Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 1368 - 1190: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

Chapter 1368: Chapter 1190: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

It’s over, it’s over, she’s gone off with an idiot. Does she still think about coming back here? Isn’t that a foolish delusion?

Who cares, if she’s gone, she’s gone.

He should still eat as usual, and sleep as usual.

...

Widow Chen also discovered that Axiang’s belongings were missing, and she instantly became furious.

These past few days, she had been thinking, that damn girl Axiang just ran away without even a change of clothes. Sooner or later, she would have to come back. Once she did, Widow Chen would lock her up again and see if she dared to be so brazen.

But to her surprise, Axiang had quietly returned once, left without a word, and then ran away again. Widow Chen was livid. She immediately ran to the idiot Daying’s house and gave another round of scolding.

Daying had already gone to the fields to work, and Axiang was at home mending the quilt. Hearing Widow Chen’s voice, she didn’t respond and pretended as if she hadn’t heard. After a while of berating, Widow Chen also left.

...

Xia Dabao and Long Aixi’s plan continued.

Xia Dabao vowed to help Axiang reclaim her reputation so that she would no longer be looked down upon in the village.

After deliberation, they finally came up with a method—put on a play.

Long Aixi and Xia Dabao were to stage a play in the village to explain to the villagers why Axiang had fled, to re-enact Axiang’s experience.

That way, the villagers wouldn’t have so much room for imagination, nor would they solely believe the Zhao matriarch’s one-sided story. They often prefer the stories they see for themselves.

The two agreed on the spot, and the first step was to write the script,

The first act: The acquaintance and love between Zhao Datu and Axiang, leading up to the part where she jumps into the well.

Xia Dabao knew this part very well; she had seen firsthand how Zhao Datu lured Axiang to the mountains to cut wood and gave her gifts. If it wasn’t for this, Axiang wouldn’t have so easily lost her honor and jumped into the well.

However, of course, the script couldn’t use their real names; otherwise, the intention would be too obvious and ineffective, so "Axiang" was changed to "Ahua," and "Zhao Datu" was changed to "Aniu."

The second act was Axiang’s ordeal at the Zhao matriarch’s house. Xia Dabao had also witnessed this, so it was no trouble at all to write the script.

The third act was about Daying’s kindness to Axiang; "Daying" in the script was simply referred to as "Dabao," making it immediately clear.

The fourth act, of course, was about the Zhao matriarch and Widow Chen coming over to scold Axiang. Unable to bear it anymore, she simply decided to go with Daying.

After finishing the script, Xia Dabao was very satisfied.

Next up was picking the actors.

This play had to be kept a secret, especially from the Zhao matriarch and her ilk; otherwise, it would seem intentional. Therefore, when choosing actors, it was essential to pick those unfamiliar with the Zhao family. Xia Dabao immediately thought of Wang San and Zhang Qianqian. They had long been bullied by Zhao Datu and when Xia Dabao called them, they came right over.

Xia Dabao asked Wang San to act as "Aniu’s mother" and Zhang Qianqian to play "Ahua’s mother," making both quite disappointed: "Why do we have to play women?"

Xia Dabao then said, "My mother said, the more villainous the role, the harder it is to perform. You don’t know that in the theatres of Provincial City, the leading actors, who are men, play the women’s roles."

After much discussion, Wang San and Zhang Qianqian finally agreed.

As for Xia Dabao, she would play "Ahua," Long Aixi would play "Aniu," and as for Daying...since they couldn’t find anyone reliable at short notice, Xia Dabao decided to let Axian play the part.

Her explanation was, "As long as you Axian step onto the stage, people will know you are Daying."

Axian: "..."