When Nan Sheng arrived home, her son was cleaning shrimp, her mother-in-law was playing with her daughter, and her father-in-law was fixing a door in the storage room next to the woodshed.
Both children stood up at the same time and called out, "Mom's back!"
Nan Sheng smiled and praised, "You’re so capable—you caught so many shrimp!"
Siqi quickly added, "And a fish too!"
Her older brother said they hadn’t left the net in the water for long today, but if they went back to check it in a couple of days, they’d bring back even more. Mom would surely be even happier then!
The elderly couple overheard the conversation between the mother and children. They already knew Siqi adored her stepmother, but now that even their grandson had started calling her "Mom," they felt deeply comforted. This was what a real family looked like!
Her mother-in-law said, "We didn’t know when you’d be back, so we cooked the rice, but we haven’t started on the dishes yet."
"No worries, I’ll handle the cooking. You just keep playing with the kids!"
As she entered the house, Nan Sheng noticed the lock had been installed on the west room’s door. Starting tomorrow, fewer people would be needed for work assignments, and since Nan Sheng would be home, there was no need to lock up.
For dinner, she stir-fried some fatty intestines, made boiled shrimp with a dipping sauce, and prepared a cold vegetable dish.
The rice was a coarse corn porridge, and judging by its consistency, her mother-in-law must have made it. Nan Sheng only ate one bowl—if she stuck to this, she’d be hungry before bedtime. At least she didn’t have to live with her in-laws.
After not seeing her all day, her clingy little one came over to tend the fire for her.
Once her son finished cleaning the shrimp, he went to gather potatoes from the garden. They harvested three full sacks, which they left in a ventilated spot to dry. Potatoes stored this way lasted longer and were less likely to rot.
Lin’s mother helped sweep the yard and told her grandson, "Since there’s no school tomorrow, you can plant some greens in the empty patch. If they take root, we’ll have extra meals."
Nan Sheng hadn’t realized her son was so capable. While she stir-fried the intestines in the kitchen, she set aside a few pieces for her daughter before adding chili peppers to the rest for a spicy kick. The fumes made Siqi’s eyes water and her nose run.
Nan Sheng was both exasperated and amused as she wiped the girl’s face.
"You stubborn little thing, why not just wait outside for a bit?"
Siqi shook her head firmly. No way. Her mom had been away a lot lately, and she just wanted to stay close.
During dinner, Lin Guozheng brought up work.
"The village is cutting farmland by half, so work assignments will be assigned per household. Second daughter-in-law, we won’t need as many record-keepers. If you still want to work, you’ll have to take on manual labor."
Sizhe glanced at his stepmother and spoke up for her. "Then don’t go. We have enough money at home. If work points are reduced this year, we’ll just skip the rationed grain."
Nan Sheng didn’t dismiss his concern. "I’ve been thinking about it too. With food shortages looming for every family, I wouldn’t feel right leaving home unattended to work."
If they lost a year’s worth of grain for the sake of a few work points, how would they survive?
Her reasoning made sense, and Lin’s parents nodded in understanding.
Lin Guozheng had brought it up because he worried Nan Sheng might lose her record-keeper job abruptly and react badly—maybe even confront the village chief.
The fatty intestines sizzled with oil under Nan Sheng’s skilled hands, and the dipping sauce for the shrimp was so fragrant it masked any fishy taste. Her mother-in-law couldn’t stop praising her.
"I never liked shrimp before—couldn’t bear to fry them in oil, and boiling them just made them stink. Kids in the village would sometimes roast them, but after tasting yours, I realize we’ve been wasting them all along."
Before the elderly couple left, Nan Sheng handed them five yuan. "Lin Han wrote and suggested giving you five yuan every month for your living expenses. His salary’s gone up, so please take it."
Lin Guozheng refused, and Fan Shuting waved it off too. With three sons, it wouldn’t be fair for just the second one to provide for them.
"Your eldest and youngest brothers haven’t given us anything, so we won’t take Lin Han’s either. Put it away."
But Nan Sheng was sincere. She couldn’t let them leave empty-handed. "Our family’s doing well, and since Lin Han isn’t here to take care of you himself, this money is his way of showing filial piety. It’ll ease his mind if you accept it."
Seeing her genuine kindness, the elderly couple finally took the money. After buying grain, their own funds were tight.
On their way home, they agreed—this daughter-in-law was a blessing. Lin Han wouldn’t have to worry about his family anymore.
That evening, the whole village was required to attend a meeting. Siqi, unusually energetic, insisted on going too, so Nan Sheng brought both children along.
Once everyone had gathered, the village chief stood at the center with Lin Guozheng and a few team leaders, holding a small megaphone.
"Today, the brigade leader, Nan Sheng, and I attended a town meeting. Experts from the city have confirmed our county is facing a once-in-a-century drought."
"To prevent starvation, the authorities are ordering us to destroy half of our low-yield crops—starting tomorrow!"
The villagers exchanged stunned glances before erupting into chaos.
Most were against destroying their fields, but the chief didn’t waste time arguing.
"Fine. If you refuse, and our village ends up with no harvest at all, will you take responsibility? Should I ignore orders from above and listen to you instead?"
His words carried enough weight to quiet some of the opposition.
"Let me make this clear—anyone who interferes will be reported. The militia will haul you off for reeducation!"
The first announcement had already angered everyone, and the next was about work assignments.
"With less farmland, we won’t need as many laborers. Each household will send one able-bodied worker first. If more are needed later, we’ll adjust."
By the time the meeting ended, curses filled the air.
Nan Sheng guessed the village chief wouldn’t have a peaceful day for at least two weeks. Still, she admired his resolve—he’d shouldered the blame alone.
Lin Guozheng told him, "You’re really sticking your neck out. If the drought isn’t as bad as predicted, you’ll lose your position."
Feng Wuquan rolled a cigarette between his fingers. "If we don’t water the fields now, they’re done for. No time to argue. If I’m removed, I’ll nominate you as chief—you’d look out for me, wouldn’t you?"
They’d been friends since childhood; neither would abandon the other.
As it turned out, the chief was right. Other villages wasted days debating, and some even needed the militia to enforce the order.
Meanwhile, Xiangyang Village had already watered all the remaining fields and destroyed the designated plots as instructed.
No one wanted this job. Some grown men wept while working—after months of backbreaking labor, who could’ve imagined they’d lose their harvest just before reaping it?
Every village was scrambling now. Families rushed to stockpile grain, buying at least five hundred pounds each.
With their fields gone, how else would they survive?
The poorest households, who usually relied on aid, lay awake at night, convinced they wouldn’t make it.
The brigade had reserved some surplus grain—about three thousand pounds—but divided among the villagers, each family would only get ten pounds of coarse grain.
The village chief led by example, giving up his family’s share to contribute thirty pounds to an elderly widower.
No one could stand by and watch their neighbors starve. Little by little, the villagers pooled together, ensuring each struggling family received a sack and a half of grain.
If they rationed carefully, it would last two or three months. For now, they could only take things one step at a time.
