“A monstrous humiliation—this is simply a monstrous humiliation!”
The more Wang Daren looked, the angrier he became. His head snapped, and he slapped Wang Chaomei—who was slumped on the ground like a pile of mud—hard across the face. “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and go get the scissors!”
“O—okay.” Wang Chaomei rose numbly and staggered out.
Wang Zhuo’er had already soothed Wang Caifeng, who had been crying nonstop. He trotted over in small steps, tugged at Wang Daren’s coat, and said, “Grandpa, you should say qí chǐ dà rǔ—‘utter disgrace.’ Not tiān dà chǐ rǔ.”
Wang Daren had attended a year or two of private school as a child and fancied himself cultured. He liked to misuse idioms when he spoke. Most people in Niubi Mountain brigade had never studied and didn’t know he was wrong. Those who had were reluctant to correct him to his face since he was the brigade leader.
Wang Chaoying and Wang Chaomei simply couldn’t be bothered to argue with their father.
As for Shen Fuyao, she usually didn’t even want to speak to Wang Daren, let alone correct him on purpose.
At this moment, Wang Daren was already furious, and being corrected by a four-year-old toddler was like pouring oil on the fire. So angry he felt smoke rising from his head, he slapped Wang Zhuo’er hard across the face. “You little bastard, get lost. Stop getting in the way.”
Wang Zhuo’er felt wronged. He only wanted to prove that he could read—that he could understand his dad’s diary. Why did he get slapped again?
Including the two earlier ones, on the very first day after his rebirth, Wang Zhuo’er had earned himself three slaps.
Shen Fuyao found it rather amusing. A kindhearted villager couldn’t stand it and scooped Wang Zhuo’er into their arms to comfort him. The child looked like his father—handsome features—and now his fair little face bore five clear finger marks. It made people ache with pity.
Li Gangpao frowned. “Brigade Leader, Zhuo’er is the descendant of a hero of the War of Resistance. How can you hit him? Treat him better in the future.”
Wang Chaoying felt guilty. Back when the twins had been brought home, the whole brigade had spread the word that they were the children of a fallen comrade.
“Alright. I was just too angry today—I won’t do it again,” Wang Daren said, quick to bend when needed. He immediately admitted fault. Feeling a bit awkward after speaking, he cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“That girl Chaomei—why is she taking so long just to fetch a pair of scissors?”
“It’s late. Folks, go home and get some sleep. I won’t trouble you with my family matters,” Wang Daren said, looking at the eyes full of prurient curiosity, and began shooing people away.
The brigade leader had spoken. Some people couldn’t bear the pressure—even though they desperately wanted to watch—and slowly began backing off.
“Dad, everyone’s here out of goodwill. What if something goes wrong when you cut it? Uncle Guo specializes in castrating pigs—he could help stop the bleeding and all,” Shen Fuyao quickly said.
Since they’d already come, of course they should finish watching the show before leaving.
“Your mother is a doctor. We have hemostatic medicine at home,” Wang Daren retorted. What kind of sense did his daughter-in-law have? With so many people watching, wouldn’t his wife be completely exposed when the cutting happened?
“But many hands make light work,” Shen Fuyao said loudly.
“That’s right—Comrade Shen Fuyao is absolutely right,” the onlookers shouted in agreement, even giving a round of applause.
“Brigade Leader, how come your level of awareness isn’t as high as your daughter-in-law’s?”
Wang Daren had nothing to say. Just then, Wang Chaomei returned with the scissors.
“Dad, here—the scissors,” Wang Chaomei said dazedly, handing them over.
“Mmm.” Wang Daren took the scissors and walked toward Chen Dajun.
“No—don’t!” Chen Dajun screamed in terror.
“I spit on that—now you’re scared? Too late!” Wang Daren said as he prepared to cut.
“That’s not how it was! I drank the wine Wang Chaomei gave me—that’s why I couldn’t control myself!” At the critical moment, Chen Dajun’s brain finally kicked into gear.
“After I finished drinking, I heard a noise at the door. When I went out to look, I saw Zhou Lanxiang and Wang Chaomei asleep at the doorway.”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Zhou Lanxiang reacted violently. “You clearly climbed in through the window and carried me out!”
Thinking of a certain possibility about how she and Wang Chaomei had inexplicably ended up at Chen’s doorstep, Zhou Lanxiang suppressed her fear and guilt and shouted back.
Shen Fuyao, bent on avenging her childhood friend, spoke up directly. “Dad, Company Commander Li, I think Chen Dajun is making things up to dodge responsibility. How could Mom and Chaomei possibly come to Chen’s place of their own accord?”
“Chen Dajun is ugly and poor, over thirty and still hasn’t found a wife. Saying my mom and little sister came here voluntarily just doesn’t make sense.”
Li Gangpao thought it over for a moment, then nodded. “That’s true.”
Then he remembered that year-end evaluations for Advanced Brigade and Advanced Individual were coming up. He himself had performed well that year—patrolling day and night, carrying out ideological education and legal publicity—and Niubi Mountain brigade hadn’t had any serious incidents.
With only a dozen or so days left, he couldn’t let Chen Dajun ruin it. So he said, “Brigade Leader, how about this: go ahead and cut it. Once he’s a eunuch, he’ll suffer more than if he were dead. You can consider the matter settled and not report it upward.”
“After all, our Niubi Mountain brigade has a very good chance of being named an Advanced Brigade this year. Don’t let this incident ruin it.”