Chapter 15: Worth Treating This Way

Shen Meng held her hands in a loose fist, pressing them against her nose for a moment before looking at the two women, her voice thick with emotion.

"Thank you so much, Sister Guihua, Auntie Chen. I was young and ignorant before. With Zhenping away, I didn't have a plan of my own. I lived just like I did at my parents' house—doing whatever my parents-in-law said, raising the children however I saw others raising theirs, and hitting them with a stick the moment I saw something I didn't like. I didn't understand any reason. Sigh, this time, I’ve really thought it through. Everyone has their own fate. From now on, I will definitely learn properly, live my life well, and take care of my health. That will be the best way to make it up to Zhenping. Sister, Auntie Chen, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you both a lot in the future."

"What are you saying? I’m at this age now; if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask. We’ve all been young girls once, Auntie understands you. It’s getting late, so we’ll head back now. We’ll come see you again tomorrow. Take good care of yourself, Xiao Meng."

"I won't stay any longer either, there’s plenty to do at home. Xiao Meng, listen to Auntie Jinling and take good care of your health. Once you’ve recovered your strength, you can raise the children to be successful. Your life will be just fine from here on out."

Seeing them stand up to leave, Shen Meng struggled to get off the *kang* to see them out, but Tian Guihua and Chen Jinling quickly stopped her.

"What are you doing? We just told you to rest well. We’re all neighbors here, no need to see us out. Take care, Sister Wang, we’re heading back now. You’re busy."

"Alright then, Auntie Chen, Sister Guihua, I won't see you out. Mother, please take these things back. It’s not easy for anyone, and there’s no need for so many good things. Take them home for yourself and the children to eat."

With a wave of Shen Meng’s hand, Wang Guizhi quickly picked up the brown sugar, eggs, and dried vegetables they had brought.

"Oh, Auntie, you can't do this. We’re just happy you came to see Xiao Meng; how could we take your things? Take them back, quickly."

"Oh, Sister Wang, what are you doing? We brought these for Xiao Meng to eat. She’s badly hurt and needs to build up her strength. Don't worry about such things, just take them, take them."

"Exactly, Auntie. These aren't worth much. Shen Meng, there’s still plenty at home. You keep them for Xiao Meng to eat. Don't be so polite. Auntie, if you do this again, I’m going to get angry and won't come back next time."

"That won't do. After talking with you for a while today, I know you are straightforward people. I’ll leave my Xiao Meng and her children in your care. I’ll still have to trouble you in the future, but you really can't leave these things. Take them, take them."

The group pushed and shoved their way to the door, their voices growing louder and louder, startling the children eating in the kitchen, who craned their necks to look outside.

Shen Fugui put a piece of vegetable into Lu Mingkai’s bowl and said, "Don't look. It’s just polite posturing for the sake of appearances. Your grandmother will bring those things back in a moment, don't worry."

He didn't really want to explain it to the children, but the little ones were watching with such eager eyes, afraid that the things would really be taken away.

Sure enough, after a short while, Wang Guizhi returned with the items. Lu Mingyang took a peek—they were untouched, not a single bit missing.

Wang Guizhi carried the things into the room, opened Shen Meng’s *kang* cabinet, and put them inside. Looking at the messy room, she felt a pang of distress.

"I don't know why that fourth Lu couple didn't clean up before they moved out. Look at this mess. They even took the mats from the west room, and there isn't even any firewood in the kitchen. If your father hadn't swallowed his pride to go out and borrow some, we wouldn't even have been able to cook tonight. Sigh, daughter, how did your life end up like this? You were so sharp before you were married. You were really fooled by your mother-in-law until you lost your wits."

Shen Meng lowered her eyes and said nothing. Listening to Wang Guizhi’s nagging, she felt a strange sense of warmth. When the director of the orphanage visited her as a child, she would nag just like this, and she had felt the same warmth then.

"Look at me, just rambling on. You must be hungry, Xiao Meng. Mother will go get you something to eat. Eat your meal, take your medicine, and get a good night's sleep. Mother will watch over you."

"Okay!" Only after Wang Guizhi left did Shen Meng stretch her neck, her eyes scanning everything in the room. Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan had packed their things very cleanly. Aside from the furniture her parents had provided for her wedding—which was too heavy to move—even the newspapers used to wallpaper the room had been torn down by the couple.

It was just as well that they had torn them down; it saved her the trouble of doing it herself.

There were many things in the house that needed to be replaced. She would wait a few days; in a few days, she could take the ox cart to the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative. When that time came, she would arrange the house exactly how she wanted it.

After Wang Guizhi brought the food, Shen Meng ate a little. Her head still ached, so she lay down to sleep after eating. A while later, Wang Guizhi came back with a basin of hot water. She soaked a towel and gently wiped Shen Meng’s face and hands, then used a rag to wipe her feet.

Shen Meng had already woken up while her face was being wiped. She was deeply moved, but she didn't open her eyes to speak. Only by resting well and recovering her health could she better repay the original owner's parents.

That night, Wang Guizhi watched over Shen Meng, waking up many times throughout the night. Shen Meng knew all of this, and it wasn't until morning that Wang Guizhi finally dozed off for a bit.

When Shen Meng woke up, Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui had already swept the courtyard, washed the clothes, and tidied up the house inside and out. The children had also gone to the foot of the mountain and gathered some firewood, which was now drying in the yard.

She was still busy when Shen Meng stepped outside. Seeing her, Wang Guizhi was overjoyed.

"How are you, Xiao Meng? Feeling any better? Dr. Lu said yesterday that as long as you don't have a fever, it shouldn't be a big problem. Are you hungry, daughter? Mother stewed some eggs for you, I’ll go get them."

"Thank you, Mother. You and Father have worked hard."

"You are our daughter; isn't it only right that we take care of you? Go wash your face."

"Okay!"

Shen Meng looked at Wang Guizhi with a smile. When she turned her head, she happened to lock eyes with the four children, and she watched as all four of them turned their faces away in unison.

Shen Meng: "..."

The disgust couldn't have been more obvious!!!

After breakfast, Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui had to go back; there was a mountain of work to do at home. If they hadn't been so worried about their daughter, they would have gone back last night.

Eating at their daughter's house meant eating her food; every extra bite they took meant one less bite for their daughter and the children.

"Mother, wait a moment. Take this money and the meat coupons. Zhenping sends money and grain coupons home every month. I don't need this much, and the grain from the production team is quite good, but it would be too eye-catching if I took it out. When my health improves, I’ll come home to see you and Father."

The fact that they would risk their old lives for their children—this love alone was worth Shen Meng treating them this way.

"Silly child, your father and I don't want this. As long as you live your life well, that’s better than anything. Your father told me to tell you to take good care of the children. They are all good kids; don't treat them like you did before." As Wang Guizhi spoke, she pushed the money and coupons back, tightened the pilling, faded towel on her head, and prepared to leave.

"Mother, take them. You and Father are so good to me; if you don't take them, I won't feel right. I know exactly what kind of life we’re living at home. From now on, I’ll be obedient and live a good life, but if you have anything good, don't push it away—keep it for yourselves to use. Take this money and these coupons home and spend them. Even if your daughter is married, she’s still your daughter; it’s only right that I show you filial piety. Take them, or I won't come home again."

She shoved the money into Wang Guizhi’s arms and turned her head away, pretending to be angry, while watching Wang Guizhi’s reaction out of the corner of her eye.