Rebirth in the 1980s: The Spicy Wife（Chapter 3）

"Can you help me with this?"

Xià Xiǎolán stuffed the bag into Liú Fēn's arms, who was tears streaming down her face:

"Xiǎolán, how can you go out... what will happen when your father comes back..."

Liú Fēn didn't understand how things had come to this. Although her daughter hadn't been harassed, she was effectively being sent away to live alone. Kicked out of the house, a teenager, how was she supposed to survive? She wanted to ask Xiǎolán to apologize, but she was afraid of upsetting her.

"You come with me and we'll figure things out when father comes back. I can't cook, I'll starve if I'm alone!"

Xiǎolán had no intention of leaving Liú Fēn behind. Once she was gone, the Xià family would surely take advantage of Liú Fēn. She was also confident that Liú Fēn would soften and agree to leave with her.

The Xià family didn't stop Liú Fēn either, probably waiting for Xiǎolán's father, Xià Dàjūn, to return and deal with the mother and daughter—continuous heavy rain had the county worried that the river embankments in the neighboring village would be washed away, and they were recruiting able-bodied men to repair the embankments. All the men in the Xià family had gone to fix the river embankment.

Liú Fēn, who was usually indecisive, found herself holding the bag of sweet potatoes and following along in a daze.

Xiǎolán took a step outside, then turned back to grab the enamel cup filled with steamed eggs. The young grandson of the Xià family had been eyeing the steamed eggs, drooling, and was caught off guard when Xiǎolán took them, and immediately began to cry and make a fuss.

The whole house was in an uproar, with some cursing Xiǎolán and others trying to calm the child.

As soon as they stepped outside, the refreshing air hit them in the face.

Without smog, without pollution, only someone returning from 30 years in the future would know how precious clean air is. Xiǎolán suddenly felt rejuvenated.

The Xià family had caused a stir during the day, and it was unknown how many households were listening in on the drama.

Seeing Xiǎolán and her mother, those people didn't hide either, openly pointing and whispering about the two. Of course, Liú Fēn was ignored; they were mainly talking about Xiǎolán:

"Kicked out of the house?"

"Deserved it, not even sparing her brother-in-law!"

"Even rolling around naked in the hay with that good-for-nothing from the next village, the Xià family has really lost face..."

"They're both named Xià, her sister got into college, and look at her, so reckless."

"When Xià Dàjūn comes back, he'll definitely beat her to death."

"Been beaten and scolded before, but she never learns her lesson... Look at the way she walks, shaking her hips..."

Xiǎolán really wanted to beat up all these gossipy village women. That wasn't hip-shaking, it was because she was too damn hungry to walk properly! These busybodies ruined the good mood brought by the fresh air. Xiǎolán looked around at the surroundings—the beauty of the countryside? That's only enjoyable when you're materially well-off.

The rural life in '83 was only praised by the literati of "local literature."

Looking around, there were mostly mud houses, with very few red brick houses. The houses were short, the mud brick walls coated with white lime, and there were slogans painted in red paint from a decade ago.

Neither north nor south, trapped in the belly of the motherland, in the remote village of Dahe, where the winds of reform and opening had not yet blown.

The only way to break free from this environment was through education.

The path taken by Xiǎolán's cousin was the right one. Xià Zìyù was the only college student in Dahe village in the 30 years from the founding of the country to the restoration of the college entrance examination. It was easy to imagine that if Xiǎolán hadn't swapped souls, from the time Xià Zìyù got into college, the gap between Xiǎolán's life and hers would have been a huge chasm!

Even if she had been wronged by Xià Zìyù, so what?

One was an 1980s female college student, with a bright future ahead; no wonder the whole family saw her as a golden phoenix. The other was a woman with a ruined reputation, no skills, who could only marry a widower or an old bachelor in the future, unable to help the family at all.

The difference between clouds and mud.

No wonder the Xià family was pragmatic and realistic... just human nature.

For the sake of interests, the Xià family would unite and stand on the side of Xià Zǐyù. 'Xià Xiǎolán' really didn't understand until her death, it was just a matter of time before their mutual affection was made public, and she had even encouraged that man to take the college entrance exam.

She had even borrowed books from her cousin Xià Zǐyù to help him study, and personally sent him to the county to take the exam.

There was no sign of anything unusual after the exam, so how did he become Xià Zǐyù's officially public partner after the admission notice arrived?

Was it because she was not good enough for Wáng Jiànhuá?

Choosing her cousin was the right decision in the long run, a college student with a college student, a perfect match made in heaven.

But why did you still want to step on 'Xià Xiǎolán' before leaving?

How did the deadly rumors spread all over the surrounding villages? 'Xià Xiǎolán' went to look for Wáng Jiànhuá to verify, but only found Xià Zǐyù in his house. Xià Zǐyù was better at making sense than 'Xià Xiǎolán', and with a few firm but not harsh words, she made 'Xià Xiǎolán' turn around and leave.

On the way, she encountered the ruffian from the next village, who had harassed 'Xià Xiǎolán' before. This time, he was even more daring and directly tore her sleeve... Wáng Jiànhuá and Xià Zǐyù appeared together, and Wáng Jiànhuá seemed very disappointed in 'Xià Xiǎolán', not only did he not listen to her explanation, but he also directly held Xià Zǐyù's hand.

Was it the ruffian from the next village who spread the rumors? This year was a strict crackdown year, and it would take only a few minutes to have the ruffian executed!

Never mind, since she had been reborn into this body with the same name, the things that 'Xià Xiǎolán' didn't understand, she would understand, and she would fight for justice for the original owner.

By the riverbank, a dilapidated old house appeared in sight.

The fence gate was leaning, there wasn't even a lock on the door, and there were holes in the walls and roof. Liú Fēn, holding the sweet potatoes in her arms, was at a loss.

This was not a place that could shelter from the wind and rain.

"Xiǎolán, listen to your mother's advice—"

Xià Xiǎolán covered her head, "Mom, my wound hurts again!"

She cried out more and more smoothly, and as expected, Liú Fēn shifted her attention, "Did the wound split open? Let Mom take a look."

There was no lock on the door, and the room was in disarray, with only the frame of the bed left. Liú Fēn told Xià Xiǎolán to hurry up and eat the steamed eggs. The eggs would taste fishy when cold, and Xià Xiǎolán didn't want to eat alone, so she only ate half and said she was full:

"You have the rest, it will go bad if left until tomorrow."

Liú Fēn held the enamel pot, her feelings complex. Such a thing had never happened before; her daughter had hit her head and seemed to know how to be considerate.

Liú Fēn was both gratified and worried:

"Your father will be back in a couple of days."

At the mention of her husband, Liú Fēn couldn't help but shrink her shoulders, inherently afraid.