Li Er raised his head, his eyes flashing with pain and struggle.
“I know I was wrong, but I really have no choice. There are fewer and fewer people in the village. The young people have all left in secret, leaving only us old people and children. I just want to keep something…” His voice grew softer and softer, almost drowning out the surrounding silence.
Bai Yu stood to the side, looking at Li Er with a mixture of helplessness and pity. He understood that everything Li Er did stemmed from his obsession with the village and his fear of the future, but it was manifested in a distorted way.
He said calmly, "Brother Li, everyone has the right to choose, whether to stay or leave. True change comes not from constraints and sacrifices, but from understanding and tolerance. Only in this way can the village truly become better."
A brief silence fell over the room, with only the occasional whooshing sound of the wind.
Li Er finally raised his head, a hint of relief appearing in his eyes.
"You're right, I was wrong, and I will take full responsibility for the consequences."
A short while later, the village chief walked over with heavy steps, accompanied by villagers carrying torches.
"Li Er, you have really disappointed me!" The village chief's cane struck Li Er.
Li Er blushed and didn't dare to reply.
"I never imagined that all the recent disasters in the village were because of you!"
"Now that the evidence is irrefutable, and you can no longer stay in the village, we will expel you from the village today. Do you have anything to say?"
The village uttered these words amidst the indignant gazes of everyone present.
"I...have nothing to say." A tear slid down Li Er's cheek, fell into the soil, and quickly disappeared.
"You! You're so foolish!" The village chief suddenly coughed and was helped out.
Li Er was escorted out of the village by several burly men.
Xu Yuehuai watched as Li Er was beaten and thrown out of the village, and she said, "Today's events are actually a major turning point for the village."
Bei Ye chimed in, "Yes, we can show the people here that true freedom and happiness should not be limited by outdated customs and habits."
Bai Yu said in a deep voice, "Change is always difficult, but every step is worthwhile. Look, there is already a different light in the eyes of those children."
The villagers gathered around. Aunt Zhao, the woman who was always the first to get up and sweep the village roads, had tears in her eyes, but could not hide her determination: "It's time for our village to be freed. My granddaughter deserves her own space."
"Yes!" Young Li exclaimed, his blood boiling. "The outside world is so vast, why should we be confined here?"
The village chief stood in the center of the crowd, his expression complex, a mixture of relief and reluctance: "It is my incompetence as village chief that has caused the village to stagnate. From now on, we must open our hearts to embrace change."
As the village chief finished speaking, the atmosphere among the crowd gradually eased, replaced by a surge of new energy.
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai suggested, "Why don't we hold a general meeting and let everyone share their thoughts so we can work together to establish new rules?"
As night fell, bonfires lit up the open spaces in the village, their light illuminating every hopeful face.
For the first time, the women's voices were louder at the conference, as they expressed their longing for freedom and love; the men, on the other hand, shared their experiences of the outside world and encouraged everyone to bravely pursue their dreams.
“I want to marry A-Qiang from the neighboring village. He is hardworking and kind, and he can give me a warm home,” a young woman said bravely.
"Support! We can no longer let love be a taboo!" The villagers responded enthusiastically, and applause erupted.
At that moment, Xu Yuehuai, Bei Ye, and Bai Yu knew that the real change had begun.
Xu Yuehuai stood up and faced the crowd: "Let us join hands, break free from constraints, and create a better life together."
Since Li Er was driven out of the village, the village has been undergoing a tremendous transformation, as if overnight, spring breezes have swept through and all things have come back to life.
The villagers' lives are no longer just about working at sunrise and resting at sunset, but also about a desire to explore the outside world.
Under the old locust tree in the village, the women sat in a circle. Xiao Cui gently stroked the clothes that would soon become part of her dowry, her eyes sparkling with an unprecedented light.
"Sisters, do you know? I'm going to the next village to marry the man I've always admired." Her voice was soft, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
"Xiao Cui, are you really sure? The outside world..." Aunt Li hesitated, her eyes filled with worry.
Xiao Cui turned her head and looked at the blurry mountain shadows in the distance, her eyes resolute: "Yes, Mother. Miss Xu and the others taught me that women also have the right to pursue happiness. I want to see a bigger world, and I also want my children to have more choices in the future."
Just then, Xu Yuehuai, Bai Yu, and Bei Ye happened to pass by. They stopped and listened quietly to the conversation.
Xu Yuehuai walked up to Xiao Cui and said, "Xiao Cui! Be brave and pursue your life. Everyone in the village will be your backup plan."
Xiao Cui's eyes were slightly red. She held Xu Yuehuai's hand tightly and said gratefully, "Thank you. You have shown me a different world and given me the courage to take this step."
"You're welcome. You must believe that your life will definitely get better and better," Xu Yuehuai said gently to Xiao Cui.
Seeing Xiao Cui's determination, the others could only offer their blessings.
The next morning, in front of the stone tablet at the village entrance, Xiao Cui, dressed in red, looked like a bride-to-be. She hugged each villager goodbye, each hug carrying with it reluctance and blessings.
When it was Xu Yuehuai, Bai Yu, and Bei Ye's turn, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
"Xiao Cui, remember to come back and visit often," Aunt Li said, her voice trembling with tears.
"Mother, I will!" Xiao Cui wiped away the tears from Aunt Li's eyes.
Xu Yuehuai then took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Cui: "This contains some common sense and survival skills about the outside world, which may be helpful to you."
Brother Li, with his unique humor, dispelled the sadness in the air: "Xiao Cui, if that kid dares to bully you, remember to tell us, and we'll beat him up for you!" His words drew a burst of laughter from those around him, but also made Xiao Cui feel the warmth of home.
"Okay! Big brother, you must take good care of Mother for me!" Xiao Cui looked at Brother Li with deep affection.
After Brother Li agreed, Xiao Cui got into the bridal sedan chair.
As everyone watched her go, Xiao Cui embarked on her journey to the neighboring village. The sedan chair gradually disappeared into the distance, but the anticipation and hope for the future lingered like the warm glow of the setting sun…
A few days later, the surnames of Xu Yuehuai and the other two were engraved on the stone tablet at the entrance of the village.
"Look, these are the three heroes who saved our village. It's a pity they didn't leave their full names." An old man pointed to the stone tablet, his eyes full of respect. "It was they who made our village no longer isolated and allowed it to communicate with the surrounding villages."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com