On their way to the river, the three of them ran into Gao Le and Zhao Su acting suspiciously, hiding behind a large tree with worried expressions.
“What are you two up to?”
The sudden voice made both of them jump like startled cats, clutching each other in shock.
“You scared us to death!”
When they saw who it was, they relaxed, though their faces were still filled with lingering fear.
Song Wei raised an eyebrow, “Hiding from ghosts?”
“Pretty much!”
The two looked frustrated. “Ever since we brought the grain, Xu laidi has been glued to us. She keeps asking if we’re comfortable, offering water, and now says she’ll even roast sweet potatoes for us.
“She’s been painting her face like a ghost—thick black eyebrows, bright red lips, and cheeks so white and red it’s downright creepy!”
Song Wei laughed so hard she clutched her stomach. “Haha… sounds like she tried to put on makeup, but it had the opposite effect!”
Catching her breath, Song Wei added, “Well, you two were pretty flashy buying all that grain. Xu laidi probably thinks you’re from wealthy families and is after a rich husband.”
Gao Le & Zhao Su: …………
They never expected that buying some extra grain would lead to so much trouble. Not only had they failed to get enough fine grain, but now they had unwanted attention. Gao Le sighed, half-joking, “At least she seems more interested in Zhao Su.”
Zhao Su: …………
“Where are you guys going?” Gao Le asked.
“To the river, to see if we can catch some fish.”
“Wait up, we’re coming too!”
The two of them weren’t eager to go back and face Xu Laidi, and felt much safer sticking close to Song Wei, who was known for her strength and wasn’t someone Xu Laidi would mess with.
The part of the river near the village was busier, with women and girls often there washing clothes, so Song Wei planned to head for the more secluded stretch up in the mountains. She didn’t want to attract a crowd if they managed to catch some fish.
Song Wei has a relatively good impression of Gao Le and Zhao Su, two young men who don’t have so many thoughts. At least she likes them better than Luo Yecheng and others, so she didn’t mind offering them some advice along the way.
“If you two aren’t planning to settle down here, be careful about getting too friendly with the village girls or other female educated youth. Don’t accept food or water from them either.
“And avoid any dramatic situations—if you see someone fall into the river, don’t just jump in to save her. Grab a stick or call for help first. You never know, they could be setting you up. If you jump into the water, the person will be rescued, but the girl’s innocence will be lost, and then you’ll have no choice but to marry her.”
Song Wei continued, “And never go alone with a villager’s wife or daughter to their home. Someone could slip something into your drink or accuse you of acting improperly with their daughter. Even if you deny it, it won’t help.”
She turned to Li Juan, and continued. “This goes for you too, Li Juan. Don’t visit anyone’s house or go off alone. There are plenty of troublemakers in the village, and while it’s best not to assume the worst, it’s better to be careful than to risk ruining your future.”
People often assume village life is simple and honest, but human nature is complex, and even one family can have very different kinds of people. In any place, you’ll find both good-hearted and scheming individuals.
Some people, even without education, can come up with all kinds of ways to manipulate others to get what they want, often using rumors to pressure or trap someone.
Song Wei’s words left Li Juan and the two male feeling chilled.
Gao Le hugged himself, “No… no way, right?”
Li Juan shook her head. “No, it happens. Before you guys joined us, we actually had two other female comrades. One chose to marry into a village family, but the other was forced.”
“She was called Su Fang,” Li Juan explained. “She was close friends with a village girl named Yun Zao. One day, they went to the river to do laundry, and somehow Su Fang ended up falling in. Yun Zao’s brother rescued her, but after that, rumors started spreading around the village.
“Then Yun Zao’s family started pushing for marriage, claiming that Su Fang had lost her innocence by being ‘saved’ by her friend’s brother. Su Fang insisted she was pushed in—by Yun Zao herself—but Yun Zao’s family denied it. Eventually, overwhelmed by the harassment and the rumors, she gave in and married Yun Zao’s brother.”
Gao Le and Zhao Su were both furious. “That’s horrible!”
“It was especially unfair,” Li Juan continued. “If Yun Zao’s brother had been a good man, it might not have been so bad, but their family was only interested in Su Fang because she was from the city. Yun Zao’s brother is… well, short and unattractive, not to mention lazy and violent. I’ve seen bruises on Su Fang’s arms before—she tries to hide them, but it’s obvious. She looks worse and worse every time I see her.”
“Why didn’t she report them?” Gao Le asked. “That’s illegal, right?”
Li Juan shook her head. “There was no proof. Technically, they didn’t force her—she just couldn’t take the rumors anymore.”
Gao Le’s shoulders slumped. “It feels so helpless. What can you do in a situation like that?”
Li Juan nodded, “Exactly. When Song Wei fell in the river that time, thank goodness it was a woman who pulled her out.”
Zhao Su scratched his head. “Is this something we really need to worry about too?”
“Imagine this,” Song Wei said, narrowing her eyes. “Let’s say a sweet old lady invites you in for a visit. But once inside, they lure you to the daughter’s room, and suddenly, the girl runs out looking disheveled and accuses you of inappropriate behavior. Her family demands that you marry her—or else they’ll report you for assault.”
The men’s faces went pale. Being accused of such a crime was serious and could lead to severe punishment.
Gao Le and Zhao Su shivered, realizing that there wasn’t a good way to avoid such a trap. Even denying it wouldn’t help much.
Where they’d once felt the countryside was safe, now Gao Le and Zhao Su suddenly felt that danger lurked everywhere.
“Sister… sister, you have to protect us. We’re scared.”
The two men were practically in tears from fear.
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