When Xu Wanníng came home with her high school textbooks, she was still thinking about what to cook for dinner. But as soon as she walked in, she noticed something was off.
Da Chun sat there, cold and distant, refusing to even look at her. Little Yaomei looked so nervous she seemed one step away from bursting into tears. Lin Mother forced out a smile.
"Ning, you're back."
Xu Wanníng blinked, confused.
What the hell happened? She was gone for just a short while—how did all her hard-earned affection points drop back to zero?!
No matter. With her cooking skills, she could win back anyone's heart.
"Yaomei, how about sweet-and-sour pork ribs tonight? Mommy will make it just for you."
She picked her daughter up, deciding to start from the weakest point of defense—the little one.
Yaomei leaned into her arms, sucking her fingers timidly.
"Mom, where'd we get meat from?"
"Daddy just sent Mommy some money. Don't worry, we've got more than enough to feed the whole family."
Between the money sent by the male lead and by the original body's parents, she had a total of one hundred yuan. Back in this era, that was enough for a family to live comfortably for an entire year!
But of course, the original Xu Wanníng had been brainless—throwing money away on that scumbag Gu Jun and his green-tea mistress.
The money was gone, so now she'd have to pull some rice from her system's storage and trade it at the black market.
She glanced at the fading daylight—still some time before dinner. She could spend it teaching the kids.
Bonding through study—perfect parent-child strategy.
When she borrowed the textbooks, she'd used the kids as an excuse and hadn't mentioned the college exam plan. Time to make the cover story real.
"Da Chun, Yaomei, you're already four years old, not that little anymore…"
Before she could finish, Yaomei piped up,
"I know! I can help Mommy now—start the fire, sweep the floor, pick up firewood—"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Xu Wanníng pressed her forehead in disbelief. Just how had the original owner managed to turn two four-year-olds into household laborers?!
"Mommy means, you should start learning. Only by studying can you change your life and live better."
She imitated her old high school teacher's serious tone, then spread the books open on the low table.
"We don't have any pens or paper yet, I'll buy them tomorrow. For now, Mommy will just teach you to read."
When the kids still stood frozen, she frowned, thinking they didn't want to learn.
"Come here! Mommy traded chicken patties just to borrow this book. You better treasure it and study hard!"
She thought to herself—by the time academic competition starts in 1977, no one's kids will be able to out-study hers!
Yaomei blinked.
"Mom, you traded food for books? Didn't you give that... that Uncle Gu some?"
Her voice faltered a little when she said "Uncle Gu," just like the original body had taught her.
"Give it to him? No way! From now on, everything we have belongs to just the four of us!"
Xu Wanníng sighed in relief. So that was the misunderstanding! They thought she'd given food to that bastard again.
"Listen, kids. That Uncle Gu isn't a good person. If you ever see him, stay far away."
"Okay."
Yaomei nodded hard, flashing a sweet smile. Even Da Chun's icy face softened, and for once he came over and sat beside her.
Lin Mother turned her head, secretly wiping away tears of happiness.
Xu Wanníng taught them for a bit. While they practiced, she skimmed through the textbooks—math and English were easy for her, but she'd need to review the liberal arts.
To her surprise, both kids were bright—one lesson and they could already write their names. Yaomei could even count to ten.
Such good kids.
If it weren't for that damned original body's sins, they wouldn't have ended up crippled and chained in the book's future.
After dinner, Xu Wanníng packed two bags of rice and flour into a bamboo basket and headed for the black market.
Private trade was banned now, so everyone made their deals around dusk, secretly.
Her white rice and fine flour—top-grade even by modern standards—sold out within minutes. People who missed out begged her to bring more the next day, but she refused. She wasn't running a business—just making enough to get by.
Leaving the market with two large "Great Unity" notes in hand, she went straight to the barefoot doctor's hut.
The moment he saw her, Dr. Chen scowled and turned away.
"How many times do I have to say it? I don't sell sleeping pills! You're not scared of your man, but I sure as hell am!"
Xu Wanníng sighed inwardly—yet another person who thought she was the old her.
"Uncle Chen, I'm not here for that. I came to buy ointment for my mother-in-law's leg."
Lin Mother suffered from chronic rheumatism—painful and numbing attacks that could lead to paralysis if untreated.
Dr. Chen automatically reached to shoo her off but froze mid-motion.
Most farmers just endured pain their whole lives. A single plaster cost two yuan—no one spent that much.
When Xu Wanníng handed over the money without hesitation, he clicked his tongue, watching her leave.
"Well I'll be damned… the prodigal wife's really turned over a new leaf."
By the time she got home, it was almost dark. Little Yaomei rushed to the door, hugging her leg tightly. Da Chun blinked up at her from the doorway.
Xu Wanníng pulled two Big White Rabbit milk candies from her pocket.
"Rewards for today's good students."
Yaomei gasped, and Da Chun's face lit up for the first time in forever.
Candy was a luxury in this era—something they'd only ever seen, never tasted. The two of them sat on the steps, carefully counting their candies, too happy to eat them.
Once the kids were settled, she turned to Lin Mother.
"Mom, I bought this for you. It'll help your legs feel better."
Lin Mother looked flustered and moved to refuse.
"You didn't have to spend money, it's expensive…"
Even the most filial daughter-in-law in the village wouldn't waste two yuan like that. She couldn't believe her good fortune—maybe, just maybe, the Lin family's hardships were finally over.
Xu Wanníng warmed the plaster over the kerosene lamp and pressed it gently onto her leg. Heat spread quickly, easing the stiffness.
"Mom, I also bought some cloth. The kids should have new clothes for New Year. You can make them something nice."
Lin Mother touched the soft cotton and new wadding, tears welling up. She nodded repeatedly, already measuring with her hands.
"This fabric's so nice… I'll make you a thick, warm one too."
Halfway through speaking, she stopped, awkwardly glancing at Xu Wanníng—remembering that her daughter-in-law was a city woman who used to despise homemade clothes.
"That'd be perfect! Handmade's warmer anyway. Oh, and make one for their dad too."
Just as the words left her mouth—
BANG!
The door slammed open from the outside.
A tall, sharp-featured man in a military coat stepped in, the cold wind following behind him. His gaze was fierce, voice like a blade:
"Who the hell tried to sell my children?!"