After leaving the room, Song Wanning didn’t head straight for the village chief’s house.
At this hour, everyone was still working in the fields, so there were hardly any people at home.
Instead, she made a detour to Wang Zhuzi’s house.
Sneaking into his room, she picked up a pair of worn underwear with a hole in it and tossed it into her space.
Then she returned to the Song family home and quietly slipped the underwear into Song Miaomiao’s bedding.
Only after finishing all that did she wash her hands thoroughly with soap before heading toward the village chief’s house.
Before she even arrived, the village chief’s wife, Aunt Li, spotted her from a distance.
Seeing Song Wanning’s thin and frail figure, Aunt Li’s heart immediately ached for her.
She had given birth to three sons and had always wished for a daughter.
Because of that, she had always been especially fond of Song Wanning.
The girl was beautiful, hardworking, and sensible.
It was just that the recent rumors spreading throughout the village had been extremely unfavorable to her.
Since they had met by chance, Aunt Li decided to ask about them.
“Wanning, what brings you here at this hour?”
“I’ve been hearing all those rumors about you and Wang Zhuzi lately.”
“Are they true?”
“Aunt Li, you’ve come at the perfect time.”
“I came here precisely because of that.”
“I need you and the village chief to stand up for me.”
“It was clearly my younger sister who was involved with Wang Zhuzi.”
“But they’re forcing me to marry him in her place.”
“Tell me, how is that fair?”
“When I refused, they locked me up.”
“They’ve starved me for three whole days.”
“Aunt Li…”
“I don’t want to marry him…”
With tears streaming down her face, Song Wanning looked utterly pitiful.
Aunt Li’s heart nearly melted.
She hurried forward and gently supported Song Wanning by the arm.
“Oh, child, get up.”
“I’ll stand up for you.”
“Come inside with me first.”
Aunt Li helped Song Wanning into the house.
Seeing just how skinny she had become, she felt even more distressed.
Such a good girl…
How could the Song family treat her like this?
Everyone knew the Song family favored sons over daughters.
Aunt Li had long pitied Song Wanning.
She liked the girl so much that she had once discussed with her husband, Wang Jianguo, about arranging a marriage between Song Wanning and their eldest son.
Unfortunately, before they had the chance to bring it up, all these rumors had broken out.
When she first heard that Song Wanning had become involved with Wang Zhuzi, she hadn’t believed it.
What kind of man was Wang Zhuzi?
How could a girl like Wanning possibly fall for someone like him?
Now that she had heard the truth, she finally realized there was much more to the story.
She also couldn’t understand something.
Although Liu Cuihua disliked daughters, she never treated Song Miaomiao nearly as harshly as she treated Song Wanning.
“Have some water.”
“I’ll go get Uncle Wang.”
Aunt Li came over carrying an enamel mug from the kitchen and placed it in front of Song Wanning.
Wiping away her tears, Song Wanning said softly,
“Thank you, Aunt Li.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Sit here for a while.”
“I’ll bring your Uncle Wang back.”
“Don’t be afraid.”
“With your uncle and me here, no one will let you suffer.”
Song Wanning nodded obediently.
She picked up the enamel mug and took a sip.
The water was sweet.
Sugar had been added to it.
The sweetness lingered on her tongue.
But her heart felt unbearably bitter.
In these times, when even filling one’s stomach was difficult, Aunt Li had willingly given her sugar water.
In her previous life, Aunt Li had also taken good care of her.
Several times, when Wang Zhuzi had nearly beaten her to death, Aunt Li had brought the village chief over to mediate, saving both her and her children.
That was precisely why she had come to them today.
About five minutes later, Aunt Li returned with Wang Jianguo.
Behind them followed their eldest son, Wang Ziqi.
“Wanning.”
“I heard from your aunt that you’ve been locked up at home these past few days.”
“And they haven’t even given you food?”
On the way back, Aunt Li had already told Wang Jianguo everything.
He was deeply shocked.
No wonder he hadn’t seen Song Wanning working in the fields these past few days.
“It’s true, Village Chief.”
“You have to help me.”
“I really can’t stay in that house anymore.”
“I had no other choice.”
“As soon as I escaped, I came straight here.”
“Village Chief…”
“I want to split the family.”
The moment those words left her mouth, everyone present was stunned.
Aunt Li had assumed Song Wanning simply wanted Wang Jianguo to speak to Liu Cuihua on her behalf.
She never imagined the girl would ask for a family separation.
Splitting from one’s parents was no small matter.
There was an old saying: As long as the parents are alive, the family should not divide.
How would a young unmarried woman survive on her own afterward?
“Child…”
“Splitting the family isn’t something that’s easily done.”
“You need to think this through carefully.”
Wang Jianguo shared the same concerns as his wife.
“Uncle Wang…”
“I’ve already thought it through.”
“I want to split from them.”
“Every day I work in the fields and earn full work points.”
“I hand over all the grain I earn to my mother.”
“But every day, all I get is a bowl of thin rice soup.”
“During the New Year, Song Bao and Song Miaomiao both get to eat meat.”
“But I…”
“I can only eat sweet potatoes.”
“This time, they nearly starved me to death.”
“If I stay there any longer…”
“I’m afraid I’ll die without anyone even noticing.”
“I don’t ask my parents to love me.”
“But now they’re forcing me to marry someone I don’t want.”
“I won’t agree.”
As she spoke, tears once again streamed down Song Wanning’s beautiful face.
Already naturally attractive, her tearful appearance made her even more heartbreaking to look at.
Aunt Li’s resolve softened completely.
“Jianguo…”
“Why don’t we help this poor girl?”
Wang Jianguo nodded.
He also felt that the Song family’s actions had gone too far.
Ordinarily, this was someone else’s family matter, and he shouldn’t interfere.
But now that Song Wanning had personally come to seek his help, he couldn’t simply ignore her.
“Don’t cry anymore.”
“I’ll go to your house with you right now.”
Hearing that, Song Wanning wiped away her tears and followed them toward the Song family home.
It happened to be quitting time after work.
Along the way, they encountered many villagers and educated youths returning from the fields.
Seeing the village chief leading Song Wanning, especially with her red, swollen eyes, everyone guessed that something serious had happened.
Curious for the spectacle, they all followed behind.
By the time they arrived at the Song residence, Song Dashan, Liu Cuihua, and Song Miaomiao had only just returned home.
Seeing so many people approaching—led by the village chief—and noticing that Song Wanning was walking beside him, Liu Cuihua’s expression changed instantly.
How did that wretched girl get out?
Song Miaomiao also saw Song Wanning.
A terrible feeling rose in her heart.
She hurried into the room to check.
Sure enough, the lock on the door had already been opened.
That’s impossible.
I clearly remember locking it.
How did she get out?
“Dashan. Liu Cuihua.”
“Good. You’re both here.”
“What you’ve done is completely unacceptable.”
“How could you be so heartless?”
“No matter what, Song Wanning is still your daughter.”
“You locked her in a room without giving her anything to eat.”
“If word of this gets out, where will our production brigade’s reputation be?”
“And another thing.”
“Why are you forcing her to marry Wang Zhuzi?”
Hearing the village chief’s accusations, Liu Cuihua’s face alternated between pale and green.
That little bitch actually went to the village chief.
She even told him everything.
Looking at the crowd gathered outside, Liu Cuihua quickly came up with another idea.
Since so many witnesses were already here, she might as well use the opportunity to make the rumors seem true.
If Song Wanning refused to marry, then she’d make sure everyone believed there was no other choice.
Instantly, Liu Cuihua put on a wronged expression.
She slapped her thigh dramatically and began wailing.
“Village Chief!”
“I’ve been wronged!”
“Since she’s already thrown away her shame, I won’t hide it anymore.”
“Miaomiao and I saw it with our own eyes.”
“She and Wang Zhuzi were sleeping in the same bed!”
“You tell me.”
“A young unmarried woman sleeping with a man…”
“What else could I do?”
“The only option was to marry her off to him.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“Would I really harm her?”
“I never wanted this matter to become public.”
“It’s humiliating enough already.”
“But this ungrateful girl insisted on bringing it up herself.”
“Village Chief…”
“You tell me.”
“Have I done anything wrong?”