Chapter 54: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s 21

Chapter 54: The Wicked Stepmother in 1970s China (Part 21)

Xu Ziyan's serialized novel exploded in popularity, with many readers writing letters to the newspaper, excitedly expressing how they saw themselves or their family members reflected in the characters.

The Xu family put sons before daughters, the elders were controlling and played favorites, her own parents were the most put-upon yet filial, and she had suffered the most grievances since childhood. Her male cousins got all the perks, while her female cousins were always backstabbing each other. Even after marriage, she was constantly compared to others, and being a stepmother was no easy task—every little thing she did wrong invited criticism from outsiders.

Too many people had experienced similar hardships. The novel depicted so many struggles that everyone could find something to relate to. The protagonist’s resilience in overcoming crisis after crisis and steadily improving her life became a ray of hope for readers.

Moreover, the novel introduced many new ideas—selling breakfast, attending university, writing articles, working away from home—revealing countless ways to change their lives around. After reading the novel, many sought more information and realized that even selling breakfast could earn good money. Opportunities were everywhere; they no longer had to slave away unhappily as before.

Because the novel was so relatable, it inspired many to step out of their family confines and venture into various fields, inadvertently helping move society forward and influencing an entire generation.

The pen name "Yu Kai" also became famous, becoming as renowned as famous martial arts and romance writers. While martial arts novels gave people courage and romance novels broke free from rigid traditions, they were largely spiritual in impact.

Xu Ziyan’s novel, however, offered practical ways to change one’s fate. Reading it carefully was like reading an instruction book—it actually helped improve many people’s quality of life. It also showed those trapped in family conflicts that the world outside was wide open with opportunities. Leaving home wasn’t the end; in this era, one could truly realize their personal worth.

Many of Xu Xiuyun’s university classmates were book lovers who loved reading and passionately discussing serialized novels. No matter where Xu Xiuyun went, she couldn’t escape the chatter about the novel, which felt like a curse, driving her crazy.

Once, while eating in the cafeteria, she overheard her tablemates criticizing the cousin character in the novel and had to butt in, "The story is told from the protagonist’s perspective, so of course others seem like villains. Maybe from the cousin’s point of view, the protagonist is the annoying one."

Her classmates looked at her funny. "We’re discussing this novel’s plot—why would we switch perspectives? Besides, the cousin is clearly scheming, spreading rumors while pretending to be innocent. Who would like her? Xu Xiuyun, don’t tell me you sympathize with her?"

Xu Xiuyun’s heart sank. She couldn’t possibly admit she *was* that cousin. Under their disapproving gazes, she made herself go along, "No, I just think perspectives vary. Not everyone in a family is bad—people have both good and bad traits."

A classmate replied, "You must come from a happy family. Mine isn’t like that at all. The cousin’s parents—the eldest son who quietly took all the benefits and the eldest daughter-in-law who bragged and criticized—are exactly like my uncle and aunt."

"Right, the Xu family’s eldest branch got everything but bullied their younger siblings instead of caring for them. They deserved every bit of criticism."

"Hey, the novel’s family is named Xu, and you’re also a Xu—what a coincidence! How many branches does your family have? Are you all on good terms?"

"And the cousins in the novel became stepmothers. Xu Xiuyun, you’re a stepmother too, aren’t you?"

Xu Xiuyun quickly changed the subject and fled, terrified of being exposed as the inspiration for the novel’s villain. The last thing she wanted was to become the talk of the town. She regretted speaking up but hated Xu Ziyan even more.

She anonymously wrote to the newspaper, trashing Xu Ziyan, who immediately recognized the nasty tone as Xu Xiuyun’s. In response, Xu Ziyan added two chapters, detailing how the cousin tricked the battalion commander into returning to the village, nearly got him killed, and was subsequently detained.

Readers were outraged yet vindicated, while Xu Xiuyun was furious, avoiding others for fear of discovery.

Xu Ziyan hadn’t actively targeted Xu Xiuyun, but Xu Xiuyun’s own nature made her university life awful. Instead of focusing on studies, she constantly pressured Song Dongbo to earn more money and hung all over him, desperate to conceive her own child.

She refused to lose to Xu Ziyan in anything. If Xu Ziyan was having a baby, so would she. She even secretly wished for Xu Ziyan to die in childbirth.

But her curses were futile. When Xu Ziyan’s due date arrived, she checked into the best maternity hospital in the capital and smoothly delivered twins—a boy and a girl.

Xu Ziyan was thrilled to pieces. Twins! A son and daughter all at once—how perfect! She couldn’t stop staring at her babies, though she owed much of her ease to the help of both grandmothers and Fang Lihai, who took care of the children so she never felt exhausted.

During her recovery period, Xu Ziyan had everything she needed. Fang Nan and Fang Bei rushed home after school every day to adore their baby siblings, already collecting a chest full of toys for them.

The boys had stopped hearing Xu Ziyan’s inner voice after moving to the capital, initially fearing their "magical mom" would leave. Fang Lihai reassured them privately that she would stay to raise the new babies. Their excitement doubled upon learning there were two—a brother *and* a sister.

Fang Lihai figured out from the timing that the boys could no longer hear Xu Ziyan’s thoughts because their crises had passed. Her inner voice had saved them, and beyond familial love, they felt deep gratitude toward her.

They also guessed Xu Ziyan’s original world was far better than theirs. Unable to repay her, they focused on making her life as comfortable as possible—gifting her surprises, taking her out, and ensuring her happiness.

Unbeknownst to them, this was exactly what Xu Ziyan cherished. Her first life ended in overwork; her second life offered luxury but emptiness. Staying in this third world after completing her mission was solely because of their genuine love, which made her truly consider them family. Now, with two more little ones, her sense of belonging grew even stronger.

Xu Ziyan resumed university life effortlessly, her days now filled with the twins’ laughter. Fang Lihai studied at the military academy but came home whenever possible. The four grandparents took turns—two selling snacks, two babysitting—living in harmony.

When Xu Ziyan’s novel concluded, the newspaper published her photo and an interview. Her professors and classmates were stunned to learn she was "Yu Kai." The literary club invited her to be president, and the university frequently tapped her as a student spokesperson, making her campus life dazzling.

Readers, too, were shocked to discover "Yu Kai" was a twenty-something Peking University prodigy. The interview also mentioned her husband was a battalion commander, her two nephews were now her children, and her in-laws and parents lived with her in the capital, selling snacks.

These details matched the novel perfectly. Countless letters flooded the newspaper, asking if the story was autobiographical. A follow-up interview confirmed it: "Pretty much my own early life."

The novel was a *memoir*?

The public was astounded. Such a brilliant writer had grown up in a misogynistic, unfair family—a lotus blooming from mud. Yet her words remained gentle and empowering, guiding readers toward freedom. She was truly kind-hearted.

What kind of monsters were the Xu family, failing to cherish her? Some readers looked up Xu Ziyan’s hometown details—and Xu Xiuyun’s classmates made the connection.

Xu Ziyan and Xu Xiuyun were from the same village. Xu Xiuyun had defended the "cousin" in the novel, was a stepmother, had a small-business-owner husband, and had also entered university.

It all fit—Xu Xiuyun *was* the cousin!

Xu Xiuyun had escaped being shunned by her village only to face isolation at university. Even professors kept their distance. Who’d want to befriend a schemer who played the victim?

Her campus life became unbearable. She wept to Song Dongbo, railing against Xu Ziyan’s portrayal. His only question: "Is any of it true?"

Stunned, Xu Xiuyun saw the distrust in his eyes. Recently, he’d hired a nanny for Song Jiao—he was guarding against *her*.

She felt completely hopeless. How had she fallen so far?

She touched her swelling belly, clinging to hope. Song Dongbo’s rising income promised a prosperous future—better than her own as an average graduate. She couldn’t let go.

A secret doctor’s visit confirmed the baby was a boy. She’d secure her place. Once Song Dongbo succeeded, she’d be a wealthy wife—who’d dare slight her then?

She even wrote home, urging her family to start a business. If Xu Ziyan’s useless parents could profit, surely her own could do better. She’d invest; they’d work. When the money rolled in, she’d finally have her glory.