Lu Xiuxiu looped her arm through Lu Zhangshi’s and walked her back into the house.
“Grandma, you’re so worked up. Go rest at home for a bit. Big Uncle and his wife will be back for dinner soon.”
Lu Zhangshi was slightly impatient. What use was it if the eldest couple came back? That little brat Xu Nian’an had been spoiled by them from the start.
At first, when Shoujie married into their family, she had been quite pleased. She had thought that since Xu Nian’an’s father was a deputy factory director, the whole family would have secure jobs.
But as it turned out, Shoujie refused, saying this was a state-run factory, not theirs.
Really, it was just stinginess. A job like that could have been secured with just a word from Xu Nian’an’s dad.
If they didn’t want the marriage, fine. The eldest was useless anyway. Despite years of knowing the Xu family and sending them gifts to the city every year, he hadn’t even managed to find a job for himself, let alone allow the family to ask for one.
If it weren’t for the eldest having already shut down any discussion with the Xu family, her precious eldest grandson Lu Chengjia wouldn’t have had to run into town every day.
In recent years, educated youth returning to the cities found it hard to get work—let alone rural people without connections like them.
And the old man, at his age, still working in the fields, leaving her alone at home to endure the scolding.
Lu Zhangshi silently cursed everyone in her heart, then noticed Lu Xiuxiu was still nearby.
Even more impatient, she raised her hand and slapped Lu Xiuxiu.
“Are you some pampered lady about to give birth? The house is busy, and you still laze around at home. If you were diligent, would I be accused of favoritism? Since you’re so filial, why don’t you go to the fields and replace your grandfather! Lazy to the extreme—dung beetles work harder than you!”
Lu Xiuxiu, eyes red, covered her face and ran off.
She didn’t head to the fields but to the back of the hill. She needed a place to cool off and planned to ask her mother for some money. Even without the jade pendant, she had to figure out a way to make her own money first.
Only by having her own money could she assert herself in this household without doing work.
Besides, this was the golden era!
Old Man Lu didn’t manage the household; Lu Zhangshi called all the shots. She favored the second branch—but the favorites were her dad, brother, and younger brother.
She and her mother were treated as punching bags—though better than the first branch.
Lu Xiuxiu had long been used to a pampered life. She didn’t remember how to transplant early rice, and even if she did, she wouldn’t bother. She had big plans ahead.
That’s right—she had been reborn.
Last life, Xu Nian’an drowned, and her jade pendant had been hidden by Lu Xiuxiu.
Later, by accident, she dripped blood on it and discovered it had a portable space.
Using this, she first made money through small trade. With her first profits, she went into business and earned more wealth than she could ever spend in a lifetime.
Unfortunately, she only got to enjoy it a few years before being stabbed to death by a worker demanding wages.
Back in this life, she felt like fate was helping her. She already knew what would happen, and she was determined to live better than last time!
A few days ago, eager to get the jade pendant early, she offered 200 yuan for it.
She knew the pendant in her hands was worth much more than in Xu Nian’an’s.
Getting it even a day earlier meant she could start making money sooner!
But Xu Nian’an refused and even mocked her. Lu Xiuxiu, used to power and status, could not tolerate being insulted by a girl who had died young.
Looking at the river nearby, she thought—Xu Nian’an would want it eventually anyway. She might as well help herself in advance; it wouldn’t be murder.
Until last night, everything had gone as in her previous life. Last time, Xu Nian’an was rescued but got a fever and nearly died.
Was it the butterfly effect that saved her this time?
Angry, Lu Xiuxiu kicked a nearby tree. She should have snatched the jade pendant from the water yesterday.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhangshi, wailing in rage, had gone into her room.
She had decided that if the eldest couple didn’t scold Xu Nian’an today, she wouldn’t come out for dinner. Turning over in bed, she faced away from the door.
Cao Yanhua frowned. She had lived with this younger sister-in-law long enough to understand her. If treated gently, she was easy to manage.
Though a bit spoiled, it was understandable—her family had treated her well.
When she married in, the city had gifted her a large house filled with valuables.
She had given up city life to live in the countryside—they knew she was filial.
Thinking of the cans of malted milk powder in her room, Cao Yanhua silently added: Xu Nian’an was a generous and filial child.
“An’an, you said Lu Xiuxiu pushed you into the water?”
Seeing the concern in her eyes, Xu Nian’an felt slightly guilty. Though the original Xu Nian’an had a bad temper, she usually just sulked quietly, unlike herself, who had argued openly with elders.
This sister-in-law could be trusted. She hadn’t scolded her, and when Lu Zhangshi tried to strike, she had stood up to protect her despite her pregnancy.
After the argument, she even asked about what happened with the push.
Confirmed—she was on their side!
Recalling yesterday, Xu Nian’an remembered that the original version couldn’t swim. She had been fine, standing on the shore, arguing with Lu Xiuxiu.
But she wasn’t the type to act violently. Right before going into the water, she recalled being pushed. Once in the water, she panicked and forgot the details.
Xu Nian’an straightened and said confidently: “Yes! She pushed me into the water! I was playing by the shore, and she wanted to buy my jade pendant. I told her it was an heirloom, and she pushed me in. I think she wanted to kill me and take it!”
Xu Nian’an’s few words left Cao Yanhua pale.
No wonder she had been so angry this morning—she had suffered a lot.
Her face, already thin, looked even more fragile after yesterday’s soaking and fever. She seemed pitifully delicate.
Her uncle had promised to take care of her but hadn’t kept watch, and now she had been harmed. Maternal Cao Yanhua felt even more guilty, gripping Xu Nian’an’s hand.
“From now on, stay with me. Keep away from Lu Xiuxiu. When your parents arrive, tell them what happened.”
She couldn’t believe Lu Xiuxiu would risk murder over a jade pendant.
She quickly added: “Put away your valuables. Don’t wear them in the countryside. If your relatives are like this, strangers—no, don’t go near the river. If you must, take Xiulian with you—she’s a good swimmer.”
Xu Nian’an leaned on Cao Yanhua’s shoulder, acting spoiled.
She was taller than Cao Yanhua, so it didn’t look awkward—just cute.
“I knew my sister-in-law was the best,” she said.
In her heart, Xu Nian’an cursed Lu Xiuxiu a hundred times and pulled out her little grudge notebook, writing Lu Xiuxiu’s name on the first page.
She loved keeping grudges. In her last life, she had filled this notebook with names—but those things were behind her now.
Of course, no one had dared treat her like this before.
“Let’s go. It’s hot outside. Come to my room; I’ll make you some malted milk.”
Cao Yanhua said as she led Xu Nian’an toward her room.