Zhang Jiahua's face was dark, yet a hint of pity lingered in his eyes. Caught between his elderly mother and fragile wife, he was trapped in an impossible dilemma and could only maintain his silence.
Deng Yuyuan declared loudly, "If anyone feels sorry for the Zhang Family, you're more than welcome to marry your own daughter off to them. I've already vacated the position. I'm taking the child with me, so she won't even have to be a stepmother. Furthermore, I am willing to walk away with nothing. Aside from the legally mandated child support from the father, I don't want a single thing!"
Walking away with nothing was a calculated decision on Deng Yuyuan's part. Her highest priority right now was regaining her freedom. If she fought for marital assets, Granny Zhang would likely refuse to let her go.
The onlookers instantly fell silent. Although Zhang Jiahua was a hard worker—tall, handsome, and good-natured—his so-called filial piety was, frankly speaking, foolish and blind. He was a grown man; how could he let his own small family be torn apart just to appease his mother?
Besides, even if the villagers still preferred boys, having a girl wasn't bad at all. It wasn't as if they couldn't have more children in the future, and daughters were cherished in many households too.
The production team captain finally spoke up. "The higher-ups stated a long time ago that boys and girls are equal! We can't bring the old ways into the new society! Of course, if there are conflicts, everyone should seek out the village cadres for mediation in a timely manner. Use your words, not your fists."
Zhang Ci Hao had already tactfully brought a chair over to Deng Yuyuan, inviting her to sit.
"I don't want a divorce," Zhang Jiahua said, looking at Deng Yuyuan earnestly.
"Oh, well, I still need to eat. Leave. Come back to me once you've figured out a date to get the divorce certificate." Deng Yuyuan waved him off.
"Let's go, let's go. We need to close up and eat." The youths at the Knowledge Youth Institute sensibly stepped forward to shoo people away and shut the doors, while the captain helped disperse the crowd.
"Wait!" Granny Zhang had barely spoken a word before Zhang Jiahua dragged her away.
Under the strange gazes of the crowd, Granny Zhang continued to shout stubbornly, "If she wants a divorce, let her have it! Ah Hua, with your qualifications, you can find any good girl you want. We're not the ones nobody wants!"
Someone stepped up with a cheeky smile and asked, "Mrs. Zhang, how come you weren't talking like this when Deng Zhiqing was holding that knife?"
A companion beside him nudged him. "Alright, that's enough. She's just a bully who cowers before the strong."
After making their remarks, the two joked around as they left.
Granny Zhang's old face darkened at their veiled insults. Just as she was about to lunge forward and grab them, Zhang Jiahua held her back.
"Mom, let's just go home," he said, his tone weak and exhausted. "My own family is about to be gone."
"Are you saying this is my fault?" Granny Zhang's eyes widened in disbelief that her usually mild-mannered son would dare talk back. "Did I drive her away? She wanted to leave on her own! I worked so hard to raise you to an age where you could start a career and a family. All I wanted was for you to marry, have kids, and live a good life. When you said you wanted to marry an educated youth, I agreed to that too!"
Zhang Jiahua pursed his lips. He knew she had agreed, but she had never treated Deng Yuyuan well. He was well aware of the grievances his wife had suffered in the Zhang Family. He had always thought that if they just endured a little longer and scrimped a little more, things would get easier once he was the one running the household.
Looking at his mother's weathered face and graying hair, Zhang Jiahua hung his head and said nothing.
He wanted to bring some gifts to visit his wife later, but he had handed all his work points over to his mother. He had no private savings. If he asked his mother for money...
Zhang Jiahua sighed. He wondered when his mother would finally change her opinion of Yuanyuan.
***
Meanwhile, Zhang Ci Hao had returned home, his good impression of Brother Jiahua steadily collapsing. Although it was hard for even an honest official to settle family disputes, Brother Jiahua was a grown man—tall and sturdy—yet he had allowed his wife to starve until she was nothing but skin and bones. It was simply outrageous.
Then he thought of Granny Zhang as he had seen her today: tanned, plump, and glowing with health, her voice booming with energy. It was obvious how well she ate on a daily basis.
Tuantuan was tiny and emaciated, and her mother was petite as well. Even a man like Zhang Ci Hao, who rarely did farm work, could easily carry both mother and daughter at the same time.
Just as he reached his doorstep, he saw his mother standing there, looking around nervously as if waiting for an enemy attack.
"What's wrong, Mom? Waiting for me for dinner?" Zhang Ci Hao rubbed the back of his head, asking in confusion.
"Don't flatter yourself." The village chief's wife rolled her eyes at him. Stepping closer, she lowered her voice. "I think a thief broke into the house."
"What?!" Zhang Ci Hao exclaimed instinctively. He quickly covered his mouth, closed the courtyard gate, and mirrored her hushed tone. "What's missing?"
"It's strange, actually. The thief only took the newly made swaddling blanket and the baby bottle. I suppose it's my fault for being careless. I thought since they were necessities for Xiao Li's baby, I'd just leave them on the table in the main room. The thief probably figured they could sell them for a good price even if they couldn't use them," she said, puzzled.
"Ha... haha, is that so? It's fine, I'll just replace them for you. They aren't expensive anyway." Zhang Ci Hao offered a guilty smile.
The village chief's wife narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. Remembering that she had sent him to deliver rice that afternoon, she let out an exasperated laugh. "It seems our humble little temple has produced a grand bodhisattva. Giving away candy and toys wasn't enough to satisfy your bleeding heart, was it?"
With that, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to give him a beating.
"Mom! Mom! I'll use my pocket money to replace them! I'll replace them!" Zhang Ci Hao yelped as he dodged her around the courtyard.
"Your father had to pull strings just to get those from the county town! With the tiny bit of pocket money we give you, you must have spent it all by now," she scoffed, amused by her own anger.
"Don't you worry about that. Within three days, I will definitely pay you back!" Zhang Ci Hao promised, patting his chest.
The village chief's wife looked him up and down. After a long moment, she relented. "Fine. As long as you get the money through proper channels, I won't ask any questions."
She knew her youngest son had his secrets. He hated farm work, loved wandering around and going to the county town, and would always inexplicably bring good things back home. A son would eventually outgrow his mother's control. She didn't want to pry into whatever he was doing; she only hoped he would stay safe.
She already had two capable sons. Even if her youngest remained an idler, she and her husband could afford to support him for the rest of his life.
When Zhang Ciguo found out about the incident, he didn't blame his brother either. "Before we had baby bottles, kids were fed just fine. Giving it away is a good deed, a way of helping others. Besides, you gave me Shi Tou's cradle and baby walker, and I haven't even thanked you for those yet."
"Brother, you're the best!" Zhang Ci Hao cried, pretending to be teary-eyed as he lunged forward for a hug.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Zhang Ciguo blocked him. "My embraces are reserved strictly for Xiao Li. Get lost, you brat. First, tell me, how did things go at the Knowledge Youth Institute today?"
"I get the feeling Deng Zhiqing means she'll either get a divorce or die trying." At the thought, Zhang Ci Hao's mood sank.
The village chief's wife frowned tightly. "Why is that girl so extreme? Jiahua isn't getting any younger. Suggesting they split off from the main family would be perfectly reasonable. Why ask for a divorce?"