“Comrade, is this Aunt Liu’s house?”
“Next door.”
Zhao Qingsong felt a little puzzled. Why did this young woman sound like she was carrying gunpowder in her voice? Could it be…
Yes, he remembered her. There weren’t many young women in the production team, and even fewer as pretty as her—with rosy cheeks, a slender waist, and dark hair. He hadn’t been present when Qin Guihua forced the marriage, but afterward, he couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy.
Clearly, he was more outstanding than Xiao He, yet things had turned out like this—it left him feeling stifled.
He had come back to visit family intending to remarry, and she fit all his criteria—education, looks, and age. If she hadn’t mistaken Xiao He for him, then now… He quickly shook his head, suppressing the inappropriate thought.
He and Xiao He were brothers.
Laidi added silently in her heart: Oh, not for long. I know exactly how jealous you were of him in your past life.
Seeing that the young woman wouldn’t even spare him a glance, Zhao Qingsong coughed lightly, said “Sorry,” and walked into the yard on the left. Soon, the voice of Old Madam Zhao could be heard inside, enthusiastically introducing her son’s “great achievements” and “bright future.”
Although Qin Guihua didn’t fancy Zhao Third as her grandson-in-law, she still pressed herself against the wall, eavesdropping. When she heard that the betrothal gift was 160 yuan, she couldn’t help but gasp.
What did 160 yuan mean? Her whole family couldn’t earn that in a year—not even in three!
When she heard Old Madam Zhao promise to prepare a five-drawer cabinet for the wedding and even mentioned buying a bicycle next year after settling into a job, Qin Guihua spat.
Laidi and Pandi exchanged a glance. Their grandmother was clearly competing with Widow Liu.
In terms of looks and figure, Widow Qin was undoubtedly the best in the village, and many men were interested in her. But she locked her door at night and worked with her waistband tied tight—no one could take advantage of her. That’s why they turned to Widow Liu instead.
Unlike her, Widow Liu welcomed everyone. Before long, she had food, clothing, and new outfits to change into daily. Seeing her smug expression every day made Widow Qin grind her teeth in anger.
They still remembered when they were little—children from the Liu family would sit on the wall eating meat and gnawing bones, while her son Fugui could only squat by the wall, drooling. As a mother, she felt both angry and heartbroken.
Later, among Widow Liu’s lovers were hunters who often brought back wild boar and pheasants. Her son grew tall and strong, never falling ill, while Fugui, undernourished, remained frail and sickly, eventually dying before he even turned thirty.
Even then, Widow Liu mocked her, saying it was her own fault for pretending to be virtuous.
How could Qin Guihua not be furious?
Her nose practically twisted with anger.
Laidi, afraid her grandmother would get stuck in her thoughts again, quickly changed the subject. “Grandma, where’s the rabbit? I haven’t seen it.”
This rabbit had a strong survival instinct. Knowing Laidi always wanted to eat it, it would follow her around obediently whenever she came home—holding its little paws, tilting its head, its long white ears drooping as it hopped along, irresistibly adorable.
But today, Laidi had been home for a while and hadn’t seen it. It felt strange.
Only then did Qin Guihua and Pandi realize—their rabbit was gone!
In those days, people weren’t allowed to keep many animals at home. Even chickens and ducks were limited. Some families secretly raised extra, constantly playing cat-and-mouse with the militia. If an animal wandered off, it was basically gone for good.
At that thought, Laidi became alarmed. This wasn’t just any animal—it was a pregnant rabbit. “I’ll go look for it. It recognizes my voice. Grandma, Pandi, search the house carefully.”
After she left, the two nearly turned the house upside down but still found nothing.
“It must be Liu Sanhu!” Pandi said, hands on her hips, glaring at the neighboring yard. “He’s always climbing the wall, but today he’s nowhere to be seen. Last year, our hen was definitely taken by them.”
At the mention of that, Qin Guihua’s chest heaved with anger. That hen had laid an egg every two days—big, round, white eggs. Just because she forgot to close the door, it disappeared without a trace.
“Hindsight! Why didn’t you say something back then?” she snapped.
Pandi scratched her nose. “We didn’t have evidence…”
In Qin Guihua’s dictionary, there was no such thing as “evidence.” She rushed out like a gust of wind and kicked open the Liu family’s door.
Inside, Widow Liu and Old Madam Zhao were discussing wedding arrangements, while Liu Baozhu sat shyly nearby. Suddenly, a blur rushed in—then a loud slap landed on Widow Liu’s face.
And so, the two widows who had fought for a lifetime started again.
…
Old Madam Zhao, familiar with their feud, chose to watch from the sidelines. The Liu family, meanwhile, openly took sides. Even with Pandi’s help, Qin Guihua was no match. Soon, her face was scratched up.
But though she was losing physically, she dominated verbally—cursing Widow Liu’s ancestors and threatening that if they dared eat her rabbit today, she would poison all their poultry tomorrow.
Widow Liu, of course, refused to admit anything. “Which eye of yours saw me take your rabbit?”
Qin Guihua choked with anger. She hadn’t seen it—but she refused to back down. “If not you, then your brats! Get out here and return the rabbit, or else—”
“Or else what?” Several burly grandsons stepped forward, sneering. Liu Sanhu even spat. If Qin Guihua hadn’t dodged, it would have landed on her.
Yes, they had the rabbit. But without evidence, even if the matter went to the team leader, nothing would happen. They were bullying the Qin family for having no men.
It was unbearable!
Qin Guihua clenched her teeth, wishing she could tear them apart. But reality was cruel—even the fiercest woman couldn’t beat men. She had learned that the hard way after being beaten badly once.
Just as things reached a stalemate, a deep voice sounded:
“Who says there’s no evidence?”
The Liu family turned to see a young man in a white shirt and work pants. Handsome—but meddlesome.
“Kid, mind your own business,” one of them warned.
Even Old Madam Zhao said, “Xiao He, even if Laidi is your wife, this isn’t something we can handle.”
In rural times like these, men were absolute power.
But the man ignored them, pointing at Liu Third. “The white fur stuck to your thumb—that’s rabbit fur.”
Liu Third quickly hid his hand, rubbing it on his pants before showing it again. “Stop talking nonsense, or I’ll beat you.”
The man glanced at him calmly. “Rubbing it will only make it stick more due to static.”
Indeed, two fine white hairs were still visible.
What was shocking was that he stood at least fifteen meters away—yet he could see it clearly.
His eyesight was sharper than an eagle’s.
“No need to hide it. The rabbit is in the water vat in the kitchen.”
“How… how do you know?” Liu Second blurted out foolishly.
He Liansheng looked at him as if he were an idiot. “There’s saltpeter residue on your sleeve.” The local water left yellow-white mineral deposits in containers. Only someone who had reached deep into a vat would have such traces.
Qin Guihua’s eyes blazed with anger. No wonder she hadn’t heard the rabbit—it was hidden deep inside a water vat!
Seeing the truth exposed, Liu Eldest signaled his brothers. If they didn’t beat this meddler today, who would fear the Liu family’s Seven Tigers anymore?
But before he could even reach him, a white blur flashed.
“Crack!”
“Ah—my arm!”
Though the man still stood three meters away, Liu Eldest’s arm hung limp, dislocated.
“Big brother, your arm is broken!” Liu Second screamed.
The Liu family was stunned. They had never seen someone dislocate an arm so effortlessly.
Widow Liu rushed to her grandson, wailing.
Taking the chance, Qin Guihua ran into the kitchen and found her rabbit in the empty water vat. Hugging it tightly, she said, “Xiao He, thank goodness you came. If you were a bit later, they would’ve bullied me to death…”
In all her years in the village, he was the first man to stand up for her family.
He Liansheng only nodded slightly, staying nearby, watching the Liu brothers to prevent further trouble.
At that moment, he finally understood what Qin Guihua meant—without a man in the house, even a dog in the village could bully them. If he didn’t marry Laidi, they would remain the village’s laughingstock forever.
And at times like this, a girl being too pretty was a sin.
After searching everywhere without success, Qin Laidi returned home—only to see a familiar figure at the door.
“Old He?”