The people in the village are holding torches and sticks.

They now treat Cuicui as a detested enemy.

They rush forward, punching and kicking Cuicui.

During this time, my mother quickly came over and rekindled the firewood under the tripod.

Then she grabbed some lard and smeared it on me while scolding me:

"You bastard! Illegitimate child! You should behave yourself! If you dare to leave with someone else, I'll rip your tendons, peel your skin, and gouge your eyeballs to use as firecrackers!"

I never thought of leaving.

I shook my head at my mother and said, "Mother, I won't leave. Please spare Cuicui!"

My mother laughed angrily and mocked me:

"What? She wants to steal you away and sell you somewhere else, and you still want to be good to her! You stupid girl, why are you so naive!"

I looked at Cuicui, who was already covered in blood from the beating, and saw that she was almost beaten to death.

My heart ached.

She is my only friend, the only friend who gives me sweet dates to eat.

I shouted to her, "Cuicui, run away quickly! Never come back here!"

Cuicui didn't speak, she just shook her head at me.

I became anxious and said, "Cuicui, say something, hurry up and run!"

But Cuicui still didn't respond.

At this moment, my mother smiled and said to me in a sinister tone:

"She can't speak anymore! The chief pulled out her tongue!"