Luo Jinqiu listened to the baseless slander of Mrs. Liang, and felt an indescribable sense of humiliation surging in her heart like a surging tide. It felt like being slapped hard in the face, with burning pain and anger intertwined in her heart. She bit her lower lip tightly, so hard that it seemed to bleed, trying her best to restrain the anger and deep grievance burning in her heart. Her eyes flashed with stubbornness and unwillingness, but her tone was still firm and powerful, as if she was trying to hold up a sky of her own in this endless oppression.

"Mom, I've worked so hard for the Liang family for so many years, how can you look at me like this?" Luo Jinqiu took a deep breath and looked bravely into the eyes of Mrs. Liang. In her eyes, there was both reluctance to the past sacrifices and resistance to unfair treatment. "Xiaoling hasn't come home yet so late, how can I, as a mother, not worry? Last night, Xiaomei and I went out to find her sister. Xiaoling listened to you and went to pick mushrooms for a day. When she came back in the evening, Jiang Cai took away the mushrooms and the basket. This was the only time Xiaoling lost something, and it wasn't lost by herself, but by someone else. Everything else in the house was well placed, how can you slander my innocence because of this?" Every word she said was like a powerful bullet, shooting at the unfair judgment.

Mrs. Liang's face instantly became colorful, as if a palette had been overturned. She never expected that Luo Jinqiu, who used to be timid and submissive in front of her, would now dare to openly contradict her. This was beyond her imagination, and she was shocked and angry. Luo Jinqiu, who had always obeyed her, now seemed to be a different person. Her words were full of determination and confidence, as if there was a mysterious force supporting her from behind, giving her the courage to challenge her authority.

Old Lady Liang couldn't help but recall the past, when Luo Jinqiu always carefully avoided her gaze, fearing that he would accidentally make her angry. But now, Luo Jinqiu straightened his back and looked at her fearlessly, as if declaring: "I am no longer afraid of you, I have my own position and opinions." This made Old Lady Liang very unhappy, and she could not accept this sudden challenge. In her heart, she has always been right and the authority of this family, and Luo Jinqiu's contradiction is undoubtedly a great disrespect to her.

Song Yazhi watched the fierce conflict between Luo Jinqiu and Old Lady Liang, and a complex emotion surged in her heart. She always thought that Luo Jinqiu was the good person who worked hard and obeyed her family, but today, she dared to contradict the authority in the family - Old Lady Liang. This caught her off guard, and she secretly wondered in her heart: Is this still the Luo Jinqiu who always lowered her eyebrows and was compliant? However, Song Yazhi did not think that this change in Luo Jinqiu would improve her status in the family. She knew very well that Old Lady Liang was the core of the family, and no one could shake her position. Even if Luo Jinqiu acted tougher, it could not change this fact.

She hurried forward, supported Mrs. Liang's arm, and gently patted her back with her hand. There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone, as if she was defending Mrs. Liang. "Sister-in-law, look at you, why are you talking back to me?" Song Yazhi said, "I'm already mad at you, and you're still talking back to me. Xiaoling lost something at home, and anyone would be angry. I'll just say a few words, why are you talking back?"

Luo Jinqiu took a deep breath and tried to calm the turbulent waves in her heart. After living together for so many years, she already knew everyone in the family very well. Especially Mrs. Liang, who always liked to make trouble and make unreasonable demands. Luo Jinqiu knew that she could not be as eloquent as Song Yazhi and could not say sweet words easily, which also made Mrs. Liang often pick on her.

Luo Jinqiu didn't want to make a big fuss about this matter and make people laugh at her. She understood that such a dispute would only bring her more trouble and distress. So, she decided to compromise again, even though she felt very unwilling and aggrieved. She walked up to Old Lady Liang and tried to make her voice sound soft and sincere: "Mom, I was too impulsive just now. I didn't control my emotions and accidentally contradicted you. Please don't take it to heart. It was Xiaoling's fault that the backpack was snatched away. She couldn't protect it. You also know that Jiang Cai's father is the accountant of the production team. We really can't get back what he wants. Mom, don't worry, I'll go pick up tree branches and weave another backpack."

Old Lady Liang’s dissatisfaction with Luo Jinqiu was not only because of Luo Jinqiu’s mouth that was not good at sweet talk. More importantly, Luo Jinqiu had been married into this family for so many years, but had only given birth to two daughters. In a village where the idea of ​​favoring boys over girls was serious, this undoubtedly made Old Lady Liang lose face in front of the old sisters in the village. At this moment, she looked at Luo Jinqiu with disgust and disdain in her eyes. She snorted coldly and ordered her granddaughter Xiaoling who was standing next to Luo Jinqiu: "Don’t eat today’s meal. Go stand outside the door and watch the door. If anything is lost at home again, I will hold you accountable!" Then she turned to Luo Jinqiu and said in a cold tone: "If you don’t finish weaving the backpack today, you are not allowed to eat."

Song Yazhi was listening to this, feeling unhappy. She knew that if Luo Jinqiu was busy making backpacks, then the task of making lunch would naturally fall on her. She thought that the old lady should at least let her finish cooking lunch before making backpacks. So, she came up with a plan and asked Mrs. Liang in a flattering tone, "Mom, what do you want to eat for lunch? I'll prepare it in advance."

Old Mrs. Liang pondered for a moment and replied, "Let's eat steamed sweet potatoes." In those days, apart from sweet potatoes and corn flour, white flour and rice were rare and could only be eaten during the Chinese New Year.

Song Yazhi heard this, her eyes turned, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She pretended to be wronged and said: "Mom, I remember that my sister-in-law's best baked sweet potatoes are much more delicious than steamed sweet potatoes. I haven't eaten baked sweet potatoes for a while, do you remember? One time I baked sweet potatoes and burned them, and you scolded me." As she said this, she also deliberately made an aggrieved expression, which made Mrs. Liang purse her lips and say "tsk", disdainfully: "You are also clumsy."

However, Song Yazhi's goal had been achieved. She took the opportunity to say, "Why don't we have roasted sweet potatoes for lunch? The sweet potatoes roasted by my sister-in-law must be delicious." Old Mrs. Liang thought about it, nodded, and instructed Luo Jinqiu, "Old man, you can make roasted sweet potatoes for lunch. After roasting, go pick up tree branches quickly. If you can't finish weaving the backpack before dark, you can do it yourself!"

Luo Jinqiu listened to the instructions of Mrs. Liang, feeling aggrieved and helpless. But she knew that she had not been able to give birth to a son, and could only endure it silently in this family. So, she reluctantly agreed. Song Yazhi watched Luo Jinqiu, who was as cowardly as before, and felt secretly proud.

Liang Suling lowered her head and stood quietly at the door, like a weed swaying in a storm. The villagers passing by hurried past her without being surprised. Everyone knew that Liang Suling and her sister were not favored by the old lady Liang, and corporal punishment had long been commonplace.

At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice broke through the silence around, like a bright dawn piercing through the dark clouds. "Xiaoling!" Liang Suling immediately raised her head and saw Aunt Zhao Hong from the supply and marketing cooperative walking towards her with a smile. Zhao Hong was wearing the familiar red plaid lapel jacket and her ponytail was tied up high, which made her look capable and fashionable. Her arrival was like a fresh breeze that instantly blew away the haze in Liang Suling's heart.

Aunt Zhao Hong squatted down and gently stroked Liang Suling's cheek with her warm hands, her tone full of deep concern: "Are you being punished by that old woman to stand again?" Liang Suling nodded silently, tears of grievance flashing in her eyes.

Zhao Hong took out a paper bag from her pocket and carefully opened it, revealing a few crystal clear rock candies. She gently took out a rock candy and gently put it into Liang Suling's little hand, whispering, "Don't let your brother see it."

Liang Suling looked at the rock candy in her hand with surprise, as if she had seen the most beautiful thing in the world. She raised her little head, a bright smile bloomed on her face, and said sweetly: "Thank you, Aunt Zhao!"

Zhao Hong nodded with satisfaction, rubbed Liang Suling's hair and turned away. However, no one knows what unexpected turn of events Zhao Hong will bring to Liang Suling's fate? How many unknown secrets and stories are hidden in this small village? Can Luo Jinqiu get rid of the oppression of Mrs. Liang and win the respect and rights he deserves for himself and his daughters? Everything is full of suspense, making people eager to find out.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like