In a world where the struggles of men were woven into the very fabric of existence, they endured hardships that often felt insurmountable. Yet, amidst the trials they faced, they clung to a fragile hope—a hope that one day, someone would offer them the love they so deeply yearned for. But women viewed the world through a different lens. For them, it was not extraordinary for a man to lay down his life in devotion; it was simply the way of things, a natural order accepted without question.
In this realm, women reigned supreme, and love was perceived not as an act of sacrifice, but as a given. They had been raised to believe in their own superiority, seeing themselves as the heavens to which men aspired. While their capacity to love was undeniable, it was often overshadowed by a deep-rooted belief in their own dominance, shaping a reality where men's devotion was taken for granted.
The idea of a woman surrendering to what some termed "unconditional love" was foreign; such surrender felt like a paradox. How strangely intricate their emotions were! Yet, the world balanced itself in curious ways: women held men in both admiration and disdain, yearning for their presence while simultaneously looking down upon them. Despite their strength and independence, there remained an undeniable truth: women relied on men to sow the seeds of their future. For in their hearts, prosperity was a tapestry threaded with the very fabric of nature and connection.
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As twilight descended, painting the sky in shades of amber and purple, Xiao Sheng settled onto the bench just outside their home, his heart filled with anticipation as he waited for his wife to return.
On the far side of the mountain, Yize threaded her way along a winding trail, flanked by her team. Earlier that afternoon, the village head had approached her with an urgent plea: to assist in the search for Dong Dong, a local hunter. It was whispered that Dong Dong had ventured into the mountain for her customary hunt, accompanied by her cousin. Yet, only the cousin had returned—injured and alone. Yize could have easily declined the request, yet the name "Dong Dong" tugged at her heartstrings. She recalled her predecessor speaking fondly of this vibrant hunter, her laughter echoing in memories that felt warm and familiar. Dong Dong had once been a cherished friend, and the thought of leaving her in peril stirred something deep within Yize. With determination glinting in her eyes, she pressed on, her loyalty leading her deeper into the wilds.
Under the dim light of the setting sun, Yize strode confidently with five companions in tow, all of them united in a mission that had consumed nearly four relentless hours. They navigated the forest, guided by the chilling trail of crimson that marked the earth beneath them.
Crouching low, Yize pressed her fingers against the fresh bloodstain, a prick of urgency sparking within her. "It's still warm," she noted, her voice steady.
"What did you discover, Yize?" called out Yan Ru, one of the determined women by her side, her eyes glinting with hope.
"She's close," Yize replied nonchalantly, a small smile creeping upon her lips. The group exhaled collectively, a wave of relief washing over them. Despite their shared disdain for the men who often surrounded them, they found solace and strength in each other's company. United by purpose, they marched onward, undeterred and resolute.
The six companions treaded carefully along the winding trail, their hearts heavy with unease. Dong Dong's cousin had narrowly escaped its clutches, and they knew they had to be extra cautious. They dared not cross paths with the beast before they could reach Dong Dong and bring her to safety. At last, they stumbled upon her, leaning against a rock, her body battered and bruised. Without a moment's hesitation, Yan Ru and the others rushed to her side, working quickly to tend to her wounds and cover the most severe injuries. Just a short distance away, they noticed a pit, roughly two meters wide. There, lifeless and still, lay the great bear that had caused so much fear and chaos. The sight sent a shiver down their spines, a reminder of the danger that had lurked in the shadows, now vanquished.
The team headed home right after wrapping everything up. Yize hoisted Dong Dong onto her back, while the other five tied up the bear and pulled it along behind them. By the time they got back, it was already dark.
Xiao Sheng, perched anxiously inside, peered out the window with a hint of worry etched on his face. As soon as he spotted Yize approaching, a radiant light sparked in his eyes, illuminating his expression like never before.
"My wife!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth.
Yize responded with a soft nod, but instead of lingering, she swiftly made her way inside to wash herself. She was keenly aware of the bloodstains that marred her clothes, wanting to spare her little husband from any fright. Once she had freshened up, she returned outdoors, carrying her soiled garments and depositing them in an empty bucket.
"Sheng Er!" Yize called out, noting his absence from the living room, likely drawn to the kitchen. In a flash, Xiao Sheng appeared before her, his urgency reflected in his movements. She had caught the enticing aroma of a meal, easily deducing what had kept him busy.
"Wife Master, I've warmed up the leftovers from this afternoon. Let's eat together!"
She regarded his actions with a frown, her initial instinct urging her to prevent him from working. Yet, when she caught sight of his joyful smile, her heart softened.
Yize's smile widened as she ruffled his hair affectionately. "My Xiao Sheng is the best," she praised, watching a blush creep across his cheeks at her words.
After their evening meal, the couple chose to keep the night simple and serene. They entered their cozy room, sinking into the inviting embrace of their bed. Wrapped in each other's arms, they let the day's worries fade away, drifting off into a peaceful sleep. And thus, another night unfolded in contented stillness.
A week slipped by...
Yize set out once more towards the mountain. This time, however, her purpose was different. No longer was it a mission of rescue; instead, she sought the sturdy trees that would provide her with the wood she needed. With a heart full of determination, she envisioned a unique carriage—a creation of her own design. It was not just any carriage; it would be made for her beloved husband, a labor of love meant to carry him alongside her on their journeys together.
Once she had gathered just the right amount of wood for her intended carriage, she set off to a spot that lingered in her memory from the rescue mission the previous week. It was a place brimming with vibrant mushrooms, nestled in the shadows of towering trees. According to what she had heard, no one ever dared to sample them, claiming they were all poisonous. While their warning held a grain of truth, she felt a flicker of certainty within her; not every mushroom in that enchanted grove was harmful. In fact, she was convinced that some of those mushrooms were indeed safe to eat, waiting to be discovered.
When she ventured through the forest, she stumbled upon not just a cluster of mushrooms but also a vibrant array of spices, including fiery chili peppers and aromatic black peppercorns. The sight sparked an idea, a fleeting glimmer of opportunity that danced across her mind, but she quickly brushed it aside. Her focus was on something more immediate—her tavern. It was a solid foundation for her ambitions, a place where her dreams of wealth could take root. With a wealth of modern ideas swirling in her head, she knew that even a minor tweak to her drink menu could lead to a windfall.
Bursting with possibilities, she made her way home, excitement bubbling within her as she dreamed of the fortunes that awaited.
Xiao Sheng, meanwhile, perched outside in the backyard, lounging on the recliner crafted by his beloved wife. He marveled at how she had infused such softness into the seat, making it an oasis of comfort for his back. It was a mystery to him how she managed to create such a cozy retreat, and he found himself relishing the simple pleasure it brought him as he waited.
From the moment he stepped into his new home, it felt as if he had been swept away into a dream. Initially, he feared that living in someone else's house would bring him more misery. However, a warm smile spread across his face as he recalled how tenderly his wife had treated him lately. He found himself caught in a web of guilt, worried that he had done nothing to deserve her kindness, and those thoughts gnawed at him for days, spiraling into anxious imaginings about the worst possible outcomes. Yet, through it all, his wife remained a pillar of unwavering support, never once displaying a flicker of discontent. The only times her patience seemed to wane were when he attempted to do the chores at home. Instead of showing appreciation for his efforts, she would reprimand him, crafting a sense of disobedience around his attempts to help. These moments left him shaken, especially during those long nights when her disappointment would manifest as punishment; he would find it nearly impossible to rise and face the day that followed.
He now found himself adrift in a sea of idleness, boredom creeping into his days like an uninvited guest. It was a foreign feeling for him—he was unaccustomed to the stillness that surrounded him.
In moments of frustration, he chided himself, questioning why contentment eluded him when there was so much to be grateful for. Yet, like an unyielding shadow, the weight of his duties as her husband loomed in the back of his mind.
His wife had made her preferences known, clearly expressing her disdain for him working at home. Her words echoed in his thoughts, a reminder of the promise she had once made: that she would treat him like a queen. Yet, he found himself bewildered by what such royal treatment really entailed. All he could do was blush, caught off guard by the thrill of her declaration, unsure how to navigate the complexities of their shared life.
Xiao Sheng's gaze drifted outside the yard, where a ruckus had erupted. A voice he recognized pierced the air, pulling him from his thoughts and prompting him to rise from his seat.
"Yize! " shouted Xiao Hua, standing defiantly in front of Yize's home.
"Please, don't do this to Ling Ling," a man pleaded, desperation etched across his face as he clutched the man named Ling Ling to him.
"What?!! Do you want me to be beaten by those people? You ingrate!" she retorted fiercely. In a swift motion, Xiao Hua slapped the man's face, sending him stumbling to the ground.
Ling Ling also lay motionless on the ground, as if a part of her very essence had vanished from her body. A profound sorrow coursed through her brother, who felt a crushing weight of anger towards their mother for the pain she had inflicted on their family. Now, it seemed that the same fate was looming over him.
Tears brimmed in their father's eyes, a testament to the countless sacrifices he had made for the sake of his family. But their mother had traded all that love for the reckless thrill of gambling, using her own children as pawns to settle her debts. Once a caring figure, she had transformed into someone unrecognizable, her heart hardened and her sense of shame lost in the depths of her addiction.
"Please, my wife..." he pleaded, trying to brush off the sting of the slap.
A crowd began to form outside Yize's home, their voices rising in a tapestry of whispers and speculation.
"Why not? Don't I have the right to sell your worthless son? " Xiao Hua declared brazenly.
This was the last child he had left. If he parted from him as well, what would remain for him?
"All you do is fail me by not giving me a son. You're nothing but useless trash. Next time, I'll sell you, too, so you might finally serve some purpose!" he spat, delivering a vicious kick to the man's side.
The man's complexion drained of color, and a wave of shame washed over him at his wife's harsh words. He had never expected to find himself in such a painful predicament. He knew deep down that his wife loved him, and he would do anything for her, yet at this moment, he felt that all his sacrifices had been in vain, just the hollow echoes of his own delusions.
"Isn't that Xiao Sheng's mother? " asked the first onlooker, squinting to get a better view.
"Hmph! Who else could it be? He's the only one crazy enough to sell his own child to that drunken fool," scoffed the second onlooker, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Tsk! If you can't keep your wife happy, you might end up just like him," the third onlooker chimed in with a mocking tone, casting a critical glance in their direction.
The men exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with sympathy for the father and son caught in such a tragedy.
The women, however, looked on with a mix of contempt and judgment at the men gathered around. They didn't linger long to witness the unfolding drama, feeling it was just. They shared a notion that a man who couldn't provide a daughter was, in their eyes, truly lacking.
"You should be grateful that I found a wonderful woman for your son," she declared unapologetically, convinced that her actions were in his best interest.
Word had reached her ears about his other son, who thrived under the care of a devoted wife. The thought sparked a cunning idea in her mind, especially as her own financial situation grew dire from mounting gambling debts. It was greed that drove her here, pondering the prospect of offering his other son to Yize. After all, with their striking resemblance, acceptance would be a simple matter. She had weighed this decision carefully, knowing exactly what she intended to do.