Only when the other end of the call fell silent did Wang Shu ask calmly, "Are you done cursing?"
"You slut! I've been searching for you for years, and finally found you." Li Jinhua was a typical rural woman who hadn't received much education. What was more frightening was her deeply rooted preference for male children.
After giving birth to Wang Shu, she suffered constant pointed remarks from her in-laws. Thus, she longed for a son. However, she ended up with two more daughters instead.
Back then, the family was poor, so Li Jinhua sent off those two girls. As the eldest daughter, Wang Shu had become sensible and began helping around the house, which is why Li Jinhua kept her at home. When the fourth child was born, it turned out to be a son, which greatly pleased Li Jinhua.
She treated this son like a precious treasure. Wang Shu didn't have an easy time in the household; she only managed to survive until eighteen before going away for work. She had not returned since then.
A few years ago, by chance, Wang Shu took up modeling and earned quite well. She sent money back home regularly every month, amounting to a small ten thousand over these years.
This sum was enough to build an entire Western-style house in the countryside, but it ended up being wasted as her brother Wang Gang had lost everything gambling away this money.
Li Jinhua was harsh on herself but excessively indulgent towards her son. She saved all the good food and drinks for Wang Gang and sent back the money that Wang Shu earned.
Wang Gang, who was only four years younger than her, never worked during those years; she had to support him. Three years ago, he started dating a girlfriend and insisted on getting married, but she demanded eighteen thousand yuan as a dowry and a two-story Western-style house in the countryside. Wang Gang fell deeply under her spell and agreed to anything.
When he came back asking for money from Li Jinhua, she had already been completely drained of any savings.
Wang Gang was furious and decided to target Wang Shu next, suggesting that she marry an old man around forty years old. He promised thirty thousand yuan as a dowry, which would solve his marriage problem.
Li Jinhua, being indulgent towards her son, agreed without hesitation and found a pretext for Wang Shu to return home, intending to force the issue.