Yang Yufen didn’t mention that Qin Nian might already be pregnant—even Qin Nian herself didn’t know yet. She was just preparing in advance. With such a weak constitution and such a busy job, Qin Nian needed to eat more nutritious food.
By the time these chicks grew up, they’d be ready to lay eggs come spring. And when the time came for childbirth, red-dyed eggs would have to be prepared—so it was only natural to raise a few more.
The shed at Sister Wang’s place had given Yang Yufen an idea. She could easily set up a similar one in the backyard to keep the chickens, ensuring they’d be safe even in winter.
At the market, Yang Yufen picked up discarded wilted vegetable leaves to bring home. She hadn’t managed to buy any meat today, but she did get some cheap pork bones—no ration coupons needed, though arriving late meant missing out.
The bones needed time to simmer, so she split them with an axe, added ginger slices, and set them on the stove.
As expected, Qin Nian didn’t return for lunch. After settling the chicks, Yang Yufen went to the bamboo grove to cut bamboo.
Today, Sister Wang kept her company.
“Your strength puts men to shame! No wonder they called you the ‘Iron Lady’ back in your commune!”
Aunt Wang watched enviously as Yang Yufen felled a thick bamboo stalk in just a few swings. Her own strength was meager—small bamboo shoots were manageable, but a full-sized bamboo required considerable effort, not to mention the struggle of carrying it back.
So she usually gathered bamboo twigs while others did the heavy cutting.
“We make a good team—less tiring this way. I’ve no patience for tidying up these thin branches, but you’re a master at tending crops. And thanks to you, I even get to ride this tricycle—hauling things is so much easier now.”
Indeed, Aunt Wang owned a pedal tricycle, which Yang Yufen quickly learned to operate. With Aunt Wang navigating, Yang Yufen pedaled, and soon they reached the bamboo grove.
To avoid transporting overly long bamboo, Yang Yufen decided to process it right there in the grove.
Even with a full load of bamboo and an extra passenger, Yang Yufen pedaled the tricycle at a steady, unhurried pace, showing no sign of strain.
“I’m thinking of building a grape trellis like yours. And that outhouse you built looks solid—where can I get bricks? I’d like to build one too.”
Yang Yufen unloaded the bamboo and stacked it in a corner, careful not to crush the vegetables.
“No need to go to the brickyard. The security office at the residential compound can arrange delivery—just pay for the bricks. The institute takes good care of its staff families.”
“Ah, I see. Thanks, Sister. Here, let me take you back.”
Yang Yufen planned to visit the security office the next day.
That night, Qin Nian didn’t return until nearly eleven.
Tiptoeing inside as quietly as possible, she was startled when the light suddenly flicked on.
“Mom, did I wake you? I’ll be quieter next time.”
“No, no. Old folks sleep lightly, and stumbling in the dark isn’t safe. Just turn the light on when you come home. There’s food and hot water in the kitchen—eat and get some rest.”
With that, Yang Yufen let the curtain fall and went back to sleep.
Qin Nian exhaled softly in relief and headed to the kitchen. The soup was a rich bone broth with tofu and fermented bean paste.
She was starving—dinner had been impossible with how busy she’d been. Thankfully, the egg her mother-in-law had given her that morning had staved off the worst of the hunger.
After eating quietly and soaking her feet, Qin Nian finally lay down.
The next morning, her mother-in-law had breakfast ready again—noodles in last night’s broth, hand-pulled and topped with an egg.
As she ate, Qin Nian reflected that having her mother-in-law here wasn’t so bad. Her salary was higher than her husband’s anyway, so supporting her was no burden. And Yang Yufen was both hardworking and tidy.
“Mom, I’m off to work.”
Yang Yufen nodded. Today, she planned to finish fencing the backyard and then inquire about the bricks at the security office.
Others might assume she was just visiting, but she knew she’d be staying for the next two or three years.
“Qin Nian, leaving your mother-in-law alone all day with your early mornings and late nights—how lonely she must be! You should spend more time with her. I heard she’s from the countryside. Country folk aren’t known for cleanliness. Or is it that you just don’t want to be around her?”
Yi Mengling materialized like a specter, her voice dripping with faux concern and thinly veiled malice.
Qin Nian, mentally reviewing yesterday’s calculations, frowned at the interruption.
“No need for your concern, Comrade Yi. My mother-in-law and I get along perfectly fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
She walked away without another word. Yi Mengling glared at her retreating back.
“Think you’re so special? Married to some country bumpkin soldier. What good is that with a nasty mother-in-law around? Just you wait.”
Her lips curled into a spiteful smirk as she wandered off, plotting.
Meanwhile, Yang Yufen split bamboo stalks to weave a fence—three sides would suffice.
The residential compound consisted of three five-story apartment buildings and four rows of small courtyard houses like Qin Nian’s—one bedroom, a living area, and a kitchen. These were more spacious than the apartments, with yards for gardening.
Qin Nian’s house was in the last row, close to the mountains where firewood could be gathered. The bamboo grove was a bit farther, but a twenty-minute walk along a tricycle-friendly path got you there.
The mountains belonged to the research institute, so safety wasn’t a concern.
Brushing dirt from her hands, Yang Yufen admired the chest-high fence. It was just right for climbing vines.
After tidying the backyard, she made a quick lunch and started washing the laundry in a basin.
The gate was open when Yi Mengling strode in uninvited.
“Good day, Auntie Shen! I’m a colleague of your daughter-in-law, Qin Nian.”
Yang Yufen looked up at the voice.
“You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not ‘Auntie Shen.’”
The young woman wore a smile, but her eyes gleamed with ill intent. Yang Yufen’s expression remained frosty.
“What? You’re not Qin Nian’s mother-in-law? Then what are you doing here? This is her assigned house—are you her maid or something?”
Yi Mengling’s gaze landed on the shirt Yang Yufen was scrubbing—the very one Qin Nian had worn yesterday.
Yang Yufen ignored her, dumping the dirty water and refilling the basin under the tap.
“So Qin Nian’s living the high life with a maid? Did she kick her real mother-in-law out already? All that talk about fetching meals from the canteen—what a farce! Just shipped the poor woman off, didn’t she?”
Yi Mengling’s face twisted in disappointment, her tone turning derisive.
“Hey! How much does Qin Nian pay you? I’m talking to you!”
She jutted her chin imperiously, raising her voice.
Yang Yufen wrung out the shirt, lifted the basin, and turned—flinging the water across the ground. It splashed onto Yi Mengling’s leather shoes.
A shrill screech pierced the air.
