Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Xiao Hong shook her head and remained silent.

Her mother-in-law had threatened that if she dared to marry again, she would cause a scene at the Chen family’s home, making life unbearable for all of them.

In the Chen household, only an elderly mother with poor eyesight remained.

He was a simple man; how could he withstand such a commotion?

She had a hard life, and this was how it would be for her. But not for Old Chen.

The more Xiao Hong thought about it, the more desperate she felt. She glanced at her son with a pang of reluctance and continued washing clothes mechanically.

Seeing that she wouldn’t even speak, Miao Miao was at a loss.

"I say, my daughter-in-law has already said she won't marry again. Why are you still lingering here? Are you matchmakers instead of the Women's Federation? Do you want my daughter-in-law to marry again before you're satisfied?" Grandma Ji sneered and mocked them as she tried to drive them away.

Chen Jinhua felt extremely awkward in this situation.

"Xiao Hong, if you resign yourself to fate, do you want your son to suffer the same fate?" Bai Xiuxiu looked at the child who didn’t seem as strong as Mingming. This child was much older than Mingming. If things continued like this...

Xiao Hong’s hands paused as she washed the clothes.

She stared blankly at her son, who was working nearby, feeling unbearably heartbroken.

The other children were either staying warm inside or playing outside.

Only her son.

"Although I don’t know what your mother-in-law told you, continuing like this will bring no change. Do you really want to live like this for the rest of your lives?" Bai Xiuxiu asked again and then left with the others.

Seeing them about to leave, Xiao Hong couldn’t sit still any longer.

She dropped the clothes in her hands and cried out, "Wait! Please help me."

"You wretched woman, what are you saying?" Grandma Ji grabbed Xiao Hong by the hair and yanked her back, her expression terrifying.

The child who had been grinding cornmeal saw this and cried out, rushing over, "Don’t hit my mom! You’re so mean! Let go of my mom!"

Xiao Hong seemed to feel no pain, tears streaming down her face without any struggle.

As if she was used to it.

"Big Sister Ji, what are you doing?" Chen Jinhua, who had been about to leave, was stopped by Xiao Hong’s cries. Turning back, she saw the old lady holding onto her daughter-in-law’s hair.

Instantly enraged, they re-entered the courtyard. Chen Jinhua immediately stepped forward to separate the old lady from her daughter-in-law.

How could Grandma Ji let go so easily?

She rushed forward, but Yang Chuanwen and Yang Chuanwu held her back.

"Help! Someone, help!" The old lady screamed.

"Big Sister Ji, you dare to hit someone in front of us? Do you want me to report you?"

Chen Jinhua, her ears ringing from the noise, coldly questioned Grandma Ji.

The old lady glared fiercely at her daughter-in-law, panting with anger. "What? I can’t discipline my own daughter-in-law? This wretched thing cursed my son to death and wants to remarry with my grandson? She’s dreaming!"

"Auntie, didn’t your son die from overworking himself for your family? Over the years, Brother Ji has taken on all the household chores. You never let him rest. Everyone in the village knows this."

Liu Xiaohui couldn’t stand it and retorted.

Upon hearing this, the old lady lunged forward to attack, but being restrained, she couldn’t move.

She struggled, her gaze frightening.

"If you hit anyone again, we’ll report you. For assault, you’ll be arrested, and your daughter-in-law can still remarry." Bai Xiuxiu spoke calmly.

These words struck the old lady’s weakness; she was terrified of being arrested!

With red eyes, she glared at Bai Xiuxiu. "You people just want to marry off my daughter-in-law."

"What else? Let her suffer under your torment? We respect the wishes of the person involved. If Xiao Hong wants to remarry, you can’t stop her." Chen Jinhua pulled Xiao Hong closer.

Seeing her almost unable to speak from crying, she comforted her. "Xiao Hong, don’t worry. This matter is entirely up to you."

Xiao Hong glanced at her fierce mother-in-law and then at the others.

She picked up her son and finally made up her mind. "Aunt Jinhua, I do want to marry Old Chen. We’ve known each other since childhood, and he helped my husband a lot when he was alive.

Now that my husband is gone, he’s willing to take care of us. I want to marry him.

At least it won’t be like this anymore...

He promised me that my son will be his only child."

Xiao Hong couldn’t bear to look at her mother-in-law.

"Big Sister Ji, did you hear that? You can’t stop this. Xiao Hong, come with me for now. I’ll arrange a place for you to stay." Chen Jinhua glanced at the murderous Grandma Ji.

She was genuinely worried that leaving Xiao Hong behind might cost her life.

"Thank you." Xiao Hong said, running back to pack her clothes.

Held back for so long, Grandma Ji shouted in anger, "What are you all doing? Hurry up and get out here to help! That wretched Xiao Hong is trying to run away!"

Not a single member of the Ji family came out.

Xiao Hong packed her things and left with them.

After they had gone, the Ji family finally emerged.

Chen Jinhua, seeing this from a distance, quickly led Xiao Hong toward Xiahe Village.

Just as they left the entrance of Shanghe Village, a man happened to be coming the other way.

He was carrying a basket, looking like he had just returned from outside.

Seeing Xiao Hong, he was taken aback and hurried over. "Xiao Hong? What’s wrong? You’re crying again. Did Aunt Ji bully you again?"

The man was tall and had a decent appearance, though years of working in the fields had left him with a dark, ruddy complexion.

"Old Chen, I’m fine," Xiao Hong said, her voice still trembling.

Old Chen sighed. "I know it’s still about us. Don’t worry, today I’ll talk to your aunt properly. By the way, I went to the county today to buy eggs for you. From now on, you and the child should each have one a day. As usual, I’ve boiled them and left them outside your house."

"Old Chen, this is Aunt Jinhua. She’s from our team’s Women’s Federation. She can help us. I’ve decided to marry you. Whether my mother-in-law agrees or not, we will live our lives together." Xiao Hong looked at Old Chen.

She was nervous, wondering if Old Chen would back out because of her mother-in-law’s objections.

Hearing that Xiao Hong was willing, Old Chen was overjoyed, not knowing what to say. "Then, when can I marry you?"

"Let’s wait. First, I’ll take Xiao Hong to the brigade to settle her down. Once we’ve talked to the old lady, if you want to see Xiao Hong, come to the brigade." Chen Jinhua glanced at Old Chen and thought that Xiao Hong had made a good choice.

He seemed like a reliable person.

Together, they returned to the brigade. Upon arrival, they saw Zhao Guifen standing at the gate.