Zhao Dayong closed his old eyes, utterly exhausted. His eldest son had gone completely astray, and of his three sons, only the second son was still somewhat upright—a spineless coward.
“I have no money. This time, the money for your medicine has already used up all of your mother’s and my savings. If your second brother and sister-in-law cause trouble when we get home, we don’t know what to do.”
"Father, where has your former boldness gone? She's just a woman, yet you still let her make a scene in our Zhao family."
If she dares to cause trouble, just give her a beating. If one beating isn't enough, give her a few more. Women won't listen unless they're beaten.
Li: ...
“Your second brother treats her like a treasure. If you’re so capable, try touching her and see if he doesn’t beat you to death.”
"Second brother is too ignorant. He only cares about having one woman in his whole life."
Zhao Dayong didn't want to listen to his nonsense, which made it seem like he'd seen a lot of women. Didn't he cherish Pan Shi just the same way before?
"Don't say anything more, just focus on recovering."
Li looked distressed. She had done something terrible; how could she have given birth to so many troublesome children?
"Honey, what terrible things did I do in my past life that God is treating me like this?"
“If we’re really going to do something immoral, it’s not just you, it’s me too.”
Li: ...
"Now, let alone seeking justice, we don't even have the face to ask the Pan family for money for the medicine."
"Yes, what can you do when your own child does something wrong? You can only say he deserves it."
Da Zhuzi couldn't stand it anymore. Did they think he was dead? They started cricketing in front of him.
"Father, Mother, can you shut up? What's the use of saying all this now? Hurry up and think about what to do about my injury. Find Uncle San to find me a good doctor."
It's fine if the Pan family doesn't bother with it; they can deal with it themselves once they recover. Just hang Pan's undergarments at the village entrance. This should provoke Pan into jumping into the river, right?
He felt relieved when she died.
He's not Zhao if we don't drive him to his death!
Even if he no longer wants his woman, she shouldn't lie under someone else's body and cuckold him.
The Pan family was anxious for several days, but when the Zhao family didn't come to their door, they were relieved.
"That bastard is definitely not dead."
Why don't their family members come over and cause trouble?
"They probably know what despicable things he did, but they wouldn't dare. The only reasonable person in their family is Zhao Dashu."
"It's good that they don't come. I've been so scared these past few days that I can't eat or sleep. If they don't come, my family will be safe."
Indeed, they are safe if they don't come.
"Go easy on people next time you hit them. This time you were just lucky, you bastard. If something had happened, you'd be in the county government office by now."
"You're a father now, you can't act rashly, you know?"
"My son understands."
God knows how scared they've been these past few days. Not only are their families worried, but they are too, worried that the Zhao family will drag them to the county government.
Old Man Pan glanced at his daughter and sighed. Ever since the engagement was broken off, she had become quiet, neither crying nor making a fuss, and she looked rather distressing.
After the New Year, we must find someone to marry her off to, preferably someone far away, so that Dazhuzi can no longer cause trouble.
"Don't worry, girl. People will stop talking about this after a while. Villagers are gossipy. You can just go out less."
Pan nodded. She had chosen this path herself, and now, no matter how tough it was, she would endure it on her own.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Dazhuzi returned home from the county clinic, this time by oxcart. This was because Zhao Dashu refused to lend him his cart, and Zhao Dayong was unwilling to rent a mule cart.
Car prices rose significantly during the year-end season, especially for mule carts, which doubled in price compared to before.
The whole family huddled together on the oxcart, the three of them squeezed together under one blanket, their teeth chattering from the cold.
"It's so cold today."
The north wind howled, chilling one to the bone.
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