CHAPTER 102: 102 SU FAMILY

"Luckily, the cooperative is about to be established. Otherwise, that girl’s two acres of wheat would still have to be sold cheaply to the Su Family."

Yang Hongwen glanced at his wife and three sons, realizing they had all truly been won over by that girl; their hearts leaned towards her.

Indeed, that girl had someone looking out for her. Truly a good kid. Even his eldest son wasn’t as capable as her at her age.

Hu Chunhua was also talking about Su Yuanyuan. "I wonder if that girl managed to catch the train?"

"Mom, you don’t have to worry about Yuanyuan. She’s so smart." Yang Xue comforted her mom.

Yang Minggang was also reluctant to see that girl go. So sensible for being less than ten years old. It’s really not easy for one so young to live like this.

Now that the girl is gone, fishing this year might not be feasible, right?

At night, lying in bed, the couple discussed the matter.

"Then let’s give it a try. If it doesn’t work, there’s nothing we can do." Hu Chunhua sighed, too.

"Brother Hongwen said the girl has someone looking out for her, and I believe it. Otherwise, how could she catch so many fish?"

"And the wild boars, we’ve been here for so many years and haven’t seen a wild boar in how long?" Hu Chunhua also believed what Yang Hongwen said.

"I hope whoever is looking out for her continues to do so, and that she can live well when she reaches Jiangbei." Hu Chunhua sighed again.

Yang Minggang also sighed. "It’s not easy. I heard from Da Qiang that life over there is tough, and especially tiring, with endless work every day.

You can only plant one crop there, and the time spent resting during winter is long but uncomfortable. Particularly cold.

Da Qiang said last year when it snowed there, he couldn’t even open the door. The snow outside was waist-deep."

"Does that mean it’s likely snowing over there? What if trains can’t run?" Hu Chunhua became anxious.

Yang Minggang sighed; there’s nothing anyone can do about it. "Da Qiang said it didn’t snow when they came this year. I hope the girl arrives safely."

"Do you think there could really be a drought? It hasn’t rained here since the autumn rains of wheat, and it should’ve snowed by now, but nothing yet."

"I feel like it’s not going to be good. We still have quite a bit of grain, and we need to eat sparingly, as long as we don’t starve to death."

"Let me tell you, if it really comes to that, even if your mom comes crying, there won’t be any grain."

Yang Minggang didn’t respond.

"Don’t worry, I won’t give any to my mom’s family either. We’ll keep it for ourselves."

After a long while, Yang Minggang finally spoke, "Okay, we’ll keep it for ourselves."

Yesterday, Hu Chunhua went to her mom’s place and told them to dig a cellar and store grain. The family believed it. It’s fine as long as they’re prepared.

The next day, the three members of the Su Family still went to gather firewood. There was no choice; it was too cold. Though it wasn’t as cold as Jiangbei, the heated bed wasn’t warm at night.

Tian Xiaohua’s mouth was full of curses about Su Yuanyuan. She never thought about leaving a child without a way to live.

Su Daqiang was annoyed hearing this, so the three of them continued in the afternoon.

"Da Qiang, this rotten firewood is useless."

"Even if it’s useless, we need to gather it. If you keep talking, I’ll sign you up to go to Jiangbei."

This made Tian Xiaohua behave. Although life was tough at home, they’d soon be able to get some grain if they held on a little longer. Who would want to go to Jiangbei, where they’d have to start work at six every morning and be watched? If they worked too little, they’d get a wage cut.

Who wouldn’t prefer the comfort of staying at home? No way she’d go to Jiangbei.

"Mom, why don’t you go to Grandma’s and ask for some grain? We haven’t had dumplings all year."

Su Daqiang also heard his son’s words, and although he didn’t object, he wouldn’t go either.

Tian Xiaohua hesitated. With the Eldest Sister-in-law Tian’s attitude, going there would be futile. But since it was her son who said it, and she wanted to eat dumplings made with white flour too,

she decided to return to her parent’s home after gathering a basket of firewood.

As for the sister-in-law’s visit, the Eldest Sister-in-law Tian was as guarded as if against a thief.

Tian Xiaohua knew from her sister-in-law’s gaze that it was unlikely to work out.

"Sister-in-law, we don’t have to go to Jiangbei anymore. That bad luck charm went instead."

"Hmph, I’ve never seen a mother like you. That’s your own flesh and blood. Hmph, let’s see how you’ll manage later on."

Tian Xiaohua’s expression changed, "What’s this got to do with you?"

"Hmph, you dare come to my place and say it’s none of my business? Then get lost and don’t come to my house anymore. If you come again, we’re splitting the family up. Go wherever you want, but my house is off-limits to you."

Tian Xiaohua was so angry she trembled. "This is my home too."

"Your home? You still dare say it’s your home? Ask your mom. I’ve never heard of a married daughter coming back to her maiden home and calling it her home.

Get lost and don’t show up at my house again."

In truth, Eldest Sister-in-law Tian wanted to split the family.

"You just want to split the family, don’t you? Dream on," Tian Xiaohua said angrily.

"Haha, of course, I want to split the family. I’ve nowhere near your capabilities, marrying a man with no mother-in-law. Even if you want to split, who would split with you?"

Mother Tian was powerless against her eldest daughter-in-law, who was an obstinate and unreasonable person, quick-tempered, and had previously tried to push for a split.

But she consistently refused to split, fearing she’d be treated with even less regard in the future.

Tian Xiaohua saw her mother remain silent, knowing her mom couldn’t handle sis-in-law, and it was impossible to get the flour she wanted.

Yet she wasn’t quite reconciled. "Mom, we’ve just got back, and there’s nothing at home. Lend me a few kilos of flour so the three of us can have dumplings on New Year’s Eve."

The Eldest Sister-in-law Tian stood by, arms crossed, chuckling. If any flour was loaned out, it would be the day the family splits.

Mother Tian knew this was the case. "Xiaohua, the family didn’t harvest much wheat this year. We haven’t even prepared white flour dumplings for New Year’s Eve yet."

"Mom, I’m your daughter."

"Ha, and she’s your real mom. You never think of giving your mom your good things."

Tian Xiaohua ran off crying, and Mother Tian sighed and went inside the house.

Eldest Sister-in-law Tian laughed and left. Trying to harm her own daughter, who would give her that courage? Not having laid a hand on her was already lenient.

Tian Xiaohua returned home subdued. Seeing her come back empty-handed, Su Daqiang knew she hadn’t managed to get anything. Useless.

Su Liangliang also saw it, feeling quite upset. "Mom, what are we going to eat for New Year’s Eve? Today’s already the twenty-eighth."

"Whatever there is, that’s what we’ll eat." In a foul mood, she snapped at her son.