Li Zhaodi, the Village Girl

Li Niaoniao wasn't always called Niaoniao. Her name was Zhaodi, and she hated it.

*

Xiuhe: "What do you think, dear? Who should our daughter marry?"

Li Dafang: "Who else but the Chen family in the county? Fifty thousand in bride price! A Western-style house! It'd be a blessing for Zhaodi to marry into a family like that!"

Xiuhe: "The Chen boy isn't very bright. I think our girl seems to like the Wang boy."

Li Dafang: "Wang Zhu? Pah! Dream on! He's a pauper!"

Xiuhe: "But will our girl agree?"

Li Dafang: "What if she doesn't? I'm her father! She has to do what I say!"

Xiuhe tried to speak again, but Li Dafang roared, "Shut up!! Say another word and I'll beat you to death!!"

Li Zhaodi heard every word from outside the door, and her heart went cold.

*

A man and a woman came to the village, looking to hire Li Zhaodi as a helper.

The man wore a white shirt and casual trousers. He was handsome and refined, with a gentle smile. The woman wore a red dress, her long hair falling to her waist. She was elegant and aloof, with a gaze that could steal one's soul.

Li Dafang demanded an exorbitant sum before he would let her go. He even gave away the Li family's most precious treasure, all for the money.

His wife, Xiuhe, refused. Li Dafang slapped her. "Keep your mouth shut and behave! Once I've got the money, I'll go to the city, marry a young woman, and have eight or ten chubby sons! What do I need him for?!"

In the end, Li Zhaodi left with them.

That night, nestled in the white-clothed man's arms, Li Zhaodi looked at Jinbao, riddled with bloody holes, and smiled.

Theme: To be added.