“Stop!”
The Brigade Leader hurried over and shouted sternly, stopping Zhang Yanhong’s outstretched hand.
After catching his breath, the Brigade Leader turned to Mother Sun.
“Zhang Yanhong is the child’s biological mother. If she wants to take the child away, even the police can’t stop her. If you want the child to stay, you still need Zhang Yanhong’s consent. Otherwise, no one can do anything.”
He then turned to Zhang Yanhong. “You have the right to take your child with you, but have you thought this through? If you remarry and bring the child along, that family already has four sons, and two of their grandsons are the same age as your boy. Those two children will call you Grandma. How will your son fit in? What if they treat him badly? Can you bear that? If you truly intend to remarry, it would be better to leave the child with the Sun family. He’ll certainly have an easier life there than he would after you remarry.”
The Brigade Leader also felt ashamed of the Zhang family. Even if their daughter’s looks had been ruined, how could they find her a man four years older than Zhang Yanhong’s own father? They said he was in his fifties, but in fact he would turn sixty next year. Wasn’t that deceiving people?
Zhang Yanhong couldn’t concern herself with any of that now. If she remarried, she had to take her son with her. Only then would she have someone to rely on in the future.
Otherwise, if she married such an old man and he suddenly died one day, what would become of her for the rest of her life?
“Big Sis, just marry him and live your own life. Even if your son isn’t by your side while he’s young, he’ll still support you when he grows up. You don’t need to worry.” Zhang Hongbing tried to persuade her.
Zhang’s mother chimed in, “Yanhong, I’m doing this for your own good. Stop being stubborn. That man is a little old, but he’s still strong and healthy. Maybe he can even have another child.”
Zhang’s mother knew nothing about the results of Zhang Yanhong’s last examination. She still thought her daughter could have children.
Zhang Yanhong’s heart turned completely cold. Ever since the day she married, she had constantly helped her family—money, ration coupons, food, and clothes. Had she ever failed to provide them with anything? Yet, for the sake of so-called family honor, her mother was pushing her into a pit of fire. No matter how desperately she begged, it made no difference.
Zhang Yanhong raised her head toward the sky and fiercely wiped away her tears.
Then her attitude suddenly changed by a hundred and eighty degrees. With a loud thump, she dropped straight to her knees before Accountant Sun and Mother Sun.
“Mom, I know I was wrong before. I was no better than an animal. Look at me now—I don’t even look human anymore. If you let me stay here, I won’t cause that kind of scandal again. As long as you let me remain in the Sun family, I’ll cut ties with the Zhang family. I swear to Heaven that I’ll take care of you in your old age and never do anything so vile again.”
“If you refuse, I’ll leave with the child right now. You decide.”
After a long silence, Accountant Sun finally said, “You can stay.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd’s murmuring fell silent. Everyone’s eyes turned toward Mother Sun.
Mother Sun stood to one side, her fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her clothes. She stared fixedly at Zhang Yanhong. An indescribable mixture of humiliation, grief, and despair filled her chest, making it hard to breathe.
That disgrace was like a thorn lodged in her throat. It had made her too ashamed to hold her head up whenever she went outside. Now, for the sake of her only grandson, she had to force it down. From now on, she would have to live under the same roof as Zhang Yanhong, seeing her whenever she looked up or down. How could she endure such a life?
But that child was the only bloodline her son had left behind.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she said nothing. It was as though her soul had been taken from her. She turned woodenly and went back inside.
The Brigade Leader understood that Mother Sun had accepted the arrangement.
He acted as a witness on the spot as Zhang Yanhong severed ties with the Zhang family. This would keep the Zhang family’s reputation from being affected. However, the Zhang family did not want to agree, because they had already accepted the bride price. But with the entire village watching, they could not say anything and had no choice but to consent.
The uproar, filled with threats of suicide and desperate pleas, eventually ended with Zhang Yanhong staying with the Sun family.
Several strange looks in the crowd fell upon Xiao Mandong, as though everything that had happened that day were her fault.
Xiao Mandong offered no explanation. She mounted her bicycle and rode away.
She had been the one to expose the matter, making the entire village aware of the truth. But wasn’t Zhang Yanhong responsible for bringing it upon herself? Zhang Yanhong was the one who had committed adultery. Mother Sun was the one who had disfigured her. She had miscarried because of her own actions. If Accountant Sun had not tried to have her executed by reporting her, she would never have been forced into such a desperate situation.
Xiao Mandong had nothing to regret. Every person had to look out for themselves, or Heaven and earth would punish them.
Meanwhile, in a hospital ward…
Shen Linzhou was discussing Director Huang’s grandson, Sun Wenbin, with Zhou Qichuan and trying to deduce what had happened when an argument between Xiao Ding and someone outside the door could be heard.
“My name is Shen Hai, and Shen Linzhou is my older brother. You’re just a lowly orderly—how dare you stop me? We’re biological brothers! Let me in right now, or I’ll have my brother replace you!”
“Our Deputy Regimental Commander said he won’t see anyone from the Shen family. Please leave.”
Their Deputy Regimental Commander had made it clear: once he recovered, he would return to the village and divide the family assets. From then on, he was not to let anyone from the Shen family in—not even Shen Linzhou’s own father, let alone his younger brother.
Shen Hai was so furious that he nearly jumped. His mother had returned home without bringing back a single cent, and his second brother refused to give him any money. How was he supposed to marry?
What was more, the job his mother had found for him was on the factory floor—hard, exhausting work, with supervisors yelling at him every day. He had long since had enough.
This time, even if he couldn’t get any money, he still wanted his second brother to use his connections to get him transferred to a better position—preferably an office job.
His second brother had been in the army for so many years and was already a regimental commander. He must be earning a good salary and have plenty of comrades and connections. Getting him a better position should be easy.
But he had been arguing at the door for ages, and that damned guard still refused to let him in.
Hearing the commotion outside growing louder, Shen Linzhou was afraid it would disturb the other patients. He opened the ward door and let Shen Hai in.
Zhou Qichuan didn’t want to get involved in someone else’s family affairs. “Linzhou, I’ll head back first. I’ll come again tomorrow.” With that, Zhou Qichuan walked out of the ward.
Shen Hai smugly lifted his chin. His hair was sticking up messily, his shirt was crooked, and he swaggered into the ward.
His eyes immediately locked onto the canned food and pastries on the bedside table. He reached out to grab them.
Shen Linzhou blocked his hand with one arm and put the food away in the cabinet beneath the bedside table.
Shen Hai curled his lips. “Second Brother, you’re way too stingy. I’m your own brother, and you’re hiding this little bit of food from me? Is that really necessary?”
Shen Linzhou couldn’t be bothered to waste words on him. “I already told our parents that after I’m discharged, I’m returning to the village to divide the family household. Why are you here?”
“Second Brother, I had no choice. My fiancée’s family wants two hundred yuan as a bride price, plus a bicycle, a sewing machine, a watch, and a radio. Our parents don’t have any money, so I thought—since we’re brothers—you could help me.”
“Help you? I’m seriously injured and lying in a hospital bed. Where were you, as my brother and family, when I needed you?”
In his dream, this younger brother’s coldness had broken his heart. It was Shen Hai who had suggested abandoning him at the old family home to fend for himself.
“Second Brother, I couldn’t help it. I just started working, so I couldn’t get leave. Besides, Mom said she and Dad would come take care of you. When she came home, she said the people arranged by the army were much better than us, so I didn’t come. You wouldn’t hold a grudge against your own brother over something so trivial, would you?”
“I told you, I’m not giving you any money. I don’t owe you anything, and you’re not my son. If you want to get married, that’s your business—you can’t come asking me for money.”
Just then, Zhou Qichuan returned. He went over to Shen Linzhou and whispered a few words in his ear.
Shen Linzhou’s expression darkened. He gave Shen Hai a long, penetrating look.
“You want money?”
Shen Hai’s eyes lit up when he heard that there was a chance.
“Second Brother, my partner’s family is very well-off. Please help me out. Once I’m settled and doing well, I’ll definitely repay you.”
Shen Linzhou thought for a moment. “Fine. Don’t leave tonight. I have something to discuss with you.”
