"That's right, that's what everyone who was chatting with us said. But there was no evidence, and nobody wanted to cause trouble. But a little while later, that old lady came back dragging Ma Xiaolan by the ear, with that string of candied hawthorns in her hand." Old Mrs. Chen smiled as she said this.
"This mother is quite good; she didn't cover up for her son. That's really rare in the village."
"That's right. That Mo Niang asked me if I could return the candied hawthorns, and told me not to do business with Ma Xiaolan anymore. Then she dragged his son to the house where the money was stolen. She beat and scolded her son, and the family whose money was stolen felt embarrassed and stopped her from hitting him."
“Mo Niang did the right thing. Children should be disciplined when they make mistakes. He who steals a needle when young will steal gold when old. Although Ma Xiaolan sounds very bad, he also has a good side to his character. It’s not too late to teach him now.”
While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were chatting about other people's affairs, Lin Moniang returned home and was about to face Ma Tiannian's shameless treatment once again.
"Lin Moniang, where's my food! Where's my lunch! Are you trying to starve your man to death?!"
Ma Tiannian lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), one arm under his head, a straw dangling from his mouth, humming a bawdy tune leisurely.
Before Lin Moniang and Ma Xiaolan even entered the courtyard, they heard Ma Tiannian cursing.
"Lin Moniang! Moniang! You wretched woman, where have you gone again! Lin Moniang!"
Ma Tiannian howled like a ghost calling for its soul.
Ma Xiaolan glared angrily into the room, and seeing Lin Moniang about to enter, she quickly grabbed her mother's arm and shook her head.
Lin Moniang was caught in a dilemma.
If she didn't go to take care of her husband, she would inevitably be beaten again. But if she went in to take care of her husband, she would be treated like a slave, ordered around and beaten at will.
Lin Moniang, tears welling in her eyes, shook her head: "Never mind, Lazy boy, it'll save him from hitting you too. I'll go in and see what he's up to, then let him go..."
Before he could finish saying the word "heart," Ma Tiannian interrupted him again.
"You stinking woman, what are you saying with your son again? And you're crying? What are you crying for! Have I ever shortchanged you from food or drink?" Ma Tiannian cursed and tried to pull Lin Moniang's hair.
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