Starting this autumn, power lines were being installed in each brigade, but it wasn't certain which brigade would be the first. Each brigade leader had campaigned for it, and it was when Song Yan went to post the thank-you letter that the Party Secretary happily approved it—Qingshan Brigade would be the first. This wouldn't have been possible without the contributions of Wei Aiguo and Song Yan. This year, only three or four villages would have power lines installed. A few days later, strong winds and howling winds made it too cold to install the poles, and other villages would have to wait until next year for electricity. Moreover, the first village to have power installed wouldn't be at harvest time. The second village would be close to harvest time. By the third village, the weather would be too cold, making work difficult. Whether the next village could even get power was uncertain. This time, Qingshan Brigade had everything going for it. He had a particularly good relationship with the Hexi Brigade leader, so he brought some vegetables, making the electricians happy and Hexi Village happy too. So, he spent the afternoon working happily alongside them.
When Widow Wang returned home so early, her mother-in-law kept questioning her. She said Song Yan had spoken ill of her, and the brigade leader had sent her back. Widow Wang's husband's surname was Sun, and her mother-in-law was exceptionally shrewish. Not only had she lost her job and work points, but she also had to eat at home. Her mother-in-law berated her mercilessly and turned to confront the brigade leader, demanding to know why she listened to Song Yan. Widow Wang dared not let her mother-in-law do as she pleased! She advised her mother-in-law that Wei Aiguo was a ruthless man; his absence now didn't mean he wouldn't come back later. It was best not to offend his wife. Old Mrs. Sun, seething with anger, vented her frustration on Widow Wang. Widow Wang cried bitterly. It wasn't just the immediate situation; if her mother-in-law found out about the fine and the deduction of work points, another uproar was inevitable.
Li De's wife ate her meal silently, then followed Song Yan to clean up the pots and pans. She always felt that Song Yan knew something.
Li De's wife wasn't stupid; it was impossible for her to get Song Yan to tell her the truth.
Song Yan didn't want to sow discord between other couples, but Li De had betrayed his marriage first. Moreover, Song Yan had heard some gossip about Li De's family. For example, Li De was said to frequently beat his wife, and he was the one who controlled all the family finances. This was incredibly unfair to Li De's wife.
Li De's wife didn't say a word, finished her work and left.
Li De was seething with anger. He had wanted to find some work for Widow Wang to earn some work points, but she was being uncooperative. Had his wife figured something out? Otherwise, why would she always agree to whatever he said? His wife was used to the man being the boss, but she wasn't stupid at all. And that look from the brigade leader had given him the creeps. What was even more unexpected was that after he got home, his wife asked him for the family money. Could Li De agree? He resorted to his old habit of beating his wife. This time, his wife not only fought back fiercely but also called her children to help. His two sons were both married. With his large frame and biased attitude, could he possibly win? He was thoroughly beaten by his wife. Now his wife said that if he didn't give her the family money, she would report him to the brigade. What was his relationship with Widow Wang anyway? He had arranged for her to work as a cook to earn money. Widow Wang was doing something wrong, and he was trying to protect her. He also saw that Widow Wang was working efficiently. When did he see that?
This time, he tried everything, from pleading to apologizing, and even apologized to his wife. But she insisted that if he didn't give her the money, she would go to the brigade leader. Li De's wife had previously tolerated this in silence, afraid of losing face if her daughter-in-law found out. Even if the money was in Li De's hands, wouldn't it eventually belong to their son anyway?
Song Yan's words kept echoing in her ears, and the more Li De's wife thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
Normally, children are closer to their mothers. If Li De hits his mother, how could her two sons not feel anything? It's just that their mother doesn't say anything, so they can't do anything about it. Since their mother has spoken up, they'll just take her side.
Li De only sought out Widow Wang for amusement; he was counting on his son to support him in his old age! His wife was determined to get money today, and his son sided with his mother. He had no choice but to give the money to his wife. He was incredibly frustrated; what kind of work was he doing finding Widow Wang?
Would Li De's wife ever give Widow Wang any face? That very afternoon, the whole village knew that Widow Wang had sabotaged things while cooking for the electrician, and had been caught by Song, the educated youth. Hearing this, everyone was unhappy. They were overjoyed to have electricity. And this Widow Wang was causing trouble. If the electricians got angry and installed electricity in other villages first, wouldn't Qingshan Brigade have to wait until next year?
When Widow Wang's mother-in-law, Granny Sun, went out that afternoon, she was given a good scolding by the villagers. She also learned the whole story. She felt incredibly lucky that she hadn't gone to the village head; otherwise, she would have been even more humiliated. After returning home, she gave Widow Wang another beating.
Widow Wang deserved it; who told her to be so wicked! She'd already been let off easy by not being held accountable for what happened before, yet she still dared to push her luck. As for Li De, he brought it on himself. How could they possibly be unrelated to her? In the afternoon, Song Yan brought Grandma Wang a basket of mushrooms and a fish. Grandma Wang wasn't worried about food or clothing. The team leader would send someone to do the chores like chopping wood and fetching water on time. But Grandma Wang wasn't strong enough anymore, and she wouldn't do things like picking mushrooms. The old lady couldn't eat much by herself, so two baskets were enough for her.
Grandma Wang doesn't usually leave her yard and doesn't interact much with the villagers. She was surprised that Song Yan brought her things. "You've already done enough taking care of the old and the young. Don't bring me anything next time."
Song Yan: "Grandma Wang, you can't eat much. I'll just bring you some, it won't be much trouble."
"Such a big fish, I can't eat it all by myself."
"It's getting cooler, so if it's cooked thoroughly, it can be kept for a couple more days. Eat it slowly." Song Yan left without lingering.
Grandma Wang understood that Song Yan was grateful to her for what happened last time. Since she rarely went out, the village head would have the people who carried water for her tell her about village affairs. That's how she learned about Wei Aiguo being framed. She wasn't expecting anything in return.
Grandma Wang spread the mushrooms out to dry. She sat there alone, muttering to herself, "Children, do you see? Someone is looking after me. The brigade leader is so thoughtful. He always makes the people who come to fetch water for me talk to me more."...
The wiring in Qingshan Brigade was successfully installed. Everyone, regardless of whose household it was, had bought their own light bulbs beforehand. When the lights came on, the children were ecstatic.
After the electricians left Qingshan Brigade, they went directly to Hexi Brigade. Brigade Leader Wu asked Song Yan to prepare one dish for Hexi Village every day. It didn't need to be meat; just vegetables would do. Song Yan's family would provide the vegetables, while the brigade would provide the oil and salt. She would receive ten work points a day. Now, every household still had some vegetables in their gardens. At least there were plenty of cabbages and potatoes, earning ten work points—everyone was incredibly envious. On the first day, Qingshan Brigade sent someone to deliver the vegetables. On the second day, Hexi Village sent someone to collect them. The vegetables were so delicious that their brigade was afraid Brigade Leader Wu might stop delivering them, so they came to collect them voluntarily. Song Yan usually made cold dishes because she could prepare them in advance. Then she would have time to do her own things. Hexi Brigade could just come and collect them later. Song Yan wasn't stingy. She added a soup every day: mushroom soup, tomato and egg drop soup, old cucumber soup, fish soup. Even the mushroom soup—different mushrooms made it taste different.
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