Zhao Qingqing felt eyes on her the entire way. She thought the surrounding people's gossip and chatter were directed at her. Even with a hat and mask on, she felt incredibly uncomfortable.
It was like being stripped naked and paraded, her heart pounding and her eyes darting around. She desperately wanted to escape this environment, but the station was noisy, and she could only keep telling herself it was fine.
While she was in line waiting to have her ticket checked, her father, along with several other people, rushed over. She lowered her head and tried to shrink into the crowd, but her father accurately walked to her, grabbed her collar, and yanked.
"Where do you think you're going? You ungrateful little beast, you dare to run away from me."
"You've got the wrong person, let go of me."
Zhao Qingqing squeaked out the words.
"I gave birth to you, I'd recognize you even if you were ashes."
With that, he ripped off her mask and slapped her across the face. Half of Zhao Qingqing's face instantly swelled up and turned red. Her father dragged her towards the exit.
He had a dream the previous day that this girl wanted to run off somewhere else. Today, when the Wu family showed up causing trouble, he vaguely saw someone who looked like her.
Acting decisively, he brought his men to the train station to intercept her. His grandson was still young, and how could he and his wife raise him alone? If Zhao Qingqing ran away, she wouldn't come back. Fortunately, he had managed to catch her.
"I'm not leaving, what right do you have to take me? Help! Help! He's a human trafficker, please, everyone, help me call the police."
The crowd around them erupted, and everyone surged forward to surround them.
"Let this girl go! She's old enough now. It's her freedom to do as she pleases. If you continue, I'll call the police."
"Sister, don't be fooled by this girl. I'm her real father. Her younger brother had a car accident a few days ago, and she abandoned our family."
"All the family's savings over the years were spent on her education. Now that she can earn money, she's abandoning us. This is against heaven's will, it's not human!"
"Young lady, is what he's saying true?"
The aunt turned to Zhao Qingqing with a hint of suspicion.
Zhao Qingqing shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face. Her hands were held fast by two relatives, and she couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
"Auntie, please save me. I lied earlier. But they favor sons over daughters, and if I go back, I'll have to support my brother my entire life. I'll be bled dry my whole life. Please, have mercy and save me."
The aunt hesitated for a moment, and the people around them recognized Zhao Qingqing. They all advised the aunt not to meddle. The train arrived at that moment, and ticketing began. The aunt thought for a moment and then left.
No matter how much Zhao Qingqing struggled or screamed her lungs out, she was still dragged into the van by her father and the others. Once inside, her father grabbed her hair and slapped her several more times forcefully.
"Run, are you still trying to run? I gave birth to you and raised you, it's your time to be filial. Your reputation is in tatters, who would want you no matter where you go?"
"Wuwuwu~ Let me go, what you're doing is illegal."
"Do you think I'm scared of being reported? Reporting your own father will bring divine retribution. You are mine to raise, and you will do as I say."
"You... you're unreasonable."
"Hmph, how much money is left? Give it all out, or don't blame me for being harsh."
"There's none left, it's all been used for Zhao Honghong's treatment fees."
Her father slapped her again. This time, Zhao Qingqing spit out a tooth, blood mixed with saliva flowing uncontrollably.
"Don't be ungrateful, you'll suffer if I get angry. Tell me quickly, my patience is limited."
Seeing her father's fierce eyes, Zhao Qingqing flinched. She mumbled, her words slurred, "There's only 20,000 left."
"Which bank is it in? Go withdraw it now."
"xx bank."
With both of them staring at her, Zhao Qingqing didn't even have a chance to catch her breath. At the bank entrance, her father stood right behind her.
She had no choice but to obediently withdraw the money and hand it over to her father. "I have no more money, please let me go. I'll send you money when I earn some outside. I can't find a job here."
"Don't talk nonsense, get in the car."
With that, he shoved Zhao Qingqing forcefully. Zhao Qingqing stumbled into the back seat.
Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, and her lips were worn raw, but she couldn't change her father's mind. Her mouth was stuffed with a pair of smelly socks, and she cried all the way back to her hometown.
Upon arriving home, the scene before her made her feel disoriented. The living room was filled with people she recognized. Wu Meixiang was holding her two children and crying incessantly.
As Zhao's mother saw her enter, she grabbed a bamboo whip from the side and started lashing at her.
"You wicked girl, abandoning your mother like that! Is this how I raised you? I don't understand anything, what are your intentions, you damned soul, may you die a horrible death."
Zhao Qingqing could only sob and dodge, her disgust for this family reaching its peak.
At this moment, someone slapped the stove. "Alright, in-laws, who are you putting on this show for? We must take Meixiang with us today. She's still young and can't spend her life with a cripple like this."
"You're talking nonsense! What's wrong with my son now? He's more than enough for your daughter. You have no right to take Wu Meixiang. She's a member of my Zhao family in life and in death." Zhao's mother yelled emotionally.
"That's right. If you want to take Meixiang, then return the 60,000 yuan betrothal gift."
Zhao's father said nonchalantly. The Wu family was greedy and would never return the betrothal gift. They were really dreaming too big, wanting to sell their daughter again.
"You can't say that. Our Meixiang gave birth to two grandsons for your Zhao family. We absolutely will not return this 60,000 yuan betrothal gift. Meixiang must leave with us today. We have already found her a new husband, and she and Zhao Hong should part amicably."
"Do you think we Zhao family can be bullied? Either give us the money or keep the person."
A group of people stared menacingly at the Wu family. Old Mr. Wu instantly fell silent. At this moment, Mrs. Wu kept signaling to Wu Meixiang, and Wu Meixiang suddenly knelt down.
"Mother-in-law, please let me go. Your Zhao family already has grandsons, and it's useless for me to stay if Ah Hong doesn't wake up."
"But our Wu family has no heir. My mother and them have already accepted the money from someone else. I have no choice but to go. Big Treasure and Second Treasure will be troublesome for you."
She kowtowed repeatedly, crying mournfully.
"Zhao Hong is in this state, so someone must stay to care for him. The two children also cannot be without a mother. In-laws, one cannot be too much. Meixiang is still my Zhao family's daughter-in-law, yet you accepted money from another family."
"We have no choice. Da Zhuang is almost 30 and still can't find a wife. We can only save more money..."
"I don't care. Even if you talk until you're blue in the face, I won't agree."
"Father-in-law, you're forcing my hand. In Zhao Hong's current state, I can sue for divorce."
Wu Meixiang stood up and glared fiercely at Zhao's father, completely losing her previously obedient demeanor.
It seemed she didn't want to serve a cripple for life. The two children couldn't keep her.
The two children, one on each side, grabbed her legs and wailed loudly. Their grandmother had told them that if they let go of their mother, she wouldn't want them anymore, that they would never see her again.
While crying, they shouted, "Mommy, don't go, we can't live without you. Wah wah wah~"