Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 314: Demanding the Children

A terrified cry from Dong Chang!

Unfortunately, it could not change the decision made by the clan leader.

The divorce paper was quickly written, and he was forced by the clan leader to press his handprint.

Taking the divorce paper, Liu Sisi handed it to Di Yelei: “Take it to the government office for official record as soon as possible.”

Her eyebrows and eyes were filled with a smile, and she seemed very happy.

However, when she turned around and saw Liu Zhi’er sitting on the ground, seemingly lost and not moving at all, her smile gradually faded.

“Second Sister, what’s wrong with you?”

She gently tugged at her clothes.

Only then did Liu Zhi’er slowly raise her head, with a desolate look in her eyes that spoke of utter despair.

“Why are you all forcing me?”

“We… We forced you?”

Liu Sisi’s head was spinning.

Liu Zhi’er suddenly covered her face and began to sob.

Liu Sisi’s eyes were also dry, and she was at a loss, completely unsure of what to do.

“My child… wu wu…”

Liu Zhi’er’s sobbing tore at Liu Sisi’s heart.

She suddenly stood up, walked to the clan leader again and said, “Clan Leader, I have an unreasonable request that I hope you can agree to.”

The clan leader was quietly discussing something with another person beside him. Hearing Liu Sisi’s voice, he snorted coldly and asked indifferently, “What is it exactly?”

“It’s about Da Mao.”

Liu Sisi pointed to Da Mao: “Clan Leader, you should know best what kind of person Dong Chang is. If Da Mao stays by his side he might be sold off somewhere in three or five months. Instead of this, why not let Zhi’er take Da Mao away? At least, at least he could still have a mother to care for him. He wouldn’t be sold off somewhere without anyone by his side…”

As she spoke, her voice choked, “Where are Er Mao and San Mao now? How are they doing?”

This remark truly touched the clan leader’s heart. He looked back at Da Mao.

At this moment, Da Mao was squatting beside Liu Zhi’er, helping her wipe her tears: “Mom! Please don’t cry, mom, please don’t leave me. I don’t want you to leave, mom. What would I do without you?”

Although only three years old, Da Mao understood the meaning of parting in life and death.

“Da Mao, my Da Mao…”

Liu Zhi’er held Da Mao tightly and cried again.

“Ah! It’s not that I’m unreasonable, but Da Mao is the root of our Dong family. Naturally, there’s no reason for him to leave with his mother. How about this! I can promise you that I will find a trustworthy relative to adopt Da Mao. If Liu Zhi’er wants to visit the child in the future, she can come at any time. This is the biggest concession I can make as a clan leader.”

After saying this, the clan leader didn’t pay any more attention to her and left directly with the others.

“Mom! Mom, I don’t want to leave you, let go of me, let go…”

Da Mao’s cry came through.

“Da Mao! Da Mao! Wu wu… Da Mao! Dong Chang, let go of him! Let go of Da Mao!” Liu Zhi’er’s horrified cry also came through.

Liu Sisi turned around and saw Dong Chang and Liu Zhi’er fighting for the child.

Dong Chang laughed wildly, “You want the child? Don’t you want the divorce? What do you want him for? I’ll tell you, Liu Zhi’er, you can have Da Mao if you want. Just give me ten taels of silver, and I’ll give Da Mao to you!”

He was utterly desperate!

“Dong Chang! Why don’t you go die!”

Liu Zhi’er was angry! Even the good-tempered her couldn’t help but get angry.

“So, if I give you ten taels of silver, you’ll give me Da Mao and let me take him away?”

“Of course!”

For Dong Chang, at this moment, everything else could be given up for gambling!

The clan leader and the others who had walked to the other side had heard the commotion, but they just glanced back and left without saying anything.

“Dong Chang, do you dare to put it in black and white? You’re willing to give up Da Mao’s custody and let Liu Zhi’er raise him, and then Liu Zhi’er will give you ten taels of silver?” Liu Sisi, who was standing nearby, hurriedly asked.

Dong Chang’s eyes rolled around and he nodded without hesitation: “Of course, as long as you promise to give it to me, I’ll immediately sign and hand Da Mao over to you.”

“Fine! Ten taels it is!”

It was just ten taels of silver, and Liu Sisi could still afford it.

After getting the signatures and handprints, Liu Sisi was at ease and handed over the silver to him.

“Hahaha… I have silver again! I have silver again, let’s go! Let’s play a few more games!”

Dong Chang immediately invited his friends and left, showing no sign of reluctance whatsoever.

“Dad, Dad…”

Da Mao watched Dong Chang’s retreating figure with sadness, his call unable to bring back even a glance from Dong Chang, who was excited to rush away with his fellow gamblers.

Liu Zhi’er watched this scene with a darkened gaze, silently holding Da Mao in her arms without saying a word.

When they arrived, everyone was in high spirits. When they returned, there was one more “little tail,” and everyone was downcast and silent.

Three-year-old Da Mao obediently curled up in Liu Zhi’er’s arms, clinging tightly to her neck and refusing to let go.

The young child instinctively sought warmth, and eventually fell asleep quietly without crying or making a fuss.

When they returned to Di’s home, it was already dark.

Di Yelei naturally invited everyone to dinner, but they all declined and left.

Liu Sisi prepared dinner and then went to Liu Zhi’er’s room.

Dreaming peacefully in bed, Da Mao was meticulously covered with a quilt by Liu Zhi’er, who couldn’t help but sigh, “Actually, this child is the most obedient of all. I slap him and he doesn’t even cry, so that’s why Dong Chang kept him around.”

Liu Sisi did not respond but listened silently.

Liu Zhi’er sighed deeply, “Actually, when I first married Dong Chang, we had two years of happiness. But, ever since he got addicted to gambling, he…”

As she spoke, she wiped away a tear, “Every time he wanted money. Whenever I didn’t give it to him, he’d beat me, and the children. At first, I took up sewing work day and night, but then his appetite grew, and the amount of money he demanded increased. Several times when he couldn’t pay his gambling debts, he let those people… use me as collateral. I wanted to die. Yet, when I looked at the three children, I couldn’t let them go. If I died, what would they do…”

As Liu Zhi’er spoke, she leaned against Liu Sisi’s shoulder and began to sob quietly.

“This beast! Scum! Degenerate!”

Liu Sisi’s heart ached with sympathy, and she couldn’t help but curse angrily. There was actually such a man. He should be chopped into pieces!

“Second Sister, don’t cry anymore! Everything is over! From now on, you can just stay in our home and live a good life. After some time, I’ll find someone to help you find a good match. Forget about that scum.”