Read Novel Full Chapter 93
Chapter 93 : Trafficking in Women
“Wait,” Qin Xiaoting said gently, bringing over a bowl of sugar water into which she had secretly added a drop of diluted spiritual spring water to help alleviate fatigue and pain.
She touched her belly instinctively, watching Erya drink the water. Ever since becoming a mother, she found it unbearable to see such a pitiful child.
As Zhuang Erya sipped the sugar water, Qin Xiaoting gently patted her back, and tears began streaming down Erya’s face.
Their mother had disliked the three sisters since they were young, constantly blaming them for not being boys. She claimed that having daughters made her lose face in the family. As a result, she rarely smiled at them and would often beat and scold them instead.
Now, for the first time, Erya felt the warmth of a motherly presence from this gentle older sister. Emboldened, she asked tearfully, “Grandma wants to sell my sister. Sisters, can you help me?”
Jiang Li and Qin Xiaoting exchanged glances, and they could see the anger reflected in each other’s eyes.
“What’s going on? Isn’t Daya only 14 or 15 years old this year?” Jiang Li asked sharply.
Liu Lixin pulled Erya closer and said gently, “Don’t be scared, Erya. Tell us everything.”
“I overheard my grandmother and my fourth aunt talking. They said they’re planning to send my sister to a family as a child bride, and they’re taking her tomorrow,” Erya said, her voice trembling.
Qi Shaoqiang’s expression darkened instantly. “This is illegal! The government forbids it, and if the village leader knew, he’d never allow it. Erya, don’t worry. I won’t let your sister be taken away.”
“But we need to catch them in the act,” Jiang Li pointed out. “Otherwise, Zhao Xiangyu will just deny everything.”
Her words reminded everyone of the need for a plan.
—
Just after dusk on the 29th day of the lunar year, an old woman, thin and stooped, and two short, burly men sneaked into the farmhouse.
Old Mrs. Li, dark-skinned and wiry, peeked through the window at Zhuang Daya and scoffed. “How is such a skinny girl supposed to bear children?”
The older of the two men rubbed his hands eagerly. “Mom, don’t be so picky. As long as it’s a girl, she’ll do. Let’s take her quickly and consummate the marriage.”
An Datou, now 29 years old, was still unmarried. While other men his age already had children, he was left alone. His frustration had built up over countless nights.
“Shut up!” Old Mrs. Li snapped at her son. “What a fool! How can I bargain if you’re not picky? Do you really think I’ll pay 30 yuan?”
“She’s a bit thin,” she admitted grudgingly, “but she’s pretty. Feed her for a few days, and she’ll fill out. Look at her wide hips, she’s bound to have sons.”
Zhao Xiangyu, eager to seal the deal, chimed in, “She’s just hungry, that’s all. She’s almost 16. She’ll definitely bear children.”
Old Mrs. Li remained skeptical. “Sixteen? She looks more like 12 or 13. Don’t try to fool me! I’m taking her back to carry on the family line. If you lie to me, this deal is off.”
Zhao Xiangyu quickly reassured her, “No, no, she’s 16 for sure! Just a bit underfed. She’ll be fine after a few meals.”
“She’s so thin, it’ll take forever to fatten her up. A waste of food!” Old Mrs. Li haggled. “I’ll give you 28 yuan. The other two yuan can cover the food she’ll eat in the meantime.”
Zhao Xiangyu hesitated but ultimately relented. Jiang Hongmei whispered to her, “It’s almost New Year’s. If this deal falls through, we won’t even have rice to cook.”
Hardened by necessity, Zhao Xiangyu nodded. Old Mrs. Li smirked, tossing down 28 yuan. “Quiet now,” she instructed her sons. “Put her in the basket and take her away. Don’t let anyone hear us.”
Even Mrs. Li knew this wasn’t something to flaunt. Times had changed, and getting caught could mean prison.
An Datou and his younger brother, An Ershi, moved quickly. An Ershi, however, grumbled under his breath. He preferred plumper women, someone like the pretty widow in their village. This scrawny girl didn’t appeal to him.
An Datou tied Daya up as she struggled and cried desperately. Sanya, her younger sister, tried to chase after them, but Jiang Hongmei slapped her hard, covered her mouth, and dragged her back into the house.
The two men carried the basket out of the door, with Old Lady Li following closely behind, nervously looking around. The village was pitch dark, with no streetlights, and the cold weather had driven everyone indoors.
The thought of finally having a wife filled An Datou with excitement. His heart raced, and he moved with uncharacteristic lightness.
“Stop, you human traffickers!”
Before An Datou could react, someone twisted his arm violently, and blows from sticks rained down on him. His feet were forced into the cold, sandy ground.
“Help! Human traffickers are abducting a woman!”
The shout reverberated through the village, and lights flickered on in every house. Villagers armed with shoulder poles, kitchen knives, and door bolts poured out, ready for action.
“Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me! I’m not—”
Before An Datou could explain, a dirty rag was shoved into his mouth, silencing him.
The basket had toppled over, and Zhuang Daya, tear-streaked and trembling, was revealed inside.
“It’s true! They’re human traffickers! Isn’t this Daya from the Zhuang family?”
“Shameless black-hearted traffickers! Trying to kidnap someone from Bailutang? You picked the wrong place!”
“Beat them! Don’t let them escape!”
“There’s even an old woman involved! How disgusting! She should be ashamed!”
“Bring a kitchen knife! Let’s castrate these scumbags for daring to abduct people from our village!”
The villagers were furious, and chaos ensued as they restrained the culprits. Qi Yupeng, the village leader, eventually intervened to prevent the crowd from beating the traffickers to death.
Meanwhile, someone had gone to inform the Zhuang family, banging on their door for help. But Zhao Xiangyu and Jiang Hongmei stayed hidden inside, showing no surprise or concern when they learned of the commotion. It was as if the abducted child wasn’t their own family member.
“Look at Old Lady Zhao! Her granddaughter was saved, but she doesn’t even say thank you. She’s heartless!”
“Interrogate these traffickers! They might’ve kidnapped children from other villages, not just Daya.”
Finally, Old Lady Li, who had nearly been beaten unconscious, managed to speak. Her gaze burned with hatred as she glared at Zhao Xiangyu, who cowered in the corner like a frightened bird.
That vile woman, Old Lady Li thought angrily. She hasn’t said a word and would rather let us take the blame as human traffickers than admit the truth.
“We are not human traffickers!” Old Lady Li finally shouted. “She sold the child to our family as a child bride and even took a betrothal gift!”
The crowd fell silent, stunned by her words.
Qi Yupeng turned his sharp gaze toward Zhao Xiangyu. “Is this true?”
Zhao Xiangyu, trembling, shook her head. “No! No! They’re lying! They’re traffickers!”
An Datou, enraged by her denial, struggled against his captors. “You shameless liar! My mother gave you 28 yuan, and now you’re pretending we’re criminals?”
“How could that be possible? We don’t even know them,” Jiang Hongmei chimed in, shaking her head vehemently.
She had heard from the village women’s committee that selling children as brides was strictly prohibited. If this was exposed, the consequences would be severe.