Chapter 6: The Lion’s Demanding Price
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Why is it that when you don’t spend money, you still get angry? Before Li Huifang and Zhang Yan could react, Zhang Yang had already taken hold of the two children, buying each of them a stick of sugar candy.
“Thank you, brother!”
Though only three cents apiece, to Wenwen and Feifei, these sugar candies were priceless treasures!
The two little sisters held their candies delicately, nibbling cautiously, savoring every bite.
Zhang Yang’s heart clenched painfully.
No matter how hard life was, the children must not suffer!
He turned and went back to the candy stall, buying three boxes of crispy twisted dough sticks and a box of fruit candies.
Zhang Yan, worried, hurried after him, wanting to stop him from buying more.
But then she remembered how her brother had just been sulking and didn’t want to upset him further, so she only snatched the box of fruit candies and returned it to the vendor.
“Two boxes of dough sticks are enough! The children are small and can’t eat that much.”
“Take it!” Zhang Yang deliberately stretched out his face in mock grievance. “There are five mouths at home. If they can’t finish it, I’ll eat it!”
The elderly woman running the snack stall hadn’t seen such a generous customer in a long time. Seeing the two of them squabbling, she turned to Zhang Yan and said, “Young lady! You’re truly blessed! A man who treats you and the children so well—cherish that!”
Zhang Yan quickly clarified, “He’s my brother!”
“Then your fortune is even greater! Having a capable brother like him means you can hold your own in your in-laws’ house!”
While they were talking, Zhang Yang paid the bill, gathered the goods, and pushed Zhang Yan along to browse other stalls.
“Sis, later you and Mom can tidy up the deer hides. We could probably make two fur vests out of them,” Zhang Yang planned their household supplies. “Let’s buy some cotton and fabric, make everyone a new outfit, and celebrate a joyful New Year!”
Zhang Yan couldn’t argue and followed Zhang Yang’s lead, bargaining carefully at each stall.
The family spent the entire morning at the market. The deer meat on the boards was sold, but on the way back, they loaded a cart full of goods!
As soon as they got home and put everything away, Zhang Yang heard noises outside the door.
“Zhang Yan! Zhang Yan! Hurry up and come out!”
Zhang Yan shuddered, clutching the two children and retreating inside. “Wang Jie’s here! Mom, don’t open the door!”
“Sis, stay inside and behave. I’ll deal with this scoundrel,” Zhang Yang said, rolling up his sleeves as he marched toward the door.
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He had been looking for a chance to teach Wang Jie a lesson, but unexpectedly, the opportunity came knocking on the doorstep!
Outside, several fierce women pounded on the Zhang family’s wooden door with a thunderous noise.
“Zhang Yan, you ungrateful wretch! You hide inside eating meat while making your mother-in-law and husband eat dust? Has your conscience been taken by a dog?”
“Growing arrogant, huh? Bearing two useless kids yet still daring to glare at your mother-in-law!”
“Get out here quickly! Or we’ll spread the word all over the countryside about your wicked deeds!”
Bang!
Suddenly, the Zhang family’s door swung open.
The group of fierce women from the Wang family were caught off guard by the sudden movement, staggering and falling over each other with cries of pain.
Zhang Yang stood firm, gripping the door with both hands, his gaze fierce as he stared down the crowd outside.
“Wang Jie, Wang Jie, you may not have many talents, but you’re pretty good at rallying people,” Zhang Yang sneered. “What’s the plan? Tear down our Zhang family’s house so you can build a new one?”
“Bullshit!” Wang Jie stood on tiptoes, struggling to peer inside. “Where’s Zhang Yan? Call her out for me!”
“Who do you think you are? You say ‘call her out’ and she must come?” Zhang Yang laughed coldly.
Wang Jie’s neck flushed red with anger. “I’m your brother-in-law! The legitimate husband of your sister! Enough nonsense! Get her out here! If she disgraces herself again, don’t blame me for cutting ties!”
“Who died and made you the boss? You shameless scoundrel!” Aunt Sun from next door stepped forward, hands on hips, shouting insults.
“Now we finally see the true face of the Wang family!” Uncle Zhao from the village shouted sternly.
“Who was just yelling about spreading this news to the whole countryside? Go ahead! The more people know, the better! Everyone should know that a woman from the Wang family’s den of vipers is neither to be married to nor married off to!”
Neighbors gathered around, surrounding the dozen or so Wang family members brought by Wang Jie.
Aunt Sun pushed past the sly relatives and came to Zhang Yang’s side.
“I heard all the commotion early on but couldn’t make it in time. Who doesn’t have a mountain of chores? Only those Wang folks have nothing to do and stir up trouble!”
Wang Jie was overwhelmed by the onslaught of scolding, unable to retort.
Seeing the villagers all gathered, he could only summon about a dozen relatives to back him up, but it wasn’t nearly enough to intimidate anyone!
“Wang Jie, speak up!” one of the Wang relatives nudged him.
Wang Jie forced himself to shout again, “This is a private matter between Zhang Yan and me. What business is it of yours? Zhang Yan! I count to three. If you don’t come out, I’ll—”
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“Not a chance, no matter how much you count!” Zhang Yang glared fiercely. “You just said you wanted a divorce? Fine! Since everyone’s here today, let it be witnessed! My sister is divorcing Wang Jie and cutting ties with the Wang family forever!”
Wang Jie was dumbfounded.
Did he hear wrong, or did Zhang Yang misspeak?
Divorce?
That coward Zhang Yan had the nerve to divorce him?!
“Zhang Yang! Think carefully before you say that!” Wang Jie pointed at Zhang Yang’s nose, his hand trembling slightly. “If she divorces me, your sister’s life will be ruined! Who would want a woman who’s already had children?”
Bang!
Zhang Yang delivered a flying kick to Wang Jie’s abdomen, sending him flying!
If Wang Jie’s relatives hadn’t caught him, he would have been thrown several meters away!
“Why are you hitting people?” Wang Jie’s relatives asked nervously.
Zhang Yang’s smile was cold and grim. “So what if I hit him? If he dares to say another word, he won’t leave this village alive today!”
“That’s right! None of them will leave!” the villagers shouted in unison, tightening the circle around the Wang family.
Seeing the situation spinning out of control, Wang Jie’s heart sank, realizing he wouldn’t get away with this today.
But he wasn’t willing to let Zhang Yan go so easily.
Clutching his aching belly, he sneered, “You want a divorce? Fine! But you owe me! The Wang family has supported Zhang Yan for three whole years! She must repay all the food and expenses for those years!”
Zhang Yang’s strength surged instantly at the thought of the huge deer he had hunted, nearly the size of a pig!
“And besides the food expenses, there’s the bride price! That must be returned to the Wang family!”
“Return it, then,” Zhang Yang said coldly. “Take that small sum back as your coffin money.”
“Small sum?” Wang Jie laughed arrogantly. “Eighty-eight yuan! Not a penny less! If you don’t pay up in full, Zhang Yan will never be free of the Wang family!”