Zhang Yu looked at the tender green shoots emerging from the flowerpot, knowing that the leafy greens she had been longing for were finally ready to be enjoyed again.

Following her lead, a few other families in the courtyard were also delighted; the sprouting leaves proved that this method worked.

Widow Luo was shocked to hear the news. Earlier, she had heard about Zhang Yu’s plan and hadn’t hesitated to call it an unrealistic fancy wherever she went.

Now that her skepticism had been soundly disproven, how could she not be furious? Being someone who never admitted mistakes, she certainly wouldn’t acknowledge hers.

Watching her daughter-in-law tidying up inside, she angrily stated, "Haven’t you seen how others acted promptly upon hearing the news? I really regret marrying you as my daughter-in-law!"

Widow Luo was livid, but her daughter-in-law was used to taking the blame and remained silent—it wasn’t the first time.

She truly regretted it. Her parents had come to the city to inquire, warning that Widow Luo wasn’t easy to deal with and might bully her. Yet, she was determined to move to the city and become a city dweller.

After marriage, she realized marrying a city person didn’t automatically grant her an urban household registration. She needed employment to transfer her registration, which she didn’t have.

In these times, even high school graduates struggled to find jobs, let alone someone like her without a primary school diploma. Joblessness meant she couldn’t transfer her registration.

Luo Yu married her because of her looks and because he couldn’t find a suitable girl in the urban area. But after marriage, he was infuriated to learn his wife couldn’t transfer her household registration, nor could their child’s registration enter the city.

As his wife did housework daily, her hands became coarse, and wrinkles appeared on her face, diminishing her beauty, which certainly worsened his attitude.

Previously, whenever there were conflicts between his wife and mother, Luo Yu would support his wife. Now, when they argued, he impatiently told her to shut up or simply avoided it.

Luo Yu’s wife, hearing her mother-in-law’s incessant complaints, had moments where she wanted to say, divorce—to end this unbearable life.

But the words never left her mouth. If divorced, where could she go beyond returning to her parents’ home?

Her brothers had all married with children. Although her parents might sympathize, life back home wouldn’t be easy.

The housework wouldn’t be less, and remarriage wouldn’t necessarily be more comfortable than now.

During a fishing trip, she recalled hearing someone chat about a wicked mother-in-law bullied her daughter-in-law until one day she fell on ice, broke a bone, and was bedridden, falling under the daughter-in-law’s care.

She’d only let that story pass then, but seeing Widow Luo’s relentless scolding made her think if Widow Luo were gone, life might improve greatly.

Not worried even if left bedridden, she understood Luo Yu well after years of marriage. Calling him filial wasn’t accurate; he was selfish, caring only for himself.

If his mother were truly bedridden, no matter how she complained, Luo Yu wouldn’t care—he was a man who wouldn’t personally take care of her.

Most importantly, she knew Luo Yu didn’t respect his mother that much. No need to ask how she knew; after the Wei family divided assets, he envied, saying, splitting the family is good, managing his own finances.

That sentence revealed Luo Yu’s dissatisfaction with handing over his income monthly. Previously, with the Wei family watching, even with thoughts of splitting, he dared not speak.

She’s certain that if his mother died or was bedridden, Luo Yu would secretly rejoice and wouldn’t seriously investigate.

Even if investigated, she wasn’t afraid; he knows she did it, wouldn’t send her away—who’d care for the mother-in-law or their child’s future?

Zhang Yu joyfully discussed with Granny Jiang and others how to plant stove-top greens, as they were grown in pots on the heated bed.

"Unfortunately, coal is hard to buy now, and firewood is scarce too." Firewood around the Capital City is located far from the city, and it’s difficult to gather it in winter.

In spring and autumn, where to store the firewood becomes a problem.

"Having some leafy greens is good enough," Zhang Yu remarked, since it’s just the two of them, it was sufficient.

"By the way, Granny Zhang, with Spring Festival approaching, are you having your children over for dinner?" a neighbor casually asked.

Spring Festival? Inviting the children for dinner? Zhang Yu just realized the need to gather for New Year’s Eve dinner, even if authorities encouraged a revolutionary Spring Festival, with work continuous, families should still have a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve.

Zhang Yu hadn’t considered this "Should invite them over for a casual meal."

Despite not wanting to see the unfilial children on New Year’s Eve, she knew denial would lead to gossip, so whatever, it’s just a meal.

Since discussing New Year’s Eve dinner, everyone began sharing their dinner plans.

Zhang Yu listened quietly, occasionally chiming in. "Granny Zhang, what about your New Year’s Eve dinner?" when realizing Zhang Yu hadn’t shared hers.

Well, although she hadn’t prepared, when someone asks, "I happen to have some salted chicken—will make salted chicken and radish soup."

"And then fix some salted fish, just unsure if anyone’s making ice holes." Zhang Yu guessed someone would open ice holes before New Year’s Eve.

Though salted fish is fine, fresh fish is preferable for "An abundance every year."

"Then see what else to prepare." Creating a menu was truly difficult, "Hopefully, there’s more supplies available before Spring Festival."

The neighbors lamented, "Last year’s supplies before Spring Festival were limited."

"This time, why not go in a group?" For shopping, numbers matter, more people can rush in and help buy.

"Sure." No one objected; even with large households, it was the housewives who shopped while the working men couldn’t, unlike winter storage purchases where slight lateness was tolerated by bosses since it was crucial for winter sustenance.