For years, Wang Xianghua had been dissatisfied with her sister-in-law's frequent visits to take grain from their home, but as her mother-in-law managed the household, she could only swallow her discontent.
Now, things were different. After the incident, she felt she could finally voice her feelings.
How could Grandma Su not know her daughters-in-law's dissatisfaction? But she loved both her children equally. Su Manxiang always came crying, so she could only offer some care.
Thinking back now, it was precisely this approach that had made Su Manxiang increasingly insatiable.
"From now on, all the grain and meat in the house will be kept for ourselves!" Grandpa Su's words settled the matter.
This time, Grandpa Su had been truly hurt by Su Manxiang.
It wasn't frightening for a person to make mistakes; what was frightening was not realizing their mistakes after making them.
Su Manxiang still hadn't recognized her errors, either genuinely confused or pretending to be.
Regardless, Grandpa Su no longer wished to indulge her.
The family members were surprised by Grandpa Su's sudden declaration and were stunned.
"Grandpa, we'll get to eat meals like this from now on?"
It wasn't until Su Jiulian's childish voice was heard that Grandpa Su felt even worse.
Because of Su Manxiang, he had indeed been harsh on his grandchildren.
Meals like these, ordinary village fare, could make Little Jiu so happy and expectant; it was his fault!
The grain he had saved from his children and grandchildren over the years had gone to feed an ungrateful wretch!
"Yes, from now on, my Little Jiu will get to eat meals like this," Grandpa Su solemnly promised.
"Brother Jiu, we'll get to eat even more delicious food in the future, maybe even an egg every two days," Su Xiaotian said with a bright smile.
Eggs?
The brothers all swallowed, even the eldest, Su Shouwen, couldn't help himself.
Eggs were scarce in their home. Apart from the youngest, Su Xiaotian, who got one egg a month, the other children didn't have such privileges.
"I don't ask for an egg every two days; I'd be content with one egg a month!" Su Ciliang said, smacking his lips.
"Hurry up and eat your rice, and stop talking with your mouth full!" Qi Liangying chided, spitting at her son for being so gluttonous.
Eating eggs was a rare occurrence in their home; even most families in the production brigade seldom had eggs.
She only got to eat an egg every other day when she was in confinement, and the taste was so wonderful that she could still salivate thinking about it.
Although everyone felt that eating eggs was an impossible dream, a glimmer of hope for a better life seemed to appear in everyone's hearts.
After lunch, the adults went to their rooms to rest for a while before heading to work.
As the weather grew hotter, Su Xiaotian had already urged Liang Xiu to prepare mung bean soup for everyone at home.
When the mung bean soup was ready, she had even generously added a little sugar, making it sweet.
Liang Xiu didn't begrudge the mung beans for the soup; they had plenty, grown on the field ridges, and were not expensive.
But sugar was precious. She had added almost a spoonful, making Liang Xiu wince with heartache.
This child, Xiaotian, was truly too generous.
Thinking of her daughter this way, she couldn't help but wonder how her mother-in-law had also changed her ways recently, entrusting the sugar jar to a child like Xiaotian.
A basin of mung bean soup was prepared. The adults took a thermos to work, and the rest was left for the children at home.
The brothers drank the mung bean soup and felt much refreshed, continuing to bury their heads in their studies.
Seeing her brothers study so diligently put Su Xiaotian at ease, and she also busied herself with reading and earning money.
In the morning, she had read a book on cultivation. In the afternoon, Su Xiaotian took out a thick volume, also on cultivation.
This book was somewhat obscure and difficult for Su Xiaotian to understand, but she still read it diligently.
Through diligent and hard study every day during this period, Su Xiaotian's reading speed had increased significantly. She finished a two-centimeter-thick book in just over two hours.
However, after finishing, she felt that some parts were difficult to comprehend, and even her memory of them seemed a bit hazy.
She immediately went back to reread them.
Just then, Su Xiaotian heard the long-lost voice of Anna.
"Congratulations, Host, for activating your first skill – Review and Renew!"
Su Xiaotian was stunned.
Skill?
Review and Renew?
She couldn't bother with reading anymore. Seeing that her brothers were still engrossed in their studies and hadn't noticed her, she immediately communicated with the system to explore the new skill.
"Review and Renew: Reviewing old knowledge gains new insights and increases the Host's comprehension by thirty percent."
Su Xiaotian read it carefully twice and had an epiphany. This meant that reading shouldn't be superficial; one should read multiple times to gain more understanding.
It was her impatience before, reading for the sake of reading. Although she was very serious, it was somewhat driven by a utilitarian mindset, thinking about how much money she could earn after finishing a book.
Thinking back now, there must have been knowledge she hadn't grasped in the books she had read hastily before.
As for the increase in comprehension, Su Xiaotian felt that she seemed a bit clearer than before, though other effects were not immediately apparent.
Just as Su Xiaotian was about to continue reviewing the book she had read that day, she heard Su Ciliang's voice.
"So that's how it is, it's not that difficult!"
His voice was quite loud, disturbing all the brothers. They all looked up together, glaring angrily at the person who had interrupted their studies.
"Little sister, your method is great. I'll study like this from now on," Su Ciliang said happily to Su Xiaotian, ignoring everyone else.
"Second brother, you have the weakest foundation, so you must study diligently. If you don't get into high school next year, I'll cry!"
"Good sweetie, second brother isn't afraid of anything else, only your tears. Please don't cry!"
Su Ciliang was startled and quickly made a promise.
But after making the promise, he felt strange.
Why had this girl, Xiaotian, been so peculiar these past few days? She had never urged them to study so much before!
Was it too late for him to regret it?
Su Shouwen and the others couldn't help but laugh at Su Ciliang's startled expression.
"Hurry up and state your intentions. If Xiaotian cries, you'll all get beaten!"
As Su Ciliang spoke, he glanced at the broom in the corner of the yard.
The other brothers naturally understood Su Ciliang's meaning and all expressed that they would study hard.
Su Xiaotian was satisfied.
Her sacrifices for her brothers to study well were immense!
Seeing Su Xiaotian's sweet smile, Su Ciliang couldn't help but show off again.
"Xiaotian, your second brother is very smart. As long as I study seriously, there's nothing I can't learn. Just wait for your second brother to achieve great things and live a life of luxury!"
Su Ciliang said this without any humility; anyone who didn't know him would think he was a top student.
His words drew eye-rolls from the other brothers.
Among the brothers in the family, the second one was the worst at studying. Who knew where he got the courage to say such things to their smartest little sister.
Unbeknownst to the siblings, while they were interacting, someone paused outside their door and then quickly left!