At that moment her former mother in law Zhang Guiqing was straddling a woman hitting and scratching her while shouting nonstop that the woman was a little hussy.
Standing nearby was a man around fifty years old. His face looked terrible and he looked frantic and angry as he tried to pull Zhang Guiqing away. It was none other than her former father in law Lin Guodong.
Su Wan understood the whole situation instantly. Her former mother in law had run into them on her way back to town and caught them red handed.
Su Wan looked instinctively at the woman crying on the ground and felt her voice sounded strangely familiar. The woman turned her head at that moment and Su Wan stared in utter shock. How could it be her second cousin by marriage Huang Yueying Could it be that the woman having an affair with Lin Guodong was Huang Yueying
“Wan Wan help me My stomach hurts so much” Huang Yueying recognized Su Wan and cried out for help too ashamed to care anymore. Her blouse was torn and her green skirt was stained bright red with blood.
Su Wan pushed down her shock and stepped forward. “Stop this now. If you kill her you will be in the wrong no matter how right you were before”
Zhang Guiqing was wild with rage. She had been riding back to town on a village cart. When the cart stopped at the county supply and marketing cooperative she happened to glance over and saw her husband walking in with a young woman by his side. She had been thinking about Su Wans words so she got off immediately. When she saw her husband handing over cloth coupons so the woman could buy scarce fabric she understood everything. This woman was the mistress he kept on the side. He would not give those coupons to his own wife but gave them to another woman instead. It broke her heart. And this shameless woman was old enough to be her father yet she still gave herself to him. And now she was carrying his illegitimate child. How could anyone be so shameless
She lost control and flew into a rage. Hearing Su Wans voice she finally snapped out of it and stopped attacking. Lin Guodong pulled her roughly to her feet. Before she could steady herself he slapped her hard across the face.
“You foolish woman look at the mess you have made Are you satisfied now”
Zhang Guiqing stumbled and fell to the ground. She looked up at him standing over her glaring at her with disgust. Hurt disappointment and humiliation all rushed to her heart at once.
“Lin Guodong I have been part of your family for thirty years. I gave birth to your sons and daughter and took care of your parents. I may not have had great achievements but I worked hard for this family. Now that I am older you strike me for this whore”
She threw herself at him in a frenzy clawing at his face and neck. Within moments Lin Guodongs face and neck were covered in scratches. He had always been respected and this was the first time he had been publicly humiliated like this. His face twisted with anger and the pain made him lose all restraint. He grabbed her by the hair slapped her twice and threw her to the ground like a piece of ragged cloth.
Zhang Guiqing fell with a heavy thud and struck her head against the counter. Her face went pale and blood trickled down from her forehead. Su Wan had just finished checking Huang Yueying pulse and turned around at the sound. Her expression hardened. She did not like her calculating former mother in law but she despised men who struck women even more.
“Deputy Section Chief Lin have you let your position go to your head” Su Wan stood up and looked straight at Lin Guodong who was smoothing his clothes with a dark expression her voice sharp with scorn. “You are a state official drawing a salary from the public yet you do not serve the people faithfully. Instead you cheat on your wife and then beat her when you are caught”
“You dress like a respectable man but behave worse than an animal. You are already fifty years old yet you still chase after young women. How could you do such a thing A man without integrity and without honor has no right to be a state official”
Lin Guodong seethed with rage his temples throbbing. He never expected his wife to catch him and even less so his former daughter in law. And the usually gentle and soft spoken Su Wan spoke with such sharpness today. He had lost all face. Burning with shame he raised his hand toward Su Wan.
“Su Wan hold your tongue Do not presume to lecture me. Say another word and I will strike you”
Su Wan saw the fury in his face and had no doubt he would do it. Just as she was about to speak a cold voice came from behind her.
“Lay a single finger on her and see what happens”
She recognized the voice it was Lu Linzhou. She turned around and saw him standing there having arrived at some point. He walked toward her tall and imposing radiating quiet authority.
“Are you all right” He stopped beside her his eyes filled with concern.
“I am fine” Su Wan shook her head.
“So it is Nephew Linzhou long time no see. On duty are we” Lin Guodong lowered his hand looking thoroughly embarrassed. He knew his son was getting divorced today and his wife had gone to Hongqi Village with him. So he had taken half a days leave to take his pregnant mistress shopping. How could everything have gone so wrong. Everyone seemed to be here to witness his disgrace. He had lost all face today.
“Wan Wan my stomach hurts so much please save my baby” Huang Yueying lay on the ground clutching her belly her voice weak.
Su Wan looked at her with mixed feelings. After a moments hesitation she took out her acupuncture kit and inserted needles at key points to stop the bleeding.
“Deputy Section Chief Lin I have stopped the bleeding temporarily. If you want the child to survive she must be taken to a hospital immediately”
Lin Guodong felt sick to his stomach. He had planned everything perfectly. Once the child was born he would bring it home just as he had done with his own sons and raise it as part of the family. But Zhang Guiqing had ruined everything. It was all over now. He might not even keep his job let alone keep the child.
He shot a venomous look at Zhang Guiqing then bent down and lifted Huang Yueying in his arms. He walked away in full view of the crowd utterly humiliated.
“Please disperse the crowd” Lu Linzhou instructed his subordinates. The onlookers scattered and the cooperative fell quiet.
Su Wan heard Zhang Guiqing weeping softly. There were reasons to pity her but there were also reasons to blame her. Su Wan did not go over to comfort her. The incident had drawn so much attention and she had deliberately made Lin Guodongs position clear. News would reach his workplace soon. Adultery and public violence would be enough to have him dismissed for moral misconduct.
“Commander Lu let us be on our way” Su Wan said and turned to leave her thoughts still in turmoil. She had never imagined Huang Yueying would be involved with Lin Guodong. Thinking about Huang Yueying job at the photo studio had the affair started shortly after her husband died Was it Lin Guodong who had arranged the job for her
“Watch out”