Wang Xiuying was no ignorant young girl. The muffled sounds drifting from beyond the earthen wall were enough for her to understand exactly what was happening inside.
Her fingers slowly curled into fists and knuckles turned white. A trace of bitterness flashed through her eyes as she stared at the dimly lit window in the distance.
Earlier that day, after traveling all the way from Anshan to Taonan County, she had been exhausted to the bone. The journey had taken several days, so upon returning to the Li main household, she had intended to rest for the remainder of the day.
Yet the moment she learned that Li Guoqiang had returned to the village as well, all her fatigue vanished as though swept away by a sudden spring wind.
For five entire years, she had not seen him once. The news alone was enough to make her heart race. Unfortunately, before she could visit the Li family's second household, she learned Wang Chunhua had been beaten unconscious.
The entire Li family had erupted into chaos. As Wang Chunhua's niece, she naturally had no choice but to pay a visit first. By the time she finally managed to free herself from the endless questions and complaints inside the main Li household, darkness had already settled over the village.
Even so, she refused to give up. After some hesitation, she quietly made her way toward the second household. She did not enter through the front gate. Instead, she circled around the rear courtyard.
Instinct told her that Li Guoqiang would not retire so early, and her instincts had been correct.
Hidden beneath the shadows of the night, she had finally seen him. The moment Li Guoqiang emerged from the house, her heartbeat nearly stopped.
Even after five years, he seemed even more imposing than before. The broad shoulders, the upright posture under the moonlight. The calm, steady bearing that set him apart from every other man she knew.
Time had left no marks upon his face at all, and rather, it had only deepened the mature authority he carried.
For a brief moment, Wang Xiuying nearly stepped forward. She wanted to call his name and wanted to ask how he had been. Wanted to tell him about the years she had spent in Anshan.
But before she could gather the courage, Li Guoqiang disappeared into the outhouse.
She hesitated, then waited patiently. Like she had done for so many years. Several minutes later, he emerged carrying empty buckets only in his sleevless sweatshirt and returned directly to his room.
Again she missed her chance. Still unwilling to leave, Wang Xiuying remained hidden in the darkness.
Then came the sounds from within the room, the soft murmur of voices. The familiar warmth that existed only between husband and wife.
At that moment, something twisted violently inside her chest and her nails dug into her palms. A sharp pain spread through her heart. The jealousy she had suppressed for years surged forward like floodwaters breaking through a dam.
Her eyes gradually reddened.
"Chen Meilan..." She whispered the name through clenched teeth. "What exactly do you have?"
Her gaze fixed upon the dimly glowing window. The image of Chen Meilan appeared in her mind. The village woman she had always looked down upon.
A woman who had spent her entire life buried in cooking pots, fields, and household chores. Yet that woman possessed something Wang Xiuying had pursued for years and never obtained, Li Guoqiang's heart. The realization made her chest ache.
For a brief, irrational moment, she wanted to rush inside and wanted to shatter the peaceful atmosphere. Wanted to see whether Li Guoqiang would still remain so calm.
But the impulse disappeared as quickly as it came. She could not afford to act recklessly. She knew Li Guoqiang too well. Any underhanded scheme discovered by him would only push him further away. That lesson had been carved deeply into her heart long ago.
Gradually, the jealousy in her eyes faded, in its place appeared something colder and more calculating.
A faint smile slowly curved her lips, "Heaven has finally opened its eyes." Her voice was barely audible, "What are the chances? After five years apart, we return to the village at the same time."
She lifted her head toward the star-filled northern sky. The cold wind brushed across her face. Yet her smile only deepened, "If Heaven has given me another opportunity... I will not waste it."
The determination in her eyes intensified, years in Anshan away from Li Guoqiang had taught her many things. Patience was one of them.
She had waited this long already, a little longer meant nothing. With one final glance toward the quiet courtyard, Wang Xiuying turned away.
Meanwhile, inside her System Space, Li Shuying stood frozen in place. For a brief moment, she simply stared at the glowing panels before her, unable to believe what she was seeing. Then joy erupted within her like a flood breaking through a dam.
She had advanced two levels at once. Ever since reaching Level Five, progress had slowed considerably. Every upgrade required increasingly larger amounts of resources and trade volume. She had expected to spend a long time trapped at that stage. Yet now, in a single leap, she had crossed both Level Six and Level Seven.
And with those levels came a torrent of newly unlocked items and features. Rows of golden notifications floated before her eyes.
The Agricultural Section had undergone the most dramatic changes. Eight new plots of farmland had been unlocked at once. Several new crops had appeared on the cultivation panel.
Peanuts, Mung beans and then... Sugarcane.
Li Shuying's eyes nearly popped out, "Sugarcane?" She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was still there.
A broad smile immediately spread across her face. Among all the newly unlocked crops, sugarcane was undoubtedly the most valuable.
Not because it was difficult to cultivate, but because the climate where they lived was simply unsuitable for sugarcane production. Throughout the entire nation, only provinces such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and parts of Sichuan possessed the proper conditions for extensive cultivation.
Even there, production remained limited. Transportation in this era was far from convenient. Moving large quantities of sugarcane or processed sugar from the southern provinces to the northeast required enormous effort and expense. As a result, sugar was considered a luxury throughout much of northern China. Especially brown sugar, it was practically treated as a precious commodity.
Most of the available sugarcane harvest was immediately diverted toward state processing facilities. The resulting brown sugar was distributed through strict rationing systems. Urban residents occasionally received sugar coupons during important festivals or special allocations.
For ordinary villagers? Many rural families would spend their entire lives without tasting genuine brown sugar. Even when supplies occasionally appeared in county Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, the stock disappeared almost immediately.
People would secretly bring gifts to cooperative employees merely to receive advance notice of incoming shipments. Whoever arrived late would find empty shelves.
Li Shuying had witnessed such scenes countless times in her previous life. Yet now she possessed something far more valuable.
She could grow sugarcane herself, as much as she wanted. And that wasn't all, the Machinery Section had also expanded with two entirely new machines. A Cane Crushing Mill, and a Brown Sugar Refining Furnace. Li Shuying felt as though a mountain of gold had landed directly in her lap.
With sugarcane production and processing both available, she could create brown sugar whenever she wished.
No ration coupons and no dealing with moody and arrogant Supply and Marketing Cooperative employees. Everything could be produced within her own System Space.
"Haha..." Li Shuying could not suppress a quiet laugh. If people outside knew such a thing existed, they would probably faint from envy.
But before she could finish celebrating, another notification appeared. A completely new section unlocked.
An Aquaculture Farm...
Li Shuying immediately saw the large pond that had remained grey and inaccessible ever since she obtained the system, shimmered.
The entire pond was alive. Fresh water sparkled beneath the sunlight. Gentle ripples spread across the surface. A new management panel appeared above it. At present, only one species was available, the Grass Carp.
Li Shuying wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Grass carp might be common in ordinary times. But these were hardly ordinary times. During the past several years, excessive fishing had severely depleted fish populations, and now drought conditions had made matters even worse.
Many rivers had shrunk and ponds had completely dried up. Finding fish had become increasingly difficult.
Yet here, she could raise them endlessly. More importantly, grass carp provided an excellent explanation for future meals. Whenever she brought fish home, she could simply claim she had caught them from a mountain stream. After all, many village children spent their days searching for fish, frogs, and crayfish in remote springs and creeks. Nobody would find the explanation suspicious.
The more Li Shuying thought about it, the happier she became. Her eyes shone brightly. This was no longer merely a farm system. It was becoming a complete food-production system.
Finally, she turned toward the Fruit Orchard and another pleasant surprise awaited her, mandarin oranges. Her smile softened. Chen Meilan had always loved oranges.
Even during her previous life, Chen Meilan would occasionally mention how much she enjoyed them when she was young. Unfortunately, such fruits were very expensive in this times.
Li Shuying quietly looked at everything for a long moment. Then she gazed across the expanding System Space and Li Shuying felt a sense of security, and now she ft ready for the famine ahead.
The difficult years that lay ahead were really hard, but standing here, within this miraculous space, she no longer felt powerless.
Thinking about all the possibilities she stepped out of her system space and finally fell asleep.
The next morning, when Li Shuying opened her eyes, the sun was already hanging high in the sky. After washing up, she pushed open the door and stepped into the main room. The house was unusually quiet. As expected, Li Guoqiang and her brothers had already gone to the production team's fields. Only Chen Meilan remained at home.
She sat near the window, weaving a bamboo basket. The morning sunlight fell upon her slender figure.
Li Shuying's steps halted. Even after seeing it countless times since yesterday, she still could not get used to it. Her mother's face was simply too beautiful. The coarse cotton jacket and simple hairstyle could not conceal it. Her skin was as smooth and delicate as freshly polished jade. Her features were simply exquisite and complexion was bright and luminous.
Even sitting there weaving a basket, she looked more like a refined young lady from an old scholarly family than a village woman who had spent years working in the fields.
As a woman herself, if even she reacted this way, she could hardly imagine how the villagers would react once Chen Meilan appeared in public. The thought once again reminded her of the terrifying capabilities of the System Space.
Suppressing her thoughts, she walked over, "Mother."
Chen Meilan looked up. A warm smile immediately appeared on her face, "Little Shuying." The smile made her already stunning face seem even brighter, "What are you planning to do today?"
Li Shuying adjusted the cloth bag hanging from her shoulder, "I'm going to the county town. I have a few things to take care of."
Chen Meilan nodded, "Then be careful on the road." She paused before adding gently, "And don't wander around after dark."
"I know, Mother." Li Shuying smiled. After taking one last look at her mother, Li Shuying turned and left the house.
By the time she arrived, the county streets were already bustling with activity. Li Shuying moved through the crowd of workers, bicycle and ox carts with practiced familiarity before finally arriving at the Zhang family's residence.
She stepped forward and knocked, a moment later, the door opened. The person standing behind it was Zhang Wenhao.
The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up, "Little Shuying!" A broad smile spread across his face, "Ah, what perfect timing. Come in, come in."
Li Shuying smiled politely, "Uncle Zhang, I came to see Brother Junyi."
"Him?" Zhang Wenhao laughed, "That lazy boy is still sleeping."
He moved aside and invited her inside.
As Li Shuying entered the courtyard, Zhang Wenhao continued with a chuckle, "You've arrived at just the right moment. My mother has been asking about you these past few days." He shook his head helplessly, "After hearing about you from Junyi and me, she insisted on meeting you."
Before Li Shuying could reply, an elderly voice drifted from the inner room, "Xiao Wen?" The voice was gentle and slightly amused, "Who is it? Has another neighbor come?"
Zhang Wenhao immediately looked embarrassed. Being called "Xiao Wen" in front of a young girl made him feel somewhat awkward.
"Mother." He rubbed his nose, "It's not the neighbors. Come out for a moment. Let me introduce someone to you."
Soon, the curtain covering the inner doorway was lifted, and an elderly woman slowly walked out. The moment Li Shuying saw her, she instinctively straightened her posture.
The old woman was petite and slender. Her hair was almost entirely gray, neatly pinned behind her head. A pair of round spectacles rested on her nose. Although age had left its marks upon her face, there was a quiet refinement in her bearing. She did not resemble the weathered village elders Li Shuying saw every day. Instead, she possessed the calm dignity of someone who had spent a lifetime surrounded by books and learning.
Her gaze was soft and movements unhurried. Simply standing there gave people an inexplicable sense of comfort. Li Shuying immediately felt a favorable impression toward her.
At the same time, the old woman was also observing Li Shuying. The girl standing before her appeared to be barely in her teens. She wore coarse rural clothing, the fabric was old and plain.
Yet strangely, those clothes could not diminish her presence. Her posture was upright and her eyes were clear and steady. Unlike most village children, she showed neither timidity nor restlessness. There was a quiet composure about her. A calmness that seemed completely out of place for someone so young.
The old woman's eyes brightened slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on her face as she turned toward her son.
Zhang Wenhao immediately understood. He quickly introduced them, "Mother, this is the Little Shuying I've mentioned before." His smile widened, "The apples, the grain and other supplies, everything I told you about came from her." Then he looked at Li Shuying, "Little Shuying, this is my mother."
The elderly woman stepped forward with a warm smile, "So you're Li Shuying." Her voice was kind and affectionate, "I've heard your name many times these past few days."
Li Shuying immediately greeted her respectfully, "Greetings, old madam Zhang."
The old woman's smile deepened. With a gentle smile, Old Madam Zhang said, "If you don't mind, child, you may call me Grandma Zhang."
Li Shuying immediately smiled, "Of course, Grandma Zhang."
"En, what a good child." The old woman's eyes curved with delight. She reached out and lightly patted the seat, "Come, come. Don't stand there. Sit down and talk with this old woman."
Li Shuying obediently took a seat.
Old Madam Zhang studied her for a moment before speaking warmly, "Ever since Xiao Wen and Junyi told me about you, they have been praising you without end. Every day it was Little Shuying this, Little Shuying that." She laughed softly, "After hearing so much, this old woman naturally became curious. I kept thinking, what kind of child could make both my son and grandson speak so highly of her?" Her eyes softened, "Now that I've met you, I understand."
Li Shuying felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise.
Old Madam Zhang continued, "And I also wanted to thank you personally." She sighed softly, "Especially those apples. To tell the truth, I haven't eaten such good fruit in many years." Her expression became slightly nostalgic, "The flesh was crisp, sweet, and full of juice. Just one bite was enough to make a person feel comforted."
Li Shuying smiled modestly, "Grandma Zhang, you're praising me too much. I only happened to have a way to obtain those supplies."
She glanced toward Zhang Wenhao, "And Uncle Zhang has helped me a great deal as well. It is only natural for people to help one another."
Old Madam Zhang nodded approvingly. Her impression of the young girl rose yet again. Most people would eagerly accept praise. Yet this child neither became arrogant nor acted falsely humble. That alone was rare.
"Even so." The old woman smiled, "Not many people would willingly share supplies with people they barely know." She shook her head, "Nowadays, every coarse grain is counted carefully. Every household is tightening its belt. To receive your help is a blessing for our family."
Li Shuying quickly waved her hands, "Grandma Zhang, please don't say that. I really haven't done much."
The old woman merely smiled. In her heart, however, she thought differently. This child not only possessed resources but also a kind heart. Such people were far more valuable than supplies.
At that moment, Zhang Wenhao suddenly slapped his thigh, "Mother! Now that Little Shuying is here, why don't we invite her to stay for breakfast?" His eyes brightened. Then he turned toward Li Shuying, "Little Shuying, you must try my mother's cooking." He lowered his voice dramatically, "Let me tell you, before Liberation, many people wanted to eat her cooking but never got the chance."
Old Madam Zhang immediately rolled her eyes, "Nonsense."
Zhang Wenhao grinned shamelessly, "I'm only speaking the truth."
Li Shuying quickly shook her head, "No, Uncle Zhang. There's really no need. I only came to see Brother Junyi for a moment. I'll leave after that."
Old Madam Zhang immediately frowned, "How can that be?" Her tone carried the authority unique to elderly Chinese women, "You've already come all this way. Wouldn't it make this old woman seem stingy if I let you leave on an empty stomach?"
Li Shuying hurriedly said, "Grandma Zhang, I don't mean that..."
But before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Zhang had already risen to her feet. She smiled warmly, "Enough. This matter is decided. Whether you like it or not, you are staying for breakfast." Then she added with a chuckle, "This old woman rarely gets a chance to cook properly these days. Let me enjoy myself for once."
Without waiting for another reply, she turned and headed toward the kitchen with surprising energy for someone her age.
"Grandma Zhang..." Li Shuying called out helplessly. But the old woman had already disappeared behind the curtain. Seeing this, Li Shuying could only turn toward Zhang Wenhao, "Uncle Zhang." Her expression was slightly troubled, "You really didn't have to trouble Grandma Zhang because of me."
Zhang Wenhao laughed, "It isn't trouble, trust me. My mother is genuinely happy." Seeing Li Shuying's confusion, he explained, "My mother has always loved cooking. In the old days, preparing meals was one of her greatest joys. But in recent years, there hasn't been much to cook. Even if she wants to show her skills, there are no ingredients. Ever since your supplies arrived, she's been happier than she's been in months. She finally has ingredients worth cooking again." He laughed, "To be honest, she's probably been waiting for an excuse to use them. So don't feel burdened. You are actually helping her fulfill a wish."
Li Shuying couldn't help but glance toward the kitchen. Through the doorway, she could see Old Madam Zhang already busy at work. The old woman moved briskly, humming softly to herself as she prepared breakfast. There was unmistakable joy in her movements.
For a moment, Li Shuying felt a warmth spread through her chest. Perhaps Uncle Zhang was right. This was not merely hospitality. For someone who loved cooking, being able to prepare a proper meal after so long was a happiness in itself.
Finally, she nodded, "Then... I'll have to trouble Grandma Zhang."
Zhang Wenhao laughed heartily, "That's the spirit. Sit down and wait. I guarantee you'll leave wanting to visit every day."
Than Zhang Wenhao suddenly seemed to remember something. He looked at Li Shuying and said with a smile, "By the way, I heard you successfully persuaded your commune leaders to prepare for the coming disaster."
Li Shuying, froze slightly and her brows furrowed, "How do you know about that?"
Zhang Wenhao chuckled, "Not only me." He leaned back against his chair and shook his head, "By now, almost everyone in the county administration who should know already knows."
"What?" Li Shuying was genuinely stunned.
Seeing her reaction, Zhang Wenhao laughed, "You really think such a major matter could remain hidden?" He lowered his voice slightly, "I have an old Comrade in the Grain Procurement Bureau. He used to serve in the army before transferring to civilian work. Yesterday we met by chance and he told me that the entire bureau was in an uproar."
Li Shuying's heart skipped a beat.
Zhang Wenhao continued, "Apparently someone reported that Shitou Village had suspended a large portion of its wheat planting plans and instead began expanding sweet potato, Chinese cabbage, and soybean cultivation. The report reached the bureau yesterday morning. The moment they received it, everyone was shocked."
He smiled bitterly, "After all, grain production targets are serious political matters nowadays. Anything involving changes in planting plans immediately attracts attention. My Comrade said the matter was eventually reported directly to both the County Mayor's Office and the Party Secretary's Office."
Li Shuying's eyes widened, "The mayor and county party secretary know already?"
Zhang Wenhao nodded, "They know."
For a moment, Li Shuying was speechless. She had expected resistance and questions. But she had never imagined the matter would travel so quickly through the county administration. After all, only three days had passed. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her cloths.
"Someone reported it..." she murmured.
Zhang Wenhao nodded calmly, "Naturally, that is hardly surprising." He smiled faintly, "Little Shuying, whenever a decision is made, whether in a village production team, a commune, or even higher levels, there will always be people who support it and people who oppose it." He raised a finger. "Especially when the decision goes against established plans. Someone will always step forward. As the old saying goes, 'When a tree stands too tall, the wind will surely strike it.'"
He paused before continuing, "To be honest, I would have been more worried if everyone in the village committee had supported the decision without question. That would be truly abnormal."
Li Shuying nodded slowly. That much she understood. In her previous life she had witnessed enough of human nature. No matter how beneficial a proposal might be, there would always be those who opposed it for personal reasons, political reasons, or simply because they disliked the person making it.
Her concern, however, lay elsewhere. The matter had now reached county leaders. That was no longer a village affair.
Zhang Wenhao suddenly laughed, "But I must admit, Little Shuying, you've done something remarkable. I still don't know how you managed to persuade the village committee heads. To convince an entire production brigade to alter its planting strategy is no simple feat." He shook his head in amazement, "Even many experienced cadres would struggle to accomplish such a thing."
Then he smiled and quoted an old saying, "Truly, 'The waves behind drive those ahead; each new generation surpasses the last.'"
Li Shuying smiled awkwardly. If Zhang Wenhao knew the real reason behind her confidence, he would probably be even more shocked. However, unlike Zhang Wenhao's relaxed mood, her thoughts had already become heavy.
Her mind rapidly analyzed the situation. Someone had opposed the decision. The matter had reached county authorities. And county authorities would certainly not ignore it. No matter whether they approved or disapproved, action would follow. That much was inevitable.
Li Shuying lowered her gaze, a faint sense of pressure settled in her chest. She had changed the course of events. But changing events always created consequences.
Slowly, she lifted her head, "Uncle Zhang..." Her voice carried a rare trace of seriousness, "What do you think will happen next?"