Fangfang nodded proudly, and the other women immediately felt insecure.
They lowered their heads to look at themselves and no longer looked at her.
After a moment of awkwardness, someone finally spoke.
"We haven't seen you go out before. It must be hard to get used to it since you just arrived, right? It's okay, you'll get used to it after a while."
"You'll get familiar with this place if you come out more often. Feel free to find us if you have time."
Zhan Jingchun knew they meant no harm and were also victims, so she responded to them kindly.
Some children ran off, others stumbled, and the group of women quickly dispersed, each attending to their own matters.
Fangfang said, "Sister-in-law, you must be hungry. There's delicious food in the kitchen. I'll go get it for you. Stay here and don't move. I'll be back soon."
Fangfang ran off, leaving only Zhan Jingchun and the elegant woman in their original spot.
Seeing her belly was as round as a football, Zhan Jingchun observed her for a moment and then asked.
"How many months?"
"Almost seven months."
She also spoke fluent Mandarin, which made Zhan Jingchun feel a long-lost sense of closeness.
"Sit down, let's chat."
The two sat down together.
Peng Fei, while busy with his tasks, kept looking for Zhan Jingchun.
Seeing her sitting with that woman, he couldn't help but frown.
That woman was Wang Kang's daughter-in-law, married last year. She was reportedly a model before coming here and was quite proud.
Wang Kang's family was considered well-off in their village, but she still disagreed. She had made a scene, threatening to die or harm herself, before finally settling down.
Zhan Jingchun was good at finding people. As soon as she arrived, she went and sat with her.
With two beautiful women together, they naturally discussed topics that didn't belong in this place.
Zhan Jingchun said, "If I'm not mistaken, you used to be a model, right? You have such a wonderful presence. How did you end up here?"
The woman, named Zhang Wei, sighed and said.
"I was coming home from work one night, and to save money, I shared a car with someone. Who knew it would lead me here? I wish I hadn't tried to save those ten-plus yuan. What about you?"
"From your appearance, you seem to be better off than me; your family isn't lacking money. How did you end up here too?"
Zhan Jingchun briefly recounted her experience. Zhang Wei sighed.
"Although I shouldn't say this, I still have to wish you well. You're doing quite well."
"I've been here for over a year now. Several incidents have happened, and I've attended similar banquets several times. I have some understanding of the man you married. He's quite responsible, capable, and has a good personality. You shouldn't suffer too much following him."
Zhan Jingchun was surprised that she would speak up for Peng Fei.
"Haven't you thought about leaving? Look at these children, and this life. Are you willing for your child to be like them?"
Zhang Wei said, "Of course, I don't intend to stay here forever, but what can I do?"
She had tried to escape several times, exhausting every possible method. Once, she even made it to the town, but she was still caught and brought back.
Previously, Wang Kang had been reluctant to use excessive force on her. However, after being caught from the town, he had broken one of her ribs.
She was confined to her home for three full months, only allowed out after becoming pregnant.
Zhan Jingchun was so shocked her hair almost stood on end.
"He actually broke your bones? That's utterly outrageous!"
"Outrageous?"
Zhang Wei smiled, "You've only been here a short while; you're too naive. Do you know why I was caught and brought back even after escaping to the town? Because this is their custom."
"It's not just this village, but the entire town, even the whole county, and all the villages under its jurisdiction. A system has silently formed. If someone's wife runs away, everyone will help search for her, and even strangers will bring her back. This is so that when their own family faces trouble, others will help them. We can't fight against them, unless we die here. They are the law; we cannot win."
Zhan Jingchun was shocked again.
"This... then why didn't you report them? Can't even they manage this?"
Zhang Wei said that to maintain local stability, there were many unwritten rules that they couldn't imagine.
"But I'm not saying this to scare you away. I'm just telling you the truth: the situation is more complicated than we imagine, and not optimistic. I'm reminding you not to let your guard down. Even if I give birth to this child, I won't stay."
Zhan Jingchun's innocent eyes widened, "What do you mean? You plan to leave it here?"
"Otherwise, why would I bring it? A man who hits me, locks me up, and does such things to me... I have no love for him. Why should I sacrifice my entire life for him? Keeping his child with me, seeing it all the time, will only make me remember these painful experiences forever. I will absolutely not keep it!"
Zhan Jingchun was momentarily speechless.
"Then, what are your plans for the future?"
"Plans?" Zhang Wei smiled.
"I see that you're also not someone who can stay here. And besides you, I don't think I can make any other friends, so I might as well be honest with you.
I conceived this child with a hidden motive."
"What if I have a difficult labor? They can't just let me die at home, can they? My life is not valuable, but their grandson's life is. Once they send me to the hospital, I'll have a chance, won't I?"
Zhan Jingchun was astonished that someone would resort to such a desperate measure to escape...
Using childbirth as a chance for escape, heavens above!
Zhang Wei continued, "I was worried before about how to run after giving birth and being weak. Now that I have you, I feel relieved."
"You go back and behave yourself, cooperate with them obediently, let them lower their guard and allow you to go out. Then you come find me. Once we've become friends, when I go to the hospital, you come visit me, and we'll escape together. We'll look out for each other."
That day, Zhan Jingchun gained a lot.
Not only did she make a good friend, but she also received a shot of encouragement, and the gloom above her head finally lifted a little.
However, she didn't have Zhang Wei's strong mindset. She couldn't allow herself to get pregnant.
She asked Zhang Wei for help. Zhang Wei said.
"I can't do anything about it. You'll have to discuss it with him. Don't have a child for now."
"Men are creatures who respond to softness rather than hardness. You're so beautiful, a little playful charm, a touch of cuteness, and a bit of gentleness, and he'll surely listen to you. Don't always be so stubborn. Like me back then, I suffered a lot, and it didn't help at all."
Although the banquet was in a rural setting, the spread was very lavish, featuring meats that were usually unavailable.
However, as soon as the dishes were served, they were eagerly snatched up by everyone.
For a whole chicken, Zhan Jingchun didn't even manage to get a feather before it was gone.
Fortunately, Fangfang looked out for her, snagging half a chicken leg. She tore off a small piece of meat for herself and gave the rest to Zhan Jingchun.
"Sister-in-law, you eat."
Zhan Jingchun shared a little meat with Zhang Wei, kept a bit for herself, and returned the rest to Fangfang.
"You eat too. Eat more so you can grow taller, become smarter, and get into college in the future."
Fangfang loved her sister-in-law even more.
After the meal, the women dispersed one after another, returning home to take care of their children.
Since Zhan Jingchun and Zhang Wei had no children, they stayed behind to continue their conversation.