Lu Hao took a deep breath and adjusted her tone. "For the past few years, I've lived a life worse than that of pigs and dogs in that man's house.
Just three days after I entered his home, he beat me severely because I was late with dinner, even though I hadn't stopped working in the house.
Later, I gave birth to Manman. Oh, my daughter, her name is Manman now, given by my sister-in-law.
That man, his father, and mother all disliked Manman because she was a girl. They beat and scolded me. I ate very poorly, and because I was too thin, I had no milk. Manman was so hungry she didn't even have the strength to cry. I secretly brewed some rice porridge, but they beat me so badly that I couldn't get out of bed for half a month." Lu Hao's voice choked up as she spoke.
"If I hadn't chewed and fed Manman my own food bit by bit, Manman would have starved to death long ago. They didn't spare Manman even when she was so small, making her work from one or two years old and often beating her severely.
Manman is five years old this year. Because she was too frail and couldn't do heavy work, they intended to sell her, sell her to... sell her to a brothel as a child prostitute. That's why I... took Manman and ran away.
My daughter and I wandered outside for several months. We arrived in Tianshui Town. Originally, I wanted to find you, Xing, but if Mother saw us, she would definitely send us back.
Later, I was truly desperate. Manman was so hungry she couldn't even stand up. So, I took her to the agent's office, wanting to sell myself.
Unexpectedly, a few days ago, your Xiao Ye's wife, my sister-in-law, went to the town's agent's office to buy servants and actually bought my daughter and me.
At that time, she didn't recognize me, and I didn't recognize her, but it was by this chance encounter that she bought us. I was dizzy from hunger then, and so was Manman. She probably took pity on us, mother and daughter, which is why she decided to buy us.
Later, when your Xiao Ye returned, we were reunited. If your sister-in-law hadn't bought us, mother and daughter, we might have... starved to death outside."
Listening to Lu Hao's account, Lu Xing and Xiao Si were already in tears.
They had no idea their sister had suffered so much, yet their mother kept calling her ungrateful.
"Sister, don't worry. Brother Xiao Ye and sister-in-law are both exceptionally good people. If you stay with them, you'll definitely be well protected. If that man dares to cause trouble, Brother Xiao Ye will never let him off.
Besides, there's me. I'll also do everything in my power to protect you and Manman. If that man wants money, I'll give him money, have him write a divorce letter, and send him away for good. I've saved some money already.
If he dares to hit you, my fists aren't soft either," Lu Xing said with conviction.
"Thank you, Xing. Just having your heart is enough to make me feel very happy. If that man dares to cause trouble, I'll report him to the authorities. Prince Yu and Master Ji, Master He, all come to Xiao Ye's house for dinner every day.
So, I'm not afraid of him coming to find us.
Moreover, it's uncertain whether he'll even come looking. Before I escaped, he had already gotten involved with a widow from a neighboring village, and that widow said she would have a son for him. So, it's very likely that our departure is a relief for him."
"Sister, how will you live from now on?" Xiao Si asked, her eyes red from crying.
Lu Hao held up the booklet in her hand. "Your sister-in-law wants me to manage the workshop from now on. I'm currently learning to read and learning the tasks your sister-in-law has written down. Manman is also studying in the school at the back. From now on, I'll work with your sister-in-law. She is the savior of our mother and daughter. I'm willing to work like a horse for her my entire life."
Lu Xing finally felt relieved. He calmed himself and said, "Sister, your decision is right. Work hard with Brother Xiao Ye and sister-in-law; they will never treat you unfairly. As for Father and Mother, you don't need to worry. I'll keep it from them for now.
However, no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, tell me. I've grown up now, I've learned martial arts and literacy from Brother Xiao Ye, and I'll protect you and Manman from now on."
Lu Hao smiled and patted Lu Xing's head. "Xing, you've really grown up. Sister is so happy.
Don't worry about your sister; I'll take good care of myself. You also work hard with Xiao Ye. Save up more money to marry a wife in the future. Don't give it all to Father and Mother. Not a single coin that enters Mother's hands can come out. Mother only has eyes for Lu Yang."
"Sister, don't worry, I understand," Lu Xing said, pursing his lips. He had decided to venture out with Brother Xiao Ye. He would also pay for his parents' old age, but he wouldn't foolishly give all his possessions to his mother.
"Xiao Si, you too. You need to have your own plans for the future. Plan early, so you don't get sold by Mother again. Absolutely don't be like your sister. Your sister hopes you'll marry into a good family in the future. Even if you can't find a good family, you should live well on your own," Lu Hao said, holding Xiao Si's hand and earnestly admonishing her.
Xiao Si wiped away her tears and nodded. She hesitated for a moment and said timidly, "Sister, I... I also want to go to school to learn to read, but Mother doesn't agree."
Lu Xing's face lit up with surprise. "Xiao Si, you really want to go to school to learn and read?"
"Mm!" Xiao Si nodded emphatically. "I've wanted to go for a long time, but Mother doesn't allow it. She gives me a lot of chores every day."
Every day, she looked enviously at the little girls her age in the village who went to school in groups.
"I'll pay for your education!" Lu Hao and Lu Xing said in unison.
"Xing, let me do it. As long as I learn the tasks your sister-in-law taught me, I'll be able to earn a lot of money," Lu Hao said to Lu Xing with confidence.
Lu Xing, however, said, "Sister, let me. I'm the boy; I should take care of my sister. I have savings now."
Xiao Si felt incredibly happy seeing her brother and sister arguing over her, but even if her brother and sister agreed, Mother wouldn't. Her eyes reddened, and she choked out, "Sister, Second Brother, stop arguing. Mother won't agree."
Lu Hao grasped Xiao Si's hand. "Si'er, remember this: your life is in your own hands.
No matter if Mother agrees or not, if you like to study, then go study. Moreover, your brother and I can afford it. If Mother doesn't agree, you'll listen to her?
Look at your sister. If I had resisted with all my might back then, even if I had run away alone, I would have lived better than in that man's house."
Lu Xing also comforted her, "Xiao Si, don't worry. I'll talk to Mother. If Mother doesn't agree, I'll take you to split the household and live separately."
Xiao Si was filled with emotion by her elder sister and second brother's words. She had never dared to disobey her mother, but this time she wanted to try. Her sister was right; she had to live for her own life, not to satisfy her mother's unreasonable demands.
Xiao Si thought of her sister Lu Hua and sister Ga Mei who had already gone to the capital, the young girls from the village who went to school, as well as her cousin-in-law, Sister Du, Sister Yang... They all knew how to read, so they appeared very different from the ordinary women in the village.