

Zhao Yinshuang tried to console him: “Once you clear your name, your kids will probably want to recognize you again. For now, just relax.”

Ugh!

Su Xiangwan thought to herself, based on what she knew, Zhao Guonian’s ex-wife was occupying his house in Beijing, as well as his collection of antiques and calligraphy.

She was living a leisurely life with his superior.

But unfortunately, it seemed that in a year or two, Zhao Guonian’s superior would pass away.

Even after death, she still wanted to run to Qinzhou to cause a scene and remarry Zhao Guonian.

From this, it seemed that Zhao Yinshuang and Zhao Guonian had some feelings for each other, but it was still in a gray area, not yet fully addressed.

After thinking it over, Su Xiangwan decided it was best not to get involved. After all, she was planning to take Zhao Yinshuang with her anyway.

These two seemed to have mutual feelings, and everything sounded quite beautiful—what should be done?

Should they be left to fade without a resolution?

The next morning, Mayor Xie arrived.

He called everyone to follow Su Xiangwan’s lead, to learn how to block fat and practice scientific farming, with Ma Xijun being the most prominent laborer. Naturally, he was also the one most favored by Mayor Xie.

No matter what needed to be done, Mayor Xie always gave the orders to Ma Xijun, telling him to lead everyone.

Ma Xijun worked hard and didn’t spare the livestock.

Several of the animals had bloody marks on their ears and behinds from his whipping, but the animals walked faster under his direction.

They seemed to be terrified of him.

Though hard work was important, livestock was still life.

Many people saw how fiercely he treated the animals and repeatedly urged him: “Old Ma, at least show some mercy to the livestock. You’ve already killed three donkeys. Each of those is a life!”

“Fuck you! If you’re so kind, you come and drive the donkeys, see if they listen to you!” Ma Xijun spat angrily on the ground and wiped his thumb across his lips.

Everyone looked to Mayor Xie, hoping he would talk to Ma Xijun.

After all, the animals were lives too.

But Mayor Xie, who valued Ma Xijun’s labor, was more tolerant with him than with others. He only watched and didn’t say much.

The animals seemed to be on the brink of dying from the beatings.

Ma Xijun was venting his anger and asserting his power.

In the end, he was just a big brute with nothing to his name.

At noon, since Mayor Xie was still there, Su Xiangwan decided to kill the remaining watermelon and shared it with everyone, including Mayor Xie.

Mayor Xie gave a piece to Ma Xijun too, since he had worked the hardest in the morning.

“Comrade Su, are there things in Qingshui that we don’t have here, perhaps things we could learn from you to help us improve our grain production?” Mayor Xie asked.

“Mayor Xie, have you arranged the household registration for my mother and brother?” Su Xiangwan asked.

Since he had come all the way to help their town solve production problems, Su Xiangwan certainly expected some reward. After all, in the country, relationships and favors were an important currency.

She had plenty of help to offer, but she needed compensation too.

Mayor Xie replied, “It’s a bit difficult, but it should be fine. I’ll find a way to get your mother and brother’s household registration arranged.”

Before Su Xiangwan could thank him, she saw Ma Xijun slap a piece of watermelon onto the ground with a loud “smack,” spitting and cursing: “Xie Changfa, you bastard! If you let those landowners and rich scoundrels leave here, I’ll report you to Haixi County!”

Mayor Xie clearly knew about Ma Xijun’s desire to marry Zhao Yinshuang.

He kept giving Ma Xijun pointed looks: “Ma Xijun, you fool, it’s just a wife! When a better one comes along, I’ll help you find her. Zhao Yinshuang and her son leaving is perfectly reasonable and legal. If you cause more trouble, I’ll have you sent to a prison farm.”

“Fine, fine, send me there. No one will turn me away at any farm. As long as they want me to work, I’ll help them.” Ma Xijun deliberately stepped on the watermelon rind, grinding it underfoot.

Mayor Xie turned around and smiled, “What a bastard! Don’t mind him, Comrade Su.”

“You let them go, and I’ll report you right now!” Ma Xijun poked Mayor Xie in the nose and cursed as he walked off.

Su Xiangwan didn’t have time to deal with Ma Xijun right now.

Her focus was on convincing Mayor Xie to release the people.

So she said, “You’re mainly growing wheat and corn, but Mayor Xie, you’re making mistakes in many areas. For example, in a dry place like Haixi, planting short, thick-stemmed wheat would yield much better than the long-stalked wheat you’re growing now because wheat that thrives in water doesn’t do well in drought. Another thing, corn should be planted in shady, moist areas, not directly in dry land. These are farming lessons from our village. If you really want to learn, I can write them down for you.”

Mayor Xie had already eaten three pieces of watermelon but still nodded enthusiastically: “Yes, yes, please write it down. After hearing all this, we won’t be able to remember it all at once.”

In the afternoon, Mayor Xie personally supervised, making sure the male villagers filled the pits with fertilizer and covered them with straw before leaving.

Before he left, he told Su Xiangwan that the household registration matter would likely be resolved the next day, so she should prepare to pack for Su Fufu and Zhao Yinshuang.

This was a definite promise.

Su Xiangwan was naturally happy and immediately called for Su Fufu and Zhao Yinshuang to start packing their things.

Although Zhao Yinshuang seemed absent-minded, Su Xiangwan steeled her heart and pretended not to notice.

“Mom, mom, Ma Xijun is fighting again!” While Su Xiangwan was busy writing a manual for Mayor Xie, Lu Dan came running again.

Ma Xijun in this town was like the old Fang Jinhua in Qingshui County.

“Let him fight. We’ll be leaving tomorrow, just don’t get involved, okay?” Su Xiangwan said.

Lu Dan hesitated before saying, “But he’s beating up Uncle Liu.”

Su Xiangwan suddenly looked up: “Who?”

“Uncle Liu, Liu Zaiye.” Lǘ Dàn said.

Su Xiangwan slammed her pen down: “Liu Zaiye hasn’t left yet?”

This persistent Liu Zaiye, who had just said he wouldn’t come back last night, why was he back again today?

When Su Xiangwan rushed out of the door and arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, sure enough, Liu Zaiye was pinned against his jeep by Ma Xijun, and the two were throwing punches.

“Ma Xijun, have you gone crazy? This man is an official, and you dare to hit an official?” Su Xiangwan shouted.

Ma Xijun slammed his fist into the jeep, making the whole vehicle shake.

“So what if he’s an official? Is he more powerful than the county mayor of Haixi? Let me tell you, even the county mayor of Haixi wouldn’t dare mess with me. I can do the work of eight people by myself. I’m the main laborer of the entire Baiyang Farm,” Ma Xijun cursed as he threw another punch at Liu Zaiye. Afterward, he waved his fist around, making everyone who had gathered watch in fear, and then swaggered off.