This year, no one is tossing around the word "divorce" lightly. Aren't everyone's lives just endured through quarrels and struggles?
Xie Min didn't have the courage to ask for a divorce. At most, she thought about it, but with so many people around, and their old-fashioned ways, if she dared to utter a word, she'd be drowned in spit.
He Liang asked, "What do you want?"
"Bring back fifty yuan every month. If you can stick to it until the end of the year, I'll take our daughter and come back with you."
He Liang was reluctant. Where would he earn so much money?
With that money, wouldn't it be better to spend it himself? Could he give it to her?
Xie Min sneered, seeing through his thoughts, and said with grievance, "Uncle and aunts, you've all seen it. It's not that I don't care about the family, it's just that life is unbearable. For the sake of the child, I can endure any hardship or grievance, but I can't just support him, right?
He's a grown man, doesn't provide for the family, is lazy and gluttonous, drinks and gambles, and gets drunk and beats me. How can we live like this?"
The crowd pointed fingers at He Liang. Not a man, how dare he force his wife to go home?
Go home to eat the north wind?
Director Gu happened to be off work. She recognized Xie Min as Xie Sui's second elder sister and immediately stepped forward to help, "Xiao Min, are you in trouble? Tell Big Sister. Big Sister knows people in the Women's Federation and will back you up. Don't be afraid!"
She glared fiercely at He Liang. "You, so fierce, trying to hit someone?"
He Liang saw he wouldn't get his way and retreated, "Fine, you win. If you've got the guts, don't ever come back."
He pushed through the crowd and ran off. Xie Min's face was grim. This matter wasn't over yet!
The crowd dispersed. Director Gu understood Xie Min's family situation and helped her warmly. Xie Min thanked her and returned home with the children.
The nanny had already prepared the meal. Lin Wanwan didn't need to lift a finger. A large table was laden with food. The children were as happy as if it were New Year.
Lin Wanwan saw her eyes were red. "What happened?"
Qing Qing, scared, rushed into her arms. "Auntie, my dad found us, wanting us to go home with him. He also wanted to hit Mom. We don't want to go back."
"What? He dared to bully you again? Where is he?"
Lin Wanwan turned around to find a broom, ready to beat him to death!
Xie Min smiled. "I beat him away. But I feel today that he won't give up. Let's discuss a solution when Xiao Sui gets back. We can't let him off easily!"
"He ran away? Alright. As long as you didn't suffer any loss, that's good. Second Sister, don't be weak with men. He can be lazy, he can be greedy, but he can't hit you. If he dares to hit you, sharpen a knife by his pillow at night and scare him to death!"
Xie Min laughed heartily. "Xiao Sui has reformed, is it because of this?"
Lin Wanwan just smiled without answering. She had put rat poison in his food. Fortunately, Xie Sui was lucky and didn't drink it. He had completely reformed, so men are all fond of their own lives.
"Okay, I get it. Let's eat. I'm starving. I've almost sold all my clothes, and they sell really well!"
Lin Wanwan served her braised pork. "Eat more. This money is earned too hard. It's better to give it to Brother Zhang."
"Every bit we earn is something. Here's two hundred yuan. Take it. It's for the children's living expenses."
Lin Wanwan accepted it generously. Xie Min felt a bit better. When you have money, no one wants to shamelessly take advantage of others, to be looked down upon.
Compared to accepting gifts, people are more willing to be the giver. When God blesses all beings, it's better than being saved by others.
Xie Sui was busy with factory matters and didn't return until evening. He bought a lot of things. They would go back to the village to visit the elders tomorrow.
Upon hearing that He Liang dared to bully Xie Min, a fierce look flashed in Xie Sui's eyes. "Second Sister, what are your plans? Don't be afraid of him. I'll bring people to support you at the He family's place."
Xie Min said, "I wanted to give him a chance, but he didn't want it. He wouldn't even earn fifty yuan a month and still expects me to support him."
"Divorce?"
Xie Sui asked. Lin Wanwan added, "Gender equality is advocated now. Divorce is not shameful. You can earn money and support the children. Why endure his mistreatment? Our whole family supports you. Don't be afraid. If you want a divorce, go ahead and divorce him."
Xie Min sighed, "Let me think about it."
Xie Sui played with the children for a while. In the evening, there was inevitably a night of passion. A brief separation makes the marriage sweeter. They got up a bit late.
Zhang Wenfeng drove the tractor to pick them up. The nanny had a day off. The whole truck bed was full of people, chugging back to the village.
Xie Sui got off at the village entrance, greeted everyone, and chatted for a while. He didn't get home until half an hour later.
Autumn was nearing its end. In the blink of an eye, Xie Sui had been reborn for over half a year, with fruitful harvests. This courtyard with new houses satisfied him greatly.
Grandma Xie could already walk around and was coaxing the children. Xie Sui spoke to his grandmother first. "Grandma, I'm back. How is your health recovering? Are you drinking the milk powder every day?"
Grandma Xie's face was full of wrinkles as she smiled. "Yes, I've gained weight from drinking it, and I'm recovering well. Grandma will walk a few steps for you!"
Xie Sui laughed heartily. It was like a comedy skit. He supported his grandmother as she walked a few steps, and finally felt relieved. His grandmother was old, and being able to move independently was good for the children and for her. He didn't want his grandmother to be bedridden in her old age. That kind of old age had no quality of life, pure suffering.
Uncle Xie Dajiang and Aunt Xie Dajiang came in together. Both were smiling. "Xiao Sui, I have good news for you. Xiao Chen is coming back and will be the town mayor in our town, in charge of over ten villages. Our Xie family's ancestral graves must have emitted smoke. Both of you are promising!"
Xie Sui was also happy. "That's great! To become a town mayor at once, Cousin is very capable. When will he be home? I'll go pick him up!"
"Still two days. I told him to go to the county to find you. If you two brothers join forces, no one will dare to bully our old Xie family."
Xie Sui just smiled and didn't say anything. If they really joined forces, wouldn't that be collusion between officials and merchants? Besides, he didn't have a very good impression of his cousin. He was stubborn, silent, and not easy to communicate with. Generally, children who study well are mostly inarticulate, especially children from rural backgrounds. For things that city children can get with a little effort, they have to put in dozens of times the effort.
Lunch was lively. Xie Sui was making money, and the family's meals had improved considerably. They didn't eat meat every day, but there were eggs. The elders didn't dare not to eat them. Xie Sui directly stocked a basket of eggs; they would go bad if not eaten. This filial piety made the elders very gratified. Grandma Xie even scolded them for not knowing how to enjoy blessings. Their child was being filial; if they didn't eat or drink, the child would be upset. Eating well and dressing well and looking dignified was also bringing honor to the child. Isn't it what adults should do to not worry their children? To be honest, Grandma Xie was the clearest-headed person, the backbone of the family.
Xie Lan was very diligent. The household chores didn't require Lin Wanwan and them to busy themselves; she finished them herself. However, Lin Wanwan still helped out, not letting her elder sister-in-law work too hard while she enjoyed herself.
After tidying up, Xie Lan found Xie Sui and asked cautiously, "Xiao Sui, can older sister ask you for a favor?"