Chapter 11 Could these two children be his?

The person who entered the main room was Xie Jiang, a tall and robust man with a few specks of white at his temples, but whose back was ramrod straight.

When he looked at Zhou Dahong, his gaze, though not angry, carried an imposing weight.

"Comrade Zhou Dahong, do you really want me to invite Director Chen from the family committee over?"

Hearing the steady, penetrating power in Xie Jiang's voice, Zhou Dahong's arrogance immediately diminished by more than half, and she said coldly:

"Commander Xie, you and my husband Luo have been comrades-in-arms for many years, and we've also been neighbors for many years. It's not worth ruining our relationship over your nanny, is it?"

“A nanny is a person too.” Seeing that her husband was backing her up, Huang Guilan breathed a sigh of relief, but then said very seriously, “A nanny also has personal dignity and deserves to be respected. You should be criticized and educated for making such unfounded accusations against Comrade Xiao Qiao.”

Xie Jiang was afraid that a bottle of soy sauce might cause a conflict with his neighbors.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the neighborhood dispute was no longer just about a bottle of soy sauce; it was obviously a matter of Zhou Dahong's ideological awareness being problematic.

He said with a serious expression, "Regarding Comrade Zhou Dahong's unwarranted labeling of Comrade Xiao Qiao, I will write a report and submit it to Director Chen of the Family Committee. Comrade Zhou Dahong, you can expect to be criticized."

As he spoke, he picked An'an up and said, "Guilan, let's go home."

Xie Jiang stepped out of Zhou Dahong's main room, holding the wronged An'an in his arms, and couldn't help but comfort her:

"Don't be afraid, An'an. If anyone dares to bully you and your mother in the future, Grandpa will back you up. Grandpa is a division commander, and everyone in the courtyard is afraid of Grandpa."

There was no trace of seriousness in Xie Jiang's eyes, only the tenderness and affection a grandfather would show to his granddaughter.

This was the first time An'an had ever felt the care and love from an elder. Her little mouth twitched, and she burst into tears of joy. "Grandpa Commander, before, it was always others who bullied me and my mother. No one has ever stood up for us before. Grandpa Commander, you are so kind!"

"Don't cry, don't cry!"

Xie Jiang's heart broke when he saw the little child's tears streaming down his face.

With calloused fingers, I quickly and gently wiped the baby's smooth, egg-like face.

"From now on, your division commander will always be there to support you."

Huang Guilan, who was standing next to her, added, "Yes, An'an, Grandma and Grandpa will support you from now on. Don't be afraid, no one will dare to bully you."

"Grandma, Mom didn't embezzle the money from the soy sauce. Mom really filled the soy sauce bottle to the brim this morning. Grandma Zhou was lying."

"Grandma knows, Grandma believes you. It was Granny Zhou who was greedy and poured out all our soy sauce."

Back at the Xie family home, Qiao Xingyue saw that An'an was being carried back by Commander Xie. She quickly said, "An'an, how can you let Grandpa Commander carry you? Get down quickly."

Xie Jiang put the baby down. "It's okay, I like holding this baby."

Qiao Xingyue quickly took the soy sauce bottle from An'an's hand, "Why is it empty?"

Huang Guilan then told Qiao Xingyue the whole story, but for fear of upsetting her, she didn't mention that Zhou Dahong had called her a vixen.

"Comrade Xiao Qiao, Da Hong has been trying to take advantage of me for decades. She's been a headache every time she walks into my house. If she comes to borrow something again next time, don't lend it to her. Just say that I told you to."

"Okay, Aunt Lan, don't be angry. It's not worth getting yourself upset."

As she spoke, Qiao Xingyue took out two cents from the bag on her floral apron. "An'an, go and buy Mom a bottle of soy sauce. Mom is waiting to stir-fry twice-cooked pork."

"Okay!" An'an took the two cents and skipped away.

The cheerful little figure disappeared in the blink of an eye.

But less than two minutes later, Jiang Beiyang's mother shouted from outside the building, "Guilan, Comrade Xiao Qiao, come out quickly, An'an has been beaten."

An'an outside had already been stopped by Zhou Dahong.

Zhou Dahong falsely accused An'an of stealing the two cents in her hand. She claimed that not only did she rob An'an of her money, but her chubby grandson also bit An'an. Furthermore, Zhou Dahong said some very unpleasant things.

"You little slut born of a slut, how dare you steal my family's money?"

An'an, unable to contain her anger, got into a fight with Zhou Dahong and her grandmother.

When Qiao Xingyue and the others rushed out, the neighbors in the compound had already surrounded the scene.

From within the crowd came the cries of Granny Zhou.

"Everyone, come and judge this for me! This little bastard stole my money and even hit me! Is there no law anymore?"

Qiao Xingyue pushed through the crowd of onlookers and rushed to An'an.

An'an's face and neck were scratched.

There were deep teeth marks on his hands, with drops of blood and dust from the ground.

Another small clump of hair was pulled out.

Qiao Xingyue's heart trembled violently. She choked back tears and pulled An'an over, holding her in her arms with heartache.

"An'an, let Mommy see, are you hurt?"

Seeing that her mother had come, An'an pouted her aggrieved little mouth, but she was strong enough not to shed a single tear. "Mom, I didn't steal any money."

"Mom knows. Tell Mom first, besides these superficial injuries, where else does it hurt? Where else did they hit you?"

"Mom, don't worry. When I fight with others, how could I possibly lose? Anyway, I didn't let them get the better of me."

This resilient little face broke Qiao Xingyue's heart even more.

Xie Jiang and Huang Guilan were heartbroken to see An'an beaten like this. Huang Guilan scolded:

"Zhou Dahong, how could you two, grandmother and granddaughter, be so cruel to An'an? Look at the state you've left the child!"

Outraged, Huang Guilan went up to Zhou Dahong, who was sitting on the ground, and demanded an explanation. "Let's go see Director Chen of the Family Committee."

Then Zhou Dahong took the opportunity to fall down, lying on the ground and throwing a tantrum:

"It's clearly your nanny's son who stole our money and beat us, my grandson and me. My old back is broken. Huang Guilan, this nanny is yours, you need to pay compensation right now."

Huang Guilan was dumbfounded. How could Zhou Dahong be so good at lying? Seeing Zhou Dahong fall to the ground, she really had no way to deal with her.

Qiao Xingyue looked at Zhou Dahong's tantrum and thought it was just like Zeng Xiuzhu, the mother of Fatty Ya.

The neighbors who were watching nearby believed the many false accusations made by Grandma Zhou against An'an.

A bunch of people, all talking at once.

You say one thing, I say one thing.

"That widow's child has no manners."

"He steals things and then hits people; he's like a wild child and needs to be disciplined."

"Have you heard? This young widow not only seduced Aunt Lan's son, but also Aunt Lan's husband, Commander Xie. She's a slutty vixen who seduces men."

Upon hearing this, Huang Guilan clenched her fists.

She never expected that Zhou Dahong would spread such false rumors throughout the entire compound.

"Zhou Dahong, have you been slandering Comrade Xiao Qiao behind her back and spreading rumors?"

Lying on the ground, Zhou Dahong refused to admit that he was the one who spread the rumor, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and pay me back."

Qiao Xingyue clenched her fist.

Wherever she went, she lived cautiously with her two children, never arguing with anyone, yet she was repeatedly insulted and even her children were dragged into this stigma.

My heart feels like it's been crushed.

She held An'an's hand, stood up with her back straight, and was about to settle accounts with these people.

Suddenly, an angry shout rang out from the crowd, "Watch your mouths!"

This angry shout came from Xie Zhongming.

He was tall, and when he stood in front of the women watching, he shielded Qiao Xingyue and her daughter An'an behind him like a wall.

The gossiping women were startled by the menacing look in his eyes and shrank back.

He took a step forward, his military boots crunching over the pebbles on the ground.

The voice sounded as if it had been chilled to the bone.

"Comrade Qiao's husband sacrificed his life for the country and was a revolutionary martyr. Aren't you ashamed of your husbands by making such remarks about the family of a martyr?"

“Today, if any female comrades mention words like ‘widow,’ ‘vixen,’ or ‘bastard,’ I will report them to the Political Department to see if it is the martyrs’ families who should be insulted, or if it is you people who arbitrarily label the martyrs’ families who should be criticized and educated.”

The resounding voice silenced the women present, who dared not utter a sound.

These neighborhood disputes are usually mediated by Director Chen, who is in charge of mediating disputes involving family members.

Commander Xie immediately wanted to contact the political department to handle the matter.

The Political Department has swift and decisive measures. When the truth is found, none of the women comrades present who were accused will escape punishment. Not only will they be criticized, but their husbands will also be implicated.

Who would dare to speak recklessly again?

The women's faces turned from white to red, and they stammered, unable to utter a single word.

At this moment, Qiao Xingyue looked at the tall and imposing man in front of her and felt grateful.

When she transmigrated to this era, many people tricked, harmed, and insulted her, while many others helped her. But no one had ever been as imposing as Comrade Xie, who resolved her troubles with just a few words.

She expressed her deep gratitude to Comrade Xie and thanked him.

Then he brought An'an to him.

"Comrade Xie, please look after An'an for me. An'an cannot be wronged like this without any explanation."

Then, she walked up to Grandma Zhou, who was lying on the ground, and said, "You're trying to extort money from me by falsely accusing my child of stealing your money and breaking your back?"

Grandma Zhou lay on the ground, her face contorted with rage. "What do you mean by falsely accusing your child of stealing money? She only stole two cents from my house and broke my back."

"It's broken?" Qiao Xingyue squatted down.

The moment a silver needle was inserted, the pain made Granny Zhou sit up straight from the ground.

"Was your leg broken too?"

Another silver needle was inserted, and Granny Zhou jumped up from the ground. "Ouch, ouch, you little widow, what did you prick me with? It hurts so much."

"Didn't you break your back? How come you're standing up and jumping around like this?" Qiao Xingyue clenched her fist and snorted coldly.

How dare they slander and bully her An'an like this.

Today, as a mother, she must seek justice for her daughter.

"Is it just these two cents on the ground?"

Qiao Xingyue picked up the green two-mao note from the ground. "You say this money is yours, so it is? Then tell me, what are the characteristics of this money?"

"It's just two cents, what special features could it have? Aren't all coins the same?"

"You know that all money looks the same?"

"..."

"This two-mao note is my living allowance from Aunt Lan. I drew a faint line under the four characters 'People's Bank' on the back. This is Aunt Lan's money, not money my child stole from yours."

Qiao Xingyue handed the money to Zhang Hongmei, who was standing closest to her, saying, "Aunt Mei, could you take a look at this?"

Zhang Hongmei took it, turned the two-cent note over, and looked at it. "There really is a faint straight line under the words on the back."

Xie Jiang then took some people to Zhou Dahong's house for a visit.

It turns out that the two cents Zhou Dahong had lost had fallen into the crack in the wall where the sewing machine was located.

This proves that Zhou Dahong wronged An'an.

"Comrade Zhou Dahong, you framed An'an. You should apologize to An'an and Comrade Xiao Qiao and write a self-criticism."

The one speaking was Xie Jiang, who had a serious expression.

Zhou Dahong held his head high, looking defiant:

"Why should she apologize? Look at what this brat did to my grandmother and me! She not only has to apologize to us, but she also has to pay for our medical expenses."

Is this utterly unreasonable? Is there no law anymore?

Qiao Xingyue didn't have much to say to her, and simply said with sharp eyes:

"Okay, I'll call the community security patrol team to handle this."

I'm too lazy to waste my breath on this kind of scum.

If we don't teach this old woman a lesson, who knows how she'll bully the mother and her two children in the future.

Xie Zhongming offered his support, saying, "Dad, Mom, you stay here and take care of An'an, Ningning, and Comrade Qiao. I'll go and ask the community security team for help."

Soon, the community security team arrived. After understanding what had happened, they found that with both witnesses and physical evidence, it was indeed Zhou Dahong who had framed the little girl who had assaulted her. They then demanded that Zhou's mother apologize.

Zhou Dahong raised his head, about to refuse to apologize.

Qiao Xingyue said decisively:

"Comrade, my child is covered in injuries. I want Grandma Zhou to compensate me for medical expenses, nutritional expenses, and lost wages for taking care of my child at home."

She added:

“My daughter’s injury needs at least three days of care. My monthly salary is 35 yuan, so three days of lost wages is not too much, let’s say three yuan. Add medical expenses and nutrition expenses, I don’t need more, at least ten yuan in compensation.”

"If your mother-in-law doesn't apologize or pay compensation this week, you should just hand her over to the police."

"Falsely accusing someone of assaulting them constitutes an infringement on a citizen's personal rights. The public security authorities have the right to detain the assailant for three to fifteen days."

Qiao Xingyue's words were reasonable and well-founded, and even Xie Zhongming, who was standing next to her, felt that she had a clear mind and was exceptionally intelligent.

Ordinary women who have been bullied like this would not be as calm and composed as she is, and she is very knowledgeable about public security regulations, which is not like a rural woman at all.

But Xie Zhongming remembered that Comrade Qiao had explained before that her family was a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. However, she had been sent to the countryside for reform and transformation since she was a child and had no opportunity to return to the city. She had also learned a lot from her parents who knew medicine and were knowledgeable.

So I didn't suspect anything more.

Captain Zhu of the joint security patrol team looked at Zhou Dahong and asked, "Aunt Zhou, do you choose to apologize and pay compensation, or come with us?"

As he spoke, Captain Zhu took out handcuffs and said, "If you don't apologize and pay compensation, you'll have to come back with us."

"Why are you using handcuffs?"

"Comrade Qiao has made it very clear that your false accusation and assault of others constitutes a violation of citizens' personal rights and is a crime. You must be handcuffed and taken back by us."

"If I apologize and pay compensation, I won't have to wear handcuffs?"

"That depends on your attitude in admitting your mistake."

"I'll pay up, I'll pay!"

Soon, Zhou Dahong went to get a stack of money and reluctantly handed it to Qiao Xingyue.

Qiao Xingyue counted them: several one-yuan notes, many fifty-cent, two-cent, and one-cent notes, a thick stack, exactly ten yuan.

Holding the money, she said firmly, "Apologize to my daughter now."

Zhou Dahong was indignant, but dared not disobey. Apologizing was better than being taken away by the police. "An'an, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have falsely accused you of stealing."

That's more like it!

Seeing that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily, the public security brigade gave Zhou Dahong some advice, telling her to maintain good neighborly relations in the future, and then let everyone disperse.

Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming, along with the others, also returned to the Xie family.

It was completely dark by then.

After entering the main room, Xie Zhongming turned on the light bulb.

It was already past dinner time, so Qiao Xingyue quickly grabbed some iodine and gauze. "An'an, apply this to your wound yourself. Mom will go and cook the last dish."

“Okay!” An’an nodded obediently.

Xie Zhongming took it, "Comrade Qiao, you go ahead, I'll take care of An'an's wounds."

There was only one 15-watt light bulb in the room.

The warm yellow light, carrying tiny dust particles, fell on An'an's dirty little face, which was covered in blood and dust.

Xie Zhongming's heart tightened. "An'an, Uncle will wipe it gently, don't be afraid."

"It's okay, I'm not afraid of pain." An'an actually snatched the gauze, poured a wad of iodine on it, and quickly wiped it on the wounds.

Her movements were fluid and efficient, much like Comrade Qiao's. After she finished wiping, she looked at Xie Zhongming and said, "Uncle Zhongming, look, it doesn't hurt at all."

Xie Zhongming held An'an's little hand, his fingertips touching the child's warm and soft skin. A strange pang of sadness suddenly welled up inside him—this child was resilient, unafraid of hardship or pain.

Huang Guilan wiped away her tears of heartache and said with utmost seriousness, "Zhongming, you know what, An'an's personality is just like yours when you were little. There's something else I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. Ningning had an asthma attack when you went to the army today. The special medicine that Comrade Xiao Qiao gave Ningning is exactly the same as the one your dad takes."

Xie Zhongming couldn't help but be surprised, "What? Ningning's asthma is the same as Dad's?"

What a coincidence! An'an is allergic to peanuts, and Ningning has asthma. How come they are both exactly the same as her family's hereditary diseases?

Xie Zhongming looked at An'an, whose little face was ashen but whose eyes were as bright as morning dew, and then at Ningning, whose face was a little pale but who was well-behaved.

Could these two kids be his?

Huang Guilan whispered in his ear, "Fourth son, Mom is asking you, when you were out there in your younger days, did you have any other casual relationships besides Fatty?"