In a remote ancient village, Song Lian'er, a frail girl on the verge of death from illness and starvation, suddenly awakens on a broken bed. Her mother, Qiao Yunni, a crippled widow abandoned by her husband who never returned from army service ten years ago, kneels in the courtyard begging Old Mrs. Song not to drive her out. The accusation: Qiao Yunni stole a single steamed bun from the family kitchen to feed her dying daughter. Old Mrs. Song and her two daughters-in-law, Shen Shi and Chen Shi, as well as the silent uncles Song Laoda and Song Laoer, are determined to expel Qiao Yunni for "stealing," while the gathered villagers initially condemn her. Song Lian'er, now possessing an inexplicable strength and clarity, steps forward to defend her mother. She reveals that her mother has worked tirelessly for years, saved her own rations, and been refused extra food despite repeated pleas, forcing her to take a bun as a last resort. The villagers shift their sympathy, but the Song family remains unmoved. They plan to keep Song Lian'er and her younger brother Song Rui'er, intending to later sell Lian'er as a concubine to an old wealthy man for a bride price. Song Lian'er overheard this conspiracy and tells her mother. Qiao Yunni is horrified and decides to leave with her daughter, but the Song family refuses to let Lian'er go. Song Rui'er, only ten years old, publicly denounces his mother and sister, declaring Chen Shi as his new mother and siding with his uncles to secure his own future. Song Lian'er feigns despair and manipulates the situation, demanding a formal divorce deed for her mother and her own name on a severance document to break all ties. The Song family intends to give neither a divorce nor even a dismissal letter, hoping to prevent Qiao Yunni from remarrying and force her to die in misery. Just as tension peaks, the Qiao family arrives in force—men with hunting tools and women with determination, led by Old Man Qiao and Old Woman Qiao. They confront the Song family, accusing them of cruelty and demanding a proper divorce deed. The Qiao family, being hunters, are formidable and ready to fight. The story captures a moment of intense family conflict where a mother and daughter fight for dignity and freedom, a son betrays them for security, and the maternal family arrives to enforce justice. Song Lian'er emerges as the determined protagonist who, after her mysterious recovery, refuses to be a victim. Her core transformation lies in her sudden assertiveness and strategic thinking, likely stemming from a rebirth or awakening, though the text only shows her actions. The main conflict is the struggle against an oppressive patriarchal family that values profit over blood ties. The immediate goal is to secure the divorce deed and leave the Song family with her mother. The outcome remains unresolved as the Qiao family's confrontation sets the stage for a possible severance, with Song Lian'er vowing to protect her mother at all costs. The story sets up a classic tale of resilience, betrayal, and the fight for survival in a harsh, unforgiving society.
