C34 Returning to the 1960s: Starting with Digging for Fo-ti

“Daughter, do not say such things,” the old woman said, her face flushed with shame, letting out a soft sigh.

During the years of famine, every household struggled, and news of people starving to death spread everywhere.

Her second son was uneducated and worthless, constantly squandering the family property.

If it were not for Liu Xiuyun working day and night to keep the family spirit alive, her second son’s household would have fallen apart long ago.

The old woman took a deep breath, her voice filled with guilt. “Your father and I owe you an apology. We have made you suffer these years.”

Du Daqiang coughed lightly and turned to Liu Xiuyun. “Second daughter-in-law, do not speak like that again. You are slapping your mother-in-law and father-in-law’s face. The truth is that the times are bad. If it were a few years ago, your father-in-law still had strength, and we would never have let your family go hungry.”

Hearing the old couple’s words full of guilt, Liu Xiuyun waved her hands quickly. “Father, Mother, you were also in a difficult position yourselves. To be honest, if it were not for the times when you secretly helped me, I probably would not have survived to this day.”

Both sides began to politely decline and offer comfort to one another, leaving Du Jianguo stunned.

He let out a hearty laugh to break the tension. “Enough, stop passing the buck. Each of you has your own hardships. The important thing is to make your lives better from now on!”

“You still talk!”

The old woman glared at Du Jianguo, her tone full of disappointment. “If it were not for you, a street idler with no proper conduct, spending your days gambling and drinking, relying on Xiuyun to raise the child alone, would things have been this hard?”

After scolding her son, the old woman pulled Liu Xiuyun’s hand gently, her eyes full of pride. “Come, let us go inside. We will sit and talk in the room.”

The old woman and Du Daqiang led Liu Xiuyun into the house.

Du Jianguo rubbed his nose, realizing he had been treated like an outsider.

He had come specifically with the intention of building a good relationship with his parents. In his past life, he had never let them enjoy any happiness and had instead made them suffer.

This time, with a new opportunity, he was determined to let them live a life where they could eat their fill.

“Big brother, I will come in too,” Du Jianguo said to his older brother Du Qiangjun in the courtyard before following them inside.

Du Qiangjun scratched his head awkwardly and leaned over to whisper to his wife, Su Xiaomei. “I think Second Brother has truly changed. I have never seen him invite Xiuyun to our house before. You two sisters-in-law should get along well from now on.”

“Pooh, why should I get along with her?”

Su Xiaomei glared fiercely at her husband, gritting her teeth. “She is a lady from the city with a high status. What does she have in common with me, a woman from the village ditch? I think she looks down on me deep down in her bones!”

Du Qiangjun frowned. “I do not think Second Sister-in-law is that kind of person. She has always been polite to our parents and follows proper manners. She is not as shallow as you say.”

“So you are taking her side now? Can you not live with me anymore? Then let us divorce!”

“I do not want to stay in your Du family anyway. We do not have enough to eat or drink every day. Divorce now!”

Su Xiaomei suddenly flew into a rage and pretended to be angry as she turned toward the courtyard.

Du Qiangjun hurriedly grabbed her, fearing she might actually follow through.

He quickly offered an apologetic smile. “I was just saying this to you in private. Why do you have to take it so seriously? Okay, okay, you are right. I will do whatever you say, is that fine?”

“That is better.”

Su Xiaomei blinked her eyes, then glanced at their yellow earth house that had not been repaired for a long time. She leaned close to Du Qiangjun.

“Big brother, look at Second Brother. He hunted a bear, so he must have some savings, right? You are the older brother and have some influence. Go ask him for ten or twenty yuan so we can repair the main house.”

Du Qiangjun was startled and waved his hand quickly. “Are you crazy? People are barely surviving these days. Who has spare money to fix a house? Let it be broken if it is broken. It does not leak rain.”

“You just do not want to ask your younger brother for money!”

Su Xiaomei said, “Anyway, the money will eventually be gambled away if it stays with him. It is better we take it now to use for something useful.”

Du Qiangjun thought for a moment but still shook his head. “I cannot open my mouth to ask him, and you should not even think about it. Second Brother has finally shown signs of reform. If you borrow his money, my parents will fight with you.”

With that, he turned and walked toward the room.

Seeing this, Su Xiaomei stomped her foot hard in anger and helplessness. Finally, she could only go back inside the room in silence.

…

“Come, Xiuyun, take this jade pendant. Wear it close to your body from now on.”

“Mother, is this not your heirloom? I cannot accept it. What would it look like if I took it?”

Su Xiaomei had just stepped into the inner room when she witnessed the scene before her. Her mother-in-law and her second sister-in-law were gently pushing the jade pendant back and forth between them. Her face turned green with anger at the sight.

In the past, she had begged the old woman for this jade pendant countless times, but the old woman always refused.

Now, Liu Xiuyun had only just arrived, and the old woman was about to give it to her!

Su Xiaomei grew angrier and angrier. Her eyes swept over the glass cups on the table. She bit her lip, grabbed a cup, and smashed it on the ground.

“Crash!”

The loud sound immediately drew everyone’s attention in the room.

Du Daqiang was so startled that he frowned and demanded, “Daughter-in-law, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing?” Su Xiaomei said with a cold laugh, pointing at the Du family members in the room. Her voice was full of grievance and anger. “Fine, you are all the same surname. Liu Xiuyun is the daughter-in-law you all love. I, Su Xiaomei, am nothing.”

“I have worked hard in your Du family all these years. I have asked about this jade pendant countless times. You never intended to give it to me! What was the result? Liu Xiuyun has only just arrived, and you are rushing to shove the jade pendant into her hands! Fine, let this woman manage your lives from now on. Do not bother with me!”

With that, Su Xiaomei slammed the door shut and walked away.

Du Qiangjun saw this and hurriedly chased after her.

Liu Xiuyun smiled bitterly and pushed the jade pendant back. “Mother, I told you I cannot take this jade pendant. You should give it to my eldest sister-in-law. She is right. All these years, she has been the one managing everything at home and outside. I have not helped at all.”

The old woman shook her head and let out a soft sigh. She then pushed the jade pendant back into Liu Xiuyun’s hand. “Second daughter-in-law, just take it and be at ease.”

“I had considered giving the jade pendant to your eldest sister-in-law before. However, your eldest sister-in-law only thinks about money. As soon as I had this thought, she immediately started asking people how much this jade pendant could be sold for. I am afraid that if this heirloom falls into her hands, it will be turned into cash within a week.”

She paused for a moment before continuing. “Your father and I are getting older, and it is time to entrust the heirloom to the next generation. I do not feel safe giving it to your second brother, so you must carry this jade pendant close to your body. Your second brother must not use it for gambling.”