The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Bao Ya didn't struggle and followed them into the office, going with their help.

In the office, Factory Director Wu poured Bao Ya a glass of water, and Sister Wang sat beside her, gently comforting her. Seeing that Bao Ya had calmed down, Factory Director Wu finally asked:

"Young comrade, please tell us what difficulties you are facing, and we will try our best to help you. Please don't do anything rash."

Bao Ya timidly looked up at him, pouted, and started wiping away her tears again.

"Factory manager, I didn't mean to bother you. I was forced into this situation. Lin Xiaoquan owes my family two hundred yuan, and I've asked him for it several times, but he won't give it to me."

Not only did he refuse to pay back the money, he also made my grandparents kneel down at my in-laws' house. I... sob sob sob...

Bao Ya spoke half-truthfully, and Old Man Lin couldn't catch her; if he could, it would just be the same old excuses.

That's how they demanded a bride price from her back then, so she has no conscience saying this now.

They've heard of people owing money and not paying it back, but making an elder in the family kneel before a younger person is a bit shocking.

"What? Tell me slowly, what's your relationship with Lin Xiaoquan?"

"He's my cousin..."

Bao Ya then embellished Lin Xiaoquan's debt story, changing a few concepts along the way.

Factory Director Wu didn't rush to lash out; he simply went outside and had someone call Lin Xiaoquan over.

He felt half relieved now. It was a debt issue, not a sex scandal, which made things easier; at least the impact was controllable.

Soon, Lin Xiaoquan arrived at the factory director's office, followed by the workshop director, the head of the factory's security department, and the old gatekeeper. The old man whispered a few words in Director Wu's ear before leaving.

Upon seeing Bao Ya, Lin Xiaoquan's heart skipped a beat, sensing that something bad was about to happen. Just how crazy could this brat be? She even dared to cause trouble at the factory.

Wait, how did she get in?

The reason he dared to renege on his debt was twofold: firstly, he had Old Man Lin's backing, and secondly, he was certain that Lin Baoya wouldn't be able to get into the machinery factory.

"Bao Ya, what are you doing here? Hurry up and go back."

Lin Xiaoquan didn't even bother to greet the factory manager before trying to pull Lin Baoya away.

"Don't even think about it. You have to pay back the money today. Don't think you can get away with it by bringing your grandparents here. If you don't pay back the money today, I'll die here and see how you face the world after that."

Bao Ya stood up and pointed at him indignantly, her outstretched hand revealing dark red marks on the back of her hand and wrist.

Her scarf slipped off her head, revealing red marks on her face and neck. The sight was shocking to those present.

"Girl, what's wrong with you...?"

When Sister Wang saw the injuries on her body, she immediately perked up and hurried over to check on her.

Bao Ya, of course, wouldn't let her see. She quickly covered her face with her scarf and tucked her hands into her sleeves.

"I'm fine. He returned the money readily, so I don't have to suffer anymore."

After saying that, she covered her face and began to sob softly, her shoulders trembling.

This completely baffled Lin Xiaoquan. What did she mean? Jiang Yuan hit her? He just couldn't believe it.

"Lin Baoya, stop acting here. I'll return you in a while. Hurry up and go home. Don't embarrass yourself here."

His experiences from childhood told him that Lin Baoya was just putting on an act, deliberately trying to ruin his reputation.

"Lin Xiaoquan, right? Is it true that this Comrade Lin said you owe her money?"

After listening for a while, Director Wu finally understood what had happened. His cousin had borrowed money from his cousin's husband's family, and they had asked for it back several times, but he refused and even tried to get his elders to pressure them into defaulting on the debt.

Lin Xiaoquan regained some composure after hearing Director Wu's question. He realized he couldn't let Lin Baoya make up stories about him, so he hurriedly replied to the director.

"Factory manager, don't believe her. This girl never tells the truth. She was always up to no good back in the village, constantly beating dogs and cursing chickens, never giving a moment's peace."

Her man would never hit her; she's been known for her fighting skills since she was a child. Don't be fooled by her words.

Lin Xiaoquan earnestly advised Director Wu, wishing he could tell him everything Bao Ya had done since she was a child. He was telling the truth; they could find out by asking around in the village.

However, none of the people in the room believed Lin Xiaoquan's words. How powerful could a frail young girl be? With so many injuries on her face and arms, if not inflicted by her man, then she must have done it herself.

"Do you owe anyone money or not?"

Factory Director Wu frowned impatiently. "The point is whether you owe money or not. Why are you bringing up all this useless stuff?"

"Yes, I do owe him, but it's my third uncle's debt, not hers."

"What do you mean by owing my dad? My dad gave me an IOU, so he owes me."

I had agreed on a dowry of 200 yuan with my husband's family, but your mother went and asked them for 500 yuan.

Now you want to renege on the two hundred, which means I won't be able to take a single penny back. Wouldn't I be unable to hold my head high in my husband's family for the rest of my life?

"Back then, your parents made your grandparents kneel before me for that five hundred yuan. Now you're resorting to this again to avoid paying back the debt. Your entire family is a bunch of wicked children."

Bao Ya suddenly stood up and pointed at Lin Xiaoquan's nose, cursing him, making everyone's hearts pound.

An aunt from a neighboring house went to her niece's in-laws' house to ask for 500 yuan as a bride price, which shows that life at home was not easy for her either.

Her own father gave her a two-hundred-yuan IOU as dowry money, and now he's planning to renege on that two hundred yuan. No wonder that girl has so many injuries.

Girls in the city who demand such high dowries don't have a good life.

"Lin Baoya, what nonsense are you spouting? Just because nobody here knows you, you're making up stories about my parents."

Lin Xiaoquan was furious with her and wanted to rush over and hit her, but was pulled back by the people behind him.

"I made things up? Do you dare to send someone from the factory to the brigade to find out if what I said is true?"

"Director Wu, please send someone to our brigade. It's not just me; Er Ya was also sold by her mother."

Bao Ya wasn't afraid of them sending people to inquire. The criticism session was extremely effective, exposing all of Lin Laojia's crimes. Even the commune had a record of it, and it was all in the files.

When Bao Ya asked Director Wu to send someone to the brigade to inquire, Lin Xiaoquan immediately backed down. He knew that his eldest son and his wife had been dragged away for criticism and struggle sessions, and if the people in the factory found out, he would be in big trouble and might even lose his job.

Seeing Lin Xiaoquan's guilty look, the people present understood the situation and looked at him with disdain.

At this time, there were many cases of favoring sons over daughters, not only in rural areas but also in cities. There were many cases of exchanging daughters for dowries. In the end, these were all family matters, and they couldn't interfere with so much.

Since this girl has mustered up the courage to ask for the money, they should help her if they can.

Thinking of this, Director Wu spoke to Lin Xiaoquan again.

"Lin Xiaoquan, I'm asking you one more time, are you going to pay me back or not?"

Lin Xiaoquan dared not meet Director Wu's gaze. Forced to this point, he had no choice but to confront the issue.

"I will definitely pay it back, but I don't have that much on hand right now, so I plan to pay it back in a while."

Factory Director Wu glanced at him disdainfully. His words were as good as nothing. How long is "a while"? People have asked you for it so many times and you haven't been returned.

"Here's what we'll do: we'll give you an advance of 200 yuan of your salary to pay back your cousin, and then we'll deduct 20 yuan from your salary every month to pay back the factory."

Factory Director Wu made the decision immediately. He could tell that the girl didn't really want to hang herself; she was just trying to scare them.

However, anyone who dares to cause trouble at the factory has guts; if they dare to come once, they'll dare to come a second time.

If he doesn't get to the bottom of this, she might come to his office and try to hang herself again, and he won't be able to stand it.

Finally, Factory Director Wu made the decision and advanced two hundred yuan from the finance department to Bao Ya. Bao Ya gave the IOU to Factory Director Wu, who then handed it to Lin Xiaoquan after reading it.

"That's not right. I gave you ten yuan last time, so you have to deduct it from these two hundred."

Just as he received the IOU, Lin Xiaoquan suddenly remembered the ten yuan he had given Lin Baoya last week.

"What do you mean? You think you can ask for the money you gave as a wedding gift back? Lin Xiaoquan, have you no shame?"

You're dreaming if you expect her to give you back the money you've already got.