Chapter 198: Driven Away

Shang Hongying didn’t give Zhang Qiaoyan a chance to speak. She continued, “If you look down on me, fine. I’m going back to my mother’s house to clear the way for you. With a capable sister like you, your brother finding a high school student or a college student is just a matter of time. I won’t serve this family anymore.”

With that, she turned and went back into her own room. Her actions startled everyone in the yard because Shang Hongying, who usually never dared to provoke Zhang Qiaoyan, was now standing up to her.

Zhang Dongze realized the seriousness of the situation, glared at his sister, and rushed into his own room. He couldn’t let his wife return to her mother’s house. If those elder uncles knew his sister was mistreated at her in-laws’, it would bring shame to the Zhang family.

Unfortunately, Shang Hongying was determined to use this incident to push for a separation. This was a perfect opportunity for her. Today, she was definitely going back to her mother’s house.

By the time Zhang Dongze approached her, she had already packed her clothes into a bundle and tucked a few dozen yuan she had saved over the years into her pocket. Ignoring Zhang Dongze’s pleas, she left the courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Wang Chunni realized her daughter-in-law wasn’t joking around. She too slung a bundle over her shoulder and left the courtyard.

She hurriedly followed, and the neighbors had heard everything that happened in the Zhang family courtyard just now. It was hot today, and most of the villagers were eating in their yards.

Facing his daughter, Zhang Dezheng said, “If your sister-in-law really goes back to her mother’s house today, it’s your responsibility to bring her back. If you can’t bring her back, you won’t need to continue your studies.”

Zhang Qiaoyan said, “She wanted to go back to her mother’s house herself. I didn’t drive her away. Even if she doesn’t come back, it’s not my fault. Did I say something wrong?”

Zhang Dezheng replied, “Let me tell you, Zhang Qiaoyan, if your sister-in-law doesn’t come back, I won’t support your education anymore. Yes, you did go to high school, but your mind is in a mess.

You can’t distinguish right from wrong, and you always think you’re superior to others. Look at the things you’ve said these days; they’ve embarrassed me.

Starting tomorrow, if you speak ill of Luo Qiao again outside, and she sorts you out, don’t come back and look for me. I can’t afford to lose face.”

After saying this, he turned and left the courtyard. This daughter was really infuriating, causing trouble day after day. It seemed like he owed her from a previous life.

Zhang Dongze and Wang Chunni couldn’t persuade Shang Hongying to return. Since it was getting dark, and fearing further incidents on the road, Zhang Dongze accompanied her.

As night fell, a shadow swiftly disappeared into the darkness. Not long after, someone threw stones at the village secretary’s house, with several hitting inside, though not causing much damage.

The windows were all smashed, terrifying the people inside. The house and courtyard were covered in dirt. Before the people inside could rush out, the perpetrators had already fled, but the neighbors had heard the loud noises.

The next day, the incident at the village secretary’s house spread throughout the village. Zhang Dongze’s wife was angered by her younger sister-in-law and went back to her mother’s house. Zhang Qiaoyan’s reputation took a serious hit for looking down on uneducated people. In the middle of the night, the village secretary’s house was even pelted with clumps of dirt.

Everyone speculated that it was done by Zhang Dongze’s in-laws. After all, Shang Hongying had three elder brothers and two younger brothers who were likely seeking revenge for their sister.

This incident left the Zhang family feeling very frustrated. They suspected it was indeed the work of the Shang family, especially since clumps of dirt were thrown in the night, and they hadn’t offended anyone in the village.

However, they couldn’t just go to their in-laws’ house to confront them. Moreover, it was their own daughter who was at fault for not being sensible and bullying the other family’s daughter. Zhang, the village secretary, felt he couldn’t face his in-laws to demand answers.