The village chief went into the neighboring room and made an announcement over the loudspeaker.
Not long after, Liu Tong and the other three arrived together at the brigade office.
As the four entered, Ruan Qiaoqiao carefully examined their faces. None of them had visible injuries, though one of them limped while walking.
So the person beaten up yesterday wasn’t one of them?
Then who could it have been?
When Liu Tong saw Ruan Qiaoqiao sitting on the bench by the wall, a vulgar grin spread across his face.
He and Liu Ercheng from Liuhang Village had been classmates and were very close. He had visited Liu Laosi’s house many times and had long coveted Ruan Qiaoqiao. After all, with looks like hers, there wasn’t another woman like her in all the surrounding villages.
Liu Ercheng had once promised that sooner or later, he would offer up his “cheap little sister” for him to enjoy.
Unfortunately, the little vixen had always been extremely cautious, avoiding him whenever she saw him. Then she had suddenly gotten married, leaving him frustrated for a long time.
Now she was finally divorced and back.
Although she had already been married once and had “lost some freshness,” at least her second husband was the impotent Fu Wenzhou.
Sleeping with her was only a matter of time.
Beside him, Liu Guoqiao asked in confusion, “Village Chief, why did you call us here?”
The village chief lit his tobacco pipe, took two puffs, tapped it against the table, and gestured toward Ruan Qiaoqiao.
“Did the four of you beat up Fu Wenzhou yesterday? His wife came to me asking for justice.”
Liu Guohua, who was nearly forty and quick-tempered, immediately exploded and glared at Ruan Qiaoqiao.
“We haven’t even settled scores with Fu Wenzhou yet, and you’ve got the nerve to come after us for him? That bastard used dirty tricks and secretly hit my ribs. They still hurt now.”
Liu Guoqiao chimed in at once. “He kicked my waist when I wasn’t paying attention. I can’t even do heavy work today.”
Liu Daqian pulled up his pant leg, revealing a bruise on the lower part of his thigh.
“See this? Fu Wenzhou did it. I’m limping today because of him.”
After the three spoke, they all looked toward Liu Tong.
Liu Tong covered his head dramatically and groaned twice. “He tripped me and I hit my head on the ground. I’m still dizzy.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao: …
If she hadn’t seen Fu Wenzhou fight last night with her own eyes, she never would have believed these accusations.
But now…
She actually believed them.
Still… one against four?
Fu Wenzhou looked refined and scholarly—not like someone who could fight at all.
How was his combat ability this strong?
Since she had come here seeking justice, she had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
“So what you’re saying is that four strong grown men attacked my weak and defenseless Fu Wenzhou, yet all four of you ended up injured? How is that any different from being useless?”
The four men immediately became furious.
Liu Guohua was about to curse back, but Ruan Qiaoqiao continued first.
“I already asked around about what happened yesterday. Everyone saw the four of you attacking my helpless Fu Wenzhou. Nobody saw him beating you.”
“I already said he used dirty tricks!”
“Do you have proof? Without proof, that’s slander.”
As she spoke, Ruan Qiaoqiao pulled out a towel stained with “blood” from her bag and threw it onto the floor in front of them.
“After Fu Wenzhou returned home yesterday, he suffered internal injuries and kept coughing up blood. He’s still unconscious. Since you claim you’re victims too, then let’s report this to the police. Perfect timing—they can investigate who started it, who was at fault, and whoever is guilty can go to jail. Fair enough?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Guohua stared at the bloodstained towel, his eyes shrinking slightly.
Was Fu Wenzhou really injured that badly?
When he left yesterday, he didn’t seem seriously hurt at all.
If this truly got reported, they had indeed started the trouble first. They would not have the advantage.
He raised his hand and nudged Liu Tong.
Liu Tong snorted coldly. “You say he’s unconscious, so he’s unconscious? I say you’re exaggerating on purpose.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao nodded. “That’s reasonable. Since you doubt me, then let’s bring the brigade doctor to my house to confirm it. Village Chief, please come along and witness it too. This matter must be resolved today, otherwise I’ll find another way to resolve it.”
The village chief gritted his teeth at her.
To keep her from causing greater trouble, he could only try to minimize the matter. He immediately made another announcement over the loudspeaker, summoning the barefoot doctor to the cowshed.
Before long, the group arrived at Fu Wenzhou’s home.
Fu Wenzhou was lying on a straw mat outside the house, eyes tightly shut, his face pale and bloodless like a corpse. Beside the mat sat a basin of water stained bright red with blood.
The people who came along all felt chills at the sight.
Ruan Qiaoqiao reddened her eyes and looked at the village doctor.
“Doctor, please examine my husband.”
The doctor went over, checked Fu Wenzhou’s eyes, then felt his pulse.
The village chief asked nervously, “How is he?”
The doctor cleared his throat. “This situation… is a bit serious. Why haven’t you taken him to the hospital?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao secretly laughed inside.
In many remote villages, so-called barefoot doctors didn’t actually have much skill. Some hadn’t even treated people before. The one from Houliu Village had originally been a veterinarian and only became a doctor after attending a few training classes.
The basin of “blood” alone was enough psychological suggestion for him. And before leaving home, she had even secretly used acupuncture on Fu Wenzhou to weaken his energy.
Now he truly looked gravely ill.
She wasn’t worried at all about being exposed.
She raised her sleeve and wiped tears that didn’t actually exist.
“All the Fu family money was stolen by that bastard Liu Ercheng. I was thrown over here as repayment. How could we possibly have money for treatment now?”
“Well… you can’t just leave him like this,” the doctor said. “Someone could die.”
“I learned medicine from my grandfather and father since childhood, and I studied for two years at the county hospital’s training program. I can slowly nurse him back to health. He won’t die, but… he’ll definitely suffer.”
As she spoke, Ruan Qiaoqiao straightened herself and looked back at the village chief.
“Village Chief, you’ve seen it now. My husband suffered so much because these four men were ruthless. I want to report this to the police.”
The village chief became anxious.
If this matter reached the authorities, the next time he attended the township leadership meeting, he would definitely be criticized again.
“Little Ruan,” he said quickly, “didn’t you just say you could slowly treat him? I think we should forget reporting this. It wouldn’t be good for the village’s reputation. How about this—tell me what you want, and I’ll decide for you.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao looked toward the four men.
“My husband is in terrible condition right now. Nursing him back to health will cost a great deal of money. Village Chief, surely we shouldn’t bear this disaster ourselves.”
“That’s right. They should compensate you. How much do you want?”
“They must each pay twenty yuan for medical expenses and lost work compensation. And every single one of them must publicly apologize to my husband over the village loudspeaker. If even one thing is missing, this matter will not be over!”