Chapter 44: Happy
When Li Minli, with disheveled hair, walked into the main hall of the educated youth center, Tao Nanfeng and Xiao Aiyun were having dinner.
Tao Nanfeng stood up in shock, holding a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other: "Principal Li, what's wrong?"
Li Minli held the child and panted heavily, but her eyes were shining brightly: "Tao Nanfeng, please help me, I want to divorce my husband!"
divorce? Hearing this, Xiao Aiyun was also startled. He quickly put down his bowl and hurried to Li Minli. He checked her face from top to bottom. After confirming that she had no injuries, he breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What happened?"
Li Minli was afraid of scaring the child, so she took a deep breath and tried to calm down: "Ailian is tired, can you let her lie down first?"
Tao Nanfeng took the child. Ailian was very well behaved. She kept her eyes open and didn't cry or make a fuss, but her slightly trembling shoulders revealed her inner fear.
Tao Nanfeng carried Ailian into the dormitory and took out some snacks to coax her. Li Huilan and Ye Qin saw such a well-behaved and cute little girl and surrounded her with smiles. Li Huilan had always been the eldest sister and was very good at taking care of children. She sang and told stories, and soon Ailian let down her guard and started grinning.
As it got darker, Ailian's eyelids began to droop and she fell asleep soundly on the big bunk bed.
Li Minli gently covered her daughter with a thin quilt and began to tell her story. She had never told her secrets to anyone before, but this time she just let it all out and told them everything, causing the four girls to stare with wide eyes.
"You are being completely bullied by your husband and mother-in-law."
"Your husband and mother-in-law make a living as farmers and have no other income. You are only making 40-something yuan a month, and they are still scolding you for being useless?"
"You're disgusted by the fact that you gave birth to a daughter? It's a feudal ideology to favor sons over daughters!"
"Yes, if they think women are only useful when they give birth to sons, then why don't men take on the responsibility of supporting the family? That's simply bandit logic!"
After being angry, Li Huilan, who was older after all, asked in a low voice: "But your husband doesn't beat you, and your mother-in-law helps with housework. Even if you go to the director of the Women's Federation to cry and complain, I'm afraid they won't support your divorce."
Thinking of the soft knife of his stepmother and stepsister, Tao Nanfeng sighed in his heart.
Although it is a new society now, people who work with women always advise people not to divorce, based on the idea that "it is better to demolish a temple than to ruin a relationship." Especially when it comes to cold violence like what Li Minli encountered, as long as her husband and mother-in-law pretend to be weak, others will definitely think that she is a modern female version of Chen Shimei because she looks down on her peasant husband as a principal.
Under such circumstances, it was extremely difficult for Li Minli to divorce.
Li Minli looked to Tao Nanfeng for help.
"Tao Nanfeng, please help me. It was a mistake to marry Fan Qixi. I have tolerated her for so many years and I really don't want to endure it anymore. I know that I am being unorthodox by filing for a divorce, but... seeing how you are focusing on your careers and being happy and simple, I also want to live for myself!"
The last sentence "I want to live for myself" deeply touched Tao Nanfeng's heart.
Looking up at Li Minli, she was only 26 years old but her face was haggard, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes and a few white hairs on her temples. Her eyes looked a little dull under the dim light.
She is a good teacher and a very responsible elementary school principal. This marriage has consumed a lot of her energy and she deserves better.
The conversation he had with his father in the study years ago came to his mind, and Tao Nanfeng fell into deep thought.
At that time, my father told me that the reason why they couldn't get a divorce for the time being was because Feng Chun'e would lose too much if she got divorced, so she would rather die than do it. If she is pushed into a desperate situation, I'm afraid she will do anything. When that time comes, my father will also be to blame.
As the saying goes, the barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Feng Chun'e would only divorce unless she was given sufficient protection or her father was no longer valuable.
Now the situation is reversed, Li Minli is the one being sucked dry, so her husband and mother-in-law are definitely unwilling to divorce, unless...
Tao Nanfeng asked: "What do your husband and mother-in-law dislike most about you?"
Li Minli replied in a daze: "My body was damaged after I gave birth to Ailian, and I have not been able to get pregnant since then."
Tao Nanfeng thought for a moment, and said calmly: "If you want a divorce, there is only one way. That is to make them believe that you are worthless and that divorce can bring them greater benefits."
What selfish people consider is not emotions, but the weighing of interests.
Why is Feng Chun'e unwilling to divorce? Because only by staying married can she enjoy all the resources that Professor Tao Shouxin brings: a big house, a campus environment, a stable high salary, and a status that is highly regarded by her wife's family...
Why are Fan Qixi and his mother unwilling to divorce? Because Li Minli's salary is enough to support the whole family, she has a daughter-in-law who can earn money, a wife who eats public food, a newly allocated house with a ridge, and the respect of the villagers and educated youth... Who would be willing to let go of someone who can bring them so many benefits?
Li Minli looked a little anxious: "But I like being a teacher and I don't want to give up this job." Her value comes from her career. If she gives up this value, her life will have no meaning.
Tao Nanfeng said: "According to what you just said, you have a deduction."
Xiao Aiyun interjected, "Yes, they all disliked Principal Li for only giving birth to a daughter, and they kept forcing her to give birth to a son."
Tao Nanfeng spoke slowly, helping Li Minli analyze the current situation bit by bit. At this moment, she showed a maturity beyond her age.
"They don't want to divorce now, firstly because you can bring them a comfortable life, and secondly because they still want to have a son. What if you can't have one? What if you are willing to give up this job? They only have one son, so they have to weigh the pros and cons."
Li Minli gritted her teeth and stood up suddenly: "I'm going to the town hospital this Sunday and get a vasectomy!" If she wasn't afraid of gossip from others, she wouldn't want to have any more children at all.
Tao Nanfeng stretched out his hand to stop her: "Don't worry, surgery will still hurt your body. You might as well go to the hospital for a check-up and ask the doctor to issue a certificate. The more serious the result, the better."
Tao Nanfeng paused and blinked: "We are kind people. We can't delay his only child from continuing the family line, right?"
Although she felt bitter in her heart, a smile gradually appeared on Li Minli's lips when she heard Tao Nanfeng's slightly sarcastic words.
"Well, you should lower your attitude first and file for divorce due to health reasons. At this time, your husband and mother-in-law will definitely hesitate, after all, having no offspring is the worst thing. Then you can negotiate the terms. If the other party firmly disagrees with the divorce, it means that you have brought greater benefits. At this time, you can only risk your life to survive!"
Tao Nanfeng felt it most deeply, that he had found a way out of a desperate situation. If fate insists on your death, then burn your boats, there may still be a glimmer of hope.
When dealing with villains like Fan Qixi and Wang Chuntao who are good at attacking and bullying Li Minli, it is of no use to be gentle or reasonable. You must think of a surprising way.
Over the years, Li Minli gradually became depressed due to her husband's indifference and her mother-in-law's harsh treatment. But today in Tao Nanfeng's dormitory, the four girls gave her advice one after another, which gradually warmed Li Minli's cold heart.
At night, Li Minli lay on the bunk bed, watching the moonlight coming in through the window, and secretly encouraged herself: Don't be anxious, don't panic, I have endured it for so many years, so I don't mind enduring it a little longer.
After the tea fruits were picked, the farm purchased the tea seeds and sent them to the tea oil factory in town. The villagers all breathed a sigh of relief and praised Xiangbei, the new farm manager, for his consideration for the villagers.
"I no longer have to carry tea seeds down the mountain by myself, which saves a lot of trouble."
"The purchase price is the same as in town, and they are not picky. The farm has really done a great thing."
"The purchasing point is in the supply and marketing cooperative. The products sold there are becoming more and more complete. After selling the tea seeds, I can directly buy oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, towels and soap. It's great."
Xiangbei, who was constantly praised by the villagers, encountered two troubles.
The first thing was that the purchasing staff of the tea oil factory in Quping Town deliberately lowered the price because they saw that there was a bumper harvest of tea oil fruits this year. The farm bought the tea oil fruits at the price of 1 cent per pound in previous years, but the tea oil factory was only willing to pay 0.9 cents per pound.
The second thing was that Li Minli, the new principal of Xiufengshan Farm Primary School, found the farm leaders to report the situation and asked for a divorce.
The first thing is still good. The farm has money now and can afford this loss. After discussing with everyone, the young people full of vigor and vitality suggested: build our own tea oil factory! In the future, the pressed tea oil will be distributed as employee welfare.
Tao Nanfeng then welcomed a new infrastructure project - the construction of Xiufeng Camellia Oil Factory.
The second thing is difficult to do. The marriage issue between educated youth and local villagers is inherently sensitive. If not handled properly, it is likely to affect the good relationship between the farm and the Nanbeipo Brigade.
Xiangbei attached great importance to this matter and called the union chairman, women's director, propaganda department, brigade leaders and other relevant persons in charge to mediate between Li Minli and Fan Qixi.
Tao Nanfeng came to Xiangbei privately, told him the truth about Li Minli's marital status, and begged him for help. Looking at her pleading eyes, he nodded to the north.
The marriage mediation was held in the conference room of the site. Wang Chuntao stayed by Fan Qixi's side, while Tao Nanfeng and Xiao Aiyun accompanied Li Minli.
Li Minli took out a gynecological examination form and said sincerely, "Fan Qixi is the only son in the family, and I gave birth to a daughter. I can't let his family die out, so I took the initiative to file for divorce. I will raise my daughter Ailian, and I don't need their family to pay a penny."
Fan Qixi squatted in the corner with his neck shrunk, looking at his mother pitifully.
Wang Chuntao didn't believe in gynecological examinations at all. She was tired of being poor. She had finally found a wife who could make money, so how could she bear to let her go?
"My Qixi has taken good care of you and has done nothing wrong. Now that you are a public school teacher and principal, you want to divorce me now that you are strong enough? You are dreaming!"
Wang Chuntao sat down on the ground, raised her hands high, slapped her thighs, and began to howl.
"Please leaders, please help us widows and orphans. The educated youth look down on us peasants for our lack of education and think we are not worthy of a principal like her. They talk big but divorce us under the pretext of not having a son. This is bullying. We can't live any longer..."
He spoke hurtful words one after another, without mentioning at all the contributions Li Minli had made to the family, nor the harm she had suffered from the mother and son. He only talked about the fact that she abandoned her farmer husband after becoming a principal.
The village leader advised Fan Qixi: "Your father died early, do you really want him to die with regrets? Even if Li Minli is educated, what does it matter? You can't have children, and if you don't have a son, you will have no descendants."
Fan Qixi held his head in his hands and said nothing.
The director of the Women's Department advised Li Minli: "It's not easy to build a family. We have to solve problems when we have them. I see that the diagnosis report only says that pregnancy is difficult, not a death sentence. You can go to the provincial capital to see a famous doctor. If you are cured, you can still give birth to a son.
You are a glorious people's teacher. A couple is grateful to each other for their love in times of adversity. Now that life is better now, you want a divorce. Aren't you ashamed when people call you Chen Shimei when you go out? Do you feel embarrassed standing on the podium and telling students that marriage is sacred? ”
Every word is heart-breaking.
Li Minli bit her lips tightly and didn't even notice the blood oozing from her lower lip. She firmly remembered what Tao Nanfeng had said: Hold on, don't accuse Fan Qixi, keep yourself low, the more worthless you appear, the more likely you are to get divorced.
Li Minli burst into tears: "I am willing to withdraw and give Fan Qixi freedom. He can still marry and have another child. I will stay with Ai Lian for the rest of my life."
Wang Chuntao's eyes rolled: "You, Li Minli, must compensate us Qixi for the evil you have done!"
After hearing this, Xiao Aiyun couldn't stand it anymore and stood up to refute.
"When Li Minli married into your family, your family was penniless and she didn't ask for a single cent in betrothal gifts. She used all her subsidies for educated youth and private teachers to build her family. You are now living in the house that the farm primary school allocated to Li Minli.
It's obviously you who have taken advantage, why are you now acting as if you're the one who's at a disadvantage?
When Li Minli gave birth to Ailian, you refused to send her to the town hospital in order to save trouble and money. As a result, Li Minli almost lost her life due to heavy bleeding. Now you keep saying that it was her fault that she couldn't give birth to a son. Do you still have a conscience?
Isn’t a woman’s youth precious? Isn’t it great that Li Minli earns money to support her family? Isn’t it painful for her to have her body damaged during childbirth? By this calculation, she would be at a disadvantage in the divorce, so should she compensate Fan Qixi? How can you say such a thing! ”
What Wang Chuntao fears least is others speaking for Li Minli, so she immediately starts shouting.
"The educated youth help the educated youth, and the intellectuals bully the peasants. Which woman doesn't give birth to children? Why is she precious? Which woman doesn't work and make money? Why is she so great? Her youth is precious? My Qixi is a clean and hardworking man, but he has no youth?"
Xiao Aiyun was so angry that she was shaking all over. She was holding Tao Nanfeng's hand and tears were about to flow down her cheeks: "Nonsense, nonsense..."
Xiangbei stood up, walked to Fan Qixi, who had been silent and waiting for Wang Chuntao to stand up for him, and kicked him.
Fan Qixi was kicked in the calf and jumped up with a cry: "Xiang, Director Xiang, why did you hit me?"
Xiangbei said in a deep voice: "You are a man, you decide whether you want a divorce or not."
Fan Qixi didn't dare to look at Xiangbei, he hugged his head and squatted down again: "I won't say it, I don't want a divorce."
Xiangbei refused to give up. He bent down and grabbed Fan Qixi, making him stand face to face with Li Minli. He turned to Wang Chuntao and said, "This is their business. Shut up!"
His eyes were full of pressure. Wang Chuntao didn't dare to make trouble anymore. She muttered, "Qi Xi can't speak. Can't I, as his mother, help him?"
Li Minli looked at the honest-looking man in front of her. His eyebrows and eyes were wrinkled into a ball, and there was pleading in his eyes, as if saying: Don't get divorced, let's live a good life.
Li Minli looked away and said calmly, "You and your mother always scold me for not being able to give birth to a son and being a useless woman. Now I'm asking to leave and let you find another woman who can give birth to a son. Isn't that good? Why don't you agree?"
Fan Qixi moved his mouth and said after a long while: "No divorce."
Li Minli's face was expressionless, and the light in her eyes seemed to be buried by life: "If you don't divorce, do you want to have no descendants?"
Fan Qixi was struggling internally; he was a farmer and didn't understand what gender equality was. He only knew that if he couldn't give birth to a son, he wouldn't be able to hold his head up in the village. If Li Minli really cannot have children again, should she get a divorce?
Wang Chuntao said, "It's easy for you to say that. Find another woman to give birth to a son. Doesn't it cost money to marry a wife? Doesn't it cost money to give birth to a son? How can we, an orphan and a widow, afford that?"
Tao Nanfeng sneered: "Oh, so these all cost money?"
Her voice was soft, but full of sarcasm. Hearing this, the farm leaders showed a trace of contempt on their faces.
Yes, you also know that these cost money? Then why were you reluctant to spend a penny when you coaxed Li Minli to marry into your family? He also felt at ease putting all her subsidies for educated youth and private teachers into his own pocket.
They didn't know how to cherish it at the beginning. When Li Minli gave birth to her first child, she refused to send her to the hospital, which damaged her body. Now that the woman is heartbroken and filed for divorce, they suddenly realized that all this will cost money!
Li Minli's eyes were cold as she asked, "How about this? I'll give you fifty yuan as compensation, and you can use the money to marry another wife?"
Fifty dollars! Fan Qixi's face unconsciously showed a hint of joy. Fifty dollars is enough to marry another wife.
Wang Chuntao shouted in panic when she heard this: "You only earn more than 40 yuan a month, and you are only willing to pay 50 yuan? Who are you trying to fool? 200 yuan! Without 200 yuan, we will never agree to a divorce."
Tao Nanfeng winked at Li Minli.
Li Minli suddenly interrupted her and shouted, "You don't need the money and you don't need a divorce. If you don't want a divorce, I will resign! I don't want anything. I don't want to be a principal or a public school teacher. I will listen to your advice and go to the provincial capital every day to treat my illness and give birth to a son. You, Fan Qixi, just be a man and earn money to support the family!"
Xiangbei coughed and said, "This is good. Fan Qixi dislikes you for not giving birth to a son, so you should be responsible for giving birth to a son. There are many people who want to be principals and teachers. If you step down, there will be fierce competition."
When the other farm leaders heard Xiang Bei's words, they immediately understood and followed suit.
"Yes, yes, that's right, Li Minli. According to your mother-in-law, a woman should give birth to a son. We support you in quitting your job and working hard to give birth to a son."
"Now that the living conditions on our farm are better, many people want to come here. Even if you, Li Minli, are no longer the principal, Xiufengshan Farm Primary School will still enroll students and teach."
"Teacher Li is very conscious. She even gave up her career prospects in order to have a son. Her spirit of dedication is extremely great. She is truly a role model for women."
When Fan Qixi heard these words, he immediately became uneasy and stammered, "Resign? What will happen to our family if I resign? How much will it cost to go to the provincial capital for treatment? What if the treatment is not effective?"
When Li Minli saw the veins on his temples exposed, she felt extremely happy. It feels so good to finally get the accusations they have put on me for so many years back!
"But you have been criticizing me, saying that I am guilty of not being able to give birth to a son. Now I am changing, isn't it okay for me to change? I am a woman, I am responsible for seeing a doctor and giving birth to a son, you are a man, you are responsible for supporting the family, isn't this very reasonable?"
Fan Qixi was speechless.
Wang Chuntao reacted quickly: What am I doing here with a daughter-in-law who has no job and cannot earn money, a daughter-in-law who needs to take long-term medication for her illness, and a daughter-in-law who is not sure whether she can give birth to a son!
She said loudly, "No, fifty yuan is not enough. Nowadays, the bride price in the village is thirty yuan. If you want to buy some furniture, hire a matchmaker, and set up a banquet, you will need a hundred yuan."
Before Li Minli could speak, everyone present couldn't listen any longer.
The leader of the brigade stood up, raised his pipe and pointed it at Fan Qixi: "Have some shame, your family has already wronged Li Zhiqing, and now you want her to pay for another wife? If this gets out, who would dare to marry into your family!"
Fan Qixi's head was hit, and the pain was unbearable, but he did not dare to resist, and could only shout: "Mom, Mom..."
The women's director was so angry that she almost vomited blood. The teacup in her hand slammed heavily on the table, and the tea splashed out.
"I've never heard of a woman being asked to pay compensation after a divorce. Isn't this bullying? Women's liberation has been talked about for so many years, and today I finally saw it in the Nanbeipo Brigade!
Li Minli is an educated youth on our farm. She has worked hard for so long and has made great contributions to primary education. She is now asking to leave the family because she respects local customs and traditions. She is the one who is suffering. Do you know that?
If she is fickle and despises the poor and loves the rich, then we will criticize her severely. But she has done nothing wrong now, and everything she did is for your sake. You, mother and son, don't treat her as a human being. Are you bullying her because she has no organization or group?
I tell you, today you can either get a divorce and both mother and son get out of the farm dormitory; or you can not get a divorce and Li Minli will quit her job to see a doctor and give birth to a son, and you will be responsible for her food, clothing, daily life, medical treatment and recuperation!
If you dare to treat her badly, our farm women's federation will settle accounts with you and pull you out for criticism and struggle. Let's see if you still dare to engage in feudal superstition, favor boys over girls, and bully women! ”
Xiangbei slammed the table and said, "Our farm is Li Zhiqing's mother's home. I want to see who dares to bully her!"
Fan Qixi and Wang Chuntao were frightened by the farm leader's tough attitude and waved their hands hastily: "No bullying, no bullying, how dare we bully Li Zhiqing."
Xiang Bei stared at Fan Qixi with a straight gaze: "Do you agree to divorce?"
Wang Chuntao thought that if they didn't divorce, there would be no point in Li Minli resigning from her job. It would be better for her to divorce now while she had some money saved up and find a better one for her son.
She quickly said, "Leave, leave, leave."
Li Minli said: "Ai Lian..."
The director of women's affairs glared at her and said, "Why are you, a divorced woman, raising a child? Ailian's surname is Fan. Let them take the child away."
Wang Chuntao was not willing to have a granddaughter and shouted, "How can our family support that little girl? We Qixi will have to remarry and have another child. No, no! We don't want this child."
Li Minli's heart was beating fast, and she tried hard to suppress her inner joy: "I can take her with me, but there is one condition. We will cut off all ties from now on. Ailian will change her surname to Li, and you guys should not interfere in her affairs anymore."
Wang Chuntao was afraid that the farm leaders would force her to pay child support, so she hurriedly said, "I'll change my surname to Li, like you. We don't want it."
The first divorce on the farm was negotiated to an end.
Li Minli originally asked the farm's finance department for an advance of three months' salary, hoping to use the money to avoid disaster. However, she did not expect that with the strong support of the farm's leaders, she did not have to spend a penny.
People were sent to the north to keep an eye on Wang Chuntao and her son, and to ask them to move back to their old house in the village. As for whether they were dating or getting married, it was not the farm's business.
Li Minli held Tao Nanfeng's hand tightly, with tears in her eyes: "Thank you!" If it weren't for Tao Nanfeng's advice, she would never have been able to get out of this marriage.
From now on, the sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly.
The author has something to say:
Darlings, please give me a pre-collection~
[Pre-collection of the copywriting for "I Have the Ability to Read Minds in the 1970s"]
Zhao Xiangwan and Zhao Chenyang, born in 1973, are twins, but they are treated completely differently. Xiangwan started doing farm work at the age of six, she is diligent and honest; Chenyang sits at home and learns embroidery, she is delicate and pretty.
After being accidentally struck by lightning, Zhao Xiangwan discovered that he had the ability to read minds.
The younger sister hugged her and cried: Sister, I am so worried about you~
What Xiang Wan heard: Even thunder can’t kill you? What a miserable life!
Mom sighed: What book to read? My family is poor.
What Xiang Wan heard: I won’t give you money even if I have it.
Dad looked kind and said: Don’t compare yourself with fourth sister, Dad likes you the most.
What Xiang Wan heard was: If they are not your biological children, you can’t raise them well.
Xiang Wan, who was cautious in her words and actions, listened quietly to everyone's thoughts and gradually understood many things. She was the illegitimate daughter of Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua, two educated youth who went to the countryside. In order to return home, she gave her away without hesitation. She was supposed to be taken home by her nouveau riche father at the age of ten to be a rich and beautiful woman. But Chen Yang is reborn and is ready to persuade his parents to replace the two.
When he was ten years old, Zhao Qingyun came to the countryside and Xiang Wan planned to expose the conspiracy of his adoptive parents. However, when she heard what her biological parents and brother were thinking, she changed her mind...
From now on, let’s return to our own lives.
Five years later, the Zhao family searched the whole world for Xiang Wan, but she disappeared quietly like a drop of water in the sea.
One day, the Zhao family owed hundreds of millions in debt, and all their assets were taken away by the bank. Zhao Qingyun was desperate and sought help from the Luo family in Kyoto.
The Luo Mansion is low-key yet luxurious, making the Zhao family feel ashamed.
After finally meeting the head of the Luo family, Zhao Qingyun and Zhao Chenyang's pupils shrank: Is it you?
Xiang Wan put his hands behind his back and smiled slightly: It’s me.
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