Over the years, she has worked hard to save money, wholeheartedly wanting to make her family's life better and better.

She watched as the villagers built new houses and bought new appliances, but even though she had saved up all her wages and hidden them in the cracks of the walls, Zhou Dawei, that gambling addict, could still find them.

"You beat and scold me at the drop of a hat, and you indulge in drinking, gambling, and whoring. If I stay with you, the only outcome will be death. If I'm not even afraid of death, why wouldn't I dare to leave you? I have two good hands and feet. Even if I pick up trash here, it's better than going back there to serve you."

Zhou Dawei panicked. It was as if Song Zhaodi had suddenly grown a brain; now she knew how to stand up to him.

He waved his hand, looking impatient.

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm not signing the divorce papers. What can you do to me? If I don't agree to the divorce, who else will dare to agree on my behalf?"

This time, not only Shu Ying, but everyone else present also started laughing.

Tian Fang gripped the child's arm with one hand, her voice tinged with mockery and sarcasm: "What era are we living in? Leaders are advocating gender equality. We're just married, we didn't sign a contract of servitude, why can't we get a divorce?"

Everyone had eyes, and when they saw the injury on Song Zhaodi's arm, they knew that she had been abused at home. Sister-in-law Wang was indignant: "Why bother following such a useless person? A man is a man for food and clothing, but what role have you played? Since you are useless, you should leave."

"Yes, I want to divorce him. I have to sign the papers today."

The police hadn't arrived yet, and Zhou Dawei was arrogant. He stared intently at Shu Ying, who was leading the group, and spat out words in a rough voice.

"My hands are my own body. If I don't want to sign, who can force me to sign?"

His eyes, like those of a venomous snake, swept over Song Zhaodi: "You'll never leave me in this lifetime. Even if you die, you'll be buried in my family's ancestral grave. Song Zhaodi, stop daydreaming."

Song Zhaodi's palms were sweating; she wasn't sure if the divorce would go smoothly.

After all, Zhou Dawei had done something like that at the train station last time, yet he was released so quickly. She didn't know much about the law, but she wanted to take a chance.

What if he survives?

Shu Ying noticed Song Zhaodi's unease and gave her a reassuring look.

This man is just bluffing. She's seen plenty of people like him abroad. The stronger you are, the weaker he is; the weaker you are, the stronger he is.

Liu Xiulan and Zhang Hongxia arrived late. After learning the general outline of what had happened, they listened silently from the sidelines.

“Song Zhaodi, I advise you to be smarter. This woman isn’t even a relative of yours. Why should she help you? I think she just thinks you’re stupid. She’ll turn around and sell you to an even deeper mountain, where you’ll never be able to get out again.”

Song Zhaodi felt as if her blood had frozen. She rushed out fiercely and slapped Zhou Dawei hard across the face.

“Zhou Dawei, you’re not human. You’re the kind of person who sees everything as dirty. Stop spouting nonsense. You’re just resentful because someone helped me, so you start spreading rumors. If I had known you were this kind of person, my parents would have beaten you to death instead of having anything to do with you.”