She would leave this ignorant, chaotic Li village and head to a place where she could live a better life.
For a moment, Stone Meilan understood why so many educated youths chose to leave this village. This broken place was unbearable.
“I’m going to the town,” Stone Meilan said, glancing around. @InfiniteGoodWorks, all found at Jinjiang Literature City
The uproar lasted all morning. It was now 3:30 pm. An hour’s bike ride to Chunfeng Town meant arriving by 4:30.
She had already spoken with Manager Lu. Though the factory opened in early July, she could move in early. She’d be hired as a clerk, with better accommodation—a single dorm, no crowding or taboos, move-in anytime.
She was leaving today.
Hu Honghua said, “I’ll come with you, Auntie.” She liked her and wanted to stay by her side.
Stone Meilan added, “You haven’t told your uncle, have you? Wait a few days; I’ll arrange things in town and come back for you.”
Hu Honghua nodded obediently, happy to follow.
Stone Meilan pushed the cart out the door.
Li Laoda’s courtyard was quiet now. Inside, no one knew how things had turned out.
“Still okay?” Stone Meilan asked.
Hu Honghua blinked in surprise. Auntie seemed like her uncle, always able to guess what she was thinking.
“When I came out earlier, they said they wanted to tie the widow to a tree. Don’t know how she got out,” Hu Honghua said.
“But the Second Uncle wasn’t beaten,” she added.
They hated Wang the widow and wanted her dead. Li Jianye escaped unharmed, and everyone urged Stone Meilan to forgive Li Jianye. But no one asked her to forgive Wang Yulian—it wasn’t to defend Wang, just seemed unfair.
Wang Yulian was wrong, but so was Li Jianye. He had pulled down his pants too! Why was only Wang Yulian beaten?
If they tied both of them to the tree, Hu Honghua wouldn’t have complained.
She got scolded for saying this in front of Li Laotai but had to speak out. It felt wrong.
“Of course not,” Stone Meilan said, fastening the bag on the cart. “Men think they’re noble. He apologizes, and that’s great? You expect him to be beaten? Impossible.”
She’d known all this in her previous life.
Women weren’t seen as people, only symbols. They must be obedient, diligent, bear children, cook, serve parents-in-law, remain chaste, and endure their husbands’ affairs. If not, they’d be abandoned or beaten—without bearing children, serving parents-in-law, or chastity, women were worthless.
Without women, how could men survive? Men sparing women was their privilege!
Thousands of years of tradition taught this. If being a woman was this hard, she wished she’d been born with a penis!
“Then he bears no punishment?” Hu Honghua was unconvinced.
Why?
Men were lenient toward men but harsh toward women.
Just now, a group of men surrounded Li Jianye, speaking up for him. No man called him a “scoundrel” or accused him of making his wife crazy. No man wanted to strip and tie him to a tree at the village entrance. Yet on the other side of a wall, Wang the widow was being torn apart.
No, not harshness, but hatred—deep hatred, wanting to chew up and swallow the opponent’s bones. Where did this hatred come from? It was terrifying.
“Don’t worry,” Stone Meilan said, mounting the bike. “Li Jianye’s suffering.”
Men and women kept score. Women never won because men were united and ruthless, knowing how to suppress women. Most women mentally served men, striving to be “good women.” So women rarely triumphed here.
But men and men had their own debts, and these were about to be settled. This was Stone Meilan’s gift to Li Jianye.
Compared to Wang Yulian, Stone Meilan hated Li Jianye more.
To her, Wang was replaceable. Without Wang, there’d be Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li widows. The key was whether Li Jianye would fool around with these widows.
He had broken their wedding vows, trampled her dignity, abandoned her in illness. She would make him feel this pain.
Beating Wang the widow was incidental; beating Li Jianye was key. But men were precious in this generation, so beating them was difficult and required careful planning—and it wasn’t over yet.
If Wang the widow couldn’t live well, Li Jianye shouldn’t either!
Though Hu Honghua didn’t know how Auntie planned to deal with Li Jianye, she trusted her fiercely and was sure she’d punish him.
Speaking of Li Jianye, Hu Honghua now hated him, especially seeing him naked and humiliated. Even Second Uncle wouldn’t call him anymore and quietly watched Auntie leave.
After Auntie left, Hu Honghua turned back.
She planned to go home, stop by the small shop for ice cream, eat with Uncle, and wait for Auntie to come pick her up.
Just thinking about Auntie coming for her made her happy.
But turning around, someone suddenly appeared—Lin Xinran, holding a knife.
Hu Honghua was startled.
Lin Xinran was no longer the dewy-eyed girl from school. Her face was tight, eyes fierce, body tense, holding a knife like she was ready to cut down anyone who displeased her.
The earlier Lin Xinran had been like morning dew, but now, she resembled a boar soaked in blood and soil, radiating a strange metallic scent and thick hatred.
“Hu Honghua,” Lin Xinran said, no longer caring about connections or love. “How’s my mom inside? Where’s Stone Meilan going?”
Her mother had forbidden her to enter; she had been hiding by the wall, peeking in. When Stone Meilan left, she had kept her distance. After her mother was taken to the front west room, she hadn’t seen anything and didn’t know her condition.
Now, she had to ask Hu Honghua.
Mentioning “Stone Meilan,” Lin Xinran’s eyes flashed red.
She had just witnessed Stone Meilan hitting her mother with a broom.
She knew she shouldn’t hate anyone because her mother was the one who made mistakes. Others were blameless. Yet, she felt an indescribable hatred for the whole village.
She hated everyone, but most of all, Stone Meilan.
Her mother was already so pitiful, so why did Stone Meilan have to speak so harshly? If she was already ready to divorce, why hit her mother?
Hu Honghua was frightened by the hatred in Lin Xinran’s eyes.
“Inside, inside—” Hu Honghua took two steps back. “Inside, Dr. Qian is treating Auntie Wang. Don’t think I don’t know.”
She wouldn’t tell Lin Xinran where Stone Meilan was going.
With that, Hu Honghua turned and fled, afraid Lin Xinran would chase her.
If she looked back, she’d see Lin Xinran standing still, staring.
Lin Xinran didn’t pursue but watched Hu Honghua run away, then returned to stand guard beside Li Jianye’s yard, watching over her mother.
Meanwhile, Stone Meilan was already riding her bike away from Li Laier’s house.
The bike creaked as it passed Li Laoda’s yard.
At this moment, Zhao Erjie was spitting insults to nearby villagers about today’s events—they hadn’t been invited to the feast or missed the big drama, so only knew bits from her.
Seeing Stone Meilan ride by with a big bag, she felt she had missed a grand show. She raised her voice, “Second sister-in-law, where are you going?”
Stone Meilan ignored her and pedaled faster.
She only wanted to leave quickly. The cart rolled over the rough earth road, the scorching sun warming her back, filling her with strength urging her onward.
Watching Stone Meilan leave, Zhao Erjie groaned, pushed open her door, and hurried toward Li Laier’s yard.
Why was Stone Meilan leaving?
She saw Old Master Li pushing his wheelchair toward the house. His face was sullen, looking like he had been slapped twice.
Zhao Erjie quickly approached, pushing his chair and asking, “Dad, what happened? Why did the second sister-in-law leave?”
Old Master Li was agitated, shouting, “Why do you care? Mind your own business! Speak less and accumulate virtue!”
Such a feast, and it turned into such a disgrace, embarrassing everyone!
Zhao Erjie got scolded for no reason, bit her lips, and fell silent. Her eyes lingered unwillingly on Li Laier’s yard wall, wishing she could gouge them out and see what really happened inside.
She didn’t know the details but felt anxious and restless.
If she knew Li Jianye had driven Stone Meilan away but brought Wang Yulian inside, she’d spend the whole night lying by the wall, watching the latest gossip next door.
Now, she didn’t know, but that wouldn’t stop her curiosity. Zhao Erjie planned to push the old man back inside, sneak out during dinner, and gossip.
After all, it was one village, one street, full of relatives and acquaintances; no secret stayed hidden.
She had to watch this spectacle.
Li Laier’s courtyard was lively.
After the village chief’s decision and the divorce, the crowd witnessed it all. After Stone Meilan left, Li Jianye took Wang Yulian into the west room to rest. The others saw no reason to stay, leaving in small groups, full of gossip.
What a lively day! Li Jianye and Wang Yulian caught in adultery, Li Jianye divorcing Stone Meilan, and planning to live with Wang Yulian—tsk!
These events would be the village’s hottest topic for a long time, fueling endless gossip.
After the crowd dispersed, Dr. Qian hurried to Wang Yulian’s bedside for a third emergency visit.
Dr. Qian: busy, busy!
After examination, Dr. Qian said Wang Yulian had only fainted, nothing serious. Li Jianye breathed easier but stayed by her side.
The west room was small, with a study desk on the left and a small bed on the right. No kang heating, but soft bedding just right for Wang Yulian.
Though unconscious, her quiet face was swollen and bruised, wounds bleeding slightly. Seeing her, Li Jianye was filled with pity.
Li Jianye did have some feelings for Wang Yulian. For him, Stone Meilan was a capable woman he could rely on, but Wang Yulian was the one he truly liked.
It followed that if a man didn’t love you, all you did—bearing children, managing finances, borrowing money—meant nothing. He wouldn’t remember your affection, only that he was lucky to have such a woman.
Having something good in front of you was one thing; loving it was better. So Li Jianye was more sincere with Wang Yulian—maybe even resisting fate.
He never liked Stone Meilan much from the start, just chosen by his parents. After two meetings, he married her. When he spoke of poetry, she told him to stop the nonsense. When he spoke of ideals, she told him to pick beans.
For over a decade, he endured her torment and submitted to fate. Now with a career, grown kids, and aging parents, he no longer needed to shoulder or obey anyone. It was time to pursue happiness.
Though embarrassing, this was his new life.
Dusk fell, the sun casting syrupy light over the land. While Li Jianye watched over Wang Yulian, his two sons and mother came to see him.
His eldest son advised, “Dad, get Mom back. A tramp can’t enter our family.”
Those words annoyed Li Jianye, who snapped, “If you don’t want to stay, then leave! This house is mine, not yours!”
Children without income had no standing in the village. Stone Meilan could chase out Li Cici, and Li Jianye could do the same. If Li Cici sided with Stone Meilan, he’d have left with her.
But since he stayed, he had to accept everything Li Jianye did. No son could rule his father here.
Li Cici left angrily, face red.
After a while, Li Fufu came, asking, “Dad, we haven’t eaten, what should we do?”
“Eat, eat, eat, all you do is eat, get out!” Li Jianye yelled.
Li Fufu lowered his head and left.
After a while, Li Laotai came, crying and wailing that if Li Jianye married this woman, she’d jump in the river.
Li Laotai had often used this tactic to threaten Li Jianye during fights with Stone Meilan. It worked before but not now.
Li Jianye’s resolve was ironclad. Seeing her tantrum, he frowned, “Mom, the river’s that way. If you want to jump, jump. I’ll handle your body.”
Li Laotai was stunned.
Her son no longer played along.
She feigned death, but Li Jianye ignored her. Eventually, she slunk away, cursing Wang Yulian bitterly all the way.
Blaming Wang Yulian for ruining her son!
The west room door opened and closed, leaving only Li Jianye and Wang Yulian inside again.
Li Jianye had just chased Li Laotai away when Wang Yulian groaned softly, slowly waking.
Confused, she opened her eyes, saw Li Jianye, and softly called, “Jianye.” Then she tried to sit up. “How is it? Did Stone Meilan forgive you?”
Oh! Even at this time, Wang Yulian was still thinking about this matter.
Li Jianye patted her hands, but before he could say anything, he saw Wang Y ulian’s tears falling like raindrops that had broken off the string. She cried and sai d, “So many things happened because of me.
Brother Jianye, I’m really sorry. I’ve ruined your life. What if Shi Lanlan doesn’t forgive you? It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been so greedy for you. You’re so good and talented, but you’re all implicated by me.”
Seeing Wang Yulian crying with guilt, Li Jianye’s heart was broken.
“How can I blame you? We did this together, you’re not the only one to blame.” He squeezed Wang Yulian’s hand and whispered, “Don’t worry about Shi Lan-I kicked her out.”
“What?” Wang Yulian seemed startled and shouted anxiously, “How could I ki ck her out?”
“I want to divorce her.” Li Jianye said again, “She’s-* She has
a very unforgiving personality. Living under the same roof with her, it feels like you have to obey her forever, because she’s always right.
And if you make a mistake at her hands, it’s even more difficult. You’ll have to live at her mercy for the rest of your life, as if you’ve been on your knees forever, never able to stand up again. How could he, a man, endure such humiliation?
“Divorce?” Wang Yulian was in a panic: “How, how can this be possible? How can we get a divorce?”
The backward rural concept has bound everyone. In the eyes of most people, marriage is something that cannot be abandoned. Men can play around outside, but they cannot get a divorce. People can drink a bottle of pesticide to death, but they cannot get a divorce.
“Why not? As long as I can do it, it’s fine.” No one can divorce Shi Xilan, but Li Jianye thought about it and couldn’t think of why.
He is the one who earns money in this family, the house is his, the land is his, the children are his, everything is his. There is no place for Shi Xilan in the first place, so it doesn’t matter if he replaces Shi Xilan.
n! What’s wrong with replacing a person? He can still live his life without Shi Xila
I’ve never heard of a man who couldn’t live without someone!
Li Jianye held her hand tightly and said, “Now that she’s gone, let’s just live together from now on.”
Wang Yulian seemed stunned again.
She covered her face with one hand, then lowered her head, her whole body tr embling.
Li Jianye thought she was too happy. After all, Wang Yulian liked him so muc h, and being able to marry him was a particularly good thing for Wang Yulian.
He patted Wang Yulian on the shoulder and said to her, “Don’t worry, we will li ve together in the future, and it doesn’t matter what those people outside say.”
He even felt a little bit of anticipation.
He was over thirty years old, and he actually had a wife. What others had only one, he had two, which showed his ability. Moreover, Wang Yulian had such a good temper and such a gentle personality. In the future, his life would only get better and better.
Wang Yulian threw herself into his arms, trembling in them, while he continued to comfort her carefully.
But he didn’t know that Wang Yulian wasn’t crying.
She leaned on his shoulder, an irrepressible smile on her face, her pretty face twisted into a knot, looking as if she was laughing, but what was squeezed between her brows was a kind of condensed joy.
She was happy, but not happy that she could live with Li Jianye. She was happy that she had gotten back at the table, that she had finally won.
Those people wanted to tie her to a tree, saying that no man would want her for the rest of her life, that she was finished, that she had no other way out but death, but what was the reality?
She was still living a good life, she could continue to live with Li Jianye, and everything that belonged to Shi Yulian before belonged to her now.
She was not abandoned again, she became Li Jianye’s wife, and those who called her a slut would probably be sick to death.
So what if she was a slut? A slut could marry into a mansion and get married.
No matter how much those people hated her and looked down on her, she still fou nd a good man to marry!
The joy of victory filled her chest, making the wounds on her body less painfu 1. All her grievances were worth it. She found a small boat in the vast ocean and climbed onto it before she drowned.
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