Inside the crude mud house, there was a straw bed. Sunlight shone in through the wooden window. The woman on the bed seemed to be frightened by something - she suddenly opened her eyes!
Zhang Xueqing covered her head and looked around in surprise. Is she... not dead yet?
The air was filled with the smell of the earthen kang in my hometown mixed with firewood smoke.
Why does this place look so familiar? It seems like she has lived here before.
Zhang Chunxue sat up. His body, which was originally so skinny that he could hardly lift a finger, was now full of strength!
The perpetual calendar with curled edges on the corner of the wall caught the eye, clearly showing the year 1978.
Could it be that she was reborn and returned to her forties?
Realizing this possibility, a huge, indescribable ecstasy instantly overwhelmed her.
It was also in this year that, in order to save money for her sons, she took a betrothal gift of one hundred yuan from someone else and sold her eighteen-year-old daughter, Zhong Xiaoxiao!
Not long after my daughter got married, she was beaten to death by that gambler.
And what did those three ungrateful sons get in return for all their heart and soul?
When she was lying on the hospital bed waiting to die, those ungrateful people didn't even think about her.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chunxue's eyes suddenly became firm. If she were to live her life again, she would never make the same mistake again!
Suppressing the churning in her heart, she lifted the patched coarse cloth quilt on her body.
She got out of bed and stepped on the cold ground with her feet. A chill ran up the soles of her feet. The real touch made her more awake.
Before I even reached the door of the main room, I heard a fierce quarrel inside.
"Dad's gone, so I'm the boss of this family! The pillar of the family!" It was the eldest son, Zhong Cheng, who said, "Xiaoxiao's 100 yuan betrothal gift should be given to me! I'll use it to find a way to get a decent job in the city!"
"Yes! Chengfa is right!" A shrill female voice followed. It was the eldest daughter-in-law, Li Hongjuan. "The whole family is living in the dirt, digging for food. When will it end? If you get a job, our whole family will benefit from it!"
"Why should I give it to you?" The second son, Zhong Chengren, immediately exploded with dissatisfaction. "From childhood to adulthood, you've taken all the benefits of the family! Now it's my turn!"
"His father, please say less..." Zhou Mingli, the second daughter-in-law, timidly advised while holding the child.
The four-month-old girl in her arms seemed frightened by the noise and whimpered softly.
"This money... is not good to take. Xiaoxiao can't marry a man like Wang Laowu!" Zhou Mingli's voice was tearful, and it was obvious that she was really worried about her sister-in-law's future.
Zhong Chengren glared at her and retorted angrily, "This is what Mom decided! What do you, a woman, know? Go talk to Mom if you have the guts!"
Zhou Mingli was choked and speechless. She could only lower her head, hugging her daughter and sighing silently, with slightly red eyes.
"Stop arguing!" The third brother, Zhong Chengyi, also called out, "Big Brother and Second Brother, you've all married and had kids! I'm still single! I think this money should be used to get me married! Otherwise, am I going to be single for the rest of my life?"
Zhang Chunxue was standing outside the threshold of the main room, with half of her body hidden behind the door.
She quietly watched the three brothers who were arguing with each other until their faces turned red, and the eldest daughter-in-law who was cracking melon seeds and fanning the flames.
The familiar yet unfamiliar faces now appear so ugly and greedy. The nature of these ungrateful people has actually been exposed long ago!
In her past life, which eye was blinded? What had blinded her mind?
Thinking that she had done something so stupid as to sell her daughter for them, Zhang Chunxue's heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand, and the pain made her almost breathless.
Later, she regretted it all the time, but Xiaoxiao was already dead and there was no way to make up for it.
Fortunately, there is still time.
The third brother, Zhong Chengyi, was sharp-eyed and was the first to notice Zhang Chunxue outside the door. The man's eyes lit up and his face was instantly filled with a flattering smile.
"Mom!" He almost trotted over, his voice sweet and sticky, "Are you awake? Listen to me, that hundred yuan..."
He lowered his voice and said in a coquettish tone: "Mom, you love me the most! You must use this money to marry me, right?"
When Zhong Chengfa and Zhong Chengren heard this, they stopped arguing and quickly gathered around.
"Mom! Give it to me! I'm the boss! I have to go to the city to find a job!" Zhong Chengfa said confidently.
"Why should I give it to him? He is the only one who benefits in the family! Give it to me! I need the money too!" Zhong Chengren interrupted anxiously.
The eldest daughter-in-law, Li Hongjuan, also stopped eating melon seeds. Her shrewd eyes rolled around and fell on Zhang Chunxue, waiting for her to speak so that she could figure out how to get the money into her own hands.
Zhang Chunxue glanced at the three of them coldly, "You bunch of beasts, you still want money? Dream on."
(End of this chapter)
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