Chapter 7
My husband clutched his chest, nearly dying of rage.
His finger trembled as he pointed at me. “Shameless woman! I thought a scholarly family like the Xus would raise a proper daughter. Who knew they’d produce a whore!”
“You useless woman!” he raged. “You can’t keep your own husband, and you still won’t reflect on your faults? Besides, Diao’er is my concubine! I won’t let you take him!”
While I stood stunned, my husband had already turned to Dadiao with a look of deep devotion. “In truth, I noticed something was wrong long ago. I just refused to believe it…”
“Diao’er, I’ve thought it through. Compared to the pain of losing you, the fact that you’re a man means nothing. Man or woman, it’s you I love.”
I got off the couch and blocked my revolting husband. “Go away! Diao’er is mine!”
He pointed at me and shouted, “You useless woman! You can’t even compete with a man. What good are you?”
“Bullshit! At least I’m a woman. Dadiao and I can be a loving couple. What can you give him? Just look at your sorry self!”
“I can give Diao’er a secure life and my undivided love! You can earn money, but I’m an official. I can also protect him from being bullied. Xu Jingniang, you useless woman! If you take him away, disgusting men and disgusting women like you will covet him. Can you protect him? Stop dreaming. He’s best off with me.”
“Diao’er and I can do what loving husbands and wives do. With you, will he just lie under a quilt and chat? He’s much bigger than you!”
My husband’s face reddened.
“I could be the woman too,” he said coyly.
I was so angry I wanted to slap him. “I already knew you’d thrown away your dignity. I didn’t know you’d throw away your backside too! Are you still a man?”
“For Diao’er, I’m willing to become a woman! I’ll do better than you, you useless thing!”
My husband and I argued furiously. Then we realized Dadiao hadn’t spoken for a long time. Turning around, we found him reclining languidly on the chaise, watching us with great interest.
I hurried over and fawned on him. “Diao’er, don’t get involved with men. They’re filthy.”
My husband followed, ingratiating himself too. “Diao’er, she has no money or influence. She can’t give you anything. I’m different. I have a boundless future. With me, you’ll have endless wealth and honor.”
“I can give you children.”
“What’s so great about children? Diao’er, everything I have is yours. If you want children someday, I’ll find you eight or ten women to bear them.”
Dadiao looked at us with a half smile. “Why don’t you compete for the position?”
My eyes reddened with anger. “I saved your life! I’ve been so good to you! Have you forgotten every sweet word you said to me in bed? Why are you doing this to me?”
My husband shoved me aside. “Forever dragging up old nonsense. That’s just the sort of pointless thing women love doing. Diao’er, what do you want? I’ll get it for you right away.”