The children of the Su family went up the mountain every day while the weather was still mild.
They didn't go with the other children from the production team because they had to bring Chi Yiyuan with them.
Everything on the mountain was new to Chi Yiyuan. Even though he had lived in the Red Heart Production Team for three years, Chi Yiyuan hadn't been up the mountain much and was unfamiliar with everything here.
Following the Su siblings, he learned a lot about living in the mountains, recognized many mountain specialties, and brought home a lot of food that could sustain them.
Since Su Xiaotian also went, they always had a good harvest of delicious food, leading Chi Yiyuan to mistakenly believe that the mountain was a treasure trove where anything could be found.
It wasn't until many years later that he realized the mountain's bounty was distributed selectively!
To hide the food they obtained from the mountain, Chi Yiyuan found a very hidden cave not far from the cowshed.
He hid things that couldn't be kept at home in the small cave, which could only accommodate one child, and then carefully concealed it, making it impossible for outsiders to discover.
This was their winter reserve food, for his grandparents, himself, and the Du Tonghe couple, and it couldn't afford any mishaps.
Life on the mountain also became much happier with Chi Yiyuan's addition.
Chi Yiyuan was actually a very intelligent person, and having studied since childhood, he possessed a lot of knowledge.
Along the way, he could tell the Su siblings many captivating stories that they had never heard before.
The little girl had become Chi Yiyuan's little fan. Every time they went up the mountain, she eagerly awaited his stories.
She also read books, but it seemed the stories in books weren't as engaging as the ones Chi Yiyuan told.
When they were tired on the mountain, they would also sit together to study for a while and exchange ideas.
At this time, Chi Yiyuan's usefulness became immense.
As a former top student, he stood out even in places like the capital, let alone teaching a few rural children.
He would patiently guide the Su children through their mistakes and explain until they fully understood.
It could be said that although they hadn't been to school much during this period, it was the time of greatest progress for the Su children.
Grandpa Su was very satisfied with this. He believed that reading was good. Even though there were several knowledgeable people living in the cowshed, Grandpa Su firmly believed that reading would definitely be useful.
He even hoped that in the future, a grandson from the Su family could attend a Worker-Peasant-Soldier university, which would be a source of great honor for the family.
One day, the children came down from the mountain laden with their harvest, chattering excitedly like a flock of little birds.
As soon as they reached the doorstep, Su Xiaotian's sharp eyes spotted Chen Zi'an's car parked in front of their house.
"Uncle Chen is here?" Su Xiaotian said with a smile.
The boys in the family also liked Chen Zi'an because he brought many delicious treats whenever he visited, but none liked him as much as Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian liked Chen Zi'an due to a girl's natural admiration for heroes.
Chen Zi'an was a veteran of the battlefield; he was a true hero.
Of course, Su Xiaotian didn't just learn this in this lifetime; she knew it from her previous life.
After all, in her previous life, this man eventually became a powerful figure, and many had heard his legends, including Su Xiaotian herself.
"Let's go inside quickly!" The Su children cheered and ran into the yard.
To their surprise, they not only saw Chen Zi'an but also their great aunt, Su Manxiu, who was rumored to have drowned herself.
Grandma Su was holding Su Manxiu with red eyes, clearly having cried.
Great Aunt Su Manxiu also had red eyes, indicating she had been crying.
"Great Aunt?" The children exclaimed, dropping their baskets and crates. The mountain fruits and goods they had picked rolled onto the ground.
"The children are all back," Su Manxiu said with a smile. "Great Aunt bought you sponge cake. Wash your hands and eat."
As Su Manxiu said this, her face was filled with relief.
Since getting married, she had never bought a single snack for her nephews and nieces. No, she hadn't even brought them a steamed bun.
She had always felt guilty about this, and now this guilt could finally be alleviated.
Chen Zi'an had arranged a temporary job for her with a modest salary of ten yuan a month.
But for Su Manxiu, who had never held money in her hands, ten yuan was a fortune. Coupled with various ration coupons, Su Manxiu was very satisfied.
Although it was little compared to city dwellers, for Su Manxiu, it represented her true independence.
She had specifically bought many things for her return home, all for her family.
Seeing Su Manxiu looking much better, Su Xiaotian couldn't help but rush into her arms.
It was so good that her great aunt was still alive.
As long as her great aunt was alive, she was determined to keep a close eye on her and not give her any opportunity to take her own life!
"Great Aunt, sob, it's so good that you're still alive. Xiaotian missed you! Xiaotian wants Great Aunt! Waa, waa..."
Hearing her niece crying so sadly, Su Manxiu also felt remorse. Her family clearly loved her; why had she thought of dying?
As Minister Chen said, if she wasn't afraid of death, why should she be afraid of living?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but hug Su Xiaotian and cry.
"Xiaotian, your great aunt just got better, and you're making her cry again?" Liang Xiu chided her daughter.
"Don't blame Xiaotian. This child is sincere," Grandma Su said, wiping the tears from her eyes with the corner of her clothes.
"Great Aunt, you're getting a divorce. I don't want you to go back to the Wang family. Their family is too bad!" Su Xiaotian said indignantly. "From now on, from now on, Xiaotian will take care of you in your old age!"
Her words left the entire family looking at each other, speechless, and the atmosphere fell into silence.
Finally, Liang Xiu sighed and spoke.
"Sister-in-law, did you hear that? Even such a young child as Xiaotian thinks that family is bad. What else do you need to figure out?"
Su Manxiu lowered her eyes and said hesitantly, "Third Sister-in-law, I understand everything you're saying. But..."
Su Lao Er said carelessly, "What's all this 'but'? I wouldn't feel at ease with you going back to that kind of family either."
"Brother, Sister-in-law, I'm worried that if I get a divorce, it will affect our family's children."
This was her biggest concern. It didn't matter if she suffered alone, but if she implicated her nephews and nieces, her sin would be great.
The mother-in-law and daughters-in-law had discussed this that morning. Grandma Su didn't think much of it and directly advised her daughter.
"Xiuer, Mother and your sisters-in-law have already discussed this. They are not afraid of you implicating them."
Grandma Su glanced at her daughters-in-law again as she said this.
In fact, when they said this before, the situation was different.
At that time, everyone knew that Manxiu was dead, but now that Manxiu was alive and wanted a divorce, the nature of the matter was different.
"Great Aunt, I'm not afraid of being implicated. If someone thinks that having a divorced aunt in the family would make them unwilling to marry, then I don't want to marry such a girl!"
Su Shouwen, as the eldest son of the family, spoke on behalf of his brothers.
If there were any influence, it would affect him the most. As for the other brothers, the impact would be smaller.
Su Shouwen stated that he didn't mind, and the others would certainly not mind.
Su Manxiu was still hesitant. She feared that her family was only saying this to comfort her, and if they were later pointed at, their relatives might turn against each other.
Chen Zi'an said, "Su Manxiu, if you go back to the Wang family, you'll be repeating your old life. Do you really want to go back?"
Su Manxiu couldn't help but flinch. Wang Gouzi was truly ruthless. The ferocity in his eyes when he hit her made her tremble with fear just thinking about it.
"Divorce isn't easy either!" Su Manxiu hesitated.
"There's nothing difficult about it. A man who's having an affair with a widowed woman, if you file for divorce, no one will object!" Chen Zi'an said with a cold smile.
Besides, even if someone objected, he would suppress them!
Finally, with everyone's agreement, Su Manxiu made up her mind to divorce and completely escape her past life.
That evening, the Su family ate white noodles with minced meat and eggs, which were fragrant and sweet, just like their beautiful life now.
The next morning, Su Manxiu went to the Wang family with her brothers to discuss the divorce.
Everyone they saw along the way pointed and whispered, but with the protection of the three Su brothers, no one approached.
Even Liu Xiuying only watched from a distance, but after the Su siblings disappeared from sight, she couldn't help but start gossiping with the person next to her.
"This Su Manxiu, she's clearly alive and well, yet she made everyone believe she drowned herself. What a pity for my poor nephew-in-law, who is still suffering at the mine."
The person who heard her words was none other than Chang Pozi.
Chang Pozi gave her a strange look. Was this person out of her mind?
Did she know who was inside and who was outside?
She didn't really object to men hitting women; she thought it was only natural.
However, Wang Gouzi getting involved with a widowed woman and having a child was something she couldn't accept.
What was that called? That was being a slut!
"You are Manxiu's second mother, not that beast Wang Gouzi's mother!"
After saying this, Chang Pozi tiptoed away.
Liu Xiuying was stunned for a moment before realizing that this meant she was like Wang Gouzi, a beast?
"Chang Pozi, that useless woman, hasn't she been bullied enough?"
Liu Xiuying cursed and went home.
Xiangyang Production Team.
When Granny Wang saw Su Manxiu suddenly appear in her yard, she was stunned at first and shouted that a ghost had come!
"Get out, get out! You weren't killed by me, why are you looking for me?" Granny Wang screamed in fear.
When she finally confirmed that the person before her was not a ghost but a living person, she pounced on her, howling.
"Whore, I'll beat you to death! You jinx! Ever since my son married you, our family has never had a good day. I'll beat you to death, beat you to death!"
Seeing Granny Wang, with her face full of flesh, roaring and pouncing at her, Su Manxiu couldn't help but flinch.
This was a residual effect of being oppressed by Granny Wang for a long time; she subconsciously feared Granny Wang.
"Sister, you don't need to be afraid. Your brothers are here, and no one will bully you!"
Su Lao San sensed Su Manxiu's fear and immediately spoke in support, shielding her behind him.
"Granny Wang, do you want to go to the mine to accompany your son?" Su Lao Da directly asked. "I've inquired at the commune. What you're doing is persecuting women. My sister can report you! Then, the commune will send you to the mine."
Su Lao San was surprised to hear Su Lao Da say this. Could this elder brother really say something so reasoned?
"What persecution or not, our Wang family's daughter-in-law, even if beaten to death, it's her bad luck!"
Granny Wang, although still cursing, her voice weakened. It was clear she was losing strength.
"You're still spouting the rhetoric of feudal society. Let me tell you, Granny Wang, this is a new society. The great leader said that women can hold up half the sky, and no one is allowed to persecute them!" Su Lao Da continued. "If you remain stubborn, we will go to the commune and make a statement."
These words indeed succeeded in scaring Granny Wang, and she dared not step forward.
But to admit defeat like this wasn't her style.
Granny Wang sat on the ground and started to throw a tantrum, claiming that Su Manxiu, this vixen, had caused her son's demise and wished her a terrible end.
She cursed with the foulest language, making the Su family members look embarrassed.
At this time, many people from the Xiangyang Production Team gathered to watch the spectacle.
Although curious as to why Su Manxiu had returned alive, no one asked further.
In any case, the Wang family had provided plenty of entertainment for them recently, and they were just watching.
As Granny Wang's curses became increasingly vulgar, Su Manxiu finally couldn't hold back.
"Did I cause your son's demise? Didn't you yourself cause it? If you hadn't indulged your son in hitting me, and indulged him in his affair with that widowed woman, would things have come to this? Even if you didn't want me because I couldn't have children, I wouldn't resent you."
"But you, you colluded with a shameless widowed woman, was it to humiliate me? Or for your son to be a slut? I endured it for the sake of peace, but what about you? You didn't treat me as a person, making me serve that widowed woman!"
As Su Manxiu spoke, tears streamed down her face.
"Even in the Qing Dynasty, Manxiu would be the wife, and that widowed woman would be a concubine, serving Manxiu. The Wang family actually made the original wife serve a slut!"
"Hush, it's not the Qing Dynasty anymore!"
"Even if it's not the Qing Dynasty, there's no reason for a wife to serve a slut."
"What the Wang family did was too unethical, simply inhuman!"
...
The villagers chimed in, their words overlapping. Even those who had some dissatisfaction with the Su family before immediately felt great sympathy for Su Manxiu upon hearing that the Wang family had made her serve a widowed woman.
After all, the women in the production team were all original wives, and no one would sympathize with a woman who shamelessly stole someone else's husband.
Moreover, in the hearts of the elders in the production team, the original wife was the original wife, someone irreplaceable.
Of course, some people felt that it wasn't wrong for the Wang family to want a son, especially since Su Manxiu couldn't have children.
It was reasonable to say that if you don't eat the jelly, you should move the stool.
However, even those with such thoughts didn't dare to voice them publicly at this time, lest they be seen by the villagers as sympathizing with the slutty widow and Wang Gouzi.