A Vovó Poderosa dos Anos 80: Toda a Família Implora para Não se Separar

In the golden month of October, under the brilliant sun, the season for racing against the sky to harvest crops arrived once again. It was only after the sun had dipped behind the western mountains and vanished from sight that the villagers finally trudged home, clutching their hollow, aching stomachs.

Seven or eight men, their arms adorned with strips of black mourning cloth, walked in the same direction.

"I still can't believe Old Man Cheng is gone. He was only fifty—the same age as me."

"Who would have thought? I heard the Cheng family is practically tearing each other apart over that job vacancy."

"That’s a position in town with a steady salary, unlike us, facing the dirt and baring our backs to the sky all day. Who wouldn't fight for it?"

"If you ask me, it’s definitely going to the fifth son. Old Mrs. Cheng has always been biased toward him."

"That’s for sure!"

The gate to the Cheng household—the very subject of their gossip—stood wide open. Su Li, also known as Old Mrs. Cheng, sat in the center of the courtyard, staring up at the sky.

"Big sister, Grandma is watching us again."

In the kitchen, a young girl squinted and curled her lip. The meat was practically labeled with her uncle’s name; she wouldn't dare steal a bite.

"Shh—don't let her hear you. Hurry up with the cooking; they’ll be off work any minute."

The two girls, both around ten years old, pushed up their patched sleeves. One stood by the half-meter-h