Chapter 7
The September weather was muggy and hot, but Xu Shanshan felt more relaxed than ever. The path back to the village was covered in tiny yellow flowers, scattered across the hillside, with the occasional dandelion. She plucked a dandelion and blew vigorously toward the nearby city.
"Fly farther, fly farther~"
In the distance, Fang Zhiwen looked at his wife who was about to turn into a black spot, and then looked at the leather shoes on her feet that were cracked and peeling, and he felt like crying but had no tears.
He punched himself twice in anger and cursed inwardly, "I told you to just be cool and show off, and now you can't keep up with your wife."
He pulled up a piece of wild grass from the roadside and wrapped it around his leather shoes several times, thinking that it would last as long as possible. However, it fell apart after just two steps.
Fang Zhiwen simply ignored it and climbed up the mountain in his open shoes.
After he finally climbed over the steep slope and ran down two more slopes, he looked up and saw his wife talking to someone in the distance.
far away
Xu Meili looked at Xu Shanshan happily and said, "Sister, you're back? Where's my brother-in-law?"
"I came back by myself. Why are you carrying straw by yourself? Where is your fourth sister?"
"I went to pick rice for Auntie's house."
"You hold it, I'll carry it."
Fang Zhiwen stared blankly at his wife, who first lay on the straw with her back leaning back, and then suddenly stood up with force. The mountain of straw pressed down on her thin body, almost bending her waist.
Heartache, guilt and discomfort formed a big net that wrapped him tightly and made it almost impossible for him to breathe.
He slapped himself. Why did he refuse to come with him out of spite in his previous life?
"Shanshan, I'll carry it."
The weight on her body disappeared, and when she looked up, she saw an unexpected person. Xu Shanshan was startled at first, and then asked anxiously: "Why are you here?" As she spoke, she tried to push Fang Zhiwen away.
"I was worried about you so I followed you."
"Sister, who is he?"
Fang Zhiwen quickly said, "Little sister? I'm your brother-in-law."
"Ah? You are my brother-in-law, then who is Zhou Kai?"
"Unfaithful man!"
"What? Is he blind? My sister is so beautiful."
Seeing her younger sister chatting with Fang Zhiwen, Xu Shanshan urged them again, "Hurry up and leave! It's getting dark and there are wolves in the mountains."
"I won't leave, Shanshan. I won't leave no matter what. It's not like I'm ashamed to be seen."
"Sister, the new brother-in-law is very handsome and presentable." Xu Meili said with certainty.
"Sister, your brother-in-law will buy you some candy later."
"Fang Zhiwen!" When Xu Shanshan saw the villagers coming towards her, she was so anxious that she couldn't control her temper and shouted Fang Zhiwen's name loudly.
Fang Zhiwen didn't dare to speak, but he was stubborn and refused to leave.
He doesn't want to make the same mistakes as in his previous life.
"Sister, don't be anxious. If someone asks, just say you are Sister Liu's brother." Seeing that her sister and her new brother-in-law were in a stalemate, Xu Meili quickly offered an idea.
The Sister Liu she mentioned was an educated youth who went to the countryside and was the one who gave Shanshan a toothbrush.
Xu Shanshan thought it made sense, and she asked Fang Zhiwen, "What's the reason for writing the supporting documents?"
"Visiting relatives."
"That's good. Meili, you take him, uh, take him to see Sister Liu and chat with him. I'll go home first." Xu Shanshan said as she was about to leave with the straw on her back.
"No, I'll carry the straw." Fang Zhiwen's eyes were red, and Xu Shanshan could see the pain in his eyes without any words.
She was a little touched, a little amused, but mostly uncomfortable.
Which country girl doesn't do farm work? Look at her, as if she is so wronged.
Xu Shanshan deliberately put on a bright smile and said, "I'm used to this kind of work. It's not hard at all."
"Then from today on, you have to get used to not doing these kinds of work." As he said this, he was about to leave carrying the straw.
Xu Shanshan said helplessly, "You're walking the wrong way." When she lowered her head, she saw that the leather shoes on his feet had cracks. With every step he took, a big hole appeared, and the entire forefoot was about to come out.
Xu Meili covered her mouth and laughed. "My new brother-in-law is so funny! Who in this village doesn't carry straw? It's much easier than carrying rice."
Fang Zhiwen lifted his foot and shook it, then put his foot back into his shoe, and then slowly followed Xu Shanshan.
He wondered why he hadn't been reborn a few years earlier?
What could Zhou Kai have done a few years ago?
A few years earlier, Shanshan would have suffered less.
When the three of them reached the door of their home, the neighbors on both sides saw a man helping Old Xu carry his load and thought it was Zhou Kai who had returned. They all came forward and said, "Hey Zhou Kai, you know how to show off in front of your father-in-law?"
"After all, you're getting married now, and it's very different from before."
You have to know that although Zhou Kai treats Xu Shanshan very well, he has always looked down on the Xu couple. After dating for four years, he has never offered to help with farm work.
Hi, you're pretty well behaved today.
"Hey, you're not Zhou Kai, who are you?"
"Aunt Yao, he's Sister Liu Ru's younger brother. He just asked for directions and helped me out." Xu Meili said with a smile, and then said, "Comrade Fang, I'll take you to find Sister Liu Ru right away."
"Brother Liu Ru? You are really well-informed. Okay, please send the person over quickly and we will talk to your sister again." As they spoke, the aunts gathered in front of Xu Shanshan and asked her to talk about the things happening in Linshi.
Xu Shanshan looked at Fang Zhiwen pleadingly, which made him feel very uncomfortable. He didn't understand why Shanshan didn't introduce herself openly.
But he still chose to obey.
"New brother-in-law, Sister Liu Ru is an educated youth who went to the countryside. She is a very nice person. It's just that the family she married into is not good. Her mother-in-law is very fierce." Then Xu Meili told her about Liu Ru's general situation. After a while, they arrived at the door of the Zhao family.
Old Zhao was the brigade secretary and had a brother-in-law who worked at the Youth League Office. When Liu Ru's parents ran into trouble, she asked the Zhao family for permission to visit them. They agreed, but only if she married Zhao Laoer.
Liu Ru got married, and the couple was sweet at first. Unfortunately, she got married to the abusive and trouble-making Old Lady Song.
When they arrived, Mrs. Song from the Zhao family was cursing, her face stern and her eyes glaring as if she was about to kill someone. Liu Ru, a man, couldn't protect his wife, nor could he persuade his mother, so he could only kneel on the ground and cry helplessly.
"Aunt Song, someone's coming home."
Old Lady Song changed her expression and asked, "Who's here?"
Fang Zhiwen looked at the pale, calm-eyed woman. Isn't this Liu, the deputy general manager and partner of Shanshan Company? This is a single, strong woman who is tough and ruthless. She never shows mercy when doing things.
It turns out that she and Shanshan have known each other for so long?
"Sister, it's me, Fangzi." Fang Zhiwen shouted loudly, and then cursed: "Where is this feudal landlord? She still has to work after her daughter-in-law had a miscarriage?"
"And you made your son kneel?"
"It seems that the Chaoyang Brigade was not completely liberated?"
Liu Ru stared at Fang Zhiwen with wide eyes. She was absolutely certain she didn't know him. Her family was poor, and her parents had died young. Her uncle and his family had fled to Hong Kong long ago, so it was impossible for them to come looking for her.
Xu Meili saw her new brother-in-law picking a fight with Old Lady Song as soon as he arrived, so she quietly moved back and thought to herself, "My new brother-in-law is so reckless."
Old Lady Song, whose family was capable and whose husband was also capable, was used to having the final say at home. Seeing a little brat flattering her, she immediately flew into a rage. She picked up the big broom she used to sweep the yard and tried to chase him away, but Fang Zhiwen was not afraid of her.
He was very angry at the moment, so he just wanted to have a talk with this old lady.
Liu Ru came close to Xu Meili and asked, "Who is this?"
"My third sister has found a new boyfriend. Maybe she's afraid my parents won't agree, so she doesn't dare bring him home. Sister Liu Ru, please."
Liu Ru glanced at Fang Zhiwen. She also came from a wealthy family. She only needed to glance at the watch on Fang Zhiwen's wrist to understand Xu Shanshan's intention. She smiled and said, "Okay."
"Sister Liu Ru, are you okay?"
The women in the village who lost their children were practically half dead. Sister Liu Ru looked pale, but her expression remained the same as usual.
"I'm fine." Liu Ru touched her belly, feeling a little sad, but after thinking about it, she felt that this was fine. In such an environment and such a family, raising a child would be a problem.
Would they let the child repeat Zhao Er's path? Or perhaps end up like the five Xu sisters?
Liu Ru has completely given up on the man Zhao Er. She feels disgusted if she looks at him for even one more moment.
On this side, Liu Ru figured out Xu Shanshan's intention, while on the other side, Fang Zhiwen actually overpowered Old Lady Song and pointed at the torn leather shoes and asked her to pay for it.
When it came to money, Old Man Song had no choice but to flee. Zhao Lao Er wanted to invite his brother-in-law into the house to talk, but Fang Zhiwen sneered, "You can't even protect your own wife, are you useless?"
Zhao Lao Er glanced at Liu Ru pitifully, but Liu Ru said calmly, "Zhao Er, let's get a divorce."
"Brother, help me move my things to the educated youth site." Liu Ru was decisive. Taking advantage of the support of her "family", she immediately did what she wanted to do.
Zhao Er was dumbfounded. Old Lady Song also came out to stop them. Liu Ru simply said, "Let's part ways in peace. Don't make things awkward."
"Zhao Er, my body is ruined, don't expect me to have children."
Zhao Er still couldn't bear to let her go. He truly loved Liu Ru, and didn't even care if she had children or not. Old Lady Song wasn't happy either. Her eldest brother said that with the cadres and leaders being rehabilitated over the past few years, there was no telling if Liu Ru would become prosperous one day. Although Liu Ru's parents were gone, her family's house and belongings would be passed down to Liu Ru, and the children of the older generation would also benefit from it.
Fang Zhiwen glanced at Liu Ru. He didn't expect that he would divorce her as soon as he arrived.
However, thinking of her friendship with Shanshan, Fang Zhiwen decided to support her with all his strength. Although the countryside has its own rules, can they be bigger than the marriage law?
Where had Zhao Er and Old Lady Song ever heard of the Marriage Law? In their view, since ancient times, only men had the right to divorce women. A woman filing for divorce? That was the opposite of what Tian Gang had done!
"It's a pity that village rules are not as powerful as national laws. If you don't like it, I will go to the People's Court to file a complaint tomorrow morning."
"Sister, give me your marriage certificate."
Liu Ru shook her head and said, "We only had a banquet."
"Hey, then what are you still wasting your time talking to them about? How can you be considered a married couple without even getting a marriage certificate? Little sister, help Liu Ru move her things, we're leaving now. Hey, old woman, what's going on? Are you trying to illegally detain me? This is a new society now, and old ways don't apply anymore."
"Hey, don't even think about fighting with me. I work for a formal organization. If I get hurt, I'll go to court and sue you. I'll win." Fang Zhiwen had a cold face and frowned. He looked at people with half his eyelids, as if he looked down on everyone. He spoke with great momentum, and it was obvious that he was not someone to be trifled with.
Old Lady Song couldn't argue with him, nor could she reason with him, so she could only endure it for the time being, thinking about going back to her eldest brother and the man to find a solution.
On the way to the educated youth camp, Xu Meili asked curiously, "Brother-in-law, it's not considered a marriage without a marriage certificate, right?"
"Of course. You need proof of documentation just to go out, but you don't need it when you get married?"
"Well, in that case, my parents are not considered husband and wife? Then my mother can also get a divorce?" Xu Meili's mind was full of ideas, and she immediately thought of her parents.
If only her mother would divorce her father.
......
Meanwhile, on the other side, Xu Shanshan still didn't know what Fang Zhiwen had done. She was surrounded by her family. Aunt Yang Dani couldn't wait to ask, "Shanshan, are you and Zhou Kai settled?"
"Did they say how much the betrothal gift would be?"
"I heard that people in the city pay attention to the three turns and one ring. Shanshan is so beautiful, we can't fall below this standard."
"You're the one who's talking too much, Shanshan needs your reminder?" Boss Xu said pretentiously, and then added, "Do you think Shanshan is just an ordinary girl? Someone you can just marry casually?"
"Of course Zhou Kai is willing to marry me, it's just that his parents don't like me." Xu Shanshan sometimes feels that she can be a movie star. She cries at will and tells lies at will.
Yang Dani curled her lips when she heard this, and blurted out, "I guessed it."
Which mother would like a daughter-in-law who looks like this?
Xu Shanshan paused for a long time, giving the aunt enough time to ridicule people, but when she saw her biological mother Zhao Xiaohe with tears in her eyes, she felt a little uncomfortable.
"Shanshan, forget it, let's just find someone close to home. If you really marry someone else, it will be hard for Mom to even see you. And if you're bullied, your brothers won't be able to help you."
The emotion that Xu Shanshan had just felt disappeared without a trace.
"Zhou Kai wanted me to get married with him secretly. He said that it was a done deal and his mother couldn't change her mind even if she wanted to."
"So he asked me to go home and get a certificate first."
Boss Xu frowned and said, "What does Zhou Kai mean? Is the girl we raised marrying him for nothing?"
Xu Shanshan was silent again for a long time before she said, "Why don't I just marry someone from the village? Then I can go home and help out during the busy farming season like my older sisters did."
Boss Xu felt unhappy after hearing this.
Being a city dweller and a college student was the highest threshold the Xu family could reach.
It would be a pity to give up now.
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