Zhou Xiaoying stumbled and fell flat on her bottom. Zhou Xiaomei was also so frightened that she stopped in her tracks, not even daring to breathe.
The person they bumped into was Wang Xiaoming. He was expressionless, like a block of wood, and didn't even look at the two sisters as he dragged his feet step by step toward the main room.
Once inside, he sat on a stool in a daze, his mind a tangled mess.
His mother, Liu Cuilan, was hospitalized at the health clinic after suffering a miscarriage from being struck by Zhou Zhaodi.
His older brother, Wang Jieshi, had joined Wang Haichao's gang to harm Chuntao, and now he was locked up too.
He had just gone to the commune to ask around and found out that families had to bring food to the detainees. His brother hadn't eaten or drank anything for two meals.
Even though he knew his brother deserved it, he was still his flesh and blood; Wang Xiaoming just couldn't be that heartless.
He went to a classmate's house on Qingshan Street, borrowed a dollar, bought over a pound of deep-fried dough sticks at a small street stall, and hurried to the detention center.
Wang Jieshi was locked in a dilapidated adobe room packed with seventeen or eighteen people. It was dim and chaotic, noisy like a boiling pot.
Families weren't allowed inside, so Wang Xiaoming had to stand on his tiptoes and pass the dough sticks through a crack in the window.
Who knew that as soon as he pushed half of it through, it was snatched away by the people inside. His brother didn't even get a single crumb.
Wang Xiaoming had long noticed the connection between Chuntao and Zhou Zhijun. He used to hope they could be together openly, but right now, his heart was deeply conflicted.
If Chuntao really ended up with Zhou Zhijun, wouldn't their family completely fall apart?
Earlier, when Wang Xiaoming passed by Zhou Zhijun's front gate, Zhou Zhijun was squatting on the threshold smoking, lost in thought.
He thought he needed to go to the commune as soon as possible to find Wu Mingwei and ask how Wang Haichao and the others were going to be sentenced.
He knocked the ash out of his pipe against the sole of his shoe, went to the east ditch to take a bath, and on his way back, picked two large, ripe watermelons from the melon patch to carry home.
Mother, Chuntao, I picked two watermelons!
Aunt Zhou and Chuntao were sitting in the east room talking when Zhou Zhijun came in holding the watermelons. It's scorching hot out there, eat some watermelon to cool down! Cut them open if you're thirsty. I'm heading to the commune!
It's so hot, why are you running around? Aunt Zhou asked with a frown.
To find out how those bastards are going to be sentenced!
Heartless scumbags! They deserve a heavy sentence! Aunt Zhou gritted her teeth in hatred.
Thinking of what happened last night, Chuntao felt another wave of lingering fear.
During the night, she had made up her mind to leave the Wang family, but when dawn broke, those invisible ropes tangled around her again, leaving her deeply conflicted.
I've already talked to Xiaowei about the watermelons in the field; he'll help sell them! Don't go anywhere, just rest at home!
Zhou Zhijun's words interrupted her thoughts. Chuntao nodded gently and murmured an agreement.
Aunt Zhou chimed in to comfort her, Don't think about anything upsetting. Eat well, sleep well. Your health is more important than anything!
Zhou Zhijun rode his bicycle to the commune. Wu Mingwei was in a meeting, so he squatted by the door and waited for about an hour before finally seeing him.
Mingwei, I came today to ask how Wang Haichao and his gang are going to be sentenced.
Wu Mingwei lit a cigarette, blew a smoke ring, and said, These guys are bold as brass! Thankfully they didn't succeed! With the current strict crackdown, combining their offenses, they'll get at least five years!
Wang Jieshi has a crippled leg and can't even take care of himself. Can his sentence be reduced? Zhou Zhijun frowned.
Wu Mingwei fiercely crushed out his cigarette. A reduced sentence for a felony? It's not that easy! He has to go to the labor camp and reform himself properly. Only with good behavior will he have a chance. There's absolutely no way he'll be let off lightly right from the start!
Wang Jieshi only drugged Chuntao and didn't do anything else. Who will get a heavier sentence, him or Wang Haichao's gang?
He's one of the masterminds; he gave the nod! Drugging her was a crucial step, so his guilt is the same as Wang Haichao's!
He needs someone to wait on him for everything, even eating and using the toilet. If he really goes to prison, who will take care of him?
After sentencing, he'll be put on probation outside of prison so his family can take care of him. The commune police station will keep a close eye on him!
Wang Haichao and Wang Jieshi would serve at least five years! A heavy stone finally dropped from Zhou Zhijun's heart.
After asking around the commune compound, he finally found the civil affairs office.
Zhou Zhijun recounted the whole situation between Chuntao and Wang Jieshi in detail, leaving the staff member utterly surprised.
The staff member then said, Without a marriage certificate and without consummating the marriage, even if they held a ceremony, they are not legally husband and wife. There's no need for divorce procedures; she can just leave on her own!
Zhou Zhijun was both surprised and overjoyed. Chuntao and Wang Jieshi aren't husband and wife at all! That's wonderful!
It was an exchange marriage. Will there be any trouble?
That's something they'll have to discuss and settle among themselves!
Zhou Zhijun breathed a complete sigh of relief. He hopped on his bicycle and pedaled as fast as he could, his heart as sweet as if he'd just drunk honey.
Chuntao was finally free from the fiery pit of the Wang family! From now on, he would cherish her properly, never letting her do any heavy labor, and just let her enjoy a peaceful life at home.
Upon returning home, Zhou Zhijun was just about to tell Aunt Zhou and Chuntao the good news when he caught sight of Wang Xiaoming sitting in the east room. He swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue.
Seeing Wang Xiaoming looking unwell, he asked, How is your mother's condition?
She's staying at the health clinic, Wang Xiaoming replied, his tone as calm as if he were discussing what soup to have for dinner.
Aunt Zhou sighed. Xiaoming, I'm going to make some soup. Stay and eat here tonight!
Wang Xiaoming had originally wanted to take Chuntao home, but he didn't know how to cook, and if Chuntao went back, she would have to serve him. So he said, Let my sister-in-law eat here. I'll go check on the melon patch.
Aunt Zhou hurriedly grabbed him. You child, don't be stubborn! Eat first before you go!
Aunt Zhou went to the kitchen to get busy, and Zhou Zhijun followed her to tend the fire. Only Wang Xiaoming and Chuntao were left in the east room.
Sister-in-law, my brother is a piece of trash. He wronged you... Even if I beat him up, it wouldn't be enough to relieve the hatred in my heart!
In the Wang family, only Wang Xiaoming and his sister truly treated her well. Hearing his words, Chuntao felt a sharp sting in her nose, and tears suddenly welled up.
If she really left the Wang family, Xiaohong was still just a young girl—could she hold that family together?
When the fall semester started, Wang Xiaoming would be going to the county town for high school, and there would definitely be many expenses.
Seeing her cry, Wang Xiaoming couldn't stop his own tears from rolling down, and he quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand.
He looked at Chuntao and forced a faint smile. Sister-in-law, the people who hurt you have all been caught. You should be happy!
Wang Xiaoming was right, but whenever Chuntao thought of his grandmother and his brother, her heart felt heavy. How could she possibly be happy?
Suddenly, the front gate of Zhou Zhijun's house was pounded loudly, the shouting so fierce it made people's hearts tremble.
Xiaoming! Is Wang Xiaoming here? Hurry to the commune police station!
