Chapter 13: Suing for Divorce

“Can you really sue for divorce?”

The members were educated on many topics in just one day, exclaiming that their eyes had been opened.

Many members felt uneasy: What if their educated youth husband/wife had a chance to return to the city in the future and, like Zhou Kang, chose to abandon their family?

The educated youth were also anxious: Would their in-laws also extort them?

The onlookers had mixed feelings about Jiang An’an.

“Why is it that mother and daughter again? Always causing trouble at the police station and the court; they really know how to stir things up.” The round-faced educated youth, Yang Chun, sneered, “No matter how grand their words sound, aren’t they just trying to extort some money? Poor mountains and evil waters breed crafty people!”

Another educated youth retorted, “It’s clearly Zhou Kang who abandoned his wife and children; he’s the one who should be condemned and criticized. Yang Qing, you’re a woman too; sooner or later, you’ll marry and have children. How can you lack basic empathy?”

Yang Qing spoke with righteous indignation: “This is a new era, emphasizing gender equality. Any behavior that seeks to profit through marriage or divorce is a capitalist practice. Zhou Yinghuai, what do you think?”

Everyone turned to look at the tall young man.

Suddenly hearing someone call his name, Zhou Yinghuai turned his head, his gaze sharp and rebellious.

A few young girls couldn’t help but blush.

“Zhou, what do you think?” Yang Qing asked again, hesitantly.

Zhou Yinghuai smirked coldly, “You’re just being nosy.”

“What?”

Beside him, the onlooker Wen Hao chimed in, “Brother Huai says you’re meddling in other people’s business.”

Laughter erupted from the crowd, and Yang Qing, embarrassed, covered her face and fled, feeling increasingly resentful toward Jiang An’an.

“Ah-choo!”

Jiang An’an suddenly sneezed, her bright eyes looking at the two police comrades, filled with trust in the organization.

Wu Jianguo felt a surge of responsibility: “Comrade Jiang, come to the police station in the town tomorrow morning; I’ll take you to the county’s Women’s Federation to understand the situation. Don’t worry, the Women’s Federation is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of women and children.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang An’an’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled with joy, her brows curving, but she soon revealed a hint of unease: “But how can I? You usually uphold justice for the common people; your work is noble and selfless. You’re all dedicated to serving the people, so how can you waste police resources on a small matter in my family?”

Wu Jianguo and his colleagues felt their hearts swell, almost moved to tears.

Although they dealt with disputes every day and helped villagers find their lost chickens and ducks, they truly were wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the people, their work both great and selfless!

He originally felt a bit regretful about suggesting taking Jiang An’an to the county, as it would take up most of the day, but at this moment, he was completely willing to take her!

Wu Jianguo patted Luo Jiawang on the shoulder and sighed, “If there were more members like Jiang An’an who are sensible and know their place, I can foresee that Nankxi Brigade will definitely be recognized as an advanced brigade next year, and it might even become a model in the county in the future!”

Luo Jiawang replied, “Yeah…”

In his impression, Jiang An’an always held a book, and he had thought she was just slacking off, pretending to learn like city folks. He didn’t expect she was secretly studying and continuously improving!

The dream of becoming an advanced brigade gradually shattered his rationality: “Tomorrow, the brigade will send an ox cart to take Jiang An’an to the police station.”

Boom—

The members were in an uproar.

“That ox is even more precious than a person; the brigade leader is really generous.”

“I’m so envious of Jiang An’an.”

“I want to go to town tomorrow too; I wonder if I can get a seat.”

Faced with the envious and jealous expressions of the members, Jiang Laer’s family felt proud, standing straighter than anyone else.

“However, for certain bad elements in the commune, the brigade leader still needs to continue educating and criticizing them; we must not dampen the spirits of the advanced comrades.” Wu Jianguo cast a disdainful glance at Zhou Kang, the bad element being obvious.

Zhou Kang: …

Zhou Kang trembled with anger, his already pale face looking even grayer.

But the next moment was like a bolt from the blue—

“Comrade Zhou Kang, in order to raise your ideological awareness, the brigade has decided to punish you by making you carry manure starting today!”

–

It had been a long time since anything major happened in the Nankxi Brigade, and only when the sky darkened did the members return home, satisfied with their gossip.

“Mom, don’t you think Duobao’s eyes look like my little sister’s? They’re big and round.” Jiang Shulan added a handful of firewood to the stove, the flames reflecting off her swollen eyes, yet her expression was exceptionally calm and peaceful.

At first, hearing Zhou Kang mention divorce truly left her at a loss, even thinking the sky had fallen. But her parents and little sister stood firmly by her side, helping her regain confidence.

Even though outsiders had laughed at Lin Meiru for not being able to give birth to a son, saying that in the future, the four sisters would have no brothers in their maternal families to rely on, today was like a resounding slap in the face to everyone.

Who said only brothers could support married daughters?

Sisters are just fine too!!

The gossiping women in the village often mocked her parents for being greedy, tricking things from their daughter and son-in-law.

Yes, her parents were not perfect.

But before they got married, they worked hard to support the four sisters’ education;

After marriage, they almost emptied their savings to prepare the dowry.

The dowry!

It is a woman’s confidence in her husband’s family!!

Every time the three sisters brought things back to their maternal home, when did they ever return empty-handed? A few saved eggs, a pair of shoes for the grandchildren, half a bag of mushrooms picked from the mountain, fresh vegetables from their own plot…

Moreover, no matter what happened in the in-laws’ family, her parents dared to take the initiative and fight for them; could anyone else do that?

Just based on this, compared to their sisters-in-law, they could hold their heads high!

Lin Meiru peeked out the window, while Duobao propped his chin on his hands, learning to recognize characters from Jiang An’an. Perhaps Jiang An’an had praised him, as he quietly rubbed his head, his little eyes crescent-shaped with delight.

She smiled, “He really is a chip off the old block, just like his little aunt, clever and bright. In the future, he’ll work in a factory and eat good grain, and he’ll take good care of his little aunt.”

Jiang Shulan didn’t see anything wrong with that and wholeheartedly agreed: “Not just Duobao, but the baby in my belly should also honor his little aunt.”

“Mom, after I divorce Zhou Kang, I plan to go to the county supply and marketing cooperative to get some fabric to make two winter outfits for my little sister. Please keep an eye out in the village for any families with extra cotton.”

“Count on me. Your second sister works at the supply and marketing cooperative; let her help you pick some bright colors. An’an loves to look good.”

The mother and daughter chatted while working, and soon they had prepared a table full of dishes.

Two bowls of steamed egg custard, drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil, were specially prepared for Jiang An’an and Duobao. The others had rice porridge, along with a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes and a plate of cold cucumber salad.

The family chatted warmly, and the conversation naturally turned to Jiang An’an going to the city tomorrow.