country bumpkin

Chapter 70 Xiao Zhe Seeks a Beloved

Xiao Zhe, who was delivering goods to Kongjia Village, had just returned from town when a woman peeling peanuts came over to gossip.

"Master Xiao, have you heard? Zhang Qingjiao, who used to work here, ran away from her husband's family not long after she got married."

Xiao Zhe was taken aback and looked at the woman, asking, "Really? Do you know why she ran away?"

The woman gossiped, "I heard it's because her husband is an alcoholic who beats her when he's drunk. The neighbors can hear the beatings and cries every day. If you ask me, a woman who marries an abusive man is better off living alone for the rest of her life. She's treated like a servant and a donkey in her husband's family. What's the point of having a man like that? Running away is the right thing to do. If it were me, I would have run away too."

Xiao Zhe clenched his fists after hearing this. This was the girl he had no choice but to give up, and this was the man her mother had found for her.

At this moment, Xiao Zhe regretted it. He should have waited for her no matter what. Now, where should he go to find her? Where could she have gone?

Xiao Zhe asked urgently, "Do you know where she ran off to?"

The woman said, "I heard that she fainted from hunger when she ran away, but someone rescued her. After she recovered, she went back to her husband's family and got a divorce. After that, no one knows where she went."

Xiao Zhe then asked, "Have you heard where the person who saved her lives?"

The woman looked at him as if he were a rare species: "What? You want to go see her? If your tigress finds out, that'll be terrible."

Xiao Zhe scoffed, "Don't you know what my wife is like? She's always dressed up and flirting with men. I haven't touched her since we got married."

The woman was stunned. "If you don't touch her, she definitely won't be able to stand the loneliness, so she goes out and messes around."

Xiao Zhe said, "Is that the reason? Everyone knows what kind of reputation she had in the village before she married me."

The woman rolled her eyes. "Knowing her reputation, why did you marry her? Are you crazy?"

Xiao Zhe smiled bitterly: "Is it something I can decide? My mother threatened me with her life, what can I do?"

The woman didn't pay much attention, just clicked her tongue twice, and went back to work. Before leaving, she said three words: "Happiness Village."

Xiao Zhe felt it was time to end things with his wife. He decided to go find Zhang Qingjiao.

He realized that one could only squander a few years of youth, and he couldn't waste any more time like this. At worst, once they found each other, they wouldn't go back to the village; they could live a good life outside.

He didn't want to have regrets or remorse when he got old. Thinking about something and then doing it; inaction is just empty talk.

He found his boss, explained the situation, resigned, settled his wages, and embarked on a new journey.

His first step was to go home and divorce his wife.

Under the cover of night, he came to the window of an inconspicuous house at the edge of the village.

Listening to the sounds inside and hearing the conversation between the two people inside, he confirmed that it was his wife's voice and quietly left.

He went to the village chief's house and the brigade's staff's house to report his wife for having an affair.

Although it was dishonorable and shameful, he had to do it. Only by catching his wife cheating could he successfully get a divorce.

Otherwise, this shrew wouldn't have agreed to a divorce. She just wanted to find a man to cover for her; she has no intention of living a proper life with any man.

This is what his wife often says: she wants to find a long-term meal ticket, a husband who has money to support her but doesn't care about her. She wants both money and freedom.

Several brigade staff members and the village chief, carrying flashlights, marched in a large procession to the entrance of the village.

As they approached the house, they turned off their flashlights and quietly crept into the yard.

As everyone moved closer to the window, the sounds inside the room became clearer. Xiao Zhe stood at the back of the crowd, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Even though it's not someone I like, it's still so embarrassing.

The village chief gave a signal, and a staff member suddenly pushed open the door, with several flashlight beams shining into the room at the same time.

Jia Jinlian, wearing a floral bodice, was seen with a naked man on top of her. The two were engaged in passionate intercourse.

I was so startled by the sudden appearance of the person that I was taken aback.

"What indecent things are you doing!" the village chief shouted.

Jia Jinlian was startled at first, but when she saw Xiao Zhe, she understood.

She remained calm and instead looked coldly at her husband: "What, do you want to see live sex pictures?"

Everyone present couldn't bear to watch. They all turned to look at Xiao Zhe.

Xiao Zhe stepped forward and said calmly, "I've done more than enough for you. Let's get a divorce!"

Jia Jinlian sneered, "Fine, I couldn't be happier. You think I care about you? Bah, you piece of trash."

The village chief ordered the two men to get dressed.

The group then led the two towards the village committee. Along the way, Jia Jinlian grumbled and cursed, but no one paid her any attention.

Upon arriving at the village committee, the matter was quickly resolved, and Xiao Zhe received his divorce certificate.

As for Jia Jinlian, she was sent back to her parents' home and allowed to marry freely.

He walked out of the village committee and took a deep breath. Although this incident made him a laughing stock among the villagers for a while, he felt incredibly relieved.

He knew that from this moment on, his real life had just begun, and no matter how many difficulties and obstacles he encountered in the future, he would no longer live in a daze like before.

He was going to find the girl he liked and find his own happiness.

It was several days later when his mother found out about his divorce.

From the day after he was caught in adultery, he went on a long trip. There was no news of him in the village, and his mother asked around, but there was no trace of him.

At this moment, Xiao Zhe had already boarded a donkey cart to Xingfu Village.

…………

Kong Xiujuan and Sun Zitao were having lunch in the city. They had already settled into their new home, while their old house was left for their sisters-in-law to stay in.

That's his property; he can't give it up easily. Land in the city is valuable and will appreciate in value in the future, so keeping it provides a form of security.

Just then, someone called him from the gate. The voice grew louder as it approached into the courtyard.

Sun Zitao was surprised to see the visitor. "Auntie, what brings you here? Come in and sit down."

Gao Qingzhi looked at her nephew affectionately and casually placed the two bags of pastries she was carrying on the table.

After greeting their aunt, Sun Limei and Sun Guoqiang lowered their heads and ate their food.

"Taozi, Xiujuan, are you eating? Hurry up and eat, don't let it get cold, we'll talk later."

Kong Xiujuan also warmly greeted her aunt, "Auntie, let's eat something together! The food is still warm, we've just started eating."

Gao Qingzhi smiled and said, "Auntie has already eaten. You all eat first. I just came to visit."

Seeing the two bags of pastries, Kong Xiufang said politely, "Auntie, come visit often when you have time. What are you bringing? You can take them back for your younger siblings to eat later."

Gao Qingzhi said, "They're not children anymore, so we'll save it for Limei and Guoqiang."

Sun Zitao ate a few bites and then chatted with his aunt. Kong Xiufang also quickly ate some food, and after the children finished eating, she cleaned up the bowls and put them in the kitchen to soak. Then she turned around and went back to the living room.

After finishing her meal and resting for a while, Sun Limei ran to call the neighbor's child to go to school together.

Sun Guoqiang went to his bedroom to play with his toys.

Gao Qingzhi said, "Taozi, I heard that your sister-in-law works as a team leader in a garment factory. Do you think you could ask if Daya could get a job there?"

Sun Zitao looked at his aunt and said, "Auntie, is there some difficulty at home? Da Ya is only 13 years old, too young to work. She'll have to wait a few more years until she turns 18 before the factory will hire her."

With red eyes, Gao Qingzhi said, "You know my situation. Da Ya and Er Ya are not well taken care of. Your uncle is still useless at home. He listens to his mother. They only treat San Bao as their own child."

She was very worried because her daughter had grown up so much and had never been to school.

Her mother-in-law only allowed her 7-year-old son, Li Sanbao, to go to school, and he is now in the first grade.

My eldest daughter is 13 and my youngest daughter is 10. If they don't go to school soon, their education will be delayed.

She planned to let her eldest daughter learn a trade first, and then find a place for her youngest daughter to go to school. She had secretly saved some money so that her second daughter could attend a school in a nearby village.

Sun Zitao knew her difficulties, so he went into the inner room and found the money his grandmother had left behind.

After coming out, I handed the money to my aunt. "Auntie, please take this. Let Er Ya go to school first. Da Ya and I will think of a way to learn some skills."

With tears in her eyes, Gao Qingzhi accepted the money and said, "Thank you, Taozi. Consider this money a loan from your aunt. I will pay you back when I have the money."

Sun Zitao shook his head: "No need to return it. Auntie left this to you before Grandma passed away. She asked me to keep it safe and use it to help you when you are in trouble."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qinglian burst into tears, "Mother~ Your daughter is unfilial. Even before you passed away, you were thinking about my future. I've lived such a pathetic life, sob sob sob..."

Kong Xiufang stepped forward to comfort her aunt, which finally stopped her crying.