In Yushu City, Jilin Province, in 1930s China, a young woman surnamed Ma married into the local Li family. Rural life during this era was demanding, rooted in traditional rhythms: men worked the fields, and women managed domestic duties like spinning and weaving. The Li household, like many others in the region, followed familiar cultural structures and social expectations. However, daily life within the home carried unique personal strains. The winter months brought a bitterly cold climate to the northeastern countryside, turning evenings into long stretches of isolation and hardship. Although the household should have been a warm sanctuary from the freezing temperatures, habits and personal vices disrupted that peace, creating a tense atmosphere that tested the patience and emotional resilience of every family member under the roof.

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