The poor facilities were one reason, but what annoyed Mao Fangfei the most were Fang Yanming's awful relatives. Her in-laws were lazy, biased, selfish, and slovenly, and Fang Yanming's brother and sister-in-law were no better; they had little ability but were very good at showing off.
Because the patriarchal mindset is very strong in Fang Yanming's hometown. Not only the Fang family, but all the men in the village are like that. It is common for them to beat and scold their wives, and the women themselves are submissive and used to this kind of life.
But Mao Fangfei couldn't stand it.
She was highly educated and had an equal status with Fang Yanming at home. Even if she couldn't have children, that wasn't a reason for her to be scolded. She had made it clear to Fang Yanming before the marriage that she had difficulty conceiving, and Fang Yanming accepted it, which is why they got married. As for Fang's family, she had no say in it.
Fortunately, Fang Yanming is still helping her so far; otherwise, Mao Fangfei would have divorced long ago, and she could have lived a good life on her own.
"What's there to brag about? I'm older than you, I'm divorced, and I can't have children. Your parents probably want you to go back to your hometown for blind dates!" Mao Fangfei said sarcastically.
This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Fang Yanming's parents had opposed her marrying into the Fang family from the beginning, disliking that she was a divorcee and too old, and that she was not a good match for Fang Yanming. Later, when they learned that she couldn't have children, they called Fang Yanming every few days, asking him to divorce them and marry a good-natured girl from their hometown. Mao Fangfei heard this several times. Although she didn't respect her in-laws, she was still angry inside.
However, Fang Yanming was very resolute in his decision. He refused his parents' request and told them not to bring it up again. The relationship had eased somewhat, but when Fang Yanming's parents and brothers came to stay for more than half a month and turned the house into a pigsty, Mao Fangfei completely lost it and had a big fight with the Fang family, which strained the relationship again.
Mao Fangfei felt disgusted by that family and preferred to spend the New Year alone rather than go back and see their faces.
She could easily imagine that going there would definitely not be a joyous New Year celebration; it would be another disaster, and she didn't want to suffer during the New Year.
Fang Yanming pleaded and begged, saying all sorts of nice things, and finally convinced Mao Fangfei, but—
"First, it must be clean. If there are still fleas or lice, I'm leaving immediately, and don't blame me for not giving you face." Mao Fangfei stated her conditions; she didn't want to compromise herself.
"Secondly, if your parents and relatives don't give me face, don't blame me for not giving them face either."
Fang Yanming nodded repeatedly, "I've already talked to my parents and asked my second cousin's wife to help with the cleaning. She'll definitely make it spotless. The bathroom and shower room are all fixed, and a water heater has been installed."
Mao Fangfei's expression softened a bit, and Fang Yanming was secretly pleased. He then said, "You're my wife. If they don't give you face, they're not giving me face. Can I just stand by and do nothing?"
"You've got a silver tongue."
Mao Fangfei glared at him. She was already at the point of a gun. It wasn't a good idea to keep hiding. She might as well go back. If anyone dared to mess with her, she would show no mercy!
Three days later, Mao Fangfei and Fang Yanming returned to their hometown, an ordinary small mountain village in Northwest China. Many families in the village were still struggling to make ends meet, but the Fang family was considered a middle-class family in the village. Because of Fang Yanming, even the village chief had to give the Fang family some leeway.
The village was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year. Every household had pasted couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) on their doors. However, many of the houses were dilapidated, mostly single-story buildings. There were also many children with runny noses playing in the village.
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