Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The Ways of the World Have Changed

    Widow Zhou was an old widow in the village, but she lived a decent life thanks to her keen business acumen.

    In Daye Village, nothing big or small, from weddings and funerals to whose hen laid two extra eggs, could escape her notice.

    If someone was idling and needed work, or if a family was building a new house and lacked labor, seeking her help was always a safe bet.

    She could guarantee satisfaction for both the employer and the employee.

    The external gate to Widow Zhou’s house was always open; Yue Xiaofang hesitated at the entrance.

    Yue Qingqing looked up with her little face, “Auntie?”

    ...

    Yue Xiaofang bit her lip and took Yue Qingqing’s small hand as they walked in.

    A few women had already gathered in the outer court, occasionally in pairs. The recent harvest had been completed, so there were more people free of farm work.

    The women sat at the threshold with a rush mat spread out in front of them, on which a pile of corn cobs was placed.

    With a basket in front of them, the women took a cob in each hand and vigorously rubbed them together.

    The corn kernels would fall into the basket, gradually forming a peak.

    Widow Zhou did not join them; she reclined in a rocking chair in the corner of the yard, squinting as she basked in the sunlight.

    Following the voice, Yue Xiaofang saw a woman not far off deseeding corn cobs, staring at her with mockery in her eyes.

    This person was He Zhenzhen, the wife of Wang Jinshun.

    Because of the longstanding feud between the two families, she always looked down on members of the Yue Family.

    If it were any other member of the Yue Family, they would have argued with her.

    But Yue Xiaofang, biting her lip, could not utter a word.

    Seeing her like this, He Zhenzhen intensified her attack, “The world has really changed; a woman divorced by her in-laws still has the gall to show her face. If I were her, I’d hang myself with a rope if not feeling ashamed to hide at home, let alone be seen in public.”

    Even when faced with someone as mild as clay, Yue Xiaofang couldn’t contain herself, “The country now allows women to divorce; what right do you have to say this about me?”

    “You dare talk back? How shameless,” He Zhenzhen dropped the gauntlet, “Let’s see who dares to have this bringer of misfortune make clothes for them. Wouldn’t they be afraid of luck turning against them if they wore her creations?”

    The women who had been interested just moments ago now all nodded in agreement. A woman cast out by her in-laws was akin to the source of a plague; everyone would steer clear.

    Fearing that their families might mistake them for being restless too.

    Yue Xiaofang’s fingernails dug deep into the palms of her hands, and her lips trembled without stopping.

    It was clear that those people were beasts, even willing to harm their own flesh and blood.

    Yet in the eyes of these people, she was the one beyond redemption.

    What kind of world was this!