Volume One, Chapter 20: The Widow Abandoned by Her Sons During the Years of Famine—Part 20 [Expressions]

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to be so responsible.”
“Of course! I’m nothing like her, that heartless woman!”
“You’re panting just because I called you fat.”

Mo Mo chuckled as she looked at her cheap eldest daughter-in-law. “Xiao Da, come here, to Grandma.”

The little boy was tugging at his second cousin’s pant leg while his mother held her. Hearing Grandma call, he quickly ran over and happily threw himself into her arms.

“Grandma, are you going to give Xiao Da something tasty to eat?”
“Still eating, huh? Your mother’s been feeding you so much you’re turning into a little pig. Just look at how fat you’ve gotten.”

Wang Fang frowned and bounced the little girl in her arms. “Fat? No, Mom, you don’t understand. It’s called being charming.”

Mo Mo ignored her and gently looked at her little grandson.
“Xiao Da, do you want to move in and live with Grandma? There’s Aunt Ling, Uncle Cai, and Big Sister Dahua at home—it’ll be lively.”

“Can Mom come too? And Second Sister Huahua? Xiao Da can’t bear to be apart from them.” The chubby boy smiled brightly.

“You’re quite thoughtful!” Mo Mo shot a glance at her daughter-in-law.

Wang Fang grinned cheekily and leaned closer. “So, Mom, do you agree or not?”

“If you hadn’t realized your mistakes and secretly made up for your daughter these past years, I wouldn’t bother with you. It was Dahua who suggested you all move back. Remember her kindness, alright?”

“So I was spoiled by your eldest son before, huh? Got it, got it! I’ll go pack now!”

Wang Fang smiled like a blooming flower, quickly putting down Huahua and running toward the old house.

Over the years, she had come to see clearly: among men and sisters-in-law, a mother-in-law is the most reliable!

Mo Mo watched her bustling about with a helpless smile and took the two little ones to the backyard to pick vegetables.

Three Bao, puzzled, asked, “Mo Jie, she used to hit your granddaughter before.”

“They say a prodigal son who turns over a new leaf is worth more than gold. It’s unfair that men can be forgiven for big mistakes, but women can’t even for small ones. A woman’s life is already tough. Besides, these past two years, she’s warmed Dahua’s heart. We should just go along with it. We’re here to enjoy our old age; as long as our family is happy, everyone’s content.”

At the foot of the mountain by the river,

Several rains had come and gone over the past months. Though the river hadn’t fully recovered to its former state, the water was now about calf-high.

A Cai and Huzi rolled up their pants legs, trying their hand at catching fish, while Nan Nan and Tian Tian stood nearby munching on crispy radish sticks, giving directions.

The current was gentle, so they felt safe letting the children wade in.

On a large rock by the shore, chubby Dahua leaned against her aunt, occasionally asking,

“Uncle, are they done yet? When are we going home?”

A Ling laughed and hugged her. “What’s wrong? Afraid your mom will be chased away by Grandma?”

Playing shyly with her chubby little hands, Dahua wriggled around in her aunt’s embrace, embarrassed.

“Alright, alright, stop wriggling. Look what your mom’s done feeding you. Don’t worry, Grandma’s known for a long time but pretends not to. Otherwise, do you think you could sneak out so easily every day?”

“Grandma’s the best!”

“Huh? Is Aunt not good?”

“They’re all good, all good. Love you all the most!” Dahua puckered up and went to kiss her aunt.

Just then, Chen Dadan’s loud voice rang out, “Nan Nan! Tian Tian! Time to eat! If your mom gets mad later, I’m not helping!”

Startled, the two little girls waved farewell to their friends and hurried toward their father.

Yes, Chen Dadan was their father.

Back at the cave, everyone had taken pity on Tian Tian’s hardships and paid extra attention to her.

Nan Nan often pulled her mother over, and in time, those two grew fond of each other.

According to Chen Dadan, it was only after spending time with You Hua that he understood what it meant to like someone and realized his feelings for Mo Mei were admiration and reverence.

“Why do you always need to be called to eat? Don’t you know how hard your mom works cooking? And she has to wait for you two little monkeys. Next time, I’m bringing a feather duster.”

“Got it, got it, Dad, you’re so naggy.”

Tian Tian held her sister’s hand, listening to her new dad’s rambling with a light step, endlessly grateful in her heart to Aunt Mo for rescuing her from the devil’s clutches.

Cui Hua also came to call the kids home for dinner.

A Cai and Huzi quickly tidied up and went home with their sister Dahua.

The sunset painted the sky in shades of gold, the clouds along the horizon edged in glimmering light, casting a soft glow.

The silhouettes of the two families gradually blurred into the distance, leaving only faint whispers carried by the wind, quietly fading with the setting sun.

Mo Mo had stayed in this world for a few more years.

They had placed low-grade spirit stones in every well in the village. The villagers’ health steadily improved, and it was believed that living to a hundred or eighty years old would be no problem.

During this time, she heard some news: Wang Wei had been sold into servitude by a man claiming to be a traveling merchant, suffering daily abuse and harsh treatment from her masters.

Wang Xiucai and Wu Xiuying had gotten into a dispute with someone far away and were beaten to death.

Not everyone could tolerate that person’s foul mouth.

Her own daughter had clearly expressed she didn’t want to marry again. Mo Mo wholeheartedly agreed and even transferred the house ownership to the two children.

Wang Fang had truly changed for the better, and the children were growing up. She believed their days would improve steadily.

“So boring, Three Bao, let’s go to the next world. I guess someone like me, used to working like an ox or horse, just can’t stay idle.”

Mo Mo flopped on the bed like a salted fish.

“Alright, Mo Jie, the return passage is connected. We can leave anytime.”

She rolled over, taking out several boxes she had prepared long ago from the space. Inside were silver coins and jewelry left for the children.

She neatly arranged them on the table and placed the written will beneath them.

Mo Mo felt no attachment. Lying on the bed, she kicked off her feet and happily detached herself from the small world.

***

Quick Transmigration Department Task Hall.

A place created using spatial laws, stretching endlessly.

Countless mirrors over five meters tall stood inexplicably on the left side, their frames wrapped in intricate patterns, looking solemn and mysterious.

Ripples of water occasionally stirred inside the mirrors as taskers came and went through them.

On the right wall hung displays polished from exquisite spirit stones.

Some slowly scrolled through introductions of various task worlds; others showed only a question mark. Taskers chose missions according to their preferences.

In the center of the hall was the Soul Purification Pool.

Floating clouds surrounded it, with taskers resting in twos and threes, healing the soul injuries inflicted by the small worlds or simply taking a break.

From Mirror No. 33, after a ripple passed, Mo Mo appeared, a small green-eyed black cat perched on her shoulder.

She stood about 1.7 meters tall, her flaxen shoulder-length wavy hair cascading down. She wore a green tube top, black shorts, and beige sneakers.

Her pretty face was makeup-free, with a slight upward curve at the corners of her lips, phoenix-shaped eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a small mole at the tail of her brow that made her even more alluring.