Ye Zhiyu got up very early.
"Wow, the sun is rising in the west."
Liu Shengnan took the basin from her and filled it with water for her.
"I have something to do today," he mumbled, still brushing his teeth.
The educated youth are also resting today. Lin Yueze said that it's important to balance work and rest, and that they've almost finished preparing for winter, so a day off won't hurt.
Liu Shengnan thought that she had something to do and would leave as soon as possible after eating, but she didn't leave until eight or nine o'clock.
"My goodness, you're finally leaving. Don't tell me next time you need something, or I'll be constantly worried about it."
Watching her take her time, she even wanted to do the things for her.
Ye Zhiyu laughed heartily.
......
"Knock knock knock"
Who is it?
Tian Hongfang was doing needlework in the main hall when she heard the noise and called out.
Tao Wan stayed by her side, saying, "It's alright, Auntie, you sit down, I'll go open the door."
When she opened the door, she was dumbfounded.
It was too late to close the door.
"Xiao Wan, come home with us."
As soon as Zhou's mother came up, she tried to grab Tao Wan's hand and lead her out, and several men squeezed in through the narrow gap behind her.
Tao Wan glanced at the group quickly. She recognized the men; they were Zhou's father's brothers and their sons.
He quickly took a few steps back and ran towards the eaves.
Just then, Tian Hongfang and the others came out.
"Sister-in-law, save me."
Tao Wan tried to pull Tao Qingtang aside to shield her, but Lu Ze pushed her aside and protected Tao Qingtang behind him.
She fell heavily to the ground, where some small stones cut her palm.
"Oh dear, is Xiao Wan alright?" Tian Hongfang naturally didn't miss her son's actions and quickly helped her up.
"Who are you? What are you doing here, trying to act tough in our house?"
“Mother, they are the Zhou family, Tao Wan’s in-laws.” Tao Qingtang frowned slightly.
The Zhou family clearly came prepared today; a quick glance revealed burly men, ropes, and a small cart.
"This must be Qingtang. Xiaowan met you when she got married to my son. You look even better than before, a year later."
The men of the Zhou family remained silent, while Zhou's mother greeted them from the front.
"Auntie, let's skip the formalities and get straight to the point, what's the purpose?" Tao Qingtang hadn't slept all night and was now completely exhausted, not wanting to waste time chatting with her.
Zhou's mother wasn't angry. Indeed, their family was in the wrong. "The young couple had a fight. They came out to play for a few days. Their anger should have subsided by now. They can come back with us today."
"I'm not going back!!!" Tao Wan had been hiding behind Tian Hongfang since earlier.
At this moment, one of his heads popped out and shouted loudly, afraid that if he was even a second late, Tao Qingtang would agree.
She hasn't yet taken on the role of the elder sister; she doesn't want to go back to living a life of widowhood. She's still so young.
Tao Wan knew that if she went back to the Zhou family today, she would definitely be locked up.
"Xiao Wan, now that you've married into the Zhou family, you're a member of the Zhou family. It's not good for a daughter-in-law to never come home, is it?"
"I......"
Tao Wan wanted to retort, but Tao Qingtang grabbed her arm, signaling her to be quiet.
Tian Hongfang patted Tao Wan's hand and looked at the group of people with disdain.
She really couldn't stand the Zhou family. With their son's behavior, wasn't marrying their daughter just making them suffer?
“Auntie, Xiao Wan has been wronged in your family. You think you can just brush it off with a simple ‘stubborn quarrel’? That’s not fair.”
"And what's the meaning of you bringing rope with you? To tie someone up?"
Even though she had doubts about Tao Wan's behavior, she couldn't just stand by and watch her jump into a fire pit.
"These are the things we use for working in the fields. We just brought them over. Hurry up and throw them outside, they're scaring people."
The man holding the rope obediently threw it away.
Zhou's mother winked at Zhou Xiong, signaling him to say a few words.
Zhou Xiong reluctantly said, "Xiao Wan, come back with me. I promise I will never mistreat you again."
"Pah! There's not a single good person in your Zhou family. If I believed you, I'd rather die right now."
Tao Wan spat at Zhou Xiong. She had been deceived by his family for a year, and she had had enough.
"Mom, look at her!" Zhou Xiong complained to his mother like a child who hadn't grown up.
Zhou's mother glared at him, and Zhou's father scolded, "Speak properly, what kind of behavior is this?"
"Xiao Wan, why don't you just tell me what you want? This stalemate isn't going to work."
Tao Wan turned her eyes to Lu Ze, then thought of her mother's words, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I want a divorce."
Tao Qingtang naturally didn't miss her gaze, and sneered inwardly, "What is this?"
He was staying at her house, thinking about her husband, and wanted her to help him out.
Mr. Zhou squinted: "Divorce? Fine, then give back the 100 yuan dowry to our family."
He didn't even know who his in-law was.
Tao Wan felt guilty: "That has nothing to do with me. The bride price was given to my mother. If you want it back, go ask her."
"In that case, come with us and discuss it with your mother."
"No, I will go back by myself. Don't try to fool me."
Go back with them? As soon as she steps out of this gate, even if they keep their promise and let her go home to discuss it, her mother will hand her back to the Zhou family.
Therefore, she absolutely cannot go back. She is currently staying at the Lu family only because her cousin's mother, who is also her aunt, felt sorry for her situation and intervened, preventing her mother from sending her back that same day.
Zhou's father grew impatient and tried everything, from kind words to harsh ones.
"Since there's no room for negotiation, then come with us."
As soon as Zhou's father waved his hand, the relatives surrounded him.
Seeing this, Tian Hongfang went to the kitchen and brought out a cleaver.
The blade pointed straight ahead: "What are you doing? In broad daylight, under the clear sky, do you think you can rob someone? This is the new society, not the era of landlords and tyrants forcibly taking women. Who dares to come near? I'll chop you all to death with one blow."
Tao Wan huddled behind her, clutching Tian Hongfang's clothes tightly at the back.
Lu Chen pushed Tao Qingtang into the house and grabbed a stick.
“Uncle Zhou, have you thought this through? This is the home of the brigade leader of the Red Flag Brigade. If I just shout, not to mention everyone in the village, there are dozens of neighbors. It will be a mess. If it goes to the police station, your family will have no grounds to stand.”
These words stopped the group in their tracks. They hesitated and looked at Zhou's father. They were all quite intimidated by the police station.
Zhou's father scoffed: "Don't try to scare me. I'm not easily frightened. Years ago, I've seen all sorts of bandits and robbers. Do you think the police can interfere in my family affairs? Your father is the captain, but he's also the captain of your Red Flag Brigade. He has no say in my business."
A few words revealed his lack of legal knowledge.
"Then you try it and see for yourself what crime it is to openly fight and assault a low-level government official."
Lu Ze spoke with great conviction, as if he were ready to fight.
Zhou Xiong tugged at his father's arm.
"Dad, what he said seems to be true. Let's go. I can't have children, so there's no point in taking her back."
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