Chapter 41 After Hardship Comes Happiness
With plenty of money and help from others, life on the farm wasn't actually that difficult for Shu Yao. Two years later, through connections, she was transferred back to the city under the pretext of needing medical treatment. She didn't get her job back, but she didn't care because she had money.
"Wife," Su Xiangdong choked up, his eyes filled with worry. Even as a man, he sometimes found it hard to bear such a devastating blow, but his wife had always been positive and optimistic, offering him unwavering support.
"Don't be sad, these times will pass."
Knowing what the future holds, she could face the difficulties before her with equanimity. She had already considered everything clearly when she was reborn; she wanted to wait until after the reform and opening up so she could openly maintain contact. Between the risk of going abroad and staying in China, she chose the latter.
They didn't want their children to face the danger of death, nor did they want Su Xiangdong to bear the risk of treason. This was an inland province; crossing illegally was extremely difficult and fraught with peril. It was hard enough for a single person, let alone a family where no one could bear to leave anyone behind.
She could go back to the city, or she could come here to be with him. From then on, she shuttled between the two places, accompanying the children in their studies and keeping him company in his loneliness on the farm.
After spending more time at home, she realized that there were actually people living in the Sun family next door, and her aunt explained the situation to her.
“Meng Xi came back and moved in with her daughter. She and Sun Yaozu were not divorced, and the house was not taken away. Originally, it was said that the neighborhood committee would confiscate the house to handle the funeral arrangements for Old Man Sun. But later, Meng Xi petitioned the government. She was burned on her face and had injuries on her body. As a victim and Sun’s daughter-in-law, the government left the house to her and her daughter.”
"Is she still working at the textile factory?"
"Hmm. She wears a big mask every day, and I heard the injuries on her face are quite serious," Auntie San sighed. "You know, those two are really heartless. She cheated on her husband and made him raise another man's child. He set a fire, and when he saw her come out of the flames, he still tried to kill her. This is a fight to the death."
"They've become enemies."
The hatred of killing one's father and stealing one's wife is irreconcilable. Meng Xi indirectly caused Old Man Sun to be heartbroken, and Sun Yaozu was forced to leave his hometown, his fate unknown. Although it wasn't entirely Meng Xi's fault, based on her understanding of Sun Yaozu, she knew he would definitely pin the blame on her.
A few days later, Shu Yao ran into Meng Xi when she went to the restroom. Sure enough, Meng Xi was wearing a large mask that covered half of her face.
Meng Xi noticed a moment of stunned silence in her eyes, then lowered her head and looked away. Her face was disfigured, and her reputation was utterly ruined. Although she vehemently denied having an affair, she failed to convince anyone.
She had to clean toilets, be criticized, suffer disfigurement, and endure the foul language of others. Coupled with Sun Yaozu's previous determination to kill her, she completely lost her will to live. She would hide from people and wouldn't dare to look them in the eye.
While everyone else was going through a tough time, Su Xiangdong became increasingly stable. His wife visited frequently, bringing the children along on holidays, giving him the illusion that he was actually working on a business trip in another city, which didn't affect his mental or physical well-being much.
As time went by, the children grew up day by day. In 1976, he asked his wife with some worry, "What will we do after the two older children graduate from high school? Also, our savings probably won't last until now, right? I've asked you several times, but you haven't told me. What method did you use?"
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."
His wife remained silent, and he smiled but didn't press the matter further. He knew, however, that she was urging the twins to study diligently, and that despite the general lack of emphasis on their education, the twins were doing remarkably well.
At the end of 1976, he became one of the first people to return to the city. After resuming work, he was promoted and became the secretary of the grain station, in charge of the city's grain, oil, and non-staple food supply. Shu Yao also returned to work at the textile factory, remaining the director of the printing workshop.
As the family ate their reunion dinner that evening, Su Xiangdong was overwhelmed with emotion, wanting to laugh but also cry. The past few years felt like a dream. Most of his brothers were now alone, spending years in solitude, returning home all by themselves. He felt sorry for them.
But he has had his loved one by his side for the past ten years. She brings the children to visit him from time to time, and even when he lost his job or was pressured, he remained true to his original intention. We are a family, and of course, we will overcome life's difficulties together.
"Sharing weal and woe, standing together through thick and thin"—these eight words are easy to say, but he knows how difficult they are to put into practice. If it were simple, so many people around him wouldn't have fallen apart. But his wife did it, because he knew his wife and children were waiting for him, so no matter what he encountered, he was never afraid.
"Wife, let me toast you."
Shu Yao smiled. These past ten years had brought changes, but she hadn't actually suffered much hardship. She hadn't done much farm work or physical labor, and knowing what the future held, she hadn't experienced the kind of inner turmoil and anguish. There wasn't a single wrinkle around her eyes; she still looked youthful and beautiful.
"There's no need for that. We're husband and wife."
The two older children are now high school students. The son is almost 1.8 meters tall, and the daughter is graceful and elegant. Now that both parents have returned, they are equally excited and thrilled.
"Yes, Dad, don't get too excited, we are a family."
"Daddy, are you not going to leave anymore?" the little girl asked.
"Yes, we're not leaving."
The children would visit him during their holidays; there was no distance between them. The warm and casual atmosphere brought tears to his eyes, and seeing his aunt wipe away her tears, he wiped his own as well.
The family enjoyed a happy reunion dinner. That evening, the couple lay on their familiar kang (heated brick bed), the man embracing his wife and sighing with emotion.
"They've all grown up, and they've all flown away."
Shu Yao chuckled: "Tangtang is thirteen already, and you still expect to sleep on the same kang (heated brick bed) as before?"
"No, I'm just lamenting how fast time flies."
"Life is long, don't be so old-fashioned. There's a bright future ahead, and plenty of opportunities for you to showcase your talents."
"Yes." He kissed his wife's smooth cheek. "She's already older than you, so looking at us now, won't people mistake us for father and daughter?"
This indirect compliment made Shu Yao laugh again; it seemed men did care about this too. "Afraid someone will steal me away?"
“No, that’s not it.” He chuckled softly. “My wife, no one can take her away.”
"Then what are you worried about? Your wife is young and beautiful, isn't that great?"
"Mmm," he kissed her again. "That's so nice."
After resuming work, the college entrance examination will be reinstated the following year. The two older children, who had previously had some doubts about their mother's words, are now extremely grateful. They studied very hard in school; otherwise, they might have failed the college entrance examination unexpectedly.
Shu Yao has returned to work, and her schedule is as busy as before. Although her aunt is getting on in years, she can still cook. Whenever Su Xiangdong comes home, he washes his hands and goes into the kitchen, so Shu Yao still doesn't have to worry about housework.
"Honey, come try on the shirt I made for you." Having done nothing else over the years, she had honed her sewing skills even further. She made clothes for the whole family, and the styles and workmanship were impeccable.
"They're here."
Su Xiangdong looked relaxed and cheerful; the dark clouds had cleared, and he was now full of vigor. His wife had made him a white shirt and black trousers, which looked simple and neat on him. Despite years of hard work, he hadn't gained any weight, and his clothes still looked as good as ever.
"Wife, your cooking is really good."
"Right, I think so too." Shu Yao smiled, seemingly in a very good mood. Next year, she planned to start as a small vendor, doing it discreetly at first, and then gradually expand. She understood the development trajectory, but she still couldn't let her guard down; she knew that.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her profile and highlighting her smooth, jade-like skin. She was nearing forty, yet her face was wrinkle-free, and her eyes remained clear. In the familiar surroundings of home, it felt as if he had returned to the days when they were newly married, and looking at his beautiful wife stirred his heart.
He took a step closer to her and said, "Wife, you are so beautiful."
"Go away, and don't learn to be glib and smooth-talking from others."
I'm serious.
Shu Yao smiled; what woman doesn't like being complimented on her looks? "So, does that mean you'll support whatever I do?"
"Of course." He leaned very close, so close it looked like they were embracing. "What do you want to do?"
"I……"
"mom,"
"mom,"
The child came home and started calling out in the yard. The two of them jumped back as if electrocuted, their faces, which hadn't flushed before, now burning. Honestly, they were acting like young lovers. They were an old married couple, yet they still blushed and their hearts raced like this.
"How's the borrowing of the materials going?"
"Everything's done. I've finished copying all the copies and returned them. I also borrowed two more."
"Then hurry up and study hard, there's not much time left."
Okay, I understand.
Everyone thought the exam would be in June, but the news didn't appear in the newspaper until October. This year was special; the exams were at the end of the year, and students would go to school the following year. After the newspaper published the concrete news, everyone was eager to try their best and hoped to excel.
Su Juan came to our house several times to borrow review materials for her children, and Shu Yao asked the twins to each copy a copy for their aunt. Both children were very obedient and copied the materials without complaining.
"Going through it once is like reviewing it once, so it's worth it."
Su Juan was very grateful. Now that she's living alone, she seems to be having an easier time than in previous years. Her two older children went to the countryside for work-study programs, while her younger child didn't and is also studying for exams this year.
"All three brothers are focused on taking the exam, but who knows? The two older ones haven't touched a book in years, I think it's unlikely. We'll just have to do our best and leave the rest to fate."
"Anyway, they'll be back soon."
Neither of Su Juan's family members who went to the countryside were married, which would save them a lot of trouble in the future. Shu Yao didn't tell her the specifics, but she comforted her in her heart. She secretly discussed with Su Xiangdong about looking around for them, hoping to find them jobs in the future.
"They're all good kids. Okay, I'll take it to heart."
"If you don't go to university, what do you want to do in the future? Go to a factory, but can you compare to a university graduate? You brat, you're trying to drive me crazy."
In the evening, Meng Xi's exasperated voice suddenly came from next door. Her daughter was the same age as Tangtang and was graduating from junior high school this year. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't be able to take the college entrance exam, but this year was different. Junior high school students could also take the exam, including veterans and working professionals. If you think you're capable, you can apply.
“I’m only in junior high school, I can’t possibly pass the exam.” Her daughter’s voice was shrill, as if she was trying to avoid being beaten.
"How do you know you can't pass the exam if you haven't even taken it? Go take the exam, go take the exam."
"Okay, okay, I understand, I'll go take the test."
She had also taken the exam in her previous life, but failed. Shu Yao remembered that Sun Yaozu was somewhat resentful and not very enthusiastic about his two children getting into university. He was unhappy that his favored child hadn't passed.
"Tangtang, you're not planning to sign up, are you?"
"Mom, I've already signed up."
"Um?"
“I didn’t want to apply at first. I was worried that you and Dad would be lonely if the three of us left at once. But I thought about it and realized that I can go to university in the province so that I can come back every weekend.”
"You're still young. Can you handle leaving home to go to university?"
Tangtang came over and affectionately took her mother's arm, resting her head on her shoulder: "Mom, are you reluctant to part with me?"
She reached out and patted her daughter's arm: "You are indeed still young. Normally, students take the college entrance exam after three years of high school. After all these years, this is the first exam, so the questions shouldn't be difficult. But are you really determined to skip high school and go straight to university?"
“Yes.” The girl smiled and said, “Mom, don’t be sad. You have Dad to keep you company at home, don’t you?”
Su Juan chuckled beside her, her face full of envy. "That's wonderful, you have two such sweet little girls."
Shu Yao smiled to herself; her children were all so thoughtful. Not only her two daughters, but her son was also very considerate and close to his mother. Having not been influenced by the Sun family in her previous life, and under Su Xiangdong's tutelage in this life, his temperament was even more composed than in his previous life.
At the end of November, students of all ages flooded into the examination hall. Shu Yao personally escorted her three children to the exam, and bumped into Meng Xi at the school gate. She was giving the children instructions on exam matters when she suddenly felt her son standing up. Looking up, she saw Meng Xi standing opposite her.
She looked Meng Xi straight in the eye. "Who's afraid of you? You're just the two of you, mother and daughter. I have three kids. With my 1.8-meter-tall son standing next to me, do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Meng Xi quickly looked away and led her daughter to the other side. He Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to her mother.
"Mom, stay away from her. Her husband hurt her so badly, she went from being a textile worker to a cleaner. She's psychologically unbalanced, and she might be mentally unstable."
The two daughters nodded in agreement with their brother. He Yi looked at the spot where Meng Xi had disappeared and said, "Mom, don't take it personally. There's something wrong with her eyes. She's probably gone crazy."
People in this era didn't have much entertainment, and when a group of them sat together, they loved to gossip. So all three children knew about the entanglement between Shu Yao and the Sun family. Although the three members of the Sun family were no longer alive, there was still Meng Xi, and they were afraid that their mother would suffer because of Meng Xi.
"Okay, Mom understands. Focus on your exams, Mom will pick you up after you're done. Don't feel pressured, whatever the result, Dad and Mom will accept it."
"good."
The children went inside to take their exams, and she stayed outside for a while before riding her bike to work. The day's exams were over, and the children all seemed relaxed. Her main concern was her youngest daughter. Seeing her daughter studying with her older siblings, she had initially thought it was just for fun. Could she really pass the exams without three years of high school?
"Mom, you really underestimate me." Tangtang said unhappily, "Although I'm not as good at studying as my sister, I've always been among the top students in my grade. If not first, then at most second. I've also studied a lot of high school knowledge, especially humanities books. My older brother, who is good at science, has also taught me high school functions."
"Okay, Mom is just worrying unnecessarily."
She didn't care anymore; the exams were over anyway. If her youngest daughter didn't pass, she could just go to high school. She remained very calm, without any anxiety or worry. The results came quickly, and both she and her husband had to go to work that day, so the three children went to see the results themselves.
She rushed back after work in the afternoon, but didn't dare to ask immediately, afraid of making a mistake. Although the three seemed very confident, she was still worried that they hadn't done well, and that asking so hastily might hurt their self-esteem.
"Mom, you're back?"
"Um."
The three children were all beaming with joy, and before she could even ask, they told her the results. "My brother and I got higher scores, so we applied to universities in Kyoto. Tangtang's..."
"I'll tell Mom myself." The little girl interrupted her sister eagerly: "Mom, I didn't score as high as my older brother and sister. I applied to the Provincial University of Science and Technology, and I can come back to see you every week."
"Good, good, good." Although her twins had both passed the exams in her previous life, she was still worried. Now she could finally put her mind at ease. Both children did even better than in her previous life, and even her younger daughter, who was in junior high school, passed the exams.
When Su Xiangdong returned home that evening, he was equally overjoyed. After washing his hands, he joined the dumpling-making frenzy. They made two kinds of fillings: pork and scallion, and egg and locust flower fillings—one meat and one vegetable, each with its own unique flavor.
"He Xu, you and your sister are going to university together. When you're in another city, you need to take care of each other. You're the older brother, so visit your sister often. Understand?"
He Xu had a very good temperament, and nodded to his father upon hearing this. "Dad, I know."
He Yi smiled and replied, "Dad, don't worry, my brother and I will take care of ourselves."
The man turned to his wife and said, "Make more clothes for the three kids, so they won't be looked down upon when they go out."
Shu Yao smiled and nodded: "Okay, I understand."
The Su family was overjoyed, decorating their home with lanterns and streamers. It was Chinese New Year, and all their children had been admitted to universities. Neighbors inquired with concern, and upon learning the news, offered their congratulations.
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