Chapter 19: Becoming the Heroine of Your Own Story

“Why can’t Hongyan get a divorce? Why should we women be oppressed by you men? Hongyan, I support you.”

Xu Jiaojiao looked at the people around her and noticed their disapproving expressions when they heard about Hongyan wanting a divorce. She sneered coldly.

“Are women born to be oppressed? Should we endure such men without escape? Even the state allows divorce—why shouldn’t we?”

After Xu Jiaojiao finished speaking, Xie Zhi’s gaze toward her became even more intense, as if he had found a soulmate. He loved how she stood up for what was right, unyielding and strong.

He had always known that the girl he liked was someone who understood reason and could distinguish between right and wrong, not the fool others claimed her to be. She was like a trumpet flower growing on a cliff, blooming brightly while also sheltering the weak.

“What do you mean, ‘why’? Because she’s been ruined by me, ruined by the men of the Li family! I’m the only one merciful enough to take her in; otherwise, she’d be ridiculed by everyone.”

Li Jun spoke smugly, glancing around with a sense of triumph.

“Say one more word, I dare you.” A firm and commanding voice cut through the air, causing everyone to turn their heads. It was Village Chief Xu. The crowd’s eagerness to watch the drama instantly diminished.

Xu Jiaojiao’s father, with an expressionless face, swept his gaze over Li Jun and his father. One couldn’t deny that the village chief’s presence was intimidating.

The village chief of this era was not the same as in later times. Back then, a village chief often held more authority than the police.

There was even a saying: “Better to enter a police station than offend the village chief.”

In an era when travel required introduction letters, running away could easily result in being charged with hooliganism. Moreover, the village chief controlled public funds and resources. No one dared to offend him unless absolutely necessary.

Li Guoqiang, feeling humiliated, stiffened his neck in defiance. “This is a family matter of the Li family—what does it have to do with the police?”

“As the saying goes, even an honest official can’t settle family disputes. Once Qin Hongyan married into our family, she became one of us,” Li Guoqiang argued.

Xu’s father raised his voice: “I don’t care what you’re saying. Times have changed. Hitting someone and going against a woman’s will is absolutely unacceptable. Enough of this—let the police handle it.”

“Jiaojiao, you and Ah Zhi take Hongyan to stay at your place. I’ve already called the police station, and they’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

Xu Jiaojiao nodded firmly and wrapped Hongyan in a protective embrace, heading toward their house.

At that moment, she regretted not noticing Hongyan’s situation earlier. Why hadn’t she gone to see her the first day she arrived in this world?

Xie Zhi and Xu Yan walked behind them, their expressions heavy. Both of them had a high school education, which was rare in this village, especially since Xie Zhi came from a scholarly family.

But today’s events had shattered their bottom line. Xu Yan was more accustomed to such things, having grown up in the village. He knew it was far from the idyllic, simple life that outsiders imagined.

Xie Zhi, however, glanced back at the hysterical woman confronting Xu’s father, his expression dark. It was, after all, a patriarchal society. He sympathized with every woman in the village, feeling that women were inherently dealt a harder hand in life.

Even when it came to Shen Yun, Xie Zhi felt a measure of pity. It was her family’s preference for sons over daughters that had shaped Shen Yun’s obsessive personality.

Loving beauty and seeking vanity weren’t inherently wrong, but without proper guidance, they led her further down the wrong path.

In his teaching days, he often saw children being deprived of education by force, yet he was powerless to do anything. He could only hope for a better future and for himself to grow stronger so he could help more people.

Xu Jiaojiao suddenly turned around, facing the setting sun, and said to Xie Zhi, “Husband, go get something for Hongyan to eat. She probably hasn’t eaten yet.”

Xie Zhi froze for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Xu Yan patted Xie Zhi on the shoulder. “Ah Zhi, I’ll head back to the village. Leave this to you.”

“Don’t worry, Fourth Brother. I’ve got this,” Xie Zhi assured him.

Xu Jiaojiao held Hongyan close, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and smiled warmly. “Hongyan, congratulations on starting a new life. After divorcing Li Jun, you can go to the county and find a job.”

As she spoke, she pulled a set of long-sleeved clothes from the wardrobe. Hongyan’s arms and thighs were covered in bruises, making Xu Jiaojiao’s heart ache.

After venting her grievances, Qin Hongyan was overcome with despair. Though only in her twenties, she seemed like a withered old woman.

“Starting a new life?” she repeated in a daze.

Xu Jiaojiao, aware of her thoughts, racked her brain to encourage her. “Of course! I’ll dress you up beautifully and go job hunting with you. As long as you have hands and feet, there’s no way you’ll starve.”

“Jiaojiao, aren’t you ashamed to be associated with me? Don’t you want to distance yourself from me immediately?”

“How could I? Hongyan, you don’t realize how brave you are. When you stood up to them, you looked like a true heroine,” Xu Jiaojiao said with conviction.

“A heroine?” Hongyan echoed the word, tears streaming from her dry eyes like a robot suddenly rediscovering emotion.

She abruptly stood up, threw the clothes aside, and stood naked before Xu Jiaojiao, exposing her battered and abused body.

“How can I call myself a heroine?” she asked bitterly.

Xu Jiaojiao stood up as well, carefully examining Hongyan from head to toe with a serious, unwavering gaze that made Hongyan feel uneasy.

Then, Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes burned with determination. “Hongyan, you are a heroine. The inhuman abuse you suffered is not your fault—it’s theirs. Many people would have endured silently until death.”

Her voice rose: “But you’re different. You dared to resist, to stand up against three oppressors, and even expose them in front of everyone. Hongyan, you’re a role model for all women. You have to live better, to prove that women can thrive without men.”

“Where there is oppression, there is resistance. You’ve truly embodied that. I genuinely see you as an inspiration.”

Qin Hongyan looked at the girl, who was utterly serious. She knew Jiaojiao wasn’t lying. Deeply moved, she recalled the spirited person she used to be before meeting Li Jun—a vibrant, fearless Qin Hongyan.

“You’re right, Jiaojiao. I shouldn’t wallow in self-pity. I need to pull myself together.” A faint smile appeared on her face.

“I’ll help you, Hongyan. I have some money here. You can rent a place in the county. My dad will help too—he can write you a letter of introduction. You can explore the whole country. You can even go to Beijing to see Chairman Mao. I’ll cover the costs.”

Going to Beijing to see Chairman Mao was the simplest yet most cherished dream of people in that era. No one didn’t admire the great leader.

As she spoke, Xu Jiaojiao handed the clothes to Hongyan. Fortunately, their sizes were similar, so they fit well.

Hongyan held Xu Jiaojiao’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Jiaojiao, thank you. Thank you so much for being willing to help me.”