NOVPUB
Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Trick Away
Ma Xiulan said: "I just received a phone call from the supervisor before my meal that the factory had received a new batch of work. They need me to take my team there as soon as possible. We will leave in a while. If you want to go with me, we can leave right now."
"Are we in such a hurry?" Si Xiaohui hesitated again. She was very conflicted inside. On one hand, she wanted to go out and earn a lot of money, so that her family would regret their behavior towards her when they couldn’t find her. On the other hand, she was afraid of the unknown environment.
In that bustling city, she felt anticipation and fear, worrying that she would not fit into the city life.
Ma Xiulan saw through Si Xiaohui’s thoughts at a glance and conveniently said, "Xiaohui, don’t hesitate anymore. I’ll first take you to Jiang City. If you can’t adapt there, I can buy you a ticket home."
Si Xiaohui’s eyes brightened, "Really?"
"Of course, as a group leader I have some privileges. The factory will reimburse your return ticket, so you can rest assured and go! Consider it as a trip." Ma Xiulan then changed the topic, "I’ve told you everything. If you still decide not to go, I will leave first. The factory doesn’t need just one person like you. Many people want to go there because of the high salary. I thought about you since we grew up together. I want you to earn money. Moreover, I believe in your ability as I am a group leader at the factory."
It could be said that Ma Xiulan fully understood Si Xiaohui’s hesitations. Knowing her doubts, she acted appropriately, firmly grasping Xiaohui’s heart.
"Alright, I will go." Assured that she could return anytime, Si Xiaohui made up her mind instantly.
If she couldn’t adapt, she could always return home. Her mother and brother treated her in such a way, she felt it appropriate to give them a scare, causing them to panic.
"Okay, then you wait for a while. I’ll go back to my room to get something." Ma Xiulan did not delay and immediately went back to her room to take her stuff.
"I will go to take some clothes too." The clothes made from the bedsheet have never been worn out before. It was an excellent opportunity to bring them to the big city.
Ma Xiulan stopped her immediately, "Don’t go back. If your mother finds out, you won’t be able to leave. Moreover, your clothes are too rural. It’s obvious that you’re a country bumpkin. Our factory will issue new uniforms. They are much nicer than the clothes you’re wearing now."
"New clothes?"
"Getting new clothes is the least of it. They also provide shoes and living essentials. Wait for me here. Once I’ve gathered my stuff, I’ll explain everything on the way."
Ma Xiulan walked briskly back home, and quickly packed her things. She didn’t bring any clothes or shoes, only a small shoulder bag and her ID card. When she passed by her dining family, she didn’t bid them goodbye. Just as she was about to leave the courtyard, Ma’s mother suddenly called her, expressing her concern.
"Xiulan, where are you going without even finishing your meal?"
"Why do you care where she’s going?" Ma’s father snapped at his wife, his tone filled with anger, "She can go wherever she wants. It’s best if she dies out there and never comes back."
Ma’s father held traditional values, self-esteem, and inevitably found Ma Xiulan’s ’modern’ dressing style intolerable. Since she had returned, the villagers had been gossiping about her behind her back, causing the family to lose face.
If it were not for the more than one thousand yuan that Ma Xiulan had brought home this time, he would have kicked her out long ago.
Ma Xiulan paused for a moment, turned back to look at Ma’s mother. Her eyes turned red, but she had a smile at the corner of her mouth. Just like when she was a child, going to the neighbors to play, she said: "Mom, Xiaohui and I are going out to buy something. We’ll be back soon."
As for her father and brother, she didn’t even glance at them from beginning to end. Her father, who places a higher importance on sons than daughters, didn’t care about her at all. Though her mother loved her, she was powerless. Her brother bullied her because he was older and taller. This household didn’t have much for her to miss.
If there was something, it probably was just her mother, who couldn’t stand up for her.
She left more than a thousand yuan, which was enough to repay her upbringing. From now on, this house had nothing to do with her. They could just assume she were dead!
Ma’s mother said: "At least finish your meal before leaving!"
"No..." Ma Xiulan wanted to say ’I won’t eat, I’m not hungry.’, but before she could finish, she saw her father, without uttering a word, stood up, and dumped most of the rice from her bowl into the dog’s dish. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Ma Xiulan swallowed her words and her eyes grew colder. The last bit of affection for her family vanished at that moment. She turned around and left.
Ma’s mother wanted to call her back, but no sound came out of her mouth. For some reason, ever since her daughter came back this time, she felt uncomfortable, as if a big rock was pressing down on her chest. Especially now, she always felt that once her daughter left, she might not come back.
With a ’bang’, Ma’s father threw his chopsticks on the table, and the bowl spun several times before stopping.
Seeing this, Ma’s mother gathered her courage and whispered: "Why don’t you speak nicely to your daughter? It’s not easy for her to come back this time; she has to go to work in a few days."
Ma’s father glared at her, "If you continue to nag, you can get out with her."
Whenever Ma’s father got angry, Ma’s mother would not dare to utter a word. After a while, seeing Ma’s father pick up the hoe and leave, she looked at her two sons who were still eating.
"Xiulan is your sister. Can you guys advise your father to behave better towards Xiulan..."
The eldest son interrupted her: "Mom, stop protecting Xiulan. I do not know what she has been doing outside these two years, but it certainly wasn’t anything good. Everything that dad said is right."
Why would no one in their family dare to argue with those who spread rumors about them? Isn’t it because they also recognized the truth in their hearts?
Say what you want, even if Xiulan was working at a textile factory, why did she have to dress extravagantly? Isn’t this just asking for trouble?
Mam’s mother was choked and after a while, said: "Even if Xiulan hasn’t done anything good, hasn’t she given all her earnings to our family?"
The second son snorted: "Can that small amount of money restore our family’s dignity? If I and my elder brother can’t find brides in the future, it’s all because of the troubles she caused."
Seeing that both her sons also significantly disagreed with their sister, Ma’s mother didn’t dare to make a sound. She was afraid that her sons would blame her for the mistakes, and subsequently refuse to take care of her during her old age.
Sigh!
Having three children in her lifetime, her two sons and her husband are obstinate and do not know how to have pity for her.
Only her daughter is sympathetic towards her. Sadly, she is a girl, and she would marry into another family sooner or later. Even if Ma’s mother takes care of her devotedly, it does not benefit her. It would only benefit her son-in-law’s family in the end.
Once her daughter comes back, she should discuss it with her and save some private money for her old age. In the future, even if her sons are bad to her, she will not suffer from hunger and poverty when she is old.
At this point, Ma’s mother had no idea that this farewell with her daughter, would be the last time in her life.
