Chapter Seven: Such a Bold Dream

Lv Guangyao had long heard rumors that Song Mingrui’s wife was sharp-tongued and unreasonable. Having spent two years in the countryside, she had supposedly picked up some of the unpleasant habits common to rural elderly women. Still, since she was Song Mingrui’s wife, he found it best to keep his opinions to himself.

"Hmph! You 'heard rumors'? Who did you ask? If you had even a shred of concern, you would have looked into it yourself! Lv Guangyao, Comrade Old Lv, how can you still have the heart to sit there drinking tea? Hurry up and come with me! Something has happened to Mingrui’s wife—something terrible! If I hadn't overheard it by chance, you’d better be prepared for Mingrui to strip the bones from your old body when he gets back!"

Seeing the expression on Chen Shumin’s face, Lv Guangyao hurriedly set down his teacup, looking at her with a sense of unease.

"It... it really happened?"

"Could there be any doubt? I heard that the Song family are all honey-mouthed but heartless. How they treated Mingrui’s wife and children... you tell me, is that even something human beings would do?"

"Oh, why didn't you tell me sooner? Let's go, let's go! We need to go visit them immediately."

Chen Shumin watched him with a calm demeanor before sitting down.

"Now you’re in a hurry? Where were you before? Little Wei has already handled the situation and divided the family property. I snuck over to take a look—the poor girl’s face is so thin she’s barely recognizable, and the two children are nothing but skin and bones."

Lv Guangyao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had patted his chest and made promises to Song Mingrui before he left. If that stubborn mule found out about this, he would surely tear him apart.

"Shumin, do you know where Mingrui’s wife and children are staying now? We should buy some things to take to them so they can nourish their bodies. Tsk, why are you just sitting there?"

"Wait a few days. I heard Little Wei wants to move. That sister-in-law of hers is a handful; there must be some ulterior motive behind her giving the house to Little Wei. If you want to make amends, help her find a new place closer to her workplace."

"Fine, I'll figure something out."

Wei Yao was discharged the next day. She first went to the neighborhood committee to register the house under her own name, then accompanied the Song family to the police station. After paying a fifty-yuan fine, Li Ying was finally released. Having already compensated Wei Yao, the Song family had emptied their savings; now they were left with absolutely nothing.

The ordeal had left Li Ying thoroughly shaken. When he saw Wei Yao, he no longer dared to display his previous arrogance.

"Mom, where are we going?"

"To our new home. Grandma Liu helped us move our things there. From now on, the three of us will live together. Mom promises to take good care of you and your sister."

"Mom, I don't like Grandpa and Grandma. I won't like them in the future, either."

"If you don't like them, then you don't have to. We won't go to their house anymore."

Wei Yao took Song Yang and Song Hui to the new house, which was just two blocks away from her workplace. She had taken leave from her unit and could rest at home for another half-month.

The new place was a small courtyard with three rooms: two bedrooms and a main hall. A shed to the side served as a kitchen, and the side room had been converted into a bathroom. She was very satisfied with the house, and considering the extra two hundred yuan she had paid to secure it, she felt it was worth every penny. Most importantly, the deed was written in her name—hers alone.

She didn't tidy up much; she was still nursing her own injuries, and after handling so many affairs in one day, she was exhausted. After feeding Song Hui and coaxing her to sleep, she told Song Yang to watch his sister while she went to the kitchen. Moments later, she returned with an enamel basin full of dumplings.

"Yangyang, come eat. Let’s eat and then take a nap, okay?"

"Wow! Dumplings, Mom! It’s dumplings! Can... can I have ten?"

Hearing her son's words, Wei Yao turned her head away, her eyes reddening. At the Song residence, their dumpling portions were strictly rationed: ten for a child and fifteen for an adult—never any more. Once, after putting the children to sleep, she had overheard that this rule was only for her and the children; Song Liping not only ate as much as she wanted, but her dumplings were always filled with egg and meat.

"My sweet boy, you can have as much as you want today. I made plenty."

Song Yang’s eyes widened. He picked up his chopsticks and first placed a dumpling in Wei Yao’s bowl. Only after seeing her eat did he begin to eat his own.

After eating, the mother and son each drank a bowl of dumpling soup and lay down on the kang. Before drifting off to sleep, Wei Yao brought the two children into her secret space. Since she had half a month of leave, she decided to close the doors and live her own life.

When Song Yang woke up, he thought he was dreaming. He blinked several times before realizing his surroundings, stunned.

"Don't be afraid. This is a place an old immortal lent to Mom so that Grandpa and Grandma can't find us. There’s no one else here, just the three of us. You can do whatever you want here. Outside, there are rice paddies and fruit trees, and so many good things to eat. Go take a look."

Song Yang felt as if he were in a dream, but it was such a magnificent one. Everything was there: a beautiful house, plenty of grain and fruit, and delicious snacks he had never seen before. He was curious about everything. With his mother and sister by his side, his fear gradually dissipated.

Wei Yao wasn't worried. At only four years old, even if he said anything later, others would just think he was talking in his sleep. After bathing Song Hui, putting on a fresh diaper and clean cotton clothes, she began to prepare a meal.

The three of them spent half a month in the space, enjoying every single day. If she could, she would have liked to stay there with her children forever.

Lv Guangyao and Chen Shumin visited two or three times without finding anyone home. They were extremely anxious, only learning from neighbors that Wei Yao had barely stepped out of the courtyard.

"I hope nothing bad happened! She was still injured, after all!"

"It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine. She got such a big house and has two children to care for; why would she do anything foolish? Don't scare yourself. Why don't you try knocking again?"

"Is anyone there? Is Comrade Wei home?"

Wei Yao had just exited the space and moved her two sleeping children onto the bed when she heard knocking at the courtyard gate. She went out to find two complete strangers.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Oh, don't be afraid. You’re Comrade Wei Yao, right? I’m from the transport team, a friend of your husband, Song Mingrui. I heard you and the children moved out from your in-laws, so we came to check on you."

"A friend of Mingrui? But I’ve never seen you before, and he’s never mentioned you. My children and I are doing fine, thank you. Please excuse me."

Seeing her about to close the gate, Lv Guangyao reached out to stop it, and Chen Shumin quickly intervened.

"Comrade Wei, we really are Mingrui’s friends. Look, we brought these things to help you and the children recover. Take them; we won't come in. When Mingrui returns, we’ll come by for a proper visit. My name is Chen Shumin, from the Women’s Federation, and this is my husband, Lv Guangyao, the office director of the transport company. If you have any difficulties before Mingrui gets back, don't hesitate to come to us."

Wei Yao was about to refuse, but the two of them set down several bags of supplies and turned to leave.