Many people, after drinking sorghum wine, beca emboldened. They used to talk only behind people’s backs, but now, seeing so many discussing Shirley and her daughter’s situation, they joined in the echo.
But the won present weren’t only Shirley; many who worked at the Head Flower Factory had been exposed to Director Guo’s advocacy for won’s rights. At first, they just listened, but when they received their first paycheck through their own hard work, the pride was truly heartfelt.
This was wealth obtained independently, created by their own hands.
Even those who didn’t work at the Head Flower Factory, upon hearing these n’s words, were fiercely indignant, with so unable to hold back on the spot.
"What’s this about making do for a lifeti? With a person like Lai Zi who’s an-spirited, violent, and lazy, who would want to make do with him for a lifeti? You n are so generous, why don’t you send your own daughters or wives to make do with him?"
"What’s wrong with being a mother? Does being a mother an one deserves to be beaten, scolded, bullied with no escape? Rember how Dezi treated his mother? That was his own mother, and he dared to bully her at such a young age. What would he be like when he grows up?"
"Those two old fools still have regrets, do they? Are they regretting not treating Mrs. Daya well? Pah, it’s because they no longer have soone to work for them. Now that they see Mrs. Daya tidied up and earning money, of course they would hurriedly regret it."
"Hmph, as expected, n still stand by n. Back then, Mrs. Daya nearly lost her life. If she hadn’t decisively divorced, by now, the grass on her grave would have grown taller than a person. ’Just endure it a bit more,’ they said. With such a family, even a ghost would run away in a tractor."
Shirley, hearing so many won speak up for her, felt a lump in her throat and almost burst into tears. Hearing those words, how could she not feel wronged? She never wanted to marry Lai Zi in the first place, not to ntion having endured so many years. It was with great difficulty that she had finally lived a few good days, and these people still thought of making her turn back.
Ha, make her turn back? She would rather die.
"It’s useless talking to you old won, let’s drink instead. Not to enjoy such fine liquor and food would be such a waste. Ignore them."
That arrogant deanor frustrated many of the won comrades.
At that mont, Xiangxiang and Shen Xiaobin happened to co over to toast. Just as those who had been speaking about Shirley were about to stand up, Xiangxiang pulled Shen Xiaobin to another table, raising a glass to several elder sister-in-laws and aunts with unhappy faces.
"Aunts, elder sister-in-laws, thank you for coming to our wedding today. I’d like to toast everyone. I’m truly happy today, not just because it’s a joyous occasion for Xiaobin and , but also because the won comrades of our commune are so independent and strong. Whether earning wages or work points, we all genuinely contribute our strength, supporting the elderly, educating children, managing the household, earning money without delay. Seeing this scene, I’m genuinely happy from the bottom of my heart."
Shen Xiaobin, noticing that Xiangxiang’s voice beca much louder as she spoke, understood that this was probably to stand up for the won comrades present.
"Indeed, who says won are inferior to n? Our commune’s Head Flower Factory and the foodstuff workshops were all spearheaded by my sister Shen ng. As a representation of our won comrades, hasn’t she already made a point? Won comrades can hold up half the sky, which is not just empty talk. We male counterparts should work even harder. Although we can’t compete in terms of wages, we can still match up with work points."
The n who had just been critical, upon hearing the bride and groom’s words, subconsciously looked over to Shen ng’s table. After drinking a bit, they had run their mouths, not recalling that Shirley is close to Shen ng, who is not an easygoing person. Now, Shen ng is the deputy director of the Head Flower Factory, and their own won work there. They wondered if their earlier remarks could affect their jobs.
Seeing Shen ng’s half-smiling expression, Xie Jinghao’s recently dizzy mind suddenly cleared up, and his back was drenched with sweat.
"Exactly, Xiangxiang, your partner is truly excellent, worthy of being Shen ng’s brother. His ideological awareness is high. What era are we in that we still rely on n? We won have been able to hold up half the sky for a long ti. Besides, Mrs. Daya lives her life the way she wants, and nobody has a say over it."
"That’s right, Dezi is pitiable now, and it does pinch our hearts to see him like this as his aunts and elder sister-in-laws. But who’s to bla? If he strives and learns to be better, maybe one day Mrs. Daya will forgive him!"
"Everyone has a heart of flesh. Seeing her own child being bullied like that, how could a mother feel nothing? But this also depends on the person. Shirley was almost killed back then. I still feel scared thinking about it, let alone her being the person involved."
...
Xie Jinghao, Wang Lianhua, and Xifeng, seeing that Yu Xueli had quietly shed tears, looked at her with concern, and Shen ng even reached out to pat her back.
"I’m fine. Actually, I’ve thought things through about Dezi. If he makes an effort, studies well, after Old Qian and I get married, I’ll give him the house where Daya, Xiao Ya, and I are living now. If he wants to go to school, I can also pay his tuition. When he grows up and gets married, I’m willing to give a portion of the bride price, but that’s all I can do. Maybe there will co a day when I can sit down and have a al with him peacefully, but I can’t now. When I see him, my heart aches, Daya and Xiao Ya have suffered a lot because of him. Although it was mostly his grandparents stirring things up, I did teach him, too. As my children, I failed to educate him properly, that’s my responsibility. But for not heeding the lessons, he has to be responsible as well. It seems we’re not fated to be close in this life."
"Just follow your heart."
"Hey, let’s not talk about this anymore. Today is Xiangxiang and Xiao Bin’s wedding. I can’t spoil the mood for the young couple because of myself. Otherwise, I would feel terribly guilty."
Yu Xueli wiped away her tears, smiling and saying to Shen ng and the others.
"Eat up, eat up. There’s still a lot of food left on our table. If we don’t eat now, the children will co asking for it soon!"
Hearing the conversation, Lu Xiangxiang and Shen Xiaobin also listened and continued to carry their wine glasses to toast with everyone. After a round, Shen ng and the others stood up.
The people waiting for the second round of als saw so stand up and hurried over to take their seats.
The person arranging the banquet knocked on the drums and called out to everyone.
"The bride is leaving."
Lu Xiangxiang and Shen Xiaobin knelt down and kowtowed to Uncle Guai and Aunt Juying, then Lu Xiangxiang was carried out of her family’s courtyard by her three brothers.
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