Chapter 5 The Zhang family wants to smooth things over
Zhang Pandi was truly out of her mind today.
She went to work hungry in the morning, feeling tired and hungry. She saw Gu Baobao, whom she considered ugly and stupid, a money-loser, sitting leisurely on a rock, peeling a white boiled egg. The aroma wafted into her nose!
She remembered how she got up earlier than the chickens and slept later than the dogs at home, ate the worst food, and did the most work, just because she was considered a money-loser!
Gu Baobao, also a girl, was spoiled rotten by her whole family. She didn't have to do any chores and even got to eat eggs!
The jealousy, resentment, and unwillingness that had been building up for years gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake.
She rushed over, trying to snatch it, but failed. She watched as Gu Baobao stuffed the last bite of egg into her mouth and grinned foolishly at her!
Her mind went blank, and without thinking, she pushed him hard from behind with all her might...
When she saw Gu Baobao collapse with blood all over her head, she was terrified. She instinctively said something harsh to save face, then scrambled home and hid in the woodshed, praying that Gu Baobao would be alright.
But when she heard the bell and the militia came to her door, she knew it was all over.
"Zhang Tiezhu! Zhao Jinlan! You've raised such wonderful daughters!"
Li Guoqiang pointed at them and launched into a tirade of abuse.
"Look! Everyone, look! This is the mess your family has made! You dared to push someone to your death over an egg!"
The Gu family girl just barely escaped death! What do you all think we should do?!
Zhao Jinlan was anxious, angry, and scared. Seeing the pointing and whispering looks from the people around her and hearing those unpleasant comments, especially the comments from those around her, she felt a surge of anger rush to her head!
She turned around abruptly, took off her worn-out cloth shoe with the sole almost worn through, and started hitting Zhang Pandi hard across the face!
"I'll beat you to death, you heartless, worthless bastard! Look at the mess you've made! Huh?!"
You've completely disgraced the Zhang family! You might as well have the police arrest and execute you! It'll save you from causing trouble at home!
Zhao Jinlan hit and cursed as she went, her blows were extremely vicious, and the soles of her shoes made a "slap slap" sound as they struck the flesh.
Zhang Pandi screamed in agony as she was beaten, curling up on the ground, clutching her head, and sobbing incoherently:
"Mom! Stop hitting me! Mom! I know I was wrong! I won't do it again! Waaah..."
This chaotic scene infuriated Li Guoqiang even more:
"Enough! Zhao Jinlan! Who are you trying to fool?! Do you think killing someone will atone for your crime?! Zhang Tiezhu, are you dead?!"
"Say something! Does your Zhang family acknowledge this? How do you plan to explain it to the Gu family?!"
When Zhang Tiezhu was called out, he shuddered, rubbed his hands together, and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Captain... Brother Gu... This... this girl is ignorant and didn't know her own strength... Look, Gu's girl... it's not a big deal... How about we apologize? We can... give her two eggs?"
"Bullshit!"
Gu Jianqiang was the first to lose his temper. He rushed forward, pointed at Zhang Tiezhu's nose, and stared wide-eyed.
"Nothing serious?! My daughter hit her head so hard, bled so much, and lay in the clinic for half a day. You call that nothing serious?!"
Two eggs?! Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?! The blood my daughter lost couldn't be replenished even with ten eggs! Zhang Tiezhu, I think you just don't want to admit your mistake!
The other men in the Gu family also gathered around, glaring angrily.
The atmosphere in the threshing ground instantly became tense.
Li Guoqiang, his head throbbing with worry, quickly stopped him:
"Calm down! Calm down!"
He turned to Zhang Tiezhu and said sternly:
"Zhang Tiezhu! At this point, you still want to smooth things over? Let me tell you, the Gu family has already said that if you don't give them a satisfactory explanation, they will report you to the police!"
Let the police handle this! Zhang Pandi will be considered to have intentionally injured someone and will be sent to a labor camp for reform through labor! Think about it carefully!
"Reform through labor?!"
Zhang Tiezhu and Zhao Jinlan exclaimed in surprise at the same time, their faces turning deathly pale.
In this era, the reputation of the family members of labor camp prisoners was enough to make the whole family lose face, their sons couldn't get married, their daughters couldn't get married, and they would be talked about behind their backs wherever they went!
Zhang Pandi, who had been being beaten on the ground, was also terrified. Ignoring the pain, she crawled over and hugged Li Guoqiang's leg, crying with snot and tears all over her face.
"Captain! No! I don't want to go to the labor camp! Waaah... She... she's not dead, is she? She's perfectly fine, isn't she? Why do I have to go to the labor camp?! Waaah..."
These words were like pouring a bucket of cold water on boiling oil!
"Listen to this! Everyone, listen to this! What utter nonsense is this!"
Wu Guixiang suddenly stood up, trembling with anger, and pointed at Zhang Pandi, her voice shrill.
"Just because she didn't die means you're not responsible?! Just because she didn't die means you're innocent?! So, my granddaughter is lucky she survived because you spared her, and I should thank you for showing mercy?! How can you be so cruel! God, open your eyes!"
The surrounding members were also in an uproar:
"This girl is hopeless! She still doesn't realize she's wrong!"
"Exactly! They almost killed someone, and they still think they're right?"
"The police! We must report this to the police! If this scourge is left in the village, who knows who it might harm next!"
"The Zhang family must have had some terrible upbringing to produce such a thing!"
Li Guoqiang's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He kicked Zhang Pandi aside and roared at Zhang Tiezhu:
"Did you hear that?! This is your daughter's attitude! Just because she's not dead doesn't mean she has no responsibility? Let me tell you, Zhang Pandi!"
"Based on what you said, if the Gu family reports you to the police now, you'll be sent to a farm for at least three to five years of reform through labor! Getting shot would mean someone actually dies! And you dare to hope for someone's death?!"
Zhang Tiezhu and Zhao Jinlan were completely panicked.
Labor camp?
no!
Absolutely not!
They also have a precious son who isn't married yet!
If a family has a sister who is a former convict, what good girl would be willing to marry into the family?
My son's life is ruined!
"Captain! Brother Gu! Sister-in-law Gu! We admit it! We apologize! We'll compensate you! We'll compensate you however we can! Please don't call the police!"
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