It was the end of the busy farming season, the quietest time in the village. As Yang Qingheng entered the village, people looked at her with curiosity.

As soon as Hu Zi saw her, he rushed over, grabbed her leg, and shouted into the yard, "Mom, Mom, look! Aunt Yang is back!"

Sister-in-law Sun was surprised. She stopped feeding the chickens, dried her hands on her apron, and hurried out, saying, "Qingheng, you're back."

Pointing in the direction of the house, he tentatively asked, "This is..."

“We’re divorced. Come back and pack your bags,” Yang Qingheng said with a reassuring smile, leading her towards home. “I’d appreciate it if you could help me pack my bags today.”

Sister-in-law Sun responded repeatedly, and only after making sure no one was around did she sneakily lean close to her ear and say, "I'll go dig out the things in the yard and bring them to you."

This naturally refers to those antiques. Sister-in-law Sun still remembered the antiques that Yang Qingheng had asked her to help collect. Since Yang Qingheng was about to divorce Song Hengjue, she naturally had to take them with her.

Although she wasn't very educated, she wouldn't take what wasn't hers for granted, especially since Yang Qingheng had helped her make money, and she was more than grateful to her.

"Okay." Yang Qingheng handed her a small hoe and led Hu Zi into the house.

She's only been here for six months, but she has quite a lot of stuff—face towels, body towels, and even a new washbasin—more than Song Hengjue, who's lived here for over ten years.

She took what she could use, and gave most of the rest to Sister-in-law Sun. There were some towels, foot basins, and other things that she was too lazy to take with her and didn't want to give away, so she just stuffed them all into a burlap sack and threw them in front of the house, planning to throw them away when she passed the garbage dump later.

The news of Yang Qingheng being kicked out of the hospital by Song Hengjue had spread throughout the village some time ago. Now that they saw her making a big move, the gossipers came running, all with expressions of anticipation.

Li Jiaoyan, in particular, even skipped school and carried her schoolbag to watch the spectacle.

"I told you Song Hengjue wasn't that blind. He'd divorce you, you shameless woman, sooner or later." She crossed her arms and raised her chin, looking as arrogant as a peacock.

"So what? Do you think it'll be your turn just because I'm gone?" Yang Qingheng said dismissively.

There were things that everyone present understood, but bringing them out into the open was a different matter.

If the words "coveting a married man" reached the ears of the Red Guards, it would be a grave offense. At best, one would lose face and have to write a self-criticism; at worst, one would be dragged to the market to be criticized and pelted with rotten vegetables and eggs.

Li Jiaoyan's face turned pale. She pointed at Yang Qingheng, her finger trembling, and said, "Yang Qingheng, what nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever been interested in your man!"

The others' expressions also changed.

"Yang Qingheng, we all know you're in a bad mood today, but Jiaoyan is still a virgin and will get married someday. It's too vicious of you to ruin her reputation like this."

"Tsk tsk, time really reveals true character. With a mouth like that, no wonder Song Hengjue divorced her."

"That's right, I'm in a bad mood. Now I'll be a divorced woman, and there's no market for divorced women. No decent young men would even look at me. Who would be happy to see me end up marrying an old widower?"

...

The group chatted amongst themselves, each wanting to trample Yang Qingheng underfoot to satisfy their own dark vanity.

Yang Qingheng remained indifferent, showing no surprise whatsoever.

A bunch of opportunists, knowing she was leaving and they wouldn't be able to take advantage of her anymore, started to belittle and trample on her in the same way they used to fawn over her.

When Sister-in-law Sun came out carrying Yang Qingheng's luggage and heard this, she was furious.

She threw down her luggage, picked up the bag of chicken manure on the ground, and scattered it like a shower of flowers at the person, yelling, "Your mouths are so dirty, I'll help you wash them!"

Chicken droppings flew everywhere, and the group ran away with their heads covered. Li Jiaoyan was covered in chicken droppings, and the stench made her gag. Her whole body trembled wildly as if she were having an epileptic seizure, with chicken droppings falling down in a flurry.

"It stinks." Yang Qingheng pinched her nose and backed away in disgust.

Li Jiaoyan's face twisted in anger at Yang Qingheng's expression. She pointed at Yang Qingheng and shouted, "Today I'm going to tear you apart, you bitch!"

Several women who had been splashed with chicken manure rolled up their sleeves and rushed forward, determined to tear apart Yang Qingheng and Sister-in-law Sun's mouths.

They used to be reluctant to lay a hand on her because of Song Hengjue and Tang Bainian, but now that no one is protecting her, they can decide how to teach her a lesson!

Li Jiaoyan was smug. With so many people teaching her a lesson, even if that bitch Yang Qingheng had wings, she wouldn't escape today!

Just as several women pounced on Yang Qingheng and grabbed her, an angry shout came from behind.

"What are you doing!"

Tang Bainian rushed over in one stride, pushing aside several women, his face as cold as ice.

"Tang...Tang Bainian?" Li Jiaoyan was taken aback. Remembering how she had almost been arrested by him last time, she shuddered and withdrew her hand.

The women who had been holding Yang Qingheng awkwardly released her and took a step back in unison.

Even in plain clothes, Tang Bainian's intimidating aura, accumulated over the years, remained undiminished: "Gathering a crowd to beat others, have you had enough of the good life and want to taste prison food?"

The scene was completely silent.

Tang Bainian, with a cold expression, personally opened the car door for Yang Qingheng: "Are you all packed? You get in first, I'll put these things in the car."

Finally, he added, "Hurry up and finish tidying up. Auntie is waiting for us at home for dinner. Don't keep her waiting."

These words were ostensibly addressed to Yang Qingheng, but were actually meant for the people who bullied her.

As expected, the group looked terrified upon hearing Tang Bainian's words.

They knew before that Yang Qingheng could speak to the police officer's wife, but they never imagined that Zhou Shuwen's family was so close to Yang Qingheng!

They've just gotten divorced and they're already bringing her home. They treat their own daughter better than this!

Those who just said Yang Qingheng would go downhill and marry a widower felt like they'd been slapped hard across the face, the pain burning.

Even though Yang Qingheng is divorced, she still has powerful backers. They were just a bunch of clowns in front of her!

"Aren't you leaving yet? Waiting for me to treat you to dinner?" Sister-in-law Sun said triumphantly, having finally gotten her share of the credit.

He waved the sack in his hand, and what he meant by "eating" was obvious.

The overwhelming smell of chicken droppings seemed to envelop the entire area. Li Jiaoyan thought of her son, whose head and face were now covered in chicken droppings, his face ashen. Feeling like her pants were on fire, she turned and ran home, wishing she could peel off her skin and wash it off.

Yang Qingheng didn't pack much; a box and a tote bag were enough. Tang Bainian quickly put them on the car. Sister-in-law Sun rushed over, carrying a muddy sack, and shouted, "There's more!"