Chapter 23

The commotion grew, and soon, neighbors gathered around. Seeing the mess in the courtyard and Liu Xiong lying on the ground groaning, someone exclaimed, “Oh my God! What’s going on here?!”

Ruan Cuizhi, startled by the shout, quickly bent down to help Liu Xiong.

Liu Xiong, still having some strength, pushed Ruan Cuizhi away.

Seeing this, Ruan Changsheng couldn’t hold back his anger and kicked Liu Xiong again, almost wanting to kick him to death.

Liu Xiong screamed in pain, and a few men hurried over to pull Ruan Changsheng away, saying, “Who are you? How can you come into someone’s house and start a fight? Is there no one to stop you?”

Ruan Changsheng, still furious, retorted, “None of your business!”

Seeing the men’s faces darken, Ruan Cuizhi quickly stood beside Ruan Changsheng and explained to the neighbors, “He’s not an outsider; he’s my brother.”

Hearing that he was her brother, the neighbors understood it was a family matter. Someone then said, “If there’s a problem, talk it out. Don’t resort to violence. Look at how badly he’s hurt. Let’s help get Liu Xiong inside.”

The men helped Liu Xiong into the house, where he sat on a broken chair, groaning in pain.

One of the men asked him, “How do you feel? Do you need to go to the hospital? Injuries to muscles and bones are serious.”

Feeling like his body was falling apart, Liu Xiong tested his arms and legs, finding he could still move them. It seemed he hadn’t broken any bones, just suffered from painful bruises and swelling- Especially his face, which was swollen like a bear’s.

Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng were still outside when a woman approached Ruan Cuizhi and quietly asked, “What happened? Why such a big commotion? Why didn’t you stop it? That’s your husband.”

Ruan Cuizhi, not knowing when her eyes had become wet, sniffled and said nothing.

Ruan Changsheng, standing beside her, angrily said, “What do you mean, ‘how badly’? It’s his luck I didn’t kill him today!”

Seeing Ruan Changsheng’s demeanor and expression, the woman became somewhat frightened and pursed her lips without saying anything further. They were there to watch the commotion and mediate, not to offend anyone and cause trouble for themselves.

A group of people stood in the courtyard for a while, and then Liu Xiong’s parents arrived.

Liu Xiong’s parents didn’t live with him and his family and rarely visited. Ruan Cuizhi was their ideal daughter-in-law, always thorough and good-tempered, so the couple never caused any trouble for the elderly parents.

Today, however, things had suddenly escalated.

The elderly couple, looking anxious, entered the courtyard and asked, “What’s going on here?”

The onlookers, not wanting to get involved, remained silent.

Ruan Changsheng wanted to speak, but Ruan Cuizhi pulled him back, so he kept quiet.

Liu Xiong’s parents hurried inside, only to see their son beaten to a pulp, his face swollen and bruised, looking like he had been through a severe beating. Besides his face, his body was covered in mud, looking as if he had endured a harsh punishment.

His mother, heartbroken, with tears in her eyes, asked, “Who did this?!”

A man cleared his throat, “Outside, his brother-in-law.”

Ruan Cuizhi’s family? Her brother?

Liu Xiong’s mother glanced outside, then calmed down a bit. She exchanged a look with Liu Xiong’s father and then began to disperse the onlookers from their home.

After all, it was a family matter best resolved behind closed doors.

Once everyone had left and the courtyard gate was closed, the elderly couple calmed down completely.

Liu Xiong’s mother found some snacks to pacify her grandson. Once he stopped crying, she and Liu Xiong’s father led Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng inside.

Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng stood inside, looking at Liu Xiong, who was groaning on the chair.

Liu Xiong’s father sat down on a bench next to Liu Xiong, his expression unreadable, and asked Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng, “Everyone’s gone. Now, tell me, why did you beat your brother-in-law like this?”

Ruan Changsheng wasn’t intimidated by the elderly couple. He was ready for another fight, regardless of age, if they were unreasonable. Without wasting words, he pulled Ruan Cuizhi’s arm, rolled up her sleeve to the shoulder, and asked the elderly couple, “Your well-raised son did this. Now, tell me why I shouldn’t have beaten him?”

This time, Ruan Cuizhi didn’t try to cover up or avoid it, letting Ruan Changsheng show her arm to Liu Xiong’s parents.

Seeing the bruises on Ruan Cuizhi’s arm, Liu Xiong’s parents’ faces changed instantly.

Liu Xiong’s mother walked over, grabbed Ruan Cuizhi’s wrist, and asked, “What happened? Did Daxiong hit you?”

With tears in her eyes, Ruan Cuizhi said nothing but unbuttoned two buttons and pulled down her collar, revealing bruises on her shoulder and back, both old and new, layered together.

Liu Xiong’s mother, feeling a surge of anger, quickly pulled up Ruan Cuizhi’s collar and turned to hit Liu Xiong. But seeing his already battered state, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Liu Xiong’s father, clearly furious, remained silent, his face stern.

Ruan Changsheng could see that the elderly couple were reasonable people. They knew Liu Xiong was in the wrong and felt guilty, but they still loved their son, as he was their own flesh and blood.

This made things easier; no need for more violence.

Ruan Changsheng pulled Ruan Cuizhi closer and said to the elderly couple, “You’ve seen how much my third sister has suffered in your house. Since you can’t treat her well, I’m taking her home now. Don’t try to stop us!”

Hearing this, Liu Xiong’s mother panicked and grabbed Ruan Cuizhi’s other wrist, saying, “Cuizhi, look at Daxiong. He’s already been beaten like this. He won’t dare to do it again. Please calm down, okay?”

Ruan Cuizhi said nothing, and Ruan Changsheng came over and pulled Liu Xiong’s mother’s hand away, dragging Ruan Cuizhi to leave.

But Liu Xiong’s mother rushed over again, grabbing Ruan Cuizhi, “Cuizhi, I promise you, Daxiong will never hit you again. If he dares to hit you again, you tell me and his father, and we won’t let him off easily!”

Ruan Cuizhi, held by both Ruan Changsheng and Liu Xiong’s mother, stood in the doorway, unable to move.

Liu Xiong’s mother suddenly thought of something and said, “Think about your son. Can you bear to leave him? He’s still so young. If you leave, what will happen to him? He’s your flesh and blood. Don’t you care?”

She then turned and called, “Little Tiger, tell your mom to stay.”

Little Tiger, hearing his grandmother, thought his mother was abandoning him and started crying. He rushed over to hug Ruan Cuizhi’s leg and tearfully said, “Mom, don’t go. Mom, I don’t want you to go.”

So, Ruan Cuizhi’s left hand was held by Ruan Changsheng, her right hand by Liu Xiong’s mother, and her legs were hugged by Little Tiger. Surrounded by people, she couldn’t move from the doorway.

Seeing Little Tiger crying for his mom, Ruan Changsheng got anxious and said sternly, “Sister, think carefully. Once I leave, no one will back you up, and he will definitely hit you again.”

Even though Liu Xiong’s parents were reasonable and liked Ruan Cuizhi, they wouldn’t really do anything against their own son for their daughter-in-law. If Ruan Cuizhi didn’t leave this time, Liu Xiong might retaliate even more.

Could Ruan Changsheng come over to beat him once everything was fixed? That’s impossible.

If Ruan Cuizhi couldn’t stand up for herself, Liu Xiong would always have her under his control and bully her.

No matter how others intervened, it wouldn’t help. This issue could only be resolved if Ruan Cuizhi stood up for herself. If she softened again, continued to be spineless, and showed no attitude, Ruan Changsheng’s effort to beat Liu Xiong would not only fail to support her but might also worsen her future life. If Ruan Cuizhi couldn’t bear to leave this home and this man after such a big commotion, Liu Xiong would feel he had her completely under control and would beat her even more ruthlessly in the future.

Ruan Cuizhi stood silently, her face showing no emotion.

Liu Xiong’s father said, “Cuizhi, look at the child.”

The elderly couple had their own stance and calculations. As long as Ruan Cuizhi stayed today and didn’t leave, the matter would remain within the family and soon be forgotten, and life would go on as usual. But if Ruan Cuizhi left with Ruan Changsheng today, it would cause a lot of trouble. There would be no one to take care of the children or do the chores, and they would have to go to the mountains to ask Ruan Cuizhi to come back and apologize to her family.

Ruan Cuizhi lowered her head and looked at Little Tiger, who was hugging her leg and crying. After a moment, she pulled her wrists free, sat down, and squatted in front of Little Tiger, wiping his tears with her fingers. She gently soothed him until he stopped crying, then stood up and went inside.

Seeing this, Liu Xiong’s parents thought she couldn’t bear to leave the child and felt a bit relieved.

Liu Xiong’s mother then said to Ruan Changsheng, “This is your brother-in-law’s fault. We won’t cover for him. You’ve already beaten him. He’s learned his lesson. I promise he won’t bully your sister again.”

Ruan Changsheng, with a stern face, said, “If you really cared about my sister, how could you not know she was being beaten at home?”

Liu Xiong’s mother said, “We don’t come over often. From now on, we’ll come more frequently.”

Ruan Changsheng, still angry, stared at Liu Xiong’s mother. He clenched his fists, about to speak, when he saw Ruan Cuizhi coming out with a bag. She walked up to Ruan Changsheng and said softly, “Fifth Brother, let’s go.”

Hearing this, Ruan Changsheng relaxed his clenched fingers.

Liu Xiong’s parents’ faces changed. They had just relaxed, thinking Ruan Cuizhi wasn’t planning to leave, but she had gone inside to pack her clothes. This wouldn’t do. Liu Xiong’s mother grabbed Ruan Cuizhi.

“Cuizhi, what about Little Tiger if you leave?”

Ruan Cuizhi didn’t respond. This time, she pulled Liu Xiong’s mother’s hand away herself and left with Ruan Changsheng.

Liu Xiong’s parents, anxious, followed them, calling Ruan Cuizhi’s name. Seeing she didn’t respond, they called Little Tiger, “Your mom is leaving you. Hurry and stop her. Don’t let her go!”

Little Tiger, just calmed down by Ruan Cuizhi, started crying again and ran after her. But in his haste, he fell face-first in the courtyard.

Liu Xiong’s mother deliberately didn’t help him, only saying, “Oh, my poor baby.”

Ruan Cuizhi, as she expected, stopped but didn’t turn back. She stood still for a moment, biting her lip and clenching her teeth, then tightened her grip on Ruan Changsheng’s wrist and walked out of the courtyard without looking back.

Liu Xiong’s mother panicked and shouted to Liu Xiong’s father, “Go after her!”

With his old arms and legs, Liu Xiong’s father couldn’t catch up. He struggled to the courtyard gate, and after a few more steps outside, Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng had already turned into an alley and disappeared.

Unable to catch up, he saw the three girls from the family returning and quickly called out, “Dani, Erni, Sanni, your mom and dad had a fight, and she left with her things. Go and bring her back!”

Hearing this, the three girls quickly put down their baskets and turned to chase after her. But after searching around, they couldn’t find Ruan Cuizhi and returned, panting, to Liu Xiong’s father, saying, “Grandpa, we couldn’t catch her.”

Liu Xiong’s father, hands on his hips and still panting, turned to see Liu Xiong’s mother coming out with Little Tiger and said, “She left, and we couldn’t bring her back.”

Liu Xiong’s mother bent down to wipe Little Tiger’s tears, “What is this mess!”

Really, leaving the child behind? Just leaving like that?

Unable to bring her back, the family returned inside.

Seeing Liu Xiong beaten to a pulp, the three girls were all shocked.

Erni asked, “Who did this?”

At this point, it didn’t matter who did it. Liu Xiong’s mother, looking at Liu Xiong, said angrily, “Your wife left without looking back, even when Little Tiger fell. What are you going to do now?”

Liu Xiong, however, showed some backbone, “Let her go! Better if she never comes back!”

Liu Xiong’s mother raised her hand to hit him but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She growled, “You’re so capable! Why did you hit her? What’s wrong with Cuizhi? Is there a more virtuous wife in this town?”

Liu Xiong replied, “Ha, I can’t stand her wooden, lifeless face!”

His father couldn’t hold back and punched him, making Liu Xiong cry out in pain. After hitting him, his father turned and walked away, looking like he didn’t want to deal with anything anymore.

“He deserves to be beaten to death!”

Lying by the stone, Ruan Xi was copying ancient poems when she suddenly sneezed loudly.

Ruan Jie turned to her, “Sister, are you catching a cold?”

Ling Yao also looked at Ruan Xi, who shook her head, “No, just a bit of an itchy nose.”

She had sneezed several times that afternoon, even twice while drawing at the old tailor’s house. Every time she sneezed, she thought of Ruan Cuizhi’s situation. With the current poor transportation and communication, everything was inconvenient. For instance, they could only wait now, not knowing how things were until Ruan Changsheng returned home.

That night, lying in bed with Ruan Jie, she was still thinking about it. Looking at the ceiling, she said, “I wonder how Third Aunt’s situation is. Do you think Fifth Uncle can handle it well?”

If she hadn’t gone to the commune and seen the bruises on Ruan Cuizhi’s arm, she might not have been so concerned. But thinking about Ruan Cuizhi’s injuries made her angry. If she had the ability, she would want to beat Liu Xiong to death herself.

Ruan Jie said, “Although Fifth Uncle seems unreliable and frivolous, he does have some sense and capability. After all, he leads a group of people outside and needs some skills.”

Ruan Xi smiled, “I can’t tell if you’re praising or criticizing him.”

Ruan Jie also laughed, “Anyway, he’s pretty good to the two of us. Every time he gets something tasty outside, he brings it back for us. No matter what others think of Fifth Uncle, I think he’s good.”

Ruan Xi nodded with a smile, “That’s true.”

The sisters chatted until they were sleepy, their eyes closing a few times, and then they fell asleep shoulder to shoulder.

The next day, they got up, washed, ate, and went out. It was another ordinary day.

Since it was August, with five months until the New Year, not many families came to make clothes. In a few months, as the New Year approached, every household would be busy making new clothes for the celebration. With fewer visitors, the days were more leisurely.

Ruan Xi continued to draw at the old tailor’s house, not competing with Ruan Yuejin. As long as Ruan Yuejin didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t speak to him, and they each focused on their own tasks.

Ruan Yuejin often showed off, acting smart and capable. Ruan Xi and the old tailor didn’t discourage him; they just treated him like a fool. He didn’t understand sarcasm and thought they were praising him.

Since he thought it was praise, they praised him more.

His good mood at home improved Sun Xiaohui’s mood, reducing trouble for Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie. Sun Xiaohui, pleased with her son’s progress, hoped he would become a tailor and didn’t cause any trouble.

As for Ruan Yuejin’s talent and potential as a tailor, only heaven, earth, the old tailor, and Ruan Xi knew.

What impressed Ruan Xi most now was Ruan Yuejin’s willpower.

Absolutely top-notch!

Ruan Xi spent most of the day at the old tailor’s house and then studied on the hillside for the rest of the day. She and Ruan Jie returned home to feed the pigs and chickens, cook, eat, and wash up. Finally, lying on the bed, she sighed in relief, marking the end of another day.

Outside, the night was deep. Lying in bed, Ruan Xi said to Ruan Jie, “Fifth Uncle should be back tomorrow.”

Before Ruan Jie could respond, they heard Ruan Changsheng’s voice outside, “Mom, Dad, I brought Third Sister back.”

Hearing this, Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie quickly got out of bed, opened the door, and let Ruan Cuizhi and Ruan Changsheng in. Being older and slower, Ruan Zhigao and Liu Xinghua came out a moment later.

Seeing Ruan Cuizhi, Liu Xinghua’s eyes welled up. She grabbed her hand and said, “You still know how to come back?”

Ruan Cuizhi’s eyes were also wet, “Mom, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Liu Xinghua sniffled and steadied her emotions, then asked Ruan Changsheng, “You brought your sister back, but what about Liu Xiong?”

Ruan Changsheng replied bluntly, “I beat him up badly. Liu Xiong turned into a coward.”

Liu Xinghua was worried, “Did you hold back? You didn’t hurt him too badly, did you?”

Ruan Changsheng said, “It’s his luck I didn’t kill him! When I got to his house yesterday, I saw him kick Third Sister in the courtyard. It was a hard kick that knocked her to the ground. Do you think I wouldn’t hit him? And guess why he hit her? Just because she slipped while lifting a water tank! If I hadn’t been there, he would have kicked her a few more times to vent his anger. He’s a scumbag!”

Ruan Zhigao, filled with anger, cursed loudly, “That bastard! My good daughter married him to be treated like this?”

Liu Xinghua, both angry and heartbroken, asked Ruan Cuizhi, “Are you okay, Cuizhi?”

Ruan Cuizhi, with teary eyes, shook her head and sniffled, “Mom, I’m fine.”

In the west room of the main house, Sun Xiaohui and Ruan Changgui also heard the commotion but didn’t get up immediately.

Sun Xiaohui curiously asked, “Why did Xiao Wu suddenly bring Cuizhi back?”

It had been many years since she last returned, and everyone said she was living a great life in town. It didn’t seem that great after all.

Ruan Changgui said, “How would I know? Let’s get up and go see.”

Sun Xiaohui followed him out of bed, and they both went to the side room.

Entering the side room, they saw everyone in Liu Xinghua’s room, some sitting on the bed, some on stools. Ruan Changgui greeted Ruan Cuizhi, “Third Sister, why did you suddenly come back?”

Feeling frustrated, Liu Xinghua looked for someone to vent to, and Ruan Changgui walked right into the conversation. She said, “Does your third sister need your permission to come back?”

Ruan Changgui felt wronged, “Mom, is that what I meant?”

Liu Xinghua said bluntly, “Go do whatever you need to do. This is none of your business.”

That couple wasn’t very helpful, only adding to the chaos.

Feeling awkward, Ruan Changgui said, “Fine, I’ll mind my own business.” He turned and left, pulling Sun Xiaohui along.

Back in their room, Sun Xiaohui whispered, “She came back alone, without the child. Xiao Wu had to bring her back. I bet she was bullied at her in-laws’.”

Ruan Changgui, lying down to sleep, said, “Why should we care? Sleep!”

Ruan Changgui could sleep, but Sun Xiaohui, eager for gossip, couldn’t. Once Ruan Changgui fell asleep, she quietly got out of bed and went to eavesdrop outside Liu Xinghua’s window.

In the side room, after Ruan Changgui and Sun Xiaohui left, Liu Xinghua held Ruan Cuizhi’s hand and asked, “Now tell me honestly, don’t hide anything. How have you been all these years at the Liu family?”

With things as they were, there was nothing to hide.

Ruan Cuizhi sniffled and said, “The first seven or eight years were fine. It wasn’t great, but life was normal. He wasn’t particularly good or bad to me. We came back once a year, and although he didn’t like the mountain roads, he always accompanied me. After Little Tiger was born and we had a son, he seemed to think I had fulfilled my duty and changed his attitude. He became more irritable and took it out on me.”

Ruan Zhigao, feeling frustrated, said, “He started bullying you so early and beat you like this. Why didn’t you tell the family? He saw you endure everything and not dare to tell anyone, so he dared to bully you like this!”

Ruan Cuizhi lowered her head for a moment, then looked at Ruan Zhigao, “Dad, it’s too far from home. How could I say anything?”

Ruan Changsheng interjected, “Home is right here. If things weren’t good, didn’t you know to come back? Your legs are your own. Could he tie you up with a rope? Or do you also dislike the poverty at home and don’t want to come back?”

Ruan Cuizhi quickly said, “Of course not. I just didn’t want to trouble you with every little thing. Mom and Dad are getting older every year. How much can they handle? I didn’t want to be unsettled after getting married, always coming back to my parents’ house and causing trouble, making people laugh at us. I couldn’t bear to see the four children suffer. If I left, what would happen to them?”

Liu Xinghua said, “We don’t need you to think like that. The more you think, the more you suffer! You say you don’t want to trouble us, but to me, it sounds distant. Who else would you turn to if not your family?”

Liu Xinghua was right. She had always hidden this matter, enduring silently and not letting anyone know because she had too many concerns. Thinking about this and that, considering everything, she swallowed all the anger, pain, and grievances herself. She knew she couldn’t beat Liu Xiong, so she didn’t dare confront him, fearing more beatings. She thought if she endured, he would vent his anger and it would be over, so she endured it repeatedly. She was also particularly afraid of causing trouble, not daring to stir things up, not wanting the house to be noisy and chaotic, and making people laugh at them. She maintained family harmony by enduring silently, at least making it look harmonious to outsiders.

Of course, it was also for the four children and the so-called family.

Moreover, her parents’ home was too far away, and distant water couldn’t quench a nearby fire. She didn’t want to burden her parents after getting married, making them worry about her to the point of losing their appetite and sleep. But now that everything had blown up and everyone knew, she felt like a burden had been lifted, and it wasn’t as terrible as she thought. All the worries had happened, and it wasn’t as unbearable as she imagined. Not only was it bearable, but she even felt a sense of relief.

All her worries have now come to pass, and she has found that she can face and endure them. Most importantly, her parents and brother still treated her like a treasure, and she couldn’t let them down. She could rely on them and didn’t need to silently endure anymore.

If not for Ruan Changsheng causing a scene this time, she would probably have just endured it. But now that her parents and Ruan Changsheng had stood up for her and made a fuss, she couldn’t let them and herself suffer together. She could endure it alone, but she wouldn’t let her family endure it with her.

She still felt guilty and said after a while, “Mom, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

Feeling heartbroken, Liu Xinghua held her hand and said, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have let you marry Liu Xiong, shouldn’t have let you marry so far away. I should have known back then that Liu Xiong wasn’t a good person!”

Ruan Cuizhi shook her head, “I wanted to marry him.” At that time, she thought marrying into the town, with Liu Xiong looking honest and reliable, was a blessing she had earned over eight lifetimes. She was overjoyed. Even though she knew Liu Xiong wasn’t very willing to marry her, but his parents liked her, she still married him without hesitation. Over the years, she had regrets, but she had already married and had four children, so there was no turning back.

There was no point in discussing the past, so Liu Xinghua didn’t dwell on it. She comforted Ruan Cuizhi, saying, “Don’t think about anything now. Just settle down and stay as long as you want. When the Liu family comes, I’ll have a good talk with them. This won’t end without an explanation.”

Ruan Cuizhi had no other thoughts and nodded, “Okay.”

But just as she finished speaking, Ruan Xi, who had been standing silently by the chest, suddenly said, “No explanation will be of any use. Even if he kneels and cries, it won’t help. In such cases, the only solution is divorce.”

Hearing this, Ruan Zhigao, Liu Xinghua, Ruan Changsheng, Ruan Cuizhi, and Ruan Jie all turned to look at Ruan Xi, their faces showing surprise and confusion.

Liu Xinghua was the first to react, asking in confusion, “Divorce?”

Ruan Zhigao added, “What do kids know?”

Ruan Xi looked at Ruan Zhigao, “Grandpa, I understand more than you think. When a man starts hitting a woman, he won’t stop. Especially in Third Aunt’s case, Liu Xiong has been hitting her for years. He won’t change. Even if he kneels and cries today, he’ll hit her again tomorrow when he gets angry.”

The room fell silent, and everyone continued to look at Ruan Xi.

For a long time, no one spoke.

With limited space in the house, Ruan Cuizhi could only share a room with Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie.

While Ruan Cuizhi was washing up, Ruan Xi and Ruan Jie lay side by side on the bed. Ruan Jie turned to Ruan Xi and asked, “Did Ling Yao tell you about divorce?”

Ruan Xi didn’t answer, instead asking, “Do you think Third Aunt will get a divorce?”

Ruan Jie thought for a moment, “I don’t know, but no one here has ever gotten a divorce.”

Ruan Xi took a deep breath, “Forget it, let’s sleep.”

With that, she turned to face the wall, her back to Ruan Jie, and closed her eyes to sleep.

Ruan Jie didn’t think much more about it, so she adjusted her position and soon fell asleep as well.