Soon, the other members of the Su family also returned.
The Su family members were all tall and strong. The Liang family members, standing opposite them, were completely overshadowed.
Seeing his father-in-law and brothers-in-law arrive in such an aggressive manner, Old Third Su frowned.
Then, seeing his wife crying aggrievedly beside him, he felt a pang in his heart, and his dislike for his father-in-law's family grew even stronger.
He had always known that his wife was not valued in her maiden home.
However, they were still his wife's parents, and he had not shown much dissatisfaction over the years.
Who would have thought they would come to his doorstep like this?
How distressed his wife must be!
Old Third Su, being a man who doted on his wife, looked at his father-in-law's family with displeasure.
Old Man Liang happened to glance over and saw his son-in-law's dark expression, causing him to flinch slightly.
In the face of absolute strength, the Liang family members no longer dared to make trouble.
Old Man Liang wondered what had gone wrong with him to bring people to the Old Su family to cause a scene.
Had he forgotten what kind of family the Old Su family was?
He then looked at the many people from the Hongxin Brigade who were helping the Old Su family, some even watching them with predatory eyes.
It was as if as long as they said one wrong word, they would be ready to step in and beat them up. Finally, they completely caved.
"Daughter, we can't come here for nothing. I've been thinking, you also need to live, so I won't ask for too much. How about five yuan a month and ten catties of grain coupons?"
Old Man Liang was unwilling to give up such a rare opportunity and made a final struggle.
"Back then, our family gave a betrothal gift of seventy yuan, plus a hundred catties of grain."
Grandma Su had not wanted to bring this up, lest it hurt her daughter-in-law's feelings, but the Liang family was truly too unreasonable, forcing her to mention it.
According to the customs of farming families, after receiving the betrothal gift, although the maiden family would keep some, they would usually give some dowry, and in addition, return some "descendant money" to the groom's family.
However, the Liang family had stubbornly returned only two mao to the Old Su family.
Because of this, Grandma Su had looked at Liang Xiu unfavorably for a period of time.
If Liang Xiu had not been a hardworking and enduring person, and also one who could tolerate, even if her mother-in-law disliked her, she could still smile, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would not have reached this point.
When Grandma Su spoke, many people from the Hongxin Brigade also remembered this incident.
"I still remember it. When Liang Xiu got married, she really came alone, not even with a single piece of clothing."
Old Woman Chang also remembered this and couldn't help but say, "Oh dear, Liang Xiu, this girl is truly pitiful. When she got married, she really only wore a set of ragged clothes. The Old Liang family has no shame!"
The reason she remembered it so clearly was that she had used it as a joke for a long time, making fun of the Old Su family.
Later, after Liang Xiu had given birth to two sons and then the daughter that the Old Su family had longed for, she gradually stopped mentioning it.
For this reason, Grandma Su always looked displeased when she saw Chang.
The relationship between the two families seemed to have worsened because of this.
"There's such a thing? No matter how stingy my father is, he still made me bring all the clothes I wore at my maiden home!" a young wife suddenly said with emotion.
The things in the world are truly afraid of comparison. She used to think her maiden family was already too much, but now she knew that her parents and Liang Xiu's parents were too good compared to them!
"The world is vast, and there are all sorts of people. Some parents truly think for their children, but some parents don't necessarily!" someone said loudly, glancing at the Liang family members as they spoke.
But the Liang family members were truly shameless. Even though they knew they were being alluded to, they didn't care.
"You're right, I don't think the Old Liang couple are good people, and Liang Xiu, this sister-in-law, is truly unfortunate!"
"Not unfortunate, not unfortunate. Aren't things better now? People say that early blessings are not true blessings; later blessings are the real blessings!"
The people of the Hongxin Brigade chattered incessantly. Seeing that it was getting out of hand, the Liang family members finally felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Let's go home!" Old Man Liang said.
The Su family members watched the Liang family leave, not a single word spoken.
Although the Liang family had left, Liang Xiu's mood did not improve much. Her eyes were red as she looked at the road where no one could be seen, wondering what she was thinking.
"Old Third, persuade your wife. It's nothing!" Grandma Su said generously.
Old Third Su reached out and patted his wife's shoulder, saying, "Wife, you're married into our family now. Don't worry too much about how things are over there."
Liang Xiu, listening to her husband's clumsy comfort, wiped away her tears and said, "I know. I'll only cry for them this once, and I won't cry for them again."
It wasn't worth it!
Su Xiaotian also stepped forward to comfort her mother.
Chi Yiyuan unceremoniously followed.
When Liang Xiu saw her younger daughter, her mood improved considerably.
However, when she saw Chi Yiyuan, her heart still felt heavy.
This was considered a family disgrace, and so many outsiders had seen it today...
"Auntie, people always have to look forward. No matter how difficult it is, can it be more difficult than..."
The young man's next words were not spoken, but Liang Xiu understood.
Yes, no matter how difficult it was, could it be more difficult than those who lived in the cowshed?
These former elites, now reduced to living in the cowshed, keeping company with cattle and horses, could still live strong lives. Her situation was much better than theirs.
"The child is quite insightful. Auntie understands." Liang Xiu forced a smile.
Su Xiaotian was curious why her own comfort had no effect, but after Chi Yiyuan said only half a sentence, her mother became happy.
As Liang Xiu smiled and thanked Chi Yiyuan, she happened to see the torn sleeve that Su Xiaoqin had pulled.
"How did your sleeve get torn? Auntie will mend it for you!"
Liang Xiu was overflowing with maternal love at this moment. Such a small child, with no woman in the family, was truly pitiful.
"Auntie, I'll mend it myself when I get home!" the young man said shyly.
He only had this one cotton coat, and he was too embarrassed to take it off to mend it.
"Little Fifth also has a spare cotton coat, but it's a bit small. I think you can wear it, so take it for now."
Liang Xiu saw the young man's awkwardness and sighed.
"Keep it for Little Eighth!" Chi Yiyuan refused to accept it.
"Little Eighth can't wear it yet," Liang Xiu insisted.
Su Xiaotian was also curious why Brother Yiyuan's clothes were so tattered.
"Brother Yiyuan, your clothes are really beyond repair. Just change into this one!" Su Xiaotian also helped to persuade him.
Hearing Su Xiaotian say this, Su Ciliang was furious. What was this silly girl thinking?
Didn't she see that this person had ulterior motives?
Third Aunt was truly foolish, someone was coveting your family's little cabbage, and you treated them as an honored guest!
And you even mended his clothes and gave him clothes!
It had to be said that although Su Ciliang appeared rough and unrefined on the outside, he was actually a child with a delicate and sensitive mind.
Chi Yiyuan's hidden thoughts, perhaps even he himself did not understand them clearly, but Su Ciliang saw them all!
In the end, Su Ciliang stomped out angrily, unwilling to watch any longer.
Qi Liangying returned in the afternoon, with a smile on her face, clearly happy today.
But she was surprised to find that the atmosphere at home was not right.
Qi Liangying had always been a cautious, careful, and considerate person.
She curiously asked her husband and only then learned that her third sister-in-law's family had come to cause trouble.
After listening, she couldn't help but sigh, "I really didn't expect something like this to happen!"
She had returned to her maiden home today, and her parents knew that she was working in the city and received a salary and grain coupons every month, so they treated her very well.
Even her parents and elder brother and sister-in-law had said many nice things, which was unusual for them. When she returned, they even brought her some mountain goods.
Even though her family was not lacking these mountain goods, they were still the thoughts of her maiden family, and Qi Liangying was in a very good mood.
"Just pretend you don't know, and don't hurt your third sister-in-law's feelings again!" Old Second Su, being unusually thoughtful for once, cautioned his wife.
Qi Liangying rolled her eyes at him, "Do I need you to tell me this? I know!"
People are afraid of comparison. Even though she still harbored some resentment in her heart for her parents' past neglect, it had all dissipated at this moment.
She even thought that she should be more filial to her parents in the future.
The next morning, Qi Liangying and Liang Xiu, as sisters-in-law, went to work in the county town again.
The people at home continued to live their most ordinary and peaceful lives.
Wang Xianghua was still busily managing the chicken farm. Wang Xianghua had invested so much effort in this chicken farm that the people in the brigade said that without Wang Xianghua, the chicken farm would not be where it was today.
When the Su family men needed to work in the brigade, they went to work. When they didn't need to, they went to the mountains to chop firewood, preparing firewood for the New Year, and also preparing firewood for the cowshed for the winter.
As for the children, they generally went to the mountains every day to explore and collect some mountain goods.
Life in the countryside was like this, day by day, month by month, year by year, it just went on like this, without any ripples.
However, such peaceful days were so rare during this special period.
Especially with someone like Su Xiaoqin in a brigade, it was even rarer.
Su Xiaoqin disappeared again, and the second branch of the Su family didn't pay much attention to it. Liu Xiuying only cursed a few times.
However, three days later, a group of people arrived at the brigade and rushed aggressively into the cowshed.
After a thorough search, they indeed found some good things, including two bowls of white flour, several catties of millet, and a small bowl of lard.
The leader was a young man in his twenties. He was not tall and looked somewhat猥琐.
Looking at these things, he felt justified and began to vent his anger at Su Changjiu.
"How do you manage as the brigade leader? Do people in the cowshed deserve to eat such good things?"
Su Changjiu felt extremely wronged, but many things could not be said at this time. He could only endure humiliation and obediently listen to a young brat who had not even grown a full beard curse at him.
"Comrade, please don't be angry. This is what we old folks saved for the New Year. It's really not the brigade leader's fault."
"New Year? People like you still have New Year?" Another young man kicked over the small bowl of lard.
Did they not know? Su Xiaoqin had said that the people of the Hongxin Brigade had given many good things to the people in the cowshed.
It was just unclear why only so little was found!
Chi Yiyuan watched his grandfather endure humiliation, his hands clenched tightly, wishing he could step forward and beat them up.
However, he also knew that he could not do that. If he really resorted to violence, the matter would be difficult to resolve.
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel fortunate that even in the most peaceful times, they had always been vigilant and had not stored all their belongings in the cowshed but had hidden them.
If so much good food had been found, they would have been truly finished.
"Comrade, you are right. We are sinners and do not deserve to celebrate the New Year or eat good food!" Du Tonghe also stepped forward to apologize.
"You old fellows are still not at peace even after accepting reform. I think you should be criticized!"
The young man in the lead was also curious why they hadn't found anything good on this trip.
But he felt that it might be because Su Xiaoqin was ignorant and mistook a little white flour and millet for good things.
"Kid, come here!" The young man in the lead saw Chi Yiyuan and beckoned him over.
Su Xiaoqin had said that this brat, even though he was living in the cowshed, was still restless.
Today, he would let him know what it meant to be in trouble.
Chi Yiyuan did not know why these people wanted him to come forward, but he had to bow his head when he was under someone else's roof, so he obediently walked forward.
Those people were clearly prepared. Even though they hadn't found anything, they still attacked Chi Yiyuan.
Chi Yiyuan was beaten, and Chi Ge and Du Tonghe rushed forward to protect him, resulting in all three of them being beaten.
The others from the Hongxin Brigade wanted to help, but Su Changjiu stopped them.
If the Hongxin Brigade had intervened today, their comfortable life would be over from now on.
This group of people, who did nothing good all day, if they targeted the Hongxin Brigade, who knew what trouble they would cause.
Su Changjiu guessed that these people were brought by Su Xiaoqin.
After finally enduring the beating and kicking, Su Changjiu quickly sent someone to invite Doctor Li to treat the people in the cowshed.
The grandfather and grandchildren were all covered in bruises. Those people had not held back at all when they struck, especially Chi Yiyuan, who had more injuries.
Su Xiaotian couldn't help but cry when she saw this.
Seeing the little girl crying so sadly, Chi Yiyuan had to comfort her again.
"Xiaotian, brother is fine. Don't cry. It looks serious, but it will be fine in a couple of days!"
"It will be fine in a couple of days." Su Xiaotian refused to believe this statement.
However, it was fortunate that 1976 was approaching, and it was not long before everything would be over.
Su Xiaotian, sobbing, helped to prepare the medicine.
Li Mingcai was surprised. Where did this little girl get these prescriptions?
They were all the same medicinal ingredients, but the medicine she prepared seemed to be much more effective.
Li Mingcai was just a country doctor and did not know much about medical knowledge, so he could not understand that the reason Su Xiaotian's prescriptions were so effective was not because of the quality of the medicinal ingredients, but because she had maximized their medicinal properties.
"Xiaotian, where did you get these prescriptions?" Li Mingcai finally couldn't help but ask.
The Old Su family ancestors were not known to have any doctors, so where did this child get such prescriptions?
And they were such effective prescriptions.
Su Xiaotian said, "I just saw them casually in a book."
She really just saw them casually in a book, but even if she told the truth, others might not believe it was the truth.
Li Mingcai was the first to disbelieve. The Old Su family ancestors had no doctors, and there were even very few literate people.
How could such miraculous prescriptions exist in the Old Su family?
Indeed, these prescriptions did not belong to the Old Su family, but that did not mean Su Xiaotian could not see them. Li Mingcai did not understand this logic and could not figure it out.
With Su Xiaotian's medicinal ointment, the people in the cowshed quickly recovered, but they also became even more low-key.
They did not suspect the people of the Hongxin Brigade, but they also knew that although the Hongxin Brigade had many good people, it did not mean that everyone in the Hongxin Brigade was a good person.
In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year. There were not many celebratory activities for the New Year, and it was just a plain passing.
Just after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, it was time for plowing. Su Changjiu organized the brigade members to get busy.
The fields were a scene of bustling activity. Su Xiaotian skipped and ran back and forth between the ridges, like a beautiful butterfly.
During this spring plowing season, another person was added to the Hongxin Brigade.
To be precise, another person came to the cowshed of the Hongxin Brigade.
This person was named Shen Zizhen.
When Shen Zizhen arrived, Su Xiaotian was cleaning up her new harvest and planning how to develop it further.
The system's recent tasks had not made much progress. Unfortunately, during this special period, it was unlikely for the reading system to complete major tasks.
She would have to wait for two or three more years.
When she heard the name Shen Zizhen, Su Xiaotian was momentarily stunned.
Immediately after, she remembered that there was indeed such a person in her previous life.
This person was a very accomplished scientist who was sent down to the Hongxin Brigade due to being framed and lived in the cowshed.
However, he returned three years later.
Moreover, in the following decade, he made considerable achievements and cultivated many excellent seeds.
She was truly muddled, how could she have forgotten such an important matter!
"We're going to strike it rich now!" Su Xiaotian smiled so brightly that even Grandma Su, who came to see her, was dazzled.
"Xiaotian, what are you smiling about?" Grandma Su asked curiously.
"Grandma, our Hongxin Brigade has struck it rich!"
"What's wrong again?" Grandma Su was used to her granddaughter's suspicious behavior, but she still asked.
"Shen Zizhen, the Dragon King told me that Shen Zizhen is a true talent who can help the people of our Hongxin Brigade live good lives!" Su Xiaotian said quickly.
Grandma Su quickly signaled Su Xiaotian to speak softly. She didn't know what was going on lately, but people from the county who caused trouble always came to the Hongxin Brigade, making everyone unhappy!
"Grandma, it's true! He's a very capable person. With Grandpa Du and Uncle Shen, the grain we'll be allocated this year will be much more!"