The original owner of this body had been pressured and oppressed by the Zhou Family. Instead of fighting back, she chose to vent all her anger and resentment on the two children, Lujun and Qitong.
When Gu Yan first saw the children, they were so sensible that they didn’t dare to worry him—lying there as he was on his hospital bed—nor did they mention the abuse they had suffered at the hands of the original owner. This only emboldened the original owner, causing her to become increasingly reckless and heavy-handed.
Zhou Mingzhu would never follow that path. If anyone bullied her, she would return the favor tenfold; picking on children was hardly a display of strength! Besides, Lujun and Qitong were well-behaved, sensible children, and they were the orphans of a martyr. When Zhou Mingzhu had first heard the story in the novel—where she would abuse the two children whenever she felt the slightest bit of dissatisfaction—she found it more nauseating than swallowing a fly.
Now that she, Zhou Mingzhu, had arrived, her philosophy was simple: whoever bullied her would face the consequences. As for taking her anger out on children? That was something she would never do.
Zhou Mingzhu folded the letter, sneered, and tucked it into her pocket. Just then, Lujun, carrying a bamboo basket on his back, caught a glimpse of the cold, fierce expression on her face. Startled, he froze in the doorway.
Qitong, confused, whispered, "Brother?"
Zhou Mingzhu looked toward the gate. She stood up with a beaming smile and said to Lujun and Qitong, "Let’s go. Mom is taking you to see the brigade leader."
Lujun reached out to tighten his grip on Qitong’s little hand and nodded, his expression full of caution. "Okay."
After Zhou Mingzhu explained her situation and Gu Yan’s, the brigade leader readily provided the letter of introduction. Holding it, she asked him, "After I take the children, Grandma Gu will be left alone at home, and I’m a bit worried. If I send you some supplies every month, could you look in on her for me?"
The brigade leader hurriedly replied, "No, no need! Back during the famine years, if it hadn't been for Grandma Gu sharing her grain with the families in the village who were struggling, many would have starved to death. We’ve all benefited from her kindness. If I took your things now, what would that make me? Please, don't send anything."
Zhou Mingzhu nodded after hearing this. She thought for a moment and said, "Then could I trade for some vegetable and grain seeds? I’ve heard that in the family quarters at the military base, those living in bungalows have a small plot of land by their doors. I want to grow some things from home for Gu Yan to eat."
The brigade leader adamantly refused to take the twenty yuan she offered. After some back-and-forth, he finally accepted only ten. "You can't spend money like this, girl. You aren't asking for many seeds; I feel guilty taking even ten yuan. Don't go spending like this again."
Zhou Mingzhu just smiled charmingly. "You provided the introduction letter, and you know I’m in a hurry to leave tomorrow. If I tried to exchange for seeds myself, I might not even be able to get them, let alone in time. I'm really indebted to you for your help, brigade leader."
The brigade leader didn't say anything more and let Zhou Mingzhu leave with Lujun and Qitong.
Back home, Zhou Mingzhu used some Spirit Spring Water to knead dough and prepared a simple meal, then sent Qitong to call Grandma Gu for dinner. Whether it was due to their bodies being severely depleted or otherwise, after they finished eating, the three of them felt so hot and drowsy that they tidied up early and went to take a nap.
It wasn't until Zhou Mingzhu finished cleaning the dishes that she felt that same heat and exhaustion. Well, it turned out she wasn't the only one; this was only the second time she had used the Spirit Spring Water, and she was only just now experiencing the effects that the others had felt during their first use. It turned out that she was the one whose health was in poor shape!
When Zhou Mingzhu woke up, she heard Grandma Gu bathing Lujun. She sat up and looked at the gray-black grime between her fingers, feeling thoroughly disgusted with herself.
When she opened the door, Grandma Gu wiped the sweat from her face. "I bathed Tongtong again. I don't know what happened today, but after we woke up, we were so hot that a layer of black gunk had come out on our skin."
Zhou Mingzhu smiled awkwardly. "Maybe I put too much chili powder in the food?"
She quickly retreated to the kitchen, bolted the door, fetched a basin of hot water, and ducked into her Space to wash up properly.
In the afternoon, Zhou Mingzhu had Lujun and Qitong take her to gather more firewood. Once everything was settled, she used the Spirit Spring Water to make an egg drop soup for dinner.
Grandma Gu told her, "I'll wake you at six tomorrow morning. The ox cart from the next village passes by at seven. You must be careful on the road. Tonight, I’ll sew a pocket into your undershirt so you don't have to worry about thieves on the train."
Although Zhou Mingzhu didn't really need it, Grandma Gu’s concern warmed her heart.
The next day, at six o'clock, the sun broke through the gray-blue sky, casting its warmth upon the earth. Grandma Gu saw them off to the edge of the village. While waiting for the ox cart, she gave them earnest instructions: "I didn't pack you a quilt; the ones at home are old and the cotton inside has turned to chaff. You should just use your money to buy new ones."
"Tell Gu Yan not to send money home anymore. It’s a hassle for me to go pick it up, and now that Xiaojun and Tongtong are with you, there’s no need for money here at home."
"I don't know how serious his injuries are. It’s been hard on you. If you feel that Yan is... if you don't feel it's right, just bring Xiaojun and Tongtong back to me. I won't blame you."
Looking at the grandmother as she wiped away tears, Zhou Mingzhu quickly took her hands. "Grandma, don't worry. Gu Yan will get better. Since I’ve already become your granddaughter-in-law, unless he commits a fundamental betrayal, I won't go back on my word."
"Even if he does, he and I will make sure Xiaojun and Tongtong are well looked after. Don't worry, Grandma."
In the novel, Grandma Gu had fallen ill two years later after learning that Zhou Mingzhu and Gu Yan were divorcing. Zhou Mingzhu had spiked the water tank with plenty of Spirit Spring Water, though she didn't know if it would help improve Grandma Gu's health. She couldn't worry about that now; finding Gu Yan as soon as possible might change the outcome of his long-term injuries.
Zhou Mingzhu thought that if her eloquent junior from university knew what she was doing, she might accuse her of having a "savior complex." But Zhou Mingzhu's own grandfather had been a soldier; she simply felt that these people were silently guarding the country, and if she could do her part to give back, that was enough.
After saying goodbye to Grandma Gu, Zhou Mingzhu arrived at the market with Lujun and Qitong, only to see a furious Zhou Jianye and a shivering Zhou Mingyue waiting at the ox cart stop.
Zhou Mingzhu’s expression darkened instantly. She got off the cart with the two children, having no desire to engage with them. However, it was clear they had come specifically for her.
Seeing Zhou Mingzhu grab the children and turn to leave, Zhou Jianye shouted angrily, "Zhou Mingzhu! Didn't you see me and your second sister?"