Chapter 110

He was still his own son, after all. Being treated with such disdain, Li Dazhuang felt his pride take a hit. Scowling, he tried to scare the little one a bit.

An An was still very young and couldn’t even make out the face of the person in front of him, but he could clearly sense the man’s intention to frighten him.

With a twist of his head, he buried his face in Grandma’s arms, letting out a soft whimper without saying a word.

Granny Li gently patted his back and shot Li Dazhuang a helpless glare.

Just a few days ago, she’d thought this rascal had finally matured—knew how to care for others and help support the family. But now, it seemed he was still the same as ever.

“Ma, that little brat actually glared at me just now!”

Li Dazhuang swore to the heavens—he really saw the kid glare at him! Granny Li glanced down at the tiny grandson in her arms, then looked at her son’s serious expression and waved him away.

“Go on, get out of here. A baby this small glaring at someone? If you’re going to make things up, at least make it believable.”

Granted, Li Dazhuang had made up stories to fool his mother before, but this time he was telling the truth.

Not only had he seen the brat glare at him, he could even feel the kid’s disdain for his own father!

Before the official start of Spring Plowing, most people in the production team had plenty of free time and busied themselves with small chores around the house.

Li Dazhuang liked to wander around the village during these times, eavesdropping on gossip to bring back and share with his mother.

Most folks in the village were hardworking. After all, this was a time when slacking off could mean going hungry. A loafer like Li Dazhuang, who could still manage to half-fill his belly, was one of a kind.

Many villagers would go out of their way to avoid him when they saw him coming—no one wanted to be associated with someone like that.

But Li Dazhuang acted like he didn’t notice their disdain. Wherever there was a crowd, he’d squeeze in, ears perked for any juicy gossip to take home.

Some people, curious and fond of a good spectacle, couldn’t help but ask him about the sheep he’d brought home.

“How’d you manage to catch that sheep?”

There weren’t many wild animals in the mountains near their production team. The hunter who lived there had lost an eye in an accident while hunting, and many villagers were afraid of him.

Back then, Li Dazhuang had stumbled into a bit of luck and made some quick money. When he saw the hunter lying in his house, nearly burning to death, he’d carried the man to the doctor.

After saving his life, the hunter, in gratitude, taught Li Dazhuang the skills he used to make a living.

The villagers hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but once they saw Li Dazhuang leading a sheep home, envy began to stir.

“When I went up the mountain, the sheep just started following me. I couldn’t shake it off, so I brought it back. What can I say? We were destined to meet.”

The person who’d asked didn’t say another word after hearing that, clearly unconvinced. He picked up his things and went home.

Li Dazhuang shrugged helplessly. Seriously, no one believes the truth anymore.

After wandering around the village for a while, the sky began to darken. Only then did Li Dazhuang head home. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by his sister-in-law’s nagging.

He pretended not to hear a thing and slipped off to the back.

An An was still cradled in his mother’s arms, and she was feeding him sheep milk spoon by spoon.

When Granny Li saw Li Dazhuang walk in, her expression soured. After An An had his fill, she stood up with him in her arms and blocked her son’s path with a cold glare.

“Stay right there!”

“Ma, what’s wrong? Tired from holding the little brat? I can take him for a bit.”

Granny Li gave him a hard kick. Hearing her beloved youngest son cry out in pain, she didn’t feel the least bit sorry. Instead, she lowered her voice and scolded:

“You’re a grown man now, even have a kid of your own. Your big brother’s two sons already know to go out and gather grass to feed the sheep. And you?”

Li Dazhuang had always been lazy. Changing that was easier said than done. Scratching his head with an innocent look, he asked:

“Then Ma, how about I take the sheep out to graze tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, you’re going with your father and big brother to help clear the riverbed!”

Clearing the riverbed was grueling work. During the off-season, it earned a few Work Points, but it was so exhausting and paid so little that only the poorest families in the production team were willing to do it.

The Li family wasn’t the poorest, but with a freeloader like Li Dazhuang around, they weren’t far off.

“Ma, please have mercy. What if I end up needing to be carried home?”

“If that happens, I’ll take care of you. But as long as you’re still breathing, you’re going.”

Granny Li had heard enough of her daughter-in-law’s sarcastic remarks. She knew things couldn’t go on like this. If they did, the family would fall apart sooner or later.

Once she and her husband were gone, if her youngest son had completely alienated his sister-in-law, there was no telling if she’d let her grandson starve to death out of spite.

So she couldn’t let him keep living like this.

She knew her youngest son well—he was deathly afraid of pain. No matter what, he wouldn’t hurt himself just to get out of work.

“Fine…”

In the end, Li Dazhuang reluctantly agreed. He’d thought he could slack off until Spring Plowing began, but it looked like he’d have to start a few days early.

“Ma, then can I get an extra sweet potato at each meal?”

How was he supposed to do heavy labor on half a stomach of water? Li Dazhuang knew he couldn’t.

“I’ll talk it over with your sister-in-law tonight.”

In the kitchen, Sister-in-law Li opened the window and glanced at her towering brother-in-law standing in the courtyard. Her face cold, she said:

“Fine. As long as you actually go to work, I’ll make extra food for you every meal.”

Everyone wanted a full belly. She didn’t mind, as long as he did what he said and went to work.

Her husband earned enough Work Points to support their whole family. Now, during the rare downtime, he still had to go clear the riverbed because his grown brother wouldn’t pull his weight.

She saw the blood blisters on his feet every night and felt heartache.

If her brother-in-law went and experienced that kind of hardship himself, she’d have no complaints.

“Great, then I’ll thank you in advance, Sister-in-law.”

Li Dazhuang had never done riverbed work before, but he’d heard people in the village say it was backbreaking.

He hadn’t experienced it firsthand, so he was still basking in the joy of getting an extra sweet potato at every meal.

Granny Li saw through his thoughts but didn’t say anything. She just coaxed An An to sleep.

Before, she’d thought: let’s raise the child for as long as we can, no expectations of truly keeping him alive—just enough so that her youngest son wouldn’t feel too guilty later.

But now, Granny Li was starting to believe the child might actually survive.

He drank plenty of sheep milk at every meal, played a bit before sleeping, and even whimpered when his diaper needed changing—smarter than her son had been at that age.

Once An An was asleep, they finally sat down for dinner.

At the table, Granny Li told the family that her youngest son would be joining them to clear the riverbed the next day.

Grandpa Li paused mid-sip of his porridge, glanced at his wife, and said slowly:

“Dazhuang’s never done that kind of work before. Maybe we should forget it. Spring Plowing is just around the corner—there’ll be plenty to do then.”

Sister-in-law Li grew anxious when she heard that. She was afraid her mother-in-law, who had finally made up her mind, would change it because of her father-in-law’s words.

She nudged her husband with her elbow, hoping he’d speak up and help persuade their parents.

Elder Brother Li put down his bowl after the nudge, gave his mother a sheepish smile, and said:

“Ma, I think Dad has a point. Dazhuang’s never done this kind of hard labor. If we make him go clear the riverbed, he might not even be able to stand afterward.”

Li Dazhuang didn’t dare say a word. He had agreed to go, but if he could stay home and just wander around the village, who’d want to suffer through that kind of work?

“No. Absolutely not this time!”

Granny Li was firm. Neither her husband nor eldest son could sway her.

“Spring Plowing is coming up. Dazhuang hasn’t done much work before, so let him get used to it now. Otherwise, he’ll collapse when the real work starts.”

She was the one who ran the household. With her tone so resolute, even if Grandpa Li and Elder Brother Li disagreed, they didn’t dare argue.

And just like that, it was settled—Li Dazhuang would go clear the riverbed with his father and brother.

The next morning, before he was even fully awake, Li Dazhuang was dragged out of bed by the ear. Grandpa Li and Elder Brother Li were already waiting in the courtyard.

Extra Work Points like these weren’t easy to earn.

The team leader would come by in the evening to inspect. If the work wasn’t up to standard, the day’s points would be halved.

So even though it was a rare chance to earn more, few people in the production team were willing to do it.

On the way, Grandpa Li explained the ropes to Li Dazhuang. He hadn’t wanted his youngest to suffer, especially since the boy had never endured hardship before. But last night, his wife had spoken to him under the covers.

She said they could take care of Dazhuang for now, but what about when they got old?

Given how much their daughter-in-law resented Dazhuang, there was no way she’d let her husband help him later.

So Dazhuang had to stand on his own two feet.

If he stopped being lazy, maybe his sister-in-law would see him in a better light and be willing to lend a hand in the future.

Li Dazhuang, still groggy, yawned nonstop as he carried his hoe. He couldn’t help it.

Seeing his son in such a sorry state, Grandpa Li found himself more irritated than usual after last night’s talk.

“When we get there, don’t act like this. If they don’t want you around, don’t expect to eat a single grain of rice before Spring Plowing!”

“Got it, Dad.”

Li Dazhuang forced himself to stand up straight. He’d never seen a father so ruthless to his own son.

No work, no food? Was he supposed to starve?

Though lazy, Li Dazhuang had always had an inexplicable confidence in himself.

He believed he wasn’t useless—he just hadn’t wanted to work yet.

If he did, there wouldn’t be many in the village who could match him.

This time was no different. Once they arrived, he was eager to show off and prove to his father just how capable his youngest son was.

Grandpa Li had more endurance and could work harder, but he wasn’t much of a talker. So he left the teaching to his eldest son.

Elder Brother Li patiently explained how to dig the riverbed. At first, Li Dazhuang paid attention, but before long, his mind drifted, and all he could think about was how sleepy he was.

“Big Bro, can I go home and take a nap first?”

Seeing his brother about to fall asleep on his feet, Elder Brother Li felt a twinge of sympathy. But remembering what their parents had said, he held his tongue.

He’d always been good at reading people. Based on their parents’ words, if Dazhuang dared slack off, he really wouldn’t get fed.

“Dazhuang, if you go home now, you might not get to eat later.”

Weighing hunger against exhaustion, Li Dazhuang sighed and gripped his hoe.

“Alright, I’ll keep at it.”

“Dazhuang, it’s not hard. Once we finish this section, we can go home.”

“Okay.”

At first, Li Dazhuang followed his brother’s instructions. But before long, he was completely worn out. His palms felt like they were blistering, burning with pain.

His arms and wrists were so sore they barely felt like his own. Panting, he asked:

“Big Bro, don’t you get tired doing this every day?”

Elder Brother Li looked at his brother, who was panting like a stray dog in the summer heat, and chuckled. Straightening up, he rested a bit before replying:

“Not really. The first couple of days were rough, but after that, you get used to it.”

Li Dazhuang felt like he was dying after just a short while, and he was supposed to get used to this?

“Can I stop, Bro? Go ask Ma and Dad for mercy.”

As he spoke, he suddenly realized his palm had blistered and the skin had broken. He held it out, playing pitiful.

“Look, Bro, my hand’s all torn up.”

Elder Brother Li examined it closely. Sure enough, a small patch of skin had peeled off. If he kept working like this, the pain would be unbearable.

“Dad, Dazhuang’s hand is blistered. Maybe he should go home and rest until it heals?”

Given how much Grandpa Li doted on his youngest son, he would’ve agreed without hesitation in the past.

But this time was different. He walked over, took one look, and smacked his son hard.

“A little scratch like that? If you’d waited any longer to show me, it’d be healed already! Your mother made it clear—unless you’re missing a limb, you’re staying here and working!”

Realizing he had no way out, Li Dazhuang resigned himself to his fate. With a sigh, he got back to work.

But whenever he touched the spot where the wound was, he couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. The hissing sound made Elder Brother Li feel a pang in his heart, so he silently sped up his own work.

He figured the faster he worked, the less his little brother would have to do.

To make it easier for them to work longer hours, lunch was usually delivered by the children at home.

After a long morning of hard labor, Li Dazhuang finally got a chance to rest. He plopped down on the soft grass and opened his lunch bowl. Compared to his father’s and elder brother’s, his portion had one extra sweet potato.

It wasn’t a big one, but given how things were at home, Li Dazhuang was more than satisfied.

After being stored for so long, the sweet potato had become incredibly sweet. It felt less like lunch and more like a little treat.

After lunch, Grandpa Li and Elder Brother Li barely took a break before getting right back to work. Li Dazhuang felt too embarrassed to just sit around watching, so he picked up his tools and followed along.

He really was exhausted. By the afternoon, his back was so sore he couldn’t straighten up, and his movements had slowed considerably.

“Big Brother, how do you guys do this every day? How do you keep going?”

Li Dazhuang kept talking as he worked, as if chatting could help distract him from the discomfort in his body.

“If we don’t work, our wives and mother will starve.”

Elder Brother Li wasn’t one for overthinking. Of course he was tired too, but he knew that if he didn’t push through, they wouldn’t even have coarse grains to eat.

When you compare it to the feeling of going hungry, a bit of hardship isn’t so bad.

Li Dazhuang suddenly remembered how his wife used to whisper in the middle of the night that she was too hungry to sleep, and how his son, Xiao An’an, would smack his lips after drinking milk, still wanting more.

After that, Li Dazhuang stopped asking strange questions. He ignored the pain in his hands and threw himself into the work.

Finally, when it was time to clock out, the team leader had the record keeper come over to check their work. Once it was confirmed that everything was in order, they were awarded their Work Points.

On the way home, Li Dazhuang didn’t say a single word.

Grandpa Li and Elder Brother Li were both rough around the edges and didn’t notice that he was lost in thought. They just assumed he was tired and didn’t feel like talking.

When they got home, Li Dazhuang put down his things and went to check on his son.

At this age, babies changed day by day. As long as he was fed and not left hungry, his wrinkled little face was already starting to look much fairer.

He already had delicate features, and now with his skin lightening, he looked just like one of those celestial children painted on New Year posters.

Dinner was being prepared by Sister-in-law Li, while Granny Li was still sewing clothes for An’an. After a long day of work, Grandpa Li sat on the steps watching the sunset.

“So? Did the boy complain about wanting to come home today?”

Granny Li whispered the question. She had been worried that Dazhuang would quit halfway and run off somewhere else.

“No, he worked all day without a fuss. Even with his hands blistered, he kept going. After what happened, the youngest has really grown up.”

Grandpa Li felt a bit emotional as he said this. If he had a choice, he would never have wanted his son to grow up because of something like that.

“Well, he’s not alone anymore. He’s got Xiao An’an to raise.”

Granny Li bit off the thread and gave the clothes a shake, quite pleased with her handiwork.

They had to take advantage of these few days to make a few outfits for An’an. Once spring plowing started, the only ones who could afford to stay idle at home would be the two little ones.

When Grandpa Li heard his wife’s words, he gave a soft “mm.” A moment later, his eyes lit up and he turned to Granny Li, barely able to contain his excitement.

“So you mean… the child will survive?”

When they first saw the baby—barely bigger than a kitten, without a mother to nurse him—the whole family had prepared themselves for the worst.

Grandpa Li had even thought, if the child didn’t make it, they’d bury him beside his mother. That way, even in the afterlife, mother and son could look after each other.

“He’ll live. He’s got strength in him.”

“That’s great. Strong is good.”

The wrinkles etched into Grandpa Li’s face from years of hardship deepened as he smiled.

It wasn’t a pretty sight, but the joy in his weathered eyes was plain for anyone to see.

Elder Brother Li overheard their conversation and was happy too. He tidied up the remaining things in the yard and set up a little stool for his nephew.

“Dinner’s ready!”

Sister-in-law Li called them in. She was genuinely surprised that Li Dazhuang had managed to stick it out all day, without slacking off or running home early.

As long as he was willing to work, that was good enough. Unless they were truly forced to, Sister-in-law Li didn’t want to split the family.

With everyone together, at least the mother-in-law could help out, and the two kids had someone to look after them.

What had frustrated her most before was that they were all working hard while her perfectly healthy brother-in-law sat around doing nothing!

Now that he was pitching in, with so many adults in the household, they’d definitely have enough to eat after the autumn harvest.

Thinking about that, Sister-in-law Li felt like her whole life was starting to look up.

With her mother-in-law’s knack for saving money, maybe when her kids grew up, they could even marry someone from the city.

That night, Li Dazhuang was so exhausted he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned in bed, staring at the moon outside the window for who knows how long.

He had just fallen asleep when the rooster crowed. Dawn crept in, casting a pale light into his room.

He couldn’t sleep anymore. His legs ached in bed, so he threw on a jacket and got up.

He quietly opened the kitchen door and grabbed a bowl to milk the sheep.

Normally, Li Dazhuang wouldn’t be caught dead doing this kind of chore. But he couldn’t resist how satisfying it was to watch his little boy drink milk.

Especially when An’an gulped it down, his tiny face rising and falling with each swallow.

Usually, the first one up in their household was Sister-in-law Li. Despite their modest living conditions, she was a clean freak.

Every morning, she’d take the laundry down to the river to wash, then come back and hang it out to dry.

Only after that would she start making breakfast, and she was never late.

When she came into the yard carrying the washbasin and saw her brother-in-law squatting by the sheep, she was a little surprised. She glanced at him but quickly looked away and went about her business.

Before she returned, Granny Li also woke up.

With nothing much to do and feeling a bit bored, Li Dazhuang even tidied up the house.

His whole body ached, but strangely enough, moving around seemed to ease the pain a little and made him feel better.

“You’re…”

From the day he was born until now, Granny Li had rarely seen her youngest son do any housework.

The sun was just rising, and she couldn’t help but glance toward the west, just to make sure it hadn’t risen from the wrong direction. Then she smiled and asked:

“Why are you up so early? And you already milked the sheep?”

Li Dazhuang usually slept in, since he didn’t have much to do anyway.

But today was different. The pain had woken him up, and after moving around a bit and stretching his arms, he replied:

“Ma, I saw how hard you’ve been working, taking care of everything at home and looking after An’an. Since I was up early today, I figured I’d milk the sheep for you.”

And truth be told, that sheep produced a lot of milk. Thankfully so—otherwise, even if his son didn’t starve, he’d never have enough to eat.

“You’ve grown up.”

Granny Li looked at her son with a complicated expression that Li Dazhuang couldn’t quite read.

He scratched his head sheepishly. Honestly, he was just used to sweet-talking his parents. Compliments rolled off his tongue without a second thought.

But seeing how touched his mother looked, he didn’t have the heart to admit it. He just bowed his head and accepted her praise.

“Go light the stove for me. I’ll boil An’an’s milk first.”

“Got it, Ma.”

Li Dazhuang had just been wondering if there was anything else to do around the yard. His mother’s request felt like someone handing him a pillow just as he was about to doze off.

An’an always woke up early, but he never fussed. Even if left alone on the bed, he’d lie there quietly.

At first, Granny Li had been nervous about caring for such a tiny grandson. She hadn’t said anything out loud, but she had been worried.

Her eldest son’s two kids had cried every night when they were newborns.

Then during the day, when the adults had to work, the babies would sleep like logs, making everything harder.

But An’an was surprisingly easy. He’d sleep when they did and wake when they did, only letting out a few soft coos.

Once the milk was boiled, Li Dazhuang carried the bowl while Granny Li went to change An’an’s clothes and brought him out.

An’an’s skin was getting fairer by the day. Looking at him now, it was hard to believe that when he was born, he had looked like a little red monkey.

“My son really is a handsome one.”

Li Dazhuang sighed as he held the bowl of milk.

An’an had long, curled lashes. Every time he blinked, it was mesmerizing—just like his mother. She had the same kind of eyes.

Lately, An’an had started to see things more clearly. Realizing he was growing up made him very happy.

He would stare at anything for a long time.

Li Dazhuang noticed his son staring at him and felt a little nervous.

He instinctively smoothed out his clothes and stood up straighter, remembering how people used to say he slouched like a hooligan.

“Wah~”

The baby let out a soft cry. Li Dazhuang couldn’t help but smile and gently pinched his little hand.

“You little rascal, don’t you worry. When you grow up, as long as your old man has meat to eat, you’ll always have a bone to gnaw on!”

An’an furrowed his delicate brows and turned his head away, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

If Granny Li hadn’t seen that her son was still holding a bowl full of milk, she might’ve kicked him right then and there.

Who talks to their own kid like that?

That day, An’an woke up a bit later than usual, but after finishing his milk, he was still full of energy.

Sister-in-law Li came back from washing clothes and made some simple porridge. The three men in the family headed out again to continue clearing the river.

Granny Li saw that An’an was in good spirits and decided to take him out for a walk.

The weather was warm, and the breeze carried a soft warmth. Birds chirped in the distance—spring had truly arrived.

Granny Li knew that with An’an’s situation, if she wandered around the village, people would gossip.

So she followed the family to the river instead.

It was just a walk anyway. Whether they saw anyone or not didn’t matter.

An’an was wrapped snugly in thick clothes. He tried to wiggle his little hands free but couldn’t.

After several failed attempts, he puffed out his cheeks in defeat, looking like a grumpy little frog.

Granny Li took An’an to the riverbank. Clearing the river was hard work and somewhat dangerous, so she didn’t dare get too close. She just strolled nearby.

Li Dazhuang didn’t know if his son could see him from that distance.

But just knowing An’an was nearby filled him with boundless energy.

Granny Li didn’t stay long. The riverbank was damp and chilly, and the wind carried moisture.

They had worked so hard to raise this little one, and now that he was almost like any other healthy baby, she didn’t want anything to go wrong.

On the way home, she could see the joy sparkling in An’an’s eyes.

Even just getting some sun and looking at trees made him happy.

Sister-in-law Li was still busy with household chores. When she saw her mother-in-law carrying An’an back, she didn’t say much. The two older kids had already gone out with baskets to gather grass for the sheep.

That sheep produced a lot of milk—enough for two small bowls a day.

Even when An’an was especially hungry, he could only finish one.

To avoid wasting it, the other bowl went to Sister-in-law Li’s two children.

Because of that, she had no complaints about her kids going out to gather grass for the sheep.

After getting home, An’an soon fell asleep. Granny Li laid him back in bed, then picked up some old clothes that her eldest grandson had outgrown, measuring and planning how to alter them for her granddaughter.

Sister-in-law Li had some free time while tidying up and wanted to chat with her mother-in-law.

As long as food wasn’t involved, their relationship was actually pretty decent.

“Ma, honestly, in all these years, I’ve never seen a baby as easy to care for as An’an.”

She might not like her brother-in-law, but she had no hard feelings toward Xiao An’an, who had lost his mother at birth and hadn’t even reached one month old.

“True. Whether he’s thirsty, hungry, or wet, he hardly ever cries.”

Granny Li was skilled with a needle and thread. In comparison, Sister-in-law Li’s sewing was subpar—her husband had even been mocked for it before.

She didn’t mind when it came to her husband, but for the kids’ clothes, she always asked her mother-in-law for help.

Granny Li picked out a skein of thread that looked nicer from the basket, threaded the needle, and began stitching a little flower over the torn spot.

Once she finished, she handed it to her eldest daughter-in-law to take a look.

Sister-in-law Li took it and examined it closely. The stitches were indeed much finer than her own work, and as for that little flower—she definitely didn’t have the patience or the skill to do something like that.

Just then, the two children who had been outside gathering grass for the sheep came back. They fed the grass to the animals, greeted their mother and grandmother, and then ran off to play in the back.

The older brother led his little sister along. Sister-in-law Li wasn’t worried; she simply reminded them not to leave the house.

At first, the siblings were having a good time playing in the courtyard, but it wasn’t long before they started to feel bored. They exchanged a glance, then huddled together, whispering about something fun to do.

“How about… we go see the baby? Ever since he was born, we’ve barely seen him a few times.”

The little sister suggested they go visit An An, but her brother hesitated when he heard it.

“I’ve seen him before. He looks like a little black monkey! His face is all wrinkly, just like Grandpa’s—not cute at all.”

His words didn’t dissuade his sister. On the contrary, they only made her more curious.

A baby brother who looked like Grandpa? What could that even look like?

“Come on, let’s go see him, okay?”

“…Alright.”

The two of them crept quietly into their grandparents’ room. As soon as they entered, they saw a tiny bundle lying on the bed. They tiptoed over and leaned in for a closer look.

They’d thought the little one would be asleep, but to their surprise, just as they peeked over the edge, he was blinking at them with big, dark eyes.

When he saw someone approaching, he even waved his tiny hands excitedly.

“Waaah~”