Ever since Su Wanning saved Huzi and even made Old Sun publicly admit defeat, the threshold of the Lu family home was practically being trampled down. Every morning at first light, people would start peeking and tiptoeing around the yard; footsteps and voices never ceased, making the place as lively as a bustling market.
Visitors came non-stop. Aunt Zhang’s family was the most diligent—one day they brought a basket of freshly laid eggs, still warm; the next day, a block of brown sugar—which was precious in those times, rarely given even to their own sick children. They insisted on giving it to Su Wanning, muttering constantly, “Wanning, if it weren’t for you, Huzi would be gone. You have to accept this!”
Many came sincerely for medical help, clutching their crumpled ration coupons, timidly approaching. One elderly man brought his feverish grandson, hands shaking: “Comrade Wanning, I heard you come from the line of imperial physicians. Could you see my child? Just two ration points—you won’t think it’s too little, right?”
Others came simply to gawk, peering over the yard gate and whispering, “So this is the girl who can bring a dead child back to life?” “She’s really pretty—no wonder she’s so capable!” “Let me see—does she have three heads and six arms?” For a time, the west wing of the Lu household, where Su Wanning lived, became the busiest place in all of Red Flag Farm.
Su Wanning didn’t mind the attention and continued living her life at her own pace. For those genuinely seeking help, she carefully asked about symptoms, prescribed common herbal remedies, and insisted on a reasonable consultation fee. She knew well that free services were often taken for granted, leading to more trouble later.
Once, her second sister-in-law, Wang Qin, tried to get Su Wanning to treat her daughter’s cough for free. Su Wanning smiled: “Second sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m stingy. The fee covers the herbs I gather from the mountains. Charging a little ensures I can continue helping everyone in the future.” Wang Qin met a firm refusal and sulked away, saying no more.
Chen Xiulian, who had been reborn, observed all of this with delight, her heart sweet as honey. She saw how Su Wanning handled everyone calmly and respectfully, speaking and acting with reason and decorum—no hint of the recklessness one might expect from a twenty-year-old girl. Even the herbal remedies she prescribed—just common herbs like dandelion and honeysuckle—worked quickly, earning Chen Xiulian’s sincere admiration.
The thing that pleased her most was the change in her third son, Lu Zhanxiao. Before, after his leg injury, he had been withdrawn and silent, his eyes cold and lost, barely speaking. But in recent days, though he still spoke little, whenever he sat in the yard, his gaze would unconsciously follow Su Wanning—helping her organize herbs when she treated patients, quietly waiting by the gate when she went to fetch water. The icy look in his eyes was gone, replaced by an admiration even he hadn’t realized, and a trace of tenderness he couldn’t hide.
Chen Xiulian noticed all this and knew for certain—Su Wanning was the perfect daughter-in-law. She had skill, intelligence, and courage; she had to secure her position immediately. If someone else snatched her, there’d be no way to recover!
That evening, the atmosphere at the Lu family dinner table was far better than in previous days. With visitors constantly bringing tokens of thanks, the table for the first time was laden with golden, glistening stir-fried eggs, their aroma filling the room.
Chen Xiulian personally served, making sure most of the eggs went into Su Wanning’s and Lu Zhanxiao’s bowls, smiling: “Wanning, you’ve been working hard these days—eat more to restore your strength. Zhanxiao, your leg isn’t well either; eat up.”
Eldest daughter-in-law Li Cuifen and second daughter-in-law Wang Qin, staring at the few eggs left in their bowls, were green with envy, but no one dared to speak. Su Wanning was no longer the delicate, easily underestimated Shanghai girl; she was a formidable presence, sharp and capable, and no one wanted to incur her wrath.
After the meal, Chen Xiulian set down her chopsticks, cleared her throat, and with steady authority said, “I have something to announce to everyone.”
All heads immediately turned toward her. Lu Guoqiang and Lu Guoliang exchanged glances, unsure what their mother meant. Li Cuifen and Wang Qin perked up, curiosity shining in their eyes. Lu Zhanxiao’s hand on his chopsticks paused imperceptibly; he didn’t speak but subtly lifted his gaze toward Su Wanning, silently giving his consent.
Su Wanning felt his eyes on her, and her heart stirred slightly as she met his glance. For a brief instant, their eyes locked, like an electric current passing silently between them.
The first to break the silence was Li Cuifen, uncharacteristically putting on a wide, eager smile: “Mother is right! The marriage of our third son and third daughter-in-law is a great family celebration! It must be done properly and grandly, so the whole village knows!”
Wang Qin quickly chimed in: “Yes, yes! We can’t let the third daughter-in-law suffer! When our Lu family marries a bride, we can’t let people look down on her! Buy some fine fabric for her new clothes, and make sure there’s meat and fish at the banquet!”
The two spoke in harmony, warm and lively as if they were sisters with Su Wanning, though everyone could see the hidden calculation in their eyes.
Chen Xiulian observed quietly, not revealing that she saw through their schemes, and nodded lightly: “What you say makes sense. It should be done properly.”
Li Cuifen rolled her eyes and suddenly raised her voice in exaggerated concern: “But mother, organizing a wedding feast isn’t a small matter—everything must be handled carefully, especially the chief cook. If the food isn’t tasty, it would be a shame!”
She glanced pointedly at Su Wanning, her smile betraying her intentions: “Our third daughter-in-law is a Shanghai girl—surely she’s only ever held pens or embroidery needles, never cooked over a stove, right?”
She raised her voice further to ensure everyone could hear: “We can’t have all that effort go to waste if nobody can eat the food. That would not only be wasteful but also bring shame to our Lu family!”
Her words sounded like concern for the family, but each one was a jab at Su Wanning—mocking her urban upbringing, implying she had no right to handle her own wedding arrangements, and trying to seize control of the feast and finances for herself.
All eyes turned to Su Wanning. Even Lu Zhanxiao furrowed his brows, worried she might be upset.
But Su Wanning’s reaction was unexpected. She showed no anger, no embarrassment—only calm. She set down her chopsticks and first looked at Chen Xiulian, speaking evenly: “Mother, regarding the wedding, I’ll follow your decision. Whatever you think is best, that’s what we’ll do.”
With these words, she gave full respect to her mother-in-law, making it clear that in this household, the elder decides. Chen Xiulian was pleased, her approval of her daughter-in-law growing—she understood etiquette and knew how to navigate people.
Then Su Wanning slowly turned to Li Cuifen and Wang Qin, her tone calm, betraying no anger: “As for my own wedding, I don’t want it too extravagant, nor do I want it to trouble the family. Simple is enough. There’s no need for unnecessary complexity.”
Her words were casual but firm—my wedding, I respect mother-in-law’s decision, but neither of you gets to interfere.
Li Cuifen’s smile froze as if doused in cold water, frustration building inside—she hadn’t expected Su Wanning to defuse their provocation so skillfully, her effort landing on cotton with no effect.
Wang Qin also froze, opening her mouth to say something, but seeing Su Wanning’s calm yet resolute gaze, she swallowed her words.
Chen Xiulian watched the scene, increasingly satisfied with Su Wanning—capable, yet unprovocative; temperate, yet assertive; wise and measured. Such a daughter-in-law was truly rare and precious.