Chapter 33 Compensation

Xia Mufan was so happy that he was flying.

Mom is back!

She now has a mother who loves her.

When a person is happy, his mind will naturally become much broader.

Since she was six years old, Xia Mufan has been working hard in the direction she has chosen, and the indifference of her relatives cannot hinder her progress.

It doesn’t matter if my father remarries. Anyway, he follows Huang Shenglan like a lapdog every day without any dignity, he deserves it!

Grandma is still mean, so what?

Xia Mufan has a bad temper anyway. When her grandmother starved her, she would snatch her cousin's food; when her grandmother hit her, she would run away, and the cats and dogs in the village would help her vent her anger; when her grandmother didn't let her go to school, she would make trouble at home every day. When her grandmother saw that she had a severe headache, she had no choice but to send her to continue her studies. Out of sight, out of mind.

My two uncles each have their own family, so it’s fine if they are not close.

Xia Mufan looks like his father, which is certainly not her fault. Her grandmother pissed off her grandmother to death, and her uncles hate the Xia family and don't want to see her, so let them do whatever they want.

Now, Xia Mufan has found his mother!

No one cares, so there is nothing to be afraid of. Xia Mufan has a mother.

Her mother would care whether she had enough to eat, whether she was well dressed, and whether she was in a good mood;

Mom knew she could understand the animals;

Mom believed in her from the bottom of her heart and would never abandon her.

With such a good mother, what is the use of that useless grandma and father?

Xia Mufan was in a good mood, with shining eyes and a smile on his lips, looking a little more lively than usual.

On the other hand, Xu Shumei's expression became increasingly ugly.

She asked her brother in detail about the changes in their hometown over the past decade or so. She learned that her parents had passed away and that her two younger brothers had left the countryside after getting married and settled down in a neighboring county. Likewise, she also knew about the Xia family's neglect and harsh treatment of their daughter.

Xia Mufan didn't want her mother to stay in the village any longer: "Mom, let's go."

The purpose of bringing my mother back to Wupi Village this time was to awaken her memory. Now that the goal has been achieved, why are we still staying here?

Xu Shumei raised her hand and stroked her daughter's head, saying gently, "Wait a moment before leaving. Mom still has some things to deal with."

After that, Xu Shumei walked up to Xia Manyin, her eyes calm, "I married you when I was nineteen, respected you, gave birth to children, cooked, fed chickens, washed clothes, and took care of the housework. I felt sorry for you not having enough to eat at the brick factory, so I walked ten miles every day at noon to bring you lunch. I think I have fulfilled my responsibilities and obligations as a wife, right?"

Xia Manyin's face was burning after being slapped by his brother-in-law. When he heard his wife's calm words, his guilt reached its peak. He covered his face and dared not look Xu Shumei in the eye. He lowered his head and replied in a muffled voice, "Yes."

Xu Shumei: "I was taken away while delivering food. Did you seriously look for me?"

Xia Manyin raised her head hurriedly: "Yes, yes. The day you disappeared, I took the villagers to look for you all night. The next day I called the police and looked for you with the police. I really looked for you seriously."

Xu Shumei turned her head and glanced at Xia Muchan.

Xia Mufan nodded slightly. When his mother disappeared, his father was indeed very anxious, and he should have still had some real feelings for his mother at that time.

Xu Shumei pondered for a moment and said nothing.

Xia Manyin's voice trembled a little: "It's my incompetence and my inability that caused you to suffer. I'm sorry, Shumei."

Xu Shumei asked: "When I'm not around, you are the person closest to my daughter. Do you take good care of her?"

“…”

Xia Manyin didn't know how to answer for a moment. His daughter was raised by Xu Shumei. He usually just played with her and played with her. After his wife disappeared, he was at a loss and had no time to take care of his daughter.

Xu Shumei's eyes were like a mirror, reflecting his inner timidity and incompetence. Xia Manyin felt pressured. He wanted to explain, but it seemed that no matter how he explained, it seemed pale and powerless.

He stammered, and finally said, "I, I was also panicked at that time. Fanfan cried so hard that no one could comfort her."

Xu Shumei pressed on: "What happened next?"

Xia Manyin's forehead began to sweat: "What... later?"

"What if you can't find me? What if you go to the police station and get me a death certificate? You should not be panicking by then, right? Have you taken good care of our daughter?"

Xia Manyin wiped the sweat from his forehead and didn't dare to speak.

At first he was very worried about Xu Shumei's disappearance and asked around, but even the police were helpless. What else could he do? Gradually, the desire to find someone faded.

Later, he met Huang Shenglan while working in the county town. The Huang family was attracted by his honesty and diligence and wanted to marry him into the family. He coveted the Huang family's wealth, so he agreed without a second thought. He hurriedly asked people to find connections to make Xu Shumei "die" as soon as possible. How could he have the time to care about his daughter?

Xia Manyin didn't say anything, and the villagers next to him couldn't stand it anymore and started talking at once.

"He has climbed up to a high position in the county, so he doesn't care about other people's affairs."

"If Fanfan had been left to his grandmother and uncle, Manyin would have gone to the county to enjoy a good life. Look at his belly, it's full of grease."

"It's not easy for Fanfan to have such a heartless father."

Xia Manyin explained in a panic: "I, I did give money."

Xu Shumei looked at the selfish and cold man in front of her, and she felt hot and cold all over. His hands and feet were cold and trembling, but his chest was burning with anger.

He has no conscience towards his wife and treats his true love as if it were thrown away. That's fine.

But he is so cold and indifferent to his own flesh and blood, he is worse than an animal!

Xu Shumei is kind-hearted and gentle, and has never hit anyone in her life. But today, when she saw Xia Manyin, who was fat and evasive, she couldn't bear it.

Xu Shumei used all her strength and slapped Xia Manyin in the face.

"Snap!" There was a crisp sound.

Everyone was shocked.

Xu Shumei was famous for her good temper in the village. She was always polite and smiling to everyone she met. Even when facing the most annoying gossipy Aunt Gui, she only argued with her and never resorted to violence.

I didn't expect that after not seeing her for sixteen years, Xu Shumei got so angry that she started fighting as soon as she returned to the village! It can be seen that he was really angry.

Xia Manyin was hit on the face again. The pain in her face was secondary, but the pain in her heart was real.

He did not resist, but stood there blankly, looking at Xu Shumei with wide eyes, his eyes reddened and he almost cried.

Xu Shumei actually hit him!

They had been married for seven years and had never had a quarrel, but he didn't expect that she would hit him today!

Huang Shenglan saw that her husband did not resist and even shed tears when being beaten. She felt extremely ashamed and wanted to get back at him. She stepped forward with her hands on her hips and said, "Hey, Xu Shumei, why are you hitting him?"

Huang Shenglan was determined to stand up for Xia Manyin, but she didn't expect Xia Manyin to pull her back and yell with a red face, "Don't bother yourself!"

Huang Shenglan's words got stuck in her throat. She was so angry that her teeth itched. She shook off Xia Manyin's hand and cursed, "Useless thing!"

As if Xia Manyin didn't hear what Huang Shenglan said, she turned to look at Xu Shumei and thrust her face forward: "Shumei, go ahead and hit me. I owe you, and I should have insisted on finding you. If hitting me can make you calm down, then just go ahead and hit me."

It was the first time in Xu Shumei's life that she hit someone. Her palms ached and her heart beat faster.

She shook her head. "You're married and have children now. You have nothing to do with me anymore. Don't mention anything you owe me. I gave you this slap on behalf of my daughter."

Seeing that she didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, Xia Manyin couldn't help but take two steps back: "Shumei, you..."

This person is just a jerk.

When Xia Manyin heard that Xu Shumei had been found, he was very nervous, fearing that she would pester him, so he brought his wife and children with him to give him courage. But now seeing that Xu Shumei still had her charm and looked calm, Xia Manyin felt something was not right. He wished he could cut his heart open, just to ask her to look at him more.

Xu Shumei glanced at him coldly: "If you give birth to a child but don't raise him, you're worse than an animal!"

Xia Manyin felt a tightness in her chest.

Xu Shumei's look hurt him deeply, and she avoided her as much as possible. Has she forgotten the love they once had?

Xia Manyin wanted to argue again, but Huang Shenglan pinched her arm hard, making her scream in pain.

Huang Shenglan saw that her husband's reaction was not right and was afraid that their old love would rekindle, so she dragged Xia Manyin away.

"Wait a moment!"

Xu Shumei shouted loudly, and Xia Manyin immediately stopped and looked at Xu Shumei expectantly, with countless thoughts in his mind.

Xu Shumei looked at the villagers and asked, "Who is the head of our village?"

The village committee director Xia Changchun had been watching from the sidelines, but when Xu Shumei asked him this, he had to step forward and say, "It's me."

Xu Shumei said, "I left home for sixteen years, and when I came back everything was different. How do you think the Xia family should compensate me?"

Zheng Huiju, who was standing aside, jumped up when she heard the word "compensation": "You still want compensation? Our family doesn't owe you anything!"

Xu Jingyi rushed forward and punched Xia Manyin, glaring at Zheng Huiju fiercely: "What did you say when my sister disappeared? You are full of shit, ruining my sister's reputation and pissing my mother off to death. This account must be settled today!"

If he can’t beat the old one, then maybe he can beat the younger one?

Xu Shumei said coldly: "Why don't you owe me? If I hadn't disappeared, Xia Manyin would be my husband, I would have a room in this old house, and my daughter wouldn't be left to be adopted by my uncle and bullied by you guys."

The villagers nearby also felt sad after hearing this and spoke up for Xu Shumei.

"Shumei is right. The Xia family should compensate her."

"Isn't it? After all these years of suffering, my husband married someone else and even lost his household registration."

"Fanfan used to be quite obedient. If she hadn't lost her mother, she wouldn't have been so naughty."

Zheng Huiju was unconvinced and jumped up and down cursing.

Whenever she cursed at him, Xu Jingyi would punch Xia Manyin. Seeing that the situation was not good, Zheng Huiju finally shut up.

Village committee director Xia Changchun discussed with several other village committee cadres and finally came up with a more fair plan.

——Xia Manyin paid Xu Shumei a lump sum of 20,000 yuan in compensation, and they have nothing to do with each other since then.

——Xu Shumei lived with Xia Mufan and was taken care of by Xia Mufan in her old age;

——Xia Manyin’s future birth, aging, illness and death have nothing to do with Xia Muchan.

Zheng Huiju didn't want to take out the money.

In her opinion, twenty thousand yuan was like tearing out her heart and picking out her bones.

In 1996, prices and wages had increased several times compared to ten years earlier. Twenty thousand yuan was no longer a rare thing, but it was still a lot of money. The salary of a newly graduated college student is mostly around three hundred to five hundred yuan, and these twenty thousand yuan is equivalent to four years' income.

If this money was in Zheng Huiju's hands, she could have renovated the old house and built another one. Why should she give it all to Xu Shumei all at once?

Xia Manyin couldn't come up with the money at all.

He was equivalent to marrying into the Huang family, and his two children were named Huang instead of Xia. Although he had good food, good clothes and seemed to be living a good life, his status in the family was not high at all. All the money in the family was in the hands of his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and he did not even have twenty yuan in pocket money.

In the end, Huang Shenglan took charge. She took out the money and went home grabbing Xia Manyin's ear.

She had not originally planned to pay, but seeing Xia Manyin's clingy attitude, Huang Shenglan felt a sense of crisis. Although my husband is incompetent, he is honest, obedient and easy to control. It is better to spend some money to stop him from thinking about it.

Xu Shumei did not continue to argue with the Xia family.

She is kind-hearted and not the type to refuse to give in.

Her ex-mother-in-law Zheng Huiju was mean, patriarchal, and wantonly ruined her reputation, which was certainly hateful. But on the one hand, Xia Manyin abandoned her daughter in the countryside over the years, and it was Zheng Huiju who raised Xia Mufan and sent her to school, and did not hinder her future. Secondly, Xia Manyin married into the Huang family, which was a big blow to Zheng Huiju, who had always loved her youngest son. She looked very old, which could be considered her retribution.

As for Xia Manyin, Xu Shumei didn't want to even look at her again.

After 20,000 yuan and a slap, they owed each other nothing. The past was like smoke, and they were strangers from then on.

Watching Xu Shumei calmly handle the relationship with the Xia family, Xu Jingyi was full of admiration. It’s great that his sister is still so strong! He said to Xu Shumei, "Sister, come home and live with me."

Xu Shumei looked at Xu Jingyi, without any joy in her eyes: "Jingyi, you go back. Mumu and I will go back to the city."

Xu Jingyi was a little anxious: "Sister, you finally came back, you must go to see mom and dad, right? After you left, I went to the city to find a job, Jingzhong was admitted to university and stayed in the provincial capital, and the old house was given to Uncle San. We all miss you."

Xu Shumei held her daughter's hand and looked at him quietly: "I am the eldest sister in the family. I carried you on my back when you were only three years old. You couldn't sleep at night and kept crying. I carried you around the yard. After Jingzhong was born, I continued to take care of him. I helped raise both you and Jingzhong. I gave up high school so that you could study. Am I doing you justice?"

Facing his sister's calm eyes, Xu Jingyi felt guilty for no reason: "Yes, sister, you have always been very good to me and Jingzhong."

Xu Shumei said: "From childhood to adulthood, I have been doing all the farm work and hard labor at home. All the gifts for marriage were left at home. During the New Year and other festivals, I brought home large and small bags to buy new clothes and shoes for my parents. Even after I got married, I would sometimes go back to the village to help my parents with work. Am I doing my parents a favor?"

The more Xu Jingyi listened, the more guilty he felt: "Sister, why are you saying this? You have always been very filial to your parents. Who in the village doesn't say good things about you?"

Xu Shumei asked, "Then why did you believe the rumors made up by the Xia family when I disappeared? Why don't you continue to help look for me?"

Xu Jingyi felt a pain in his heart and tried to explain: "We didn't believe it! It's just..."

Xu Shumei waved her hand and said, "Forget it, don't explain. It is said that if you love someone, you will love his dog. I'm gone, but you are so cold to my daughter. What else do you want me to do? Do you want me to tell you that I don't blame you, but you can't do anything about it? I will go back to the village to visit my parents' graves when I have time. As for you and Jingzhong, just treat us as ordinary relatives."

After saying that, Xu Shumei and Xia Mufan turned around and left Wupi Village.

Xu Jingyi was left standing there in a daze, staring blankly at the backs of the mother and daughter as they left, his heart feeling like it was frying in a frying pan.

Xia Mufan and her mother walked hand in hand, their steps brisk and joyful.

Her mother is standing up for her.

This made Xia Mufan feel so happy that his heart was bubbling with joy.

Her father has neglected her over the years, abandoning her in the countryside and not paying any attention to her. How could she not be sad? That's fake. It's just that she is stubborn and doesn't want to show weakness.

Today, my mother slapped my father in front of so many people and called him worse than a beast. It felt so satisfying.

Oh, and there’s my uncle.

For her, her mother was willing to lose face with her uncle.

This shows that in his mother's mind, Xia Mufan ranks first!

Xia Mufan said loudly: "Mom, you will follow me from now on. Don't worry, I will support you."

Xu Shumei patted the back of her hand, her heart trembling with pain, her voice trembling a little: "Okay."

There was a jeep parked at the entrance of the village.

Xia Mufan opened the car door and said to Yu Jing who had been waiting, "Let's go."

Sun Xianbing turned around from the co-pilot seat and looked Xia Mufan up and down: "What's the good news? You look so happy."

Xia Mushige smiled: "My mother is fine now. She remembers everything."

After that, she introduced her two colleagues to her mother: "Sun Xianbing, Yu Jing, the three of us used to work in the case team of Anning Road Police Station. Now we have been transferred to the Serious Case Team 7 of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. They have helped me a lot."

Xu Shumei smiled and nodded: "Thank you."

Xu Shumei is filled with gratitude that her daughter is able to get to where she is today because there are such kind people around her who help her.

Sun Xianbing looked at Xu Shumei with surprise: "Auntie, you are really well!" She spoke clearly and her eyes were gentle and calm. She was completely different from the confused and dull person before. This showed that Xu Shumei had really recovered.

Yu Jing turned around and smiled innocently: "Xiao Xia helped us a lot, we should thank her."

The car started slowly, and the big camphor tree at the entrance of the village became farther and farther away.

Xu Shumei looked out the window, lowered her eyes, and sighed softly in her heart.

Sixteen years of life just came to nothing.

Returning to the old place, all I feel is sighing.

From now on, I will stay with my daughter and make up for the sixteen years of maternal love she has been missing.

When the car arrived at Xinzhang Town, Xia Mufan asked Yu Jing to slow down the car, pointed at the buildings outside the window and told his mother: "Mom, look, has the town changed a lot? This is the town's middle school. You went to junior high school here before, right? I also went to junior high school and high school here."

Xu Shumei leaned close to the car window and looked at the campus in front of her.

The campus gate has completely changed.

The original simple iron gate has become tall and stylish, the low red brick wall has been rebuilt, and the two six-story teaching buildings look very imposing.

Xu Shumei exclaimed, "Ah!" "The new teaching building."

Xia Mufan said, "Yes, when I was in school, there was only one high school building. Another one was built the year before last. The junior high school building you originally attended has been demolished."

Xu Shumei's eyes were filled with nostalgia: "Tear it down? What a pity."

At that time, the countryside was poor, and Xinzhang Town Middle School was dilapidated. The teaching building was just a two-story brick-concrete building, and the small playground was made entirely of dirt. But she was still very happy at that time.

It was noon and the children came out of the school gate one after another.

Looking through the gate at the neat and spacious playground, the parallel bars, horizontal bars, and rings beside the sand pit, Xu Shumei's eyes lit up: "Children nowadays are so lucky."

Suddenly, Xu Shumei called out in surprise: "Teacher Shen!"

She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, carefully identified it, and finally confirmed it. She patted Xia Mufan's hand and shouted, "My homeroom teacher is Teacher Shen Hongyun."

An old man in a black Zhongshan suit walked out of the school gate. He was wearing glasses, had a hunched back, and carried a bulging bag on his shoulder. He stood out among a group of children who were leaving school.

Hearing Xu Shumei's words, Xia Mufan looked carefully and recognized her: "Yes, it's Teacher Shen. Teacher Shen teaches Chinese in the class next door, but she taught our class for a week."

Yu Jing stepped on the brakes.

Although the car was not going very fast, everyone in the car was still thrown forward due to inertia because of the brakes.

Sun Xianbing asked caringly: "Auntie, Xiaoxia, do you want to go down and meet the teacher?"

Xia Mufan got out of the car, walked up to the old man with his mother, and called out respectfully, "Teacher Shen!"

Shen Hongyun seemed startled, stopped, put his glasses on the bridge of his nose, raised his eyes from above the glasses, and looked at Xu Shumei and Xia Mufan seriously.

The enrollment rate of Xinzhang Town Middle School is average, and only a few students can be admitted to key undergraduate programs every year. The Huaxia Police University that Xia Mufan was admitted to is a key undergraduate program that is admitted in advance. She is definitely one of the best students in the school.

Therefore, Shen Hongyun recognized Xia Mufan first: "Xia Mufan? What are you doing..."

Xia Mufan pushed his mother in front of him and said, "Teacher Shen, I am here with my mother to visit the town. Take a look, do you recognize her?"

Shen Hongyun's eyes fell on Xu Shumei's face, and after a long pause he asked, "Xu Shumei?"

When Xu Shumei first saw her teacher, she was very excited and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Teacher Shen, I am Xu Shumei."

Shen Hongyun's eyes lit up and he looked at her carefully: "I remember you. Your essays are well written and full of spirit. Where have you been all these years?"

Xu Shumei didn't expect that the teacher not only remembered her, but also always cared about her. Her eyes couldn't help but turn red. She was afraid that the teacher would worry, so she didn't tell the truth: "Teacher, I've been away for a while and just came back now."

Shen Hongyun seemed to be worried and didn't ask much. He just sighed and said, "It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back."

Xu Shumei asked with concern: "Is the teacher in good health?"

Shen Hongyun: "It's okay, it's okay."

Xu Shumei asked again: "How is Master's wife? How is Tongtong?"

Shen Hongyun pursed his lips, coughed, and turned away: "I have something else to do, so let's say goodbye now, and we'll talk later."

Xu Shumei wanted to know more about the teacher's recent situation, but seeing that he was busy, she didn't want to disturb him any further and had to leave in a hurry.

At the time of parting, Xia Mufan looked at Teacher Shen's leaving back, and for some reason he always felt a sense of desolation.

Since they got off the car, Xia Mufan simply took Yu Jing and Sun Xianbing to a restaurant called Ruyi in the town to have lunch.

Xia Mufan ordered some food, and the four of them sat down to eat and chat.

The restaurant owner recognized Xia Mufan and came over to greet him enthusiastically. He offered a salad and looked very excited: "Xia, I heard that you were admitted to the Police College. Are you a police officer now? That's amazing. I remember that you used to wash dishes here during the winter and summer vacations. You have really made it now."

Xu Shumei felt distressed when she heard this, but Xia Muchan didn't mind. He responded with a few words and continued eating.

While eating, they started talking about Teacher Shen again. When Xu Shumei talked about her homeroom teacher, Shen Hongyun, her tone was full of nostalgia and gratitude.

When she was in the first grade of junior high school, her mother had a miscarriage. The family was too busy to take care of her and wanted to let her drop out of school. It was teacher Shen Hongyun who took her hand and came to the village, and persuaded her parents with great effort to let her continue her studies.

After graduating from the third year of junior high school, the teacher once suggested that he would pay for Xu Shumei's tuition and food expenses to continue to study in high school. Although Xu Shumei eventually gave up her studies, she has always been grateful to the teacher.

Today, when Xu Shumei saw that the teacher's hair was sparse and gray, and her face was full of wrinkles, she looked so old that she felt so sad that she couldn't even enjoy her meal.

Xu Shumei said: "Teacher Shen is a very, very good teacher. He still remembers me. It's a pity that the teacher is busy today, otherwise I really want to talk to him more."

Shen Hongyun's hunched back flashed before his eyes. Xia Mufan felt something was wrong, so he asked his boss, "Boss Hu, do you know Teacher Shen Hongyun from the town middle school?"

Boss Hu patted his chest and said, "I know almost everyone in this town. As for Mr. Shen, he has been a Chinese teacher at the town's middle school for decades, so of course I know him."

Xia Mufan asked: "Has Mr. Shen encountered any difficulties recently? I think he is not in a good state."

Boss Hu shook his head and sighed: "Teacher Shen is so pitiful~~"

At this moment, Xu Shumei became anxious: "What happened to Teacher Shen?"

Boss Hu said: "His daughter disappeared, and his wife got so anxious that she had a stroke. Teacher Shen ran back and forth between the hospital and the police station, anxious and exhausted, and aged in a flash."

Xu Shumei suddenly blamed herself so much that she almost cried.

No wonder when she asked about the teacher's wife and Tongtong's situation just now, Teacher Shen was unwilling to say more and left in a hurry. It turned out that she had hit his sore spot.

Boss Hu suddenly thought of something and looked at Xia Mufan: "Xiao Xia, are you a policeman? Can you help Teacher Shen? His daughter works at the town government. She is about 30 years old this year. She lives alone and is not married. She suddenly disappeared last week. The police station opened a case for investigation, but found nothing."