Li Dazhuang rolled up his sleeves, his face dark and menacing.
“What did you say? You two say that to me one more time!”
Su Fugui was afraid but he’d worked his whole life and never saved four hundred and fifty yuan. Fortune was within reach; he wasn’t letting someone snatch the fat from his mouth. Li Dazhuang showing up now could only mean he wanted to take Su Ying away and claim the bride-price himself. Some uncle he was nowhere to be seen when it mattered, yet here right at the critical moment!
Face flushed, Su Fugui stuck out his chin: “No means no! Who knows what you’d do taking my daughter away? We forbid you from taking her.”
Li Dazhuang stepped forward, grabbed Su Fugui by the collar, and lifted him off the ground as though with one sharp jerk he could hurl him to his death. Tian Cuifen was terrified of this uncle too, but seeing her husband dangling there, she forced herself forward and clutched Li Dazhuang’s sleeve.
“Brother Li let’s talk this over calmly, there’s no need for violence!”
Su Fugui, shaking, clung desperately to Li Dazhuang’s arm, his tone turning pleading and meek: “Exactly exactly! Brother-in-law surely we can discuss this like reasonable people?”
Su Ying said nothing. Right now, her uncle was her hero.
Li Dazhuang scoffed and shoved Su Fugui aside.
“Let me make this clear none of you have the final say today. Yingzi you tell me. Do you want to come with me?”
Su Ying knew her aunt and uncle were kind but they were already supporting two high-schoolers. In those days, that put a family among the better-off; moving in would only burden them further.
“Uncle… I want to separate from this family. I want to move out.”
He’d heard her say that earlier and thought she was just upset but seeing how serious she was, Li Dazhuang realized she truly had grown up.
“And where will you live?”
“There’s an old cave dwelling halfway up the west hill. I’ll fix it up and stay there.”
“Absolutely not. A girl alone out there far too dangerous.”
Dangerous? Could it be any more dangerous than staying here?
“Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll ask Yanzi to stay with me.”
Truth be told, she couldn’t leave yet not if she wanted to see how tonight’s drama played out.
Li Dazhuang wasn’t convinced. He stood with one hand on his hip, scratching his head, troubled it still didn’t feel right.
Su Fugui exhaled in relief. So she wouldn’t go with him. Good. One way or another, she’d be handed over tonight by force if need be. By the time Li Dazhuang returned, it’d be too late. Her life, her choice my plan.
Li Dazhuang drew Su Ying to the corner of the yard and spoke quietly: “Yingzi tell me the truth… have they been mistreating you? Your aunt heard they’ve sold you to a lame widower from the next village. That brute his first wife died at his hands. Listen to me come home with us. We’ll look after you. And when you find someone you like? We won’t touch a cent of the bride-price it’s yours to keep. They’re wicked people, Yingzi and we live too far away to step in if they hurt you.”
Su Ying’s heart swelled they truly cared for her.
“Uncle… trust me. Give me just a few more days. Once this is settled, I’ll come to you and Auntie.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“And… separating from this household?”
“Still going ahead. Leave it to me.”
Li Dazhuang was worried but he saw the resolve in her eyes. She’d changed. Once so timid she couldn’t even meet his gaze… now she stood tall and brave.
“Very well. Stay at Yanzi’s these couple of days, gather your things. I’ll be back in three days to fetch you.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go she just wouldn’t drag them into this mess. They’d already sacrificed so much.
Li Dazhuang turned to the couple listening intently and warned: “I’m coming back in three days. If so much as a hair on her head is harmed I’ll kill you both.”
“You have my word, Brother-in-law!” Su Fugui simpered. “Yingzi is my own flesh and blood! I’ve raised her with every hardship surely I deserve credit for that?”
Su Ying watched him perform in disgust when had he learned to lie so shamelessly?
Tian Cuifen wailed, flailing her arms and slapping her thighs: “Oh, indeed! No one knows the sorrow of being a stepmother! I’ve tended her through every mess, raised her as my own yet we’re suspected and mistrusted! It breaks my heart it’s hard being good!”
Li Dazhuang was revolted. “Enough! Silence! I’ve sent grain and provisions all these years the whole village sees how you’ve treated her. I’m not a man to be trifled with mark my words: whoever harms her, I will destroy them.”
Before, he’d seen her eyes well up and held his tongue for her sake but now she’d found her voice, he’d speak plainly.
He pressed a cloth bag into her hands: “Five jin of fine wheat flour cook for yourself these few days. And don’t bother with that cave; it’s unfit and won’t be ready in a day. I’ll be back in three days.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
The moment he left, Tian Cuifen dropped the act and snatched the bag away. “Give it here! Separate indeed girls don’t separate, they marry!”
Su Ying snatched it back, cold-eyed: “Oh? The mask falls as soon as he’s gone? Fine I’ll go with him right now.”
Tian Cuifen panicked she couldn’t let that happen. “I was only teasing! I’m your elder I wouldn’t begrudge you food! I only meant to put it away safely it’s precious stuff.”
“Precisely so I’ll keep it myself.”
Tian Cuifen fumed. “Little wretch… just you wait. I’ll endure you only until dark. Then the money’s mine, the flour’s mine and you’ll learn your place with a beating you won’t forget.”