Song Mianmian had seen Zhao Zilin’s arrogance in her past life and quickly stepped behind several elderly aunties and grandmothers. Not all the neighbours liked her, but in the face of such behaviour, they stood together to shield her and speak up.
“You know you should speak properly. Why lay hands on Mianmian? Don’t you know men and women should keep their distance?”
“That’s right, Zhao Zilin. You are not her real brother. You are both grown now. You must be more careful.”
“He used to be such a decent boy. What has got into him lately? This is not good behaviour.”
Some spoke from genuine concern, while others took the chance to make cutting remarks.
Zhao Zilin grew even angrier but forced himself to apologize. “I’m sorry. I lost my temper. But Mianmian must explain how she hurt Qinghui.”
Seizing her moment, Song Mianmian stepped forward and grabbed Du Qinghui by the arm. Du Qinghui could not believe it. She thought Song Mianmian meant to strike her again. Was she even human? Spoiled from childhood and weak, she could not break free. She flinched as Song Mianmian raised her hand expecting scratches or blows. Zhao Zilin and the others cried out in alarm.
But Song Mianmian did not strike. Instead she pulled out a black and white handkerchief and wiped firmly at Du Qinghui’s bloodied forehead. Then she stepped back behind Zhao’s mother and pointed.
“Look everyone! Look closely! She is not hurt at all. There is not even a bruise. She prepared tomato juice and pretended it was blood. It was all a trick from the very beginning. I am the one who has been wronged.”
She held out the handkerchief to the most respected elder Granny Lin. “Smell for yourselves. It is tomato juice. I would never have noticed if I were not allergic to it.”
She was not truly allergic. She had learned the secret only after death hearing Du Qinghui complain about it in the jade space. In her past life she had been tricked into signing the property transfer and had died for it.
Now everyone saw clearly there was no wound. The red substance was fake and they crowded round to smell and see. One or two even tasted it. They turned on Du Qinghui calling her deceitful and shameful. She burned with humiliation and wanted to vanish into the ground.
Zhao Zilin looked at her with cold disgust. He had told her plainly to make a real injury. She had always done exactly as he said and he had trusted her to do this right. Instead she had lied to him and now everything was falling apart. He signalled Du Qinghui to slip away.
She tried to leave but the neighbours blocked her path. They had begun by examining the handkerchief but now they turned their attention to the bigger picture.
“That girl has a terrible heart. Stealing her pendant and framing her with fake blood.”
“It is wickedness. Ordinary people do not think up such things. Could she be one of those bad elements?”
“It looks planned and organized just like they say. Someone should report this to the station.”
“Xiaohu go to the police station now.”
The women who had simply stood watch now tied Du Qinghui’s hands and feet afraid she might be dangerous. They stuffed a rag in her mouth when she protested. Zhao Zilin stepped forward to speak but someone said “Zhao Zilin brought her here. Tie him up too he is just as suspicious.”
He backed away in alarm desperate to separate himself from her. Then Song Mianmian spoke up loud and clear.
“Please listen to me. I do not think she is a bad element. I believe she only wanted to ruin my reputation so she could marry my brother openly.”
She was not defending them out of kindness. She knew Du Qinghui’s background would stand up to investigation and any official inquiry might end with compensation instead of punishment. That would not serve her purpose.
Her words stunned everyone. Zhao Zilin beamed with relief thinking her foolish and softhearted. Others shook their heads but most spoke with genuine concern.
“Mianmian she has treated you so badly why do you still stand up for her?”
“She has stolen your marriage your good name and your job. She is worse than a snake.”
“Even if she is not an enemy she deserves to be locked up and taught a lesson.”
Song Mianmian waited until the murmurs died down then spoke again softly dropping a truth that would leave them all gasping.