A few days later,
Shen Nanchu's small courtyard was finally completed.
From the outside, it looked no different from an ordinary rural house, except for the addition of a rooftop terrace.
The furniture inside was simple yet practical.
Curtains made of floral fabric added a touch of countryside charm to the space.
Initially, Shen Nanchu had worried that Yu Lanhua’s craftsmanship might not be up to par. To her surprise, Yu Lanhua turned out to be quite skilled.
What truly amazed Shen Nanchu was how Yu Lanhua had used leftover fabric to piece together a bed canopy for her—elegant and refreshing.
"Little Nanchu, you don’t blame me for taking the initiative, do you?"
"Not at all. It’s beautiful, and I love it."
Shen Nanchu’s answer finally put Yu Lanhua’s anxious heart at ease.
"This was my first time making one. I only saw it once on TV, but I thought it would suit you perfectly, so I gave it a try."
Shen Nanchu looked at Yu Lanhua sincerely.
"Auntie, I can see the skill that could earn you a hundred yuan."
"What?" Yu Lanhua was stunned for a long moment before finally snapping back to reality. "Girl, are you serious? You’re not teasing me, are you?"
"Auntie, I’m as serious as can be."
Shen Nanchu never lied to those she considered her own.
After all, those who had heard her lies before had ended up in miserable situations.
……
Yongxiu County.
The office of the Revolutionary Committee’s top leader.
Feng Kangping stood before the desk, hunched over, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile as he nodded and bowed repeatedly. "Leader, you’re absolutely right! I completely agree!"
Yu Zhen turned his gaze back to the documents on his desk with visible disdain.
"This matter ends here. Release those two people immediately."
"Yes, I’ll make sure they’re freed right away."
Ding ling ling~~~
Yu Zhen picked up the phone, and as soon as he heard the voice on the other end, his expression immediately turned respectful.
Feng Kangping pricked up his ears.
The leader’s superior was undoubtedly a big shot.
Once Yu Zhen hung up, Feng Kangping resumed his usual fawning demeanor.
"I have a task for you. Go to the train station and pick up a group of people being sent down for re-education."
"You’ll handle it personally and escort them to Wang Family Village."
W-Wang Family Village?
Feng Kangping’s mind instantly conjured up the image of a certain terrifying figure, and he couldn’t help but shrink back.
"Remember, these people have serious ideological problems and must undergo thorough reform."
Yu Zhen stepped closer to Feng Kangping to emphasize his final words.
"This comes directly from a high-ranking leader in the capital."
Hearing this, Feng Kangping had no reason to hesitate.
"Understood. I’ll complete the task without fail."
Escorting "undesirables" and doling out a little punishment along the way—this was something Feng Kangping excelled at.
"Good. Wait in the station’s waiting hall. Someone will meet you there."
Yu Zhen waved him away impatiently.
As Feng Kangping stepped out of Yu Zhen’s office, his face bore an indescribable grin, his spirits soaring like a peacock spreading its tail.
He was now working for a top leader from the capital! Who else in all of Yongxiu County had such an honor?
He, Feng Kangping, was the first and only one.
With a swaggering stride, he marched off triumphantly to gather his men.
……
The Revolutionary Committee’s detention center for disciplinary violators.
The lock on the door rattled.
"You’re free to go."
Jiang Shuyi stepped out of the room, the glaring sunlight making it hard for her to open her eyes after days in confinement.
Having been locked up for several days, she reeked of sweat and looked utterly disheveled.
Opposite her, Song Qingyang was in the same state.
The two walked out of the Revolutionary Committee one after the other, heading back to Wang Family Village.
……
Yongxiu County Train Station.
The train from the capital slowly pulled into the station.
Father Pei glanced at Pei Zhengnian. "Once we’ve settled the family in Wang Family Village, you should return to the military."
Pei Zhengnian remained silent.
Thanks to Shen Nanchu’s intervention at the Pei residence, where she had stopped Lei Zhenhua, Pei Zhengnian had been allowed to remain in the military with a demotion, thanks to the support of his superiors.
The military was counting on Pei Zhengnian, their elite soldier, to distinguish himself once more so his rank could be restored.
As the Pei family prepared to disembark, a train attendant stopped them.
The attendant led them to a different exit.
Once off the train, Pei Zhengnian immediately spotted the unmistakable figures of Revolutionary Committee members standing conspicuously in the crowd.
His expression darkened.
They really were relentless. Were they so afraid of the Pei family rising again?
Pei Zhengnian’s grip on his luggage tightened.
Father Pei patted his son’s shoulder. "We’ll face whatever comes our way."
There was no avoiding what was destined to happen.
Father Pei stepped forward first, approaching the Revolutionary Committee members.
Feng Kangping had been waiting for hours, and now his targets had finally arrived.
He lifted his chin arrogantly, looking down his nose at Father Pei.
"So you’re the undesirable elements sent down for re-education?"
"In Yongxiu County, you’ll follow our rules."
"Move."
Several red-armband-wearing men surrounded the Pei family.
Father Pei resolutely positioned himself at the front, shielding his family.
"I’m the one being sent down. My family is only accompanying me."
Feng Kangping couldn’t care less.
Birds of a feather flock together—none of them were innocent.
With a glance at his subordinates, they moved to seize the family’s belongings.
"Is the Revolutionary Committee resorting to open robbery now?"
Pei Zhengnian tossed his suitcase to Pei Yunzhou.
Then, he unfastened his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms.
The prominent veins and bulging muscles made it clear that a single punch from him could break bones.
His handsome face, half-shadowed in the backlight, carried a cold intensity, his eyes exuding the latent menace of a predator.
"If anyone gets hurt, it’ll just be self-defense."
Feng Kangping shivered.
Why did that sound so familiar?
Had he heard it somewhere before?
No matter. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Ahem!"
Feng Kangping cleared his throat.
"Enough of your threats, you capitalist parasite."
"We’re only helping you break free from the corrupt pleasures of capitalism and correct your misguided ideology."
"Everyone, move in!"
If this had been the capital, Pei Zhengnian might have hesitated. But here in Yongxiu County, far from the emperor’s reach, even the longest arms couldn’t stretch far enough to stop him.
Just as he prepared to teach them a lesson—
"Let’s see who dares!"
A booming voice cut through the tension.
A middle-aged man in military uniform, flanked by two soldiers, strode toward them.
Even the military was getting involved.
Feng Kangping recognized the man and cursed inwardly. "Battalion Commander Tian, what brings you here?"
"Feng, your Revolutionary Committee hasn’t changed—still falsely accusing people without evidence." Tian Chengyi didn’t bother sparing Feng Kangping any face.
Feng Kangping forced a smile, swallowing his anger. "Battalion Commander Tian, you’ve always had a sharp sense of humor."
Tian Chengyi ignored him—he had more important business.
"Captain Pei, you’ve had a long journey."
Pei Zhengnian saluted Tian Chengyi crisply.
"Reporting, Battalion Commander Tian! Pei Zhengnian, formerly of the Central Military Region’s 8th Division, 12th Regiment, now reassigned to Daliáo Military Region as ordered. Awaiting further instructions!"
……
