The methods of the cunning old country woman are not something that ordinary people can withstand. Just a label of being unfilial can easily ruin her reputation. Then she will be pointed at wherever she goes, and she might even lose her job.

Besides, the original owner lived in her eldest brother's house during her school years. She raised her younger sister by hand, and because of their affection, she turned a blind eye to many things and only complained when she really couldn't help it.

The year was 1968, and He Ruixue had just graduated from high school.

She was able to get into high school thanks to her good looks, which persuaded several good students to spend time tutoring her one-on-one, helping her organize her notes and teach her study methods.

Unfortunately, she was not very motivated. During her high school years, which were a chaotic time, she did not follow the radicals in criticizing and struggling against each other. Instead, she took it for granted and just spent her time idling in the dormitory every day, accepting snacks from her classmates.

As a result, her grades were always at the bottom, and she was dumbfounded when she saw that the school was only assigning jobs to outstanding graduates.

Ever since the higher authorities issued a document supporting intellectuals to receive education in rural areas, there has been a surge of people going to the countryside in the city.

Job vacancies became extremely scarce. She was not assigned one and was too lazy to go out, so she simply stayed at her brother's house and waited until after the Chinese New Year.

(In the 1960s and 1970s, winter vacation was graduation season. Please point out any errors or omissions.)

As soon as she showed up, the neighbors' gossip, which had just subsided, started up again.

They didn't say much in front of her, but as soon as she left, they hurried together and talked animatedly.

"Hey, they're arguing again."

"She's just making a fuss. Can she really drive people away?"

"Her mother-in-law is here. Wang Taozhi is so unreasonable in the compound, and she has never suffered any loss in her hands or words. It's all because she is suppressed by her mother-in-law. As the saying goes, there is always something that can conquer something."

"But her sister is really not a decent girl. She is too ignorant. She eats well and wears well, but she doesn't do any work. Who would dare to marry her in the future?"

"She has her family to support her, and her brothers and sisters are all capable. Why should she be worried about not being able to get married? Besides, she is so beautiful and has a good figure. I heard that many young men from official families like her."

"Young people don't know much. What's the point of marrying someone just for that face? Aren't you afraid of marrying someone who will cause trouble for the family?"

"No matter what happens to Old Sun's daughter, she's still better than your son who couldn't get into high school. Why are you still talking down to her?"

"Bah! Who knows how she got in? She's only in high school, so what? She still can't find a job."

The woman with the droopy eyes rolled her eyes, twisting cotton thread in her hand, and said maliciously, "Why hasn't she gone to the countryside yet? Why hasn't the street office come to investigate?"

"I think your son is not smart, so he follows you. Her household registration is in the countryside. Where can she go? Should she be exiled to the frontier?"

"You said Wang Taozhi's daughter-in-law Lu Lan is really patient. Even after all the trouble, she didn't say a word. If it were me, I would have slapped this girl in the face long ago."

"What can she say? It's shameful to marry into this family. You weren't here at the time. I'm telling you..."