The six members of the He family were crammed into two dormitory rooms in the steel factory’s family quarters.
One room was shared by Liu Xiuxiang, her husband, and the fifth child, He Xiang’er. The other was occupied by the old couple and He Tianci.
Shen Zhiyi followed the whole family to the front door, when a “pickle barrel” came charging out of the house.
“Mom! Grandma! I’m hungry! I’m hungry!”
Liu Xiuxiang reached out and pinched the flesh on He Xiang’er’s arm, twisting it hard in a full circle. “Did you hear that?!”
“Your little brother is hungry! Now get your ass in there and cook!”
That twist brought tears to He Xiang’er’s eyes instantly.
He Tianci, who was a perfect 150 centimeters tall and 150 jin heavy, stared at Shen Zhiyi with a lecherous look on his face.
“Mom! Who is she?!”
“Is she the wife you and Grandma promised me?”
Liu Xiuxiang froze for a moment, then quickly said, “Pah pah pah! She’s your fourth sister!”
He Tianci curled his lip. “Oh, that jinx who’s nothing but a money pit.”
Shen Zhiyi let out a cold laugh. “Oh, so this is how your family sees me.”
“Then forget it. I’m leaving. I’ll go to my second uncle’s place. They had a room all prepared for me bright and early this morning.”
The He family: “!”
That wouldn’t do at all.
Liu Xiuxiang frantically shot He Tianci a look. “What nonsense are you spouting?! Apologize to your fourth sister right now!”
The pickle barrel He Tianci jumped up on the spot. “I won’t apologize!”
“She’s a money pit! She is!”
Liu Xiuxiang was terrified that He Zhiyi would just turn and walk away, so she quickly forced a smile. “Hehe, Zhiyi, don’t mind him.”
“Your little brother is still young. He doesn’t know any better. Don’t hold it against him.”
She hastily changed the subject, nudging the man beside her with her elbow. “Daqiang, what are you standing there like a fool for? Say something to your daughter.”
He Daqiang glanced at He Zhiyi and let out a cold snort. “Oh? So you finally remembered to come home?”
His sister-in-law was good-looking. Back when he married Liu Xiuxiang, he’d had his eye on the saying “a man’s sister-in-law is half his.”
But that bitch had been far too precious—she wouldn’t even let him touch her hand.
Now, hah.
Served her right!
Old Madame He shot He Si’er a look, and the latter nodded knowingly, slowly moving to the door and reaching out to lock it.
But just as she extended her hand, a knock came from outside.
She frowned and yanked the door open.
It was He Zhiyi’s fiancé, Liu Shize, along with his mother.
Old Madame He saw who it was and hurriedly greeted them, her face still bruised and swollen. “Oh! Isn’t this our in-laws?”
“Come in, come in!”
He Xiang’er glanced at Liu Shize, then meaningfully rubbed her lower belly right in front of him.
Liu Shize, under her gaze, felt his buttocks clench tight.
Shen Zhiyi, standing to the side, took in the expressions and subtle movements of both of them.
She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
Tsk, interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Mother Liu shot the old woman a dirty look and said without any courtesy, “Pah!”
“In-laws my ass!”
“We’re here today to call off the engagement!”
The old woman was stunned. “What?!”
“Hiss—”
She’d shouted too loudly, and her mouth was now burning with pain.
Mother Liu didn’t care about any of that. “Cut the crap! My son is about to be promoted to squad leader. His future in the military is boundless—how could he be dragged down by your family’s capitalist granddaughter!”
As she shouted, she jabbed her elbow into her son’s side. “What are you standing there for? Get out the marriage contract and the betrothal token!”
Liu Shize was extremely reluctant to end this engagement. After all, He Zhiyi was truly beautiful, with a figure to match.
If only he’d gotten his hands on her even once, he wouldn’t be so unwilling to call this off today.
That bitch He Zhiyi had always been so high and mighty, not even letting him touch her hand. She deserved what she got!
Seeing his reluctance, He Xiang’er rubbed her belly while staring straight at him.
When their eyes met, Liu Shize became visibly uncomfortable.
That one had gotten even uglier after being beaten up. He didn’t know how he’d managed to kiss her back then.
Left with no choice, Liu Shize gritted his teeth and pulled out the marriage contract and betrothal token.
The moment he produced them, his mother snatched them away and tossed them to Shen Zhiyi.
“Take them!”
Her son was so outstanding—rising through the ranks was a certainty. With luck, he might even become a general someday.
He absolutely could not be dragged down by this rightist capitalist’s granddaughter!
Shen Zhiyi took the marriage contract and carefully tucked it away.
Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, in the blink of an eye, Shen Zhiyi raised her foot and kicked He Xiang’er hard.
He Xiang’er was sent sprawling on her rear, her face turning pale as she clutched her stomach and cried out.
“I… my stomach.”
Mother Liu was startled out of her wits. “Wh-what’s going on?”
He Xiang’er’s face was deathly pale as she reached out toward Liu Shize. “Shize, my stomach hurts. Quick, check on our child.”
Mother Liu was stunned for a moment, then immediately began cursing, “Bullshit!”
Her son had broken off the engagement—he was going to marry the leader’s daughter in the future and rise swiftly through the ranks.
Old Madame He bared her rotten teeth. “Oh my!”
“Look at what’s happened! Why didn’t you say so earlier!”
Even now, they weren’t afraid the Liu family would refuse to acknowledge it.
Liu Xiuxiang immediately rushed in front of Mother Liu. “Dear in-laws, since that’s the case, we need to start preparing for the wedding right away.”
He Si’er quickly snapped back to her senses. “Quick, let’s get her to the hospital first!”
Shen Zhiyi hadn’t been idle after delivering that kick. She turned around, pushed open the door to her house, sat down on the porch, and began slapping her thighs while wailing loudly.
“Oh, there’s no justice! My fiancé got together with my little sister, and they came to my door forcing me to break off the engagement and step aside! I can’t go on living like this!”
In a flurry, a crowd of onlookers rushed out.
“Where? Where?”
An older auntie saw her crying so pitifully and came over to support her. “Why are you crying? Those bastards—you should slap their faces until they’re swollen!”
Shen Zhiyi sobbed uncontrollably. “I gave my little sister a kick, and she clutched her stomach and started screaming in pain. If I hit her again, someone might die!”
The onlookers were puzzled.
A kick?
Stomach pain?
“Oh my god, could she be pregnant?!”
No sooner had the words been spoken than Liu Shize came out carrying He Xiang’er.
The mother and son of the Liu family wore dark, grim faces, while Old Madame He and Liu Xiuxiang’s faces were practically blooming with smiles.
“Move, move! Don’t delay my granddaughter’s husband from taking my granddaughter to the hospital.”
The whole family hurried off to the hospital with He Xiang’er in their arms. The women of the family compound exchanged glances with one another.
Since they had nothing better to do anyway, they decided to follow along and watch the show.
Auntie Liu, the neighbor, had never gotten along with Old Madame He. Seeing this, she immediately waved her arm. “This is improper relations between men and women! Come on, let’s go report them to the Revolutionary Committee!”