Chen Qifen is a fierce and capable widow who marries Lu Shan, the nearly forty-year-old second son of Lu Laoda. She comes with a ten-year-old son and refuses to accept any betrothal money, only requiring that Lu Shan help raise her son. She is notoriously violent, having beaten her previous husband repeatedly and ultimately causing his death by forcing him to chop firewood in winter while he was ill. She is formidable and confrontational, clashing fiercely with her mother-in-law Eldest Aunt-in-law, overturning tables during disputes, and pushing Lu Laoda and his wife, leaving them limping and aged. Despite her ferocity toward her in-laws, she treats her husband Lu Shan well, and he thoroughly enjoys her kindness. She is fair and reasonable with outsiders, helping Lu Guoguo with heavy work during corn harvest by carrying full bamboo baskets while Lu Guoguo picks the corn. She has injuries on her face from conflicts but claims Lu Laoda and his wife beat her.
