Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s

Chapter 29: 028 Dongshen Labor Wave

Tian Sangsang looped the red rope around his small neck and tied a tight knot at the end. Her gaze carried a hint of complexity: "Yanyan, wear this and don’t take it off easily, nor give it to anyone lightly, understand?"

"Mom, I got it. I like it." Meng Shuyan held the thumb ring curiously, brushing it with his small fingers, asking with surprise: "Is this something very important?"

Tian Sangsang stayed silent for a moment before speaking honestly: "It’s something your father left behind. Today, Mom is giving it to you for safekeeping." Though she didn’t want Meng Shuyan to acknowledge his biological father—after all, he was nothing more than a fleeting presence—she couldn’t deprive her child of his father’s relic, could she?

"Dad..."

The little one murmured softly, staring intently at the thumb ring in his hands. Suddenly, his eyes grew red.

She had thought her son wouldn’t have any feelings for that man since he’d never met him. But seeing her child’s reaction now, clearly, that wasn’t the case. Perhaps every child yearns for a complete family.

"Yes, it’s your dad." Gently nuzzling his cheek, Tian Sangsang felt a pang in her heart. She shifted the topic: "Mom has to go out to catch fish today. Can you stay home by yourself?"

"I want to go too." Meng Shuyan abruptly looked up, seemingly scared she’d leave him behind. "Mom, I want Mom."

"No, it’s too dangerous. You need to stay home. Mom will give you a special task." Tian Sangsang spoke with feigned mystery, heading to the room to grab a peach. She washed it clean, cut it into small pieces, placed them in a bowl, then sprinkled some salt. "Before Mom gets back, you need to finish eating this, okay~?"

Meng Shuyan, who had rarely seen peaches, asked curiously: "Why does Mom have peaches?"

"That’s a secret." Tian Sangsang gently patted his small head, gazing at him intently: "Because it’s a secret, no one but the two of us can know. Otherwise, the consequences will be very serious."

Meng Shuyan blinked incomprehensibly, his forehead marked by a big question. So strange—first it was breakfast, now it was this peach, both seemed to have appeared out of nowhere...

"Mom trusted you, which is why she told you. Our Yanyan is so smart and well-behaved—you definitely understand, right?" Tian Sangsang continued to speak softly.

"If they find out, will they say Mom is a mountain demon who eats people?"

"Absolutely!"

"I won’t say anything. I don’t want Mom to get taken away." Meng Shuyan immediately shook his head vigorously.

"My son is the best." Tian Sangsang watched him with satisfaction. This child differed from others—there was no need to explain too much; he simply understood.

Indeed, he was her son, inheriting her...

"Everyone has secrets. This is Mom’s secret. Just like Yanyan, do you have any secrets?"

Meng Shuyan gripped the thumb ring in his hands and whispered: "I do." He wanted to find his father.

An unexpected answer. Tian Sangsang froze momentarily, a wave of sadness washing over her. Her son had secrets but wouldn’t tell her, his mother. Ah, it felt like a knife to the heart.

"Son, Mom asks you—do you have any playmates you like?"

Meng Shuyan’s eyes sparkled: "I like Gou Sheng. I often read Gou Sheng’s books."

Not even bothering with Gou Sheng’s gender, Tian Sangsang was astonished: "You’re reading books? Can you understand them?"

Meng Shuyan shyly pursed his little mouth. "A little bit."

Tian Sangsang suddenly realized: "Do you like reading?"

"I do!" His eyes gleamed brightly.

"Then Mom will try to send you to school soon." Tian Sangsang pinched his cheek. Having a son who loves to read—this feeling was beyond wonderful.

Meng Shuyan’s eyes curved into crescent moons as he smiled, then suddenly asked: "So, can’t Gou Sheng have a piece of the peach either?"

"Not right now." If she brought the peach outside now, it’d raise suspicions. But considering Meng Shuyan’s desire to share with his friend, Tian Sangsang said: "We don’t need to rush. You can share it later, of course."

"I’ll listen to Mom."

"By the way, kiddo, do you like Gou Sheng, or do you like Gou Sheng’s books?"

The little one opened his mouth wide, feeling confused—why did Mom’s smile seem a bit unusual? His clear, peach-blossom eyes blinked. "I like Mom the most~"

...

The surrounding villages were all encased by mountains. What’s referred to as the "back mountain" was a dense forest stretching beyond Tian Family Village.

Walking through a patch of sparse woods, the area transitioned into forest, then deep wilderness. Typically, people only ventured to the first section to gather firewood or tried their luck catching fish in the second section. No one dared go to the third section, except for one man—Li Zhengxiong, who would occasionally grab his tools to hunt there.

Villagers avoided the area because wild boars roamed there. Ten years ago, during a harsh winter, a group of boars rushed down the mountain searching for food, rampaging through the village. Several people were bitten or gouged by tusks, bleeding out and dying on the spot—a total of five fatalities, which terrified everyone.

Tian Sangsang planned to explore. She wouldn’t go deep in but would stick to the outskirts. She changed into clean clothes—a pair of black pants cinched with a belt, though she wasn’t accustomed to wearing them this way. Her top was dark gray—since she was plump, black and gray made her look slimmer. The previous owner of her body hadn’t washed her hair much; it was greasy and oily. Tian Sangsang had washed it once, discovering her hair had excellent texture. But she wasn’t used to the braided hairstyle of this era, so she tied it into a ponytail instead.

Taking enough supplies and carrying a bamboo basket, Tian Sangsang reassured Meng Shuyan before heading out.

Shortly after leaving, she ran into Aunt Zhong midway. Aunt Zhong was rushing along but stopped by her: "Sangsang, where are you off to?" Upon closer look, she noticed Sangsang seemed much fresher today—even her hairstyle was different.

"There’s no firewood at home. Going to gather some." Tian Sangsang wasn’t inclined to say more. Catching sight of the odds and ends Aunt Zhong was carrying, she asked: "Aunt, are you just back from an errand?"

"Oh, yes." Aunt Zhong sighed—half joyful, half melancholic. "Our Tian Yi is heading to Dongzhen City for work. Such a big decision, and he didn’t even bother telling us in advance. Now we’re scrambling to get him ready, so busy we can’t think straight. He’s saying he’ll set up a small stall there, get into wholesaling, or maybe work construction on a site. Monthly pay of forty or more—sounds like a dream."

"That’s wonderful news! Once Brother Tian makes something of himself, Aunt Zhong, you can sit back and enjoy life." Tian Sangsang smiled and offered congratulations.

Men—always unwilling to stay home.

At this point, the era of reform had just begun. Dongzhen City, in the neighboring East Sea Province, had become a magnet for those seeking opportunities, sparking a wave of migration for work. Who would’ve thought even this isolated mountain village would feel its pull?