Chapter 16.2

Domestic violence was not uncommon in this era, and rarely did anyone intervene. Even if reported to the Women’s Federation, it usually resulted in mere counseling. Some women were even driven to extreme measures like jumping into rivers or hanging themselves due to abuse.

“This is a family matter. Outsiders should not interfere.”

With that statement, no matter if it were ordinary people or even the Women’s Federation or police, there was little that could be done. Luo Lan was pushed aside by the man, and the frightened woman behind her began to wail. Luo Lan discreetly handed the young wife a box of needles she had just bought.

The young wife, understanding what was happening, was not flustered despite her loud cries. Receiving the needles quickly, she took action before the man could make a move.

A long sewing needle was thrust sharply into the man’s arm. He had just touched his wife and hadn’t even acted yet when the needle drove into his arm, making him jump three feet in the air in pain.

“Oh my god, you bitch, you dare to prick me with a needle.”

The young wife chose to retaliate discreetly against her mother-in-law and openly against her husband. In cases of domestic violence, there was no reason to passively endure.

“Old Li, you heartless man. I’m carrying your child, and you’re going to listen to your mother and hit me? Go ahead, hit me. My four brothers and seven cousins are waiting. If you touch me, you’ll see what they’ll do to you.”

The young wife had a plan and knew how to handle them. Her words shocked the man, who backed away from his wife. The mother-in-law, still watching with clenched teeth, was furious.

“You useless man, you can’t even control your own wife. Beat her, make sure you beat her to a pulp. What kind of daughter-in-law wouldn’t be beaten?”

With such a mother-in-law, it was not easy to have a good life. Luo Lan, using the cover of the crowd, managed to approach the old woman and discreetly jabbed her with a needle, causing her to jump up in pain.

“Ah, who stabbed me?”

Luo Lan quickly blended back into the crowd after the deed was done. The eldest son, who was about to retaliate, found himself outnumbered as the young wife’s brothers arrived and immediately started beating him.

“You coward, how dare you hit my sister! Think our family is weak? I’ll break you apart today if I have to!”

The Li family had three brothers, but only one was present, while the other two were nowhere to be found. The remaining brother was thoroughly beaten by the three men, and his wife took the opportunity to jab him several times, causing him to cry out in pain.

“Stop hitting, stop stabbing! I was wrong, I was wrong. I won’t do it again. Please, let me go!”

He pleaded for mercy after just three minutes. His mother was anxiously pacing, watching helplessly as no one came to help. She hurried back home to find assistance but only came back alone.

“Brother-in-law, please stop, let’s talk things over calmly.”

As an elder, no one among the three brothers spoke up, only continuing to beat the eldest son of the Li family. Outnumbered, they targeted his larger, more vulnerable spots, hitting him mercilessly. They didn’t aim to injure him severely, just to cause pain. They hit wherever it hurt, and he had nowhere to escape, crying and sniffling in agony.

“I promise I won’t do it again. Just spare me this once.”

Luo Lan, perfectly hidden among the onlookers, watched with satisfaction as the young wife used a needle to poke his husband. “You wanted to bully people? Now you’re getting a taste of your own medicine.”

“The bride from the Li family is quite something, causing a conflict with her mother-in-law while the other two brothers are away. Now, the Li family has no one to help them.”

“This young wife isn’t the soft type, and her family supports her.”

“Old Lady Li is someone who, after many years of being a daughter-in-law herself, tries to make her daughter-in-law suffer as she did. But this daughter-in-law isn’t the type to just endure silently.”

“She wants to act like a superior mother-in-law, but the daughter-in-law isn’t taking it. This confrontation was bound to happen.”

The onlookers were all discussing the situation, and Luo Lan’s heart was thrilled with the sound of accumulating points. She was nudged from the side and turned to see her sister.

“Come here, you can see better from this side.”

Her sister gave her a reproachful look. “You’re about to get married, why do you still like to watch the fun so much?”

“There’s nothing else to do.”

“Alright, it’s over now. Let’s go to my house, I need to discuss something with you.”

“Sure, I actually came out to find you.”

After enjoying the spectacle and earning some points, she walked with a light and happy step. When she arrived at her sister’s house, they skipped the formalities, and her sister got straight to the point.

“My sister-in-law has a set of quilt covers she agreed to sell to me. Now, we’re short on cotton. Do you have any ideas on how to get it?”

“Cotton? I can get it. I’ll bring it to you in a day or two.”

She had a set of new bedding from her marriage that was still in good condition after two years. Initially, she planned to use just that set, but since her sister had bought the quilt covers, she decided to make another set. She came to discuss adding more items to her dowry, and the bedding was perfect.

“Sister, how much did you spend? I’ll give you the money.”

Her sister stopped her from pulling out money. “This is a gift from me. I was going to get you some fabric to make a new dress, but now…”

“I’ll make the new dress myself. He said he’ll take me to the supply and marketing cooperative next weekend.”

“That’s good.”

“Sister, I’ve got two pounds of wool yarn, but I don’t have enough time. Can you help me knit a sweater?”

“Sure, I’ve knitted sleeves for others before. I can do it.”

She handed over the two pounds of wool yarn to her sister, who was of similar build, so no measurements were needed. During this period, rural dowries mostly consisted of these daily necessities. She also planned to exchange some points for a bicycle from the system.

As she left her sister’s place, she started talking to the system. “I see everyone buying mainly Feige bikes, the so-called ’28 big bars.’ Do you have this model?”

“28 big bars are for men. Women usually ride 26 bikes.”

“What does that mean?”

“Ah, you don’t know. 28 and 26 refer to the bike size. Taller men use 28, while women use 26.”

“Oh, I see. So do you have that model or not?”

“No.”

“Then what do you have?”

“I…” The system was a bit offended and got a bit anxious. “What I have is much better than what’s from this era. Those 28 and 26 models are outdated.”

“Just admit you don’t have it. No need for excuses.”

“Who says I don’t have it? The bikes I have will dazzle you.”

“Stop boasting and show me. How can they dazzle?”

“Then take a good look.”

The system, like a child, instantly became enthusiastic. As soon as it spoke, the small shed was instantly filled with various items, crowding the small space completely.

Bicycles, sewing machines, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines… There were so many items that Luo Lan didn’t recognize, but their attractive appearances made it clear how excellent these things were.

“I can’t use these, no matter how good they are.”

“Hey, don’t be so stubborn. Just wait…”

With a loud exclamation, the system retracted the items. Luo Lan felt regretful, wishing she had taken a closer look at those items. They all seemed so refined.

“What were those things just now?”

“All good stuff. Hmph, here’s a catalog to open your eyes.”

The catalog provided pictures, detailed specifications, functions, and descriptions of the products in full color. Luo Lan was truly amazed, staring intently at the instruction manual.

“There’s even a fully automatic washing machine. You just put clothes in and they come out dry! And a refrigerator can freeze food for a year or keep it fresh for a week! What’s a television for? Is it like watching movies?”

“Envious, aren’t you? Do you want them?”

“When will these things be available for use?”

“They are already common in developed countries abroad.”

“I meant in our country.”

“In about twenty more years.”

Luo Lan imagined a life with these electrical appliances, with electric lights and telephones, envisioning a future with more convenience and freedom from manual labor. She pictured a life where washing clothes was no longer needed, movies could be watched at home anytime, and meat could be stored in the refrigerator indefinitely.

Oh, my, thinking about this life feels almost like being a celestial being.

“Not too slow. I will be in my forties in another twenty years. Good days await me.”

“Ha-ha!” The system cheerfully laughed, finding the host’s optimism and positive attitude refreshing. Instead of complaining about not being able to use things right now, she looked forward to them with joy. This optimistic attitude meant her life was destined to be good.

“Do you want to redeem the sewing machine now?”

“There’s a sewing machine at home. I want a bicycle. With a means of transportation, I can be more flexible. If there’s a delay in the household transfer, I’ll have to go back and forth to work.”

“You…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Quite practical.”

“That’s how it should be. What good is being impractical?”

“I’ve just obtained a 26 bicycle that costs 1,000 points. Your account balance is 1,200. Are you sure you want to redeem it?”

A bicycle costs about 150 yuan with a coupon. Earning that amount might take her three years of hard work. Now, she could redeem it after just a few months of effort. She was delighted.

“Redeem it.”

“After redeeming, you won’t have many points left. Are you sure?”

Many people in this era were frugal, unwilling to spend money. The system reminded her not to regret it later.

“Sure.”