Chapter 131: Delay Leads to Complications

Even the usually mild-tempered Mrs. Fang had set her face in a stern line. The daughter-in-law, who clearly wasn't one to be trifled with, left Li Er-niang—who had come over specifically to mock her sister-in-law and perhaps snag some petty gain—completely at a loss.

In the end, she had no choice but to slink away in defeat.

The Li family had prepared a hearty breakfast that morning. Everyone had arrived, save for Li Sheng, who had yet to return.

This included Gu Changfu and Gu Nan. Mrs. Fang hadn't given them a chance to refuse, stating, "I have something for you to help with later."

After breakfast, Father Li announced the plan: he and Old Third Gu would head to the Qian family to retrieve Xihua's dowry.

"The sooner, the better; delays only invite trouble," the eldest daughter-in-law had said.

Throughout the process, no one bothered to consult Li Xihua. Once Tang Xin proposed the idea, the elders didn't object, and Gu Changfu and Li Kai moved with impressive efficiency.

With his eldest brother away, Li Kai was eager to step up and shoulder the burden of the Li household, mirroring his brother’s past efforts. He couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy when he remembered that his brother had been no older than he was now when he first started supporting their parents.

Just like that, in a daze, they set off. Old Third Gu borrowed an ox cart from the production team leader, and Li Xihua sat on the cart with her younger brother, heading toward the Qian family.

The objective of the trip was somewhat peculiar: to reclaim her dowry? In the countryside, most women would consider such a thing a source of deep shame—a sign that they had been cast aside by their husbands' families.

What exactly was that little vixen Tang Xin trying to achieve by making such a grand spectacle of it?

In truth, Li Xihua didn't exactly regret the marriage, but since seeing the man’s true colors and realizing she wasn't without a way out—since learning that her parents welcomed her home and that she wasn't merely "water poured out" after marriage—she felt a profound sense of relief. She felt a deep desire to be better to her parents in return.

Yet, this sudden, hurried campaign orchestrated by Tang Xin left Li Xihua feeling overwhelmed, as if she were being pushed onto a stage before she was ready.

As they prepared to depart, neighbors came out to cheer her on. After all, Li Xihua was a daughter of their Harvest Production Team; if she were being bullied, could her kin really sit by and do nothing? Many families had daughters of their own, and they empathized—if their own daughters were bullied by their in-laws, wouldn't they want their own families to stand up for them?

Even the production team leader arrived. Old Third Gu had explained the whole situation when he borrowed the cart. The leader was incensed. Ever since Tang Xin’s medicine had saved his eldest grandson, he had treated her like his own flesh and blood. By extension, Li Xihua was the sister of his "granddaughter-in-law"—how could he allow her to be bullied?

Fearing that Old Third Gu and Li Kai were insufficient, the leader insisted they take a few more young men with them. With spring plowing just around the corner, there was no shortage of strong laborers.

Father Li smiled and declined, saying, "Thank you, but everyone needs to work. We don't need so many people; we aren't going there to fight."

He was speaking for the family, guided by Mrs. Fang’s careful instructions. After all, a day of labor meant ten work points; the Li family would feel guilty if they caused others to lose out on their earnings.

In the end, the team leader arranged for two tall, sturdy young men to go along, if only to make a better showing. He worried that Old Third Gu and the young Li boy would be at a disadvantage.

Though Father and Mother Li wanted to refuse, Tang Xin gave her mother-in-law a subtle look, urging her to accept. She could always compensate the two men later with items from her hidden farm space; it wouldn't be much of a loss.

Despite Mrs. Fang’s bold front, once they left, she began to fret. She paced back and forth, muttering, "What if that old hag from the Qian family starts her tricks again? If our daughter can't handle her, what then?"

Tang Xin curled her lip in disdain. "Handle what? Does that woman even have the nerve?"

In the past, Li Xihua had suffered in silence because she felt she was in the wrong. But now that she was standing up for herself, there was nothing to fear. By encouraging her sister-in-law to go and intentionally staying behind, Tang Xin was pushing her to grow and find her own strength.

While Tang Xin was stirring up a storm at home—encouraging her sister-in-law to divorce—Li Sheng was quietly preparing a grand gift for his wife. He knew she wasn't used to the countryside and often needed to travel to the city for supplies. Even though she could catch a bus at the commune, there was still a long stretch that had to be walked.

He didn't want his wife to suffer, so he had planned to buy her a bicycle. But in this day and age, such a large purchase was no easy feat. He had hoarded industrial coupons for a long time and even borrowed some from his fellow driver, Wang Dongliang, before he finally had enough.

He had meant it as a New Year's gift, but the supply store had told him that bicycles were in short supply and he would have to join a waiting list.

It didn't matter. He was returning from his first post-New Year delivery; the bike should be ready by then. Wouldn't she be thrilled when he rode it home?

Unable to stand his wife’s constant fretting, Father Li went out to the fields. He was worried too, but as a man, he couldn't easily voice such things.

Even Tang Xin was only outwardly calm. The truth was, in the original book, Li Xihua’s ending had been too tragic, and she was genuinely curious: could her interference truly rewrite the fates of these characters? Only if her sister-in-law’s life was completely transformed would Tang Xin feel truly confident in their future.

The three of them ate lunch absentmindedly. No sooner had they set down their bowls than Mrs. Fang began again: "Why aren't they back yet? It's been so long, surely nothing has happened?"

Even Li Zhirong began to look anxious.

Fortunately, just then, the sound of laughter drifted from afar.

It had to be them. Before the parents could rush out, the courtyard gate swung open, and a small whirlwind burst in. It was Li Kai, carrying a large trunk, his face glowing with excitement. Behind him, Gu Changfu and the others followed, all carrying their share of the belongings.