Just as Xu Wanning was about to argue back, she caught a glimpse of someone quickly approaching from the corner of her eye — she instantly changed her expression, her eyes turning misty like she was about to cry.
She rubbed the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, pretending to choke up. "I thought what I said that day at the educated youth courtyard was already clear enough. A bunch of aunties heard it too. How come, when it reaches Aunt Zhang's mouth, everything turns into my fault? I guess it's because I'm not from Dajiang Village. I was wrong to ever think I belonged."
Mother Lin, who had long been used to her daughter-in-law's old arrogance, couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy at this tearful sight.
She tugged Xu Wanning over and stood protectively in front of her, using her thin, frail body as a shield. Her glare toward Aunt Zhang was fierce.
"Comrade Xu married Lin An years ago and even gave birth to two kids. She's already one of us here in Dajiang Village. Old Zhang's wife, if I hear you say again that she doesn't belong here, I'll have Old Lin go have a word with your man!"
"Good morning, Aunt Zhu." Xu Wanning peeked out from behind Mother Lin and greeted the village head's wife politely.
The woman nodded, then turned to Aunt Zhang and the other gossiping women beside her. "About that rumor of selling children — I can vouch for Comrade Xu. That's a misunderstanding."
"When she gave birth to her little girl, she almost bled to death. Jianye and a few others carried her all the way to the town hospital overnight to save her life. Those two kids are the ones she nearly died giving birth to. What kind of mother would sell her own children?"
"This matter ends here. I don't want to hear it again from anyone's mouth. If Old Lin hears more of this nonsense, he will go have a word with your husbands!"
Aunt Zhang could only leave in frustration after being so firmly dismissed.
Once they had walked far enough, she muttered to the woman beside her, "If I'd known it'd turn out like this, I wouldn't have taken that twenty cents. Didn't get the job done and ended up in trouble, even pissed off the village head's wife!"
"Right? But honestly, whoever hired us clearly doesn't have kids. They don't know what children mean to a mother."
Back on the other side, the village head's wife turned to Xu Wanning. "Comrade Xu, this mess—"
"Aunt Zhu, it's not your fault," Xu Wanning sighed softly. "People's mouths are their own. You can't stop what they say. I don't mind clearing my name again and again, but this kind of rumor… it's sensitive. If word spreads and the higher-ups hear about it…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but Aunt Zhu understood exactly what she meant.
"Don't worry, Comrade Xu. I'll tell Old Lin to handle it properly. We'll find out who started this nonsense."
Finally, Xu Wanning let out a small breath of relief.
In the original story, this whole scene was just a passing mention — but it was precisely this little spark, fanned by someone in the shadows, that led to the tragedy later on.
Of course, the original Xu Wanning deserved her downfall.
But now that Xu Wanning herself was the one in control, anything that could threaten her future had to be crushed early — before it grew into something she couldn't stop.
As she helped Mother Lin home, Xu Wanning's eyes caught a flicker of green disappearing behind a large banyan tree.
She lowered her gaze, then asked casually, "Mom, what were you doing out so early in the morning?"
It was freezing these days, and with no farm work to do, most people stayed huddled indoors. Going out was rare — partly because of the cold, and partly to conserve energy so they didn't get hungry as fast.
Mother Lin sighed heavily, guilt coloring her voice. "I wanted to trade for some cotton, to make you a new coat. But I couldn't get any, and now I've stirred up trouble instead."
Xu Wanning hadn't expected that the reason the old woman with bad legs went out was for her. Her heart warmed instantly.
"Mom, you really don't have to go through all that. My family's parcel should arrive any day now. I wrote to my mother asking for some cotton — she'll send it."
Mother Lin looked like she wanted to say something, but when she saw the gentle smile on Xu Wanning's face, she held her tongue.
Without realizing it, the two had already reached the yard.
Lin An had just placed five bowls of noodles on the kang bed. Seeing them come in, he said, "Eat on the bed — it's warmer there."
Mother Lin took off her thick, icy coat and instinctively reached for the smallest bowl.
Before her hand even got there, Xu Wanning quickly shoved a large bowl into her hands instead.
"Mom eats the big one."
Then she lowered her head and started eating.
The noodles were a little clumped from sitting too long, but still flavorful. You could tell from the way Dashun and Yaomei were slurping them up — kids who could barely sit still, eating like they hadn't seen food in days.
The little house filled with the sound of slurping noodles and steaming breath. In the dead of winter, that simple warmth felt especially comforting.
After dinner, Lin An naturally began clearing the bowls.
"You cooked, I'll wash."
"It's okay, I—"
Mother Lin cut her off by holding Xu Wanning's wrist. "Let him. His skin's thick, he won't feel the cold."
Xu Wanning had no choice but to let him go, though she still called out as he turned to leave, "Add a few sticks of firewood, heat some water."
"Mm."
Mother Lin watched the two interact, smiling contentedly, then pulled out the cloth Xu Wanning had brought back earlier.
"This one's bright and there's enough of it — perfect for making you a new dress."
"This fabric's for Dashun and Yaomei. I'll take the dark blue one."
Mother Lin frowned. "Light colors get dirty too easily on kids."
Xu Wanning smiled. "It's fine. The new year's coming — bright colors look festive."
At that, Mother Lin said nothing more and began cutting the fabric.
The two little ones didn't dare make a sound. They looked at each other in disbelief — new clothes, for them?
Seeing their expressions, Xu Wanning felt both heartache and relief.
She was about to tease them when someone knocked on the door.
Mother Lin put down the cloth and started getting off the bed, limping on her bad leg. "I'll go see who it is."
Xu Wanning quickly stopped her. "Let me. The medicine's finally helping your leg — don't strain it over something small."
When she opened the door, she almost bumped right into Lin An, who had just finished washing the dishes.
"Heading out?"
"Someone knocked," Xu Wanning pointed toward the door. "I was going to check."
"It's cold. I'll go."