Just as Jiang Erzhu was gathering his courage, hurling insults with great fervor and feeling he’d finally reclaimed his proper dignity as a father-in-law, he caught sight of Shu An’s movements—and with a sharp cry, he turned and fled.
*Splash!*
Shu An ladled the rice-water soup from the table and hurled it straight at him, then snatched up a wooden bench beside her.
*Cluck-cluck-cluck—!!*
Outside, the old hen fluffed up her feathers and scurried off in utter terror.
“You heartless little wretch! Have you lost your mind? Daring to throw a bench at your own father-in-law? I’ll have my son send you packing!” Jiang Erzhu yelled as he bolted out the door, clutching his head—soaked from the rice soup.
*Whoosh—!!*
The wooden bench came flying right after him, *clattering* loudly as it hit the ground right at his feet.
Terrified, Jiang Erzhu stumbled over his own feet and *splat*—he fell flat on his face. Just then, the old hen fluttered upward, and *plop*—a glob of droppings landed squarely on his forehead, slowly trickling down.
“Damn your ancestors eighteen generations! I’ll have you chopped up and fed to the dogs when I get back!” Jiang Erzhu swiped at his forehead, felt the foul mess, and began hopping and shouting in rage.
He turned back and screamed: “You evil star! You wasteful, shrewish woman! I’ll have my second son divorce you this instant! Your entire wretched Shu family’s graves must be smoking black to have raised such a—!”
*Whizz—!!*
This time, a chipped bowl flew past his ear and *crashed* against the courtyard wall.
Jiang Erzhu had had enough. He scrambled to his feet and fled out the gate as fast as he could.
Inside the house, Shu An calmly smoothed her clothes, sat back down at the table at a leisurely pace, and turned to her mother-in-law Feng Aidi, who sat trembling in fear. “Mother, please—eat.”
Jiang Tian, the eldest son, opened his mouth to speak—only to have his wife Chen Hong pinch his thigh so hard he yelped silently. She shot him a sharp look: *Say nothing.*
One had to know one’s place in this family. Obeying the younger sister-in-law meant eating well. Siding with his father? Not even an eggshell to be had. He’d never met such a miserly man in his life.
Feng Aidi hesitated, then spoke up anyway. “Second daughter-in-law… you mustn’t treat your father that way. He is your husband’s father after all. Where is your respect? How can you be so unruly?”
*Scrape!*
Shu An pulled the only bowl of steamed egg custard toward herself, quickly spooning a portion into everyone else’s bowl, then looked at Feng Aidi. “It seems Mother isn’t hungry. If that’s the case, you may as well go start your chores early.”
“I *am* hungry! I’m eating… I’ll say no more,” Feng Aidi said quickly, her eyes lingering greedily on the custard in her grandson’s bowl. She hadn’t tasted eggs in months. If only she’d kept her mouth shut instead of standing up for that old fool.
Everyone noticed her gaze, but no one spoke.
Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei, the two young boys, ate their portions quickly—afraid Grandma would try to snatch theirs away if they hesitated.
Shu An ate slowly, glancing around the table, and mused to herself.
To think Jiang He, her husband, had been born a golden phoenix in this mountain valley. His uncle Jiang Dashu—the eldest brother—was captain of the production brigade: upright, honest, and hardworking.
Yet born to the very same parents, her father-in-law Jiang Erzhu was nothing but a skinflint and a gossip, endlessly running his mouth with nothing of substance to say.
Her mother-in-law? A bully to the weak and a coward before the strong. Forever posturing and throwing tantrums, only to shrink back into meek silence once scolded. A weathercock, turning whichever way the wind blew. Every time Shu An put Jiang Erzhu in his place, she stood by and watched for amusement. One could only wonder what sort of marriage the two of them shared.
Her eldest brother-in-law Jiang Tian was a good man—honest and diligent as an ox, but far too simple. Whatever his parents said, he did.
His wife Chen Hong was sharp and sensible. She kept her head down, but cross her children and she’d turn fierce. So far, she’d been nothing but kind to Shu An.
Her husband Jiang He was the only normal one in the bunch—likely because he’d been raised by Uncle Jiang Dashu. Years ago, Uncle Jiang and his wife were unable to have children, so they took Jiang He in to raise as their own. Only later did they have a son of their own. Jiang He was meant to be their heir—until Feng Aidi, duped by her own family, threw a fit and forced him to come back.
Then there was Jiang Yue, the youngest sister—a hopeless romantic who’d somehow married a city man. When Shu An first arrived, she’d tried throwing her weight around alongside her mother. A few lessons from Shu An had finally silenced her.
All in all: not a single worthwhile ally in this household.
After breakfast, the villagers headed out to the fields or off to town.
Shu An had been coming here for months. With her striking looks, she was hard to forget. The young woman behind the counter looked up in surprise. “Comrade… it’s you again?”
“Yes. My husband sent this month’s allowance. I’ve come to collect it.”
“Certainly. Count it and see if the amount is correct.”
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
Shu An carefully tucked the money away. With time to spare, she’d drop off a package with her cousin, then head to the supply and marketing cooperative to pick up a few things.
Then she stopped.
Her gaze fell upon a group of men standing nearby—and one among them. Her heart suddenly hammered against her ribs. She clutched at her collar, breath catching.
And then, all those memories she’d buried deep down came rushing back…
*“Shu An, say yes! Marry me, and you’ll never have to work another day. You’ll move back to the city!”*
*“Be my wife, and I’ll take good care of you. Fine food, nice clothes—everything you could ever want!”*
That hideous face, twisted with lust, lunging toward her. His hands tearing at her clothes.
*“Get off me! Touch me and I’ll report you for harassment!”*
*“Bitch! You ask for it! My father told me to be nice… fine! If you won’t do this the easy way, we’ll do it my way. After today, you’re mine—like it or not!”*
*“Help! Someone, help!”*
*Splash—!!*
Water surging over her head.
*“Help me! I can’t swim!”*
*“Ahhh—it wasn’t me! I didn’t push you! You slipped! You fell in yourself!”*
In his panic, the man had turned and fled. Her hand broke the surface one last time… then vanished beneath the water.
*Fu Xuejun.*
Shu An ground the name between her teeth.
That was him. That animal. He’d tried to force himself on the original owner of this body—and when she fought back, he’d shoved her into the river. If Jiang He hadn’t found her just in time, she’d have drowned. Even so… the fever that followed took her life.
And he’d gotten away. He’d run too fast. There were no witnesses. No evidence. Nothing anyone could do.
Now, listening to the men’s conversation nearby, a cold resolve took root in her heart.
“…so it’s settled! When the wedding’s arranged, I’ll treat you all to wine!”
“Wonderful! We’ll be there! Though… this new bride of yours—she’s not half as pretty as that girl from the Shu family, Shu An.”
“Duh! Who in our factory compound compares to her? But she’s a fool—turned down the Deputy Director’s own son! Who does she think she is?”
At the sound of her name, Fu Xuejun’s hand froze. He didn’t move until burning ash from his cigarette singed his fingers. He looked around, flustered and defensive.
“Enough! Stop talking about her! She made her choice—stubborn, ungrateful wretch. Let’s drop it. Just hearing her name brings bad luck.”
“Right, right! We’re leaving now, Brother Fu.”
“Go on then.”
Fu Xuejun watched them leave, tossed his cigarette aside, and turned toward a narrow alleyway. He’d snuck out for a stroll—and needed to avoid the main road getting back.
*Step… step… step…*
Footsteps behind him.
He paused and spun around.
Nothing. Empty street.
He let out a shaky breath. *Paranoia. Just my nerves.* He turned to keep walking.
*Step… step… step…*
No. The footsteps were real.
Who the hell was following him?
He whirled around again. Still nothing. Every hair on his neck stood on end.
He crept forward slowly, peering around the bend.
One step… two steps…
The crunch of a shoe grinding against gravel.
Shu An stood just out of sight, heart pounding—not with fear, but with the thrill of coming vengeance. Her hands tightened around what she’d brought. This was her first time doing such a thing… and she was ready.