Chapter 18: Reward for the Gossip Subject Jumping into the River: Ten Tons of Fertilizer

The river water at the end of autumn was bone-chilling. Su Yao had just packed the final crate of canned corn when the sound of crying from the riverbank pierced her ears. Dropping her ledger, she sprinted toward the water, where a figure was drifting, a blue cloth jacket rising and falling in the murky current.

"It’s Widow Li!" someone shouted. A crowd had gathered on the bank, their feet seemingly rooted to the ground.

Widow Li’s husband, Wang Laowu, stood under a willow tree with his hands on his hips, spraying spittle as he yelled, "You dead woman, if you have the guts to jump, don't you dare come back up! You think I’m worried about finding another woman?"

Su Yao’s heart tightened. Widow Li always walked with her head bowed in the village, and the bruise on her left cheek never seemed to fade. Only a few days ago, when she came to the cooperative to deliver vegetables, she had rolled up her sleeves, revealing whip marks that made one’s heart ache just to look at.

"What are you all standing there for? Save her!" Su Yao stripped off her padded jacket as she ran; the wind bit through her thin inner shirt, stinging her skin.

"Educated Youth Su, don't go! The water is too cold!" Erzhuzi’s wife tried to grab her, but Su Yao shook her off.

Taking a deep breath, Su Yao plunged into the river. The icy water instantly enveloped her, making her teeth chatter. As she swam toward Widow Li, the silt at the bottom tangled around her ankles, making every stroke feel like dragging a stone.

"Grab me!" Su Yao finally seized Widow Li’s arm. Her body had already stiffened, and she was still mumbling, "Let me die... just let me die..."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Su Yao gritted her teeth and dragged her toward the bank. Only then did the men on the shore come to their senses, throwing out a rope. Erzhuzi and Old Li pulled on the line, hauling both women onto the land.

Su Yao collapsed on the ground, shivering uncontrollably, her lips turning a dark, bruised purple. Lu Xingchen ran over and wrapped the padded jacket around her, while Lu Shihan wiped the water from her face with her tiny hands, sobbing, "Mama, don't die..."

"Silly girl, Mama is fine." Su Yao held her tight, then looked up to see Wang Laowu approaching to grab Widow Li. Her throat felt as if it were filled with grit: "Stop right there!"

Su Yao stood up, her body numb from the cold, but her gaze was fierce. "Wang Laowu, if anything happens to her, I will report you to the commune right now!"

Intimidated by her presence, Wang Laowu muttered, "She jumped into the river herself, what does that have to do with me..."

"What does it have to do with you?" Su Yao sneered, pointing at the injuries on Widow Li’s body. "Where did these wounds come from? Who was chasing her down half the street with a shoulder pole yesterday?"

The surrounding commune members began to whisper. Wang Laowu’s face flushed red and then paled; he shot a vicious glare at Widow Li and walked away, grumbling.

Su Yao crouched down and draped her jacket over Widow Li. She had regained consciousness, staring hollowly at the sky as tears fell like broken beads.

"Come home with me." Su Yao helped her up. Her body was limp, as if she had no bones, so Su Yao had to half-drag, half-carry her toward her house.

Once home, Su Yao quickly boiled water and let Widow Li soak in a tub to warm up. Lu Xingchen went to fetch Widow Li’s neighbor, Widow Wang, while Lu Yuxuan knelt by the stove to feed the fire, and Lu Shihan stood sentry at the doorway, her small hands gripping the frame.

"I can't go on like this..." Widow Li sobbed in the hot water, her cries finally breaking through. "He beats me every day, gambles, and even pawned the bracelets I brought from my mother's home as a dowry..."

Widow Wang sighed from the side, "Sister, you should have left him long ago. What is there to cling to with a man like that?"

"Leave? I’m just a woman, how would I survive without him?" Widow Li wiped her tears. "Besides, divorce isn't that easy..."

Su Yao entered with ginger soup and handed it to her. "Drink this first. As for the divorce, I’ll help you find a way."

Widow Li took the bowl, her tears falling even harder. "Educated Youth Su, why did you save me? My life is nothing but suffering..."

"There is hope as long as you're alive." Su Yao sat opposite her, her tone as firm as stone. "You're still young; you cannot just accept this fate."

As she spoke, a familiar voice echoed in her mind: [Assisting the vulnerable group aligns with the "Living Toward the Sun" plan. Reward: Ten tons of high-quality fertilizer, now stored in the commune warehouse. Collect with credentials.]

Su Yao was stunned. This was the first time the system had given such a practical reward. The cooperative was planning to expand its planting next year and was worried about a shortage of fertilizer; ten tons was exactly what they needed.

Widow Li drank the soup, her complexion gradually improving. Su Yao found some of her own clothes for her to wear; they were a bit large, but much better than her hole-ridden jacket.

"Educated Youth Su, thank you." Widow Li looked at her, a glimmer of light slowly appearing in her eyes. "I... I want to work with you. I have strength, and I’m not afraid of hardship."

"That's great," Su Yao smiled. "The cooperative is short-handed. If you’re willing, come tomorrow, and I’ll pay you thirty yuan a month."

Widow Li’s eyes went wide. "Re... really?"

"Of course," Su Yao nodded. "But first, you must get your strength back and handle the divorce properly."

Early the next morning, Su Yao went to see Secretary Li. Upon hearing about Widow Li, the Secretary slammed his desk in anger: "That Wang Laowu! This is outrageous! I will approve the divorce application. If he refuses to sign, I’ll have the militia drag him to the commune!"

With Secretary Li’s word, Su Yao felt assured. When they took Widow Li to the commune to process the paperwork, Wang Laowu tried to act out, rolling on the ground and refusing to sign. Su Yao called the militia immediately, and he reluctantly pressed his thumbprint on the papers.

Stepping out of the commune office, Widow Li clutched her divorce certificate. Tears streamed down her face again, but this time, she was smiling. "Am I... am I free?"

"You are free," Su Yao wiped her tears. "Live a good life from now on."

Back in the village, Su Yao settled Widow Li into a vacant room at the cooperative warehouse. Widow Wang brought a quilt, Erzhuzi’s wife gave her a thermos, and the commune members gathered around, offering words of encouragement.

Widow Li looked at everyone, her eyes red. "I always thought I was unwanted, I never expected..."

"This village is your home now." Su Yao patted her shoulder. "Start working at the cooperative tomorrow; follow Auntie Wang and learn to harvest."

Widow Li nodded firmly, the light in her eyes growing brighter.

That afternoon, Su Yao went to the commune to collect the fertilizer. Ten tons were piled in the warehouse, the bags labeled "High-Quality Nitrogen Fertilizer." The commune warehouse keeper laughed, "Educated Youth Su, you are truly blessed. This fertilizer was specially approved by the county; you couldn't buy it even with money."

"Thank you, Uncle." Su Yao thanked him with a smile, though she thought to herself that this blessing was earned with Widow Li’s life.

Back in the village, Su Yao distributed the fertilizer to the members, two bags per family, and gave an extra bag to Widow Li. "Use this on your plot of land too; you’ll have a bigger harvest next year."

Widow Li cradled the fertilizer, her hands shaking. "Educated Youth Su, this... this is too valuable..."

"Take it," Su Yao said. "It is what you deserve."

In the days that followed, Widow Li worked with extra vigor at the cooperative. She arrived before dawn, keeping the vegetables clean and recording weights and accounts with precision. Seeing her dexterity, Su Yao taught her how to use a sewing machine to make packaging bags.

At first, Widow Li was afraid she wouldn't learn, her hands shaking so much she couldn't hold the needle. Su Yao held her hands, teaching her stitch by stitch. "Press the pedal lightly, and the thread will stay straight. Don't be nervous." Lu Shihan helped nearby, providing fabric scraps for practice.

A week later, Widow Li was proficient at sewing the bags. She looked at her stitches and beamed, "I can earn money too! I can earn money!"

Watching the light in her eyes, Su Yao felt it was more precious than ten tons of fertilizer. The system provided material, but what she could provide was the courage to live again.

That evening, with her first paycheck, Widow Li bought a piece of floral cloth to make a new dress for Lu Shihan. The girl spun around with the fabric, cheering, "Thank you, Auntie Li!"

Widow Li looked at her with a long-lost smile, "I’ll make you delicious food every day from now on."

Su Yao watched from the side, feeling warm inside. When she first transmigrated here, she thought this era was bitter and difficult. Now she realized that while the people here were poor, their hearts were warm. As long as one was willing to help, even the hardest times could be overcome.

Just then, Lu Xingchen ran in. "Mama, Secretary Li is here, he says there’s a letter for you."

Su Yao took the letter and checked the address; it was from the army. Her heart tightened as she tore it open. Lu Zhanye’s handwriting was as vigorous as ever, stating that he had family leave next month and could come home for a few days.

"Mama, is it a letter from Uncle Lu?" Lu Shihan asked, leaning in.

"Yes," Su Yao nodded with a smile. "He’ll be back next month."

"Great!" the children cheered.

Widow Li watched them with envy. "Educated Youth Su, you really are a lucky person."

Su Yao smiled without speaking. Luck isn't something you wait for; it’s something you earn. Just like Widow Li, who earned a new life with her own hands; and just like herself, who had found her footing in this era through hard work.

That night, Su Yao sat under the lamp, writing back to Lu Zhanye. She told him about Widow Li, the cooperative’s expansion, and that the children were doing well. She also mentioned that Lu Yuxuan’s shell-peeling device was being promoted across the county, and that Secretary Li planned to apply for a patent for him.

At the end of the letter, she hesitated, then added: "We are all looking forward to your return."

Setting down her pen, Su Yao looked at the moon outside the window, full of anticipation. When Lu Zhanye returned next month, she would take him to see the new vegetable plots, Yuxuan’s inventions, and the new Widow Li.

She wanted to tell him that because of everyone's efforts, this small village was getting better bit by bit. Her life, too, had become increasingly rich because of these lovely people.

Early the next morning, Su Yao went to the cooperative and saw Widow Li teaching a new member how to sew bags. Her voice was steady and confident; she was no longer the Widow Li who walked with her head bowed.

"Educated Youth Su is here," Widow Li greeted her with a smile. "The vegetables for today are all picked; take a look."

Su Yao walked over, seeing the vibrant greens and bright red tomatoes neatly arranged. She nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, it’s getting better and better."

"It’s all thanks to your teaching," Widow Li said shyly. "Oh, by the way, when I went to the county yesterday, I saw sewing machines for sale. I want to save up and buy one so I can make my own clothes."

"That’s a great idea," Su Yao supported her. "Once you buy the machine, I’ll entrust all the cooperative’s packaging bags to you. I guarantee you’ll earn a good income."

Widow Li’s eyes brightened, her motivation even higher.

Su Yao watched her busy figure, moved by deep emotions. When the system first appeared, she felt it was a burden, but now she understood that the system was only an aid; it was human hands and courage that truly changed fate.

Ten tons of fertilizer could make the land harvest, but it couldn't make hope grow in a person's heart. What she had done was to plant a seed in Widow Li’s heart, watering it with kindness and encouragement, until one day it would grow into a towering tree.

As work ended that evening, Su Yao passed Widow Li’s small hut and saw her studying by the light. A tattered dictionary lay on the table, her finger tracing the characters as she whispered them to herself.

"Auntie Li, still busy?" Su Yao pushed the door open.

"Educated Youth Su," Widow Li quickly stood up. "I want to learn a few more characters so that it’s easier to keep the accounts."

Su Yao picked up her notebook, where she had crookedly written her own name, along with words like "cooperative" and "wages." She smiled and said, "Very well written, keep it up."

Widow Li blushed. "I’m embarrassed to let you see it."

"I’m not laughing at you," Su Yao said earnestly. "Being willing to learn is a wonderful thing."

Leaving the hut, Su Yao walked home. The evening wind carried a chill, but her heart was warm. Remembering the day she saved Widow Li, the icy water had nearly frozen her body, but looking back now, it was all worth it.

Ten tons of fertilizer could bring a harvest, but a person standing tall again could bring hope to an entire village. Perhaps that was the true meaning of the system’s "Living Toward the Sun" plan.

Su Yao looked up at the stars; the future was as bright and vast as the night sky. As long as everyone worked together, even the hardest days could be turned into poetry.

She would continue to live on this land, using her own way to warm those around her, while being warmed by them in return.