Chapter 152 Turnaround
With every strike, Lady Zhao’s blows were accompanied by dull thuds and tremors in the air, but even such violence couldn’t break the unshakeable bond of affection between mother and daughter.
Time seemed to freeze until Lady Zhao, drained of both physical strength and rage, finally ceased her assault, her heavy breathing laced with the arrogance of a victor.
"Remember this, behave yourselves from now on! If there’s a next time, see how I’ll deal with you!"
After saying this, Lady Zhao casually tossed the wooden stick aside, her threatening words piercing through the fragile hearts of the mother and daughter like ice.
They clung to each other, tears swirling in their eyes, but they dared not cry out loud, because of their silent agreement, to protect their two younger sisters who might still be sleeping soundly in their dreams at this moment.
Da Ya’s shoulders trembled slightly, and her tears finally slid down her cheeks, as she asked softly, "Mother, when the village chief asked us why we wouldn’t split the family, why didn’t you tell him the truth?"
The question was like a sharp blade, gently cutting open the softest part of Xie Xinghua’s heart, intensifying the pain.
Through blurred tears, Xie Xinghua looked into the distance, her voice filled with indescribable bitterness, "If we were to split, what would I use to feed you?"
This question had been asked by her to herself over countless silent nights, yet the answer was always so cruel and hopeless.
In Da Ya’s eyes, there was a mixture of confusion and resentment, "But if we did split the family, at least we would have some land. You could stay at home to take care of father, and I along with the second and third sisters could work the fields. It has to be better than being bullied day after day, right?"
Her voice was soft but revealed a longing for a better life.