"Rongrong's junior, your brother-in-law is too brave. Everyone else is watching, and only he dares to step forward and scold this ungrateful Chen Shimei."
Wang Ling listened as Chen Yang berated Liang Feifan, leaving him speechless. She gained a deeper understanding of Chen Yang.
"My brother-in-law loves helping people the most. That man was in the wrong, and he deserved to be criticized," Shen Rong said matter-of-factly. However, she thought to herself that her brother-in-law was like this before. Perhaps he saw his former self in Liang Feifan, a self who didn't strive for anything.
That's why brother-in-law was so angry and criticized Liang Feifan so harshly. But she couldn't say these words out loud. It would be impolite to gossip about her brother-in-law's past mistakes in front of outsiders.
"Feifan, forget it. If you really don't love me and the children, I don't want to cling to you like this anymore."
"It's just that my heart aches. We've been together for almost ten years, and our eldest is already in primary school, while the youngest isn't weaned yet. I just can't understand how a good person can change so drastically."
"My mind isn't as sharp as city folks, but I've never been lazy with my work. Doing laundry, cooking, taking care of the children, and working in the fields, Shi Meihua has never been inferior to anyone."
"I don't know if you have someone else in your heart, but you must remember that I've never wronged you. You need to think clearly. If you really want to end this, you must."
"All five of my children will take the surname Shi. Even if you die at my doorstep, my five children will not bury you. I will not serve you in your old age or perform funeral rites and burn money for you."
Shi Meihua's eyes turned red. She couldn't understand how her husband had suddenly become a different person.
She felt wronged.
Liang Feifan fell silent. He looked at the children trailing behind Shi Meihua and at the stubborn woman, and his heart ached intensely.
What was the point of him trying his best to get into university and return to the city? Did he want to go home?
But even if he could go home after graduating from university, why did he have to divorce Shi Meihua?
Liang Feifan questioned his heart again and again. He had been avoiding this question all along.
Now, with so many people watching and his reputation already ruined, he seemed to have a clearer perspective and could examine his true inner thoughts.
That's right.
He had thought that when he returned to the city, he would be laughed at if he brought his village wife, who couldn't read a single character, with him.
His family was considered a scholarly family. His teachers, classmates, neighbors, and relatives were all cultured people.
Every time he thought of his wife holding a bowl of rice and visiting neighbors during the day, or taking dishes to other households to exchange them, he felt disgusted.
Especially her favorite chives, which always left green bits stuck between her yellow teeth after eating, along with that suffocating smell.
He absolutely could not bring such a crude woman back; he would be ridiculed.
And his sons, all of them as thin as monkeys, would be bouncing around the house, making a mess of everything.
His parents would probably have heart attacks from anger, wouldn't they?
Liang Feifan thought of a pile of reasons why he wanted to divorce Shi Meihua, but when he mustered the courage to look at her tear-streaked, red eyes.
He fell silent!
Why did she visit neighbors for food? It wasn't because they couldn't afford vegetables and she went to exchange them for variety so that he and the children could have more dishes.
When had she ever returned with vegetables without making sure he and the children ate first?
Even though they were poor, she never took too much from others when visiting. She would always exchange a small portion of their own vegetables for a portion of someone else's.
Did she really like eating chives that much?
It was because chives could be eaten year-round and grew back quickly after being harvested. With their small private plot, she had to figure out how to feed a family of five or six people!
The children were thin, and she was even thinner!
Even so, she still saved two cents and four a month to buy him ink.
Liang Feifan's heart suddenly felt heavy.
He suddenly realized that the man scolding him was not wrong at all.
He was indeed an ungrateful, heartless wretch.
What he disliked about his wife now were all the good things she had done for him that he had always taken for granted.
He had enjoyed the benefits of her hard work and still looked down on her.
Liang Feifan was ashamed beyond measure.
He couldn't imagine how cruel his words had been to his wife, who loved him dearly.
"Thump!"
"Wife, I'm sorry. I'm not human, I'm a heartless wretch."
"Slap, slap, slap."
Liang Feifan knelt before Shi Meihua and began slapping himself repeatedly.
Before long, Liang Feifan's face was red.
Shi Meihua didn't understand why her husband had suddenly changed his mind. She couldn't believe it. She had begged him for so long, and he had been adamant about divorcing her.
Why was he suddenly kneeling and apologizing?
She turned her head mechanically towards Chen Yang. She felt that all of this must be related to the benefactor in front of her.
"It's good that you've figured it out. After you graduate from university, the school will provide subsidies, and you'll have grain tickets. You can save money and send some back to support your family."
"Once you find a job and start earning, you can bring your wife and children to the city. Many people will envy you."
"With five children, you'll be so proud when you walk around the city."
Chen Yang understood Liang Feifan's current mindset very well.
In his past life, he had only realized the value of what he had after losing it. Liang Feifan was fortunate to have met Chen Yang before losing everything and was woken up by Chen Yang's scolding, thus preventing a disaster.
"Hubby, are we really not getting divorced?"
"Will you take me and the kids to the city in the future?"
Shi Meihua, listening to Chen Yang's words, still looked at Liang Feifan, who was kneeling before her, with some apprehension.
"No, I won't get divorced, not even if I die. I'm a scoundrel."
"When I graduate and find a job, I will definitely bring you and the children to the city. I will lead a happy life with you and the children."
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Liang Feifan's eyes suddenly seemed to light up.
He now had to study hard. When he returned to the city next time, he would strive to be assigned a good job and bring his wife and children back.
"Okay, then I'll start learning to read and write with Da Wa from now on. Otherwise, if I get lost in the city, I won't be able to find my way back."
Upon hearing Liang Feifan's affirmative answer, Shi Meihua was as excited as a child.
Listening to her words, Liang Feifan felt immense shame. She was uneducated, but it was due to her background.
So what if she was uneducated? Couldn't she learn?
"Good, you learn with Da Wa. I'll teach you when I get home. I'll also teach you to write letters. If you miss me, or if those brats misbehave, write to me, and I'll come back and spank them."
Liang Feifan looked at Shi Meihua, and his heart suddenly felt clear.
She was his most irreplaceable pursuit in this life. Now, he had realized it.