Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Covered in Scars

    The wounds could no longer be hidden.

    No further questions were needed, everyone understood why Yue Xiaofang had come back on New Year''s Eve.

    The snow outside was so heavy; anyone returning to their parent''s home in such weather must have endured severe beating.

    The most honest Yue Jianxi trembled with anger, "Ma Jinbao that beast, he actually laid hands on you."

    Her sister had chosen this husband herself.

    People in the village generally sought brides from families with some wealth, at the very least, a bride who wouldn''t be a burden.

    With three sons in the Yue Family, everyone feared Lin Chunju would demand a triple dowry, making it harder for the sons to find wives.

    They also worried that because of the poor condition of the Yue family, Yue Xiaofang might dig into her husband''s family to support her own people.

    Thus, even though Yue Xiaofang was beautiful and capable, no matchmakers had come calling.

    It was only when Ma Jinbao from a neighboring village happened to visit and saw Yue Xiaofang that he claimed to have fallen for her at first sight and eagerly sent someone to propose.

    Lin Chunju did not like Ma Jinbao.

    She felt that although he spoke nicely, his eyes were always sizing up everything inside and out of the Yue Family, revealing his calculating nature.

    Yet, Yue Xiaofang agreed.

    She felt that as a daughter, once she came of age, she would become water that had been thrown out and needed to make space for future sisters-in-law.

    Despite repeated persuasions from the three brothers of the Yue Family, Yue Xiaofang insisted on marrying herself off to Ma Jinbao, the only suitor who came forward.

    To be beaten to the point of fleeing back home showed how much she had suffered.

    Yue Jiannan moved to a corner to pick up a hoe, "I''m going to fight him right now."

    This time it was not only him, even Yue Jianxi rolled up his sleeves, eager to rush to the Ma Family immediately.

    "We definitely need to go, but we must find out the full story and plan carefully before we go. What''s the use of rushing over there like hotheaded youths?"

    Lin Chunju hugged her daughter, letting Yue Xiaofang cry her heart out.

    The sounds of sobbing echoed around the room as Yue Xiaofang wished she could pour out all her grievances.

    The three grown men of the Yue Family''s chests heaved with breaths, their hatred for Ma Jinbao reaching its peak.

    He was the one who came and promised to treat Xiaofang well, and it was also he who had beaten her to a bruised and battered state on New Year''s Eve.

    He truly was a beast!

    After Lin Chunju felt her daughter had cried enough, she took a handkerchief, gently wiped her face, and led her back to her room.

    Zhang Ying and Wang Xiaoni also went along with her.

    Yue Xiaofang bit her lower lip and stripped off her clothes. Only then did the women see the various scars covering her entire body, with horrifying marks even on her thighs and around her waist.

    Zhang Ying, whose heart was the softest, burst into tears.

    "How could Ma Jinbao treat you like this?"

    Yue Xiaofang bowed her head low, "It''s not just him, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law have also hit me."