Shen Jingyan chopped down the house with an axe, which really shocked Chen Feng and Shen Yuqin. The two of them didn't dare to cause any more trouble, and Shen Jingyan lived a few days of peace.

In the past, Chen Feng never lifted a finger to do any housework, nor did she allow Shen Yuqin to do any. Every day, she acted like a landlady, ordering the original owner around to do this and that. If she was slow, she would beat and scold her endlessly. She only gave the original owner two cornbread buns and a bowl of porridge a day, leaving her skin and bones from hunger.

Now Chen Feng no longer dares to order Shen Jingyan to work, and Shen Jingyan no longer eats with them, but eats alone in the small room.

She had no shortage of eggs or meat, and ate a hearty meal every day. At mealtimes, the little house would be filled with delicious aromas.

She felt sorry for Shen Honggang's hard work, so she would bring him a meal at the forest farm every noon.

Staple foods include soy sauce fried rice, white flour steamed buns, and scallion pancakes. Dishes include stewed potatoes with pork belly, stewed cabbage with vermicelli, and stir-fried radish with tofu, etc.

But a few days later, she discovered that Shen Honggang hadn't eaten the food she brought him at all. Instead, he was eating cold, hard cornbread and saving the good food she brought him to take home.

While eating with their mouths full of oil, Chen Feng and Shen Yuqin secretly cursed her for being unfilial and a cold-blooded brat.

Shen Honggang listened to the mother and daughter's insults towards Shen Jingyan, but said nothing.

His behavior stung Shen Jingyan, and after thinking about it, she stopped bringing Shen Honggang meals.

Whether or not the food is delivered, it will never reach Shen Honggang's mouth.

She couldn't stand on moral high ground to criticize Shen Honggang, because in her uncle's heart, although she was a relative, she was still not as close as his wife, son, and daughter.

This also made Shen Jingyan want to leave the Shen family and live on her own.

That afternoon, Granny Zhao arrived at the Shen family's house. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she started shouting at the top of her lungs:

"Da Feng, now that you've accepted the betrothal gifts, shouldn't our two families discuss the marriage arrangements for our two children?"

Although her son is mentally challenged, he is physically healthy, and she is eager to have a grandson.

Upon hearing Granny Zhao's voice, Chen Feng quickly invited her into the house, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something.

Shen Jingyan saw Chen Feng's behavior but didn't take it seriously.

Chen Feng dared to think she would obediently marry a fool? No way!

She was tidying up the house as usual when someone suddenly called softly from behind, "Sister!"

Shen Jingyan turned around and saw a chubby-faced boy standing at the door, craning his neck to look into the house.

This is Shen Honggang and Chen Feng's youngest son, Shen Zhian, nicknamed Anzi. He is ten years old this year and is a real little rascal.

Although this child is mischievous, he is not a bad person at heart. In the past, when Chen Feng didn't give the original owner food, Anzi would still steal food for her.

These past few days, Anzi has been visiting the cottage from time to time, because he always gets to eat delicious food, some of which are things he can't even afford during the Chinese New Year.

"Anzi, come in."

Shen Jingyan smiled and waved to him. As soon as An Zi came in, Shen Jingyan peeled a White Rabbit milk candy and stuffed it into his mouth.

Is it sweet?

Anzi nodded vigorously, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart.

White Rabbit milk candy was an extremely precious snack in this era. Bringing a pound or two when visiting relatives and friends during festivals was a matter of great pride.

Shen Jingyan spent thirty points to exchange for half a pound of White Rabbit milk candy, but she was not stingy and was willing to give it to Anzi.

Compared to the vicious Chen Feng and her daughter, An Zi is like a lotus flower that rises from the mud unsullied. Shen Jingyan doesn't want such a good child to be led astray by his mother and sister.

Anzi chewed on a milk candy, her eyes sparkling as if she had something to say.

Shen Jingyan winked at him: "Anzi, do you have some secret to tell me?"

Anzi glanced nervously at the door, then leaned close to Shen Jingyan's ear and whispered, "Sister, don't sleep too soundly these next few nights. I overheard my mom and Granny Zhao talking about having a strong man come and tie you up in the middle of the night..."

He listened calmly, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Seeing Chen Feng acting so suspiciously just now, she knew he wasn't up to any good!

"Sis, why did Mom have you tied up?" Anzi asked nervously.

He is already ten years old and has the ability to distinguish right from wrong. He knows that what his mother did was wrong.

Shen Jingyan patted Anzi's head and said, "My aunt wants to marry me off to a mentally challenged man. That man is already twenty years old and still can't take care of himself. He needs to be fed. I don't want to, so my aunt wants to force me to marry him."

"That won't do!" Anzi exclaimed anxiously. "Sister, don't be afraid, I'll protect you!"

Shen Jingyan looked at Anzi's thin arms and legs, smiled and said, "Alright, then you better keep your ears open and come and tell me if you hear any noise tonight!"

Anzi still had the sweet taste of White Rabbit milk candy in her mouth, and she felt even closer to Shen Jingyan, always feeling that she was better than her own sister.

Shen Yuqin would hide away any delicious food she had and never share it with him.

So, not wanting to waste the sweetness in his mouth, Anzi nodded seriously and earnestly, like a little man.

The next morning, Granny Zhao came again. Chen Feng pulled her into the house and talked to her mysteriously for a long time.

It just so happened that Shen Hong was about to go to the city with Xu Mancang to deliver timber that day, and wouldn't be back until the next day.

Chen Feng felt this was the best time to take action, because Shen Honggang was there and would definitely stop them.

At first, Granny Zhao hesitated, feeling that doing so was illegal and that she was afraid of taking responsibility.

Chen Feng kept urging, "That girl just didn't think things through for a moment and doesn't realize how much of a bargain she's gotten! You tie her up and take her back, and once you two are in bed together, she'll have no choice but to agree, even if she doesn't want to. She'll only make a fuss for a few days before she gives up. Then you can give her thirty or fifty yuan to appease her, and I guarantee she'll obediently give you a grandson!"

Granny Zhao really liked Shen Jingyan's appearance. She hadn't seen anyone more beautiful than Shen Jingyan in the surrounding area. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so willing to offer a dowry of five hundred yuan.

With Chen Feng repeatedly assuring her that the matter would be foolproof, Granny Zhao became bolder.

On a dark and windy night, in the dead of night, the light sleeper Chen Jingyan was awakened by footsteps outside.

She touched the axe beside her pillow; it had just been sharpened that day and could cut iron like mud.

"I'll knock on the door in a bit. As soon as that girl comes out, you guys quickly cover her mouth and tie her hands and feet. Be quick, don't let her scream out, or the neighbors will hear and it'll be bad!"

Chen Feng repeatedly gave instructions.

The burly men nodded.

Granny Zhao really went all out, finding eight strong men from the village and giving each of them three yuan.

The burly men thought the money was easy to earn and readily agreed, never considering that what they were doing was illegal.

Those who want to take the rope, take the rope; those who want to block the doorway, block the doorway.

Shen Yuqin was so excited she couldn't sleep, so she followed Chen Feng to watch the excitement.

Anzi crawled out of bed and stealthily got off the kang (a heated brick bed). He discovered that there were burly men guarding the front and back yards, and he knew something was wrong.

With so many people watching over everything inside and out, how could Sister Jingya possibly escape?