Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

The old saying goes, "A rope always breaks at its thinnest point, and misfortune only finds those with a hard life." It's true, Song Xiuying was an absolute person with a hard life.

She didn't get to enjoy a few days of peace and happiness before her new husband, Zheng Yuejin, suddenly passed away before their daughter was even a year old.

During the busy double-cropping season, Zheng Yuejin earned work points during the day and went to the dam to catch fish at night, hoping to add some meat to the meals for his wife and children who were nursing. He didn't notice the dam had opened and was swept far away. Exhausted and tired, and already not very strong, he collapsed before he could even struggle. That short-lived Zheng Yuejin, there was no one to blame but himself.

Zheng Yuejin's sudden death also took his frail mother with him, and the funerals for the mother and son were held together.

The villagers were busy preparing for the funeral. Two coffins were placed side by side, and a child was kneeling and crying beside them, holding a baby in his arms. The Zheng family had no one in charge anymore. It was heartbreaking to see. How could they go on living like this?

The relatives who helped with the funeral arrangements suggested, "Find a good family to send the little girl away."

The eldest brother, Zheng Xiangqian, firmly objected: "My uncle not only saved my life, but also raised me. Moreover, his body is barely cold. How can we send away his beloved daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhibei also hugged his younger sister tightly, saying, "No, this is our sister."

Even when going to the toilet, he only entrusted his younger sister to his older brother. Even his mother, Song Xiuying, didn't trust him anymore, fearing that his younger sister would be taken away.

The role of father to the brother and sister has always been Zheng Yuejin, and they originally planned to start calling him "Dad" in a few days.

Ugh!

Actually, the brother and sister were overthinking it. Right now, no one has extra money or food, nor do they have the leisure to raise another child.

Moreover, it's a little girl, and they need to choose a family that loves children. It's difficult, and there isn't a suitable family for them in a short time.

Those who are alive must go on with their lives.

Xiangqian and Zhibei became Song Xiuying's right-hand men, working together to earn work points and support their younger siblings.

Rural people also like to bully the weak, and there are always some gossipy women who like to get together and talk about everything.

"Song Xiuying, that woman, is good-looking, but she has a tough life."

"That's right. Ever since she entered the Zheng family, nothing good has happened. First, Zheng Yueqiang went to the battlefield and never came back, and then Zheng Yuejin."

"And it also caused her mother-in-law to always be sickly; now she's gone. She's truly cursed by fate!"

"This woman is not someone to mess with. We need to tell the men in the family not to provoke her."

"Let's see who dares. If they find out, we'll tear that woman's face off and kick her out of our brigade."

……

The Zheng family is now just a widow and her child. When the incident first happened, most people sympathized with them, but later they isolated the family and spread rumors that Song Xiuying was a "husband-killer" and a "cursed star," which became increasingly bizarre.

Zheng Xiangqian was young and impetuous, and believed that no man should fight with a woman.

In no time at all, they found the old woman who started babbling and gave her a good beating; anyone who made a fuss also got a good beating.

Sure enough, this reduced the gossip and meant no one dared to bully them anymore, but Zheng Xiangqian's reputation was ruined, though he didn't care.

Zheng Xiangqian understood. After that, he always put on the face of a bad man, acting recklessly, sharp-tongued, and always looking down on this and that, looking down on everyone.

Zheng Xiangqian looked more and more like Zheng Yueqiang as he grew up. He was tall and thin, with a short buzz cut, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his features were three-dimensional and strong. When Qian Xiuying looked at him, she was reminded of Zheng Yueqiang, who had disappeared without a trace.

The kids are growing up, it's time for them to find partners. Although my son's good looks have attracted many girls, who doesn't consider family background when choosing a partner? Doesn't he care about reputation? And what sister-in-law would be willing to help raise her young brother and sister-in-law? Especially two of them.

Oh dear... I have to go back to my parents' home.