Zhou Zhennan gave Li Yunlan's shoulder a gentle pat. "Everyone has their selfish moments. You're good to Xiaoxiao partly because she's a wonderful person, and partly because she's Huaian's wife. It's only natural to feel the way you do. The important thing is not to do anything that could hurt them."

Li Yunlan nodded. "I know. I'll respect whatever they decide. It won't change how I treat Xiaoxiao. I just needed to get this off my chest—it helps to talk to you."

Zhou Zhennan smiled. After nearly thirty years of marriage, he knew his wife well. She was warm-hearted and straightforward, wore her emotions on her sleeve, and though she sometimes spoke harshly, her intentions were almost always kind.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoxiao was enjoying a relatively comfortable life, though each episode of chest pain made her worry about her parents in another world.

Xiao Yan, on the other hand, was not faring well. The deadline for college applications was approaching, and the village chief still hadn't stamped her papers.

All the other educated youth who had secured a spot in the college entrance exam had already left Xiaowaoya Village, returning to their cities to prepare. Some had even managed to get permits to move back for good.

Only about ten people remained in the village, most of them studying for next year's exam or trying to find a way back to the city. Rumor had it policies might shift again soon.

It dawned on Xiao Yan that she might have made a terrible mistake. Why hadn't she waited another year? Maybe then she could have returned to the city easily.

But now she was married to Hanniu—how could she ever leave? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and it showed on her face.

Yuelian had no patience for her daughter-in-law's moods. Knowing her son was incapable of fathering a child, she'd grown even more bitter. "Who are you glaring at? Walking around here like you're cursed."

Xiao Yan shot back, turning her anger toward the village chief. "You promised me a spot in the exams! The deadline is almost here. What now?"

The village chief took a slow sip of liquor, entirely unbothered. "There's always next year. Why the rush?"

"That's not what you said before! You said if I got married, you'd give me the spot. This is fraud! If you don't keep your word, I'll apply for medical leave and return to the city."

His expression darkened. "Medical leave? You think I'll sign that? Besides, what about that incident at the clinic? The patient filed a complaint. You really think the city will take you back?"

Xiao Yan was taken aback. "He had stomach cancer—what does that have to do with me? You can't just make up rules. If you won't help me, I'll divorce Hanniu."

Yuelian snorted. "Divorce? You married him willingly—no one forced you. You think it's that easy? You might never leave Xiaowaoya Village."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Xiao Yan demanded.

Yuelian didn't answer, but a darker idea had already formed in her mind. If her son couldn't father a child, they could always use someone else—one of her nephews, or even one of Hanniu's cousins.

Xiao Yan slammed her bowl on the table. "If you don't stamp my forms and let me go to university, I'll report you! The commune will listen. There has to be justice somewhere."

The village chief had been instructed to keep Xiao Yan in the village by any means necessary. Without his signature and a travel permit, she wasn't going anywhere.

He slammed the table back, glaring. "How dare you threaten me! Go ahead—try to report me.

Everyone saw you marry Hanniu willingly. Where's the proof I ever promised you anything?"

Tears of frustration welled in Xiao Yan's eyes. "You're a liar! I won't let your family get away with this. No wonder your line ends with Hanniu!"

That set Yuelian off. She shoved her son. "Hanniu! Teach her a lesson. Hit her till she can't talk back!"

Hanniu, who always obeyed his mother and had grown resentful of his wife, didn't hesitate. He punched Xiao Yan so hard she fell off the kang, then pinned her down and slapped her repeatedly across the face.

Xiao Yan was too weak to fight back. Soon, she was barely breathing.

Afraid things might go too far, the village chief finally intervened. "Stop, Hanniu! You'll kill her—then you'll hang for it." Reluctantly, Hanniu climbed off and retreated to his mother's side.

Later, Yuelian suggested finding another man to impregnate Xiao Yan. The village chief smoked in silence, uneasy about raising another man's child.

Xiao Yan had been badly beaten. When she still hadn't come to, Yuelian panicked and told the chief to take her to the clinic. If Xiao Yan died, they'd be in serious trouble.

News of the incident spread quickly, and even Lin Xiaoxiao heard about it.

She couldn't help but feel Xiao Yan had brought it upon herself. Taking shortcuts always came with a price—now she had to live with the consequences.

Once, Lin Xiaoxiao had thought Xiao Yan was clever. Now, she seemed incredibly foolish.

Sitting on a stool and cracking sunflower seeds, Lin Xiaoxiao listened with interest as Zhou Xiaoling shared the latest gossip.

"Serves her right," Zhou Xiaoling said. "Karma's a bitch."

Nearby, Li Yunlan was knitting a small sweater. Not knowing who they were talking about, she felt a wave of pity. "How awful! No woman deserves to be beaten. She should report him to the Women's Federation."

Zhou Xiaoling quickly filled her in—how Xiao Yan had bullied Lin Xiaoxiao, written false reports, and even attacked her, nearly causing a miscarriage.

Li Yunlan's sympathy vanished. "Then she deserves what she got. Some people just can't stand to see others happy."

Zhou Xiaoling nodded fiercely. "Exactly. I want to see how much worse it gets for her."

Lin Xiaoxiao had a feeling things would get much worse for Xiao Yan. With marital laws still weak and domestic violence so common, it was hardly surprising.

She felt a wave of gratitude that Zhou Huainan wasn't the kind of man who would ever raise his hand to his wife. The thought made her smile as she kept cracking seeds.