Yang Chunqin knew that to resolve this matter, she had to deal with the mother and son first. Although their methods were dishonorable, it was true that they had given a bride price.
In these days, it's common in the countryside for people to marry off their daughters regardless of their consent, all for the sake of a dowry. Yang Chunqin is currently unable to resolve this issue effectively.
Yang Chunqin looked at Niu Zhaodi and said, "Return their betrothal gifts to them."
Niu Zhaodi looked at Xu Daya's maternal grandmother, but the old woman was huddled in the corner and showed no intention of returning the money.
Seeing that Niu Zhaodi was not returning the money, Yang Chunqin raised her voice and said, "Niu Zhaodi, do you hear me? Return the money to the person!"
Niu Zhaodi then looked at Xu Daya's maternal grandmother and timidly called out, "Grandma..."
Yang Chunqin laughed, not expecting Niu Zhaodi to go to such lengths for her family: "Who exactly received this money?"
At this moment, Old Mrs. Xu walked in and looked at Niu Zhaodi, saying, "It seems that this daughter-in-law of the Xu family is really unbearable. It's hard to guard against a thief within the family! Stealing grain and goods is no longer enough for you, so you've started selling people, is that it? Yaoqiang! You chose this daughter-in-law yourself. We've seen what kind of life you've been living all these years. We couldn't say anything if you couldn't stand on your own two feet, after all, you're not a child anymore. But now, people are coming to your house to sell your children. Do you want outsiders to make decisions for your family?"
Xu Yaoqiang stood up, looked at Old Madam Xu with great guilt, and called out "Auntie".
Grandpa Xu walked in with his hands behind his back and roared at Xu Yaoqiang, "How could I have given birth to such a thing as you? You were a perfectly normal person, but now you're neither human nor ghost. If you're really a man, stand up straight and do what a man should do."
Xu Yaoqiang suddenly seemed to have mustered up his courage, and his eyes became firm. He said to Old Master Xu, "Ada, I was ignorant before and caused you and Amu a lot of trouble. Today I am going to divorce this woman. She will make Amu and Ada lose face again."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Xu snorted, thinking to himself that his son could still be saved, at least he hadn't been driven to madness.
When Niu Zhaodi heard Xu Yaoqiang's words and looked into his eyes, she suddenly felt incredibly scared. She had never thought that Xu Yaoqiang would abandon her, but she had lived with him for so many years and knew him well. She knew that Xu Yaoqiang was the kind of person who responded to gentle persuasion but not to force, and that he was the most tender-hearted person. She thought that as long as she softened her stance and said a few nice words, Xu Yaoqiang would definitely change his mind.
Niu Zhaodi felt that the matter arose because of the bride price, and perhaps if the bride price was returned, Xu Yaoqiang would not be angry.
Niu Zhaodi quickly went to Xu Daya's maternal grandmother and pleaded, "Grandma, please return the betrothal money to them. We won't marry Daya anymore."
Xu Daya's maternal grandmother was a miser; once money went into her pocket, she would never take it out again. It would be worse than killing her, especially since eighty yuan was no small sum.
Xu Daya's grandmother retorted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever accept a bride price?"
Niu Zhaodi was stunned. She never expected her mother to say such a thing. Wasn't this blatant lying? When it came to money, her mother would never let her touch it. If it wasn't her mother who accepted it, then who was?
Niu Zhaodi: "Auntie, if the Xu family doesn't return the betrothal money, they'll divorce me and send me home."
Xu Daya's grandmother instinctively clutched her pocket tighter and replied impatiently, "I said I'd confiscate it, so I'll confiscate it. If Xu Yaoqiang wants a divorce, it's because you're incompetent. You've already given him children, and you think he can just divorce you like that?"
Grandma Xu smiled and said to the mother and son, "Go ask whoever gave you the betrothal gifts for them. It was an agreement between the two of you. Whether you take back the money or go to the Niu family to ask for the people is your freedom. It has nothing to do with our Xu family."
Grandma Xu then said to Xu Qiang, the brigade secretary, "Qiangzi, our family has been in trouble lately, with one incident after another. We'll have to trouble you again this time."
Xu Qiang stepped forward and said, "Auntie, what are you saying? Isn't this all part of my job?"
Grandma Xu said to Xu Yaoqiang, "You should tell Qiangzi yourself. Everything that needs to be done today has been done, so that Xiaoyu won't come back in a mess and affect his studies."
When Niu Zhaodi saw that Xu Yaoqiang was serious, she immediately rushed towards him and said, "Dad, you can't abandon me. I've given you two children. For the sake of the children, let's not get a divorce, okay? The children can't be without their mother!"
Xu Yaoqiang shook off Niu Zhaodi and said, "It's their misfortune to have a mother like you. Have you ever cared about them since they were little? Anything you have at home, you secretly send to your parents' house. You even secretly send the new clothes my mother and sister-in-law made for the children to your nephews and nieces. Since you care so much about your nephews and nieces, then let them take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days. I'm making this clear today: from this moment on, the two children will have nothing to do with you anymore."
Niu Zhaodi cried and grabbed Xu Yaoqiang's trouser leg, saying, "Dad, I was wrong. I'll listen to you from now on. Da Ya, please, Dad, if I divorce you, it will affect your marriage with Xiaoyu in the future."
Xu Daya kept her head down and remained silent. She had long hoped that Xu Yaoqiang would divorce her mother, so that she wouldn't have to worry about someone selling her for the bride price.
Seeing that Xu Daya ignored her, Niu Zhaodi started threatening Xu Daya again: "You brat, are you a pig brain? If I divorce your Ada, what decent family would be willing to marry you? Quickly help me beg your Ada, and I promise that I will not arrange marriages for you without your consent in the future."
Xu Daya wouldn't believe such nonsense. She had seen through her mother completely. As long as her family spoke a few words of advice to her, she would still be wholeheartedly on their side.
In other words, even if what Niu Zhaodi said is true, Xu Daya still hopes they will divorce. In that case, her grandparents will have to get involved in her marriage. If her grandparents get involved, it will be the same as if her uncle and aunt get involved. As long as they get involved, others will consider their status, and her future marriage is unlikely to be bad.
Xu Daya has always been selfish; she only chooses what is beneficial to herself.
Xu Yaoqiang shook off Niu Zhaodi and said, "Don't talk to the child about these things. This matter has to be done today. While your mother is here, you can leave together later."
After saying that, Xu Yaoqiang followed Xu Qiang to the brigade headquarters to write the divorce papers. Since they hadn't registered their marriage at the time, the brigade stamped the divorce papers, and the de facto marriage was considered over.
Niu Zhaodi clung to Xu Daya's grandmother, crying and begging her to hand over the bride price money. She always felt that Xu Yaoqiang divorced her because of that bride price money.
Grandma Xu was truly exasperated. She instructed Xu Daya to prepare her mother's change of clothes and send her away once Xu Yaoqiang returned with the divorce papers. All these years of forbearance had finally reached their limit.
Xu Daya also hoped to finish as soon as possible. Although she was feeling very unwell, she forced herself to tidy up Niu Zhaodi's things.
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