Chapter 441: Day 6 into the Farming Story

Chapter 441: The Sixth Day of Being Thrown into a Farming Novel

"Who'd want to find a harbinger of doom like you! Get as far away as possible!" Wang Shi, who couldn't wait to sweep this scourge out the door, shrieked in response, then craned her neck and yelled stubbornly, "We don't know how to write! Why should we sign anything?!"

Just as the two sides were at a standoff, a pointed cough came from outside the crowd: "What are you all gathered here for? All this racket—what a disgrace! Break it up, break it up!"

The villagers' murmurs died down as they parted to make way.

A gaunt old man with a wispy goatee, hands clasped behind him and brow furrowed, walked in. He was the village head of Lizhuang, Old Master Li.

"The village head is here!"

"Alright, alright, Liu Geer, don't be afraid. The village head is the fairest of all and will surely see justice done for you," a kind-hearted woman whispered in comfort.

The village head walked to the center of the yard, his gaze first sweeping over the elderly Li couple, at each other's throats, and Jiang Chiliu, standing alone, his brow furrowing even deeper.

"What's going on?" the village head began. "You've made this the talk of the whole village? Old Li, and Liu Geer, can't you talk things out civilly instead of making such a scene?"

Wang Shi immediately rushed forward, tears welling up before she even spoke—though they were all bark and no bite—as she wailed, "Village head! You must do justice for our old Li family! This jinx, he's, he's gone completely wild! Not content with jinxing my son to death, now he dares to talk back to his in-laws and consort with some strange man from outside to bully us old folks! We can't go on living like this! My son died a wrongful death..."

Amid her wailing, she recounted the matter in a rambling, exaggerated way, adding fuel to the fire, the main thrust being that Jiang Chiliu was unfilial and unchaste, and had conspired with outsiders to humiliate her in-laws, forcing her to drive this scourge out.

The village head listened, his graying brows furrowed into a tight knot, clearly not buying Wang Shi's story.

He looked at Jiang Chiliu: "Liu Geer, tell me, what really happened?"

Jiang Chiliu gave a slight bow of respect to the village head, then raised his head and, measuredly, recounted the matter clearly. His voice was low and raspy, his eyes rimmed with red, but he never shed a tear—that restraint only made his misery more poignant.

The village head listened, his brow furrowing tighter.

He had lived in this village for decades; how could he not know the Li family's ways and Wang Shi's character?

But even the wisest judge can't settle family quarrels, especially those involving a young widower and his in-laws. One misstep could embarrass not just the parties involved but tarnish the whole village's reputation—driving a widower to throw himself into the river wouldn't look good if word got around.

He pondered for a moment, trying to smooth things over, as was customary: "Liu Geer!"

His tone softened: "Your mother-in-law was a bit sharp-tongued, and her methods were wrong, but she is your elder. Perhaps in her grief over losing her son, she's not thinking straight. The Li family took you in and raised you, though they may have fallen short, but at least it's been a roof over your head. How about this: I'll have your mother-in-law apologize to you, and from now on, you'll live as one family, no more fighting. You're a young man alone—how will you survive out there?"

Before Jiang Chiliu could speak, Wang Shi jumped up, her voice shrill: "Apologize to him? Dream on! Village head, today it's him or me! This jinx must go! Right now! I can't stand the sight of him!"

Jiang Chiliu slowly shook his head, lifting his eyes to the village head: "Village head, it's not that I'm unwilling to stay, but here..."

He glanced around the yard, his voice a sigh: "There's truly no place for me to live. Being pulled from the river today was luck. What if there's a next time? Please, village head, let me leave. I want nothing but a written severance, just for peace in the days ahead."

His words were mournful yet resolute, paired with his pale, gaunt, drenched appearance, stirring pity in anyone who heard.

The village head looked at his stubborn yet fragile expression, then at Wang Shi's shrewish, unyielding stance, and knew in his heart that this household could never be harmonious again.

Forcing them together might well lead to a death.

He sighed, abandoning further mediation, and turned to the silent Li father: "Old Li, you're the head of the house. What do you say?"

Li father took two more puffs of his pipe, smoke obscuring his grim face, before rasping, "Do as the woman says. Let him go."

The village head shook his head, knowing there was no turning back: "Fine. Since both sides agree, we'll draw up a written agreement, black on white, as proof."

He looked at Jiang Chiliu for final confirmation: "Liu Geer, have you thought this through? Once you leave the Li family, you'll truly be on your own—food, firewood, illness, death, all yours to bear."

Jiang Chiliu didn't hesitate, nodding: "Village head, I've thought it through."

"Very well." The village head said no more, turning to his son: "Go home and fetch paper and brush, and some ink paste."

"I have some here." A voice spoke up.

An Yi looked toward it—oh, it was Fu Cong.

Jiang Chiliu, eyes glistening with tears, glanced at the man who'd provided the paper and brush, seemingly the village's teacher.

He bowed his head in thanks, and Fu Cong averted his gaze, saying nothing.

The village head, using the Li family's worn table, spread out the paper, pondered briefly, then dipped his brush in ink and wrote.

The content was simply that Jiang Chiliu voluntarily left the Li family, severing all ties henceforth, with life, death, marriage, and remarriage each going their own way, and the Li family forbidden from causing trouble for any reason, both parties signing and pressing their prints as proof.

After writing, the village head read it aloud and asked if either side had objections.

Wang Shi and Li father both shook their heads.

Jiang Chiliu listened carefully and nodded.

"Then press your fingerprints," the village head said, pushing the paper to the center of the table.

After pressing their prints, Wang Shi, as if shedding a huge burden and eager to flaunt her victory, immediately pointed at the yard gate and shrieked, "Get out! Now!"

Jiang Chiliu didn't spare them another glance. He turned, gave the village head a proper bow, and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, village head, for seeing justice done."

Then he turned to the gathered villagers, gave a slight bow, and said quietly, "And thank you all for speaking up for me earlier."

His words were polite, counting even the low murmurs as support.

Several women who had spoken earlier wore pained expressions; others sighed and shook their heads.

The village head watched his thin retreating figure, feeling uneasy, and called out, "Hey, wait!"

Jiang Chiliu stopped, turned, his eyes questioning.