CompletedXia Juhua died feeling utterly wronged.
After her husband passed away, she built houses for her two sons, helped them marry, took care of her grandchildren, and tirelessly worked around the house. Yet, she became known as a "dreadful mother-in-law." Her daughters-in-law ignored her efforts, her sons criticized her, and the grandson she raised with her own hands pushed her out the door.
Drinking medicine to end her misery, Xia Juhua noticed the sweetness of the liquid and thought the heavens were giving her a final taste of kindness. Instead, she woke up back in the days when her second son had just married—when her reputation as a “dreadful mother-in-law” had first started.
Now, if people are going to call her a dreadful mother-in-law, why not live up to the name properly?
Want me to work hard in the fields? No way. Since they say I only worked for praise, I’ll skip the labor and enjoy cracking melon seeds while lying in bed.
Want me to cook meals? Nope. Since they say I cooked only to sneak food, I’ll let others serve me at the table instead.
Want me to babysit? Forget it. Since they claim I took care of the kids to distance them from their moms, I’ll enjoy gossiping with the neighbors instead.
Her daughters-in-law’s public words:
"My mother-in-law is hardworking and rich; she’s the best mother-in-law ever."
Their true thoughts:
"She’s rich but won’t spend a dime on her sons."
Xia Juhua: So what if I’m a rural old lady? Who says rural women can’t be knowledgeable and prosperous? With money in hand, who cares about petty gossip?