Mrs. Liu's words were like a bolt from the blue, shattering Shen Qiqi's joy.
Victory was in sight, but something unexpected happened. How could she accept this?
She turned around suddenly, her eyes full of worry, walked a few steps to Ms. Liu, and grabbed her hand: "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Anxiety wrapped around her heart like a vine.
Lu Qing also followed and stood silently beside Shen Qiqi, giving her silent support.
The atmosphere of companionship flows quietly between the two of them.
Mrs. Liu shrank back, her eyes flickering, not daring to look into Shen Qiqi's eyes.
She hesitated for a long time before she stammered, "I...my husband said that if I get involved in this, he will...break my legs..." As she spoke, tears fell from her eyes, her face full of fear, like a frightened little rabbit.
"What?!" Shen Qiqi gasped, seething with anger.
This Wang Laosan is really going too far!
What era is this? How dare you be so arrogant!
She held Ms. Liu's hand tightly and said in a firm tone: "Sister-in-law, don't worry. He won't dare to touch you with me here! We must fight for women's voting rights! This is not only for ourselves, but also for our future daughters and for all women!" The firm atmosphere enveloped Ms. Liu like a shield.
"But...but..." Mrs. Liu was still afraid. From childhood, she had been instilled with the idea that women should listen to men and be submissive, which had long been deeply rooted in her mind.
She couldn't imagine what the consequences would be if she really went against her husband's wishes.
Shen Qiqi knew that changing a person's mind would not happen overnight.
She took a deep breath and slowed down her tone. "Sister-in-law, think about it. If we had the right to vote, we could fight for more rights for ourselves. Then, we would have a say in the allocation of village resources, and our lives would get better and better. Don't you want to live a good life?"
Mrs. Liu's eyes were a little shaken. Of course she was thinking, which woman doesn't want to live a good life?
However, the fear of changing the status quo made her hesitant.
Shen Qiqi saw her hesitation and patted her hands gently: "How about this, sister-in-law, I'll take you somewhere..."
Shen Qiqi led Ms. Liu through the alleys of the village with a firm step.
The sun shone on the dusty road, illuminating their figures with golden light.
Shen Qiqi comforted her softly, "Sister-in-law, come with me, I'll take you to see how wonderful life will be after fighting for your rights." She held Ms. Liu's hand, as if grasping her heart.
Soon, they arrived at the door of a house.
The door was gently pushed open, and a burst of laughter came from the room. Several children were chasing and playing in the yard, women were busy in the kitchen, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.
A hint of surprise and envy appeared on Ms. Liu's face. She had never thought that the daily life of an ordinary family could be so warm and harmonious.
"Sister, look, this is what our village looks like after we won women's rights." Shen Qiqi introduced with a smile.
Mrs. Liu's eyes gradually brightened. She looked around and saw the happiness in her family, the happy faces of her children, and the harmonious relationship between her husband and wife. All this made her heart moved.
"In this way, men won't think we are disobedient. Instead, they will respect us more, and our lives will be happier." Shen Qiqi continued, her tone full of power.
Tears glistened in Ms. Liu's eyes, and the hesitation in her heart grew stronger.
She seemed to see the shadow of her future, a better and freer future.
When the women around saw this scene, they all looked at him with admiration.
They whispered to each other, their words full of praise: "Shen Qiqi is such a great heroine, if she can do it, so can we!" For a moment, the women in the village were infected by Shen Qiqi's determination and courage, and the fire in their hearts was rekindled.
Lu Qing had been following behind Shen Qiqi silently, his eyes gentle and firm.
He patted Shen Qiqi's shoulder gently and said softly: "Qiqi, you've done a great job. No matter what difficulties you encounter, I will support you." Shen Qiqi turned around, her eyes full of gratitude. She faced the sunshine and announced loudly: "Together, let's make this village a better place!"
Mrs. Liu was deeply moved by this scene, and the fear in her heart gradually dissipated.
She held Shen Qiqi's hand tightly, her voice choked: "Qiqi, I am willing... I am willing to fight for our rights with you."
At this moment, the voice of the village chief Sun was heard not far away, and his tone was serious: "Chen Qiqi, are you inciting the women in the village to rebel?" His arrival instantly solidified the originally warm atmosphere, like the calm before the storm, which made people very nervous.
Shen Qiqi raised her eyebrows and met Village Chief Sun's gaze fearlessly: "Village Chief Sun, what do you mean by rebellion? We women are also human beings. We also want to contribute to the development of the village. How can it be considered rebellion? Isn't your thinking a bit... um... outdated?" She paused deliberately and fanned herself with her hand, with an expression of "you know what I mean".
Village Chief Sun was so choked by Shen Qiqi's words that he couldn't speak for a long time. His face turned red like a ripe persimmon.
He hesitated for a long time before finally squeezing out a sentence: "Women can participate, but they can't... they can't exceed the number of men! Also, they can't... they can't participate in decision-making on important matters!"
Shen Qiqi rolled her eyes secretly. This Village Chief Sun really wouldn't cry until he saw the coffin.
She didn't get angry, but said with a smile: "Village Chief Sun, isn't your condition a bit... um... harsh? We women hold up half the sky, and you've cut the sky in half. How can the sky still hold up?" The women around also joined in the fun, talking at once, their voices getting louder and louder, like a group of chirping sparrows.
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