The Greatest Happiness
She was mad, originally a city girl, who married him by chance.
He married her, and thus, he had a family. He inherited a pile of debts from his father and managed to get a worn-out quilt from his already married brother. Using his hard-earned wages, he bought a “haunted” house and became a husband.
From then on, her life was tied to his, and his life was accompanied by hers.
She was young and loved cleanliness, but she didn’t know how to do laundry. So, regardless of winter or summer, he washed her clothes, even her blood-stained pants. When the villagers said it was bad luck for a man to wash a woman’s clothes, he didn’t mind. He simply said, “She married me because she is ill. Her parents took care of her at home, so she shouldn’t suffer here.”
He was a poor man and couldn’t give her the best care, but he treated her as well as he could. Whenever there was something good to eat, he would give it to her first. He told their children, “Your mother is ill. You need to learn to take care of her and not argue with her.”
Thus, in their household, the eating order was: her first, then the children, and finally him. When there were leftovers, she didn’t have to eat them; if the children didn’t want to eat them, he would give them fresh steamed rice while he ate the leftovers from the previous day.
Days went by, and in the village, rumors spread about who had a mistress or whose daughter found a new partner. However, nothing changed in their family. She continued to be mentally unstable, smashing things around and carrying her blood-stained pants everywhere. He continued to wash, cook, and clean.
Their daughter grew up to be quite beautiful. Sometimes, he would light a cigarette and say to others with a smile, “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have become a father.
Even though she’s a bit sick, she gave me a child.” Neighbors would mock him, saying he was raising someone else’s child. He would respond, “She still carries my family name.”
As she grew older and entered what others called menopause, her symptoms of “irritability, restlessness, and frequent outbursts” as advertised on TV became even more severe.
Nearing sixty, he was often covered in injuries from her throwing pots and pans during her fits. She was as fierce as the cartoon character Red Wolf.
His brother visited and suggested, “Divorce her. The daughter is grown. What do you need her for? Send her back to her parents, and whatever happens, happens.” He remained silent, then said, “I can’t do that. She’s old now, and sending her away would be cruel.” His brother said, “Then send her to a hospital. They have to take her.” He replied, “Those places are harsh.
Without family, who would treat her well? She’d suffer more from beatings and scoldings.” His brother asked, “Don’t you want some peace?” He took a puff of his cigarette and said, “If peace comes, it means she’s gone…”
When he was young, the elders said he had a kind heart, which was why she married him.
Later, they said he was too foolish, never having known a woman’s love.
In the end, the elders remarked, “They have a daughter, a college student.”
When his daughter was of marrying age, he told her, “You couldn’t choose to be my daughter, and because of our situation, you might face difficulties in marriage. But remember, we don’t look for wealth or status; we look for character and personality.
Only people with good character and personality can bring you happiness.” His daughter smiled gently, like a lady from a poem, and said, “In this life, Mom is happy, and so am I, Dad!”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
