Chapter 147: The Husband Handles the Outside, the Wife Handles the Inside

Tang Xin noticed that even though her elder sister-in-law was now living at her parental home and Li Sheng had gone out driving, it did not disrupt the rhythm of the Li family’s daily life. It seemed everyone was accustomed to this way of living, each person occupied with their own tasks, their days tightly scheduled and fulfilling.

Especially now with the eldest sister back, household affairs were managed with remarkable orderliness, much to the relief of both Fang and Tang Xin. Of course, Li Xihua, now employed, devoted most of her time to women’s work within the team. Yet, this never interfered with her arrangements for the family.

Bright and early, Li Xihua would set the household affairs in order before heading off to work. “I’m off to work now. Xiyue, once you’re up, make breakfast so mother doesn’t have to worry. Xiaokai, don’t forget to feed the pigs after eating. Xiaojiang and Xiao Hai, check on the private field—pull the weeds, catch the bugs, and see what else needs doing.”

At noon or in the afternoon, upon returning home, she not only rushed to take on chores but also delegated tasks to other family members. The rest of the Li family seemed well accustomed to this; the eldest sister was indeed a tireless worker. Tang Xin, watching from the side, shook her head with a wry smile.

Only she knew Li Xihua’s character well enough from the start; it would have been difficult for anyone else to get along with this strong-willed eldest sister-in-law of the Li family. When Tang Xin married in, her mother-in-law had made it clear that she would be the one running the household. Yet, Li Xihua—though divorced and back at her parental home—still constantly bossed everyone around at the Li household, treating the younger daughter-in-law as if she were merely decoration.

If one were cunning, could they really get along well with such an eldest sister-in-law? Was this why, in the previous life, Li Xihua never dared to divorce and had to stay in the Qian family? Certainly, it was also because no one had stood up for her or taken her back then.

Now, seeing Li Xihua tirelessly busy with work and household duties, Tang Xin felt a pang of sympathy. Such a person labors without reward—doing the most yet winning the least affection. Fortunately, Tang Xin knew that the Li family understood Li Xihua’s personality. They accepted and tolerated her, which was already quite commendable.

Tang Xin was easygoing about it; with her eldest sister-in-law’s fierce nature, she was happy to take a hands-off role. Besides attending to her own private matters, she also busied herself teaching the family to read and write.

Her mother-in-law, Fang, was even more straightforward. Having lived through much of life’s joys and sorrows, she was adept at reading people’s moods, knowing when to step forward and when to stay out of the way. When the family needed her, she appeared promptly; when not, one might hardly sense her presence in the vast Li household.

Crucially, with a daughter-in-law constantly influencing her eldest daughter, Fang’s backbone had stiffened considerably. After finishing household tasks, she would even venture out to interact with other women in the community.

While the adults worked diligently for their labor points, the children, motivated by rewards, applied themselves in their studies. Their school performance was excellent, making them leaders among their classmates.

As a result, every member of the Li family was spirited and vibrant, their appearance and morale significantly improved compared to before. They were cheerful every day, provoking envy among outsiders.

Especially Li Erniang, whose jealousy burned fiercely. She could not understand why Fang, clearly from a landlord’s reactionary family, was the one Li Zhirong had insisted on marrying, an ill fortune spanning eight generations. At the time of the family’s division, the eldest brother’s side was practically driven out, left with nothing. They bore many children and lived a hard life.

Yet, the eldest brother was kind to his wife. Every time Li Erniang saw the smile on Fang’s face, she was so angry she nearly ground her teeth to bits.

When the eldest brother later went out to work in the mine and trouble ensued, he became an enemy to most families in the team. Li Erniang had thought Fang’s fortunes would plummet to the bottom, destined to suffer unbearable hardship.

But then Gu Laosan voluntarily helped with the eldest brother’s work. Later, the eldest brother’s eldest son somehow learned to drive, and the team leader gave him a formal job.

Then, when Li Sheng married a delicate city girl from the educated youth, Li Erniang expected Fang’s hard times to continue. City girls were rumored to have difficult tempers; many sons-in-law ended up tormenting their mothers-in-law.

Yet Tang Zhiying, the city girl, was a simple soul who used her savings to support the household. The eldest brother’s family’s life improved steadily, and the divorced eldest daughter was even appointed head of the women’s team.

Originally, after Li Xihua’s divorce and return to her family, Li Erniang had planned to rally some like-minded women on the team to mock Fang. But Tang Zhiying fiercely rebuffed all who came to gawk, strengthening Fang’s resolve to stand up and confront them.

Li Erniang was thoroughly dissatisfied. Why should all the good fortune go to the eldest brother’s family?

As for the envy, jealousy, and hatred of outsiders, Tang Xin paid them no mind. She cared only that her own family lived well. What did she have to do with others?

That day happened to be International Women’s Day—not yet widely celebrated—but Tang Xin privately felt it was a day to mark. After all, there were many women in the old Li family, all of whom worked hard every day.

Li Fu, Gu Laosan, and Li Kai had gone off to the fields, and Tang Xin planned to take Fang, Li Xihua, and Li Xiyue out together to visit the commune.

With the men off working and the children at school, Tang Xin decisively had her mother-in-law lock the front door, then led her eldest sister-in-law and younger sister-in-law out, pushing bicycles with an air of freedom.

Because Li Xihua’s work was light that day and she had business at the commune, Tang Xin felt confident asking everyone to go together.

After this period of adjustment, Fang had improved greatly. As the eldest sister said, at least mother no longer just hid away at home all day; she now dared to step outside occasionally.

Still, when Tang Xin mentioned going to the commune, Fang was startled. Smiling sheepishly, she said to her daughter-in-law, “In all my life, I don’t think I’ve ever been to the commune.”

Tang Xin’s eyes widened in disbelief. But on reflection, it made sense: in her youth, Fang had been a typical young lady of a wealthy household—an ancient-style daughter who never stepped outside the front door. Later, after being criticized during political struggles, she did not dare to leave the Harvest Brigade.

For all these years, while the men toiled in the fields and earned money, Fang stayed home doing housework and raising children. It was a true division of labor: men outside, women inside. At first, Li Zhirong was the only one who went out shopping and handling affairs; later, even with Li Xihua and Li Sheng around, Fang still didn’t dare to leave home.

Thus, this became a habit.