Chapter Two: The Old Lady's Rebirth in 1978
Inside the simple mud house, there was a straw bed. Sunlight streamed in through the wooden window, and the woman on the bed suddenly opened her eyes as if she had been startled!
Zhang Xueqing covered her head and looked around in surprise. Was she... still alive?
The air was filled with the smell of the old-fashioned earthen bed mixed with the smoke from burning firewood.
Why does this place look so familiar? It seems like the place she used to live.
Zhang Chunxue sat up. Her body, which had been so thin and frail that she could barely lift a finger, was now full of strength!
A perpetual calendar with curled edges in the corner caught my eye, clearly showing the year 1978.
Could it be that she was reborn and returned to her forties?
Realizing this possibility, a huge, indescribable ecstasy instantly overwhelmed her.
That same year, in her madness to save money for her sons, she accepted a dowry of one hundred yuan from someone and sold her eighteen-year-old daughter, Zhong Xiaoxiao!
Not long after the daughter married into the family, she was beaten to death by that gambling addict.
And what did those three ungrateful sons get in return for their heartfelt sincerity?
While she lay in her hospital bed waiting to die, those ungrateful wretches never thought about her.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chunxue's gaze suddenly became firm. Having been given a second chance at life, she would never repeat the same mistakes!
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she threw off the patched, coarse cloth quilt covering her.
She got out of bed and stepped onto the cold ground. A chill crept up her feet, and the real sensation made her even more awake.
Before we even reached the entrance to the main room, we could hear a fierce argument coming from inside.
"Dad's gone, so I'm the eldest son in this family! The pillar!" It was the voice of the eldest son, Zhong Chengfa. "Xiaoxiao's hundred yuan dowry should be given to me! I'll take it to the city to find a way to get a decent job!"
“Yes! Chengfa is right!” A shrill female voice followed, it was the eldest daughter-in-law Li Hongjuan, “The whole family is stuck in the dirt, when will it end? Once we have jobs, our whole family will benefit!”
"Why should I give it to you?" The second son, Zhong Chengren, immediately retorted, his voice filled with obvious resentment. "From childhood to adulthood, you've taken all the benefits from the family! Now it's my turn!"
"Dad, say less..." Zhou Mingli, the second daughter-in-law, said timidly while holding the child.
The four-month-old baby girl in her arms seemed to be frightened by the noise and was whimpering softly.
“This money… it’s not good to take it. Xiaoxiao can’t marry someone like Wang Laowu!” Zhou Mingli’s voice was choked with tears, clearly showing her genuine concern for her sister-in-law’s future.
Zhong Chengren glared at her and retorted irritably, "This was Mom's decision! What do you, a woman, know? If you're so capable, go talk to Mom!"
Zhou Mingli was speechless, and could only lower her head, hug her daughter and sigh silently, her eyes slightly red.
"Stop arguing!" the third brother, Zhong Chengyi, also rang out. "Big brother, second brother, you've all gotten married and had kids! I'm still a bachelor! I think this money should be used to help me get married! Otherwise, am I supposed to stay a bachelor for the rest of my life?"
Zhang Chunxue stood outside the threshold of the main room, half of her body hidden behind the door.
She quietly watched the three brothers arguing heatedly inside, their faces flushed, and the eldest daughter-in-law, who was cracking melon seeds and fanning the flames.
Familiar yet unfamiliar faces now appear so ugly and greedy; the true nature of these ingrates has long been exposed!
In her past life, which eye of hers was blind? What had clouded her judgment?
The thought that she had done something so foolish as to sell her daughter for their sake made Zhang Chunxue feel as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly, causing her pain so intense that she could hardly breathe.
Later, she regretted it constantly, but by then Xiaoxiao was already dead, and there was no way to make amends.
Fortunately, it's not too late for everything.
The third brother, Zhong Chengyi, had sharp eyes and was the first to spot Zhang Chunxue outside the door. His eyes lit up and his face instantly filled with a fawning smile.
"Mom!" He practically ran over, his voice sweet and cloying, "You're awake? Listen to me, that hundred yuan..."
He lowered his voice, speaking in a coquettish tone, "Mom, you love me the most! You definitely have to use this money to help me get married, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Chengfa and Zhong Chengren immediately stopped arguing and rushed over.
"Mom! Give it to me! I'm the eldest! I need to go to the city to find a job!" Zhong Chengfa said matter-of-factly.
"Why should we give it to him? He's the only one who benefits in the family! Give it to me! I need money too!" Zhong Chengren interrupted impatiently.
The eldest daughter-in-law, Li Hongjuan, also stopped eating sunflower seeds. Her shrewd eyes darted around and landed on Zhang Chunxue, waiting for her to speak so she could figure out how to get the money into her own hands.
Zhang Chunxue coldly swept her gaze over the three of them, "You bunch of animals, you still want money? Keep dreaming."
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