Zhou Dafat demanded the land deed from Hongxia, but she refused to hand it over, so he slapped her a few times. Hongxia still wouldn't yield the deed, and just as Zhou Dafat was preparing to resort to fists and kicks, Dajiang arrived. Dajiang landed several punches on Dafat, demanding an explanation, and this confrontation ended up delaying things at home.

Erniu listened to his elder brother, his eyes burning holes into Zhou Dafat—a man worse than a beast. His own wife was so heavily pregnant, yet he could still strike her. This marriage clearly couldn't continue; keeping Hongxia there meant not only risking the unborn child but perhaps even Hongxia's life.

Hongxia, however, seemed utterly unfazed. She watched Erniu standing in the courtyard for a moment before calmly gathering the clothes scattered on the ground, saying, "Second Brother, let's go. We're heading to my parents' house."

"Stop right there! Hand over that land deed. That belongs to the Zhou family! How dare you pocket it? If you don't produce it right now, I'll divorce you, you shrew!" Zhou Dafat shouted, hesitant to approach with Erniu and Dajiang standing by, but unwilling to give up.

Hongxia ignored him and kept walking. Erniu realized this situation couldn't be allowed to fester. Zhou Dafat might actually divorce Hongxia, which would ruin her reputation. A different approach was needed, but he first had to discuss it thoroughly with his parents and Hongxia.

Erniu called Hongxia to a halt. "Dafat, you want the deed, right? Fine. Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year, and Hongxia is returning to her parents'. You come to our place on the fifth day, and I'll have Hongxia give you the deed then."

"Really? You promise you'll keep your word?" Dafat asked.

Erniu looked at Dafat, his eyes filled with disgust. "When have I ever gone back on my word? Come on the fifth day. Even if we had the deed now, what use is it? The land is still there; we can’t just carry it away, can we?"

Dafat conceded that the fifth day was still timely; a few days' delay wasn't a major issue, so he nodded. Erniu then helped Hongxia onto the ox cart, placed the children on board, Dajiang climbed up as well, and he urged the cart forward. The group remained mostly silent on the journey, but Erniu had made a firm decision: this matter could not be postponed any longer.

Upon arriving at Madam Zhao's courtyard, Huangshi and Zhoushi, who had been busy in the kitchen, rose immediately upon seeing Hongxia and helped her down. Noticing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, especially Erniu's simmering rage, they were puzzled. Inside the house, Madam Zhao and Hongyun, having heard of Hongxia’s arrival, rushed out to meet them.

Erniu gathered everyone into the main room, announcing he needed to discuss an urgent matter. Once everyone was seated, Erniu recounted everything that had happened at Hongxia's house and then presented his proposed solution: "Father, Mother, I believe Hongxia cannot continue living like this. We should arrange for Hongxia and Dafat to separate [he li]."

Before Madam Zhao and her husband could speak, He Shi cried out, "Second Uncle, what did you say? Separate? If Hongxia separates, where will she live? Who will support them? They still have two small children! It sounds easy for you to say, but how can a divorced woman manage her life?"

He Shi's words were sharp, but they voiced a very real concern. Madam Zhao then addressed Erniu, "Erniu, are you serious about separation? What will become of Hongxia if you separate? Does Hongxia even agree to this?"

Everyone looked toward Hongxia. She showed no reaction, her expression placid, the corner of her mouth slightly swollen. It was as if the topic being discussed wasn't her life at all, as if it held no bearing on her. Lin He felt that Hongxia's demeanor suggested a grief beyond despair—perhaps Hongxia had decided to utterly give up on Zhou Dafat but hadn't yet worked out the logistics, hence her silence.

Dajiang, who usually remained silent in such family councils, spoke up this time. "I agree with Erniu. Given Hongxia's state, separation is the best course. Hongxia is pregnant, and Zhou Dafat still laid hands on her. If I hadn't arrived, who knows what Zhou Dafat would have done to her today. If Hongxia returns to our home, we brothers will simply keep an eye on her later."

Hearing her husband, He Shi shrieked, "Dajiang, what are you saying? You want to support your sister after she separates? You can barely manage your own household, yet you intend to look after your sister? I won't have anything to do with it!"

Lin He was utterly speechless at He Shi’s coldness. Why could this woman show no sympathy, even though she was a woman herself? Even if they encountered a stranger being beaten, especially a pregnant woman, one would feel compelled to intervene. This was her own sister-in-law, and Hongxia and He Shi’s relationship hadn't seemed particularly bad before.

Dajiang’s anger flared at He Shi’s words. "Shut your mouth! It's none of your business if I take care of my own sister. As for saying I can't manage my home, am I starving you or depriving you of clothing?"

Clearly, most people in the room were displeased with He Shi’s outburst. Hearing Dajiang roar at her, they felt he was entirely justified. Madam Zhao also shot He Shi a severe look. "Hongxia, what do you say? Do you still want to continue this life? If you agree to separation, what about these two children, and Zhou Dafat won't agree easily either. Have you thought all this through?"

Hongxia remained silent for a while longer. Then, as if having made a final decision, she spoke: "Second Brother, I agree to separate. There is no point in continuing this kind of life; I simply cannot bear it anymore. But Second Brother, I have a favor to ask. After we separate, I must keep the children. Doesn't that merchant in town hire many workers? Can you see about finding me some sort of job? I don't need much money, just enough to cover food and lodging for myself and the children."

"Second Brother, I know I've been lazy before, and you worried I wouldn't work. Please trust me, for the sake of the two children, I won't be that way anymore. Just find me any job; I have no demands. If necessary, I can work as a field laborer, planting crops. Will that be acceptable?" Hongxia's voice held a thread of supplication by the end.

Before Erniu could answer, Madam Zhao intervened, asking, "Hongxia, you are heavily pregnant now. What work can you do? Field labor is hardly something you can manage."

Hongxia, having reached her resolution, seemed somewhat lighter in spirit. She replied, "It's alright. I'm carrying twins, after all. I know what I can and cannot do."