B5SB -Chapter 14 1960

After the summer vacation of 1960 ended, Gu Yihan started fourth grade. She was now eight years old. In the countryside, she was already considered a “big girl.” She was taller than most children her age, already reaching 1.3 meters.

Gu Hao was eighteen this year and had been accepted into high school. However, due to the worsening grain shortages and increasingly severe disasters, the school had suspended classes and given students a break.

Gu Yihan attended the village elementary school. Since conditions in Gujia Village were slightly better than in other places, the school was still operating normally.

During a meal, Grandma Gu said, “You’ve all seen the situation in our village. Anyone who comes to our house to borrow grain goes away empty-handed.”

She sighed and continued, “Look at those families who took in relatives for help. They’ve all turned into enemies now. Those people eat and live in others’ homes for free and still think it’s only natural.”

Wang Ni and Zhang Cuihua remained silent, knowing that their mother-in-law was talking about them.

“Mother, Daya is already fifteen. It’s time to start looking for a good boy for her,” Wang Ni, the eldest daughter-in-law, said anxiously.

Grandma Gu glared at her. “What are you in such a hurry for? Everyone’s life is hard these past two years. Only families that can’t even afford food rush to marry off their daughters. That’s your own child—why don’t you hope for something better for her?”

Although she valued her grandson Gu Hao the most, she believed she had never treated the girls unfairly.

Hearing this, Wang Ni had nothing more to say.

In the afternoon, only Gu Yihan and Zhang Cuihua were at home. Grandma Gu had gone to the private plot.

Gu Yihan was reading in the courtyard when a middle-aged woman walked in. Her face was sallow, and she was thin and frail.

As soon as she saw Gu Yihan, the woman said, “So uneducated. All your manners have gone straight into a dog’s stomach.”

Gu Yihan was stunned. She looked carefully at the woman but couldn’t recognize her.

“Your mother was right,” the woman continued.

“You’re just an ungrateful wretch. You don’t even greet your grandmother. A money-losing girl like you is still allowed to study. Is your grandma blind?”

This made Gu Yihan furious.

“I don’t have such a vicious grandmother! You’re just jealous because you’re not as good as my grandma!”

Seeing Gu Yihan confronting her mother, Zhang Cuihua rushed over and raised her hand to slap her.

Gu Yihan dodged nimbly and immediately ran outside. She knew that if she stayed, she would be bullied by both of them.

“That daughter of yours is a heartless ingrate,” Zhang Cuihua’s mother said viciously.

“When she grows up, hurry and marry her off to a fierce man. At least you can make some money from her bride price.”

Zhang Cuihua didn’t respond. She knew she had no say in Gu Yihan’s affairs.

“Mother, why are you here?” she asked.

Her mother immediately grabbed her hand. “We’ve run out of food. We’ve been starving for days. You must lend me some grain.”

Choking with sobs, she said, “It doesn’t matter if I starve to death, but your brother and nephew are still young. You only have one brother. If anything happens to him, and you’re bullied in your husband’s family, who will stand up for you?”

Zhang Cuihua felt torn.

She went to the kitchen, took out the day’s ration, and handed it over. “Mother, all the grain is kept in my mother-in-law’s room. She takes out the portions in advance every day. This is all I have.”

Her mother was displeased but held it in. “Daughter, please pity me. We really can’t even cook porridge anymore. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come begging like this.”

She started crying.

Zhang Cuihua had no choice but said, “Mother, there really isn’t any more.”

Her mother said anxiously, “Then go take it from your mother-in-law’s room! Which is more important—your natal family or your husband’s family? Don’t you know in your heart?”

Zhang Cuihua replied, “Mother-in-law doesn’t allow others into her room.”

Her mother’s eyes lit up. “She didn’t say I couldn’t go. I’ll take it myself.”

She rushed into Grandma Gu’s room and saw two bags of dried sweet potatoes and one bag of corn kernels by the door. She hoisted them onto her back and headed out.

Seeing this, Zhang Cuihua hurriedly stopped her. “Mother, you can’t take everything! What will we eat?”

“Shitou! Shitou! Come carry the grain!” her mother whispered toward the door.

“Coming, Mother!” her brother replied.

Zhang Cuihua watched as her brother picked up the bags and left.

Her mother turned back and said, “Don’t worry. I told your brother to avoid people when he came. No one saw us.”

Crying, Zhang Cuihua grabbed her mother. “Mother, if you take all the grain, my mother-in-law will send me back to my parents’ home. She’ll make Aidang divorce me.”

She was truly afraid.

Her mother said cheerfully, “Then just come back. You’re practically a widow in the Gu family anyway. I’ll find you a better husband.”

After saying that, she shook off Zhang Cuihua’s hand and left.