Zhao Dezhu had just finished arranging the dishes when he saw his sister leading Liu An'an towards them.
"Zhao Da Ya, why did you bring him down here? Your boldness has grown since I haven't hit you today."
Liu An'an, standing behind Jun Jiuli, trembled uneasily. How could she have believed this child's words? Seeing her apparent lack of status in this family, she wondered if her sudden appearance downstairs would cause her further suffering.
"Zhao Dezhu, how can you talk to your sister like that? I've told you before, from now on, you two siblings are equal, no, it's female superiority, male inferiority. Hurry up and apologize to your sister, or I'll skin you alive."
"Dad, I think you've gone senile. You can't even say such things. I am the only descendant of our family, destined to carry on the Zhao family line."
"Hmph, there are plenty who can carry on my Zhao family line. What about all your cousins, male and female? None of them can? I, Zhao Youwei, have only one daughter, Da Ya. From now on, everything in the house must be decided by Da Ya."
Zhao's mother, standing behind him, stammered, "Old man, then I..."
Zhao's father turned and slapped her hard. "What are you dreaming of? Do you think you can compare with my Zhao Youwei's daughter? Hurry up and get the rice."
"Oh, yes, yes, yes." Although she had been slapped, she dared not spill the soup she was holding. After placing the soup, she quickly went to get the rice.
Liu An'an sat next to Jun Jiuli, still unable to believe what she had heard. The person in charge of this household had completely transformed from how she had seen him two days ago, a 180-degree change.
Zhao's father understood Jun Jiuli's thoughts. Although his heart ached for the ten thousand yuan he had spent, it was less important than his family's lives. Money could be earned again, so he spoke as he did.
"Daughter Liu, I was confused before. My son had been unable to find a wife, which is why I hastily took the wrong path. Now I know that's illegal, and we know we were wrong. I am also a father, and your parents must be very anxious. I promise to send you to the police station tomorrow."
"Dad, I disagree. She is my wife, and I don't want to send her away. Our family is already preparing for a banquet. If you send her away tomorrow, who will I marry?"
"This is not your place to make decisions. If I say she's leaving, she's leaving. This is considered doing a good deed, and one should accumulate more virtue."
"It's me who needs to marry a wife, not you. Of course, I can make the decision."
"You scoundrel, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? I saved this money bit by bit. If you want to get married, earn money yourself. Don't expect me, your father, to do everything."
Zhao's mother gestured for her son to say less, knowing the old man was angry. If he argued further, he would be beaten.
Zhao Dezhu reluctantly shut his mouth. Had his father gone mad today? He would discuss it with him properly tomorrow. How could he let the wife he was about to marry slip away?
The two good dishes were placed in front of Jun Jiuli and the other woman. When Zhao Dezhu reached out with his chopsticks, Zhao's father blocked him.
"Are you sick, never seen food before? Your sister and Miss Liu need to nourish their bodies. What are you, a grown man, eating so much for?"
Zhao Dezhu angrily put down his bowl and chopsticks and ran out the door. Zhao's mother quickly went to chase after him.
"You come back here. He's a grown man, he won't get lost outside. You've spoiled him too much, he's not even half as sensible as his sister. No one is allowed to go look for him today. Let's see if he comes back when it gets darker tonight."
Zhao's mother was flustered. "Old man, this isn't right. We only have Dezhu as our son. He's the one who has to perform the funeral rites for us in the future."
"Funeral rites, funeral rites. What era is this? We don't pay attention to such things anymore. If you don't want to eat, then go back to your room."
Zhao's father was also anxious, but there was a monster here! He could only hope his son would be more sensible; it was just a woman. After sending the monster away, he would buy an even prettier one.
Zhao's mother sat down reluctantly. She didn't know what evil spirit had possessed her husband today. She didn't dare to contradict him, but this troublesome daughter was truly a waste of her upbringing. Thinking this, she glared at Jun Jiuli again.
With a crack, the leg of the stool Zhao's mother was sitting on broke. She fell to the ground with a thump, her face contorted in pain and howling.
Zhao's father rushed to check and found the stool leg burned black. His heart sank. If this old woman died, who would he boss around? Who would rush to the front to shield him from monsters? So, he helped Zhao's mother towards their room.
As they walked, he said, "Da Ya, I'm taking your mother back to rest. You and Miss Liu eat slowly. When you're done, leave them there, and I'll clean up."
"Mmm."
"Da Ya, are you really sure about tomorrow?"
"Put your heart at ease. My father has already 'repented'."
"Then, thank you so much." She then lowered her head and silently ate the rice in her bowl.
That night, Jun Jiuli and Liu An'an slept in the same bed. Although the bed was not very comfortable, the original owner was very clean, and the entire bed and room were kept very neat and tidy. This was also the most comfortable night Liu An'an had slept in the past month.
The next day, as soon as they got up, Zhao's father had already prepared water for washing faces and food.
"Daughters, come and eat quickly. After you finish, I'll take you down the mountain."
The path down the mountain was very difficult to navigate, narrow, and slippery with mud and sand. Thorns and bushes lined the sides. Along the way, they encountered two snakes as thick as a child's wrist. Liu An'an was greatly frightened.
Shui Wa: "This road is difficult even with someone leading during the day, let alone at night. For a young girl to wander around alone inside. Sister An'an really is bold."
"Compared to the unknown mountain path, the Zhao family that eats people without spitting out bones is more terrifying."
Jun Jiuli took out a small blanket from her spatial dimension and tied it around Zhao's father's body. "Dad, the downhill path is difficult. Please carry Sister An'an."
Both of them hesitated, but under Jun Jiuli's strong insistence, Zhao's father carried Liu An'an until they reached the flat road at the foot of the mountain.
Today happened to be Thursday, the market day. Seeing the crowds of people in the street and the vendors shouting their wares, Liu An'an finally felt a sense of security.
This was the most people she had seen in a month. Now, even if the Zhao family father and daughter regretted it, she was confident she could escape.
Jun Jiuli and Zhao's father did not leave until they had escorted Liu An'an to the police station in town. Stepping into the police station and seeing the upright and majestic police uniforms, Liu An'an's heart finally settled, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.
At this moment, a female police officer came over and anxiously inquired about her situation. She first borrowed a phone to inform her parents that she was safe. Upon learning of her situation, Liu's parents told her to wait at the police station and that they were flying over.
The kind female police officer volunteered to stay with her at the police station. They were of similar age, and the female police officer had special ways of comforting people.
As Jun Jiuli left, she gave Liu An'an a charm for luck, hoping that this foolish girl would live a happy life in the future.
"Little immortal, do you want me to buy you some clothes?"
Jun Jiuli nodded. Anything that could prevent discord in the Zhao family would make her happy.
Those clothes with large logos, clearly fake, were very popular here, and it was common for everyone to wear them.
Jun Jiuli chose a white tracksuit that was not too exaggerated and bought the currently popular overalls. She also picked out two pairs of white sneakers. As Zhao's father paid, his heart trembled; this money was enough for their family to live for a month.