WBSGVS Chapter 117

Divorce might not be a huge deal, but when it involves selling a child, it becomes a major issue.

The villagers might be unaware of the law, but people in the county and city know very well that selling children is illegal. Human trafficking was something only capitalist societies engaged in back in the day!

Early the next morning, the newspaper published the story: Tang Ersong was arrested for allowing his parents to sell his biological daughter, his wife Li Lanhua publicly announced their divorce, and their daughter severed ties with him. The news caused a huge uproar, leaving people shocked: “People still sell children these days?”

The three Tang brothers traveled to the county to go to the police station. It was their first visit, so they had to ask for directions repeatedly. Along the way, they overheard a conversation:

“Hey, have you read this morning’s paper?”
“No, what’s up? I haven’t had time!”
“There’s a divorce announcement. The wife said her husband let his parents sell their biological daughter. She couldn’t take it anymore and left him, taking the daughter with her. The man’s now a lonely old fool.”
“Are you kidding me? What an idiot! At least the wife had the guts to leave. If she stayed, who knows if the daughter would’ve been sold off without a second thought.”

Tang Dasong, who had just asked for directions, froze: “!!!”

There was no need to guess; it had to be the second brother’s family. Divorce, and in the newspaper no less!

His face turned green with rage. The family hadn’t even split up their household yet! And even if they had, divorce was a disgrace to the entire family.

With a dark expression, he leaned over to ask, “Hey, where can I buy that newspaper?”
“Just up ahead at the newsstand. Better hurry, they’re selling fast today,” the man replied.

Tang Dasong rushed to buy a copy, with Tang Sansong and Tang Sisong following close behind. Once they got the paper, the three brothers huddled together to read it.

After reading, Tang Sansong’s face darkened, and while Tang Sisong seemed a bit calmer, he wasn’t happy either. He said rationally, “Let’s head to the police station first. This is the second brother’s family matter. Now that it’s in the papers, the divorce is as good as done.”

Tang Dasong gritted his teeth and said, “Let’s go!”

After running around all morning, they finally found the police station. After submitting the necessary documentation from their village, they were allowed to meet Tang Dashun.

The three brothers explained the situation at home and asked about the divorce. Tang Dashun, upon hearing it, was so furious he almost passed out. He cursed loudly until a police officer nearby reprimanded him with a baton: “What’s this noise? Don’t you dare curse in the police station!”

Tang Dashun had to hold back his anger, pounding his chest to calm down before spitting out: “You go back and bring them here! No one in the Tang family is allowed to divorce! The only way they separate is if she’s dead!”

Tang Dasong was about to nod in agreement when Tang Sisong stopped him, speaking sternly: “Second Brother isn’t even here. What’s the point of us stepping in? Besides, given what you did, no one would fault her for leaving. She already went back to her family last night with San Ya. With all her brothers around, I’m not about to get beaten up over this.”

He valued his life too much to take that risk.

Tang Dashun was even angrier, pointing at him and yelling: “How did I raise such a cowardly ingrate? Useless!”

Tang Sisong sneered, “I’m ungrateful? At least I came to see you! Your precious daughter didn’t even bother to ask about you and is probably still lazing in bed!”

Tang Tiantian, spoiled rotten, had thrown a fit early that morning when they woke her up to come along, insisting they shouldn’t disturb her sleep. Fed up, they left without her.

Tang Dashun glared at him but, as a detained prisoner, couldn’t do much.

Tang Sisong’s words made Tang Dasong and Tang Sansong reconsider. They realized their brother’s absence left them in an awkward position. Were they expected to kidnap Li Lanhua and babysit her to ensure she didn’t leave? Their wives would never agree.

Finally, Tang Dasong, for once, thought things through and changed the topic: “Dad, what about the household? We’ve been thinking of splitting up. How should we divide things?”

After spending a day in the police station, Tang Dashun had received plenty of legal education and was painfully aware of the gravity of his crimes. Knowing he wouldn’t be returning home, he thought about it for a while.

With no head of the household, the family division was inevitable. He and his wife hadn’t planned for this disaster, and now his only concern was for Tang Tiantian.

After a long silence, Tang Dashun finally spoke: “Whoever agrees to take care of Tiantian will get the main house and the adjoining right side. The other three will have to figure out a way to pool money, buy the other side, and build their own homes. As for the family’s savings, there’s not much left after the fines. Don’t expect anything from us.”

The three brothers’ faces fell.

Tang Dasong, in particular, had always assumed he’d inherit the main house. Now, he was expected to take on the burden of Tang Tiantian?

None of them wanted to raise her. Tang Sisong, incredulous, asked, “So if none of us take her, we get nothing?”

Tang Dashun’s silent acknowledgment chilled them all.

Tang Sisong, who had always considered himself a dutiful son, sneered: “Fine, I get it. I’m not raising Tiantian!” With that, he stormed out.

The remaining two brothers exchanged glances before rushing to declare, “I’ll take her!”

“Dad, I’ll take care of her!”

It was just a little girl, and with both parents in jail, who knew how they had been raising her? The house was more important!

The two brothers exchanged a look, seeing the determination in each other’s eyes. The air grew tense, like gunpowder ready to ignite.

While the Tang family squabbled over the house, Qingli had already settled down in Li Village.

There were still a few vacant houses in the village.

This was years before the government began the “Down to the Countryside” movement, so while the population was large, not everyone could afford the money needed to buy land for a house.

Qingli had the money, and with the Li family’s support in coordinating everything, things moved smoothly. Since Tang Ersong was still in jail, no one from the Tang family objected. The divorce had even been announced in the newspaper, and the local brigade had already transferred the household registration to Li Village.

A few gifts for the brigade leader and village chief sealed the deal.

Before long, plans to build a house began.

On the surface, the house was financed by Li Lanhua’s elderly parents. But secretly, Qingli covered all the costs.

Soon, neighboring villages envied Li Lanhua, marveling at how good her parents were to her.

Though the Li family wasn’t thrilled about Li Lanhua returning home after a divorce, the sheer amount of money she brought silenced their complaints. As the saying goes, “A full mouth can’t scold.” Thus, everyone tacitly accepted the arrangement.

Li Lanhua was surprised by how much money her daughter had, but when she learned Qingli could identify and sell medicinal herbs, she felt at ease.

Back in the mountains, Qingli had survived nearly three months by using herbs to fend off snakes, insects, and rodents.

Such skills were impressive!

Since it was just the two of them, they didn’t need a large house. It consisted of a central hall, two rooms, a courtyard, a kitchen, and a woodshed. But it was still much larger than most modern homes of just over 100 square meters.

The house took three months to complete. Since they couldn’t skip work, they moved in as soon as it was done.

The Li family surprisingly felt a sense of loss.

With her aunt living at home, there had been occasional opportunities to sneak bites of meat. Now that she was leaving, family meals—and the chance for extra meat—would be rare.

During the busy house-building days, Qingli also managed to enroll in school.

On the day they moved in, coinciding with Qingli’s midterm exams, she returned home with a perfect score of 100. Li Lanhua was so delighted she added ten eggs to the housewarming feast.

“Double the joy! We must celebrate properly!” Li Lanhua declared enthusiastically. Having seen her daughter spend money so generously, she wasn’t as frugal as before.

Qingli nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Let’s enjoy the best!”

The mother and daughter shared a knowing smile. Their faces were bright, free of any shadow. Since the divorce, Li Lanhua’s complexion has visibly improved. Without her in-laws’ constant meddling, she thrived in her own home—raising chickens, planting vegetables, and enjoying her cooking. Life was wonderfully peaceful.

Money was no longer a concern.

If not for Qingli’s insistence on staying low-profile, Li Lanhua would’ve proudly told everyone her daughter was amazing—she could identify medicinal herbs, earn money, and love her mother wholeheartedly.

She couldn’t have been happier, even in her dreams!

During this time, the police had visited the village several times. The first two visits were to question Li Lanhua and Qingli about child trafficking. When they discovered how common this practice was in the village, they expanded their investigation. Over the following months, nearly every household was questioned.

Two months later, the Tang family faced sentencing.

Qian Guiying and Tang Dashun, as the primary offenders, were sentenced to 30 years of labor reform—a de facto life sentence for their age.

Tang Ersong, as an accomplice, was sentenced to 10 years of labor reform.

The Yang family, who had bought the child, received lighter sentences—just two years.

However, with the couple in prison, their mentally impaired son had no one to care for him. Relying on inattentive relatives, it wasn’t long before he drowned in the river.

The various crimes unearthed during the investigation of the Tang family shocked many. Six months later, it became common knowledge: that trafficking was illegal. Many had been arrested, and no one dared to sell children anymore. The atmosphere improved significantly.

Freed from the Tang family, Qingli focused on school. During breaks, she ran small businesses and sold herbs, living a comfortable and prosperous life. While her patched clothes hid her wealth, she enjoyed meals like meat-filled dumplings.

Her strategy was clever—dumplings concealed the smell of meat, avoiding suspicion.

Life was so good that Qingli heard nothing more about the Tang family—until she spotted a familiar figure being chased in the black market.

Kind-hearted, she helped him escape. They ducked into a hideout Qingli often used to contact black market dealers, finally shaking off their pursuers.

Once the man caught his breath, he turned, gasping in surprise. “Third… Third Sister?!”

Qingli’s face stiffened.

That nickname wasn’t flattering.

She put on a serious expression. “I’ve changed my name. It’s Qingli. Li Qingli.”

“Oh, that’s a great name!” Tang Sishong said, still grinning from his narrow escape.

Relieved, he asked, “But why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

Qingli narrowed her eyes. “Shouldn’t I be asking you why you’re here?”

Thin and weary, Tang Sishong’s face darkened. His grin turned bitter. Wiping the sweat from his face, he sighed. “Isn’t it obvious? I can’t survive out there anymore.”