Fourth Sister looked at Mother Liu and then at Feng.
“Grandma, can I really stay with you? I won’t have to follow Mother? And I won’t be beaten anymore?”
Hearing this, Mother Liu’s heart ached even more. “Of course. No one will dare beat you again. If anyone tries, Grandma will beat them to death.”
Feng shivered because she knew those words were directed at her. That brat, that money-loser, she dared to provoke Grandma against me. I must have beaten her too lightly. After today, I’ll find a chance to teach her a lesson she won’t forget.
Even now, Feng didn’t believe Liu the Third would actually divorce her. It wasn’t until he finished writing the divorce letter and handed it to Mother Liu that her confidence shattered.
“Mother, I truly know I was wrong. Give me one more chance, I will change…”
“Shuhuai, Shuhuai! Quickly, beg Mother for me! If I’m kicked out of the family now, I’ll have no way to survive… I won’t make it…”
“For the last time, for the sake of my father saving you, forgive me this once. I beg you.”
Liu the Third sighed, his heart softening. Actually, when his mother told him to divorce Feng, he had felt a sense of relief. He had endured too much over the years because of the debt to her father. But Feng was right; if she were cast out during this famine, she would surely die. After years of being husband and wife, he couldn’t watch her die.
Liu the Third pleaded, “Father, Mother, give her one last chance. If she fails again, I will definitely divorce her.”
Mother Liu was frustrated. “You! You always lose because you’re too soft-hearted. That’s why she controls you.” She regretted it deeply; if she had known his personality would cause so much trouble, she would have corrected it long ago.
Mother Liu tucked the divorce letter away and said to Feng, “For Fourth Sister’s sake, I’ll give you one last chance.”
“I am keeping this letter. If you cause trouble again, or if you dare touch a hair on Fourth Sister’s head, I will take this straight to the Village Chief.”
Once the letter was official, she would no longer be a member of the Liu family. Feng made promise after promise and oath after oath until the matter finally passed.
Shen Qingge sat nearby, quietly watching the drama. She felt that the parents and the Third Son had shown some real resolve this time. Knowing Feng’s habits, Shen believed the letter would be needed again soon. She wondered if Liu the Third would go soft again when that time came. She was looking forward to it.
Meanwhile, Wang’s grandson, Jian, was upset for a long time because he was the only one who didn’t get to eat snake meat. He went to the Village Chief to cry and complain, but it was useless; instead, he was scolded for his past behavior. The Chief had decided not to tolerate the grandmother and grandson anymore.
Jian returned home dejectedly and ate several bowls of plain rice while smelling the scent of meat in the air. He had never been so humiliated. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. That night, he secretly went to find Ying Huan. “I agree to what you said before.”
Ying Huan wasn’t surprised. “I told you, it’s your best choice.”
“I’ve agreed. Don’t forget what you promised me.”
“Don’t worry, I never mistreat my own people.”
“Words are empty,”Jian said, looking Ying Huan up and down with greed in his eyes.
Ying Huan had seen all kinds of men; she knew exactly what he was thinking. If he could work for her, she didn’t mind giving him a little “sweetness.” She reached out, grabbed his belt, and leaned against him. With a few suggestive glances, Jian was filled with energy.
Sounds of heavy breathing came from the grass, but it ended very quickly. Ying Huan straightened her clothes and looked at the unconscious Jian with disgust. “Looks big, but so useless. What a waste.”
All the men in Liu Village were useless. Jian’s face appeared in her mind. Though not the most handsome man she had ever seen, he was the most tempting. He was so masculine; his body must be strong. He would surely be much better than the others. Too bad he wasn’t interested in her.
But that was fine. Someone like that was even more satisfying to conquer. She could already imagine him tied to her side.
When she returned to Lame Liu’s place, she was still smiling. Lame Liu’s mother couldn’t stand Ying Huan’s flirtatious look. Seeing her return late at night again, her anger finally exploded.
“You little slut! You’re so lonely you sneak out behind my son’s back to cheat? I’ll tear that face of yours so you can’t seduce men anymore!”
Ying Huan was not like the village women who let themselves be beaten. As the mother lunged at her, Ying Huan had already pulled a dagger from its sheath. As soon as the woman got close, the blade slashed across her throat.
Blood sprayed out like a fountain, soaking Ying Huan’s dress. She didn’t mind at all; her eyes even reflected the red of the blood, making her look terrifying like a ghost in the night.
On the other side, Lame Liu heard the noise and hobbled over with his crutch. His mother lay in a pool of blood, staring at Ying Huan. Lame Liu collapsed, crawled to his mother, and checked for a pulse.
“Mother… Mother…”
She was dead. No matter how he called, she wouldn’t wake up. He looked up at Ying Huan and demanded, “You killed my mother! Why?”
Ying Huan took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the blood off her blade. “I told you before, she was only a burden to you. Isn’t it good that I’ve removed that burden for you?”
“But… she was my mother…” Lame Liu looked blankly at the body.
Ying Huan walked to his side and placed the clean dagger into his hand. “All those years when people mocked and teased you, she could do nothing.”
“But now it’s different. If you listen to me, I can help you get revenge and make those who looked down on you pay the price.”
“Don’t you want to see them kneeling at your feet, begging like dogs for their lives? Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Lame Liu gripped the dagger tightly, hatred swirling in his eyes.