Lin He brought them home, and since there was little food left in her own house that morning, she rolled out some noodles using the freshly ground flour, adding a bit of lard when cooking them, and tossing in a few stalks of green vegetables. The two children started wolfing them down as soon as they saw the meal.

Lin He also packed another bowl of noodles into a basket and asked Dabao to hurry it over to Sanniang at the edge of the field, worrying that if Sanniang had already left, they would have to walk all the way back.

Watching Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun devour the noodles, Lin He couldn't help but think of her own grandmother and grandfather. Her grandfather must be busy in their few acres of cornfield, so she said nothing more about him. Her grandmother, however, shouldn't have anything to do, so why wasn't she watching such young children during such a busy time? With the state Sanniang's family was in, even after Lin He had been there for so long, Huang Shi and Erniu had always offered assistance, but it seemed Grandma had never lent a hand to help them out.

Grandma had never been close to them. Although they lived in the same village, their houses weren't far apart, but the grandchildren never visited Grandma’s house except for major festivals. Unless she had business at their home, Grandma generally wouldn't come over either, and Lin He assumed it was the same between Grandma and Zhou Shi's family.

Given the circumstances of Xiaoshan's family, the grandparents should have been more concerned about them. Even if they couldn't offer financial support, they could at least help care for the children, but Grandma remained utterly indifferent, which truly sent a chill down Lin He’s spine.

Even though Zhou Shi’s family environment wasn't good and they didn't visit Grandma often, she never missed paying the filial piety money owed; even the amount was the same as usual. Since the third son was gone, Zhou Shi only gave half, and she still sent gifts during New Year and festivals. Grandma always accepted everything without question, never sparing a thought for how Zhou Shi’s family was actually living.

Lin He didn't dwell much on her grandmother anymore. In truth, Grandma had always neglected their family too. If their own circumstances hadn't improved this year, Grandma probably wouldn't have had much interaction with them; it had always been this way before.

Lin He watched Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun finish their noodles, told them to play in the yard, and then took Xiaojun to check on the pond. Because she had been busy these past few days, Aunt Da’s family had returned to harvest their wheat. Uncle Da sent some grass over every evening for the ducks, which were being fed vegetable scraps and grain.

Five or six days passed, and most families had finished their wheat harvest, with only a few stragglers remaining in the fields. Fortunately, the weather had been good these days—sunny and dry—so the hardest part of the wheat harvest was finally over.

Hongyun and Dasheng’s family also came over, saying they had finished gathering all their wheat. Hongyun mentioned that although her mother-in-law’s expression was still unpleasant when she returned, she hadn't resorted to cursing anymore, likely as a result of Dasheng giving her some silver.

Since the wheat harvest had just concluded, people weren't overly busy. The men still checked the fields, while the women mostly stayed home doing embroidery. That day, Hongyun was chatting and doing embroidery at Lin He’s house with her two children when He Shi, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, showed up unexpectedly.

He Shi hadn't visited Lin He’s house since the last time at the field where she brought up Erniu letting Qingshan and Dajiang work as short-term laborers. Lin He and the others hadn't seen her for quite a while. He Shi had indeed been busy lately, having to deal with her difficult daughter-in-law every day at home, plus Dajiang had told her not to visit unnecessarily to avoid causing further trouble.

Dajiang had gone to the market that day, reportedly to help an old friend from his shopkeeping days in town with some trouble; he would be gone for two days, so He Shi seized the opportunity to visit. He Shi had been waiting a long time for this day. As soon as she stepped into Lin He’s courtyard, her loud voice boomed out, “Second sister-in-law, Eldest sister-in-law, you’re all here.”

Huang Shi and Hongyun both looked up, surprised to see He Shi. In Lin He’s mind, He Shi was just like Zhao Shi—she wouldn't show up unless there was a problem. However, Zhao Shi was slightly better; sometimes she would just come over to gossip about others.

But He Shi always came when her own household needed help from Lin He’s family, and every visit invariably brought trouble. When she left, she always managed to take something with her, be it money or food.

Though harboring these thoughts, they showed nothing on their faces. Huang Shi and Hongyun rose to welcome He Shi in, smiling as they said, “Eldest sister-in-law, what brings you over today? It’s been a while since you dropped by for a visit.”

He Shi replied, “Isn’t that the truth? There’s been so much going on at home lately, everything falls on my shoulders. I’m nearly worked to death. Since I finally have a moment today, I came to chat.”

Hongyun’s relationship with He Shi was neither particularly good nor bad; they generally got along alright. Seeing He Shi speak like that, she smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, you have a new daughter-in-law at home; Qingshan’s wife must be quite capable. Surely you don’t have to manage everything by yourself.”

The moment Qingshan’s wife was mentioned, a flash of anger appeared on He Shi’s face. She said, “Qingshan’s wife? She is truly a lazy good-for-nothing! She does no work but eats better than anyone. Anyone who didn’t know any better would think she was some high-born lady.”

Huang Shi and Hongyun exchanged a glance. Could it be that Eldest sister-in-law had genuinely come just to chat today, starting off by railing against her own daughter-in-law?

He Shi continued, “You don’t know! Having sons is useless. Qingshan—I doted on him so much when he was little, saving the best food and clothes for him, even letting Yu’er eat less to give to him. Now that he’s grown up and stirring up all sorts of nonsense, I’m the one left with a tarnished reputation having to beg people for help. Now that he’s married, his whole heart is with his wife. I’m afraid soon I, his mother, will have no standing at all.”

Huang Shi smiled and tried to soothe her, “That won’t happen. Qingshan is an obedient son; he won’t forget you. I remember he used to listen to you very well. Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding.”

“He used to listen to me, but now whatever his wife says goes. His wife refuses to work in the fields, yet she demands to be served the best food and drink at home just for doing housework, and he says his wife is overworked! I, his mother, work myself to the bone outside, and when I return home, I have to serve his wife’s meals and drinks. He never once said he was worried about me being worn out,” He Shi lamented, tears streaming down her face.

Huang Shi was unaware of the extent of the problems in He Shi’s house. She had heard that Song Yuemei was difficult, but they all knew what kind of person He Shi was—certainly no soft touch. It was unlikely Song Yuemei was getting an easy ride either. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fought like this every few days, and busybodies in the village would always report on it.