Everyone was stunned. Although they had already discussed it beforehand, the best solution was clearly divorce. Still, they had expected it would take a long time—or even drastic measures—to persuade Ailan. No one imagined she would make such a decision in just a few hours.
And she was calm. Not speaking out of anger.
“Have you thought it through?”
“I have.” Qin Ailan lifted her head this time. Just as Laidi said, she had done nothing wrong. Why should she always bow her head? The ones who should bow were Liu Jiawei, who cheated during marriage, and He Xiaohong, who seduced a married man.
The three Qin sisters all breathed a sigh of relief. As long as their eldest sister was determined, everything else would be easier.
That very evening, Niu Dagang made a call to Qilitun’s brigade office and gathered his relatives and friends. Dozens of sturdy farmers marched boldly to the steel factory residential compound.
The Liu family was still in shock over their son being arrested for immoral conduct when a crowd stormed the courtyard entrance.
“Get the Liu family out here!”
Usually, the factory residents were united, but Liu Jiawei’s affair was witnessed by many and was illegal. No one wanted to defend him. They all watched from the sidelines.
Niu Dagang had already planned everything—no weapons, no violence. Just loud shouting through a megaphone, demanding justice for Qin Ailan.
Even so, the Liu family didn’t dare come out.
Eventually, the factory secretary and director arrived to maintain order.
“Our employee made a mistake. As leaders, we apologize first.”
Niu Dagang shouted, “Your apology is useless! Let the Liu family come out! They cheated my sister-in-law into marriage, blamed her for infertility, and wasted her youth. Do you think a simple apology is enough? No way!”
“Exactly! No way!”
“They must have known Liu Jiawei couldn’t have children—this is fraud!”
“Shameless!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, piecing together “evidence” from Liu Jiawei’s past behavior.
No matter how much noise there was, the Liu family remained silent.
“Our demand is simple,” Niu Dagang declared. “Compensation and divorce. Otherwise, we’re not leaving.”
The factory leaders were furious. It was only the second day of the New Year—how could work continue like this?
They couldn’t call the police—no laws were broken. But they couldn’t ignore it either.
After failed attempts to get the Liu family to come out, the leaders finally decided to resolve things themselves.
“Let’s do this,” the director said. “We’ll pay the compensation first and deduct it from their wages later.”
Niu Dagang suppressed his excitement. Just as his sister-in-law predicted.
“How much compensation?” the director asked.
“Nine hundred yuan.”
The crowd gasped.
“That’s too much!”
But then a clear voice spoke—it was Qin Jiao.
“My sister received no bride price and even brought a dowry. That alone should be compensated—50 yuan.”
Everyone nodded.
“She worked tirelessly for six years—serving the entire family. Based on wages, that’s 740 yuan.”
Even the accountant confirmed the number.
“She also suffered emotional and health damage—30 yuan.”
“And most importantly,” Qin Jiao continued, “they spread rumors about her infertility, ruining her reputation and delaying her best childbearing years. That loss is worth at least 100 yuan.”
Silence fell.
Finally, the women’s director spoke. “That’s reasonable.”
The total came to 920 yuan.
In the end, Qin Jiao compromised. “We’ll take 800 yuan.”
The leaders quickly agreed.
A written agreement was signed, and the money was handed over.
With the money secured, the Qin family returned home.
Qin Guihua was heartbroken upon learning the truth. “Ailan, I’ve wronged you.”
Ailan shook her head. “It was my choice.”
Qin Jiao took out the money. “Let’s decide what to do with it.”
1,100 yuan in total—a huge sum.
“It’s not safe to keep at home,” she said.
They decided to buy a house in the county and save the rest.
The next day, Ailan finalized the divorce.
Life returned to normal for the four of them.
The house improved, new clothes were made, and even a large iron pot was purchased.
At the New Year feast, villagers gathered, praising Ailan’s cooking.
Soon, some began considering her as a marriage prospect again.
But then Widow Liu appeared, making sarcastic remarks.
Qin Jiao fired back sharply, exposing the Liu family’s scandals.
Laughter erupted as Widow Liu fled in embarrassment.
To prevent future trouble, Qin Jiao announced they would transfer Ailan’s household registration.
She also revealed that Ailan’s job had been taken by the Liu family, earning sympathy from others.
In truth, the job had already been sold—permanently cutting ties with the Liu family.
As people dispersed, Qin Jiao reflected on everything.
Justice had been served.
And this time—
They would never be bullied again.