The scorching summer of 1983.

At noon, the scorching sun baked the earth, and cicadas chirped incessantly in the trees, making one's heart feel even more agitated.

At this moment, Yunshui of Xiangyun Village was surrounded by people. You and I spoke to each other in the room, comforting a young man of about twenty-four or five years old.

The young woman was Yun Shu's niece, Yun Suqing. She had been married to a man in Shuishang Village for seven or eight years without giving birth. Now, a widow came to their door claiming to be pregnant with Yang Fushun's child.

Even Yun Suqing, who had a good temper, couldn't bear this. And his mother-in-law, Zhou, was clueless and protected Xu's belly, even demanding that Yang Fushun divorce her.

Yun Suqing had five brothers but only this one younger sister. She was exceptionally beautiful, naturally the apple of their parents' eye. They doted on her so much that they couldn't bear to let her be bullied. They insisted on taking her back home and heard from their daughter that she wanted to go to town to get a divorce.

"Chūn Fāng ah, you also persuade Sù Qīng this person once divorced, then life will be difficult."

What's more, there was a divorce in the family, which tarnished their reputation. This would also affect the marriage prospects of other siblings from the same family. There were two more members in the Yun family who were of marriageable age.

"Yes, yes. The Yang family is wealthy and Yang Fushun is well-educated. He wouldn't mind that Su Qing can't bear children. Where else could you find such a good husband? Besides, if Su Qing truly divorces, wouldn't she just be giving that widow an advantage?"

A group of people in the house, old and young, each persuaded. Yun Suqing only held the child in her arms, with a wooden face, unmoved.

At this time, a man in his forties quietly pulled Liu Chunfang, Yun Suqing's mother, aside: “Chunfang, if Suqing really wants to leave, it wouldn't be difficult for her to find someone else based on her character and appearance. But what's the reason she brought the child back? The Yang family is quite wealthy, they shouldn't have trouble raising a child.”

If she were his biological child, it wouldn't be a problem. But this child is adopted. If Su Qing wants to divorce, taking such a burden with her will make it harder for her to find someone with better conditions later on.

What was said was by Yun Suqing's aunt, and she truly spoke out of concern for Yun Suqing.

Unseeing eyes followed the path of a girl in Yun Suqing's embrace, and one by one, they started persuading her, their words laced with self-righteousness.

The little girl, Xi Bao, is five and a half years old. She was picked up from the creek by Yun Su Qing five years ago.

The little girl was sallow and thin, with dry hair and a pointed face that clearly showed signs of malnutrition. Her eyes were large and bright, full of spirit, though her appearance wasn't very attractive.

A few years ago, people couldn't even eat enough. Besides, the patriarchal mindset was very strong in the countryside at that time, and many families abandoned their children if they couldn't afford to raise them. So it wasn't strange at all for Yun Suqing to find a baby by the stream.

Liu Chunfang sighed, “Our Suqing is a kindhearted child. If she were given to the Yang family, I’m afraid they wouldn’t be able to take care of her. Even if our conditions are poor, at least she would have food to eat.”

Though nothing was explicitly said against the Yang family, everyone could see for themselves.

Before Su Qing got married, she was a beautiful and vivacious young woman. Now, she's so thin, she looks like just skin and bones. This child is the same way, both skinny and small.

Anyone with a kind heart would feel bad seeing this, let alone the Yun family. The only daughter they have is Yun Suqing, and her son Ziwen looks alright. Yun Shu's wife has always been overly protective of their children since they were young.

It seems the two were mistreated quite badly at Yang's place, and it's probably not just because the widowed woman came to them pregnant that they decided to divorce.

The three Cloud brothers were crouching in the courtyard, listening to the group of people inside chattering away. Some were trying to persuade their younger sister not to leave, while others suggested giving Xi Bao, who was so obedient and well-behaved, to that bunch of black-hearted scoundrels from the Yang family.

The three brothers were extremely angry.

Lao Er Yun Qing Bai had the hottest temper. He wanted to go inside and scold these gossipy people away, but when he thought of his mother's instructions, he was afraid he would lose control and beat someone up. So, he angrily picked up the hoe from the yard.

A sharp ‘clang’ echoed through the room as the hoe struck something unknown. The sound brought a sudden silence.

Yun Qingbai snorted and shouted into the house, "Mother and Father, I'm going to weed in the fields!"

This Yun Lao Er is tall and strong, with great strength. His voice is also so loud it's frightening.

All eyes were on the lofty Tai hanging high above their heads: "..."

This is a scorching 30 to 38 degree weather, but don't worry about heatstroke!

Yun Qing's expression was downcast, and he remained silent. Following that, he picked up his cleaver and with a resounding "bang," chopped it down on a piece of unchopped firewood in the yard. Hmm, the axe hadn't rusted yet.

He glanced at the people in the room: "I'm going to chop some trees."

A group of people suddenly felt a chill down their spines.

Why does it feel like he wants to hurt people more than chop down trees?

Yun's third son walked in at this moment, glanced at the group of people indifferently. For some reason, everyone felt a shiver down their spine from his gaze, and they didn't even dare to breathe.

He reached out to Xi Bao and said, "Xi Bao, Uncle will take you to buy candy."

Xibao doesn't actually know much about Yun's uncles. Her mom is always busy with work and goes back to her mother's house frequently, so Xibao hasn't visited often.

Although he had only met his third uncle a few times, every time he visited the Yang family, he would bring candy and hug and talk to him warmly.

Every time my uncle visits, he doesn't do anything or scold anyone. He is very likeable.

But mom is very unhappy now, and wants to be with her mom, so she shakes her head.

Yun Qing Shan smiled: "Then Uncle, can you hold Xi Bao? Mommy's hands are sore."

Xibao looked at his mother and then extended his hand to his uncle.

Yun Qingshan took over Xi Bao and didn't leave. Xi Bao felt sorry for his mother, so wouldn't he feel sorry for his little sister?

Everyone: "..."

This Yun family's third son, I don't know what's going on. He just has a presence, and when he smiles it feels comfortable, but when he doesn't smile people feel a little intimidated.

With such a cold face, how can we possibly have a conversation?

Auntie San, having watched her several nephews grow up, knew the three brothers were angry. She immediately said, "It's getting late and we still have to go to the fields."

After the beginning was opened, the people who had gathered at Yun's family dispersed soon.

"Mother, I've disgraced our Yun family." It wasn't until the house fell silent that Yun Suqing, facing her beloved mother who had always cared for her, shed the facade of numbness and coldness. Tears streamed down her face.

Xibao is nestled in her uncle's arms, sticking out a tiny hand to wipe away her tears: "Mommy don't cry."

Though his words were spoken, tears welled up in his large eyes.

I've been too afraid to speak up. I actually understood what the older women were saying. They want Mom to...

Xi Bao looked up at Liu Chunfang and Yun Qing Shan, timidly saying: "Grandma, Uncle, Xi Bao is a good girl. I can eat well and help Grandma with work. Grandma, could you let Xi Bao stay and be with Mama?"

Liu Chunfang saw that the child kept biting, and his small mouth was bitten. He didn't dare to cry out, so she felt very distressed at once.

She quickly scooped up Xi Bao and gently patted him, comforting him: "Grandma loves Xi Bao so much. How about Xi Bao lives with Grandma from now on? But children are growing, so you need to eat a lot."

Xībǎo's eyes sparkled as she hugged Liú Chūn fāng's neck and said, "Grandma is so good, better than..."

Liu Chunfang's nose felt sour when she heard Xi Bao's words.

Yun QingShan's heart was even heavier. He blamed himself for going to Yang's house several times, only staying for a short while and leaving in a hurry. If he had been more attentive...

Xi Bao worried and feared all morning. Now that she was so big, she had already grown tired and sleepy after a long while; before long, she fell asleep in Liu Chunfang's arms.

When she carried Xibao into her room to sleep, Liu Chunfang finally came out and scolded softly, “You lot are all clueless! Look at how scared our little Xibao is!”

I'm so mad, if it were something else, I wouldn't care. I could have shut them up right then and there!

Even though she can return to her family and live in the village with Xi Bao, she is willing to endure some gossip and appear weak so that no one will talk about her divorce.

But in this era, divorce was not as common as it was in later times. Yun Suqing's divorce was a huge scandal in the small village of Xiangyun, causing quite a stir.

By nightfall, the entire Xiangyun Village was abuzz.

One after another, the persuaders came. Yun Suqing, clutching Xi Bao, sought refuge in the house.

Liu Chunfang echoed everyone's sighs and wiped away tears on the surface, but at night she locked her door early and grumbled: "They are all a bunch of people who don't care about anything. What's wrong with my daughter getting divorced? It doesn't mean they won't eat our family rice!"

"Don't get upset anymore. Tomorrow, let Qing Song and the others accompany Su Qing to town to handle things. Everyone should go to bed early tonight." Yun Shu looked at the dark room and couldn't help but sigh.