Chapter 43: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s 10 New Story Started “Mom…

Chapter 43: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s (10) New story now available: "Mom..."

Fang's parents and Fang Nan and Fang Bei exchanged glances, pretended not to hear these thoughts. However, they also realized that the original story had these elements. The thought of having someone like that in their family was terrifying—thank goodness the immortal came. Otherwise, they might have died without even knowing how.

This was surely their family's good fortune, a reward for being good. From now on, they needed to do more good deeds. They also needed to write to Fang Lihai about the changes at home, though of course, they couldn’t mention the immortal. Letters were checked, so they’d say it was all misunderstandings before, like the villagers did, and praise Xu Ziyan more.

The four quickly started writing the letters and asked Xu Ziyan to write one too, telling her specifically to include the photos they had taken last time so Fang Lihai could see his wife and children.

Xu Ziyan remembered that writing letters was also part of the plot, so she quickly took out paper and wrote one quickly.

She had never met Fang Lihai before and didn’t have much to say, so she wrote it like a loving wife to her husband—saying how much she missed him after such a long time apart, telling him to take care of himself in the military, hoping he'd return soon, and wanting to visit him at the barracks.

Then she put in the photos of herself and the children and gave the letter to Mother Fang to be sent along with the family’s letters.

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the plot: Writing a letter and sending your photo to Fang Lihai to remind him of you. Fang Lihai’s parents write to him, wanting family peace, hiding the truth while praising you, only telling good news. Two plots completed, reward: two skill points."

Xu Ziyan knew how this worked. Fang's parents' part originally had nothing to do with her, but because the recent events had caused trouble, they decided to write the letters—and since she was sending hers together, it counted as indirectly facilitated by her, earning her the reward.

Seven points in a day—Xu Ziyan was overjoyed. "Hurry, put them all in intelligence! I want a photographic memory, I want to become a genius! We're so happy, us regular folks!~~~"

The others at home, hearing her inner thoughts and seeing her so happy, felt happy too. They were one family now—her joy was theirs too. Since Xu Ziyan’s arrival, their lives had become much happier, improved in many ways, and avoided many problems. They genuinely wished for her safety, health, and happiness.

If they wouldn't be found out, they would have set up an altar to worship her daily.

That night, crying came from next door again—Song Jiao crying angrily and Xu Xiuyun crying sadly. Song Dongbo was probably back after a busy day, and the girl had told on her. Xu Xiuyun tried to explain.

But from how Song Jiao cried, Xu Ziyan knew Xu Xiuyun’s tears wouldn’t help this time. After all, Song Jiao was his real daughter. He married Xu Xiuyun to care for his child, and now that the child was so upset, Xu Xiuyun's words wouldn't matter.

Song Jiao was only a child, but children had strong self-esteem. She didn’t get the complicated stuff—she only knew her stepmother had brought up the neighbors with a tone and expression that clearly implied something. Yet when she repeated it outside, everything blew up. Her stepmother didn’t defend her and instead claimed she hadn’t meant it that way, making all the blame fall on Song Jiao. The other children blamed her, and she couldn’t take it.

So she cried, feeling wronged, and her goodwill toward Xu Xiuyun plummeted. This, in turn, worsened Song Dongbo’s impression of Xu Xiuyun. She seemed to be using the child, and once again, she was entangled in drama with the neighbors—something Song Dongbo found exhausting.

The outside world was changing subtly, and it seemed small vendors were no longer being targeted. He had been testing the waters, thinking of setting up a stall. When he saw Xu Ziyan sending her parents to sell breakfast in the city, he even watched for a while and bribed a child to report them to the police station, confirming they wouldn’t be arrested. Overjoyed, he decided to quickly figure out a reliable business.

But who knew he’d return to the village only to find his family in turmoil again? Was it so hard for the man to handle outside matters while the woman managed the home? After a tiring day, did he really have to come back and settle domestic disputes?

He even regretted his haste in remarrying. He’d heard Xu Xiuyun was gentle and kind—who knew she’d be so scheming? If she could just stay quiet, he could focus on making money and lifting the family out of hardship. Instead, she kept stirring trouble for no reason.

In the end, Xu Xiuyun had to swear she’d stay far away from Xu Ziyan and take good care of Song Jiao before Song Dongbo softened. He had no choice—time was money. He had to seize the opportunity to make a fortune before others caught on, ensuring he stayed ahead.

So he had no energy for family drama. As long as things remained peaceful on the surface, they’d continue as they were. But beneath the calm, the affection between them had vanished. Both felt they had never truly understood the other.

A few days later, the Fang family’s wall was raised—so high that even standing on tiptoe, no one could see over it. The gate was replaced with a solid wooden door without even a crack. Once closed, no one could see inside.

It felt strange to everyone—no one had ever seen such a high wall, almost obscuring the roof. But Xu Ziyan found it comforting.

Standing inside, she looked up and said to 001, "I’ve always lived in big cities where boundaries are strong. I could never get used to villagers peeking inside or walking straight in through open doors. It made me uneasy doing anything.

Now it’s much quieter. Xu Xiuyun won’t see me studying, and I won’t have to explain why I’m learning. My parents sell breakfast without others knowing how much they make.

Wealth should be built quietly. No matter how much I know, I’m just a small-time farmer now. I need to gather strength first."

Fang's parents didn’t understand "boundaries," but from context, they grasped the idea. At first, the towering wall felt odd, but hearing Xu Ziyan’s reasoning, they agreed.

Their family had secrets now—the more hidden, the better. As long as they were safe, the wall could be as high as needed.

Once people got used to the wall, they began whispering about why it was so high, turning it into Xu Xiuyun’s pillar of shame!

Everyone knew why the wall was raised. Even those who hadn’t heard before quickly learned when they saw it and asked.

Xu Xiuyun was jealous of her cousin, scheming, manipulative, loved using others as pawns, enjoyed stepping on people to elevate herself, and even used a child to spread gossip—these were now common knowledge in the village. No matter how she tried to change, these impressions would stick.

This time, Xu Xiuyun cried for real—but no one saw it. She hid in her room, weeping and pounding her quilt in rage.

The hunter had become the hunted. She had always triumphed over Xu Ziyan, having grown up benefiting from the comparison. Xu Ziyan was foolish, quick-tempered, unlikable, and couldn’t even hide her misdeeds. Not exploiting her would’ve been a waste. Besides, Xu Xiuyun hadn’t lied—Xu Ziyan really was bad.

For over a decade, this contrast had brought her immense benefits. She reveled in the praise, her vanity thoroughly satisfied. In this village, she had been the most praised girl, destined to marry well, become an officer’s wife, and be envied by all.

But everything changed after marriage. She lost her officer fiancé by misfortune and married a divorced businessman. She told herself it was fine—money would still earn envy. Once she secured Song Dongbo’s heart, outsiders would see her happy life.

She’d still be the most praised stepmother, the first to prosper. No one would call her a husband-killer; she’d still be envied.

Yet the cousin she’d always trampled had married an officer—Fang Lihai, a first-time groom. Even if he’d taken in his nephews, they weren’t his own. How did Xu Ziyan deserve such a good match? How did she surpass her?

Business wasn’t respected—many still looked down on it as speculation. She had to work hard to please her stepdaughter and Song Dongbo.

Meanwhile, Xu Ziyan didn’t have to serve a husband, bossed her in-laws and stepsons around, did nothing all day, rode a bicycle, listened to the radio, slept as late as she wanted, and grew visibly prettier—while Xu Xiuyun’s hands roughened.

How could she not be jealous? She soon found a new angle: both were stepmothers. By highlighting Xu Ziyan’s poor treatment of the children, her own kindness would shine, earning praise and Song Dongbo’s approval faster.

So she acted—only to find her once-foolproof method failing. Married Xu Ziyan was like a different person, countering every move and destroying the reputation Xu Xiuyun had built over a decade, resetting her relationship with Song Dongbo.

Everything she’d worked for was gone. And now, Xu Ziyan had erected this towering wall to humiliate her!

Xu Xiuyun wept with hatred. She would rise again, live well—but Xu Ziyan wouldn’t win.

Xu Ziyan’s reliance was Fang Lihai, her dream of being an officer’s wife. Well, she’d make sure Fang Lihai lost his rank—better yet, became a cripple, a useless man. Then everyone would say Xu Ziyan was a husband-killer, a shameless woman who’d clung to Battalion Commander Fang only to bring him ruin.

All attention would shift to Xu Ziyan, and Xu Xiuyun’s image would reverse, cleansing herself by crushing Xu Ziyan. It had to work!

Her gaze turned icy. She took out a blank sheet and, using her left hand, wrote a shaky letter to Fang Lihai. She’d lure him back—only then could something happen, only then could he lose his rank.

She’d never done anything so evil before. Xu Ziyan had forced her. She was only fighting for her family, for happiness. She had to do this.