Originally thinking he could come over to mooch some food, Xie Jiankang ended up getting an earful instead, leaving him sulking in frustration.
"Did you clean the pot? Did you wash the bowls? Did you even wash your own dirty clothes? Running around all day like a dog chasing its tail, only knowing how to play outside..."
Wang Cuifen had barely started her scolding when Xie Jiankang and Xie Guiying couldn't take it anymore, silently retreating from the room to go wash their clothes.
In the past, their clothes had always been washed by Wang Cuifen—she figured a couple of items were no big deal, just a quick task. But now, Wang Cuifen only washed her own and her husband's laundry, refusing to coddle the kids. Everyone, big or small, had to handle their own chores.
Xie Jianhua didn’t expect Su Qing to do it for him either. During his years in the military, he’d always washed his own clothes, and he kept the same habit at home, never troubling Su Qing with it. He’d been in the army for years now—it was second nature to him.
Xie Jiankang and Xie Guiying, however, were still struggling to adjust. As they huddled together scrubbing their dirty clothes, they started whispering complaints about Wang Cuifen and Su Qing.
"Mom’s so biased! She’s way too unfair! I just saw Second Sister-in-law eating dried sweet potatoes, and Mom didn’t give me any—she even scolded me!"
"Second Sister-in-law is stingy too, hogging all the food for herself and not sharing with us. We’re the youngest in the family—shouldn’t she give us a little more consideration?"
They grumbled, but neither dared to make a scene in front of Wang Cuifen. If they so much as asked for dried sweet potatoes, she’d tear into them like a storm.
Back then, treats like dried sweet potatoes would’ve been shared without them even asking. Now, no matter how much they whined, they wouldn’t get a bite—let alone luxuries like canned goods.
Wang Cuifen had some savings tucked away and wasn’t overly stingy. When guests brought gifts, she’d stash them in the cupboard, saving them for future visits to others’ homes. But if the kids made enough fuss, they could still snag a little something.
Now, though, Wang Cuifen saw these treats as reserved for Su Qing. When she pulled them out to pack for gifting, she only explained it to Su Qing. After all, Su Qing was the one who’d support her in old age—unlike the other kids.
"Are all these nice things for some official?" Su Qing asked curiously, munching on a piece of dried sweet potato.
At this point in time, people sent to labor camps weren’t even spoken of openly. Xie Jianhua gave a vague reply, "They’re for one of Dad’s old superiors."
He figured that explanation was enough, but Wang Cuifen didn’t bother hiding anything. "It’s for your father-in-law’s old comrade," she said bluntly to Su Qing. "He became a high-ranking official later, but now he’s been sent down to a farm. We haven’t been in touch for years. Since Jianhua’s passing by, we’re having him take some things to check on him."
Xie Jianhua’s eyes widened—shocked, then resigned. Why does Mom just blurt out everything?
With overseas ties being such a sensitive issue, plenty of people had cut off spouses or even parents to avoid trouble. He hadn’t even dared to discuss it openly with Cripple Xie, yet Wang Cuifen acted like it was nothing to worry about.
But the words were already out—no taking them back now.
Su Qing, however, didn’t see it as something taboo. Instead, she praised, "That’s smart of you, Mom. Sending help in times of need—that’s how you really win people over."
"Of course," Wang Cuifen said, lifting her chin proudly.
Watching the two of them like this, Xie Jianhua’s initial wariness turned to exasperation. I worried for nothing.
Cripple Xie felt the same, his expression equally unimpressed.
But neither dared to argue with Wang Cuifen. They just quietly helped pack the items, adding each one she handed them.
"Is this all we’re sending? Should we include some ration coupons?" Su Qing, no longer struggling with hunger and having extra coupons to spare, was feeling generous.
She could guess Wang Cuifen’s motive—laying groundwork for future favors if the man was ever rehabilitated.
It might seem calculating, but it would genuinely help him.
Some things should be judged by actions, not intentions. If we judged by intentions alone, no one in this world would measure up.
If Su Qing had been sent to a rural village as an educated youth and there’d been a disgraced big shot in the local "cowshed," she’d have quietly helped out too.
Unfortunately, the village where the original Su Qing had been sent had only a few young people—no fallen elites nearby. Those kinds of figures weren’t like cabbages, growing everywhere.
Even Xie Jianhua had to make a special trip just to deliver these things.
Wang Cuifen had saved up some ration coupons herself, but she didn’t plan to dip into Su Qing’s stash. "Money and coupons—Cripple Xie and I already discussed it. Don’t worry about it," she said.
This wasn’t just Su Qing’s business; it concerned the whole family. Wang Cuifen only used the household funds, not even touching her own savings.
Once everything was packed, Wang Cuifen instructed, "It’s been a long time since we had contact. Go see how Uncle Zheng is doing first, find out what he needs. Next time, we can figure out how to get it to him."
Hearing there’d be a "next time," Cripple Xie muttered under his breath, "Since when did you become so charitable? You used to pinch every penny..."
"I’ve always had a big heart," Wang Cuifen cut in, shooting him a glare. She covered Su Qing’s ears playfully. "Don’t listen to your father-in-law’s nonsense!"
Su Qing nodded obediently. "I always thought you were kindhearted, Mom."
"Damn right," Wang Cuifen said smugly, laying out her plans. "Next time Jianhua’s on leave, you two can visit Uncle Zheng together. If he’s ever reinstated, he’ll remember your kindness."
If there were benefits to be had, she wouldn’t leave Su Qing out.
Her son was just scouting the path. Once it was safe, Su Qing could follow.
Hearing Wang Cuifen’s blatantly pragmatic talk, Cripple Xie rubbed his ears, pretending not to hear.
Whatever delusions Wang Cuifen had, Old Zheng was still suffering on that farm. If he shattered her dreams, she might refuse to spend another cent.
Old Zheng hadn’t just been sent down—he’d been there for years. Cripple Xie and Xie Jianhua held little hope of him ever climbing back up. If they had any optimism at all, it was a sliver—nothing like Wang Cuifen’s certainty.
They were willing to wade into these muddy waters out of old camaraderie. Unless you’d served in the army, fought side by side, it was hard to understand that bond.
But seeing Su Qing completely taken in by Wang Cuifen’s smooth talk—even ready to visit the farm with Xie Jianhua next time—Xie Jianhua quickly pulled her aside.
"Come on," he said, "help me pack my things in our room."
Who knew where Wang Cuifen got her confidence, spinning her wild theories so convincingly? And Su Qing ate it all up—not just agreeing, but even smoothing over the shaky logic for her.
If this kept up, he was afraid Su Qing would end up completely fooled.
