Chapter 58: Reporting to the Stepfather

Chapter 58: Reporting to the Stepfather

Tang Yuan said she would go to the police station to reason with them, but Chen Juhua didn't even respond.

She had a sullen face and said, "I'm disciplining my own child; the police have no business in this!"

Zhou Xiaojie pulled Daya and hid beside Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, whispering, "Your stepfather bullies you; surely the police should handle it?"

Daya was in great pain and fear. She knew why her mother hit her harder this time.

Last night, her stepfather had been more abusive than usual. When she struggled and bit his hand, he slapped her.

This morning, her stepfather looked at her with a sinister gaze. Without eating breakfast, she took her younger sister out to buy breakfast.

Her mother stayed home, throwing things around and calling her a jinx, cursing her father for being short-lived, and ranted for half the morning.

Later, feeling deeply wronged, she quietly defended herself, "Then, maybe I'll go back to the countryside."

Going back to the countryside wouldn't be any better since her grandmother never liked them.

Because her mother hadn't given birth to a son, and her mother wasn't a pushover, constantly fighting with her grandmother.

After her father died, her grandmother cursed her mother as a jinx, blaming her for killing her husband and trying to drive her away. The two fought fiercely, and even the village officials couldn't stop them.

Later, someone introduced her mother to her stepfather, who had lost two wives and had no children from them. Being on his third marriage, he found it hard to find a wife in the city and decided to look in the countryside.

Her mother brought her along when she remarried and moved to the city. She was nine years old then.

Initially, her mother suggested changing her last name to her stepfather's, but he refused.

Everyone had whispered that her stepfather might be infertile, given that his previous wives hadn't had children. But within two months of marrying her mother, she became pregnant.

Neighbors said if her mother gave birth to a son, it would be a great achievement for her stepfather. However, her mother gave birth to another daughter.

Her stepfather didn't mind having a daughter, but her mother was very disappointed. Since her stepfather loved his biological daughter, her mother took out her frustration on her, calling her a jinx and blaming her for not bringing a brother.

At first, her stepfather treated her well. Whenever her mother scolded her, he would defend her, telling her mother not to scold her and to be kinder to their daughter.

When she cried, her stepfather would comfort her, wipe her tears, and hug her. But later, he started touching her inappropriately.

She wasn't a child anymore and had been taught modesty in the countryside, avoiding boys. Her stepfather's actions made her uncomfortable, so she resisted and avoided him.

Then he began treating her poorly and incited her mother to beat her.

Clearly, he was the beast, yet her mother cursed and beat her!

When she said she wanted to go back to the countryside, it was partly out of anger and partly a threat, hoping her mother would care for her once. If her mother didn't care, she would leave and stop helping with the chores and taking care of the children.

But instead of showing concern, her mother berated her even more, saying, "Do you think you'll have a good life back in the countryside? Look at your sisters! They work harder than donkeys, eat less than chickens, and get beaten and scolded all the time. Once they're older, your uncle will sell them to old bachelors for dowries!"

She mustered up the courage to retort, "At least they don't have a stepfather bullying them..."

In response, she received a harsh blow from a rolling pin.

Xiaojie had told her that if she couldn't bear the beating, she should run to the street where neighbors could see and prevent her mother from hitting her too hard.

But today, her mother didn't care about public opinion, even on the street, and seemed intent on beating her to death.

If it weren't for this beautiful sister stopping her mother's rolling pin, she might have been killed.

Should she tell the police about her stepfather bullying her?

Would anyone believe her?

Before, when she tried to tell others about her stepfather hitting her, her mother said she had always been a liar, lazy, and now wanted to compete with her sisters for food, making up stories about her stepfather.

Even her own mother said this, so who else would believe her?

Everyone also said her stepfather was a good man, never arguing with anyone, and certainly wouldn't hit children. They advised her to listen to adults and not be lazy or lie.

Feng Chen, with keen ears, heard this and frowned slightly.

Being close by, Tang Yuan also heard it. She turned to look at Zhou Xiaojie and Daya on the ground, squatted down, and asked, "The bullying he mentioned, is it that kind of bullying?"

Daya, ashamed and blushing, lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone, but nodded.

She was terrified and could only confide in Xiaojie.

Tang Yuan's face turned cold. This was a beast!

She whispered, "If you report it to the police, your mother will likely side with your stepfather. Some people might not believe you, while others might just watch the drama unfold. Your stepfather might be deterred from harassing you further. If he does, you can shout for help. However, your mother might beat you even harder."

Previously, she didn't understand why Daya's mother was so cruel to her own daughter. Now, knowing her stepfather was molesting Daya, she understood.

Daya's mother, without economic independence, relied on her husband for survival. Naturally, she feared others taking her husband away, even if that other person was her own daughter, who was being forced into this situation.

Or perhaps she feared losing her current life. If Daya accused her stepfather and he lost his job, she would face starvation.

Rather than protecting the man, she was protecting her own survival.

Tang Yuan had worked as a poverty alleviation officer and seen various impoverished households.

Poverty breeds schemes, not necessarily out of prejudice, but as an objective description.

Due to poverty, lacking economic independence and security, people resort to desperate measures to survive.

Because of poverty and limited resources, the battlefield for conflict is confined to a small space. That small space could be a family home, where the opponents are spouses, siblings, and even parents and children.

The truth is so brutal, devoid of any warmth.

If they weren't so poor, Daya could leave the family, and even her mother, Chen Juhua, would be too busy with work to abuse her at home.

The beastly stepfather uses his work resources to bind this mother-daughter pair, smugly watching them struggle for him.

He must be very pleased.

A surge of anger welled up in Tang Yuan's heart.

Feng Chen immediately sensed her emotional shift. With his heightened senses and constant attention on Tang Yuan, he naturally detected it right away.

He reached out to pull her aside and whispered, "I have a way to secretly incapacitate him without anyone knowing."

Tang Yuan looked at him, her expression instantly turning into ○.○

Although she wanted to deal with that beast, she didn't want to kill him!

Killing is not an option, breaking the law is not an option; she needed to educate the big boss about the law.

Feng Chen's voice was barely audible, "It's not that serious. I'll just injure a few key points, making him unable to walk properly for a while. He can still take care of himself but won't be able to bully others."

Tang Yuan's eyes lit up, instantly understanding his plan.

The beastly stepfather would be unable to walk properly, but not paralyzed to the point of needing care, and he wouldn't be able to molest his stepdaughter anymore.

As for work, his wife could take over.

Nowadays, family members often fill in for each other at work, even if they can't assume his position, they can still get a job and salary.

When Daya grows up and gets married, maybe the stepfather can slowly recover?

We'll see then.

This is a world within a book; why should she follow the rules so strictly?

Tang Yuan was intrigued!

But first, Daya had to be willing to accuse her stepfather and completely break ties with him.

Otherwise, nothing would change unless the stepfather died.

Reality is like this: whoever suffers must change.

If the internal factors don't change, external changes won't matter.

Meanwhile, Chen Juhua was still crying to the neighborhood committee officials about how disobedient and difficult Daya was to manage.

She pointed at Daya, Xiaojie, and Feng Chen, sobbing, "In the past, she only compared herself to her sister, being lazy and gluttonous. Now she's becoming shameless, mixing with unsavory people. Look, she's already entangled with two men at such a young age..."

Daya was terrified of her mother and knew shame; when scolded at home, she hung her head and dared not retort.

But here on the street, her mother was not only scolding her but also slandering Brother Xiaojie and the unfamiliar Brother Feng.

With determination, she shouted, "I haven't entangled with anyone! I don't know Brother Feng. I sought his help because he's strong and can fight you and the stepfather. My stepfather... he... he..."

Chen Juhua's heart sank as she glared fiercely at her daughter, warning her not to speak out of turn, threatening to beat her to death if she did.

Daya was frightened by her mother's gaze, shrank back, and lowered her eyes to avoid her angry stare, tears streaming down her face. "He bullied me, touched me inappropriately, and wanted to... sniff sniff..."

She gathered all her courage to expose her stepfather's hypocrisy.

Daya felt dizzy, as if all the blood rushed to her head.

She was truly risking everything.

By revealing this secret, she had no chance of survival.

Her stepfather wouldn't want her anymore, and her mother would beat her to death.

Upon hearing Daya's cry, Chen Juhua, who had intended to drag her daughter home by the ear, suddenly started shrieking.

"You lying brat, are you addicted to lying? You dare to make up anything? It's bad enough you're seducing other men, but now you're accusing your father!"

Chen Juhua was furious. If it were confirmed that the man had molested Daya, he might be sentenced to prison for hooliganism.

If he went to prison, how would she and her daughter survive?

As Chen Juhua yelled, the neighborhood committee officials stood stunned.

They knew Chen Juhua often beat Daya and that Daya wasn't as terrible as Chen Juhua claimed, but they wouldn't interfere much due to □□.

But... Zhang Shengli molesting Daya?

In those days, if a man molested a woman and had no background, the punishment could be severe.

Losing his job, labor reform, or even execution were all possibilities.

The neighborhood official, with a stern face, stepped forward and asked Daya, "Is what you said true?"

Chen Juhua roared, "Don't believe her! She's always been a liar, just like her grandmother."

Seeing Chen Juhua's reaction, the neighborhood and community officials instantly understood.

Even if Zhang Shengli had indeed molested Daya, without being caught in the act or having evidence, and with Chen Juhua, her own mother, accusing her of lying and favoring the man, Zhang Shengli would be fine.

Though Zhang Shengli usually acted like a good-natured person, never arguing with anyone, the officials, experienced and knowledgeable, somewhat believed Daya.

If Daya usually acted like a troublemaker, everyone would doubt her, but she's always been honest and hardworking, never even daring to breathe loudly.

Would such a young girl dare to slander her stepfather?

Zhang Shengli usually appears amiable, but now that he's being accused by Daya, even if he maintains a surface-level politeness and says he's too magnanimous to care about a child's accusations, wouldn't he still harbor resentment deep down?

If he were to lose his temper and refuse to maintain that facade, shouting his innocence and angrily declaring he no longer wants to raise an ungrateful child, then... what would happen to Daya?

Chen Juhua went berserk, raising her shoe to beat Daya to death.

Tang Yuan saw an opening, took advantage of the chaos, and kicked Chen Juhua in the waist, knocking her to the ground to keep her subdued for a while.

Feng Chen quietly squeezed Tang Yuan's hand and praised her, "That was a professional kick."

Tang Yuan gave him a look, as if to say, "Of course I'm professional; I've learned basic self-defense."

The street official made a quick decision and said to the community cadre, "Go to Zhang Shengli's workplace and bring him here to confront Daya."

Daya had been beaten so severely by Chen Juhua that everyone felt sorry for her. To resolve this issue, they had to take Zhang Shengli's mistreatment of Daya seriously.

Apart from fetching Zhang Shengli, they also sent someone to the nearby police station to bring two officers.

Seeing this, Chen Juhua sat on the ground, kicking and slapping her thighs, wailing, "How can you believe such nonsense? How can you listen to a dead girl's lies? This is trying to drive us to our deaths, not letting us live in peace!"

Soon, everyone headed to the street office.

Daya, seeing how powerful Feng Chen and Tang Yuan were, naturally followed them closely, fearing another beating from her mother if she left these strong people.

She could see who was strong because she was weak. The street and community cadres had never been able to handle her mother, but this sister could.

This sister is a good person.

And capable too!

Since they had taken up the matter, they decided to see it through. Tang Yuan and Feng Chen also went to the street office.

Soon, two police officers in blue and white uniforms arrived on bicycles, one male and one female.

They greeted the street office staff upon entering, and the female officer immediately wanted to examine Daya's injuries.

Chen Juhua, of course, followed and insisted, "No, this wasn't done by my husband. No need for an examination!"

The female officer frowned, "Comrade, this child has been beaten so badly; we must examine her injuries."

A female street office worker had already brought a first-aid kit to treat Daya's wounds. She had a small cut on her head that had bled for a while before clotting, her face was bruised and swollen, and her arms, back, and legs were covered in bruises. One of her fingers had its nail torn off, bleeding profusely, and the finger itself was bent and likely fractured.

Zhou Xiaojie's shoulder was also bruised.

The women's director of the street office arrived and couldn't help but scold Chen Juhua, "Your own daughter, what grudge do you have to beat her so brutally?"

Chen Juhua kept repeating the same lines: "I'm hitting my own child; it's none of your business. If children don't behave, they deserve to be hit."

Soon, Zhang Shengli arrived with the street office worker.

He still looked like an honest man, appearing aggrieved and troubled, "Street comrades, please stand up for me. I'm a city worker with a formal job, who kindly married a woman from the countryside with a child. I've been responsible for taking care of them. How can you accuse me of such things? If this continues, it will break our hearts. Who would dare marry a divorced woman with children in the future?"

Zhang Shengli denied everything, appearing aggrieved, and Chen Juhua stood by him.

Daya was taken to another room by the female police officer and the women's director of the street office to give her statement.

When they returned, Zhang Shengli looked incredulous, "Daya, why are you framing me like this? I admit that since you're not my biological daughter, I might not have given you as much as your sister, but I haven't deprived you of food or clothing, have I?"

Daya kept her head down, not daring to look at him, nor wanting to speak.

She had already exhausted all her strength during the questioning in the small room.

Five years of constant fear and torment.

Living in fear, every little sound scared her, feeling as if her soul had left her body.

Zhang Shengli refused to admit anything, and Daya had no evidence. Chen Juhua testified that her daughter was lying, insisting that Zhang Shengli had never done anything improper to Daya.

Tang Yuan whispered to Daya, analyzing the situation, "Right now, you can't send him to labor reform, and if you accuse him, you probably won't be able to continue living with him. The best option is to set up your own household."

Previously, she had considered teaching Zhang Shengli a lesson so that he wouldn't bully Daya anymore and let Daya return to the family. But seeing Daya's bravery in publicly accusing her stepfather and Zhang Shengli's hypocritical demeanor, she didn't want Daya to go back.

Of course, setting up her own household isn't easy for a girl unless she has a job.

In those days, jobs either came from state assignments based on ability or through family connections or bribes. Daya clearly had none of these options.

If Daya was willing, Tang Yuan thought about discussing with Tang Bingde to arrange for Daya to move to Tangjia Village.

Although Daya wasn't a student, the government was sending eligible teenagers to the countryside to alleviate urban employment pressure.

The street office could also send people to the countryside.

Daya didn't know what to do. In a moment of anger, she had accused her stepfather to prevent her mother from insulting Xiaojie and Feng Chen.

Now she could feel that some neighbors looked at her strangely after she accused her stepfather of misconduct.

Some were shocked, some sympathetic, and others looked at her with disgust, almost as if they viewed her similarly to her stepfather.

She didn't understand why, but she felt humiliated.

What should she do in the future?

She gritted her teeth and whispered, "I can go back to the countryside. I still have my grandmother and two sisters."

Although Uncle Wu's family didn't treat them kindly either, they wouldn't be as harsh as the stepfather.

She wasn't afraid of hard work; she could endure hardship!

Zhou Xiaojie: "No, your grandmother is terrible too. She pricked your sister with an awl. If you go back, she'll definitely hurt you even more."

If not going back, then where to go?

The world was vast, yet there was nowhere for her to go.

A girl either lived in her father's home or her husband's home; there was no place that was truly hers.

Just as Tang Yuan was about to speak, Zhou Xiaojie suddenly patted his chest and said, "Brother Feng, Sister Tang Yuan, do you think I can do it? I'm 17, and I can marry Daya... Ah, don't, don't scold me, I just mean pretend to marry. Daya and I will pretend to get married. This way, our household registrations can be together, and Daya's food rationing can be transferred out."

Daya's registration was at Zhang Shengli's house, so her rations were naturally there too. Only by returning to the countryside or getting married could they be transferred out.

If she ran away without transferring them, it would be useless since without rations, she would starve.

Daya immediately shook her head, "Xiaojie, no, if I marry you, your stepmother will make your father beat you to death."

Zhou Xiaojie was older now, so his stepmother couldn't hit him directly anymore, but she would make his father do it. His father would listen to his stepmother and hit him without asking any questions.

Zhou Xiaojie: "I'm a man, I'm not afraid of being beaten!"

Tang Yuan looked at Zhou Xiaojie's thin frame, "You're 17?"

Zhou Xiaojie nodded, "Yes, in nominal age."

He just happened to be shorter and thinner.

Tang Yuan looked at these two children who had grown up in hardship, feeling a pang of sadness. In her previous life, she had also grown up without parents, but she had grandparents who loved her.

Without her grandparents, she would have been shuttled between relatives, enduring disdain and being unwanted.

As a poverty alleviation officer, wasn't her goal to help those who truly needed assistance and were self-reliant?

Now, Zhou Xiaojie and Daya were exactly the kind of people who needed and deserved support.

Though they weren't of legal marriage age, the local authorities might agree due to special circumstances. They couldn't just watch Daya get beaten to death or be mistreated by her stepfather, right?

In this era, only city dwellers followed the legal marriage age. In the countryside, people didn't register their marriages; they just needed the village committee's approval to transfer their registrations together. Many people got married at 18 or 19.

It was worth a try. If the local authorities didn't agree, then Zhou Xiaojie and Daya could go down to Tangjia Village together.

Compared to Wu Jin and Song Huazhang, who were all show and no substance, Zhou Xiaojie and Daya were more like real workers and could definitely support themselves.

Of course, for city dwellers, going down to the countryside was the last resort.

City registration was more valuable than rural registration. Without connections, it was almost impossible for ordinary people to change from rural to urban status.

Hadn't the educated youths tried every means to avoid going down to the countryside, and when they did, they used all their efforts to return to the city?

If there was a way to survive in the city, it was best not to go down to the countryside.

She smiled lightly, "This is a solution, but you must follow the rules and not have children before adulthood."

Zhou Xiaojie and Daya's cheeks turned bright red.

Zhou Xiaojie swore, "No, no, I'm just helping Daya."

Daya looked like a little girl of eleven or twelve, and he treated her like a sister, with no impure intentions.

In reality, he looked like a fourteen-year-old boy, always thinking about how to get more food and not starve, and how to help Daya avoid being beaten by her mother and bullied by her stepfather. He had no other thoughts like other men.

When one is well-fed and warm, one thinks of other things. But they hadn't even overcome their survival crisis, so they had no other desires.

Meanwhile, the police, the street women's federation, and community officials were trying to persuade Zhang Shengli and Chen Juhua. The gist was to ask them not to be too harsh on the child, especially Chen Juhua, who shouldn't be beating the child so cruelly.

Zhang Shengli remained silent, only smiling bitterly and looking aggrieved.

Finally, he stated, "Leaders, rest assured. I, Zhang Shengli, am not capable, but I've always been honest and straightforward. Even if Daya hates me and slanders me, I won't hold it against her. She is Chen Juhua's daughter, and I will still raise her until she marries. Don't worry, I'll also advise Chen Juhua not to beat or scold her. A daughter grows up and leaves home, and she'll also take care of Chen Juhua in her old age, right? As for me, if she remembers my kindness as a stepfather, we can stay in touch as relatives. If she doesn't remember, she can forget me too."

His words sounded reasonable, and some neighbors watching sympathized with him.

"People say don't become a stepfather lightly; a stepchild is never truly yours."

Naturally, some felt sympathy for the girl and despised Zhang Shengli's hypocrisy. Some men were like this—friendly and good-natured outside but abusive at home.

Both of Zhang Shengli's previous wives died young. Could he be blameless?

He was clearly cursed!

Not superstitiously speaking, but if he acted nice outside but verbally abused his wife at home, wouldn't that make her unhappy and prone to illness?

Thinking about it, both of his previous wives indeed looked depressed and unhappy, and Chen Juhua, who initially seemed less aggressive, now behaved like a madwoman.

The whispers of the neighbors made Zhang Shengli very uncomfortable.

These idle women were incredibly annoying!

He really disliked these mature women; he had no interest in them.

Why didn't he have children with his previous two wives? Because he had no interest in them; he couldn't perform with them!

He had long known he preferred young girls, but he dared not show it, fearing he'd be labeled a pervert and sent to labor reform.

When he met Chen Juhua, he saw Daya—a small, thin girl with a pointed chin and big eyes, timidly looking at him. He immediately felt something.

If not for Daya sleeping beside them, he wouldn't have been able to have a child with Chen Juhua.

Seeing Daya getting older, he was anxious. He didn't want her to grow up.

He made sure she never ate enough, causing her to develop poorly. At fifteen in nominal age, she still looked like she was eleven or twelve.

He liked Daya this way; there was no way he would let her escape!

So he pretended to be magnanimous and willing to continue raising Daya.

To others, it seemed that after being reported by Daya, he wouldn't dare to do anything to her anymore, regardless of whether the past incidents were true.

Ha, how could he let his prey, which he had raised, get away?

Instead, he needed to speed things up and make her behave so she wouldn't dare to report him again!

He blamed Chen Juhua for being such an idiot, causing such a commotion. It was one thing to beat her at home, but to do it on the street, inviting others to meddle.

Seeing Zhang Shengli's willingness to let Daya return home, Chen Juhua immediately became unhappy. She said, "That ungrateful brat! Why are you still being so kind to her? She spreads lies and rumors. I should have beaten her to death. Get lost!"

Zhang Shengli frowned and sighed, "Juhua, look at you, always with that fiery temper. I've told you before not to hit the child too hard; if you do, she'll start talking nonsense."

His eyes held hidden dissatisfaction.

Chen Juhua started crying, "She hates me, and you blame me too. She's disobedient, always lying, and hanging out with those shady kids. If I don't beat her, will she learn her lesson? Fine, if you think I'm a bad mother for disciplining her, then I won't bother with her anymore. Let her go and die outside."

At this moment, Zhou Xiaojie shouted, "I'm not a shady kid, and I haven't been messing around with Daya. You're always bullying her together. You're going to drive her to her death."

Chen Juhua tried to hit him again, but he turned to the street officials and pleaded, "Uncles and aunts, please save Daya. If she goes back, they'll definitely beat her to death."

Chen Juhua roared, "Yes, I'll definitely beat her to death. That ungrateful brat, daring to spread lies! I'll skin her alive!"

Zhang Shengli held her back, "Juhua, stop getting angry!"

The street officials were at a loss. How could they save Daya?

They could only mediate family conflicts and persuade Chen Juhua not to beat Daya anymore.

If they took Daya in, other families would follow suit, demanding the same treatment.

Zhou Xiaojie said, "I can marry Daya and transfer her household registration. I can work as a bricklayer, and Daya can make matchboxes. We can definitely support ourselves."

Chen Juhua cursed, "You little scoundrel, saying you have no ulterior motives. Trying to get a wife without spending a penny, huh? If you want to marry Daya, bring one hundred yuan as dowry!"

Ignoring Zhang Shengli's attempts to calm her down, she insisted on beating Zhou Xiaojie.

Seeing her hysterical behavior, the street officials and community workers were afraid, sensing that she had no maternal affection for Daya.

Sending Daya back might result in her being beaten to death.

In the end, the police intervened and stopped Chen Juhua.

Zhou Xiaojie relayed Tang Yuan's words to the street officials. Although Daya wasn't of legal marriage age, special circumstances called for special measures. Early marriage to save Daya wasn't a problem.

Some neighbors watching the scene thought Zhou Xiaojie was clever for finding himself a wife, while others admired his quick thinking in helping Daya.

"Zhou Donghai will definitely agree. Getting a daughter-in-law without spending a penny is great."

If it weren't for Daya, Zhou Donghai would never have arranged a marriage for Zhou Xiaojie. His stepmother would rather spend all their money on her own children than on Zhou Xiaojie's marriage.

Zhou Xiaojie and Daya getting married and living with the Zhou family would solve Daya's housing issue.

The street officials and community workers also thought it was a good idea, putting aside the issue of marriage age as a solution.

At least Zhou Xiaojie wouldn't abuse Daya.

Zhang Shengli's face darkened, while Chen Juhua kept insisting on the one hundred yuan dowry.

In the end, the police decided that to resolve the larger conflict, they needed to suppress the smaller ones.

What dowry?

What arranged marriage?

This is the new society; arranged marriages are opposed!

They needed Zhou Xiaojie's father, Zhou Donghai, to agree. So, the street officials sent someone to fetch him.

Zhou Donghai looked different from Zhang Shengli. While Zhang Shengli appeared honest, Zhou Donghai had a menacing face, looking intimidating and unapproachable.

As soon as he entered, he tried to kick Zhou Xiaojie, "You little brat, causing trouble every time I turn my back! I'll kick you to death!"

He didn't bother listening to the street official's explanation, only hearing about his son getting married. The boy wasn't even fifteen yet, and he hadn't even grown up properly. Was he causing trouble outside and getting someone pregnant?

Damn it, he should have listened to his stepmother and sent him to the countryside for re-education!

A male police officer held him back, preventing him from kicking Zhou Xiaojie.

Once restrained, Zhou Donghai calmed down.

"Huh? Not getting someone pregnant? Just picking up a wife?" Zhou Donghai laughed, slamming his fist on his son's head, "Hey, you did well, getting a child bride without spending a penny. Fine, I'll raise her for two years."

Although Zhou Donghai usually showed little concern for Zhou Xiaojie, beating him whenever his wife complained and refusing to buy him a job, he was now happy to have a free daughter-in-law who only needed to be supported for two years.

No dowry, no wedding expenses, just a free daughter-in-law.

Zhou Donghai felt he had struck gold.

Chen Juhua still insisted on the one hundred yuan dowry, but Zhou Donghai refused to pay a single cent.

Why pay a dowry when he could get a daughter-in-law for free?

I haven’t even asked you for a dowry yet!

Zhang Shengli had a sullen expression, knowing there was no way to salvage the situation. He was seething with anger, gritting his teeth so hard that his cheeks were trembling.

Zhou Donghai turned and saw Zhang Shengli, then approached him with his large fists raised. "Zhang Shengli, did you really bully my daughter-in-law? You look like a decent person, but you’re actually a pervert. I’ll beat you to death!"

"Zhou Donghai!" a male police officer shouted, stopping Zhou Donghai’s violent actions.

Zhou Donghai looked somewhat embarrassed. "I just think this guy isn’t any good."

He didn’t linger on the street for long; he needed to go home and tell his wife so she wouldn’t cause a scene later.

Mainly because their house was small, with five people crammed into one and a half rooms. Adding another person would be too tight, and his wife would definitely complain.

He had a plan: let Daya stay with his daughter for now, have his youngest son sleep with them, and make Xiaojie sleep on the floor. Later, he would get some wood, bricks, and old plastic sheets to build a small shed under the eaves for Xiaojie and his wife to put a bed in.

At least it wouldn’t affect the layout of the house, so his wife shouldn’t be too angry.

With the police, neighborhood committee, and residents’ association involved, Zhou Xiaojie and Daya received their marriage certificate and moved Daya’s meager belongings over.

Seeing Daya leave with just a small bundle, not even a quilt, and only two sets of clothes, the neighbors fell silent.

Was this what Zhang Shengli boasted about not neglecting his stepdaughter?

An elderly neighbor who had previously defended Daya against Chen Juhua’s retort, "If you care so much, take her in yourself," was now more enthusiastic than the residents’ association aunties.

"A daughter can’t marry without some dowry; otherwise, people will talk behind the family’s back."

She quickly grabbed a set of bedding from the bed and tied it up with a piece of rope.

Chen Juhua wanted to fight her but was held back by Zhang Shengli.

Zhang Shengli had a grim expression, devoid of any of his former sincerity. "Give it to her! She is your own daughter and will support you in your old age."

Don’t think running away means it’s over.

Tang Yuan and Feng Chen stood outside the courtyard gate watching. She pursed her lips, feeling uneasy seeing such a hypocritical beast go unpunished.

At least Daya escaped his clutches and won’t be ruined by him.