The Luo family was in chaos, crying and shouting at one another.
Luo Dazhuang even went to the educated youth’s dormitory to cause trouble, intending to beat Su Fang and using divorce as a threat.
“If you go to the Public Security Bureau and say none of it happened, I’ll divorce you!”
Luo Dazhuang knew Su Fang had always wanted to divorce him.
Su Fang sneered coldly. “I don’t mind not getting a divorce for now. We can just keep dragging this on. As long as we’re not divorced, you can forget about marrying another woman or getting close to anyone else. If I find out you’re involved with someone else, I’ll report you for adultery. Your entire Luo family can forget about holding a grandson in this lifetime!”
She wanted to see who would panic first.
Hearing this, Luo Dazhuang grew flustered, and even his mother, hiding behind him, panicked as well. She couldn’t bear the thought of not having a grandson.
Luo Dazhuang’s eyes turned red with rage, and he erupted, shouting, “You shameless bitch!”
He raised his hand to hit her, but the male educated youths from the dormitory immediately stepped in and fought him off.
In the end, Luo Dazhuang left with a bloodied face, and his mother’s shrieking filled the air. However, she didn’t dare to take action and could only retreat in disgrace with her son.
The incident was satisfying, leaving everyone in a better mood.
That evening, Su Fang expressed her gratitude by cooking a meal for everyone.
Despite this, rumors targeting Su Fang still spread whenever she went out. This was unavoidable, even though everyone knew she was the victim.
But Su Fang was no longer the naive girl she had been before marriage. She ignored the gossip, focusing solely on living her life, earning money, and repaying those who had helped her.
The new rice seeds had arrived, just in time for the busy farming season.
Some of the more conservative villagers grumbled about the team leader’s decision to switch to the new seeds, but he remained steadfast.
“These seeds have been written about in the newspapers; they must be good if the state is promoting them,” the team leader said.
He even brought the newspaper back to show everyone and argued his case until most agreed to try the new seeds.
The familiar sound of the work bell rang, signaling the start of the day’s labor. Everyone had to work in the fields—plowing, watering, seeding, and loosening the soil.
From early spring until all crops were planted, there would be no rest. Even after planting, there was still plenty of work to do before the harvest.
Winter leisure was officially over.
This was Lin Zhen’s first farming season since returning to the village. Though his primary tasks in the army had been training and combat, he quickly became adept at farmwork after just two days. From then on, he earned full work points daily.
Song Wei was the same.
Although the two weren’t married yet, the villagers regarded them as a family.
Their household included just two adults and one child. Both adults consistently earned full work points, and Heidan was diligent too, spending his afternoons after school gathering firewood in the mountains with the two wolves.
Sometimes, the child even brought back wild chickens or rabbits.
Everyone envied their lifestyle.
“That family works so hard; they’re bound to have a better and better life.”
“Song Wei is incredible—another day of full points!”
“Lin Zhen’s height and muscles aren’t just for show. He works harder than any young man in the village.”
The couple became a popular topic of admiration among the villagers.
While transplanting rice seedlings, Song Wei overheard some juicy gossip and slowed her pace.
Noticing this, Lin Zhen sped up, intending to help her finish.
“Did you hear? Liu Guifen went back to her parents’ house after a big fight.”
“Really? What was it about this time?”
“The widow from the next village.”
Song Wei perked up, intrigued by the scandal.
The women gossiping nearby continued, “I heard that Widow Hu is pregnant, and she claims it’s Liu Guifen’s husband’s child. Wang Shu actually believed her! He’s completely bewitched by that woman and is demanding a divorce so he can marry her.”
The women clicked their tongues in disbelief.
“Who’d believe anything Widow Hu says? She’s been involved with other men besides Wang Shu. Doesn’t he worry about being made a fool of?”
“Who knows what he’s thinking.”
By the time Song Wei finished enjoying the gossip, Lin Zhen had already transplanted most of her rice seedlings. She felt a bit sheepish.
“Still want to plant more?” Lin Zhen asked after finishing their task.
Given the situation, some men were assigned heavier workloads during the busy season and earned the maximum 12 work points per day.
Song Wei, with her strength, could finish early and earn extra points, so she went to the brigade leader for more work.
Working together, she and Lin Zhen quickly finished, earning envious glances from others in the fields.
On their way home, they encountered Lin Zhen’s grandmother and her family.
The elderly couple struggled to earn even seven work points, giving it their all.
Lin Zhen’s fourth uncle’s family was as lazy as ever, ignoring his grandmother’s scolding.
Eventually, Lin Zhen’s second uncle’s family had moved out, unable to bear the constant criticism and exploitation. However, their departure came at a price—Lin Zhen’s grandmother left them with almost nothing.
Now, they worked diligently, knowing they had to fend for themselves.
When they saw Lin Zhen and Song Wei, Lin Zhen’s second uncle awkwardly greeted him.
Lin Zhen glanced at him but didn’t respond.
The man admitted, “I was wrong to treat you and your family that way in the past.”
It wasn’t until Lin Zhen’s grandmother turned her wrath on him that he realized how wrong he had been.
Lin Zhen said nothing, leaving with Song Wei.
His second uncle had played a smaller role in past injustices, but he had still contributed under his grandmother’s direction. Lin Zhen would never forgive those who had driven his parents to their deaths.
Seeing Lin Zhen’s indifference, his uncle sighed and returned to planting rice.
His wife comforted him, “We were wrong before. Let’s just focus on living a good life from now on.”
He nodded. “I know.”
Though they felt freer after moving out, his wife knew they could never completely escape Lin Zhen’s grandmother.
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