WBSGVS Chapter 126

In just one day, Tang Tiantian managed to accomplish what most women couldn’t: she dealt with a domineering mother-in-law and an abusive husband, successfully sending both of them to prison.

In this era, having an affair was a grave offense. Given their situation, once reported, authorities acted immediately to investigate.

With prior complaints of domestic violence on record, the Women’s Federation quickly sent people to protect Tang Tiantian, fearing retaliation from the mother and son. By the time investigators took the pair away, they were completely dazed, clueless about what had just happened.

Their misconduct had been witnessed by the entire village. Even though they had been drunk, infidelity was unforgivable, and both were detained and sentenced.

Due to the severity of their actions, they could potentially face the death penalty.

However, since her husband’s family still had other relatives, Tang Tiantian couldn’t inherit the house or other assets. Not greedy, she took whatever valuables she could and left, returning to the Tang family.

Thanks to prior correspondence, she knew that Tang Ersong had already returned home and was likely staying with the eldest brother’s family. At the door, she cheerfully called out, “Second Brother!”

A visibly aged Tang Ersong stepped out of the house. When he saw his younger sister, he broke into a grin and eagerly came to greet her. His return had been bittersweet—he had faced his daughter’s cold indifference at the train station, the Tang family’s aloofness, and the villagers avoiding him. His already fragile spirit had been shattered, but now, seeing someone who genuinely welcomed him, tears welled up in his eyes.

“Tiantian!” Tang Ersong exclaimed emotionally. His little sister had grown up, so he refrained from hugging her as he once might have. Instead, he affectionately ruffled her hair. “You’ve gotten so thin.”

He couldn’t help but reminisce. Back when their parents were alive, she had been well-fed and fair-skinned.

Involuntarily, his thoughts drifted to San Ya. During their parents’ time, San Ya had been frail and skinny, but now she was radiant and stunning, even more beautiful than a TV star.

Tang Tiantian’s eyes reddened as she affectionately said, “Second Brother, I haven’t had a full meal in years. I’ve been longing for you to come back, and now that you’re here, I can finally eat my fill.”

Tang Ersong’s expression froze, and his eyes darted nervously. He hesitated before asking, “Why are you back?”

Lowering her gaze, Tang Tiantian recounted what her husband had done, then pitifully added, “Second Brother, you wouldn’t abandon me too, would you? Boohoo… Mom and Dad are gone, and I have no one else to rely on.”

Seeing his sister plead with him for help, Tang Ersong couldn’t refuse. He patted his chest and assured her, “I wouldn’t! Never!”

“Second Brother, you’re the best!” The siblings, separated by nearly two decades, were moved by their reunion.

Just then, the eldest brother’s wife passed by and coldly remarked, “Let me make this clear: Second Brother, if you want to support Tiantian, that’s fine, but you’ll have to do it yourself. Don’t expect help from us. You earn what you eat, and if it’s not enough, figure it out on your own. We’ve got our own family to feed.”

Tang Ersong: “…”

Tang Tiantian clenched her teeth in frustration. “Don’t worry! I don’t need your help. With San Ya being so capable, it’ll be easy for Second Brother to take care of me!”

The eldest brother’s wife sneered. “Really? What does San Ya’s success have to do with you? Did she even bother to check on him after he came back?”

Tang Tiantian looked at her in disbelief, then quickly turned to Tang Ersong, hoping for a denial.

But Tang Ersong avoided her gaze, his face darkening. “San Ya’s unfilial, but I don’t need her support. Don’t worry, Tiantian, I can take care of you.”

Tang Tiantian nearly blurted out, Take care of me? You don’t even have work points! But she stopped herself—she still needed his help and couldn’t afford to offend him. Taking a deep breath to calm down, she said, “Second Brother, even if San Ya doesn’t want to support you, you’re still her father. Isn’t it her duty to take care of you? If she refuses, you should confront her!”

Tang Ersong hesitated. After yesterday’s humiliating experience, he was reluctant to face another public rejection, especially with the brigade leader supporting San Ya. “That wouldn’t be right…”

“What’s wrong with it?” Tang Tiantian raised her voice, cutting off his timid response. “If you don’t stand up to her, she’ll never feel pressured to fulfill her responsibilities.”

“Do you want to cut ties with your daughter? If San Ya were a failure, fine, but she’s doing so well. Even if she gave you just two or three yuan a month, it’d be something,” she coaxed.

Tang Ersong wavered. While he wasn’t inherently lazy, he had always prioritized having a son, even to the extent of selling his daughter. Now, with plans to adopt a son, he knew he couldn’t afford to remain impoverished. Having a capable daughter’s support would ease his burden significantly.

Meanwhile, Qingli drove a tractor back to the brigade, accompanied by a group of educated youths.

The brigade leader spent the ride recounting Qingli’s recent actions, worried the youths might misunderstand her or develop a negative impression.

By the time they arrived, the group was filled with admiration and sympathy for Qingli.

The enthusiastic Tao Zeming spoke first, “Comrade Li Qingli, what you did was right. People say parents are always blameless, but your father tried to sell you. That’s wrong, and you were right to disown him!”

“Exactly! Don’t go soft. What if he tries to sell you again?” an older female youth added, her voice full of concern.

Others chimed in, their words of support sincere.

Qingli smiled and nodded, assuring them she wouldn’t relent.

Tang Ersong might try to stir trouble again, but if he did, she’d handle it—this time ensuring he learned who truly held the power.

Still, she decided to inform Li Lanhua about Tang Ersong’s release.

When Qingli brought it up, Li Lanhua’s reaction was surprisingly calm. “Oh, I already knew.”

“Huh?” Qingli was taken aback.

Li Lanhua smiled. “I remembered exactly when he went in, so I knew when he’d get out. Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me. Besides, your uncle is here to help if anything happens.”

Relieved, Qingli felt comforted by Li Lanhua’s nonchalance and ease. “Right, now that you’ve got Uncle, you don’t even need a daughter anymore,” Qingli teased, laughing lightly.

“You child!” Li Lanhua blushed and glared at her.

Qingli chuckled, but to be safe, she borrowed the village leader’s phone and called the machinery factory, saying she needed three days off due to family matters.

She rarely took leave and could go a month without returning home when busy. Since her work was already wrapped up, the factory was understanding.

Qingli waited one day, but Tang Ersong didn’t show up.

Two days passed, and he still didn’t come. Instead, she heard Tang Tiantian had gotten a divorce. Her husband and mother-in-law had been sent to jail, with charges so severe that release was out of the question.

Say what you will, but Qingli couldn’t help respecting Tang Tiantian’s decisiveness. A man who engages in domestic violence is vile, and a mother-in-law who enables him is equally disgusting. Yet, Tang Tiantian managed to send them both to jail—a feat not easily achieved.

Li Lanhua, upon hearing the news, kept exclaiming in amazement, her worldview shifting yet again. Back when she divorced, it had been a heart-wrenching struggle. If not for her daughter pushing her, coupled with her in-laws and husband ending up in jail, she might still be stuck in that miserable situation.

On the third day, as Qingli debated whether to extend her leave, Tang Ersong finally arrived.

And he didn’t come alone.

He brought Tang Tiantian and the eldest Tang brother with his wife. The third brother hadn’t come, as the fourth brother had convinced him to stay behind.

The eldest brother and his wife were here, hoping to take advantage of the situation. If they could gain something, great; if not, no harm done.

This group of four siblings, looking somewhat imposing, arrived at Qingli’s house. Standing at the gate, Tang Ersong shouted, “Li Lanhua, give me back my daughter!”

Tang Tiantian chimed in, “San’ya is part of the Tang family! You’re just a remarried woman hogging your ex-husband’s child. Don’t you have any shame?”

After shouting twice, the courtyard gate opened—not to reveal Li Lanhua, but Qingli.

The sight of her made all four of them freeze.

Perhaps due to the memory of being kicked by her as a child, Tang Tiantian instinctively took a step back, fear creeping in.

Tang Ersong, seeing his daughter, felt both guilty and angry. He instinctively glanced at Tang Tiantian for support. They had delayed their visit for two days, hoping Qingli would have gone back to work. Then, they could pressure Li Lanhua into letting San’ya return with them.

Who could have predicted that Qingli hadn’t left?

Hands clasped behind her back, Qingli coldly said, “Go ahead, say it again if you dare.”

Tang Tiantian pressed her lips together and stepped back, tugging at Tang Ersong’s sleeve.

Tang Ersong hesitated before speaking. “San’ya—”

“Shut up!” Qingli snapped.

He choked on his words, instinctively obeying.

Qingli fixed her icy gaze on Tang Tiantian. “What do you mean by ‘a Tang family child’? I’ll decide where I belong. Tang Tiantian, I was just starting to respect you for your boldness in divorcing your husband, but now I’m guessing you only did it because he came back, and you’re hoping I’ll support you. Dream on!”

Tang Tiantian’s face turned pale as she glared at Qingli. “My second brother is your biological father! You have to take care of him!”

Qingli sneered. “And if I don’t, what can you do about it?”

Tang Tiantian, enraged by Qingli’s audacity, opened her mouth to retort, but Qingli pulled a feather duster from behind her back.

Tang Tiantian froze, her instincts screaming danger. She turned to run, but Qingli was faster. Grabbing the back of Tang Tiantian’s collar, she yanked her backward, throwing her to the ground with a thud.

Before Tang Tiantian could even feel the pain in her backside, a sharp “whack” landed on her arm, and she screamed in pain.

The feather duster came down again and again, leaving her crying out, “Brother, help me!”

The sudden escalation left Tang Ersong stunned. He had planned to reason calmly, but before he could process what was happening, Qingli had already started swinging.

Tang Tiantian’s wails finally snapped him out of it. Panicking, he stepped forward to intervene. “San’ya! This is your aunt!”

“Whack!” The feather duster “accidentally” hit him, making him wince in pain as he clutched his arm.

The force was no joke.

Horrified by the strength of her blows and Tang Tiantian’s escalating cries, he panicked and shoved Qingli. “San’ya, stop!”

Qingli dodged deftly, shouting, “Mom! He’s hitting me!”

Li Lanhua, who had been holding back, could no longer restrain herself. Grabbing a broom, she stormed out, glaring at Tang Ersong. “You coward! San’ya doesn’t even acknowledge you, and you dare lay a hand on her?!”

She swung the broom at him, her curses loud and clear. “Try hitting my daughter? I’ll beat you to death!”

“Ahh!” Tang Ersong cried out in pain as he staggered back, raising his arms in a feeble attempt to block the blows.

Just as he thought he had escaped the onslaught, a sharp kick sent him sprawling to the ground.

Looking up in confusion, he saw several of Li’s brothers and their sons, all glaring at him menacingly.

One of them growled, “How dare you cause trouble at my niece’s house? Are you tired of living?!”