Chapter 1 — Back to the Year 70 I Became the Blacksmith's Wife

Back in the 70s, I became the little wife of a rough mechanic. Together, the couple didn't have even two dollars, their three dilapidated houses were about to collapse and were still being watched by others. My husband has a good figure and handsome face. Unfortunately, he is an orphan, crippled, and despised and ridiculed in all kinds of ways. As for me, it's even worse - I'm mute, and when we have an argument, I have to use sign language so my husband can translate and curse for me. But so what? I blew up the toilet of my relatives who had bad intentions towards me, making my greedy aunt pay a heavy price. Give those colleagues who like to play dirty a lesson to remember, force your stepmother to pay back every drop like a bloodsucking leech. Dare to bully my husband? First ask if I agree!

1

Tran Dien Sinh used all his assets – one hundred yuan and a watch – to marry me. The day he came home to pick up the bride, he wore a dark blue suit that was a bit faded from many washes. Wearing a big red flower on his chest, he rode his "big eight" bicycle. Looking back from afar, the facial features are clear, the shoulders are broad and the legs are long, looking very handsome. Unfortunately, he has a disabled leg. I don't know what he personally thinks about this marriage, but my father and stepmother were smiling so brightly that they couldn't close their mouths. Finally got rid of the bad guy that is me. I feel happy - my husband has a house, has a job, and both of his parents have passed away. If it weren't for my disability, it would have been the turn of a mute person like me. It's just that, on the wedding night, I wanted to cry on the spot. These three houses are about to collapse, the roof has grass growing up to its height, and rats and cockroaches occasionally visit the house. I sat on the edge of the dirt bed, looking at the empty house, feeling like I wanted to run away immediately. Tran Dien Sinh was a little drunk, sitting next to the table, the oil lamp light shone on his face - clear angular features. Perhaps he saw my thoughts, slightly frowned and said:

“My parents passed away early, I had to work hard to make a living so I didn't have time to renovate the house.”

"Don't worry, I will definitely clean it up properly in the next few days!"

I smiled, waved my hand, then stood up and walked in front of him, holding his hand. Tran Dien Sinh's face turned red. I blew out the oil lamp and wrapped my other hand around his neck. As if encouraged, Tran Dien Sinh suddenly picked me up and placed me on the dirt bed. In the darkness, both of their breathing was rapid and the fabric rustled.

"What should I do? Why can't I untie this button?"

He tried to suppress his nervousness, but his voice was still clearly excited.

“He he he, my brother is very clumsy!”

Suddenly, soft laughter and people talking were heard outside.

“Who is that?” Tran Dien Sinh was immediately alert, got up and lit a lamp, preparing to go out and see.

“Dien Sinh, it's you and Dai Hanh!”

A woman's voice rang out from afar, then with a "squeak" sound, the outer door was pushed open. I quickly pulled the blanket and clothes to cover myself, my face as red as a ripe gac. The second aunt and cousin Tran Dai Hanh of Tran Dien Sinh. The newlyweds were getting married on the night of their wedding, but they dared to eavesdrop and brazenly walked straight into the bride's room? Brazen! If I wasn't a mute, I would definitely curse those two people to pieces! Tran Dien Sinh saw my shame, put on his coat and stood in front of the room door:

"Auntie, Lieu Anh and I are sleeping, you even brought Dai Hanh here, that's not good!"

“Don't you know? Wedding night If it doesn't go well, it's very unlucky!

"You don't have experience yet, I'm planning on calling Dai Hanh to show you how to educate your new wife!"

The two-faced aunt replied, while Tran Dai Hanh raised his voice, intending to rush into the room:

“Sister-in-law, my brother is clumsy, please understand. Otherwise… let me serve you!”

It makes me angry! My head was full of cruel curses but I couldn't scream them out, my lungs were choking! The blue veins on Tran Dien Sinh's hand appeared, he roughly pushed Tran Dai Hanh to the ground outside the room, shouting loudly:

“What the hell are you? Listen to see if the words you just said are the words that people said?

“Isn't it enough that I've been plundering all these years? Now that I'm married, I'm not at peace, so what are you still dreaming about? Get out of here!”

As he spoke, Tran Dien Sinh grabbed the firewood from the stove and rushed straight at them, constantly shouting:

“Go away!!!”

2

I hid under the blanket, feeling worried and emotional.

“Damn cripple, you're so good at pretending! Wait until tomorrow and see if I can give you a good beating!” – Tran Dai Hanh and his second aunt cursed and left.

Tran Dien Sinh walked around the yard a few times, then returned and used a heavy object to block the door, washed his face vigorously before going to bed.

“It's late, let's go to sleep. From tomorrow I will take you to work, remember to be careful with them!”

He lay with his back to me, was silent for a moment, then began to mumble:

"I'm poor, I don't have parents to help me, and my legs aren't healthy..."

“But I work hard, I believe that one day I will live a better life. It's just... you have to suffer the loss by following me."

"If you regret it... I'll take you home tomorrow morning!"

I didn't expect him to be such a "professional" type of guy. Good people like this cannot be wasted. I reached out and gently placed my hand on his waist. Then from behind, hug that sturdy, solid back. He shivered slightly, then immediately turned around and pressed me down. The matchmaker really wasn't wrong - men in mechanical factories don't have to worry about their endurance! The next morning I woke up and Tran Dien Sinh had finished making breakfast. Eggs stir-fried with green onions and lard, accompanied by a bowl of white rice - truly a rare dish at that time. He brought it in front of me, smiling from ear to ear: "Hurry up and eat. After eating, I'll take you to work!" I signaled with my hand: No need, I have three days of wedding leave. And why don't you eat? Unexpectedly, Tran Dien Sinh understood the sign language. He slapped his hand on his forehead: "I forgot there was a wedding break. So after you eat, rest a little more. I'll take the time to clean up the yard and make you a cabinet by the way, okay? I ate!” Before he could answer, Tran Dien Sinh went out into the yard and got busy. By the time I woke up again, he had finished fixing the roof and also built a pair of wooden cabinets for clothes.

“To be honest, ever since I knew I was going to marry you, I started learning sign language. How can you live if you can't communicate? Because I was busy studying, I couldn't clean the house. Don't worry, in these three days our house will completely change!"

Tran Dien Sinh is a person who has suffered and is now married. In his heart, he only wants to build a good future. I can't let you down. I found old newspapers and taped them to the wall, rearranged them inside and out, and finally took shape. I signaled: I want a standing mirror. When I see people getting married, they all have a whole set of cabinets and shelves, which often have a mirror. Tran Dien Sinh was embarrassed, rubbing his hands and not saying a word. This time I am new I remember - my father was greedy and wiped out all his savings. The wedding party probably costs quite a bit. Currently, the two of them only had one coin left in their pockets, eight dimes and three cents. I still remember - the wedding party was organized by the second uncle and aunt, the congratulatory gifts from Tran Dien Sinh's colleagues must have gone into their pockets. Firewood to light the stove... I looked around the house, immediately grabbed the firewood and rushed out. Tran Dien Sinh saw my fiery spirit and quickly chased after me:

“Where are you going? Wait for me!”

3

I carried the firewood, stood in front of Tran Dai Hanh's house, and knocked loudly on the iron door. Unable to scold, my fighting power seems to have been reduced by half. Tran Dien Sinh's right leg was injured and had difficulty walking. It took him a long time to catch up with me: "What's wrong, wife?" His very words "my wife" ignited the fire of determination in me. Since I am your wife, then I am two locusts sharing the same string! No one is allowed to bully my family anymore! Tran Dien Sinh's second uncle and aunt scolded and mumbled as they went out:

"What are you doing? Are you planning on robbing?"

I signaled with my hand: Return my family's wedding money! Tran Dien Sinh tried to laugh: "Uncle and aunt, we just brought our new wife to say hello." I was really angry and gritted my teeth, no wonder he was bullied for so many years. I glanced at him as sharp as a knife. Tran Dien Sinh immediately understood and quickly shook his head to stop me. Being unable to speak was truly frustrating, I picked up the firewood to light the stove and rushed straight into the house. The wedding money should be at least a hundred yuan. If they don't pay, I'll take all their pigs home and consider it even!

“What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be dumb? Why do you look so crazy!”

Tran Dien Sinh's second aunt and uncle rushed into the pig pen and pulled me back.

“Don't touch her!” Tran Dien Sinh stood in front of me, his eyes blazing: "My wife said, return the wedding money to my family!"

The aunt and uncle looked at each other and sneered: "Happy money? Isn't it to repay us for raising you this much?" Without saying much, I opened the door to the pig pen, grabbed a stick and chased the pigs out. The second aunt was so panicked that she quickly stood in front of the barn door: "Wait, what's the matter? Don't touch my pig!" It's late. The pig, which had been locked up in frustration for a long time, had the opportunity to rush out, hit the second aunt on its back, and then galloped away.

"Help! Save me..."

The second uncle was so excited that he jumped up: "My pig! Oh my god, my pig!" then set off in pursuit. I stood in the pig pen, holding a stick of firewood, laughing. Tran Dien Sinh led me home, boiled water for me to bathe in, not forgetting to grumble:

"What's the point of meddling with them? Now look what I smell like. From now on, I'm done with their family, it's just a few silver coins, not much."

Separated by a curtain, I sat in a wooden barrel full of hot water, then suddenly stood up, not wearing anything. Tran Dien Sinh stood there dumbfounded, his face red: "What are you doing? It's not dark yet..." I angrily gestured: Do you believe it? I will force them to return all the money they stole from you. Before he could finish, Tran Dai Hanh came to demand "accounting", standing outside the door and screaming loudly. Tran Dien Sinh frantically wrapped me in a towel, and frantically helped me get dressed. I took the opportunity to kiss him on the forehead. His face became even redder.

4

“Lieu Anh, this woman is not simple, the pig ran away, and my mother did I was knocked down, and my father almost broke his leg because of chasing. How do you plan to compensate?

I gestured: Pay for his head! Quickly return the money! Tran Dien Sinh translated: "Stop talking nonsense, quickly return the wedding money!" Okay, starting to look like me! Tran Dien Sinh has worked as a manual laborer for many years, and his tall and muscular body makes Tran Dai Hanh stand in front of him like a chicken. Seeing him start swearing, Tran Dai Hanh's momentum immediately deflated: "Who owes you anything?"