“Here, help me carry this.”

Xia Xiaolan shoved the bag into Liu Fen’s arms.

Tears streaked her face as she whispered, “Xiaolan… how can you go out like this… what if your father comes back?”

Liu Fen didn’t understand how things had escalated this far. Her daughter hadn’t been openly mistreated, but being pushed out of the house was practically the same.

Kicked out at barely a teenager. How was she supposed to survive? Liu Fen wanted Xia Xiaolan to apologize, but she also feared provoking her further.

“Come with me. Let’s go stay elsewhere until Dad gets back. I can’t cook! If I’m alone, I’ll starve!”

Xia Xiaolan had no intention of leaving Liu Fen behind.

Once she was gone, the Xia family would surely heap abuse on her. She was counting on Liu Fen’s soft heart to relent, but she had to be firm. There was no way she was leaving without her.

The Xia family didn’t stop them either. Perhaps they were waiting for Xia Xiaolan’s father, Xia Dajun, to return and deal with the two of them. Even with the heavy rain, the county worried that the nearby riverbanks might collapse, so the men of the Xia family had gone to reinforce the levees.

Liu Fen, always indecisive, ended up following blindly, clutching the bag of sweet potatoes.

Xia Xiaolan stepped outside, then turned back to grab the enamel cup with the steamed eggs. The youngest Xia grandchild had been eyeing them hungrily and immediately began wailing when they were taken away.

Inside the house, chaos reigned. Some scolding Xia Xiaolan, others trying to calm the child.

Stepping outside, the crisp, clean air hit her face.

No smog.

No pollution.

Coming from thirty years in the future, Xia Xiaolan knew how precious this clean air was. Her spirits lifted immediately.

The ruckus had drawn attention. Who knew how many neighbors had pressed their ears to the walls? People pointed and whispered at Xia Xiaolan and her mother. Liu Fen went unnoticed, the chatter was all about Xia Xiaolan.

“Kicked out of the house, huh?”

“Tch, serves her right. Didn’t even spare her brother-in-law!”

“And rolling around with that delinquent from the next village in the haystack… what a shame for the Xia family.”

“All Xia’s daughters… hers got into university, now look at her!”

“Xia Dajun will beat her when he comes back for sure.”

“He’s beaten and scolded her before, she just doesn’t learn.”

“Look at how she walks, twisting her hips…”

Xia Xiaolan wanted to slap every gossiping village woman. Twisting her hips? She was starving and had no strength! These busybodies were ruining the joy of fresh air.

She took in her surroundings. Picturesque countryside? Only if life were affluent enough to appreciate it.

In 1983, rural villages earned their praise mainly from “local color” writers. Most houses were simple mud-brick, red-brick homes were rare. Walls were whitewashed with lime, with faded slogans painted in red from ten years past. Trapped in a remote inland province untouched by reform and open winds, this was a backwater village by the river.

Escaping this life was only possible for a select few. Her cousin Xia Ziyu’s path had been right. She was the only university student in the village since the resumption of college entrance exams.

Xia Xiaolan realized that if she hadn’t swapped with her, her life would already be worlds apart.

Even if Xia Ziyu had betrayed her, what difference did it make? One was a bright-eyed ’80s university student, a golden phoenix in the family’s eyes; the other, ruined, skillless, destined to marry a widower or old bachelor, offering nothing to the family. The contrast was stark.

No wonder the Xia family was pragmatic. People naturally align with advantage. To protect their interests, they supported Xia Ziyu without hesitation. Yet Xia Xiaolan, now inhabiting this body, understood everything they hadn’t. And she intended to set things right.

By the riverbank, the dilapidated old house came into view.

The fence leaned precariously, the door lacked even a lock, and holes riddled the walls and roof. Liu Fen hugged her bag of sweet potatoes, lost and uncertain. This was hardly a shelter from wind or rain.

“Xiaolan, listen to your mother—”

Xia Xiaolan clutched her head. “Mom, my wound’s hurting again!”

Her quick words shifted Liu Fen’s attention. “The wound reopened? Let me see.”

The door had no lock. Inside, the room was a mess... only a bed frame remained. Liu Fen urged Xia Xiaolan to finish the steamed egg. It had cooled and smelled faintly off, but Xia Xiaolan refused to eat alone, taking only half.

“I’m full. You eat the rest before it goes bad tomorrow.”

Liu Fen held the enamel cup, her heart a mix of relief and worry.

Something like this had never happened before. Her daughter had hit her head and yet seemed to understand how to care for others.

She was glad but anxious. “Your father will be back in a few days.” she muttered, shrinking slightly at the thought.

Deep down, she was still afraid.

T/N: Hi Guys!

Im only telling this because I'm already ahead in translated schedule and plenty of stock!

On February 14 — I would drop a whooping 10 chapters! Only for 3 coins each!

Of course, all 10 chapters would be unlock at the same time when its time to lift it. However, that would at least take a month or two. The 1st chapter isn't even free yet!

I would only upload 1 free chapter once a week. Since, you can buy my chapters for 1 or 2 coins right now.

If you like my translations, please support me on ko-fi!