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Xiao Lihua currently lives in a village called Xiaqiao Village, which also has a village called Shangqiao Village nearby. It got its name because there is a river here, known as The River Where Clothes Are Usually Washed. The river is relatively wide and not shallow; everyone relies on it for washing clothes, farming, and watering crops. However, since it is not an ordinary small river, building a bridge over it is not easy. There is a bridge over this river, and since Xiaqiao Village is located downstream, it is named Xiaqiao Village, while the village upstream is called Shangqiao Village.
Xiaqiao Village is relatively poor, while Shangqiao Village is wealthier. As a result, the girls from Xiaqiao Village prefer to marry into Shangqiao Village, as it allows them to stay close to their families while living better lives. Conversely, the girls from Shangqiao Village are unwilling to marry into Xiaqiao Village and tend to seek husbands from other wealthy villages. This situation further highlights the disparity between Xiaqiao Village and Shangqiao Village.
As Xiao Lihua crossed the bridge, she reflected on these memories and thought that there are indeed wealth disparities everywhere.
The reason Xiao Lihua remembers this is that her family arranged her marriage with someone from Xiaqiao Village instead of looking for someone from Shangqiao Village. She thought that even if she married a farmer, she should at least marry someone better off. Naturally, this led to another dissatisfaction with her family in her heart.
Zhang Shuitao's family is from Shangqiao Village, and Ruyi is also set to marry into a family from Shangqiao Village.
Xie Youshun noticed Xiao Lihua gazing in the direction of Shangqiao Village and said to her, "Just wait until we are doing well; we won't be any worse than those people from Shangqiao Village."
Xiao Lihua looked at Xie Youshun and wondered why he said that. She quickly realized that the matchmaker who arranged her marriage was likely from Shangqiao Village. She had previously complained about why they didn't find someone from Shangqiao Village for her. That matchmaker had a loose tongue, and later Zhang Shuitao even joked about it with her. Did Xie Youshun hear about this too? Xiao Lihua thought that the original owner of her body really knew how to stir up trouble; she would have to slowly change others' perceptions of her.
"I'm just looking at that big tree over there."
"That tree has been here for over fifty years."
Hearing Xiao Lihua say this made Xie Youshun feel relieved; he was satisfied that she could express such thoughts. Compared to the constantly complaining Xiao Lihua before, he preferred the current version of her.
Xiao Lihua smiled and chatted with Stone and Wood, who were sitting in the cart. They borrowed Wang Dashan's cart today; it wasn't large but could be pushed or pulled easily, accommodating both children and their belongings. Xie Youshun called for Xiao Lihua to join him in the cart, but she refused. The roads here were all dirt paths, and the wheels weren't rubber; pushing it would be quite strenuous. She didn't want to tire Xie Youshun out since he was now her husband.
The family of four chatted and laughed as they traveled. Xiao Lihua's family home was quite far away, and they took two breaks along the way. By the time they arrived, it was almost noon.
This village was called Caotou Village, which felt similar to Bridge Downstream Village. As soon as the family entered the village, they were scrutinized by others who recognized Xiao Lihua immediately; however, no one greeted them due to Xiao Lihua's poor reputation. Nevertheless, the Xiao Family had decent relations within the village, so no one mocked them.
The Xiao Family lived on the edge of the village in a large courtyard. Although it was a thatched house, it was clean and tidy and didn't look old—likely built less than ten years ago. The main gate was open during the day, and as they reached the entrance, they saw Xiao Dashu coming out. Upon seeing them, he broke into a broad smile and welcomed them inside.
Once inside, Xiao Lihua saw a woman walk out from the house—she looked ordinary but neat and tidy with bright eyes that suggested she was assertive. This was Xiao Lihua's sister-in-law, Wang Shi. Xiao Lihua remembered that her relationship with this sister-in-law hadn't been very good in the past but wasn't hostile either. So she smiled and called out "sister-in-law," handing over what she was carrying.
Wang was initially cautious because her sister-in-law always returned home as if she were going to battle. Even though Xiao Dashu said she had changed her ways, Wang was skeptical. Now, seeing Xiao Lihua coming in with things, she was taken aback; Xiao Lihua never brought anything back before and didn't even have a smile on her face. Wang thought that perhaps she brought something back because she came with her husband, who was a good man. She took the items and said, "Let's go inside; your mother has been thinking about you."
"Is Li Hua back? Let her come in—"
A woman's voice came from inside the room, sounding weak. Xiao Lihua realized that her mother was sick and immediately walked in.
Upon entering, she saw a woman sitting against the wall on the kang, around fifty years old, with quite a bit of gray hair and a poor complexion. When she saw Xiao Lihua, she stared at her intently, first looking tense, then relieved, and finally somewhat angry as she picked up a shoe sole from a nearby basket and threw it at her.
"You little brat! Can't you go a day without causing trouble? This time you really hurt yourself badly! Did you enjoy your visit to Yama King? Aren't you afraid you'll drag me down with you? You little brat! How could I have given birth to such a death-bringing child..."
Xiao Pozi began to cry, coughing as she did so. A little girl nearby hurried over to help her catch her breath and comforted her.
Xiao Lihua was startled as the shoe sole flew past her and hit the wall. She thought her mother was genuinely angry; however, beneath that anger was more concern. In her memories, this mother had always doted on Xiao Lihua, which was why she had spoiled her so much. Xiao Lihua decided that she needed to fulfill her filial duty and not let her mother worry anymore.
"Mother, I was wrong; please don't be angry anymore. I really want to change for the better this time. I will live well from now on and won't think about useless things that make you worry. If you get upset and ruin your health, it would be my fault as your daughter. I want you to enjoy life in the future; you can't get upset over this. Stone, Wood, come here and comfort your grandmother; tell her I know I was wrong and not to let her get angry."
Stone and Wood heard Xiao Lihua calling them and immediately ran over to pull at Xiao Pozi's clothes and hands, coaxing her gently.
Xiao Pozi stopped crying, thinking that perhaps her eldest daughter really had changed this time? Seeing how it was, she felt happy inside. With the two grandchildren comforting her, a smile finally appeared on her face. The little girl next to her wiped away her tears and then called out to Xiao Lihua as "sister," looking at her curiously.
This little girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with long eyebrows and big eyes, a straight nose, a small mouth, and an oval face. She resembled Xiao Lihua quite a bit; she was Xiao Lihua's younger sister Meihua.
Xiao Lihua looked at her and thought how such a good girl had been let down by the original owner of this body. According to memories, Meihua still hadn't been betrothed by now. It was all because she had an older sister with a bad reputation. In the countryside, girls usually got engaged early; even if there wasn't an arranged marriage since childhood, they would typically be engaged by twelve or thirteen years old and stay home for a few more years before marrying at fifteen or sixteen—eighteen years old for mothers was very normal.
Meihua had a good appearance and temperament but no good families came seeking marriage; only those from undesirable families approached—those whose wives had died, those with disabilities, or those too poor to afford food—all sorts of such people came forward. It was all because of Xiao Lihua's antics; everyone feared that Meihua would follow in her sister's footsteps.
Xiao Lihua recalled that this girl had never blamed her sister but had even encouraged her to live well. Such a good girl deserved to have a proper dowry prepared for her so that she could marry into a good family in the future.
"Meihua, this is a new braided hairpin I made for you to wear."
Xiao Lihua took out a braided hairpin and handed it to Meihua, thinking about how she needed to improve her relationship with her family. The little girl loved pretty things, and since she had come in a hurry this time, she hadn't bought any flowers or fabrics or jewelry, so this was all she could give. She thought Meihua would probably like it.
As soon as Meihua saw the red hairpin, she fell in love with it. She thanked Xiao Lihua and shyly accepted it, carefully examining it. The bright red color looked really beautiful, and she didn't know how to make such a hairpin.
At that moment, Xie Youshun also came over to greet Xiao Pozi, exchanged a few words, and then was led outside by Xiao Dashu for a chat.
"Li Hua, if you really change for the better, I can die in peace. Mother just hopes you won't revert back. The eldest son-in-law is a good person; Mother loves you so much, how could he harm you? Just live well with him and don't hold him back; your life will get better. Please don't make Mother worry," Xiao Pozi advised Xiao Lihua earnestly.
Xiao Lihua agreed and then asked about Xiao Pozi's health. She learned that a physician had already been consulted and that she was taking medicine, which relieved her. Seeing Wang Shi going to cook, she quickly stood up.
"Mother, since I rarely come back, let me cook a meal for you. It's been many years since I properly cooked for you," Xiao Lihua said as she asked Meihua to keep Xiao Pozi company while she pulled Wang Shi outside. Wang Shi insisted that there was no need for her to cook since Aunt was coming home, but she insisted on going anyway, and eventually, they both went out together.
Xiao Lihua wanted to get along well with her sister-in-law, so she worked diligently in the kitchen and became Wang Shi's assistant. She prepared four dishes and a soup, all served in small bowls but plentiful in quantity. The family enjoyed the meal very much; even Xiao Pozi praised her daughter's cooking. Watching her eldest daughter laugh and chat with her daughter-in-law and younger daughter made her feel more at ease. She thought that her eldest daughter had indeed worked in a big household before; if she were willing to be clever and attentive, she would surely be liked. It was wonderful to see the family so harmonious.
The Xiao family had only one son named Xiao Shi. He was named this way because the couple had waited five years after marriage before having this son; fearing they might not have another child, they named him Xiao Shi as a way of tricking Yama King into thinking he wasn't special enough to take away. Xiao Shi was quite sturdy; today he turned six years old, one year older than Little Stone but half a head taller and much stronger.
Xiao Lihua liked her nephew very much and gave him a string of copper coins to buy candy. Xiao Shi was delighted; even though Xiao Lihua had never treated him well before when she visited, he held no grudges. Now that he had money and enjoyed a good meal, he affectionately called out to Xiao Lihua and took Little Stone off to play.
Xie Youshun and Xiao Dashu went to the backyard to chat while working. Meanwhile, the women were talking in Xiao Pozi's room. Meihua wanted to learn how to braid hairpins, so Xiao Lihua taught her while Wang Shi learned alongside them. Hearing Xiao Lihua suggest teaching them two more styles so they could see if there were any for sale later on made them study even harder because they had previously done some braiding themselves and picked it up quite quickly.
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