Chapter 1

“He may be older, but he knows how to cherish a person.”
“His family may be burdensome, but doesn’t that show his deep bonds with his siblings?”
“So he has two children—what’s wrong with that? When you grow old, you’ll have two more to care for you.”
Jiang Shuangshuang listened with a face full of confusion.
Before her, Matchmaker Zhang, with her silver tongue, spun a web of exaggerated praise, lauding the suitor as if he were a treasure found nowhere else on earth.
A widower ten years her senior with two children, a string of unmarried siblings waiting for support—yet in this woman’s words, he was the catch of the century, the sort one would regret missing.
Jiang Shuangshuang exchanged a glance with the middle-aged woman beside her.
—Should you throw her out, or should I?
The moment their eyes met, she was already rolling up her sleeves, eager for action.
Xu Yingxia shot her a glare, suppressing her annoyance as she ushered their guest out. “It’s really not a good time, Aunt Zhang. We’ve got things to do at home. Why don’t you head back for now? Next time, I’ll come by and we can have a proper chat.”
Matchmaker Zhang tried to press her case. “Shuangshuang’s mother, don’t miss out on this fine match. He’s a formal worker earning thirty yuan a month. Your daughter is so picky—does she really want to be sent to the countryside as an educated youth?”
Xu Yingxia’s face darkened.
“The girl from the street went to the countryside and sends four or five letters a month, crying about her hardship. You don’t want…” Matchmaker Zhang’s words trailed off as she saw Jiang Shuangshuang pick up a broom. Her face went pale; she didn’t even finish her sentence before fleeing.
The second daughter of the Jiang family—everyone in the neighborhood knew her fierce reputation.
She had once caught a spy with her bare hands, kicked a pickpocket, and showed no mercy even to her own cousins, beating them until they cried for their parents.
If not for the Ma family’s promised reward, she wouldn’t have come here at all.
Yet for all her fierceness, her features were strikingly pretty.
Otherwise, despite her notorious temper, why would Ma Ji’an invite her for a marriage proposal and promise five yuan as a reward?
Clinging to the wall for her fee, Matchmaker Zhang mustered her courage again. “Shuangshuang’s mother, if your biased mother-in-law manages to buy a job, it’ll go to her grandson. If you don’t consider Shuangshuang, next month’s compulsory countryside quota will certainly include her name… I’m leaving, I’m leaving! Jiang Shuangshuang, put that broom down!”
She made a quick escape, leaving Xu Yingxia fuming.
As a daughter, Jiang Shuangshuang did nothing to comfort her mother. Instead, she stirred the pot. “See? Even outsiders know our family’s situation. If you don’t toughen up, Mom, just wait for me and little brother to suffer.”
She sighed. “Fine, let’s go to the countryside. Who knows if we’ll ever meet again, but don’t worry, Mom. While I’m pulling weeds, transplanting rice, hauling manure, harvesting grain, and raising pigs in the countryside, I’ll always miss you…”
“Quiet, you!” Xu Yingxia poked her forehead, annoyed. “What nonsense are you spouting? Raising pigs—who’d trust you with a pig?”
Jiang Shuangshuang’s eyes crinkled with laughter.
Her laughter rang bright and clear.
Even Xu Yingxia couldn’t help but chuckle, though the joy soon gave way to worry. She gently patted her daughter’s back. “Your father was lucky—gone early, at peace, at least he gets you kids burning paper and bowing at his grave during festivals. As for me, I’m left with this mess.”
Jiang Shuangshuang murmured, “It is quite miserable.”
A heartfelt sigh.
She had been here half a year, living as a street wanderer.
With inherited memories and careful observation, she’d figured out the Jiang family’s situation.
Her branch of the family was simple: a mother, a sister, and a brother.
Her parents had married for love—a country girl met a city boy, overcoming countless obstacles to finally be together.
But good fortune didn’t last. Soon after her brother was born, her father died heroically during a flood rescue, saving a young soldier.
Though honored afterward, Xu Yingxia inherited her husband’s job, but raising three children alone was no easy task.
Especially with a troublesome in-law family.
Xu Yingxia, as a daughter-in-law, was never favored by her parents-in-law. Her husband’s untimely death—though not her fault—meant she was blamed as a jinx during every quarrel.
They also feared she’d remarry, taking the job and bloodline elsewhere, so for years, they refused to split the household. Food and clothing came from the family, but most of Xu Yingxia’s wages had to be handed over.
Years of this left her with little of her own.
She tried to console herself—it was only fair; her children’s needs and future marriages would be funded by the elders.
The elders were proud people, providing what was needed, and the family’s financial give-and-take was blurred.
But who could have predicted the surge of the “go to the countryside” movement?
She had one real sister and one real brother.
But there were also five male cousins, six female cousins…
Plus three uncles and aunts, and a young unmarried aunt.
By policy, only one child per family could stay.
Unless they had a job or married someone with one, all of age must go to the countryside.
Years ago, her sister, two female cousins, and two male cousins were the first batch from the provincial capital to go as educated youth. They went with high ideals, ready to build the nation.
The grandparents saw this as a blessing—too many grandchildren to feed, and jobs were scarce. Better to go earn rations in the countryside; if harvests were good, maybe they’d send food back.
But soon, families received letter after letter, full of tears and hardship.
Everyone learned how tough it was in the countryside.
Even Jiang’s drawers were stuffed with letters, all begging to come home.
But home was impossible.
The policy stood; those due for departure had to go.
This year, three from the Jiang family reached the age.
One cousin had been hiding out since last year, evading the educated youth office to avoid being sent.
He wasn’t alone—many hid.
Now, a compulsory countryside order was issued: anyone caught would be put on the train at once, and those who resisted would be sent to labor reform.
In other words, there was nowhere to hide.
Jiang Shuangshuang didn’t want to go. She could get a job or find a husband.
In truth, she didn’t care much either way.
If forced, she could survive the hardship, but her temper wouldn’t let her accept injustice.
Four in the Jiang family were of age—why should some stay while she had to leave?
Since she inherited this life, she had the right to fight for herself.
Her mother had a job, and thanks to her father’s heroic sacrifice and Xu Yingxia’s diligent work, plus commendations and promotions, she earned over forty yuan a month—enough for two people.
Among all working relatives, her mother’s pay was highest.
Their household was also the smallest.
They contributed the most wages, consumed the least grain—why should she be the one sacrificed?
No, she had to fight for this.
Especially since, from the start, the Jiang family had written her off.
Besides her, those of age included a hiding cousin and a female cousin; the last was the grandparents’ favorite, their youngest daughter.
Their plan was clear.
The grandson must stay—two had already gone, they couldn’t bear to lose another.
The youngest daughter must stay—late-born and pampered, they wouldn’t let her suffer.
The remaining two granddaughters—too much trouble, they weren’t considered at all.
So, when the family gathered to discuss, Jiang Shuangshuang overturned their table.
She couldn’t hit elders, but she showed no mercy to their precious grandson—each left with a swollen face for weeks.
And so, her fierce reputation spread.
She didn’t mind.
Fighting over countryside quotas was common; the compound was full of disputes, some even wielding knives.
Compared to that, her temper was mild.
She merely punched her cousins, overturned tables, smashed pots… sometimes scared the elders… and more…
Well, she was already quite restrained.
“Girl,” Xu Yingxia called softly, hesitating. “Why don’t you take over my job?”
Jiang Shuangshuang’s eyes lit up, accepting eagerly, “Alright!”
If she actually took over, the Jiang family would probably go mad.
Her mother earned forty-three yuan—enough to feed eight people on half rations, the backbone of the household. That’s why the elders wouldn’t let the grandson leave or take over; a new hire would start as a temporary worker, earning only thirteen yuan.
A loss of thirty yuan a month, over three hundred a year—who could bear that?
With benefits and drama, Jiang Shuangshuang wouldn’t refuse.
“Don’t get any funny ideas,” Xu Yingxia warned, uneasy at her mischievous smile. “Your temper’s only gotten worse—who did you inherit it from?”
Jiang Shuangshuang only smiled.
The original had never been quiet or gentle, and she was even more so.
But if anyone noticed, she could always blame it on the countryside situation. Many young people changed under the pressure.
Her female cousin was proof.
Neglected by grandparents and parents alike, the once gentle girl became moody.
“But let me make this clear,” Xu Yingxia said seriously. “The wages all go to me. Your sister is suffering in the countryside, your brother’s still in school—this family depends on this paycheck.”
Jiang Shuangshuang raised an eyebrow. “Are you planning to split the household?”
If she kept her wages, they’d have to divide.
She grasped her mother’s hands. “Mom, your girl supports you—let’s do it!”
“Haven’t you been longing for this?” Xu Yingxia slapped her hand, exasperated. “All this fuss, isn’t it just so you can split?”
“Why not split?” Jiang Shuangshuang argued boldly. “Otherwise, they’ll keep exploiting you until you’re old, and then pass the job to their great-grandson?”
Xu Yingxia was speechless.
She couldn’t refute, because that possibility was all too real.
Old Jiang died saving others; as his widow, it was only right for her to inherit his job, else the family would be condemned for bullying an orphaned widow.
Her wages kept rising; every year she made the list for commendations, not just for her diligence but also for her late husband’s heroic reputation. As long as she didn’t make serious mistakes, the factory favored her, giving her raises, extra rooms in the compound, and countless benefits.
The Jiang family would never let her go; as Shuangshuang said, they’d work her until she was old and then snatch the job for their eldest grandson’s son.
The more she thought, the more upset she became.

Not to mention herself—why, after all these years of work, had she not saved anything for her children, letting others reap the benefits?
And after getting those benefits, the family still treated her poorly.
Each guarded against her.
The earlier offer to take over her job had been sudden.
But now she truly felt it was the right choice.
Her wages would drop sharply, but even if she earned more, it wouldn’t necessarily benefit her own children. If her second daughter took over, she wouldn’t have to suffer in the countryside.
Xu Yingxia continued, “When your elder sister went to the countryside, we didn’t think it through. It’s too late now, but I can’t just think of you—I have to consider your brother too.”
She glanced at her daughter, saw no sign of discontent, and went on, “He has two years before he’s sent. You take over the job, and in those two years, find a suitable partner. Then… when it’s his turn to go, transfer the job to him.”
After speaking, she nervously looked up at her.
Her breath caught.
But Jiang Shuangshuang seemed unconcerned. “I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
Jiang Shuangshuang clicked her tongue. “Palm and back of the hand are both flesh, but hearts are always partial… Ow! Don’t pinch me.”
Xu Yingxia glared at her and left the room, calling, “What are you waiting for? Go tell your grandparents, get it done before anything changes.”
Jiang Shuangshuang followed, grumbling.
But she did understand.
Not just her, but the original as well.
Was her mother biased?
To some extent, yes.
Her father died early; at his funeral, it was three-year-old Jiang Xiaozhou who performed the rites, while she and her sister were kept outside by old-fashioned relatives.
Ever since, whenever her father was mentioned, everyone would console Xu Yingxia, saying at least she had a son to carry on the family and care for her in old age.
After seeing and experiencing so much, partiality was inevitable.
But Xu Yingxia was at least aware of her bias and tried to be fair.
What her son had, she would fight for her daughters to have too.
Of all the Jiang family's granddaughters, only the two sisters finished high school.
If Xu Yingxia had an apple, she’d cut it into three equal parts; she could do without, but her daughters must have their share.
As for the countryside issue:
Her eldest daughter was among the first batch sent out, surrounded by idealistic youth, all talking big about building the nation.
Most people thought it was a good thing—help the country, earn their own rations.
They invited each other, went cheerfully together, and when Jiang Huanhuan left for the train station, the air was full of the national anthem, everyone full of hope.
But…
Reality was harsh.
City kids who’d never worked the fields found it unbearable.
They’d been gone over two years, with no word of return.
Now the countryside quota fell to the second daughter.
If her mother truly favored only her son, she could have easily ignored her, or just married her off to anyone.
Though male workers were in demand, it wasn’t impossible to marry.
The matchmaker had just offered a “prime” second-marriage candidate.
But because she cared, Xu Yingxia chose to offer her job rather than let her daughter settle for less.
The original understood, Jiang Shuangshuang understood.
Xu Yingxia would fight for her daughters, but… there was only one job, and in the end, it would fall to Jiang Xiaozhou.
Love might be partial, but it was still love.
Besides, Jiang herself wasn’t so devoted to her mother; if she couldn’t give her all, how could she expect others to do so?
The two walked toward the old Jiang house.
The old house was in the compound as well, but not the same courtyard.
That side had too many people.
Before the countryside exodus, seventeen people squeezed into five rooms—how they managed was a mystery.
With four grandchildren gone, the pressure eased.
Five rooms occupied the right wing of the compound.
As the two approached, Old Lady Wang squinted at them with displeasure, yet for some reason, unwillingly announced, “Just in time, I have good news for you.”
That she could speak of good news was rare.
Jiang Shuangshuang glanced up—was the sun rising in the west?
Old Lady Wang seemed to notice her thoughts, nearly cursing out loud, but remembering her fierce nature, she swallowed her words. “Heartless girl, after all I’ve done thinking of you. Didn’t you want a match? I happen to have a suitable candidate.”
She emphasized, “He’s a soldier in the army!”