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The Mad Woman Under the Two Hundred Thousand Dowry: Part 1
墨書 Inktalez
I stared at my swollen cheeks in the mirror, my fingertips brushing over the five-finger mark left by Shen Mingyuan's slap.
Outside the window, snow fell in flurries; it was the first snowfall after the start of winter.
The cracked tube of hand cream on the windowsill oozed a milky liquid, mingling with the winter dust and desolation. The dim light illuminated my wedding photo, where my bouquet of roses had faded to a rusty color.
Downstairs, I could hear my daughter Shen Nian's cheerful laughter—my sister-in-law had sent imported candies and dolls again, the crinkling of the wrapping paper sounding like a snake slithering across the floor.
Everything felt unrelated to me. My name is Lin Wanqiu, and I was bought by Shen Mingyuan for a bride price of 200,000.
Just moments ago, after an argument with my sister-in-law, Shen Mingyuan had slapped me. In these ten years, he had never laid a hand on me before, but lately, he had grown increasingly cold. I felt so frozen that I hardly seemed alive anymore.
Perhaps it was because I could no longer bear children. Ever since giving birth to Nian Nian, my health had deteriorated, and I could no longer conceive.
My sister-in-law always urged Shen Mingyuan to divorce me and find someone who could give him a son. Shen Mingyuan neither agreed nor disagreed.
Compared to most rural men, Shen Mingyuan was a "well-known" good man—he didn't smoke or drink, nor did he engage in gambling or other vices.
However, after ten years with Shen Mingyuan, I lived without dignity. I had no status and no wealth; most of the money he earned was never handed over to me because he feared I would send it back to my family.
On the fifth of every month, he would toss ten red bills at me for household expenses. The way the bills fluttered down resembled the rose petals scattered at our wedding that year.
On the surface, it seemed like I was in charge of the household, but in reality, I was barely scraping by. By the end of each month, there was hardly any money left to use.
At that point, Shen Mingyuan's sister Shen Mingyu would come strutting in with bags full of gifts to visit Nian Nian. She would give a few coins to Nian Nian, who would jump up and down in delight and shower her aunt with kisses.
Shen Mingyuan's savings account was in Shen Mingyu's hands; naturally, she could afford to be generous.
"Oh dear! Sister-in-law, what happened to your face?"
Shen Mingyu flashed her sharp smile again.
I knew she was mocking me. I didn't care, as I would soon be free.
"What else could it be? I was hit by your brother," I replied without the usual pretense.
A hint of embarrassment crossed Shen Mingyu's face. "Oh dear, my brother is usually the most gentle person. How could he hit someone? I'll have a good talk with him later."
I dismissed her concern and turned away to catch up on some sleep.
Shen Mingyu continued to feign concern, but I had already sunk into my own thoughts.
Outside, the snow fell heavier, blanketing everything in white, much like the life I had been deceived by over the years—seemingly pure and tranquil, yet cold and piercing.
I remembered a day just like this one, cold and dreary. I wore my wedding dress, waiting at home to be married while my parents busied themselves counting the dowry. I touched my gradually swelling belly, filled with unease, yet I lied to myself that Shen Mingyuan would treat me well; everyone said he was a caring person.
But I had overlooked the dark expression on his face in the corner.
I regretted not valuing myself more...
...
When Shen Mingyu finally left, I got up to pack my belongings. I placed a letter, some important documents, and a few precious pieces of jewelry into an old leather suitcase.
In the evening, Shen Mingyuan returned home from the Pig Farm. As soon as he stepped inside, he was met with the cold emptiness of an unprepared meal.
Frowning, he called my name loudly.
I walked out of my room and looked at him calmly. He paused for a moment upon seeing the bruise on my face, but quickly regained his indifference and questioned why I hadn’t cooked.
“I don’t want to anymore,” I replied flatly. “I’m leaving this place.”
Shen Mingyuan laughed coldly, as if he had heard the greatest joke. “Lin Wanqiu, where do you think you can go? Without me, you are nothing. All the money in this house comes from me. You eat my food and use my things, and you still want to leave?”
“Tch, do you think you can survive with that little bit of junk?” He ripped open my old suitcase, and the silver bracelet from our wedding clattered against the concrete floor, yet he failed to notice the letter at the bottom of the case.
Cursing under his breath, he walked into the kitchen to cook for himself.
Outside, the snow suddenly stopped, and moonlight spilled over the frozen river. In the distance, I could hear the dull horn of an icebreaker.
I walked slowly through the thick snow, crunching underfoot like the rhythm of my heartbeat, before plunging into the river with a splash. The reeds on the riverbank swayed violently, and startled waterfowl flew past my swollen right cheek.
The cotton coat in my arms soaked up water and grew heavier, much like the Two Hundred Thousand Dowry I had been forced to swallow years ago.
The moonlight split open a crack on the ice surface, and I saw my fifteen-year-old self standing on the opposite bank. She wore her pre-marriage braided hairstyle, with rapeseed flowers still clinging to her skirt…
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