Chapter 120 Letting Go
The oppressive atmosphere in Director Zhuang's office was almost suffocating. After hearing the stern order from his superior, Director Zhuang's face was ashen, his mind in turmoil. He was utterly reluctant to let go of Lin Baozhu, this invaluable talent! Once she went to the city, transferring her back to this small county bureau would be virtually impossible.
He frowned, his tone troubled: "Sir, this matter... I really can't make the decision for Comrade Lin. She's not only a key member of our bureau, but also the chief engineer for precision machine tool R&D and design at our county's machinery factory! When Engineer Shao and the others tried to transfer her using Academician Wang Zhengyuan's project as a pretext, they politely declined. Of course, if Comrade Baozhu herself is willing to participate in this case, our entire bureau will absolutely support her without hesitation!"
These words caused the middle-aged leader to furrow his brow.
A sharp-looking female police officer beside him raised an eyebrow, her tone scrutinizing: "Director Zhuang, you're not reluctant to release her, are you just using the machine factory as a cover?" She was incredibly curious about this legendary Lin Baozhu. She'd heard she was as strong as an ox, capable of killing a wild boar with a single punch? She really wanted to test her strength for herself!
"How could I dare to lie to the leaders about something like this? If you don't believe me, you can go to the machine factory to verify!" Director Zhuang quickly retorted.
"Director Zhuang," the middle-aged leader interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I'm entrusting Comrade Lin's matter to you!" He then gave him no further chance to refuse.
Director Zhuang: "..." When did he agree to that?!
"Bang!" The office door was suddenly pushed open! Wang Shunzheng burst in, panting, his face full of excitement: "Oh my Director Zhuang! You guys are still here? It's in an uproar outside! Qin Haifeng brought back dozens of bandits with his troops! A huge, dark mass of people!!"
"What?!" Before Director Zhuang could react, the middle-aged leader jumped up from his chair, his voice trembling.
"Bandits?! Where are they?!"
*Lin Family Courtyard*
Steam rose from the Lin family's small kitchen as Lin Baozhu quickly boiled another pot of water. She had the rescued women take turns washing themselves in her room. The kind-hearted villagers brought clean clothes and even hot meals, which were piled up in a corner of the yard.
"Sister Baozhu, if it weren't for you this time..."
A pretty girl named Zhuang Meilan, holding the hand of her timid younger sister Zhuang Xinyue, said in a choked voice, "My sister and I... we really don't dare to imagine where we'll be sold to..."
The two sisters had come to Xing City to visit relatives when they were drugged and abducted at Qingfeng Tower. When they awoke, they found themselves in a den of iniquity. They tried to escape in despair but got lost in the mountains and nearly perished in the jaws of wolves. After being captured, they were subjected to cruel torture by other tamed women—pricking with needles and whipping. Their bodies, now covered in wounds, were excruciatingly painful to the slightest touch.
Fortunately, Lin Baozhu was thoughtful and not only prepared warm water but also brought out her own homemade cooling ointment.
“We are all Chinese, it’s only right to help each other out.” Lin Baozhu waved her hand and smiled gently: “You can go sit in the yard for a while, the food will be ready soon.”
In the courtyard, the village women sat around the rescued women, offering words of comfort and guidance, afraid that they might do something rash. Their words, though simple, were filled with heartfelt warmth.
In the kitchen, Lin's mother deftly added noodles to the boiling water while muttering curses under her breath: "That damned beast! So big and yet it does nothing but be a bandit! It wastes air when it's alive, it ruins the land when it's dead, and it's still wasting money even when it's half-dead!"
Lin Baozhu was picking vegetables nearby, her gaze drifting to the faces in the yard that were gradually coming back to life. She lowered her voice and said to her mother, "Mother, although they escaped, their reputation... even if they're completely innocent, people will probably still gossip about it. If there's an old-fashioned person in the family, life will be..."
Lin's mother paused in her work, then snorted with exasperation: "As long as you stand on your own two feet and don't lose your spirit, you can live a decent life anywhere! This is a new society now! The Women's Federation and the police are our support! If there are any blind fools who dare to mistreat us, let them go to the organization!"
"I'm afraid I'll be too humble and listen to those nonsense words to marry just anyone. That would be like falling into a fire pit!" As she spoke, she looked at her daughter with a hint of heartache, clearly remembering the rumors that Lin Baozhu had encountered before.
Lin Baozhu understood and gave a bright smile: "Mother, it's all in the past. Look at me now, I can protect you and Father, I have two decent jobs, and our lives are getting better and better! Those who gossiped behind our backs back then, who is doing as well as our family now?" Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying an undeniable strength, "As long as you stand tall and upright, all that filth and stench won't get on you!"
Though the sounds from the kitchen were soft, the courtyard was quiet, and these words reached the ears of every woman clearly. Like a faint yet resolute ray of light, they pierced through the gloom in their hearts.
They are the victims! They did nothing wrong!
The ones who are wrong are those beastly bandits!
The problem lies with those outdated ideas that value so-called "chastity" more than human life!
A faint warmth, mixed with resentment and stubbornness, quietly grew in my heart. Perhaps... perhaps only by becoming strong enough, resilient enough, can I truly withstand the storms of the outside world? The confusion and fear receded slightly, and through the cracks of despair for the future, a ray of light called "hope" shone through.
Lin Baozhu quietly observed the movements in the courtyard, keenly noticing that the lifeless aura emanating from them had dissipated, replaced by a faint yet real vitality. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief; spending time in the oven-like kitchen hadn't been in vain.
"Dinner's ready!"
Lin Baozhu carried a large tray full of noodles out of the kitchen. The women all stood up and came to greet her.
"Auntie, Sister Baozhu, let us carry it!"
Perhaps a corner of the boulder in their hearts had been lifted, for a rare, faint smile of relief appeared on their faces. Seeing this, Lin Baozhu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
After the meal, Lin Baozhu arranged for the women to ride in an oxcart that had come from the village, intending to take them to the town's public security bureau.
Before leaving, the village women crowded around the car, repeatedly giving them earnest advice:
"Girls, once it's over, move on!"
"If you encounter difficulties, remember to contact the Women's Federation! Contact the police! The government will stand up for you!"
"There are plenty of good young men out there, but you must keep your eyes open and not settle for just anyone..."
The simple yet warm words flowed like a gentle current into their hearts. On the oxcart, the women's tears, which they had been holding back, finally burst forth. If... if only their families could offer the same understanding and support as these complete strangers!
The wheels rolled on, carrying the women who had survived the ordeal toward an unknown fate, and also carrying the last, heartwarming warmth that Dageba Village had given them...
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