Jai Mei's Unforeseen Journey to Ancient China

Chapter Twenty Four: This isn't Going to Work We Have to Leave

Hao Zhang's anger burned hot as he listened to Chun Wei's account of what had transpired. The pain and fear in Chun Wei's eyes resonated with his own experiences of abuse at the hands of Jai Yuna. He couldn't bear to see his fellow family suffer any longer.

Hao Zhang clenched his fists tightly, his voice trembling with fury as he addressed Chun Wei. "I'm honestly not surprised she would do such a thing to you, Chun. I knew she was making false promises when we went shopping last time. We just had to wait long enough to see her revert back into her old ways  We've endured enough of her cruelty. This is the final straw. We can't stay here any longer."

Shu Wang, ever the peacemaker, approached with a pitcher of water and poured a cup for Chun Wei. He handed it to him gently, his face filled with concern. "Here, drink some water. You need to calm down," Shu Wang said softly.

Chun Wei took a sip of water, his hands trembling slightly. He continued to recount the events, his voice wavering. "I... I was just helping in the garden. I heard Jai Yuna say something, but the noise from the builders working on the roof made it hard to hear. When I turned around to ask her what she said, she pushed me and yelled at me looking at me wildly. I was so scared, I didn't even hear what she yelled. I just knew she was going to hit me."

Liu Feng, who had been silently listening and wiping Chun Wei face, couldn't hide his frustration any longer. He threw the wet rag on the table and interjected, "Enough is enough! We can't keep living like this. She's deceived us before, and she's doing it again. We need to leave."

Hao Zhang nodded in agreement. "You're right, Liu Feng. She's taken advantage of us for far too long. We'll pack up the produce and animals, and we'll take the coin purse she had me stash away. We'll be ready to leave in a little while."

Liu Feng chimed in, his voice determined. "I'll arrange for a hired cart to be ready for us. We need to go as far away as possible, where she can't find us. Let's plan everything out while she's gone. We'll use this time wisely."

Chun Wei looked at his family, gratitude, and relief filling his eyes. "Finally, I'm ready to go. I can't live in fear of her anymore. Let's leave and start anew."

Shu Wang, conflicted but understanding their pain, couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility towards Jai Mei. He spoke up, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I understand how you feel, and I've had my doubts too, but let's hear her out. Let's see what she has to say when she returns. Also, do you really plan to take everything and leave her with nothing?"

Hao Zhang's face hardened, his resolve unwavering. "I don't care what she has to say. It's over. We all know it. We should have left a long time ago, and I won't accept any excuses or apologies. I won't leave any of you behind to face her alone in the unknown. And yes we will take everything, beat her at her own game. She may have a fully furnished house after this but she will not have everything."

Shu Wang gaze dropped to the ground. He understood the pain and frustration of his family members, but his heart still held a flicker of hope for Jai Mei.
Shu Wang's conflicted feelings surfaced as he spoke up in defense of Jai Mei.

"I understand your anger and frustration, but we have to consider the good things she has done too. She helped us and the villagers during the influenza outbreak, and she's working on fixing the house now. It's been a while since she yelled at us or resorted to violence. Maybe she has changed. Plus doesn't it seem too cruel to leave her with no means to survive?"

Hao Zhang's eyes blazed as he responded to Shu Wang's defense. "I understand what you're saying, Shu, but there's something called the calm before the storm. We've seen her true colors before, and we can't let ourselves be fooled again.

It would be the ultimate betrayal if we put all our blood, sweat, and tears into building this house, only for her to divorce us and leave us with nothing.

Also, didn't she leave us with nothing for the last 2 years? Every coin, and means of food, she even sold the firewood, and would stay at Wei Xiaoli's house in comfort during the winters.

I'm pretty sure she was hoping we died.. Had I not stash anything in the storage room in the floor we would had been dead! Now it is her turn to suffer like we did...."

Liu Feng, who had remained quiet, chimed in with a serious tone. "Hao Zhang is right. We can't afford to be naive and trust her blindly. We've confronted her about her behavior before, and she made promises not to hurt us but now look. We have to remember that she's always been cunning and manipulative. We need to prioritize our own well-being and safety."

Chun Wei, still shaken by the recent incident, added his perspective. "I don't want to live in fear anymore. If we stay, there's no guarantee that she won't hurt us again. We have to think about our own happiness and find a place where we can live without constant fear and anxiety."

Shu Wang looked down, his conflicting emotions evident on his face. He understood the gravity of the situation and the need to prioritize their safety. "I hear what you're saying, and I don't want any of us to suffer anymore. We can't rely on empty promises or temporary changes." he said it as if trying to convince himself.

Hao Zhang nodded in agreement, a sense of determination settling over him. "We'll make sure we secure our future and protect ourselves. We'll gather our resources, make our plans, and when the time is right, we'll leave. We won't let her hold power over us anymore."

The four husbands exchanged understood glances, knowing that their decision wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary for their well-being. They would face the challenges ahead, united and focused on building a new life free from the shadows of Jai Yuna's abuse.