It makes sense, in the countryside, reason doesn’t prevail, more often it’s about who has the stronger fist.
Why does every household hope for a son?
Apart from the so-called continuation of the family line, it’s also to prevent being bullied.
Having a young and strong, tall son standing by your side, as parents, gives you confidence.
The Zhao Family doesn’t have a son, and Zhao Baozhu is a pushover, so it’s inevitable that he gets bullied in the village.
When the neighbors built their houses, they brazenly crossed over the foundation and built right up against the Zhao Family’s mud walls.
During irrigation, villagers whose fields bordered the Zhao Family’s would secretly dig through the field ridges to steal their water.
And there were countless other everyday trifles; the Zhao Family was clearly the softest persimmon to pick on.
Zhao Baozhu couldn’t hold up the family, so He Xiaotian was forced to step up.
When neighbors encroached on their property, He Xiaotian would grab a hoe and, with her two frail daughters, fiercely take on several strong men from the neighboring households.
Even though she and her daughters were beaten with bloody heads, face covered in blood, He Xiaotian stood her ground.
It wasn’t until the neighbors felt intimidated enough to tear down their walls and move their foundation back that He Xiaotian and her two daughters sat down, exhausted, on the ground.
When the villagers stole their water, He Xiaotian grabbed a shovel and started digging up the villagers’ crops.
She took on a "if you force me to die, I won’t let you live" stance. Her relentless ferocity, that desperate, wild flailing, indeed frightened the villagers of Zhaojiawa.
Before marriage, He Xiaotian was a sensible, capable good girl.
But within a few years of marrying into the Zhao Family, her reputation as a shrew was known throughout the entire village.
Other than not being able to have a son, the villagers probably couldn’t find another "flaw" to criticize He Xiaotian for.
Such a fierce, domineering rural woman, indeed could do things like "regret" and "tattle-tale."
Zhao Baozhu looked at his wife’s harsh face and suddenly felt a sense of panic, "Daniu’s mother, you, you better not mess around! The Fan Family is not one to be trifled with."
"Besides, all these neighboring towns are still counting on them."
Around them were poor mountain villages, with always a few households unable to find brides or needing an extra man.
Everyone actually knew what kind of person Brother Fan was, but, they still couldn’t do without him.
Some families even regarded Brother Fan as a good person, a Living Bodhisattva.
If anyone dared to report against the Fan Family, it wouldn’t even take the fierce Fan brothers to deal with them; the surrounding villagers would not let them off.
Thinking of all this, Zhao Baozhu couldn’t help shivering.
"The Fan Family is indeed not to be messed with, but I, He Xiaotian, am not to be bullied either. I’m barefoot and have nothing to lose, why should I be afraid of them who wear shoes?"
He Tiantian spoke with a brashness, her words filled with ruthlessness and resolve, which even made Zhao Baozhu shiver.
What’s gotten into this crazy woman today?
What madness is she stirring up now?
In the past, He Xiaotian indeed was prone to making a scene, but she usually did it out in public.
In front of outsiders, she could cry, throw tantrums, threaten suicide, but once she returned home, faced with Zhao Baozhu, she would be attentive, not talking back even when scolded.
To directly glare at Zhao Baozhu with such ferocity, even if not directed at him, was absolutely the first time.
"Daniu’s mother, you, you just stop making a scene. Daniu has already gone with Aunt Hua, and we’ve already paid the Fan Family, so, so let’s just settle it at that!"
Zhao Baozhu’s heart thumped wildly, feeling as if something was slipping beyond his control.
But he had no better way to handle it, so he could only try to smooth things over.
"Child’s father, how come it’s me who’s making a fuss? Weren’t these your own words?"
He Tiantian deliberately put on a wronged face, raising her voice, "It was you who said not to give Daniu to Aunt Hua. Now I realize my mistake and want to bring the child back quickly, and now, now you disagree again?"
His heart was so choked. His long-cultivated image of being an honest man was starting to crack!
Forget about the eavesdropping neighbors from the houses on either side, even the female lead Zhao Xiaoya, who was only seven years old at the time, had a look of confusion on her innocent little face.
Yes, Zhao Xiaoya had always thought her mother was too overbearing, and although her father didn’t cherish his children like other fathers did, compared to her mother, he was much better.
At least, her father wouldn’t sell her sister.
But, what was the situation now?
The bad mother realized her mistake, regretted selling her sister, and wanted to rescue her, and yet their good father kept making excuses and hesitating!