Xie Sui also remembered: "Sister Hao? It's you?"
The woman said sheepishly, "Hello, it's my fault. I didn't want to come. Tie Zhu insisted on dragging me here. I'll leave now. I'm sorry, Auntie, I won't pester Tie Zhu."
Wang Tie Zhu refused, grabbing her hand and refusing to let go. "I won't let you go. Wherever you go, I go."
As soon as he finished speaking, Grandma Wang's face instantly turned dark and gloomy. Xie Sui quickly advised, "Let's talk properly. Let's go inside and talk. I'll help Auntie teach her a lesson. Please don't be angry. It's not good for your health if you get too upset."
Grandma Wang gave Xie Sui some face and let them in.
Xie Sui remembered that Hao Yuxiu was much older than Tie Zhu. However, since she could work as a waitress in a state-run restaurant, her family must be well-off. That was a very popular job.
Grandma Wang said, "This woman is thirty years old, nine years older than Tie Zhu, and she's divorced. Tell me, how can Auntie agree? So many unmarried girls are waiting to meet him. She's good-looking and has a good personality, but she insists on finding an older divorced woman. Unless I'm dead, I will never agree."
Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan exchanged glances. They wouldn't agree either.
Wang Tie Zhu said, "Divorce isn't Yuxiu's fault. Her husband was a scoundrel, he beat her and bullied her. I'm willing to protect Yuxiu. She might be a bit older, but there's no rule against marrying someone older. I just like her."
Xie Sui: "..."
They were truly in love, and the world couldn't stop their steps. Instead, they were like villains, hindering their sincere love.
Hao Yuxiu clutched her sleeve, unable to stop her tears. "My life is bitter. I know I don't deserve him. Tie Zhu is a good child. I can't ruin his life. I'll break it off with him. You can rest assured."
The more she said this, the more determined Wang Tie Zhu was to marry her, holding her hand tightly as if afraid she would run away.
Grandma Wang was so angry she almost fainted. Xie Sui said, "Calm down. This isn't that big of a deal. Tie Zhu, don't stab your Auntie in the heart. Your wife is true love, but your own mother gave birth to you and raised you for so many years. Are you really heartless enough to make your Auntie sick? We know Sister Hao isn't a bad person, but Auntie needs time to accept it. If you keep talking back, and Auntie really gets sick, will you regret it?"
Wang Tie Zhu was still filial and worried. "Mom, why can't you get to know Yuxiu properly? She's a really good woman. Divorce isn't her fault. Nowadays, many people divorce when they can't get along. It's fine as long as I don't mind."
Lin Wanwan asked, "Sister Hao, do you have any children?"
Hao Yuxiu shook her head. "I was pregnant before, but my husband made me get an abortion. I haven't been able to conceive since."
Well, that was another strike against her. Grandma Wang clutched her chest, her pain worsening.
"We'll talk about this later. We'll talk about it later. Auntie, you go rest for a bit first. I'll persuade Tie Zhu."
Grandma Wang went inside, clutching her chest. Wang Tie Zhu looked stubborn. Xie Sui also had a headache. This child had always been stubborn, stuck in his ways, and wouldn't listen to anyone.
He looked at Hao Yuxiu with cold eyes. This woman was cunning, using Tie Zhu's sympathy. It might be pitiful, but if she was using Tie Zhu, he wouldn't hesitate to turn on her.
"Wanwan, take Sister Hao to our house for a while. I'll talk to Tie Zhu."
"Okay, let's go to my place."
Hao Yuxiu gently squeezed Tie Zhu's hand. "I'll go ahead. Don't be angry, and talk it through."
Xie Sui's gaze sharpened. This woman wasn't simple. She was a manipulative vixen, playing Tie Zhu, such a naive child, like a puppet.
As they left, Xie Sui offered Tie Zhu a cigarette. "Have a smoke, don't worry. Good things take time. You need to show Auntie how good Sister Hao is, instead of arguing with her."
"How's your apprenticeship going? Can you graduate?"
"It's still early. My master says it'll be good if I graduate in three to five years. I have to learn slowly. But my master promised me that there will be formal positions at the restaurant next year, and he'll arrange one for me. I can go from an apprentice to an assistant and get paid."
"That's good too. Your master treats you really well. I haven't visited him yet. You were the one I introduced him to, so I should thank him. Tomorrow, let's go together to wish your master a Happy New Year."
Tie Zhu's expression improved. "Thank you, Brother Xie. What should I do about Yuxiu's situation? Can you advise me?"
"There's no rush for that. You're still young, not yet twenty-two, so you can't get a marriage license. Just keep dating, what's the hurry!"
Tie Zhu said, "But if we don't get married, Yuxiu's ex-husband will keep pestering her. We can have the wedding feast first, and then get the marriage license later."
Without thinking, Xie Sui knew this was Hao Yuxiu's idea, using Tie Zhu as a shield. But Tie Zhu was naive and foolishly fell for it. Xie Sui knew that the more he opposed it, the more rebellious Tie Zhu would become. Rural children back then didn't have a rebellious phase. If they did, one beating would suffice. They didn't even know what a rebellious phase was. Tie Zhu was doing this for true love, making him feel even more righteous. Everyone was trying to break them up, so their love must be unwavering.
Lin Wanwan and Hao Yuxiu had also finished talking. She brought her back and returned home with Xie Sui.
Xie Sui said, "I'm going to town this afternoon to investigate Hao Yuxiu. We need to know ourselves and our enemy to solve the problem."
Lin Wanwan: "I heard her story, and she sounded quite pitiful. It's just a bit strange. People who have suffered domestic violence are usually silent and gloomy, and they're not very willing to talk about it. But besides crying pitifully, I didn't see much fear in her."
Xie Sui: "Then we need to find out what she really wants. Is she after money or sex?"
Lin Wanwan was speechless: "What kind of sex can a grown man be after!"
"Hey, Wanwan, that's not right. Tie Zhu is such a young man, and Hao Yuxiu is already thirty. If they get together, Tie Zhu is the one losing out! A man's virginity is also very precious. You can't compensate for it with money!"
"Shut up, don't talk nonsense."
Lin Wanwan hit him, and Xie Sui dodged. They burst into laughter.
Xie Ying came out and saw them playfully bickering. She couldn't help but say, "Laughing and joking like this, what kind of behavior is that? Even though you're married, you shouldn't disregard appearances. There are so many children, they'll all be corrupted."
Xie Sui's eyebrows furrowed. "Cousin, did you take the wrong medicine during the New Year? You're a cousin, but you're meddling too much. The children won't think too much about it. Only those with dirty minds see everything as dirty."
Xie Ying was angry. "Hey, how are you talking? I'm doing this for your own good. I'm your cousin, don't you understand manners?"
"Heh, understanding manners depends on the person. Showing you politeness doesn't mean I'm easy to bully. Treating you well and hosting you doesn't mean you can lecture me. Take care of your brother and your mother. Like mother, like son, they both have problems."
Xie Sui pulled Lin Wanwan home and slammed the door shut. Xie Ying stomped her foot in anger, calling him a scoundrel with an annoying temper.