Chapter 34

Chapter 34

...

October arrived, bringing with it gradually cooler weather.

The North had entered its most comfortable season.

The bok choy Feng Yanwen had planted earlier had sprouted in lush green patches, delighting the kids at home, who loved gathering by the vegetable beds to admire them.

"They seem bigger today," the second child said, peering at the tender greens with drooling anticipation.

"Don’t get greedy—they’re not ready to eat yet. They’ve barely sprouted!"

The third child, who'd recently caught lice from who-knows-where and had his head shaved by Xu Meng, kept absentmindedly rubbing his scalp. His hands, having just touched the cabbages, instinctively went back to his bare head.

Xu Meng, stepping outside, caught him in the act and was grossed out. "Eldest, second, watch your brother. The greens were just fertilized this morning."

The third child understood this and pinched his nose in distaste. "Stinky!"

Xu Meng praised him. "Well said! Little third is so clever."

The child, quick on the uptake, grinned shyly at the compliment.

The eldest, the second, and Xu Meng all laughed.

The third child, rubbing his bald head, looked utterly innocent.

Chubby and round, dressed in a dark red outfit today, he resembled a little monk—absolutely adorable.

The children’s lively commotion amused Feng Yanwen inside the house. Glancing out, she saw Xu Meng shooing them away, warning them to keep their distance from the vegetable beds, before they pull up the greens too soon.

The fertilizer was actually the children’s own urine. Two buckets sat in a corner of the house, fermented and diluted before being poured onto the vegetables. That morning, the smell had been so bad the kids had refused to go near. Yet now, with the smell barely faded, they were already crowding around, touching the leaves!

Just then, Wang Shuanzhu came in from outside. After a quick glance around, he asked, "Xiao Xu, is your mother not home?"

It was how elders typically asked.

Xu Meng had a good impression of Wang Shuanzhu. Since she and her mother had moved in, he had often helped them out. If chairs or tables broke, he’d show up to fix them before they even had to call for help. Before she could answer, Feng Yanwen stepped out.

A few days prior, she had finalized the trial lecture schedule at the railway bureau. Today, all dressed up and ready, she was about to head out.

"What’s the matter?"

She had specially tailored a black suit for the occasion, paired with a white blouse. The fitted waist accentuated her slender figure, making her look taller and more energetic. Naturally youthful for her age, the light makeup she wore today further highlighted her elegant, striking presence.

Wang Shuanzhu suddenly didn't know where to look, awkwardly shifting his gaze. He stammered. "Uh—well, my family just got a secondhand washing machine. Would you like it?"

Washing machines were still a fancy appliance at the time, rarely resold, and sold fast when available.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, winter would soon arrive—when doing laundry was miserable. Xu Meng had long dreamed of owning a washing machine. Forgetting herself, she nearly jumped in excitement. "A washing machine? Really? There’s really a washing machine?"

Even Feng Yanwen perked up at this.

In recent years, newlyweds had begun including such modern appliances in their dowries, so washing machines weren’t that rare in the neighborhood. Still, every winter, while hand-washing clothes for the whole family, Feng Yanwen had envied those who didn't have to do it.

Bedding was the worst—no matter how much she scrubbed in the basin, it never felt clean enough.

One year, during Wang Meili’s month-long recovery after childbirth in winter, she had been constantly unwell, needing the sheets changed often. All that laundry had fallen to Feng Yanwen.

Back then, Xu Meng was still young. Seeing Feng Yanwen's hands swollen red like carrots, she wiped her tears and helped her wash.

Granny Xue saw this and cursed them for bringing bad luck.

So when Xu Meng mentioned buying a washing machine, Feng Yanwen was the first to agree.

Just a few days ago, the two had been saying that if a second-hand one didn’t turn up, they’d buy a new washing machine before winter.

They had mentioned this to Wang Shuanzhu once, and unexpectedly, he took it to heart. As soon as he found a good-condition one, he bought it for them.

It was a semi-automatic dual-tub washing machine, clearly well-worn but fully functional when sold. Only the drainage pipe was a bit loose. The previous owner found it troublesome to fix and had initially planned to give it to relatives or friends, but no one would take it. So, splitting the difference, they decided to sell it second-hand. Wang Shuanzhu bought it for eighty yuan, fixed it up a bit, and got it working again.

Machines from the 1980s, after just a few years of use, with good luck might’ve had another good ten years in it.

Feng Yanwen smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll take it."

She was always polite, and Wang Shuanzhu was happy to help.

After delivering and installing the washing machine, several neighbors came over to take a look. Feng Yanwen was delighted—the price was reasonable, and it arrived just in time for winter. She owed Wang Shuanzhu one and told him, "If you have any heavy laundry you don’t want to wash in winter, bring it over. I’ll wash it for you."

Wang Shuanzhu turned beet red.

Someone in the crowd immediately sneered, "Pretty faces always get the perks. They always land on their feet."

Xu Meng looked up and saw a pointy-chinned woman speaking.

She recognized her—her name was Xu Jingui.

Others naturally ignored such jealous jabs, but Feng Yanwen’s expression flickered with discomfort.

Xu Jingui kept muttering until Sister Liu shot back, "Xiao Feng is straightforward. She never nickel-and-dimes, unlike you, who’ve made a stink every time after buying things. Does Shuanzhu have a problem or something, still dealing with you?"

Xu Jingui was a troublemaker. She had bought used goods from Wang Shuanzhu several times, only to return them later with excuses. Eventually, Wang Shuanzhu stopped doing business with her.

That’s how people are—if you refuse to sell to them, they suddenly covet what others have, convinced that what’s sold to others must be better.

A while ago, Feng Yanwen bought a traditional medicine cabinet, which Xu Jingui mocked relentlessly at first. But after Xu Meng applied some tung oil varnish, giving it an antique yet refined look, many people became interested. For a time, Wang Shuanzhu’s second-hand shop gained popularity. Seizing the opportunity, he hired a carpenter to refurbish unsellable used furniture, making a nice chunk of change.

Xu Meng tugged at Feng Yanwen, urging her not to bother with such people.

"Hurry to the railway bureau. It’s almost time," she whispered.

Feng Yanwen quickly exchanged a few pleasantries and left with Xu Meng.

As soon as they stepped out, a snooping figure appeared at their doorstep—someone who had been watching the commotion.

Hell, they’d only moved out for a short while and already had a washing machine.

Thinking about her own mess of a life now, she felt bitter.

Wang Meili stayed silent, hiding in the crowd, staring at Feng Yanwen and her daughter. Xu Meng, of course, had always been pretty. Even in her blue-and-white school uniform, she stood out more than other girls. And Feng Yanwen, who used to be so unremarkable—dowdy and round-shouldered—now wore a fitted suit, looking at least five years younger, and could pass for a city girl.

The way Feng Yanwen was now, she didn’t seem like someone who had been abandoned at all. Instead, it was as if she had been reborn.

This shook Wang Meili’s whole idea of things. Could a woman really live so differently after divorce? She stood there dazed, unmoving even as the crowd dispersed, only snapping out of it when Xu Jingui went off cussing.

"What did you say?" Wang Meili suddenly grabbed Xu Jingui.

Xu Jingui had a short fuse and opened her mouth to rip into her when the woman asked again.

"How long has Feng Yanwen been living here, and how does she usually get along with the neighbors?"

"What do you want?" Xu Jinhui snapped, yanking her clothes back. "You tear it, you pay for it!"

The woman looked disheveled, not someone Xu Jinhui wanted to associate with. Her shifty beady eyes darted slyly before she put on a different expression. "Who are you, anyway?"

Wang Meili forced a smile. "I'm Feng Yanwen's former sister-in-law from her ex-husband's family. I came to see how she's doing. You know, she got divorced, couldn't have kids, and had a nasty split with my third brother, so she moved out. She was never reliable at home and didn’t even have a job. I was just... pretending to care about her, so I had to come check on her."

Though she claimed concern, her words dripped with disdain.

Xu Jinhui’s interest was piqued, her beady eyes gleaming.

Wang Meili asked, "Who was that man earlier?"

Xu Jinhui curled her lip dismissively. "Some new money around here."

What? That guy was new money?

As if afraid Wang Meili wouldn’t believe her, Xu Jinhui embellished, "Don’t doubt it. That guy used to repair appliances years ago, then started a business with his wife and made a fortune early on. Now he deals in second-hand appliances. Bought a courtyard with a storefront ages ago and even dabbles in scrap collection. His place is huge. You think this house is big? His courtyard has side rooms too. He’s straight-laced and knows how to live well. I even tried setting him up with my sister..."

New money. A small courtyard. A storefront.

Each word felt like a punch to the gut.

If Feng Yanwen ended up with someone like that, wouldn’t it make the whole family lose face?

Wang Meili’s stomach turned, but she forced herself to stay, smiling. "Does he have a wife?"

Xu Jinhui waved her hand. "Died long ago, no kids left. Plenty have tried setting him up—even unmarried maidens—but he turned them all down. His in-laws are a handful too. Their daughter’s been dead for years, yet they still come demanding money every few days."

And no children!

If Feng Yanwen landed a man like this, Wang Meili would be furious.

She steadied herself, processing everything, then glanced at Xu Jinhui.

Men are all the same—horny. Judging by this woman’s looks, her sister couldn’t be much better. Even if Feng Yanwen was good-for-nothing, her face was still pretty.

Wang Meili smiled. "He might not even want Feng Yanwen. If he had kids, I’d understand, but Feng Yanwen can’t have any. Wouldn’t he want his own kid?"

Xu Jinhui slapped her thigh. "Exactly! His own family wants him to adopt one kid, his in-laws want him to adopt theirs. Both sides are blocking him from remarrying. If he found a woman who couldn’t have kids, maybe neither side would object. I always wondered—before, if Wang Shuanzhu so much as talked to another woman, those folks would’ve ripped her to shreds. Why are they not making a peep now? Maybe his family really does like that she can’t have kids."

Wang Meili felt like she’d been struck by lightning.

That family must’ve done their homework, digging into Feng Yanwen’s past.

Ever since Xu Jiefang divorced her, the Xu family had gone out of their way to smear Feng Yanwen, spreading that she was barren. Now the whole world believed it—only they knew the truth: whether Feng Yanwen could have kids was uncertain, but the infertile one was Xu Jiefang.

If this new money family, with their scheming, really wanted Feng Yanwen because of that... Wang Meili would’ve died on the spot.

Xu Jinhui kept blathering on, oblivious to the woman beside her darkening expression.

Wang Meili slipped away. "I’ve got things to do. I’m leaving."

Her family had hoped for a reconciliation, for Feng Yanwen to return and work like a dog. How had things spiraled so far from their expectations?

Feng Yanwen, of course, had no idea about this drama. When she arrived at the railway bureau, she ran into Jiang Haohao coming out, wearing a cheerful smile. She was in high spirits.

She had already finished speaking—using Feng Yanwen’s teaching materials.

Unsurprisingly, the lecture was a hit. While standing on the podium, Jiang Haohao had already noticed the leaders' satisfied smiles.

As soon as she stepped out, Yin Juan told her that the leaders had already decided it would be her. The backdoor deals were set, and her delivery was solid—there was no reason to choose Feng Yanwen over her.

Just imagining that woman's business drying up and struggling to survive gave Jiang Haohao a rush of schadenfreude.

Feng Yanwen had no intention of speaking to her, but Jiang Haohao approached anyway: "Well if it isn't Teacher Feng, you're here too."

Xu Meng: "Hey lady, you're in the way."

Jiang Haohao's expression darkened: "Who are you calling 'auntie'?"

She wasn’t that much older than Xu Meng.

Xu Meng rolled her eyes: "Then... ma’am?"

Jiang Haohao was furious: "Check your attitude. Who raised you?"

Xu Meng replied with exaggerated politeness: "Hello, ma’am."

She gave a slow blink, as if to say, *What’s impolite about that?*

Jiang Haohao’s chest heaved with anger. Through clenched teeth, she spat, "Fine. Just wait and see. Don’t come crying to me later—even if you go in there, you’ll only embarrass yourself. The selection for this speaking position was rigged with the railroad folks. You could give the speech of your life, it won’t change a thing. It’s already been decided—it’s me. Got it?"

Only then did Feng Yanwen turn her head slightly to glance at her.

She didn’t doubt Jiang Haohao’s words. The Jiangs had pull in all the right places. Securing a prearranged spot was nothing to them—they could even strip a formally employed teacher of their position with a single word. She just hadn’t expected Jiang Haohao to go this far.

Xu Meng tugged at Feng Yanwen’s sleeve: "Mom, she’s not worth getting angry over."

She had also realized that Jiang Haohao had deep connections—she'd probably greased the wheels ages ago.

But regardless, knocking it out of the park was the bare minimum once she stepped onto the stage.

Walking behind them were Yin Juan and Huang Mei. Huang Mei's face was stormy, while Yin Juan was practically gloating.

Seeing Feng Yanwen arrive, Huang Mei pulled her aside, hemming and hawing. She opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words, yet she knew she had to say something. If Feng Yanwen didn’t know beforehand, she'd just be setting herself up for public humiliation on stage. In the end, it was Xu Meng who broke the silence.

"Director Huang, just say what you need to."

Huang Mei thought for a moment before speaking: "What she presented today was the teaching plan you previously gave me."

The penny dropped for Feng Yanwen.

No wonder Jiang Haohao was so smug—she'd stolen the march.

If Feng Yanwen repeated the same material, she'd be dead in the water. No one would care who delivered it better—to the audience, the second act would just be embarrassing themselves.

"I showed the teaching plan to the leadership. It must have been our superiors who gave it to Yin Juan. Do you want to reconsider whether to go on stage?"

Huang Mei couldn't meet her eyes.

That Yin Juan had gotten her hands on the materials from the leadership meant she had strong connections with them. It was likely already decided. Only after Jiang Haohao’s presentation did Huang Mei realize what had happened.

As long as Teacher Jiang’s lecture wasn’t outright terrible, the fix was in. Even if Feng Yanwen delivered a flawless performance, she'd just be window dressing.

Xu Meng balled her fists quietly, catching a glimpse of the fire burning behind Feng Yanwen’s eyes—

Pure, seething resentment.

Xu Meng took a deep breath: "We have a backup plan. Stick to plan B."