Chapter 72: Tip Against Tip

Everyone knew the rules, and seeing her kind-hearted daughter-in-law, Mrs. Fang couldn't help but feel gratified. Before her eldest son was married, her husband had already taught the children at home: the eldest brother’s wife was from the city, and her family was wealthy.

The eldest sister-in-law had been pampered since childhood and had never endured hardship. After marrying into the Li family, her food, clothing, and living conditions would naturally be better than theirs. The children were told not to compare or feel envious, but rather to help their sister-in-law with chores as much as possible.

The children were all sensible and nodded in agreement. Well, there were occasional minor issues, such as with that girl Xiyue. She sometimes had a sharp tongue, but when it came to actually doing things, the little girl didn’t have the courage.

A family that understood and cared for each other, united as one—this was the life Mrs. Fang cherished most.

Tang Xin knew her mother-in-law was right and was speaking up for her out of kindness. After some thought, she insisted, “Mother, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Besides, isn’t Brother Li Sheng still out there working hard? Isn’t he striving so everyone can live a better life?”

“Mother, mother, let’s just make white steamed buns for everyone. We can cook rice too. If we all eat a bit better, won’t everyone be healthier?” Tang Xin clung to Mrs. Fang’s arm, acting spoiled.

Mrs. Fang was dizzy from the shaking—her own daughter had never been so affectionate. In the end, she sighed and said, “Silly child, women shouldn’t be too kindhearted. Most daughters-in-law hide their dowries, afraid they’ll be taken advantage of by their in-laws. But you, you bring it out for us to use.”

Tang Xin laughed, “Relationships are always mutual. Since Father, Mother, and my brothers and sisters treat me well, it’s only natural that I’m generous with you all.”

Though she said no more, Mrs. Fang understood: if you treat me well, I’ll treat you well; if not, I won’t.

She wasn’t one to overthink; she never felt that her daughter-in-law’s words undermined her dignity as a mother-in-law. On the contrary, she preferred frankness over hidden thoughts that left others guessing.

Indeed, when it comes to sharpness meeting sharpness, it’s just fate—Mrs. Fang liked having a straightforward daughter-in-law like Tang Xin.

The two didn’t dwell on the subject; both had their own plans.

Mrs. Fang reasoned that while her daughter-in-law was kind, she wasn’t shameless. The others were used to coarse grain, so they could continue with that; from now on, she’d just steam white buns for her daughter-in-law alone.

Tang Xin, on the other hand, knew her mother-in-law would only prepare good food for her. She didn’t mind—she could use the white buns as rewards to encourage everyone to study hard.

In fact, Mrs. Fang handled most of the work while Tang Xin watched from the side, once again lamenting her mother-in-law’s unfortunate timing in life. Mrs. Fang was attractive, gentle, and skilled; had she been born in another era, she’d have been a classic noble lady. It was Mr. Li’s good fortune to marry such a wife in these times; otherwise, given the Li family’s circumstances, he wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Tang Xin felt she was lucky too—to marry a good man like Brother Li Sheng and have a wonderful mother-in-law like Mrs. Fang.

Just then, the brigade leader called from outside—a letter for Tang Xin had arrived at the brigade office. He was coming by on business and brought it along for her.

Tang Xin thanked him and, on a whim, handed him a few pieces of candy. The brigade leader chuckled; he wasn’t a child—what would he do with sweets? But when Tang Xin suggested he take them home for his children, he didn’t refuse. In these days, even the brigade leader’s children longed for sweet things; taking the candies home for his eldest grandson would be quite nice.

After the brigade leader left, Tang Xin returned to her room to read the letter. It was from her mother, who wrote because calls were inconvenient and not always possible, and certain things simply couldn’t be said over the phone.

So Mother Tang wrote a letter to her daughter. Her precious child was now married, and married into the countryside, no less. She herself had not married well and couldn’t help but worry for her daughter’s future, especially as she couldn’t be there to guide and care for her.

As the saying goes, a man fears choosing the wrong career, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. After loving her daughter for more than ten years, how could she not worry about her life with her in-laws?

Being a traditional woman, Mother Tang didn’t want her daughter to worry. So aside from asking after Tang Xin’s daily life, she mostly advised her to take care of herself and expressed concern about her getting along with her in-laws.

As for Meng Jia’s mother, who had always been a thorn in her side, Mother Tang made no mention of her in the letter.

Tang Xin, however, guessed that her mother was likely having a hard time recently. According to the plot in the book, that “white lotus” had stirred up quite a bit of trouble in the Tang family. Unfortunately, Father Tang had been deceived and, believing Meng Jia’s mother, had grown cold toward his own wife.

Tang Xin wanted to rescue her mother from misery, but for now, she couldn’t—after all, as a sent-down youth, she couldn’t return to the city at will. Even for family visits, she’d need a certificate from the village and an introduction letter before she could travel.

There was no rush; she’d wait until Brother Li Sheng returned, and then they could discuss and arrange matters properly. For now, her main task was to establish herself in the Li family and ensure their daily life was well managed.

At the end of the letter, there was a brief mention of Lu Liqin—it seemed the Lu family couldn’t bear to see their son suffer in the countryside any longer and were trying to bring him back.

After reading the letter, Tang Xin’s mind was a flurry of thoughts. Clearly, events were now unfolding differently from the plot in the book.

In the previous life, after Lu Liqin and the original Tang Xin got together, Father Tang managed to transfer them both back to the city. From then on, they became a loving couple, building a life together. But because of Meng Jia’s rebirth, the course of events had shifted strangely—she plotted for the original Tang Xin to marry another, while she herself ended up with the male lead.

The original Tang Xin married in the countryside, and then Father Tang maneuvered to bring the son-in-law he once favored back to the city with his lover, while ignoring his own daughter’s suffering in the countryside.

To be honest, when Tang Xin had read the book before, she’d always thought many plot points were utterly unreasonable. She’d only finished it because she was bored and the character with her name intrigued her.

Now, having become “Tang Xin” in this very story, she could personally confirm the truth: life’s path is walked by oneself—it can’t be entirely manipulated by others.

Now it was the Lu family, not Meng Jia, who were arranging for Lu Liqin’s return to the city.