RIRW – Chapter 126

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Guo Caiping caught a glimpse of the crow’s feet at the corners of Li Hui’s eyes and suddenly felt a little pleased. Back then, she was just a dorm supervisor, while Li Hui was a school beauty, the daughter of a well-respected professor. But in the end, her own life had turned out better. A good birth was nothing compared to marrying well.

After the Zuo family went upstairs, Guo Caiping said, “Xiao Hui’s husband is a brigade leader now, right? I heard brigade leaders have a lot of power—they can even recommend people to worker-peasant-soldier universities.”

Li Wenchang was slightly surprised. “They have that much authority?” Having spent years on the farm, he didn’t know much about what was happening outside.

“Of course,” Guo Caiping said. “And whether Xiaoxue can return to the city also depends on the brigade leader. I’m thinking, even if she does return, it’s no good if no work unit will take her. If she could get into a worker-peasant-soldier university, that’d be great.”

Li Wenchang looked a little awkward. “After everything that happened, they definitely won’t help us.”

Guo Caiping smiled at his expression. “I’m just saying. Come on, let’s go buy some New Year’s goods.”

Meanwhile, the Li Grandparents were delighted to see Zuo Dacheng, his wife, and Zuo Cong. Grandmother Li held her grandson’s hand for a long time, looking him over. “He looks like someone with a promising future.”

“Not bad. He’s teaching at a school now. Doing pretty well,” Zuo Dacheng replied modestly, though he couldn’t hide the pride on his face.

Li Hui playfully smacked him, signaling not to show off too much in front of her parents.

Grandmother Li smiled. “I heard from Dandan that Cong is doing great in school. It’s just a pity he can’t go to college right now—otherwise, I’m sure he’d make it.”

“I heard there’s a worker-peasant-soldier university in the provincial capital. Hasn’t Cong considered it?” Grandfather Li asked.

Li Hui said, “He has his own ideas. We don’t interfere.”

“Oh? What kind of ideas? Tell us,” Grandfather Li said cheerfully.

Zuo Cong scratched his head and smiled. “I was thinking about trying to take the college entrance exams later. I’m worried that if I go to a worker-peasant-soldier university, I won’t be eligible to take the exams later. I’d rather wait—I’m still young, after all. I can study whenever.”

“Ah, the college entrance exams…” Grandfather Li seemed thoughtful, then smiled approvingly at Zuo Cong. “That’s a good mindset. The worker-peasant-soldier universities aren’t bad, but they don’t compare to proper universities. I’ve even heard some people who never finished elementary school can go there. With students like that, how do you even teach? Sigh…”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Grandmother Li quickly interrupted. “Be careful with your words.”

Grandfather Li nodded and didn’t continue.

Zuo Cong grinned. “Grandma, it’s fine. We’re all family here. Besides, I think the same way Grandpa does—I want to study at a real university and learn more advanced knowledge.”

Grandfather Li felt even more connected to this grandson and beamed with wrinkles. “Good, good. Grandpa hopes he can be your teacher one day.”

Seeing her husband drifting off into daydreams again, Grandmother Li smiled and turned to Li Hui. “Why did you come over today? You could’ve waited until after the New Year. It’s not easy for you to travel back and forth.”

Li Hui couldn’t help but smile joyfully. “Dacheng and I were planning to come after New Year’s, but this time it’s different—Dandan’s pregnant, so we had to come see her.”

“She’s pregnant?” Grandmother Li’s face lit up with joy. She remembered when her daughter was first expecting… How time flies. And now, that baby girl was going to be a mother.

Grandfather Li heard as well and was delighted. “Wonderful! Another joyous event for our family this year. Dacheng and I need to have a drink today.”

Zuo Dacheng quickly agreed, “Sure, Dad, whatever you say!”

At noon, Grandmother Li went out to buy some vegetables, adding to the cabbage they already had stored. She cooked several dishes, and the family gathered happily around the table.

Grandmother Li said, “Let’s treat today as our early New Year’s dinner—everyone’s together.”

Then she sighed.

Li Hui knew why her mother was upset and said, “I just saw big brother and his wife.”

“They didn’t stay at home—they’re renting nearby,” Grandmother Li said, shaking her head. “When sons grow up, they’re no longer under their mother’s control. Back then, we all suffered together on the farm. Who would’ve thought that once we returned, the family would split?”

Grandfather Li got upset at the mention of Li Wenchang. “Don’t bring up that unfilial son. No loyalty, no filial piety, no sense of propriety or shame. As soon as we returned, Guo Caiping divorced, and he believed her. Never mind everything else—the Su family helped raise Xiaoxue. They were his benefactors. And what did he do? As soon as he got back, he got back together with Guo Caiping. If he hadn’t given her hope, she wouldn’t have divorced. I can’t even face people anymore.”

The mood at the table sank.

Zuo Cong glanced around, seeing everyone’s gloomy faces, and quickly said, “Come on, it’s New Year’s dinner. Let’s not talk about unhappy things. Let’s all raise our glasses and wish for better times ahead!”

Thanks to his cheerful interruption, everyone decided to let the matter drop. They lifted their glasses and took a sip together.

After staying at the Lis’ for a day, the whole family returned home the next day.

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, most of the educated youths in Zuo Village had returned home for the New Year, except for a few who thought it was too much trouble and stayed behind. Zuo Dacheng didn’t treat them unfairly—during the meat distribution for the New Year, he still gave them their share, so at least they could enjoy a lively holiday.

Su Xue came to find Zuo Dacheng for a certificate to return to the city for the New Year.

Zuo Dacheng didn’t make things difficult for her and gave her the certificate. Su Xue took it and let out a cold snort. “You all didn’t expect our Li family to be able to return, did you? Just don’t go clinging to us later.”

With that, she strutted off. She was planning to talk to her parents during this trip about staying in the city permanently. She had no intention of returning to this godforsaken place.

Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui just shook their heads—this child was beyond saving. How could her personality be this bad?

Zuo Dacheng said, “It’s good if she’s gone. Best if she never comes back.”

As soon as Li Wenchang and Guo Caiping got remarried, they wrote a letter to Su Xue telling her about the family’s situation and that they were back together now, making the family whole again.

Su Xue didn’t care much about the remarriage. What caught her attention were other parts of the letter—for example, that her paternal grandparents still hadn’t been assigned work and were likely heading into retirement. Her father was about to start working at the provincial education bureau, and the couple no longer lived with the grandparents. They had rented their own place within the university in the provincial capital.

After reading that, Su Xue was in a great mood. She’d always known her grandparents played favorites, so it was good they were now living separately. Besides, the elderly needed looking after. With the family now split, she wouldn’t have to take care of them. If they liked Zuo Dan so much, then let her take care of them.

That night, when she arrived in the provincial capital, Guo Caiping and Li Wenchang came to the station to pick her up.

“Dad, it’s so nice—we’re finally a whole family again. This is so good,” Su Xue said, hugging her parents.

Seeing the three of them standing together as a family made Li Wenchang’s eyes grow red with emotion. He had waited so many years for this moment.

On New Year’s Eve, when it was time for the reunion dinner, Li Wenchang was still thinking about the elderly couple. But they hadn’t even come out of their house, which left him feeling both frustrated and stifled. In the end, he decided that the three of them would just have their own reunion dinner.

As soon as the dishes were served, Su Xue started crying.

“Mom, Dad, I don’t want to leave you again. I don’t want to go back to the countryside. Life there is terrible. They all target me and make me do the hardest, most tiring work.”

“How could that be? Isn’t Zuo Dacheng your uncle?” Li Wenchang asked in surprise. “Why would he pick on you?”

Su Xue cried even harder. “Uncle? He didn’t take care of me at all the whole time I was there. Instead, they targeted me. Who knows what they were thinking? They didn’t take care of their own relative but sided with outsiders. Even Dandan kept bullying me—I couldn’t do anything about it.”

Hearing this, Li Wenchang clenched his fists, at a loss for words.

Guo Caiping sighed. “Do you think Xiao Hui is still holding a grudge over what happened back then? I know—it’s something we’ll never be forgiven for. I just feel sorry for our Xue.”

Su Xue sobbed, “When can I come back for good?”

Guo Caiping patted her head. “You’ve long been able to come back. You’re an only child, and your household registration has already been transferred. I’ve just been hoping you could attend the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University.”

The moment she heard she could attend university, Su Xue’s eyes lit up. “Mom, I can go to college?”

“That’s what I’ve been planning. You’re our only child. The Li family is an intellectual family—we can’t let you miss out on an education,” Guo Caiping said, then looked at Li Wenchang. “Wenchang, don’t you think so too?”

Li Wenchang looked a little troubled. “I want her to study too, but I’ve just returned, and I’m afraid I don’t have any connections yet. Maybe she should just come home first.”

Guo Caiping said, “Don’t worry. I’ll check with the people at the commune and see what the situation is. Maybe it’ll work out. You don’t need to worry about it, Wenchang.”

Li Wenchang still seemed unsure. “Do you think it’ll really work?”

“We won’t know unless we try. Don’t worry,” Guo Caiping said with a smile as she picked some food for him.

At the Shen family, they were also having their New Year’s Eve dinner. Grandma lit incense for Grandpa Shen and Shen Yuehong before the family gathered around the table, cheerfully eating their meal.

Grandma’s face was lit up with joy the whole time.

“Tomorrow, we’ll need one more seat at the table,” she said excitedly. The Shen family had always been small in number and had never been this lively before.

“Grandma, I think we’ll need a bigger table soon. When there are more kids, we’ll all sit around a big one,” said Zuo Dan, boasting a little.

She found pregnancy surprisingly easy. She didn’t even feel like she was pregnant, and under Shen Yiming’s care, she had even put on some weight.

Grandma laughed at her big talk. “Alright, then we’ll get a big round table that can seat lots of people. Dandan, you’re our family’s hero.”

“Grandma, we’re all heroes in this family. We’re all working hard to make this home better and better.”

“Dandan’s right—we’re all doing our part,” Grandma said with a loving smile. She hadn’t felt this happy in years.

The last time she remembered such happiness was when her daughter was still unmarried and the whole family could sit together for a reunion meal.

After everything they’d been through, the Shen family was finally thriving again.

After dinner, they were supposed to stay up to see in the New Year.

But Grandma was old and couldn’t stay up late, and since Zuo Dan was pregnant, she wasn’t supposed to either. So they left the house lights on and everyone just went to bed.

Zuo Dan was too excited to sleep. She lay in bed with Shen Yiming, keeping watch for the New Year. When midnight came, they planned to say a New Year’s greeting together—to their baby.

They waited for a long while, but still didn’t make it to midnight before they started feeling sleepy.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart,” Shen Yiming said, pulling her into his arms as they lay down together.

“…Mm.” Zuo Dan rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady thump-thump of his heartbeat, and slowly, sleepiness crept over her.

Looking at Dandan in his arms, and thinking of the child in her belly, Shen Yiming contentedly patted her back, a smile playing on his lips.

After waiting for some time, Shen Yiming opened his eyes and checked his wristwatch. It was almost midnight.

His eyes fixed on the ticking hand, and as soon as it hit twelve, he lowered his head and kissed Zuo Dan on the forehead. “Dandan, Happy New Year. I hope you’ll always be happy by my side, living as a joyful wife.”

He then reached out to gently touch her belly. “Youyou, Daddy hopes you grow up healthy this New Year. Keep being good, don’t make things hard for your mommy.”

Zuo Dan snuggled even closer into his arms.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, both Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming received red envelopes from Grandma. Zuo Dan immediately confiscated them all and then went with Shen Yiming to call their family back home to give New Year’s greetings.

According to tradition, she and Shen Yiming were supposed to visit her family the next day, but since she was pregnant and couldn’t travel on bumpy roads, they decided not to go back.

When Zuo Dan told Li Hui about this, Li Hui laughed, “It’s fine. You forget—your dad and I are going to the provincial capital to pay our respects too.”

Only then did Zuo Dan remember that Comrade Zuo Dacheng was also due to pay a New Year visit to his mother-in-law.

After discussing it with Shen Yiming, the two decided to go visit the Li family on the second day of the new year.

During the New Year period, there were extra buses, especially to the provincial capital—two additional routes had been added. The Zuo family of three set out early in the dark, and when they arrived in the capital, it was just around noon.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming had coordinated their time with them, and waited at the university gate. Once the Zuo family arrived, they all entered together.

On the way, Li Hui said, “It’s freezing cold—why did you wait for us? You should’ve gone inside earlier. How long have you been waiting? You didn’t just get here, did you?”

Zuo Dan smiled, “Mom, don’t expose me like that. I just slept in a bit.”

Li Hui couldn’t stay mad at her daughter. She also felt gratified that her son-in-law treated her daughter so well—otherwise, her daughter wouldn’t still act like a spoiled child even after getting married.

The family was chatting and laughing as they were about to go upstairs when they happened to run into Su Xue coming out.

Su Xue gave them a snort, “You really did latch on, huh?” When she saw Shen Yiming, her eyes flickered, and she bit her lip.

Hearing that, Zuo Dan was immediately annoyed. She let go of Li Hui’s hand, who had been trying to pull her along, and said to Su Xue, “Comrade Su Xue, what a coincidence. Why aren’t you spending New Year with your husband’s family in Shanwotun? What are you doing here? Surely you’re not back here to pay New Year’s respects, are you?”

Su Xue’s face turned sour instantly. “Zuo Dan, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Zuo Dan mimicked her tone and gave a cold snort. “You know exactly what I mean. Su Xue, don’t even think about bullying my family. I’m not someone you can mess with. If you dare to pick on my family, I’ll send you right back to Shanwotun to accompany your in-laws. Believe it or not.”

Su Xue clenched her teeth. Since she hadn’t officially left Zuo Village yet, she didn’t dare say more and just turned around and walked away.

Li Hui said, “Let it go. It’s the New Year—don’t start anything with her. Let’s head to your grandparents’ place.”

Zuo Dan pursed her lips. Either way, Su Xue had really gotten on her nerves.

She had nearly forgotten about Su Xue during her pregnancy, but clearly Su Xue wasn’t content to be forgotten—she just had to come out and make her presence known. Zuo Dan felt that if she didn’t do something about it, she’d be letting Su Xue off too easy.

Shen Yiming understood exactly what she was thinking. He held her hand as they walked up the stairs. He couldn’t say much with her parents present, but if Dandan wanted to do something, he would naturally support her without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Su Xue went back home and started crying. Li Wenchang had gone out to pay New Year’s visits to old colleagues, hoping to build good connections for work in the coming year, so only Guo Caiping was home.

Seeing her crying, Guo Caiping frowned slightly. “What’s wrong? Weren’t you just fine when you went out?”

“Mom, I ran into the Zuo family downstairs. They all ganged up to bully me,” Su Xue said as she wiped her tears.

Hearing that, Guo Caiping raised an eyebrow. “You mean your aunt and her family are here?”

Su Xue pouted. “What aunt? I don’t recognize that kind of person as my aunt.”

Guo Caiping chuckled softly. “Good, it’s perfect they’re here. I’ll go sort out the issue of you returning to the city to study at the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University.”

At noon, the Li family had a lively meal. Afterward, Li Hui and her mother cleaned the kitchen, and Zuo Dan sat in the study, watching Shen Yiming play chess with her grandfather.

She was completely absorbed in the match when the doorbell rang.

Zuo Dan quickly got up to help answer the door, but Li Hui was already a step ahead and opened it first.

When she saw who it was, Li Hui froze for a moment, then nervously stepped outside.

Zuo Dan peeked and saw it was Guo Caiping at the door. She thought maybe she had come to visit her grandparents, but then saw her whisper something to Li Hui, and Li Hui followed her out.

Curious, Zuo Dan quietly followed.

In the stairwell, Li Hui looked tense as she spoke to Guo Caiping. “What did you mean just now? Why bring up the past again? We’re the elders now. I didn’t even hold it against you when you told Xiaoxue about my past. Why bring it up again?”

Guo Caiping smiled faintly. “Relax, I’m still your sister-in-law after all. Some things shouldn’t be said, and I haven’t told Xiaoxue a word. For example, about how Dandan’s biological father isn’t Zuo Dacheng…”

“Don’t say another word!” Li Hui’s face turned pale. “I won’t allow you to tell Dandan about these things.” Dandan was pregnant now, and she couldn’t afford to be upset.

“I’m just discussing it with you. I just thought, now that the child is grown up, some things should be made known. But if you don’t want me to say it, I won’t. Still, Xiaohui, I understand your difficulties. But you should also understand that I’m a mother too. Our Xiaoxue is still suffering in the countryside. I want her to come back to the city and attend the Workers’ and Peasants’ University.”

Li Hui was agitated. “What’s the point of telling me? I can’t help.”

“You can’t, but your husband, Zuo Dacheng, can. He’s the brigade leader, after all—he can give a recommendation, right? I heard from Xiaoxue that he’s quite influential in the commune. If he puts in a recommendation, there’s a good chance it’ll be approved. Plus, Xiaoxue’s father works in the Education Bureau—this is almost guaranteed. Xiaohui, as her aunt, can’t you help your niece out?”

After hearing this, Li Hui finally understood. Guo Caiping was using that matter to blackmail her, trying to get Dacheng to help Su Xue return to the city and attend university!

Looking at Guo Caiping’s face, she found it completely unfamiliar and vile. How could she be this kind of person? To do something so shameless!

Guo Caiping didn’t want to push too hard either, so she smiled and said, “I’m just saying. Think it over. You’re her aunt—whether I say anything or not, you should help her. After all, when that thing happened back then, I, as your sister-in-law, didn’t even call you disgraceful.”

“No one here is more disgraceful than you, Guo Caiping. Abandoning your husband and child—where do you get the nerve to mock my mom? What a joke!”

Zuo Dan walked out from the corridor, staring at Guo Caiping with a face full of scorn.

Both women’s expressions changed when they saw her—especially Li Hui, who looked devastated and panicked.

Zuo Dan calmly said, “Mom, don’t worry. I already knew about this. It’s not a big deal.”

Li Hui was shocked. “How did you know?”

“I’ll explain later. It really isn’t a big deal. Don’t let her scare you. Compared to her abandoning her husband and child, and her daughter Su Xue tricking someone into marriage, my situation is nothing.”

Her nonchalant tone seemed to calm Li Hui. She quickly walked over. “Dandan, don’t be upset over this. You need to think about the baby.”

Zuo Dan smiled. “Oh, Mom, don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine. But seeing someone like her bullying you really pisses me off. Trying to intimidate you with some old skeletons in the closet—who does she think she is?”

She turned to Guo Caiping. “I was just wondering who Su Xue took after. But looking at you, it’s clear. She learned shamelessness straight from you. I bet my uncle doesn’t even know what you’re doing.”

Guo Caiping was livid. Her face darkened. “No manners—just what I’d expect from Li Hui’s kid.”

“My mom raised me just fine. Much better than your Su Xue. But then again, with someone like you as a mother, I wouldn’t expect your kid to be decent either.”

With a sneer, Zuo Dan turned and led her mom back to the Li family home.

As soon as they entered, Grandmother Li came out of the kitchen and asked curiously, “Where did you two go?”

Zuo Dan sighed and pulled both her mother and grandmother into a room. Once inside, she told them everything that had just happened.

Upon hearing it, Grandmother Li’s face turned purple with rage. She was seething.

“Guo Caiping—how could she do such a thing?! I must have been blind to let Wenchang marry a woman like that!”

Zuo Dan said, “You can never truly know someone’s heart. People can wear masks, Grandma. It’s not your fault you were deceived.”

Grandmother Li sighed and looked at Zuo Dan. “Dandan, then you…”

Li Hui also looked at her. “Dandan, how did you know…?”

“I heard it from Su Xue one time,” Zuo Dan immediately pushed the blame onto Su Xue.

Hearing that, Grandmother Li got even angrier. Matters concerning elders should never be spoken of to the younger generation—Guo Caiping was truly shameless!

Li Hui, realizing Guo Caiping had lied about not telling Su Xue, bit her lip in fury and looked at Zuo Dan worriedly. “Dandan, don’t you want to ask me anything? I never told you any of this all these years…”

Zuo Dan reassured her. “Grandma, Mom, honestly, it’s not a big deal. These days, adopted kids can be treated just like biological ones and live as a family. And in my case, I am my mom’s biological child. My dad treats me better than he treats Xiaocong. Why should I care? Blood ties aren’t what matter—it’s whether a family treats each other sincerely. I’m happy with how things are. I don’t need to dig into the past.”

Li Hui wiped her eyes. She had spent all these years worrying about someone exposing the truth, only to realize it wasn’t as important as she’d feared. And now her daughter was the one comforting her.

“Dandan’s grown up into such a sensible child. Xiaohui, you’re blessed,” Grandmother Li said with emotion.

Zuo Dan laughed. “No, I’m the lucky one. I have such a wonderful mom—and my dad, too. So, Mom, you need to think more positively. Don’t scare yourself, and don’t let anyone else scare you. When I saw how Guo Caiping was threatening you, I was so angry. Just thinking that she might come back into this family with my uncle and I’ll have to call her ‘Aunt’ again—makes me sick.”

“Who says she can come back?!” Grandmother Li said sternly. “As long as I’m alive, she’ll never enter this house again. I will never acknowledge her as my daughter-in-law. If your uncle insists on staying with her, then I won’t even recognize him anymore!”

What Guo Caiping had done this time completely broke Grandmother Li’s heart. There was no way she’d ever accept a woman like that back into the family again.

Though everything had been laid bare, Zuo Dacheng still didn’t know yet.

So Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming left early, before dinner, to give the family some space.

On the way back, Zuo Dan told Shen Yiming everything.

Just like her, Shen Yiming didn’t care about her background. He asked straightforwardly, “So what are you going to do?”

He knew Zuo Dan’s temper well. Whoever crossed her was never going to have a good time.

Zuo Dan chuckled coldly, exhaling a puff of white breath into the winter air. “Looks like she’s been living the good life for too long—thinks everyone owes her something.”