"Wh-what?"
Zhou Tiemin, who was lying on the ground after being beaten and whose wounds ached with every breath, was filled with grief and indignation after hearing that not only had he failed to send Zhou Jingyun to jail, but he had also shown the whole village how powerful he was.
The next second, Zhou Jianguo's words were heard.
He instantly became so agitated that he writhed on the ground like a maggot, repeatedly shouting, "No, you can't do this to me! I've sacrificed so much for the production team, you can't treat me like this!"
"Heh, Zhou Tiemin, have some shame. Ever since you reported Yunwazi, you've never treated us like your own people."
“You’ve been to meetings in the commune and witnessed the way people were criticized and struggled against. Don’t you know what will happen to our Jianshan production team if you successfully report Yunwazi?”
What will happen to those of us who paid Yunwazi to help us find jobs?
“You know that, but you still went. To put it bluntly, you just can’t stand seeing us doing better than you, and you want to drag everyone down with you.”
"Since you're so shameless, how dare you ask us to go easy on you?"
"Let me tell you, losing your job as the production team accountant is the least of my worries; I'm also going to report you."
"Yeah, I'm going to report you too. You're not the only one who knows how to report!"
"Yes, I'm going to report it too. Today the Revolutionary Committee said they're good brothers with me. I'll go see my brother tomorrow!"
...
The group discussed how to deal with Zhou Tiemin, and each suggestion they made sent chills down the spines of Zhou Tiemin and his family who were lying on the ground.
"Honey, what should we do now?"
Seeing that everyone had finally left, He Damei carried Zhou Tiemin to the bed with her son. While using some medicinal wine from home to rub the bruises on the man's body, she asked him with concern.
When Zhou Tiemin heard his wife's words, he was completely bewildered: How could things have come to this?
How come Zhou Jingyun is so capable?
He actually gained the appreciation of the director of the Public Security Bureau and the county party secretary?
If he had known how capable Zhou Tiemin was, he would never have dared to report him!
However, now that it has happened, regret is useless.
Zhou Tiemin thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Admit your mistake. Every time someone comes, I will sincerely apologize. Over time, their anger will subside."
******
At the commune health center, Ruan Miaomiao brought a serving of braised pork and scrambled eggs with tomatoes that she had bought from a state-run restaurant to feed Zhao Cuihong to Zhou Dujuan.
However, with her heart filled with thoughts of her youngest son, Zhao Cuihong's once rosy face was now ashen, her eyes staring blankly out the window, her lips tightly clenched as if she would burst into tears if she let go.
Seeing the other person like this, Ruan Miaomiao patted Zhou Dujuan's hand, telling her to go have dinner with Zhou Taohua, while she stayed here to keep Zhao Cuihong company.
Taking the aluminum lunchbox, Ruan Miaomiao looked at Zhao Cuihong and sighed softly, "Auntie, you haven't eaten all day, please eat something."
I know you're worried about Ayun, but Gou Dan and the others just told me that Ayun knows some leaders in the county, so this matter can definitely be resolved.
Even if they can't solve it, I'm still here.
My family has strong connections, so I'll definitely get them to help me out.
“Miaomiao…”
Hearing Ruan Miaomiao's words, Zhao Cuihong was moved to tears. Tears welled up in her cloudy eyes, and her voice choked with emotion.
A large, strong hand, as firm as a withered tree branch, gripped Ruan Miaomiao tightly, and he sobbed softly, "Miaomiao, I'm so sorry to have wronged you."
You're such a good girl, yet you've been living in constant fear with my Ah Yun.
Don't be afraid, your auntie is here. Even if the sky falls, your auntie will hold it up for you.
Since the other party is not yet her daughter-in-law, there are some things Zhao Cuihong cannot say.
However, after what happened today, Ruan Miaomiao's position in her heart became even more important.
She didn't let Ruan Miaomiao feed her. Instead, she mustered her strength, took the aluminum lunchbox from Ruan Miaomiao, and shoveled rice into her mouth.
However, she ate while crying.
Large tears fell onto the white rice, mixing with it as they were eaten.
Zhou Taohua and Zhou Dujuan, who were squatting on the ground next to her, were also shrugging their shoulders, and the small ward was filled with sobs.
Seeing the three of them like this, Ruan Miaomiao's eyes also reddened slightly.
However, she kept her emotions in check and dared not let herself cry.
After all, he was now the only one these three could rely on. If even he cried, the beliefs in their hearts would probably collapse.
When Zhou Jingyun came in, he saw his mother sitting on the hospital bed crying, his two younger sisters squatting on the ground crying, and his educated youth Ruan Zhiqing also had red eyes, looking like she was holding back tears.
In that instant, he felt as if his heart was about to break.
He strode forward and asked the group, "Mom, are you feeling better?"
"Yunwazi!!"
"Ah Yun!!"
"elder brother!!"
"elder brother!!"
...
Four exclamations rang out simultaneously, and all four looked at Zhou Jingyun with surprise and delight.
Zhou Taohua sprang to her feet, ran to Zhou Jingyun's side, circled him a few times, and carefully examined him:
"Brother, are you alright? They didn't hit you, did they?"
She had heard before that the Revolutionary Committee was very good at torturing people, and she had been worried sick ever since her brother was arrested.
"It's okay, I'm perfectly fine!"
Zhou Jingyun answered casually, as if nothing had happened, and then briefly recounted what had happened in the county town.
Of course, there were some things that were not suitable for his family to know, which he did not reveal.
Upon hearing that Zhou Jingyun was alright, Zhao Cuihong felt as if she herself was cured and insisted on being discharged from the hospital.
However, the hospital had already started her IV drip, and they couldn't just leave her with half a bottle unused.
Zhao Cuihong also felt that since she had already paid for the IV drip, it would be a waste not to finish it, so she endured it and continued the IV drip while lying on the hospital bed.
Zhou Dujuan and Zhou Taohua stayed with Zhao Cuihong, while Zhou Jingyun led Ruan Miaomiao out to get something to eat.
"Miaomiao, thank you!"
As soon as he stepped out of the ward, Zhou Jingyun sincerely thanked Ruan Miaomiao.
He saw it; just now, his mother and two younger sisters all regarded Ruan Miaomiao as their pillar of support. If Ruan Miaomiao hadn't been there, he didn't know how they would have reacted.
Moreover, on his way to the commune clinic, he ran into Gou Dan, who told him everything Ruan Miaomiao had said that day.
Hearing that Ruan Miaomiao wanted to save him, Zhou Jingyun felt a warmth in his heart, and felt that everything he had done before was worthwhile.
He gradually melted Ruan Miaomiao's heart and slowly gained some standing with her.
From now on, he would treat Ruan Miaomiao a hundredfold, a thousandfold better...
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