Xiao Sheng stepped outside, and the sight before him clawed at his heart. There lay his father, crumpled on the ground, his face a disfigured mask of pain and bruises.
"Dad! " he cried out, his voice trembling with sorrow.
Xiao Sheng had clung to the hope that once his mother received the money from selling him, she would abandon her reckless gambling. But what cruel twist of fate was this?
The money should have been enough to clear their debts and sustain them for the rest of their days.
Unbeknownst to him, after Xiao Hua had taken the money, she had indeed settled her outstanding debts—only to plunge right back into the abyss of gambling, losing every last coin in a desperate gamble. Now, the situation was dire; she was buried under a mountain of new debts and had been given a chilling ultimatum: if she could not repay, her life would be shattered and she would face a terrifying fate.
As Xiao Sheng stepped into view, Xiao Hua barely recognized the child before her. He was a far cry from the boy she had sold to Yize just weeks earlier.
The onlookers were taken aback, their gazes filled with admiration and envy as they beheld his striking appearance. Whispers of rumors had circulated about this young lad being favored by the town's notorious drunkard, and now, standing before them, he confirmed their wildest thoughts.
It seemed the tales were not merely idle chatter—they held a kernel of truth.
Who could blame them for their envy? If only they knew that Xiao Sheng's only task was to be stunningly beautiful, leaving the toil of daily labor to her.
The thought alone would have made their hearts clench with jealousy. All they could do was marvel at his rosy cheeks and fair complexion, elegantly accentuated by the luxurious garments he wore, a sight that left them feeling both awestruck and envious.
"Hahaha! Sheng Er, where is your wife?" Xiao Hua exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she eagerly anticipated their meeting and the negotiations that might follow.
Xiao Sheng, helping his father rise from the depths of despair, ignored the darkening gaze of the mother he once held in high regard. Though his life had taken a turn for the better, the bitterness lingered, fueled by memories of a woman who had so readily traded her sons for coin.
The flicker of disapproval crossed her face as she registered his indifference, but she quickly masked it with a strained smile. Just wait, she thought, her mind racing with plans of her own. When the money comes, I won't hesitate to sell your father too.
"Sheng Er, where's Yize? I have something important to discuss with him," she pressed, the sweetness in her tone barely concealing the tempest beneath.
He had already caught on to the true motives behind his mother's intention for his wife. It would be good if the wife agreed to it because the idea of his brother being ensnared by the whims of others gnawed at his heart, filling him with dread.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ling Ling, who had been quiet in the sidelines, witnessed his brother steadfastly supporting their father.
Once, the bond they shared had been unbreakable, but their mother's cruel intentions were slowly chipping away at their unity. Each night, nightmares plagued him with visions of his brother drowning in despair, a haunting image that hinted at the darkest of outcomes. Guilt wrapped around him like a heavy cloak as he accused himself of failing to protect him from their mother's capriciousness. He had once mustered the courage to suggest that he should marry Yize instead, hoping to shield his brother from the storm their mother heralded. But that plan was uncovered by Xiao Sheng, igniting a fire of anger in his brother that left him feeling even more helpless.
As he gazed at his brother—so vibrant and full of life—a tidal wave of emotion surged through him, and he felt tears escape his eyes.
"Sheng Er... your father is useless," his father choked out as tears streamed down his face. The weight of shame hung heavily in the air, making it hard for him to meet his son's gaze. But Xiao Sheng simply smiled, his expression warm and forgiving, as if to say he held no blame.
"Ling Ling, come on! Give me a hand here," he called for Xiao Ling Ling to help him lift their dad. Together, they carefully helped their father into the yard.
When the villagers saw the scene wrap up, they all scattered off to their homes, each taking a fresh batch of gossip with them.
Xiao Ling Ling thought about warning his brother for bringing them in, just in case his wife got upset, but he bit his tongue as he watched his brother worry about their dad. He figured he'd just take the blame if things went south when Yize lost her temper.
"Dad, you can rest here," Xiao Sheng offered, indicating a plush recliner that looked both inviting and expensive.
"No. No. No. I'm fine." His father's eyes widened in protest as he took in the chair's plush design. It was likely Yize's favorite, and he wouldn't dare to occupy it.
Understanding his father's reluctance, Xiao Ling quickly searched around and retrieved a small stool instead. "Here, take this, Dad."
Xiao Sheng was a bit puzzled but didn't dwell on it too much. He headed to the kitchen to grab some drinks and the first aid kit his wife had mentioned.
Xiao Hua, feeling utterly overlooked, stealthily followed the trio inside, her heart heavy with resentment toward Xiao Sheng for continuing to disregard her. As she surveyed the spacious house around her, a sense of greed began to churn within her. The thought crossed her mind—if she could somehow sell his son for double the price of Xiao Sheng, it would mean a hefty windfall. With that money, she could construct a home just like this one and live in true comfort.
In her audacity, she claimed the recliner that her husband had steadfastly refused to use. She didn't spare a thought for the repercussions of her actions; she was too consumed by her own desires.
"My wife—" her husband began, attempting to interject.
"Hmp!! " she snapped back, brushing off his admonition. Deep down, she knew that if Yize were truly present, she would have emerged by now.
Since her daughter-in-law was absent, this was the perfect opportunity for Xiao Hua to lecture her son for his disobedience. She had no faith that Yize would actually side with a man, and though she was fond of his son, she understood how fleeting a woman's affections could be.
At that moment, Xiao Sheng stepped out and was immediately struck by the sight before him, an unsettling feeling rising in his chest. The chair his wife had crafted specifically for him was now being claimed by his mother. Regardless of their relationship, she had no right to use someone else's belongings without consent.
A wave of irritation washed over him, but he quickly redirected his attention to his father and brother.
"Dad, Brother, please have this to quench your thirst," he said, setting down a tray of snacks that included two cups of milk and two pieces of cake, lovingly prepared by his wife before she left.
"Brother, it's alright. We're not thirsty at all," Xiao Ling Ling replied firmly, making it clear he had no intention of accepting such lavish treats.
"No, you must take this. My wife isn't here at the moment," he insisted, raising his voice just enough to ensure that his spiteful mother would hear.
How could his father not understand that since their arrival in the house without Yize, the absence could put the child in jeopardy? He couldn't bear the thought of placing his little one in an even more precarious situation.
"No, we're perfectly fine! Why did you let us in without your wife around? Hurry, take this back—we won't be staying long," his father insisted.
"Hmph! Have you forgotten why I came here?" Xiao Hua shot back, reminding them of her purpose as she reached for the food they were firmly resisting.
"You really have it good here. Shouldn't you be thankful to your mother?" She couldn't help but think about how expensive milk was, and yet here they were, offering it so freely. It made her wonder just how extravagantly his son must live in this household.
"Mm... This is delicious! What is this?" she said shamelessly, savoring a slice of cake.
In his mind, he couldn't help but protest, 'Why are you eating that? I didn't prepare it for you!'
His mother is just way too shameless. She's got some major nerve! Xiao Sheng grabbed the tray to take it back inside since his dad and brother didn't want it. Just then, Xiao Hua, who was about to grab it too, became angry at his actions.
"Hey, do you even have any manners? " she snapped back. "Have you forgotten about those beatings that made you so rude?"
Xiao Sheng turned pale at the mention of beatings. Ever since moving into this house, he hadn't faced anything like that before. He was really frustrated with his mom for making him feel so oppressed, even in his own home.
In that moment of clarity, he questioned himself—why would he fear her? This was his domain, after all.
With determination coursing through him, he steeled himself to confront his mother, heart pounding in his chest. He fixed her with a glare that dared her to make her move.
"You! " Xiao Hua seethed, her finger accusingly pointed at him. "Do you really think I wouldn't dare? So, you've found your courage after days of not seeing me. I'll make you pay for your insolence, you ungrateful wretch! "
As she raised her hand to strike him, he stood frozen in place, paralyzed by the escalating tension. His father, gripped by fear, desperately tried to intervene, but it was too late.
Just as her hand was about to connect with her son, Xiao Ling Ling, with remarkable timing, leaped in to shield his brother. The blow landed on him instead, and he crumpled to the ground, disoriented from the impact.
"Ling Ling! " Xiao Sheng shouted in alarm, dread washing over him as he rushed to his brother. "You monster! How could you do this?" Tears brimmed in his eyes, the terror of the scene breaking through.
"My wife, please stop—" he pleaded, attempting to restrain her from further aggression, but she easily shook him off.
"Ha! I'll show you just how devilish I can be," Xiao Hua sneered, raising her hand once more to strike Xiao Sheng, who now stood protectively over his injured brother.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Yize emerged from the mountains, her heart lightened by the fresh air and the promise of home.
Yet, as the distant hum of voices reached her ears, an unsettling feeling started to gnaw at her. With urgency propelling her forward, she quickened her pace, eager to embrace the joyous greetings she had imagined from her husband.
But what awaited her was a scene that sent a chill through her veins.
"You DARE! "She barked, her voice sharp enough to halt Xiao Hua in her tracks. But rather than shrinking in fear from her stormy glare, Xiao Hua's eyes widened with glee as she saw the gold glimmer of her fortune in Yize's presence.
"Oh! My dear daughter-in-law, you've arrived just in time," Xiao Hua announced, an unsettling cheeriness in her tone. "I was just disciplining this ungrateful son of mine," she continued, as if it were the most natural course of action.
Yize's strides were fierce and purposeful. If she lingered any longer, what fate awaited her beloved husband?
She had never struck a hand against him, yet here was someone claiming kinship, brazen enough to threaten the sanctity of her home. If she hadn't returned in time, what fate might have befallen her dear husband?
Xiao Sheng, upon hearing her voice, seemed to have discovered his staunchest ally. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at her, his wife, with a gaze full of sorrow.
"My wife, huhuhuhu," he sobbed. Yize's heart ached at the sight of his tear-streaked face, a silent plea revealing the injustices he had faced.
"Sheng Er, I'm so sorry for being late," she murmured, gently brushing away the tears cascading down his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua, observing the poignant scene unfold, felt a chill of dread sweep over her. How had things come to this? A sense of impending doom weighed heavily in her chest.
"Ah, daughter-in-law, I'm here to discuss—"
"Leave! " Yize's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the air like a knife. If it weren't for Sheng Er's presence, her patience would have long since frayed.
Realizing the dark intensity that surrounded Yize, Xiao Hua swallowed back the words bubbling on her tongue. Recognizing the wisdom in retreat, she quietly slipped out, planning to return only when the tumult had settled.
"My wife, Ling Ling, please help him," Xiao Sheng urged, his voice tense.
As she gathered her composure, Yize's gaze shifted to the man cradled in her husband's arms. A wave of shock washed over her as she took in his features; it was as if she were staring into a reflection of her beloved husband. They were eerily identical.
"Who is this? " Yize inquired, her curiosity piquing.
Realizing his oversight, Xiao Sheng quickly introduced the unconscious man beside him as his twin brother. It was then that she truly grasped the reality—they were identical twins.
With a sense of urgency, Yize sprang into action, assisting with the unconscious figure of her husband's sibling.
Initially, she considered placing him on the nearby recliner. However, as she caught sight of the chair's filthy surface, her curiosity was piqued. "What happened here?" she demanded, her brow furrowing.
When the truth emerged—that the culprit was again that despicable scoundrel—Yize felt a surge of fury threaten to overtake her composure.
Determined to provide care, she helped carry the man into the house, guiding him to the spare room. Gently, Yize tended to his wounds, applying a cool cloth to his head. A swell of sympathy rose within her; in his pain, she saw an echo of her own husband's injuries, stirring a deep well of compassion in her heart.
Yize furrowed her brow as she unraveled the reason behind the incident. A persistent urge nudged her to embrace the situation, but it was hard to ignore the unease settling in her heart.
She could sense her husband's deep desire to acquiesce to his mother's proposal, not out of loyalty to her, but due to his profound concern for his brother's predicament.
The idea of welcoming another man into her life didn't faze her, especially one who mirrored the traits of the man she loved. Yet, a veil of worry loomed over her. She couldn't shake the thought of having to divide her attention between them, a scenario that could easily lead to tension between the brothers if she couldn't offer each of them the same level of care.
Unbeknownst to her, the concerns that weigh heavily on her heart today will soon be rendered meaningless. In the days to come, she will discover that no matter how many men she invites into her home, the fears that haunt her now will never come to pass. This truth, however, remains concealed from her for the time being, waiting patiently to reveal itself in the unfolding of her story.