The cloth envelope felt heavy in Mei Lin's hands.
Not just because of the money inside—but because of what it represented.
In her previous life, she had clutched money like a lifeline only to throw it away on empty friendships and borrowed dreams. She had fed people who laughed behind her back, dressed those who encouraged her to abandon her family, and starved her own home in the process.
This time, every yuan had a destination.
Mei Lin stepped into the county supply store.
The bell above the door jingled.
The clerk glanced up, took in her simple cotton clothes, and instinctively looked away—until Mei Lin calmly began listing what she needed.
"Two sets of ready-made clothes for my parents-in-law."
"Two sets for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law."
"Three sets—for my husband, my daughter, and myself."
The clerk paused, then nodded slowly.
Mei Lin continued, her voice steady, calculating:
"Two nightclothes each—for my husband, my daughter, and me."
"Two sets for three nephews."
"Four yards of fabric."
The pile on the counter grew.
She didn't stop there.
"Ten kilograms of sugar."
"Ten kilograms of salt."
"Soy sauce. Vinegar."
"Brown sugar—three pounds."
"White flour and corn flour."
"Five pounds of pork for my parents-in-law."
"Fifteen pounds for my household."
The butcher stared.
"Comrade… are you preparing for a wedding?"
Mei Lin smiled faintly.
"I'm preparing for life."
Fish followed.
Seafood.
Three sets of towels.
Toothbrushes. Toothpaste.
Candies. Chocolate. Loose toffees for children.
When everything was finally weighed and wrapped, the total came to 600 yuan.
She paid without blinking.
900 yuan remained.
In her past life, she would've panicked.
Now, she felt calm.
She hired a brigade transport rider for one yuan.
When he saw the mountain of goods tied to the back of his bicycle, his jaw dropped.
"Didn't you leave your husband?" he blurted out.
Mei Lin climbed on, unfazed.
"Why would I leave him?" she replied lightly.
"My husband is the best."
The ride back felt longer than usual.
Villagers stopped working.
Hoes froze mid-air.
Women leaned out of doorways.
Who was that woman returning like a traveling merchant?
When Mei Lin arrived home, she unloaded everything with methodical care.
Sugar, salt, sauces—sealed in jars.
Meat and fish—lowered carefully into a dug pit cooled by groundwater.
Towels and toiletries—lined neatly near the washbasin.
Clothes—folded and placed in the wardrobe.
The house felt fuller.
Warmer.
Then she took five pounds of pork, wrapped it carefully, and led her daughter next door.
Her little girl had been playing with her cousin.
The moment she saw Mei Lin, she ran over and hugged her tightly.
"Mother!"
Mei Lin bent down, kissed her cheek, and placed candies in her palm.
"Share with your cousin."
Inside the neighboring kitchen, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were working.
They turned around—
And froze.
Mei Lin greeted them politely, pulled out the gifts one by one.
"Two sets for Father and Mother."
"Two sets for Elder Brother and Sister."
"Two sets for the nephews."
"And this—five pounds of meat, sugar, salt, candies."
The kitchen went silent.
Her sister-in-law's mouth opened slightly.
Her mother-in-law stared as if she were seeing a stranger.
Mei Lin sat on a stool calmly.
"These three years… you've taken care of my daughter when I didn't.
I can't repay that fully, but I want to show gratitude."
She stood.
"I cooked dinner today. Please come."
Outside, her sister-in-law whispered nervously:
"Mother… is she divorcing younger brother? Is that why she's giving gifts?"
Her mother-in-law's face darkened.
---
Back home, Mei Lin tied her apron.
She chose seafood and fish—prosperity dishes rarely seen in the brigade. Her daughter washed vegetables, proud to help.
When Ming Li came to take their daughter home, he found his parents unusually serious.
"What happened?" he asked.
His mother replied stiffly, "Your wife brought gifts. Invited us to dinner."
A pause.
"…We think she wants to talk about divorce."
Ming Li's jaw tightened.
"Then let's go."
They arrived to a table filled with dishes.
Fish.
Seafood.
Meat.
Vegetables.
Rice steaming like white clouds.
No one touched their chopsticks.
Mei Lin wiped her hands and came out, smiling gently.
"What's wrong? Eat."
Her father-in-law stared.
"What is all this?"
Mei Lin calmly took out her translator ID.
"I got a job."
She explained everything—translation, county, books, income.
Then she placed ten yuan into her father-in-law's hand.
"This is my contribution."
She paused.
"I earned 1,500 yuan."
Silence.
Her mother-in-law's hands shook.
"Is… is this legal?"
Before Mei Lin could answer, Ming Li spoke firmly:
"It is. Only highly educated people can do this."
His voice carried pride he didn't realize he was showing.
Her sister-in-law suddenly clapped.
"Then we should celebrate!"
Wine appeared. Laughter followed.
For the first time, Ming Li ate without heaviness in his chest.
For the first time, the brigade looked at Mei Lin with new eyes.
Not as a lazy wife.
But as a woman who had returned… different.