Chapter 37

Grandma gently stroked the ink-stained newspaper, her clouded old eyes glimmering with a trace of nostalgia. Something had stirred in her memory, and her nose suddenly tingled with the urge to cry.

She sighed, “Xiaodang was a sensible child too. Shui-ya takes after him… just as promising. It’s been so many years, he probably can’t even remember what Shui-ya looks like anymore. I’ll burn the newspaper for him to take a look.”

Listening to this, Shui-ya’s mother couldn’t hold back her own tears either. She thought of how Shui-ya’s father had never even seen his daughter—not once. Let alone burning a photo for him, Shui-ya had never even taken a single photo all these years.

“He knows, Mother. You don’t have to burn it. Shui-ya earned this honor through great effort. I want to keep it.”

Grandma thought about it and agreed—not burning it was better.

Xie Tingyu said, “It’s alright. Go ahead and burn it… I’ll get another copy for Grandma later.”

Grandma instantly lit up again. Clapping her hands, she exclaimed, “We’ve got to buy two bundles of firecrackers—make it loud! Shui-ya’s truly made something of herself this time. The reason the crops can be planted across these ten villages is thanks to her! Looking back three generations, no one’s been as accomplished as Shui-ya!”

As she said this, she conveniently chose to ignore both her husband and her son.

Not only did Grandma dip into her savings to buy firecrackers that poor families usually couldn’t afford, she even bought fancy incense and candles. After burning the newspaper, she set off a loud, sky-cracking blast that echoed through the entire village.

Everyone wondered what kind of joyous event had happened. After all, firecrackers were only set off for enormous occasions—like a family on the verge of dying out suddenly having a son, or someone getting promoted or striking it rich. One bundle cost seven yuan—nearly a month’s wages.

But that wasn’t all. Grandma went from house to house, proudly telling everyone that her granddaughter had been featured in the newspaper. In less than a day, the entire village knew that Ye Family’s Shui-ya had made it into the big paper!

Then someone asked, “Granny, you said your Shui-ya was in the paper—so where’s the paper?”

Overwhelmed with excitement, Grandma had completely forgotten to let people see the article before burning it. Now she had nothing to show for this moment of honor.

She said cheerfully, “I burned it—so Shui-ya’s father could take a look too.”

Some of the educated youth working nearby overheard this and whispered among themselves during a break:

“These country folks really are shallow and thick-skinned. They not only stole someone else’s credit, but now they’re going around flaunting it—shameless.”

“They even set off firecrackers, like they want the whole village to know.”

But Grandma wasn’t deaf or blind yet—her blood still ran hot. Her face suddenly dropped.

She had heard those annoying educated youth insulting her dear granddaughter. It was the same kind of gossip they had spread before. Hearing it now stabbed her in the heart.

Back then, she had no way to fight back and could only use her status in the village to suppress the rumors. But now, with old grudges and new anger combined, Grandma stood tall and proud.

“You little educated brats don’t know a damn thing. What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Your mouths are vile!”

“What did my Shui-ya ever do to you? All you do is talk bad about her instead of working!”

This was the first time Grandma had lost her temper like this, publicly quarreling with young people. And over such a bold matter! The whole village was stunned, and people started crowding around to hear the gossip.

Back home, Ye Qingshui was boiling pig slop when someone came rushing in, breathless.

“Shui-ya, your grandma’s arguing with someone!”

Ye Qingshui was shocked. She wiped her hands on a cloth, took off her scarf, and quickly went out to find her grandmother.

She saw Grandma standing on a ridge, furiously throwing clumps of mud at the feet of the educated youth, shouting in rage:

“My Shui-ya isn’t like you! She’s steady and kind-hearted! If someone asks her to do one thing, she’ll do three! She’s always polite to people in the village, works harder than anyone else, has the softest heart, the clumsiest mouth—she hasn’t read as many books as you, sure, but who gave you the right to bully her? Did you ask me first?”

“She made the water-finding device. She did! It was her!”

The stubborn old woman straightened her slightly hunched back, sweeping away her usual kind demeanor. Her withered, thin body looked small next to the tall women she was facing, but she was like a mother wolf defending her cub—fierce and fearless.

Ye Qingshui was hit by the scene like a bolt of lightning. Memories of her past life came flooding back, her heart suddenly sour, and tears spilled from her eyes before she could stop them.

She wiped her tears and walked up to Grandma, gently pulling her hand.

It was warm and dry, skin stretched over bone, thin as twigs—but strong. These were the hands that had once pulled her from the mud and pushed her forward.

But now, she had grown up. Her shell was thick, impervious to knives or spears. She no longer exposed her soft spots, and she no longer needed Grandma’s protection.

Now, she could protect Grandma.

Ye Qingshui said softly, “Grandma, don’t be angry. They’re not worth it.”

Then she turned around—and unexpectedly slapped one of the female educated youth across the face.

A rural woman used to heavy labor had a strong arm. The girl’s cheek swelled up instantly, like a rising steamed bun. She stared at Ye Qingshui in utter shock.

Ye Qingshui asked coldly, “Are you awake now?”

“I really want to know—where does that arrogant sense of superiority you all have even come from?”

“Family background? Education? Or is it just because you came from the city? That’s supposed to be impressive? When you’re ten, it’s cute to feel proud of your family. At twenty, if you still look down on others because of your family, it’s ignorant. At forty, still clinging to your background just means you’re incompetent.”

“You look down on the uneducated, and when someone achieves something, you immediately assume the worst. You don’t even bother asking—so ignorance stays ignorance. Stupidity stays stupidity. It’s pathetic.”

Though Ye Qingshui hadn’t used any vulgar words, her voice rang clear and powerful. The sarcasm in her tone stung like a slap, making faces burn red with shame.

The female educated youth’s heart was full of resentment and confusion, tangled together into a complex mess. She never expected that just a few sentences would spark such a big uproar—especially with Ye Qingshui being so righteously assertive.

Why? Why could she be so confident?

Only now did they begin to wonder: could it be that Ye Qingshui really was the one who created the water meter? Was she actually capable of that?

At that moment, the second team leader finally found a chance to chime in:

“Tch, since when do heroes not only go unrecognized here, but even get scolded? What kind of messed-up attitude is this… Aren’t you going to apologize yet?”

“What’s this all about anyway? The newspaper—what newspaper?” the gossip-hungry villagers began to murmur among themselves.

“They called Shuiya shallow? Like we country folk are all brainless or something?”

Ye Qingshui had no interest in listening further. She took her grandma’s hand and started walking home.

Granny mumbled, “It’s my fault—I went and burned it.”

Ye Qingshui said, “It’s not your fault, Grandma. You were just trying to protect Shuiya.”

Granny sighed. “Don’t know what kind of bad karma this is. Shui’er’s such a good girl, and yet there’s always someone out there wagging their tongues and spreading rumors, trying to ruin her name. If only…”

If only this engagement hadn’t happened.

But Granny couldn’t bring herself to say those words anymore. After all, that young man, Xiao Xie, really did seem like a good person—very different from the other educated youths. He didn’t look down on country folks or think less of Shuiya.

Granny Ye knew those educated youths were bitter, jealous that Shuiya had landed herself a golden son-in-law.

Sure, Xiao Xie came from good circumstances, but in Granny Ye’s heart, her granddaughter was the best—kind, thoughtful, hardworking. In these ten or so villages, she could have had her pick of good men. Matchmakers had come by over and over again last year, offering 500 yuan in bride price, and Granny still hadn’t been willing to marry her off.

How could anyone say she wasn’t good enough? Those people were clearly just belittling her out of spite.

When Granny got home, she stared sternly at Xie Tingyu and said:

“You better treat my Shui’er right.

If not, I’ll have her remarry. The men around here aren’t worse than you.”

Xie Tingyu, who had just woken up from his afternoon nap, rubbed his eyes and froze. Remarry?

He and Ye Qingshui hadn’t even formally begun a relationship, and Granny was already thinking about her remarrying? What on earth had happened?

He quickly declared with conviction,

“Don’t worry, Grandma. I won’t let her suffer.”

Then he asked, “Why are you saying this all of a sudden, Grandma? What happened just now?”

Granny Ye rapped her cane against the bed and said gruffly,

“Nothing! Just focus on healing your injuries. You’ve got no meat on your bones, no strength—can’t even compare to the village men. How are you going to give my Shui’er a good life?”

Faced with Granny’s disdainful gaze, Xie Tingyu fell silent for a moment, then muttered,

“I am strong…”

Granny snorted dismissively and walked out of the room.

—

That afternoon, after finishing her chores, Ye Qingshui came home.

As usual, she pulled out the unfinished clothes she was working on and sat by the window, mending them in the light. Xie Tingyu took the cloth from her hands and could faintly make out the shape of the garment. Her craftsmanship was excellent.

“Stop doing that—it’ll strain your eyes.”

Ye Qingshui was still angry at Xie Tingyu and didn’t want to talk to him.

He gently used his thumb to brush off the thin string hanging near her ear, then removed her face mask. Only then could he clearly see her expression.

He didn’t like talking to her through a layer of gauze.

Looking into her eyes, he asked,

“Did something unpleasant happen?

And does it… have something to do with me?”

He took in her expression.

Usually, her bangs were tied up neatly, but a few strands had fallen and now lay against her forehead. Her watery, painting-like eyes were dulled with a greyish hue—they looked lifeless.

When she was happy, her eyes sparkled. Even when she was clumsily doing chores, she was cheerful—sweeping, cooking, sewing—everything brought her joy.

But not today.

Seeing her frown, he couldn’t help but reach out to smooth it. He sighed,

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

Ye Qingshui scoffed silently to herself.

What do you understand, really?

She batted his hand away and said bluntly,

“Don’t touch me. You said you were going to treat me like a little sister.”

“Oh, and… also a good friend.”

That line sounded familiar.

Xie Tingyu’s mood suddenly became complicated. He struggled to maintain a neutral expression and said softly,

“As long as Shuiya’s not angry, that’s good.”

His voice, deliberately softened, was gentle to the extreme—deep and rich, like a night breeze that could soothe away all the gloom in one’s heart.

Hearing such a tender voice, any girl would find herself a little enchanted.

Ye Qingshui, caught off guard, pricked her finger and swore quietly.

Men who had trained in vocal performance really were different—he had such a beautiful voice he could probably work as a radio host. Even his casual tone sounded like a lover’s sweet nothings. Maybe it was because he’d become younger again?

Ye Qingshui could feel it: Xie Tingyu always exuded this gentle, flirtatious warmth like a spring breeze. Subtle, but ever-present.

Xie Tingyu smiled faintly.

He could already guess the general shape of what had happened. For Granny Ye to be so upset as to come warn him herself, it could only be those rumors spreading around the village.

Clearly, this girl was still fuming and had taken her anger out on him.

He cleared his throat and said lightly,

“Don’t be mad, Shuiya.

Once I recover, I’ll help you vent it out.”

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