Chapter 3: The Knock at Night

Originally, when Gui Lan Shen had just knocked the bowl, she quietly sprinkled a bit of cold water onto the green stone slab in front of the stove. The water was scant, and with the late dawn and damp chill of winter, it quickly formed a thin layer of ice. Mrs. Zhang, wearing hard-soled cloth shoes and completely unprepared, stumbled and nearly fell, spilling most of the bowl of white porridge she held, soaking the front of her clothes.

“Oh no! What bad luck!” Mrs. Zhang cried out, struggling to steady herself. Stomping her foot in frustration, she looked at the ruined porridge. “Such good porridge wasted just like that! Did you do it on purpose?!”

Gui Lan Shen turned her head with a face full of “surprise.” “Mother! What’s wrong? There’s water on the floor?” She feigned panic as she glanced around. “Could the pot have leaked? Or did someone forget to dry it?”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over her daughter, Xiuwu, who was secretly lowering her head to suppress a smile, her eyes shining with a brightness never seen before. A warmth bloomed in Gui Lan’s heart.

“I... I don’t know!” Mrs. Zhang’s face turned pale with anger, but in front of her daughter-in-law, she couldn’t admit she had slipped. Gritting her teeth, she cursed through clenched teeth, “Bad luck! The whole family is cursed!”

Carrying the remaining half bowl of porridge, she stormed into Yongzhi Shen’s room, her retreating figure radiating disgrace.

Gui Lan Shen quietly watched her footsteps leave crooked prints on the wet ground, a faint, almost imperceptible cold smile curling the corner of her lips.

She withdrew her gaze, then went to her daughter’s side, crouching down. With her rough hand, she gently stroked Xiuwu’s withered yellow hair and spoke softly, “Xiuwu, are you hungry? Mother will find something for you to eat.”

Shy, Xiuwu lifted her head, glanced at her, then at Yongzhi Shen’s door, and whispered, “Mother, I’m not hungry... Brother studies hard and should eat more.”

Such a sensible child was all the more heart-rending.

In her past life, it was this very obedience that brought her endless grievances.

Gui Lan’s heart ached so deeply she nearly wept.

She forced a smile. “Be good, wait for me a moment.”

Without going to ladle out the thin soup, she turned and left the courtyard.

“What are you doing? Not eating your meal?” Mrs. Zhang called out from inside, displeased.

Gui Lan Shen didn’t look back, coldly tossing over her shoulder, “Xiuwu’s cotton-padded jacket is torn. I’m going to borrow some needles and thread from Old Granny Li at the village entrance.”

The biting wind hit her face, causing a shiver, but it also cleared her muddled thoughts.

Walking along the path to the village entrance, her feet pressed against the hardened frozen earth.

Gui Lan Shen’s eyes hardened like the soil beneath them—unwavering and determined.

She could no longer be the long-suffering daughter-in-law of her past life, handing over every penny she earned to Mrs. Zhang.

This time, she would save money, even if it was a single copper coin, clutching it tightly in her own hand.

In this life, she would seize control of her own fate and make those who wronged, humiliated, and harmed her pay the price they deserved!

Having borrowed the needles and thread from Granny Li, Gui Lan’s mood had calmed considerably.

Granny Li was a kind old woman who, seeing her pale face, insisted on giving her two roasted sweet potatoes browned to perfection.

By the time she returned home, Mrs. Zhang had finished her meal and was sitting in the main room, legs crossed, cracking melon seeds and spitting shells onto the floor.

Not bothering to lift her eyelids upon Gui Lan’s return, she snorted coldly through her nose, “You’re quick to borrow things, but you neglect the housework? Hurry up and start cooking!”

In her eyes, Gui Lan should be like a spinning top, endlessly laboring for the family.

If this were the past life, Gui Lan would have lowered her head obediently, answered quietly, then silently cleaned up the mess and begun yet another round of exhausting work.

But now, Gui Lan kept her head down and passed by without a word, heading straight to her own room.

That silent figure carried an unprecedented sense of distance and coldness.

Mrs. Zhang felt something was amiss. Gui Lan seemed changed today, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what. Assuming it was just some unhappiness in her heart, she curled her lips and continued cracking seeds.

Back in her room, Gui Lan pressed a warm roasted sweet potato into Xiuwu’s hands. Watching her daughter’s eyes widen with surprise as she carefully nibbled the sweet potato, a faint warmth finally stirred within her.

Yet in a corner where no one could see, the corners of Gui Lan’s mouth curled into a cold, icy arc.

This time, none of them would ever take a single penny from Gui Lan’s hands again!

Night deepened, and the north wind howled outside the window like ghosts wailing and wolves howling.

The simple wooden window creaked as the wind threatened to tear it apart at any moment.

Gui Lan had just put her daughter to sleep and was preparing to lie down and gather strength for tomorrow’s plans.

Suddenly, a rapid, loud pounding sounded at the courtyard gate.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The knocks were urgent and heavy, not the polite taps of a casual visitor, but an insistence that brooked no refusal.

In the stillness of the winter night, the abrupt knocking was especially harsh and grating.

Gui Lan’s heart tightened sharply, a foreboding sense instantly enveloping her.

So late at night, who could it be?