Sunset, Jiang Family Home.

“Why haven’t An’an and the others returned yet?”

The more Mother Jiang thought about it, the more convinced she became that something must have happened.

“Mom, don’t worry yet. I’ll go out and look for them.”

Jiang Xiaoqiang said quietly and was about to head out when Mother Jiang stopped him.

“You stay home. I’ll go look for them!”

Her second son looked as delicate as a girl. Last year, he was nearly assaulted by an older man one night, which left him traumatized. Once it got dark, he could barely walk straight. How could she feel at ease letting him go out to search for Jiang An’an and the others?

“Mom, then let me go with you.”

Jiang Xiaoqiang was worried his mother might fall on the way, and even more concerned that his sister and the others might be in trouble and need help.

As the two argued, someone walked in laughing from outside.

It was Jiang An’an and the other two.

“Why are you three only coming back now? What kind of firewood takes this long to gather? You’re going to worry me to death!”

Seeing that all three were safe, Mother Jiang finally relaxed, only then finding the time to complain.

Now that the village wasn’t assigning tasks to their family, they couldn’t earn work points. She was already anxious and unsettled, and these children weren’t making things easier. Ah, such worries!

“Big brother, sister-in-law, An’an, you brought back rice again?!”

As soon as Jiang Xiaoqiang said this, Mother Jiang froze and hurried over to Jiang An’an.

Sure enough, there were several bags of rice.

“Dazhuang, weren’t you going up the mountain to gather firewood? How did you get rice again? Did you go into the city?”

Jiang Dazhuang nodded.

“Yes, Mom, we…”

But before he could finish, Mother Jiang let out a long sigh.

“Dazhuang, I thought you, as the eldest brother, would at least be sensible. How could you join your sister in her mischief? And even drag your pregnant wife into it!

Do you have any idea how serious a crime profiteering is? Especially you, Jiang Dazhuang—are you not even thinking about your wife and the child she’s carrying?”

The more Mother Jiang spoke, the more upset she became, as if she could already see her children weeping behind bars.

Jiang Dazhuang, standing to the side, didn’t dare utter a word in rebuttal.

She was right…

If something had really happened today, how could he ever face his wife and family again!

“Mom, don’t blame brother. I was the one who insisted on going to the city.”

Jiang An’an quickly spoke up.

Unexpectedly, Yang Shulan also chimed in, “Mom, if you’re going to blame anyone, blame me. I was the one who dragged Dazhuang and An’an into the city!”

Mother Jiang looked at her youngest daughter and eldest daughter-in-law, utterly at a loss for words.

Especially her eldest daughter-in-law—was it just her imagination, or did she seem different somehow, more spirited?

“Alright, alright, just don’t go again next time. Can’t we just stay home peacefully?”

Mother Jiang said helplessly and turned to sit back on the kang.

But before her backside even touched the kang, she heard her youngest daughter say, “No, Mom, we have to go into the city again tomorrow.”

Mother Jiang felt like she was about to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Her youngest daughter was truly trying to anger her to death!

“An’an, you—”

Mother Jiang pointed at Jiang An’an, realizing for the first time how infuriating it was when children didn’t listen.

“Mom, we really need to go into the city a few more times…”

Then her eldest daughter-in-law added another blow.

Mother Jiang felt like she was hanging on by her last breath. These children had always seemed so sensible before—why were they all acting so foolish today?

“What if tasks are assigned tomorrow? Going into the city to trade for food isn’t a long-term solution. If you get caught, it’s over! We should just be honest and work in the fields to earn work points, and wait for the year-end food distribution. That’s the right way to go!”

Mother Jiang spoke with earnest concern.

“Mom, we won’t get caught.”

Jiang An’an responded.

But Mother Jiang wasn’t convinced at all.

Won’t get caught? How is that possible? Did her youngest daughter really think she knew nothing just because she stayed in the village?

“An’an, you…”

Before Mother Jiang could finish, Zhao Chunmei arrived.

Yang Shulan spotted the visitor and quickly tossed the rice into a corner to avoid being seen.

“Well, the whole family’s standing here. What are you talking about?”

Zhao Chunmei stood at the doorway, arms crossed, looking smug.

“What are you doing here?”

Jiang An’an really didn’t want to see this person.

“What kind of attitude is that?” Zhao Chunmei frowned. “I came here out of concern for your family since the Jiangs weren’t assigned any tasks today. And this is how you treat me?”

Hearing this, Mother Jiang quickly stepped forward.

“No, no, it’s a misunderstanding. Chunmei, you know our family didn’t get much grain last year. If we’re not assigned any tasks, what will we do by year-end?

Please, talk to the village chief for us. Assign us any task—we’re willing to do any work to earn work points!”

Seeing Mother Jiang’s humble demeanor, Zhao Chunmei felt slightly appeased.

But the sight of Jiang An’an’s disdainful expression made her seethe with anger.

“I originally planned to bring this up with my husband tonight, but some people here clearly can’t be bothered with me. Why should I bother helping those who don’t appreciate it?”

Zhao Chunmei said, shooting a glare at Jiang An’an.

Mother Jiang understood exactly what Zhao Chunmei meant and quickly forced a smile. “Chunmei, don’t take it out on the child. You know our situation. Please, talk to the village chief for us. We’ll take any work, really!”

“Other families are saying the same thing,” Zhao Chunmei retorted with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t just focus on your family, can I?”

Then she turned her attention to Jiang An’an.

“Especially since some people clearly look down on me. I guess I’m just wasting my time here. You should just stay home and rest! Take all the time you need—rest for a lifetime!”

With that, Zhao Chunmei turned to leave.

Mother Jiang hurriedly stopped her.

“Chunmei, if you’re angry, take it out on me. Let me apologize, alright? The task assignment is no joking matter. I’m begging you—our family can’t afford to just sit around…”

Mother Jiang’s voice choked up.

In six months, her eldest daughter-in-law would give birth. Adults could endure hunger, but what about the child?

So even if it meant swallowing her pride and pleading, she had no choice.

“Why should I take it out on you? It’s not like I’m bullying you.”

Zhao Chunmei sneered. “But since I’m magnanimous, I’ll make it simple. If you agree to what I proposed last time, everyone will be happy.”

Last time?

Mother Jiang was taken aback but quickly realized what she meant.

She wanted An’an to marry Zhao Chunmei’s brother?!

“Just leave…”

Mother Jiang clenched her teeth. She could beg and endure hardships, but she would not sacrifice her daughter!

“Fine! Fine!” Zhao Chunmei fumed. “Kicking me out, are you? Don’t come begging me on your knees later!”

After Zhao Chunmei left, Mother Jiang nearly collapsed to the ground.

This time, it was truly over…