Not long after the pomp of Army Day had passed, Xu Zhaozhao realized that Wang Guifen’s silence was not submission—it was a quiet preparation for a more sinister retaliation.
That morning, Xu Zhaozhao went to the kitchen as usual to prepare breakfast, only to find the rice jar nearly empty, and the food cabinet locked—with a brand-new brass padlock.
Her heart sank. She checked the usual corner for oil and salt. Sure enough—the oil bottle was empty, the salt jar almost gone. Even the little millet and eggs she had stored in her own room had disappeared!
No doubt, Wang Guifen had snuck into her room yesterday while she went to the service store and taken them!
A surge of anger shot to her head. That old witch—how dare she resort to starving her!
Suppressing her fury, she walked to the door of the west wing and knocked:
“Mother-in-law, the rice jar is empty and the cabinet is locked. How am I supposed to make breakfast?”
From inside came Wang Guifen’s nonchalant reply:
“Rice? Where would there be rice? The house’s grain reserves are long gone! Zhengzi’s allowance hasn’t arrived this month yet; a clever wife can’t cook without rice—I can’t help it!”
Xu Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh angrily:
“No rice? I saw the delivery truck from the service store yesterday; several families in the compound bought grain. Chen Zheng’s allowance comes mid-month—this isn’t even the end of the month yet. What about last month’s money?”
“Last month’s money?” Wang Guifen flung the door open, hands on hips, her face twisted in reckless arrogance.
“It’s all spent! No household expenses? No social obligations? You’re so precious, wanting fine food every day—how far do you think that money would go?”
Li Xiuhua squeezed into the doorway to back her up:
“Exactly! Sister-in-law, don’t stand there talking like it doesn’t hurt! Managing a household isn’t easy! And here you are, buying meat, buying eggs—money flows like water, and now you blame our mother?”
Xu Zhaozhao watched the mother-daughter duo work in perfect unison, realizing they were determined to starve her. She was nearly five months pregnant—right at the time when nutrition was critical. Starving her meant endangering both her life and the lives of her six unborn children!
“Mother-in-law,” Xu Zhaozhao’s voice turned cold, “you’ve heard the doctor. I’m carrying six babies. Malnutrition could be disastrous! Are you trying to kill me and Chen Zheng’s children?”
“Don’t scare me with your kids!” Wang Guifen’s eyes slitted in anger.
“What kind of pregnant woman is as delicate as you? No rice means no rice—skipping a meal or two won’t kill you! If you’re capable, go get something to eat yourself!”
With that, she slammed the door, the bolt sliding into place with a click.
Xu Zhaozhao stood in the cold kitchen, staring at the empty rice jar and the locked cabinet, her chest heaving violently. For the first time since crossing over, she felt such intense helplessness and rage. To have her lifeline controlled like this was suffocating!
【I’m so mad! That old witch is evil!】
【This is attempted murder! Barefaced murder!】
【Streamer, go tell Director Liu! Report her abuse!】
【Yes, you can’t just endure this!】
The comments exploded with indignation.
Xu Zhaozhao took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.
Complain? Of course she would—but if she went immediately, Wang Guifen could easily claim the household genuinely had no grain or money, only temporary hardship.
Even if Director Liu scolded her, he couldn’t magically produce grain on the spot.
Moreover, openly confronting them would be dangerous—one pregnant woman against Wang Guifen, who had lost all scruples, could be easily caught off guard.
She needed a more reliable plan.
Suppressing hunger and anger, Xu Zhaozhao returned to the east wing and drank a large bowl of cold water to temporarily soothe the emptiness in her stomach. Sitting on the kang edge, she quickly thought things through.
Money—she still had a little hidden, but it was her last safeguard and couldn’t be used lightly. The immediate priority was getting today’s food.
She thought of the neighbors she had helped before. But going to them directly to ask would hurt her pride and make her seem weak.
Her gaze fell on the small clothes in the corner she had made but not yet delivered—some for Mrs. Sun, some for Aunt Zhang…
An idea sparked.
She picked up the clothes and the remaining few pieces of candy, wrapped them carefully, and went out.
First, she went to Mrs. Sun’s house. Her husband was a company instructor, so they were relatively well-off.
“Mrs. Sun, are you home?” Xu Zhaozhao knocked.
Mrs. Sun opened the door, surprised. “Zhaozhao? Come in quickly! What’s wrong? You look so pale.”
Xu Zhaozhao stayed at the door, handing over the small clothes and candy, her face showing just the right mix of embarrassment and helplessness:
“Sister-in-law, the little clothes for the children are ready, and a few candies too—something sweet for them.”
Mrs. Sun took them in, immediately noticing Xu Zhaozhao’s pale complexion and uneven breathing. Recalling rumors she had overheard about Wang Guifen cutting off food, she understood about seventy to eighty percent of the situation.
She grabbed Xu Zhaozhao’s hand, full of concern:
“Zhaozhao, you haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? Don’t be polite with me! Come in—the pot has porridge!”
Xu Zhaozhao shook her head, voice choking but resolute:
“No, sister-in-law, thank you. I… Mother-in-law says there’s no food at home. I… I wanted to exchange these two little clothes with you for some coarse grain, anything to fill my stomach…”
She lowered her head, tears brimming but stubbornly not falling.
This display tugged at the heart far more than simple crying would have.
Mrs. Sun’s anger flared:
“Wang Guifen really dares?! This is life-threatening!”
She pulled Xu Zhaozhao inside without argument, filling a small bag with corn grits, a few cornbread buns, and a plate of pickles.
“Take this and eat! Don’t fear her! I’ll talk to Director Liu right away!”
Xu Zhaozhao gratefully accepted.
Following the same approach, she went to Aunt Zhang’s house, exchanging another piece of small clothing and candy for a small bag of dried sweet potatoes and a few eggs.
Holding the “traded” food, Xu Zhaozhao felt a flood of emotions.
It wasn’t enough to last long, but it solved the immediate crisis.
More importantly, this method preserved her dignity, cleverly exposed Wang Guifen’s malicious starvation, and earned her practical sympathy and support.
Sure enough, before noon, Director Liu arrived at the house, stern-faced, and directly knocked on Wang Guifen’s door.
Xu Zhaozhao, in the east wing, listened to Director Liu’s uncompromising scolding and Wang Guifen’s stammering excuses, a cold smile forming in her heart.
This time, she had not lost. But she knew Wang Guifen would harbor even more resentment now, and her methods would only grow sneakier and more vicious.
That evening, by the dim light of the kerosene lamp, Xu Zhaozhao picked up her pen to write another letter to Chen Zheng.
This time, her tone was no longer calm—subtle hints of worry and barely perceptible grievance seeped through her words.
She wrote:
“…Mother, perhaps due to tight household expenses, has been feeding me rather simply these past days. My body grows heavier by the day; I often feel hungry and dizzy, which worries me greatly. I fear neglecting the children in my womb, failing your instructions. I hear the border missions are arduous; please take care of yourself and do not worry about family matters…”
She did not outright complain or accuse, but placed herself in a position of concern for her children and consideration for her husband, casually revealing her predicament.
She believed that as long as Chen Zheng had even a shred of responsibility, he would not remain indifferent after reading this.
Sealing the letter, Xu Zhaozhao stroked her belly, feeling the children stir, her gaze slowly turning cold and resolute.
Wang Guifen, do you think starving me will control me?