Lin Ran saw that Shen Wenfang was truly incensed this time, and she felt her own anger rising toward Wang Zhaodi. She had never expected that even though she had already agreed to go to work—and had only kindly dug up some wild vegetables and mushrooms today to add a dish to the family meal—Wang Zhaodi would still find an excuse to stir up trouble.
She looked coldly at Wang Zhaodi.
“I only call you ‘Second Sister-in-law’ for the sake of my second brother; don’t go thinking too highly of yourself.”
“Our Lin family can say with a clear conscience that we have never mistreated you. Even when you were constantly taking things from our house to supplement your maternal family, my parents didn’t reprimand you. But you? What are you doing?”
“Do you think you can do whatever you want just because my parents have good tempers? Is this how you treat your elders?”
“If you feel that the Lin family still treats you poorly, then feel free to leave. I believe that without you, my second brother can find a better wife. It would also save you from complaining in our house all day and making my parents angry!”
Wang Zhaodi was furious, pointing at Lin Ran and cursing loudly.
“Lin Ran, what do you mean by that? You actually dare to drive me away? You’re even inciting your second brother to divorce me? What kind of younger sister-in-law are you, unable to stand seeing your brother and his wife happy? What kind of thing are you? It’s not your turn to speak in this Lin family!”
“If you make my parents angry, then it has everything to do with me!” Lin Ran was not intimidated in the least.
“Fine, Lin Ran! You’ve finally shown your true colors! You’re just a homewrecker, bent on stirring us into pieces so you can have the final say in this house, isn’t that right!”
“Shut up! Wang Zhaodi, keep your mouth clean. Who gave you permission to talk about our Ranran like that? Do you believe me when I say I’ll have the Second Son divorce you right now?”
Hearing Wang Zhaodi slander Lin Ran so viciously, Shen Wenfang was completely chilled to the heart. She truly didn’t want this daughter-in-law anymore. Right now, while the two of them were still healthy, Wang Zhaodi already dared to treat Ranran like this. When they grew old and could no longer move, wouldn’t Ranran be at her mercy? Would she even dare return to her maternal home then?
Wang Zhaodi looked on in disbelief. She hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to indulge Lin Ran so limitlessly. Just now, it was clearly Lin Ran who had spoken out of line—what kind of sister-in-law encourages a divorce? Feeling wronged, she could only turn her gaze to the head of the household, Lin Weiguo, hoping her father-in-law would speak a word of justice.
But in the next second, she met her father-in-law’s disappointed gaze. Wang Zhaodi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Could it be that even her father-in-law was being unreasonable for the sake of Lin Ran?
Wang Zhaodi truly felt like crying now. She nudged Lin Lao’er, who had been sitting with his head down and hadn’t said a word, with her elbow.
“Lin Lao’er, say something! Are you just going to watch your mother and sister talk to me like this? Or are you going to listen to them and divorce me too?”
But the words she heard next made Wang Zhaodi think for a moment that she was hallucinating.
“Go back to your mother’s house and stay for a few days.”
After a long pause, Lin Lao’er finally looked up, but the words that came out of his mouth made Wang Zhaodi collapse even further.
“What did you say? Lin Lao’er! Say that again if you have the guts! You’re actually driving me back to my mother’s house?”
Lin Lao’er scratched his head in frustration.
“You staying at home just means looking for trouble all day. I’m really tired when I come back from work every day; I just want to rest after I’m done. But you never stop. Since you feel our family treats you poorly, then go stay at your mother’s house. And didn’t you want to dig wild vegetables? Once you’re back at your mother’s, you can dig them every day, and my mother won’t be able to nag you.”
“Lin Lao’er, are those words even human! I must have been blind to ever take a liking to you!”
Lin Lao’er finally looked up at Wang Zhaodi, a trace of hurt in his eyes.
“Back then, wasn’t it you who approached me first? You said you liked me, and you said how hard-working you were and that you could do any kind of work. That was why I asked my mother to send a matchmaker to your house to propose. As it turns out, everything you said was a lie. Ever since you married into our family, not a single day has passed without you causing a scene. I’m the one who feels like I was tricked!”
Everyone: “…”
Lin Ran: “…”
Well, the mystery was finally solved! They had all wondered why Lin Lao’er had suddenly taken a liking to the plain-looking Wang Zhaodi; it turned out he had been hoodwinked.
For the reborn Wang Zhaodi, this matter was from too long ago. She froze for a good while before remembering that back then, in order to escape the Wang family using her to sell for a bride price, she had indeed proactively sought out Lin Lao’er, whose circumstances were decent. At the time, to make him willing to marry her, she had nearly praised herself into a flower.
Having her secrets exposed publicly by Lin Lao’er, Wang Zhaodi’s defenses finally broke. She couldn’t stay a second longer; with a loud wail, she ran away crying.
The rest of the family was left looking at one another. Finally, Lin Lao’san asked what was on everyone’s mind.
“Second Brother, you’re way too easy to fool, aren’t you? You just believe whatever people say?”
Lin Lao’er’s face turned bright red. How was he to know that Wang Zhaodi would change so fast after the wedding?
Seeing everyone at the table staring at Lin Lao’er, Shen Wenfang couldn’t bear it and rescued him from the hot seat.
“Alright, alright. If you’re done eating, help clear the dishes. Stop all this useless chatter!”
That night, after Lin Ran finished washing up and went to bed, she waited until she was sure everyone in the house was asleep before entering her Space.
By now, she had already pushed Wang Zhaodi to the back of her mind. Her thoughts were entirely focused on the 21st-century history books she had found yesterday. She brewed herself a pot of tea and then sat down in the study of the bamboo house to read.
She first found the dynasty from her previous life. When she saw that the dynasty had been overthrown a hundred years later, she felt a wave of sighs and emotions. That was the era she had actually lived in; she hadn’t expected it to be summarized in just a few brief sentences.
Lin Ran quickly adjusted her mindset and continued reading. After that, she read much faster. Her main goal was to understand the future direction of history; the affairs of previous dynasties were already in the past, so a brief understanding was enough.
Although Lin Ran read very quickly, there were simply too many history books. Eventually, she skipped ahead and only searched for modern history. Fortunately, she finally found it.
Starting from the founding of the People’s Republic of China, she read carefully, word by word. From the land reforms to the “Ten Years of Catastrophe.” Lin Ran made a heavy mark on the date October 1976. That was the day the Ten Years of Catastrophe ended; she had to remember it.
When she saw the resumption of the College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) in September 1977, Lin Ran’s heart instantly surged. She knew that a university was a higher institution of learning in this era, much like the Imperial Academy of her previous life—a place where talents were cultivated for the nation.
Thinking that she also had the chance to enter the “Imperial Academy” to study, and that after graduation she could shine for the country and realize her self-worth, Lin Ran was so excited she couldn’t contain herself.
But then, thinking of how she couldn’t even understand many of the textbook concepts the original owner of her body had studied, Lin Ran instantly deflated. She didn’t know any of that knowledge—could she still pass the exam and get into university?
However, she soon regulated her emotions. It was only 1974 now; she still had three years to prepare. In her previous life, while studying at her family’s private school, the tutor had praised her for being bright and studious. She didn’t believe she couldn’t master the textbook knowledge of this era.
Having established her goal, Lin Ran continued reading. When she saw the country later implement economic reforms and the subsequent flourishing of society—especially seeing the progress of human civilization—she felt the blood throughout her body boiling.
She suddenly felt incredibly honored. An ancient person coming to a modern society, witnessing the development of historical civilization; in the future, she might even see an even more advanced society. Don’t humans work tirelessly throughout their lives just to promote the development of themselves and society?
That night, Lin Ran slept more peacefully than ever before. Even after waking up the next day, her mood remained excellent—a type of confidence born from having the future firmly within her grasp.
However, this good mood did not last for long.