Chapter 10: The True Heiress Goes to the Countryside to Humiliate Others—Only to Be Humiliated Herself

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The autumn sun warmed the threshing ground. Beneath the locust tree, Su Yao squatted with a piece of colored candy wrapper in her hands, teaching Lu Xingchen how to make a pinwheel. Lu Yuxuan lay nearby watching, while Lu Shihan, dressed in a newly sewn floral dress, ran about waving the scarecrow they had made the day before.

“Fold all four corners toward the middle. That’s it…”

Su Yao dabbed a little glue onto her fingertip and pressed the folds into neat creases. Lu Xingchen was completely absorbed in the lesson, his small brows faintly furrowed and a sheen of sweat glistening on the tip of his nose.

Suddenly, the sharp honking of a car tore through the peaceful air. In a village filled with ox carts and horse-drawn wagons, the sound was especially jarring. The villagers working at the threshing ground straightened up and peered toward the entrance.

“A car!” someone shouted.

The children surged toward the village entrance in a noisy wave.

Su Yao raised her head, her heart sinking. In those days, the only people who could ride in a car were high-ranking officials or important figures from the city. Why would anyone like that come to this poor, remote place?

Lu Shihan ran back and tugged at her sleeve. “Mother, it’s a red car! It’s so pretty!”

Before the words had even left her mouth, the little red sedan came swaying to a stop beside the threshing ground. First, a driver in a Zhongshan suit climbed out. Then a young woman emerged, wearing a dacron dress and a wristwatch.

The woman stepped gingerly in her leather shoes, lifting onto her toes in the mud, her brows raised high as though terrified of dirtying the soles. She removed her sunglasses and swept her gaze over the crowd before fixing her eyes on Su Yao. Her lips curled in mockery.

“Su Yao. Long time no see.”

The candy wrapper slipped from Su Yao’s fingers and fell to the ground with a slap.

Even if that face had been reduced to ashes, she would still have recognized it—Su Wan, the false heiress who had occupied her identity for more than a decade.

The villagers sensed that something was wrong and slowly gathered around, whispering among themselves.

Su Wan lifted her skirt and walked up to Su Yao, looking down at her with open disdain. “Tsk, tsk. You look just like a country bumpkin. If my parents weren’t softhearted, I wouldn’t have bothered coming to this godforsaken place.”

She shook the Shanghai watch on her wrist, its face flashing beneath the sun. “Mother and Father sent me to take you back to the city. But on one condition: those three bastards stay here. They have no right to be associated with the Su family.”

Lu Xingchen sprang to his feet and shielded his younger siblings behind him. His small body stood ramrod straight.

“Don’t insult my mother!”

“Oh? The bastard they picked up is quite protective of his master.” Su Wan sneered. She reached out to pinch his cheek. “He almost looks human, I’ll give him that. What a pity he was born in a place like this…”

“Don’t touch my brother!” Lu Shihan screamed, shoving her hand away.

Su Yao rose slowly and brushed the dust from her hands. Her face was expressionless.

“I’m not going back.”

“What did you say?” Su Wan looked as though she had just heard the funniest joke in the world. “The city has movie theaters and department stores, and we eat steamed buns made from white flour at every meal! You’d rather stay here and mingle with these mud-legged peasants? Have you gone mad?”

“It’s fine here.” Su Yao glanced at the children, her expression softening. “They aren’t bastards. They are my children.”

“Your children?” Su Wan shrieked as if someone had stepped on her tail. “Have you no shame, Su Yao? You’re unmarried and dragging around three children. You don’t mind disgracing yourself, but I certainly do!”

Her gaze suddenly landed on Lu Shihan’s dress, and her eyes lit up.

“This dress isn’t badly made, though the fabric is rather cheap. Give it to me. A country girl like her doesn’t deserve to wear it.”

She reached out to snatch it.

Terrified, Lu Shihan hid behind Su Yao, clutching the hem of her dress with both hands.

“Bad woman!”

Summoning strength from somewhere, Lu Xingchen grabbed the pinwheel they had just finished making and smacked it against Su Wan’s hand. The bamboo frame struck the back of her hand, leaving a red mark.

“Ah!” Su Wan screamed in pain, hopping furiously as she clutched her hand. “You little bastard! How dare you hit me?”

She raised her hand to strike Lu Xingchen, but Su Yao seized her wrist.

Su Yao’s eyes were as cold as ice.

“Su Wan, try touching my child.”

“You dare grab me?” Su Wan cried, shocked and enraged. “Don’t forget, Su Yao—the only way you’ll ever get back to the city is through my parents! Anger me, and you’ll spend the rest of your life in this poor mountain ravine!”

“That’s very kind of you, but I’ll pass.”

Su Yao flung her hand away and gathered the children protectively into her arms.

The villagers could no longer stand by and watch.

The Widow Wang planted her hands on her hips and shouted, “What kind of girl has no manners at all? Swearing in front of children!”

“Exactly! Educated Youth Su has done so much for our village. Who are you to order her around?”

Su Wan’s face flushed from red to white. Pointing at the villagers, she shrieked, “What do you country bumpkins know? Su Yao was a discarded daughter driven out by the Su family! If they hadn’t pitied her, who would have bothered with her at all?”

“Oh? Who’s making such a grand speech?”

A deep, resonant voice came from beyond the crowd.

The villagers parted to make way, and Commune Secretary Zhao Jianguo walked in with his hands clasped behind his back. He had been nearby inspecting the autumn planting when he heard the commotion and came over. He had heard every word.

“Secretary Zhao!” Secretary Li hurried forward to greet him.

When Su Wan saw that an official had arrived, she reined in her arrogance somewhat, though she still held her chin high.

“I came from the city to take my older sister home.”

“Older sister?” Zhao Jianguo studied her. “Then why did I hear you call her a discarded daughter whom your family drove out?”

Su Wan was rendered speechless. Her eyes darted about before she put on a wounded expression.

“Secretary Zhao, don’t listen to their nonsense. My sister and I were only joking around. Country people can’t take a joke.”

“A joke?” Zhao Jianguo’s face darkened. “Calling someone else’s children bastards and looking down on the rural masses—is that what you call a joke? This is a textbook example of being divorced from the people!”

The angrier he became, the louder his voice rang out. He pointed at Su Wan.

“Yes, the countryside is poor, but we earn our living through our own labor, honestly and honorably! We’re not like certain people who dress themselves up beautifully while carrying a bellyful of malicious schemes. Did your parents send you here to bring your sister home, or to cause trouble?”

Su Wan lowered her head under his reprimand. All her earlier arrogance vanished, leaving only fear. In the city, no one had ever dared speak to her like this.

“Secretary Zhao, I…I didn’t mean to…”

“Intentions don’t excuse you!” Zhao Jianguo thundered. “Apologize to Educated Youth Su and the children!”

“I won’t…” Su Wan began stubbornly, but one sharp look from Secretary Zhao made her swallow the rest of her words.

She dragged her feet over to Su Yao and muttered, “I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t hear you.”

Su Yao held Lu Shihan in her arms and looked at her coldly.

“You!”

Su Wan trembled with fury, but under Secretary Zhao’s watchful gaze, she had no choice but to raise her voice.

“I’m sorry!”

Only then did Secretary Zhao’s expression ease. He turned to the driver.

“Drive away. Don’t let someone so ill-mannered come here to cause trouble again.”

The driver had already shrunk away in fright. He hurriedly pulled Su Wan into the car. Honking repeatedly, the little sedan slunk out of the village, raising a cloud of dust that seemed to mock her as it went.

When the villagers saw the car disappear beyond the entrance, they erupted in cheers.

Secretary Zhao walked over to Su Yao and sighed.

“Educated Youth Su, I’m sorry you had to endure that.”

“Thank you, Secretary Zhao,” Su Yao said gratefully.

“You did the right thing. People like that can’t be indulged.” Secretary Zhao patted her shoulder. “Keep working hard. The commune supports you.”

Then he looked at the children.

“Don’t be afraid. With Uncle here, no one will dare bully you.”

Lu Xingchen nodded timidly.

After Secretary Zhao left, Secretary Li offered a few words of comfort and told her not to take the matter to heart. The villagers gathered around, talking over one another as they consoled her. Some even pressed candies into the children’s hands.

Su Yao felt warmth spread through her chest. She crouched down to look at the children.

Lu Shihan’s eyes were red, and she was still frightened. Lu Yuxuan’s fists were clenched. Lu Xingchen’s small face was pale, but his eyes were resolute.

She stroked Lu Xingchen’s head and wiped away Lu Shihan’s tears.

“From now on, if anyone bullies you, don’t be afraid. Do what Xingchen did today—fight back.”

“But Mother, our teacher says we mustn’t fight…” Lu Xingchen said softly.

“If someone hits us, we mustn’t simply endure it.” Su Yao looked at them seriously. “But you must never bully others first. Do you understand?”

The children nodded, though they only half understood.

When they returned home, Su Yao heated water to wash the children’s faces, then steamed white-flour buns for them. The flour had been given to her by Lu Zhanye the last time he visited, and she had been unwilling to use it until now.

Lu Shihan took a bite of her bun, then suddenly asked, “Mother, why did that bad aunt say you belonged to her family?”

Su Yao’s hand paused.

She had never told the children about their origins, afraid they were too young to understand.

“Mother used to stay at her house,” she said simply. “Later, I didn’t want to stay there anymore, so I left. Mother likes being with you, and she isn’t going anywhere.”

“Mm!”

The children answered in unison, their little faces filled with solemn conviction.

Looking at them, Su Yao secretly vowed that no one would ever separate her from her children.

That afternoon, when she went to the sewing cooperative, she found the Widow Wang waiting at the entrance. The woman handed her a cloth bundle.

“Educated Youth Su, these are cloth shoes I made for the children. Take them.”

Su Yao opened the bundle and found three pairs of brand-new cloth shoes. The stitching was close and even; clearly, a great deal of effort had gone into them.

“Auntie, thank you so much, but I can’t accept these…”

“Take them.” The Widow Wang pressed down on her hand. “We all saw what happened this morning. City people are so snobbish. Don’t stoop to their level. We may be poor, but our hearts are united. No one can bully one of our own!”

The other women chimed in.

“Don’t worry, Educated Youth Su. If you run into trouble, we’ll help you!”

“If that woman comes again, we’ll drive her straight out!”

Su Yao looked at their sincere, smiling faces. Her eyes grew hot, and she nodded.

“Thank you, everyone.”

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That afternoon, the sewing cooperative was in unusually high spirits. The women chatted and laughed as they worked, finishing their tasks with remarkable speed. Su Yao taught them how to make trousers from the newly dyed blue cloth. The Widow Wang learned the fastest and kept telling jokes that sent laughter through the entire room.

At quitting time, Su Yao had just stepped out of the sewing cooperative when she saw Lu Zhanye standing beneath a locust tree not far away. He was dressed in uniform, his tall figure straight and imposing, the setting sun stretching his shadow far across the ground.

“Commander Lu.” Su Yao walked over.

“I heard someone came to cause trouble this morning.” Lu Zhanye’s voice was low. “The children weren’t frightened, were they?”

“It was nothing. The children were all very brave.” Su Yao smiled. “And thank you for the flour you brought last time. The children had white-flour buns today and were delighted.”

“It was nothing.”

Lu Zhanye paused, then took a small box from his pocket.

“This is for you.”

Su Yao opened it and found a fountain pen inside, its black barrel engraved with delicate patterns.

“This is too valuable. I can’t accept it.”

She closed the box and held it out to him.

“Keep it. You can use it to teach the children to read and write.”

Lu Zhanye pushed the box back into her hands.

“I have something to attend to. I’ll be going.”

He turned and walked away, his steps steady as ever.

Su Yao held the fountain pen, warmth filling her heart. She watched his retreating figure until it disappeared at the end of the road.

When she returned home, the children were playing in the courtyard. Lu Xingchen spotted the box and asked curiously, “Mother, what’s that?”

“A fountain pen. I’ll use it to teach you all to write someday.”

Su Yao opened the box and showed it to them.

“Wow! It’s beautiful!”

Lu Shihan wanted to touch it but was afraid of damaging it, so she reached out with great care.

Su Yao smiled and put the pen away.

“When you’re a little older, Mother will teach you to write your own names.”

Dinner was sweet-potato porridge with pickled vegetables, and the children ate with great appetite.

Lu Xingchen suddenly asked, “Mother, is the city that bad aunt talked about fun?”

Su Yao’s hand paused as she ladled porridge.

“The city has its advantages, and our village has its own. As long as a family stays together, anywhere can be a good place.”

Lu Yuxuan nodded.

“Mm! I like the village. I have friends to play with here.”

“I like the dresses Mother makes better than the ones in the city,” Lu Shihan added.

Su Yao smiled and patted their heads.

“Eat up. I’ll tell you a story when you’re finished.”

That night, after the children had fallen sound asleep, Su Yao sat beneath the lamplight and took out the fountain pen. Its nib was smooth, and it was clearly an excellent instrument.

She poured a little water into the inkstone, dipped the pen into the ink, and wrote the children’s names on a sheet of paper.

“Lu Xingchen, Lu Yuxuan, Lu Shihan.”

She murmured the names softly, her heart full of hope.

Outside, the moon shone brightly over the vegetable beds in the courtyard. Dewdrops on the green leaves glimmered beneath its light.

Su Yao knew that Su Wan’s appearance was nothing more than a brief interruption. It could not disturb the life she had now.

She had well-behaved children, villagers who supported her, and greenhouses and a sewing cooperative that were thriving more with each passing day.

The days ahead could only grow better.

She carefully put away the fountain pen, blew out the oil lamp, and lay down beside the children. As usual, Lu Xingchen’s little hand found the corner of her clothes and held on.

Su Yao smiled, closed her eyes, and soon drifted into sleep.

In her dream, the children wore new clothes and carried schoolbags as they headed off to school, happiness shining on their faces. She stood beside the greenhouse, gazing at rows upon rows of lush green vegetables, smiling until her cheeks ached.

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Early the next morning, just as Su Yao opened the door, she saw the Widow Wang and several other women standing outside.

“Educated Youth Su, we’ve made up our minds. Every day, two of us will keep watch near your home. If that wicked woman comes again, we’ll drive her away at once!” the Widow Wang announced.

Su Yao’s heart warmed, and her eyes grew slightly damp.

“Thank you, Auntie, but there’s no need to go to so much trouble…”

“It’s no trouble at all!” said the daughter-in-law of Granny Zhang. “You’ve done so much for our village. It’s only right that we help keep watch over you.”

Su Yao looked into their sincere eyes and nodded.

“Then thank you, everyone.”

The sun rose slowly, bathing the entire village in golden light.

Su Yao drew a deep breath, her heart filled with strength. No matter how many hardships awaited her, she was confident that she and the children could face them together.

Because she knew she was not fighting alone.