After spending two days in the hospital, Ji Qiuyun was finally discharged. Though her injuries still showed dark bruises, she could recover at home at a gentler pace.
Mother and three children had no intention of returning immediately to Danan Village. They first stopped at the supply and marketing cooperative, where they bought two pounds of white sugar and two pounds of Misandao — a traditional sweet fried pastry.
Ji Qiuyun needed to discuss her plan to divorce with her family back home. Ideally, she wanted her two elder brothers to travel back to Danan Village with them, so both families could sit down and talk things through properly.
From the county seat, they boarded a bus that rattled and swayed for over half an hour before reaching Hongguang Commune.
Ye Qingyan crouched by the roadside and vomited as soon as she stepped off. The bus had been packed — many passengers had brought chickens and ducks aboard, and the air reeked of tobacco, sweat, and all sorts of unpleasant odors.
“Qingyan, you never used to get car sick. Why are you feeling so unwell now?” Ye Qinghui stepped up behind her and gently patted her back to help steady her breathing.
Ye Qingyan recovered slightly and said, “It’s… the smell inside was just too overpowering today.”
“Really? It felt about the same as usual to me.”
Ye Qinghui reached into his pocket, pulled out two fruit candies, and handed them to her. “Here. Have one — it should make you feel better.”
Ye Qingyan murmured an acknowledgement, unwrapped the candy without hesitation, and slipped it into her mouth. The fresh, bright scent of orange spread across her tongue, and instantly, her mind felt clear and refreshed.
At the commune, the three spotted an ox cart heading toward Xiangyang Village and rode it there.
When they arrived, Ye Qingyan linked arms with Ji Qiuyun and walked at an easy pace into the village. Ye Qinghui followed behind, carrying their bags, as they made their way to the Ji family home.
“Qiuyun! You’ve come back with Qingyan and Qinghui!”
“Qiuyun…”
Several people greeted Ji Qiuyun along the way, and she replied to each one with a warm smile.
“Long time no see, Sister Xinghua. You look as young as ever!”
Sister Xinghua beamed with delight. “Oh, hush — far from it!”
“Aunt Wu, that headscarf you’re wearing is lovely!”
Aunt Wu smoothed a hand over her scarf, smiling just as brightly. “Do you think so? I had it made just a few days ago.”
Since they would be staying in Xiangyang Village for some time and would cross paths with these villagers often, the brother and sister were polite and respectful, greeting everyone they passed.
After walking for nearly half an hour, they finally reached the eldest uncle’s home.
Ye Qingyan knocked on the door, and shortly after, a middle-aged woman opened it. She wore a navy-blue homespun tunic and had chin-length hair. Looking her over, Ye Qingyan got the distinct impression this would not be an easy woman to get along with.
Ji Qiuyun spoke up. “Sister-in-law.”
Ye Qingyan and Ye Qinghui also greeted her. “Hello, Eldest Aunt.”
Noticing the parcels in Ye Qinghui’s hands, Wei Qiaolan’s sharp, cold face softened just enough to stretch into a thin smile. “Qiuyun, really — you shouldn’t have brought things, just for a visit.”
Ji Qiuyun smiled back. “It’s nothing much — just some Misandao pastries for the children.”
Ji Zhengyang and Ji Xin had been inside their room and had no intention of coming out to greet guests. But the moment they heard there were Misandao, they hurried out and called out sweetly, “Hello, Little Aunt!”
Ye Qingyan felt a dry, sarcastic huff rise inside her. In just a few short minutes, she had already worked it out — this entire branch of the family was no good.
Their eldest uncle, Ji Dezhi, was still out working in the fields and hadn’t returned. But recalling how he had behaved in the original story, Ye Qingyan could only feel that same weary scorn all over again.
When Ji Dezhi finally came home from work at noon, Ye Qinghui went to fetch their younger uncle and aunt, too. Once everyone had gathered, it was time to discuss the serious matter.
It had been months since they last met, and Ji Dehua and Zhao Mei welcomed Ji Qiuyun and her children with great warmth — a stark contrast to the attitude of Ji Dezhi and his family.
After chatting for a while, Ji Qiuyun swallowed nervously and spoke. “Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law… I’ve brought the children home today because I have something important to tell you.”
Ji Dehua asked with deep concern, “What is it? If there’s anything I can do to help, I will do everything I can.”
Ji Dezhi, the eldest brother, wore that same unconvincing half-smile, waiting for her to continue. If she had come to borrow money, he certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to agree.
Sensing Ji Qiuyun’s nervousness, Ye Qingyan squeezed her hand, silently giving her strength. They had to break free from that quagmire — only then could they begin a new life.
Encouraged by her children’s support, Ji Qiuyun steadied herself and spoke calmly. “To be honest… all the years I’ve been married into the Ye family, I’ve never had an easy life. Ye Xingcai has a terrible temper, and he drinks heavily. Whenever he’s drunk, he beats and shouts at me and the children. Just a few days ago, he struck Qingyan and me — he hit me so hard I passed out and had to be hospitalized.”
“What?!” Before she could finish, Ji Dehua jumped to his feet. “He dared to raise his hand against you?! I’m going to Danan Village right now and beat that worthless brute!”
Zhao Mei quickly held her husband back. “Oh, calm down — let Qiuyun finish speaking first.”
Ji Dehua clenched his fists, sat back down, and said, “Go on, Qiuyun.”
Ji Qiuyun got straight to the point. “I intend to ask Ye Xingcai for a divorce.”
The words landed like a stone thrown into a pond, sending ripples of shock through the room.
Wei Qiaolan was the first to object. “Qiuyun, Qinghui and Qingyan are both of marriageable age. Isn’t this a terrible time to be talking about divorce?”
Ji Dezhi chimed in beside her. “That’s right. You’re not getting any younger — you can’t act recklessly like this. Besides… if you divorce Ye Xingcai, how will you manage on your own?”
In truth, he was worried that after the divorce, Ji Qiuyun would come back to settle in Xiangyang Village — and if life became hard, she might keep coming to his house asking for help.
“Qiuyun, I support your decision,” Ji Dehua said firmly, nodding. “You’re doing the right thing.”
His sister was so gentle and good, yet she had suffered at the Ye family’s hands for twenty years. Ji Dehua felt so angry he wanted to storm into the kitchen, grab a cleaver, and hack Ye Xingcai to pieces — then feed the scraps to the dogs. Ugh — no, even dogs wouldn’t eat the flesh of a man like that!
“Sister.” Zhao Mei took Ji Qiuyun’s other hand. “You’ve suffered so much all these years at the Ye family. I say the same — divorcing him is the best thing you can do. If you’ve been wronged out there, come home. We’re all here for you.”
Hearing those words — come home — Ji Qiuyun’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
Ye Qingyan felt a wave of warmth in her chest as she listened. Once they were financially better off in the future, she would certainly repay her Second Uncle and Second Aunt a hundredfold.
Seeing how tenderly Zhao Mei and Ji Qiuyun got along, Wei Qiaolan nudged Ji Dezhi with her elbow, signaling that he should speak up.
“Ahem…” Ji Dezhi coughed several times. When all eyes turned to him, he spoke in a flat, indifferent tone. “Qiuyun… your Aunt and I do not approve of this divorce. But if you are determined to go through with it… then you must accept the consequences.”
His meaning was clear enough: if life became hard later on, if she fell into poverty… he would not lift a finger to help her.
Ji Qiuyun’s eyes glistened again — this time with anger. “Eldest Brother, I understand you perfectly! Even if I starve to death in the future, I will never come begging at your door!”
“Eldest Uncle, that is going too far,” Ye Qinghui said with a cold laugh. “Qingyan and I are both grown. We are hardworking and capable. Do you honestly believe we would ever starve?”
“Since you want nothing to do with us, Eldest Uncle… then let there be no further ties between our families!” Ye Qingyan said sharply. She felt nothing but contempt for Ji Dezhi and wanted nothing more to do with him or his household.
Having said all that needed saying, the mother and three children stood up to leave. Ye Qinghui made a point of picking up the sugar and pastries they had brought — and took them right back.
“Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law… I am deeply disappointed in you!” Ji Dehua shook his head, then stood up and left with Zhao Mei.
Wei Qiaolan stood stunned for a moment, then rolled her eyes toward the door. “The nerve of them! As if we’re so desperate to keep up relations!”
Ji Dezhi waved his hand dismissively. “Alright, alright. They’re all gone now — so hush your mouth.”