Seeing Xiaoxiao come in, Song Yan was quite surprised. Why was she back so soon? And why was she wet? He then noticed Youfu following behind, carrying a basket. Looking at Xiaoxiao, her eyes were red; she had been crying.
Song Yan's heart skipped a beat. "Sis, what's wrong?"
"Youfu, you should go back first! The child is waiting to eat." Xiaoxiao shooed Youfu away first.
"I, I..." Youfu didn't want to leave.
Song Yan pushed Cheng Youfu out, saying, "You take the fish back first!"
After Cheng Youfu left, Jiang Xiaoxiao told Song Yan what had happened.
What's meant to happen will happen.
Cheng Yi would never change his ways with women in the village. He's taking advantage of the fact that the educated youth are outsiders, and Jiang Xiaoxiao, a young woman, is concerned about her reputation. Cheng has many relatives, and they're spreading rumors, insisting that Cheng Yi is dating Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao can't do anything about it now that he's clinging to her.
The events described in the original story are similar to this.
Song Yan: "They intend to ruin your reputation and force you to marry them."
"They can forget about it! I'd rather die than marry that scoundrel. Besides, we've only run into him once. I'll avoid him from now on, so how can he blame me? And if he does try to blame me, I'll sue him for indecent assault." Xiaoxiao's eyes reddened again as she spoke angrily.
“There are many families with the surname Cheng, but Cheng Yi’s family alone has three brothers. They’ve all been spreading rumors that you and Cheng Yi are dating. You know how powerful rumors can be! If you accuse him of indecent behavior, who will believe you?” That’s exactly what Cheng Yi’s family did in the original story.
Jiang Xiaoxiao simply couldn't believe that something like this could happen.
Song Yan: "Has something like this happened to educated youth in other villages?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao had heard of such things before. She found it unbelievable at the time, never expecting it to happen to her. "Then I'll sue him right now. Before his family even has a chance to spread the rumors..."
Song Yan hadn't expected Jiang Xiaoxiao to have such courage.
This kind of thing has the biggest impact on a woman's reputation. Even though nothing happened, and the woman did nothing wrong, public opinion can still hurt her.
A bystander remarked, "Flies don't land on eggs without cracks," and plunged the woman into despair.
"We need to think about this." Since Xiaoxiao had the courage to sue, Song Yan would definitely consider how to handle the situation and minimize the harm to Xiaoxiao.
The place where Cheng Yi stopped Xiaoxiao was bordered by the large courtyard of the landlord Wang on one side and the courtyard where Wei Dazhuang and his father lived on the other. The courtyards on the other side were large, but had fewer residents.
"Did anyone see Cheng Yi pulling and tugging at you?" Song Yan asked.
Xiaoxiao slowly recalled the scene at that time.
"When Youfu pulled me away, we saw that Wei Dazhuang's door was closed. It seemed... the door was open before, but I'm not sure." Xiaoxiao finished speaking with a conflicted look. She really couldn't remember.
Song Yan: "There's no time to lose, I'll go ask. You wait for me at home. I'll come back and we'll go to the brigade together."
Jiang Xiaoxiao pulled Song Yan back: "Even if his family saw it, they won't testify for me."
Song Yan: "I'll go take a look first." Without even having breakfast, Song Yan headed to Wei Dazhuang's house.
Once his family sees it, Song Yan is confident he can get them to testify.
Or perhaps Xiaoxiao misread it. Even if they didn't see it, they still need to be made to testify.
You try not getting a certificate? I'll come knocking on your door every day.
Song Yan thought bitterly.
Uncle Wei's house had three main rooms, with an extra room left at the end. When the house was built, they didn't have enough money, so they built three rooms. Originally, it belonged to Uncle Wei, Da Zhuang, and Er Zhuang, each in their own room. After Er Zhuang separated from the family, he moved out. Er Zhuang's original room is now occupied by San Zhuang and Da Zhuang's children.
It's unclear which member of the family witnessed what happened.
Upon hearing that Uncle Wei lived in the easternmost part of the village, Song Yan went straight inside.
"Why are you here?" Uncle Wei asked curiously.
Aunt Wei was not surprised at all, and even arrogantly curled her lip.
It would be more reasonable to be like Uncle Wei.
There's only one explanation. She guessed why Song Yan had come. She was confident she could make Song Yan back down.
Song Yan: "I'm here on some business..."
Aunt Wei: "Oh, you're such a noble person, yet you dare to visit such a lowly place! You're quite capable, while we're just good-for-nothings who can't afford to eat here. Don't expect us good-for-nothings to help you in any way."
Aunt Wei knew she was coming to ask for her help. Was this a case of protesting too much?
The door was suddenly yanked open, and Wei Dazhuang walked in. "What are you doing here? Get out."
Song Yan looked at Da Zhuang, wondering if he knew anything about it. Da Zhuang had witnessed someone pulling on the door, so his fear was even stronger, making him the easiest to manipulate.
"What are you looking at? You have to ask for help now! You shouldn't be asking me for help. Go to Cheng Yousuo's house empty-handed. How dare you come here?" Wei Dazhuang said smugly, with the smug look of a petty person who had achieved his goal.
Sigh! This is yet another case of someone trying to cover up their misdeeds.
It wasn't that Aunt Wei and Dazhuang were too shallow to hide anything; it was that they were absolutely certain that Song Yan had come to ask them for help.
So what if the educated youth were cultured and capable? Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.
Their mistake was not knowing that Song Yan could pull on the door.
“I came empty-handed because I’m confident that if I go to Wei Ping’s mother’s grave and pray for her, it will work.” As soon as Song Yan said this, everyone fell silent. Fear immediately appeared on their faces.
Song Yan: "People always say, 'If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear.' You guys have nothing to be afraid of, right?"
Aunt Wei: "This time I'm not guilty. I didn't take advantage of anyone, and I didn't talk nonsense about anyone. Go away, go away, get out of my house."
Song Yan turned and left.
She was so easy to talk to that both Aunt Wei and Dazhuang were taken aback.
"I've been having these recurring dreams lately. I dream of a woman in a blue floral shirt smiling at me. When she smiles, she has a dimple on her face. Jiang Xiaoxiao also dotes on Wei Ping and Wei An!" Song Yan said as he left the house.
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