Chapter 36 After the Rain
Secretary Chen's words were clearly directed at Director Wang, but Director Wang didn't dare to utter a single word in rebuttal.
Director Wang's face turned ashen, while Song Lubai was in high spirits.
Before she could even enjoy her moment, while Song Lubai was looking at the newspaper and discussing the contents of the bulletin board with Lao Zhang, Director Wang called her name again.
"What's wrong, Director? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Song Lubai's attitude remained the same as before, showing no signs of personal emotion.
Director Wang felt frustrated. "Go find Shen Lingyu and tell her that if she wants to live a peaceful life, she shouldn't cause so much trouble. The Hu family's endless commotion is also having a bad influence on our neighborhood."
Song Lubai knew that talking to her about other things would be like casting pearls before swine; Director Wang's personality meant that she wouldn't easily change her preconceived notions about things because of what others said.
"Okay, I'll go in a bit."
After finishing his story, Director Wang took out two notebooks and said, "Go and organize your thoughts and write down your reflections."
Song Lubai: "..."!
"Okay, there's no rush for this. The Party Secretary also asked me to write the bulletin board. Our main task right now is to mobilize support for border development. I think mobilization is more urgent."
Director Wang said expressionlessly, "Give it to me in a week."
Song Lubai smiled and said, "Okay."
When will they finally stop targeting her? Is she taking her anger out on the secretary after he spoke ill of her in public? Song Lubai is so easy to bully.
After receiving the task, Song Lu went back and discussed it with Lao Zhang for a while.
In the past, Old Zhang was in charge of creating the bulletin boards, as he had a lot of experience in designing them.
Old Zhang is a skilled painter and writes very neatly; Song Lubai only needs to follow his instructions.
Hearing Director Wang urging her, Old Zhang waved his hand, "Go do something else first."
After finishing her office business, Song Lubai went to the Hu family's house.
Although she thought Shen Lingyu was probably not at the Hu family's house, she thought, "What if she is?" Besides, she wanted to go to the Hu family's house to see what the situation was like.
Only two old men from the Hu family were at home, both with bruises on their faces. When they saw her, they looked as if they had encountered a class or even enemy.
Seeing the two faces covered in graffiti, Song Lubai seemed refreshed and asked with a smile, "Uncle, Aunt, what happened? Where's Shen Lingyu?"
Hu Li immediately launched into a tirade: "How would we know where that damned bitch went? If I ever catch her, I'll beat that bastard to death..."
The old woman cursed her daughter-in-law with the most offensive language.
After listening, Song Lubai picked at her ear and then turned and left.
Hu Li grabbed her arm, "Who told you to leave? Is this how your neighborhood committee does things? What kind of daughter-in-law is she? Beating the old man and no one stands up for her! It's outrageous! There's never been such a thing in history! My Hu family is so unlucky to have such a daughter-in-law..."
After listening to her wailing, Song Lubai shook off her arm. "What? You're allowed to hit her, but she's not allowed to hit you? The police didn't arrest you when you hit her, it's so fair, why are you still unhappy!"
Hu Li's face contorted with rage: "What do you know, you little brat? We are the elders, a daughter-in-law like her should be drowned in a pig cage! Does your neighborhood committee not care? This is outrageous!"
Song Lubai said with a serious expression, "I don't care who said that. I came here today to see Shen Lingyu. I want to have a good talk with her."
“But Auntie, it seems you didn’t take what we said last time seriously. If she’s calmed down, would she still treat you like this? I think she really wants a divorce. Anyway, you can’t stand a daughter-in-law like this, so you might as well get a divorce sooner rather than later, so you don’t have to make a fuss and have a hard time.”
Hu Li looked at her with hatred in her eyes.
She pointed her finger and cursed, "You heartless bastard! They say it's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage, but your idea is a terrible, blind plan. Whoever marries you will be incredibly unlucky..."
If this were a relative of hers, Song Lubai would have argued with this old hag and won, but now she's a staff member of the street office. If she did that, she'd lose her job.
Song Lubai thought to herself that marrying into your family was the worst thing that could happen, but she said aloud, "Alright, that's settled then. I'll go to the hospital to find Shen Lingyu and try to talk her out, but you guys also need to take action to appease her, make sure she gets good food and drink and recovers her health first..."
After saying a series of high-sounding words, Song Lubai turned around, rolled her eyes, and left the courtyard.
Shen Lingyu was not at the neighborhood clinic, but lying in the city hospital.
Compared to the last time I saw her, her face was much clearer this time, and she looked much better.
Although the bruises on Shen Lingyu's face had not completely disappeared, her original appearance was now visible.
The thin, oval face appeared somewhat sunken in the middle due to malnutrition, with prominent cheekbones.
But her big eyes are very bright when she looks at people.
After exchanging pleasantries, Song Lubai took out a handful of coins from her pocket, totaling a little over six mao (0.6 yuan).
"You're staying here with no one to take care of you, so here's some to tide you over. You can pay me back when you have the means later."
Shen Lingyu smiled and pushed it back, lowering her voice to say, "Thank you, but it's not necessary. I have enough money to eat here for a month or two."
The hospital has a cafeteria where meals are served without coupons, but they are a bit pricey.
But Shen Lingyu can afford to take the blame now, because last time she came home late at night and beat someone, she took the opportunity to steal the old man Hu's hidden stash of money.
Although Song Lubai and Shen Lingyu hadn't met or talked much, they felt a sense of closeness during this meeting.
Song Lubai asked in a low voice, "I heard from others that you went home in the middle of the night. Where did you go after that?"
Shen Lingyu whispered in her ear, her tone slightly smug: "There's a hole in the hospital wall, and I crawled in. Nobody in the ward knows I went out in the middle of the night. The police came to look for me once, and I said it wasn't me. Everyone in the ward can vouch for me."
Song Lubai gave her a thumbs up.
"So what are you planning to do next?"
Shen Lingyu lay back down, her expression relaxed: "I've figured it out this time. I've had enough of living like a beast of burden, neither human nor ghost. I have to get a divorce no matter what."
Hearing this made Song Lubai feel happy.
According to Hu Li, her ideas were unorthodox, and women like her were a cancer in society.
Director Wang and her aunt both confidently asserted that Shen Lingyu would not get a divorce and that she would be coaxed back to continue her life.
Song Lubai wasn't trying to prove who was right or wrong, but rather to say that everyone has the right to break free from a difficult life.
If the social environment doesn't allow it, then it's wrong and needs improvement.
People should not be slaves to the social environment, but rather the masters of their own lives.
She was happy for Shen Lingyu and hoped that she could get a smooth divorce, although she knew it would be difficult.
But after the rain comes sunshine.
While Song Lubai was still busy at the street office, Lin Dahai, who had left work early today, and Zhang Cui, who had agreed yesterday to go to the county town to find Lin Shuhong, each rode a bicycle to the county town.
The two waited outside Lin Shuhong's house for more than two hours before Lin Shuhong returned.
It was already completely dark by then.
Lin Shuhong and Lin Jinyao's figures looked forlorn in the dim light emanating from the surrounding houses.
Seeing the two people waiting at the door, Lin Shuhong's expression changed, and she instantly perked up.
"Dad, Auntie, what brings you here?"
Before the two could speak, Lin Shuhong continued, "Dad, Aunt, you have to help Liu Mei. Her whole family has been arrested by the police."
After saying that, Lin Jinyao wiped her nose and started crying.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
