Even the brigade cadres' intervention was ineffective, until Niu Zhaodi was divorced and sent back home.
Although the old bachelor's family wasn't well-off, the mother and son had saved up some money over the years through frugality.
When the Niu family saw that Niu Zhaodi had returned after her divorce, they thought that this was a chance for God to give them a chance to make a living, and if they didn't seize it, they would be letting God down.
Then, the day after Niu Zhaodi returned home, she was dragged to meet an old bachelor.
Since the old bachelor's house was so cramped that there was nowhere to even step, the matchmaking was set up at the brigade headquarters.
In fact, the brigade cadres were also having second thoughts. After all, who in the same village didn't know the character of the Niu family?
Besides, Niu Zhaodi had such a good marriage before, but the Niu family ruined it all. If they were to squander this old bachelor's savings as well, wouldn't they be aiding and abetting evil?
But the old bachelor said he was willing, so the brigade leaders had no choice but to make room for them.
Niu Zhaodi was a beauty in the village when she was young; otherwise, Xu Yaoqiang wouldn't have insisted on marrying her.
The old bachelor knew about Niu Zhaodi, and to be honest, he had even fantasized about her when he was young. Now that he heard that the Niu family was going to arrange a marriage between Niu Zhaodi and him, the old bachelor's heart started to stir.
In the past, they would have been completely unrelated.
And so, Niu Zhaodi was married off to an old bachelor by the Niu family for a dowry of thirty yuan.
Niu Zhaodi was resistant in her heart. Having been with someone like Xu Yaoqiang, how could she possibly be interested in an old bachelor?
But as soon as she showed her unwillingness, she was lectured by her family that very night.
The educational principle was that if she didn't get married, she would be letting down her family, her parents, her siblings, and even herself.
It even eventually involved the ideological education of the poor and lower-middle peasants and class division.
Niu Zhaodi was scared!
She felt that if she didn't get married, she would have to go to the farm to "reform" her thinking. So the next day, she resolutely followed the old bachelor, just like a hero going to his death.
Everyone was happy!
At first, the old bachelor treated Niu Zhaodi very well. Although she was completely different from the woman in his heart, it was, after all, his first time getting married and experiencing the pleasures of a woman.
Although Niu Zhaodi wasn't good at inventory, she was quite capable in daily life. Since the two got married, the old bachelor's house finally looked presentable.
The brigade leaders would visit their home from time to time. After a few visits, they were quite satisfied, and they felt relieved. Whether their family lived well or poorly in the future was their own business, and they had already done more than enough.
As a result, after only half a month, the Niu family's old habit resurfaced. They wanted Niu Zhaodi to move all her belongings back to her parents' home, just like she had done when she was with the Xu family.
But the old bachelor was not like Xu Yaoqiang. He taught Niu Zhaodi a lesson when she first tried to steal grain to her parents' home.
Niu Zhaodi was used to being bossed around by Xu Yaoqiang and thought she could also be in charge of the old bachelor. The two of them started fighting on the spot, but the woman's strength was no match for the man who had worked hard all year round. Niu Zhaodi was completely defeated. She was beaten on the ground during the day and on the bed at night. She was so badly beaten that she couldn't get out of bed for three days.
The old bachelor was ruthless; when he went out to work, fearing that Niu Zhaodi would steal things to take back to her parents' home, he hid all of her clothes.
Without clothes, Niu Zhaodi could only stay in bed.
Not only that, the old bachelor also locked all the doors to prevent the Niu family from stealing things from his house.
When Niu Zhaodi heard that Xu Daya had gotten married, she begged the old bachelor to let her visit her daughter in Xujia Village when she and her husband went back to visit relatives.
In fact, Niu Zhaodi had her own selfish motives. She wanted to ask Xu Daya for money. She hadn't taken any money or goods back to her parents' home for a long time. She felt that the reason her family didn't help her when she was bullied by the old bachelor was because she hadn't taken anything back with her. Otherwise, her family would definitely have stood up for her.
The old bachelor was also stingy. He felt that he shouldn't dress too well when visiting his married daughter, otherwise why would she feel sorry for her mother and give him a treat?
Therefore, the old bachelor found Niu Zhaodi this set of beggar's clothes. Coupled with malnutrition and the daily torment by the old bachelor, Niu Zhaodi had no appearance to speak of.
When Niu Zhaodi entered Xujia Village, strangely, no one recognized her.
Niu Zhaodi was ashamed, so when she encountered acquaintances, she would lower her head and hurry past them.
Xu Xinning glanced at her and walked away. She didn't want to get involved in this matter. No matter how Grandma Xu, Grandpa Xu, Xu Yaoqiang and his son, or Cao Anian treated Niu Zhaodi, that was their business.
Some things can only be learned by solving them yourself. If they willingly let her leech off them, then it can only be said that this is their fate.
If that's the case, Xu Xinning will reassess and replan in her mind.
Niu Zhaodi patted her rapidly beating heart, thankfully the girl hadn't noticed.
For some reason, Niu Zhaodi seemed quite intimidated by Xu Xinning, always feeling that the child's eyes were a bit cold.
After Xu Xinning had gone quite a distance, she looked back again. By then, Niu Zhaodi was no longer visible around the corner; she must have moved to the Xu family's front door.
Niu Zhaodi is a woman who won't give up until she gets what she wants, and she's also shameless. I bet there's going to be some excitement at home today.
Xu Xinning smiled helplessly, hoping that her family wouldn't disappoint her this time.
Perhaps Xu Xinning's mindset changed from the day of the landslide. She no longer loved her family unconditionally as before; perhaps a rift had formed between her and them. More precisely, a rift had formed between her and her other relatives besides her own family of five.
She can weigh things, make comparisons, and think things through more deeply.
Come to think of it, she seems to have become selfish!
The gate to the Xu family's courtyard was wide open. Old Mrs. Chen and Old Mrs. Xu were still chatting idly, and Xu Daya was still playing with the ants.
The sun is shining so nicely right now, and there's nothing more pleasant than chatting while doing my work.
Niu Zhaodi spotted Xu Daya immediately. Seeing how well-dressed she was and how much weight she had gained, she felt a pang of jealousy.
She really wanted to rush in and rip off all her clothes.
Why would someone who's a money-loser dress so nicely?
She's married and doesn't even know how to show her respect to her mother. What an ingrate! I should have just drowned her in a chamber pot when she was born.
Despite her resentment, Niu Zhaodi didn't dare to rush into the Xu family's courtyard.
Perhaps it was because her gaze was too venomous that it caught the attention of Old Mrs. Chen and Old Mrs. Xu.
Old Mrs. Chen, standing on high ground, had a wide view and spotted Niu Zhaodi hiding outside the door at a glance, but she didn't recognize her.
Old Mrs. Chen: "Who is it? What are you trying to do, sneaking around at the door? You've got some nerve, coming to the brigade leader's house to cause trouble."
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