Old Sun’s heartfelt words, “I am not as skilled as you,” landed like a boulder in the hearts of everyone present, sending shockwaves rippling through the crowd.
At Red Flag Farm, Old Sun’s medical skills were widely respected. For decades, whenever a child had a fever or cough, or a man injured himself in the fields, he was the one rushing around with his medicine bag. Even people from neighboring communes came specifically to consult him. Yet today, the villagers’ lifetime-respected doctor had bowed in front of a twenty-year-old young woman and admitted he was inferior.
One aunt quietly whispered to her neighbor, “I always thought city girls were delicate, but who knew she’s so capable? Even Old Sun admits she’s better—she really has skill!” Her companion nodded vigorously, eyes full of admiration.
Chen Xiulian sat on a small stool, taking it all in. She watched her future third daughter-in-law stand there, calm and composed, then looked at Old Sun, both ashamed and respectful, and the neighbors’ expressions of shock and realization. Her heart felt like it was set on fire—hot, blazing, an unprecedented exhilaration!
She had spent the entire previous night sleepless, tossing and turning in regret and fear—because in her previous life, she had been utterly foolish. She had ignored Su Wanning, a capable daughter-in-law who could hold a family together, and instead listened to the manipulations of her ungrateful older sons, leading to a ruined family. Heaven had granted her a second chance; she would not make the same mistakes again.
From this day on, Su Wanning was Chen Xiulian’s own daughter! Anyone who laid a hand on her third daughter-in-law would face Chen Xiulian’s fury first.
Chen Xiulian knew that news of Su Wanning saving Huzi had already spread across the village. Miraculous feats spread quickly, and gossip would follow—there would be envy, whispers about “sorcery” or “witchcraft.” She could not wait for rumors to ferment; she had to take action.
A gleam flashed in Chen Xiulian’s eyes as she began crafting a full plan.
By mid-morning, the area around the village well was buzzing. It was the informal hub of gossip at Red Flag Farm. Women came with buckets and basins to fetch water, wash vegetables, or do laundry. News traveled there first, spreading from household to household like dandelion seeds carried by the wind.
Chen Xiulian timed it perfectly. Carrying an empty basket, pretending to wash vegetables, she strolled casually to the well. As soon as she arrived, several familiar women closed in around her.
“Oh, Xiulian Sister-in-law! Finally, you’ve come!” Neighbor Liu Da-nai was first to speak, clutching a washboard. “Tell us—what’s the story with your third daughter-in-law who hasn’t even officially married yet? She’s amazing! Even Old Sun admits she’s better than him!”
“Yes, yes!” Aunt Wang leaned in, eyes sparkling. “Where did she learn this? I never heard city girls could treat illnesses like that before!”
The women babbled, curiosity and excitement shining from their eyes like searchlights, all fixed on Chen Xiulian.
Exactly the effect she wanted. She feigned a mysterious sigh, frowned, and shook her head as if the story was too complicated for outsiders. Curiosity shot to its peak—several impatient women urged, “Sister-in-law Xiulian, stop teasing us! Tell us already!”
Seeing the moment was right, Chen Xiulian lowered her voice and spoke as if revealing a monumental secret:
“Ah, this… Our Wanning didn’t want anyone to talk about it. You know, the girl is kind-hearted, she hates to see anyone suffer. Last night, things got urgent, and she just used every skill she had tucked away in a moment of desperation.”
Half-truth, half-exaggeration—this boosted Su Wanning’s image while sounding reasonable. Then she went into full “narrative mode,” recounting in vivid detail how Su Wanning remained calm and saved Huzi when everyone else had lost hope.
She didn’t mention technical terms like “closed collapse” or “suspended death” that the women wouldn’t understand. Instead, she focused on the visible actions. For instance, when “transferring qi,” she gestured animatedly:
“Didn’t you see! Huzi had no breath left, and Wanning blew into his little mouth like this! But this wasn’t ordinary air—it was celestial energy! She was transferring her own life force to give the child a chance to live!”
When describing the chest compressions, she thumped her thigh:
“Then she pressed on the child’s chest, once, twice… It felt like there was a living thing under her hands! I tell you, she was restarting his heartbeat! Even when it had stopped, she could bring it back. If that isn’t divine, what is?”
Her storytelling was so vivid, spittle nearly flew. The surrounding women stared, eyes wide, occasionally gasping, “My goodness! That’s incredible!” “No wonder Old Sun admits she’s better—who else could do that?”