After some self-reflection, Si Nian decided that if she was going into the city, she would buy a gift for her older man.
Fortunately, the three thousand yuan the police sent over last time hadn't been deposited yet, so she could keep that money for the New Year.
Having money in hand gave her confidence; she had considered all sorts of troubles, but never lacking money.
Si Nian sighed. The next morning, after getting ready early, she prepared to set out.
Luckily, Yaoyao had plenty of clothes; wearing a few extra layers wouldn't let her get cold.
The little girl's hair had grown longer. Si Nian trimmed her bangs straight across. Hair washed with that luxurious shampoo was truly different from the previous dry, frizzy mess—now it looked soft and smooth, framing her little face adorably.
Si Nian had been burned by hair salons before, so if she could cut hair herself, she absolutely wouldn't take the child to one.
So when the bangs grew long, she'd just trim them. After doing it a few times, she gained experience.
Honestly, the little dumpling's hairstyle was so good that anyone in the village who saw it would praise it.
The weather was cold, making her little cheeks rosy and flushed, looking incredibly cute.
She was soft and warm to hold, and Si Nian liked her more and more.
"Mama~ Gogo...."
As Si Nian put a small knitted hat on the little girl, her tender little finger pointed behind them at the two brothers coming down the stairs.
Thanks to the Second Child's unrelenting efforts, the little dumpling had finally learned to call them 'brother.'
However, because the Second Child spoke with a slight lisp, the dumpling's pronunciation wasn't quite standard either.
Si Nian looked over. The two boys had changed into their new clothes, their little faces washed clean. Although a bit tanned, they looked handsome and spirited!
After their last trip to the city where they suffered embarrassment and were laughed at, the two little ones had put on their new clothes in advance this time, determined not to embarrass their mother again!
"Mom, I'll carry sister for you," the Second Child said, beaming as he ran over.
Even though they were mocked last time in the city, because both Mom and Dad had protected them, thoroughly shaming the bad people, and even bought them new clothes and toys, and they rode the carousel, the Second Child was still very much looking forward to this city trip.
He had washed his hair and bathed today, and put on new clothes. Surely those people wouldn't laugh at him for being dirty now?
He thought happily.
Si Nian, seeing he wasn't very big yet but still wanted to carry his sister, smiled and said, "You can carry her later. First, we need to catch the bus in town, or we'll be late."
Even though they got up early, Xingfu Village was remote. Walking to town took one or two hours.
There weren't many buses to the city either, just one in the morning and one in the evening.
They left once full.
By the time they reached the city, it would probably be around eleven or twelve.
Fortunately, Zhou Yueshen said he would pick them up in the afternoon, otherwise Si Nian's timing today would have been really tight.
After putting out a day's worth of food for Da Huang and tossing some vegetable leaves to the rabbits, the family locked the door and set out under Da Huang's sorrowful gaze.
Da Huang looked full of worry, his round eyes and brow furrowed together. He still couldn't figure out why, since they were all children, Mom didn't take him out.
Last time, she went with Zhou Yueshen, who helped look after the children, so it was more convenient.
This time, bringing three children, Si Nian was a bit worried.
But in the end, she realized the one she should have been worried about was herself.
The two boys walked mountain paths to school every year; this bit of road was nothing to them, they didn't even break a sweat.
The Second Child was especially animated the whole way, talking non-stop. Si Nian couldn't help but admire his energy.
With the two children helping look after Yaoyao, it was much easier.
The usually long and distant journey seemed to pass more quickly.
The family arrived in town easily and caught the bus.
As soon as they squeezed on, Si Nian bumped into an acquaintance.
It was the Zhang family's daughter, Zhang Qian.
Si Nian remembered that this woman seemed to be quite close with Zhou Tingting.
Some time ago, it was she who came looking for Zhou Tingting, and after saying something, Zhou Tingting left.
Talk about enemies crossing paths; Zhang Qian, who was close with Zhou Tingting, had also had friction with her before.
Si Nian glanced at the other woman. She was clearly dressed up, with her hair in two braids, powder on her face, and red lips.
But based on her experience, Si Nian guessed Zhang Qian probably wasn't wearing lipstick, but had used red paper to stain her lips.
It was also strange. In this remote little village, women in their twenties who were unmarried and hadn't been driven out by their families were rare.
And she could even get her hands on cosmetics?
Judging by her appearance, she must be going to meet someone important.
When Zhang Qian saw Si Nian and her family, she was also taken aback.
Recovering, her face immediately darkened.
Last time, because of the incident with her sister-in-law, Si Nian had caused her and her mother to lose face in the village. She still held a grudge.
A few days ago, because of the transformer breakdown, their family was blamed and punished by Village Head Huo, utterly humiliating them. She was even more furious.
Now, seeing her enemy made her blood boil.
Especially since just moments before, people around were staring at her with looks of admiration for her beauty. Now, those same people were all staring at Si Nian, eyes wide like they'd never seen the world. It was infuriating.
Zhang Qian sneered, "Well, if it isn't Factory Manager Zhou's wife? People in our village say you keep running around outside even after getting married. I didn't believe it before, but it turns out it's true. Not long after the wedding, and you're already out showing your face all the time. Aren't you afraid people will gossip?"
Si Nian looked at her, first letting the children find seats, then said, "You, an unmarried woman, can parade around outside all dolled up, and there's something to say about me taking my kids out for a stroll? I think the one who should worry about gossip is you. After all, I hear you're already in your twenties and still haven't found a husband. One wonders if there's something wrong with your character."
Zhang Qian: "..."
The people around looked at Zhang Qian in surprise.
Zhang Qian's face flushed red with anger. "That's nonsense! I'm going to marry into the city. Don't think everyone is as shallow-minded as you!"
Si Nian said, "Oh~ so you're marrying into the city. No wonder you're dressed up like you're going on a date. But how come I haven't heard about your engagement? Going to the city to find a man without being engaged, aren't you afraid people will gossip?"
Zhang Qian: "..."
The looks from the people around grew even more disdainful.
The social atmosphere in this era was still quite strict, especially in remote areas. If a man and a woman from different families were seen walking together, it would spread as ugly gossip.
People wouldn't think much of the man; they'd only say the woman lacked self-respect for walking with a man.
Usually, you only dared to be so open after being engaged or formally introduced.
After all, most people still believed that any contact before a relationship was confirmed was improper behavior.
In this era, reputation could ruin a person.
But since the other party attacked first—she, a married woman, if she went out alone and looking so pretty, after Zhang Qian's words, it was possible that by tomorrow rumors about her loose morals would spread across ten villages and eight townships.
Since the other party's intentions were so malicious, Si Nian certainly wouldn't be polite to her either.
