Chapter 51: From Now On, I’ll Listen to You in Everything

It wasn’t as if they ate lavishly every day; for instance, that evening Mrs. Fang mixed wheat flour with cornmeal to make flatbreads. Though not as refined as pure white flour, when wrapped around eggs, cucumber strips, or pickled vegetables, and topped with sauce, they tasted delightful all the same.

As Tang Xin rolled her vegetables into a flatbread and ate, she imagined she was savoring roast duck. That, she decided, was the lifestyle she aspired to in the future.

Seeing how much she enjoyed her meal, the rest of the family also ate heartily, which made Mrs. Fang even happier.

When Li Sheng returned from outside, the happiest person in the house once again became Tang Xin, who immediately darted toward him like a little bird.

Li Sheng had been out working for days, with no opportunity for proper washing, still wearing the same clothes he’d left in. Seeing his wife rush toward him so eagerly, his heart was naturally full of joy.

Still, he quickly reached out his large hand to hold her at arm’s length. "I’m filthy," he said.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xin thoughtfully fetched water and a towel for him, and even poured a glass of warm water, attending to his needs with care.

Mrs. Fang watched with a contented smile, remarking that life was truly different now that her eldest son had a wife.

Li Xiyue, however, couldn’t help rolling her eyes in secret, thinking her sister-in-law was just being fussy—city girls always had so many quirks. But, because of that red dress, she kept her complaints to herself, knowing better than to voice them aloud.

Li Sheng, as usual, was about to head to the river to wash up, but his wife stopped him: "You mustn’t use cold water to wash your hair. Be careful, or you’ll suffer from migraines when you’re old."

Li Sheng shrugged it off. "I’m used to it. It’s not a big deal, no need for all the trouble."

Tang Xin pouted in displeasure. "Are you saying I’m wrong?"

Mrs. Fang didn’t know what migraines were, but she trusted her daughter-in-law’s advice.

She smiled at her eldest son, saying, "You should listen to your wife. Not just you—our whole family is under Tang Xin’s guidance now."

Li Sheng already knew this; ever since his wife entered the family, he’d lost much of his say in household affairs.

He nodded obediently. "All right, I’ll heat some water and wash."

Tang Xin immediately added, "Wait, I’ll help you carry the hot water."

After cooking, the embers in the stove wouldn’t die out immediately, so Mrs. Fang always filled the pot atop the stove with water. Thus, there was always hot water available at home.

Still, Tang Xin found it a bit inconvenient. She thought, if only she could get a coal stove next time, things would be much easier.

While they were speaking, Li Kai had already brought out a large basin of hot water, setting it on the big stone in the courtyard for his elder brother and sister-in-law to use.

Whenever she had free time, Tang Xin would chat with him, often sharing knowledge about business.

Though in her previous life Tang Xin had just finished high school, she’d planned to study economics in college and had read many books on the subject. Moreover, the future was nothing like the present—thanks to the internet, knowledge was widely accessible. There were countless case studies and marketing articles available online, and Tang Xin had never been a mere bookworm.

Most importantly, what seemed ordinary in the future would be astonishingly advanced in the 1970s.

So, seeing Li Kai’s ever-growing admiration, Tang Xin felt a bit embarrassed and repeatedly clarified, "These aren’t all my own ideas; I read them in a book once."

When asked what book, she would say she’d found it in the provincial library long ago and couldn’t recall the exact title.

She took the opportunity to encourage the younger siblings in the Li family about the importance of reading and literacy. Even if exams were no longer needed, learning more was always beneficial.

Even Li Father and Li Mother, who were illiterate, agreed wholeheartedly—scholars, in their eyes, were exceptional people.

Thus, on Li Kai’s list of most admired people at home, after his father and elder brother, he now added his sister-in-law.

Li Kai had already brought out the hot water, and Tang Xin mixed it to a suitable temperature so Li Sheng could wash his hair. As he washed, she scolded him sternly, "How can you not take care of your health? Do you know how fortunate it is to be born healthy, with no ailments or disabilities?"

Li Sheng was busy washing his hair, unable to reply.

Of course, Tang Xin didn’t need him to answer; she went on, "You’re taking your blessings for granted. I’m telling you, if you don’t start valuing your health, I’ll be really angry."

She chattered on at length.

Finally, she came to the point: she emphasized that safety must always come first when Li Sheng was out driving.

"I know you work so hard on the road so our family can live better. But to us, you are what matters most. The most important thing is that you protect yourself."

She told him that, if danger ever arose, it was better to abandon the vehicle and cargo than to risk his life.

Because Li Sheng’s safety was the family’s greatest concern.

To be honest, this line of thinking was different from what Li Sheng was usually taught, since the truck was collective property. The team leader had stressed more than once that the truck was irreplaceable, worth more than any individual.

But deep down, Li Sheng felt his wife was right. As long as he was alive, everything else was possible; if he was gone, what was the point of anything?

Tang Xin was saying all this to help him avoid the accident she knew was coming.

In that book, the original character was nothing more than a supporting role, and Li Sheng was barely described at all. It was only mentioned that, not long after their marriage, the original wife, out of vanity, insisted her husband join a dangerous assignment, despite knowing the risks. As a result, Li Sheng died in an accident during that trip.

Just a few lines in the book—the author’s brief words ended a life.

Even though she had entered the story, Tang Xin felt she had fully merged into this world. So what if these were fictional characters? She was here now, surrounded by vivid, living people.

She believed she could avoid the disasters written in the book, though she didn’t know the exact time, place, or details of the accident. All she could do was take precautions from the start.

Li Sheng knew his wife meant well and that most of what she said was right. He realized he had to listen to her, so he nodded and admitted his mistake quickly. "Yes, yes, I know. From now on, I’ll do as you say."

【Today is my birthday. Happy birthday to myself! On this day last year, I was still in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy—living was worse than dying, with no certainty from one day to the next. Even my attending physician couldn’t give any guarantees… Today, though I’m still in recovery, I’m able to wish myself a happy birthday. I still need regular check-ups, but I hope that ten years from now, I can say to myself: Happy birthday!

When I was first diagnosed with late-stage cancer, I was utterly lost. I hid in the stairwell and cried for a long, long time. I couldn’t sleep for nights on end, and I once wished I could be reborn. I even imagined what era I’d go back to if I could start over. If I could, I wouldn’t waste my life again—I’d make sure to live better! But, as always, fiction is drawn from life but surpasses it. In reality, there is no such thing as being reborn. I struggled painfully against my illness. Fortunately, I’ve come through to the other side. Though I’m not fully recovered, and still need rest and regular check-ups, I’ve learned that fantasies are unnecessary. We must face life bravely and strive to live better!】