It was already completely dark outside, and nothing could be discussed further. We had no choice but to wait until tomorrow to devise a solution.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
Xu Li's tears seemed endless. His sobs filled the room, making his family feel distressed as well.
The next morning, Old Man Xu went out early. In the morning, everyone would come out to get some fresh air and gather firewood on the mountain. When people saw him, he ignored them when they greeted him, his brows furrowed, as if he had many worries on his mind.
Old Man Xu walked further and further away, until there were only a few houses left around. Qiu Yu's dilapidated house had now been replaced by a grand brick house, complete with a special stable for the horses.
Old Man Xu wanted to go in several times, but didn't know what to say. Just then, Qiu Yu got up early to take out the dried vegetables from the house to air them out, and saw Old Man Xu wandering around outside the yard.
Old Man Xu saw him and put on a smile, saying, "Qiuyu, is Xiao He home? I need to talk to him about something."
"At home." Qiu Yu said, opening the gate to the courtyard. He was carrying a live chicken. Qiu Yu's chickens and ducks had already been slaughtered; with the snow disaster making survival difficult, food was the most important thing, and meat was especially scarce. He brought a live chicken, so he must have something to ask of him.
"Take this to help Ranran get stronger. If a child's body is strong, he will grow faster."
Qiu Yu's family is not short of food now, so she naturally refused to accept such a generous gift, saying, "Please take this back."
Old Man Xu came this time to mend relations, so how could he take the things back? He said, "Take them if you want them. They are a gift from your elders. You can't refuse."
He Zifeng also got up early. He vaguely heard people talking outside, and when he went out, he saw Old Man Xu, whose cheeks were red from the cold. Judging from his appearance, he had been outside for who knows how long. Then, seeing the live chicken he was holding, he roughly understood.
He Zifeng is now a deputy constable, no longer the clueless greenhorn he used to be in the village. He said, "It's cold outside, let's come inside and talk." He's seen plenty of good stuff, and although this live chicken is rare, he won't be swayed by it.
Old Man Xu used to be the village chief, a man whose word was law in the village, but now he felt somewhat intimidated in front of He Zifeng. He had no idea that He Zifeng would grow into what he was now, and he was filled with regret.
When Old Man Xu entered the house, he found Madam Fang there as well. The family liked to stay in one room during the day, saving firewood in the other rooms. Early in the morning, little He Ran came out carrying a large book, reciting it with a swaying head. The sound of a child reciting could be heard everywhere. Madam Fang was mending clothes with needle and thread.
The room was filled with a peaceful and warm atmosphere.
Seeing someone come in, Fang quickly put down her needlework. She had been back in the village for several years and knew that Old Man Xu and He Zifeng had some grudges when they separated their family property. Now, Old Man Xu said awkwardly, "Little sister, doing needlework?" Then he added, "I brought some chicken. I'll stew it for lunch. It's our free-range chicken, the most nourishing." He was just making conversation.
Fang said, "Please sit down, I'll go pour you some water." Ever since He Zifeng became the deputy head constable, the family has had a lot of good tea, all given to them by the county magistrate and Constable Zhu.
Expensive tea tastes bland and lacks the flavor of the tea served in large bowls by farmers.
He Zifeng said, "Let's go inside and talk."
I led him to the inner room, a small hut backed against the fireplace of the main house. Even if it wasn't burning, it still had residual heat. This hut had never been lived in; there were some dried vegetables piled on the small kang (heated brick bed).
Seeing that there were too many people outside, Old Man Xu was too embarrassed to speak, especially in front of the children. He was relieved to be led inside.
Old Man Xu was a stubborn man. Even though he had been removed from his position as village chief, he was still very proud. When he asked for help for the first time, he had a fawning look on his face.
Qiu Yu set up a small kang table for him and grabbed two handfuls of peanuts in their shells from the small kitchen. These had been stir-fried in an iron pot and were cooked inside, making them a pretty good snack in winter.
Qiu Yu put down her things and was about to leave when Old Man Xu stopped her, saying, "Qiu Yu is no outsider, why don't you stay and listen too?"
Qiu Yu was somewhat surprised. She knew he had something to discuss with He Zifeng, and he wanted to avoid suspicion.
He Zifeng roughly knew what it was. He said, "Speak."
Although Old Man Xu had something to ask of him, there were many things he couldn't say directly. So he could only say something simple first, as a transition. He said, "I was blind in the past, please don't take it to heart. I apologize to you first."
He Zifeng said, "You flatter me."
Old Man Xu said, "It's strange that I didn't recognize him properly. I treated Wan Hai like a human being, but now that I think about it, he's just a beast. Putting aside everything else, he accidentally killed someone back then, and you could tell he had a bad temper from that time. He lived the life of a rich man outside, and he didn't recognize any of his poor relatives." How could I have been so blind to think he was a good person? I really can't understand it.
Back then, Wan Hai was considered quite well-educated and reasonable in the village. He had sent both of his children away to study and helped the He family manage their soy sauce business. He seemed like a refined and cultured person.
You really can't judge a book by its cover.
Then look at He Zifeng. He was inferior to Wan Hai in every way back then, but since the family split up, he seems like a completely different person.
He was tall and upright, and his father wouldn't have known that He Zifeng was a deputy constable if Xu Li hadn't mentioned it.
If word got out, it would be news that shook the entire village, yet he didn't say a word. That very humility alone makes him far superior to Wan Hai.
Qiu Yu glanced at Old Man Xu, Wan Hai's father-in-law, and now he was openly speaking ill of Wan Hai, which seemed rather unusual.
Now that Old Man Xu was here, he had no intention of giving Wan Hai any face. He continued, "My son Xu Li is such a good man. He gave him three sons right after he married into the family. When Wan Hai got into trouble, my son ran around for him every day. Now, he probably thinks he's too respectful and that my son isn't good enough for him, so he actually hit him." He was so angry about this that he wanted to teach Wan Hai a lesson.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yu frowned immediately: "Wan Hai hit someone?"
Even He Zifeng's face showed displeasure upon hearing this; Wan Hai wasn't exactly a man. How could he raise his fist against his own wife?
Old Man Xu said, "Poor Xu Li has never been beaten by anyone since he was a child. He walked back from the county yesterday. His face was still injured. That beast not only beat Xu Li, but he didn't even spare his own son. Xiao San, who is only three years old, was beaten until his ears were bleeding. Even tigers don't eat their cubs. Calling him a beast is an understatement."
After saying that, Old Man Xu steeled himself and got up from the small kang (heated brick bed) to kneel down before He Zifeng. But He Zifeng quickly grabbed him.
He Zifeng said, "Just say what you have to say, there's no need for this."
Old Man Xu was held tightly and couldn't kneel down at all. He had no choice but to explain his purpose: "I want you to think of a way to get the two of them to divorce."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qiu Yu gasped.
He Zifeng asked, "Was this your own idea, or Xu Li's?"
Old Man Xu said, "It was Xu Li's idea." He then sighed, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He said, "My son wouldn't make such a suggestion without a reason; he was forced into it."
He Zifeng said, "If Wan Hai is willing, write a letter of divorce, and I can help handle the matters in the county."
Old Man Xu said, "That beast Wan Hai refuses, so I'm begging you to help me think of a solution."
He Zifeng, standing to the side, said, "If he refuses, this will be difficult. Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. It's best if Xu Li clarifies things with Wan Hai." He Zifeng and Wan Hai already had a bad relationship, so this matter was going to be tricky.
Just then, Xu Li heard from his mother that his father had arrived. They were all crammed into the small room. Although the bruises on his face had faded considerably after a day, it was still clear what he had gone through.
Xu Li said, "I'm willing to do anything as long as you can help me." Originally, he wanted to live a good life with Wan Hai. However, after being beaten repeatedly, Xu Li knew that life was difficult for people of their status in the Gong family. But what did a three-year-old child know? He was beaten until his ear bled, and when a doctor was called, the doctor said that the child might lose his hearing in one ear for the rest of his life.
Xu Li broke down immediately. He didn't want to live a good life anymore; he just wanted to live peacefully with his son.
Wan Hai hadn't told his father about making his son deaf, but now he said it in front of He Zifeng, letting He Zifeng know that their fight wasn't just a young couple's squabble, and that He Zifeng was truly heartbroken.
Old Man Xu roared, "He can be so cruel to his own flesh and blood! What a heartless bastard!" He was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
He Zifeng and Qiu Yu were both fathers. Upon hearing that Wan Hai had treated the child so cruelly, they also found it hard to believe.
However, Xu Li oversimplified the matter. Wan Hai hadn't joined the Gong family, and if Xu Li was willing to let go, he could gain his freedom. But given the Gong family's attitude towards Wan Hai, it was impossible for them to spend money to help him find another wife. If he released Xu Li, he would become all alone.
Separating from Xu Li would clearly be detrimental to Wan Hai, and he would never let go. Besides, Xu Li's three children are already in the Gong family's household; getting them back from the Gong family is simply impossible. He'd be lucky to even get out unharmed.
He Zifeng gave a brief analysis.
Xu Li and his father were both in despair.
...
Wan Hai returned to the village in a carriage and knocked on the He family's door. He Fan opened the door, initially surprised to see his elder brother return, then somewhat delighted. He Donglai had gone out for a banquet that day, so only he and his wife, his third brother and his wife, and their mother, Xiao Wanshi, were at home.
He quickly went to inform the others.
Although Xiao Wanshi had been hurt by Wan Hai, he was still her eldest son whom she had doted on for many years, so she was somewhat happy to hear that he had come.
Wan Hai carried some wine, tobacco, and snacks, placing them inside the house. He then said to He Fan, "Fourth brother, you go out first. I need to say a few words to Mother."
He Fan glanced at his elder brother and noticed that Wan Hai's expression was extremely unpleasant. Seeing that he had already said those words and closed the door slightly, he took a few steps, then crouched down and secretly returned to eavesdrop.
Then Wan Hai said to Xiao Wan Shi, "Xu Li wants to divorce me."
Xiao Wan was startled by what he said: "Is this a good day that's been burned? Why is this happening?"
Before Wan Hai could speak, Xiao Wanshi said, "It must be something his father said. Your father-in-law isn't the village chief anymore, but he still acts all high and mighty! After he went to your place last time, he came back and talked about it everywhere. Xu Li must have stood up for his father. Don't spoil him too much; you can't let a young man ride roughshod over you."
Wan Hai said vaguely, "This is my fault, it has nothing to do with him."
Xiao Wan was extremely protective of her own, and upon hearing him say this, she disliked Xu Li even more: "Even at a time like this, you're still siding with him!"
Wan Hai has been drinking a lot lately, and his head always aches. He's fine on ordinary days, but listening to his mother nag makes him feel terrible. He said somewhat impatiently, "Mom, I'm going to pick someone up."
Xiao Wan asked, "Do you need your mother to come with you?"
Wan Hai thought for a moment and said, "If you're not busy, come with me."
When Xiao Wan saw that Wan Hai looked a little haggard, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him: "Xu Li is not a child anymore, how can he still be so immature, running outside in the snow."
Wan Hai remained silent, his face expressionless.
Xiao Wanshi went out with him and had just entered the courtyard when she saw He Fan there. He Fan said, "Mother, where are you going? Take me with you." He had overheard from the crack in the door that it was about his sister-in-law. He felt that Xu Li was more reliable than his older brother, and his mother had always been biased and unprincipled. He was worried that something else might happen, and he didn't feel at ease.
Wan Hai frowned but didn't say anything.
Xiao Wan thought he was feeling cooped up at home for too long and wanted to go out for a walk, so she ignored him and just said that he could go if he wanted, but he was not allowed to say anything out of line.
He Fan followed them to the Xu family home. Xu Li's mother opened the door. She was furious and almost scratched them to death when she saw Wan Hai.
Xiao Wanshi dodged, but her arm was scratched with a cut that was an inch long, and it hurt terribly whenever it was touched. Wan Hai, on the other hand, was slapped across the face by Xu Li's mother, the sound of which was incredibly crisp.
Xiao Wan retorted angrily, "You crazy woman!"
Xu Li's mother said, "Take your beastly son away, he was born of a mother but raised by one, or I'll beat him again. Do you think our Xu Li is so easy to beat? Let me tell you, his father isn't home today, otherwise I would have dug you to death with a big iron shovel."
Before arriving, Madam Wan didn't know that Xu Li had left because he had been beaten; she knew her son, though. Wan Hai, who never hit anyone, said, "There must be some misunderstanding here. Everyone has their disagreements. It's not appropriate for a mother-in-law like you to interfere in their private affairs!"
Xu Li's mother's anger flared up. She said, "If my son lives with him, I'm his mother-in-law. If my son doesn't live with him anymore, he's nothing."
He Fan was standing to the side saying something, wondering why his brother had developed a habit of hitting people.
Wan Hai had a high sense of pride, and he had been frequently humiliated since joining the Gong family, which he secretly remembered. His mother-in-law's slap had left him feeling utterly humiliated, but he suppressed his anger, knowing he was at a disadvantage, and said, "I would like to see Xu Lixing."
Xu Li's mother said, "Get out! From now on, my son has nothing to do with you."
Wan Hai's hangover was starting to flare up again. He couldn't stand any noise these days. If his mother-in-law kept nagging, his hands would start itching again: "Where's Xu Li?" His voice was calm.
Xu Li's mother kept scolding him, while Wan Hai remained silent. Having found an outlet for her anger, Xu Li's mother launched into a long, unending tirade.
Wan Hai gleaned crucial information from the conversation, saying, "He went to He Zifeng's place." This chilled him to the bone, and a surge of anger welled up within him.
Others may not know about his relationship with He Zifeng, but Xu Li certainly does. Going to He Zifeng would be like airing his dirty laundry in public.
Knowing where his wife was, he ignored his nagging mother-in-law and turned to leave.
Xu Li's mother saw that he was furious and, fearing that he might do something wrong, followed him.
The snow stopped early in the morning. The Xu family, formerly the village chief, lived in the best location in the village. Now, they saw Wan Hai, this rumored figure, return. They also saw Xu Li's mother showing him no respect and cursing him, and then heading towards He Zifeng's place.
The neighbors quickly followed suit. After so many days of heavy snow, they were bored out of their minds staying at home. Now that they saw something to watch, they braved the cold to join in the fun.
At first, two or three people followed, but later they invited friends and family to join them. More than ten people went.
They arrived at He Zifeng's house, and the sound of so many footsteps made He Zifeng come out. The others followed.
Xu Li saw Wan Haizhi hide behind his father.
Wan Hai looked at Xu Li's angry expression and said, "So you really are here."
Xu Li's father looked at Wan Hai, his previous warm hospitality completely gone. He grabbed a stick from the yard and was about to rush over, yelling, "You beast, how dare you come here!" His son, Xu Li, had always been pampered and spoiled. Now, seeing Wan Hai hiding behind him, crying pitifully like a quail, how could he, as a father, not be furious?
Although He Zifeng and Qiu Yu didn't have much affection for Xu Li, their son He Ran was like a brother to them, and when faced with such a situation, they felt a sense of anger as well.
He Zifeng quickly pulled Xu Li's father back, saying, "Let's talk things out and lay it all out." At this moment, we shouldn't act impulsively.
Old Man Xu took a few deep breaths, managing to suppress the anger that was rising within him.
The surrounding crowd, though unaware of what had happened, could all see the injuries on Xu Li's face. Looking at the reactions of Xu's parents, they knew exactly what had happened.
It's not uncommon for young couples in the village to fight, but Xu Li and Wan Hai used to be considered a loving couple by everyone. They never fought back then. Why did they start fighting after moving to the city?
Wan Hai regained some of his senses and said, "Xu Li, I know I was wrong to drink so much. Come home with me. My son cried all night because he couldn't find you. If you think I'm a bastard, you can slap me a few times if you want."
Upon hearing about his three-year-old son, tears welled up in Xu Li's eyes: "I can't go back with you. If you still remember the kindness we showed each other, write me a letter of divorce!"
He said that when Wan Hai hit him for the first time, he would forgive him, but Wan Hai only became more and more violent in return.
He would never forget how cold it was as he walked back to his village from the county in the bitter cold. Xu Li was a soft-hearted person, but this time he was ruthless.
Madam Wan said, "How can you be so heartless? Even if my son has a thousand bad days, he'll still have a good day. You just leave like that, without any regard for our past relationship. Listen to me, go back with Wan Hai, eat and drink well. Live a good life, don't ruin it."
Xu Liniang said, "Bullshit! How can you not live your life? It's your Wan Hai who doesn't want to live a good life. A grown man like him, he comes home and beats people after being upset outside. He's a complete coward."
Wan Hai was furious: "Enough! How long are you going to humiliate me? I sincerely ask him to go back. You have insulted me time and time again. Even a clay figure has some spirit. Don't go too far."
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