This had to be the very letter Zhao Xueting had intercepted.
Why would she send it back? Lu Qingnian felt confused and broke the seal open.
One glance and his expression darkened. The handwriting was a clumsy imitation with clear traces of alteration.
The contents were utter nonsense pure rubbish. Lu Qingnian slapped the letter hard onto the desk his face turning livid.
Zhao Xueting was completely out of control. She thought she could use such despicable means to sow discord.
It was ridiculous.
He picked up the letter fully intending to tear it up but paused.
He needed to keep this it was evidence of what Zhao Xueting had done.
She had resorted to trickery again and again and he would not let it slide.
Lu Qingnian folded the letter carefully and locked it deep inside the bottom drawer.
Then he sat back and rubbed between his brows.
Somehow his thoughts turned to Shuiying.
He thought of her reddened eyes her determined gaze how she had held Niannian’s hand terrified yet standing firm in front of the stall.
How could someone like that be anything like what the letter claimed?
Lu Qingnian shook his head a faint smile forming unconsciously.
He trusted her.
From the very first moment they met he had trusted her.
He could not explain why he just knew she was trustworthy.
The next day at noon Shuiying prepared noodles and sent Niannian over with a portion for Lu Qingnian.
“Niannian take this bowl of noodles to your father,” Shuiying said handing the food box to her son. “Walk carefully and do not run or it will spill.”
“I know Mother!” Niannian took the box and trotted out cheerfully.
He knew the way well enough he had visited the office a few times before and remembered the path.
Holding the box close Niannian hurried along.
Passing the medical unit he saw Zhao Xueting coming out of the office clutching several sheets of paper looking furious.
She stormed out slamming the door shut behind her and marched away quickly.
Niannian frowned.
That wicked woman.
Last time she had refused to treat him and called him a bastard.
He stuck out his tongue at her retreating figure and was about to move on.
Then he noticed a few torn scraps of paper lying on the ground.
They looked as though they had fallen from her hand just now.
Curious he stopped and crouched down to pick them up.
The paper had been ripped into several pieces and there was writing on them.
He could not read well but he recognized some characters.
Words like go away and die.
Niannian picked up each scrap and carefully pieced them together.
His face went pale as he read.
The words were clear make her leave the unit if that fails get rid of her once and for all.
Get rid of who?
He was still young but he knew exactly what those words meant.
She meant to get rid of his mother.
Because his mother had won the man she wanted.
Fear flooded his eyes and tears welled up.
He had to tell Father right away.
She was going to hurt Mother.
Clutching the scraps tightly and holding the food box Niannian ran as fast as his legs could carry him toward his father’s office.
He raced along his little legs moving furiously spilling broth from the box without stopping.
He only knew he had to warn his father quickly.
He reached the office door and knocked loudly.
“Father open up something terrible is going to happen!”
Lu Qingnian was reviewing documents and immediately opened the door hearing his son’s voice.
Niannian rushed in face flushed with sweat eyes red as if he had suffered a great wrong.
“Niannian what is it?” Lu Qingnian knelt down to hold him. “Has someone hurt you?”
Niannian shook his head fiercely and held out the scraps of paper.
“Father look!” His voice trembled. “That wicked woman wants to kill Mother.”
Lu Qingnian’s expression turned sharp.
He took the scraps and recognized the handwriting instantly.
The message was unmistakable get rid of her once and for all.
Fine. Very fine.
He had not yet confronted her and now she had gone even further.
To threaten to take Shuiying’s life.
A cold dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
This time he would show no mercy.
That evening Lu Qingnian showed the torn scraps to Shuiying.
Her face paled then flushed as she read them.
She bit her lip and stayed quiet for a long moment.
“Zhao Xueting is truly deranged,” she said her voice steady but her knuckles white from gripping the edge of the table.
“Do not be afraid,” Lu Qingnian said sitting opposite her tone firm and calm. “I am here and she will not harm you.”
Shuiying looked up at him.
The kerosene lamp flickered casting light and shadow across his strong profile.
His gaze was steady certain as if this were the simplest most obvious truth.
Warmth spread through her chest.
“I am not afraid,” she said shaking her head a cold confident smile touching her lips. “I have survived worse than this. Does she think she can get rid of me? It will not be so easy.”
Lu Qingnian watched the fire in her chest and felt his heart stir again.
She was truly extraordinary.
Most women would have been reduced to tears by now.
Instead she stood firm like a feisty pepper growing bolder with every challenge.
“What do you propose we do?” he asked.
Shuiying’s eyes brightened as an idea took shape.
“Qingnian did you not send another letter?” she asked.
“I did,” he nodded. “Sent to the commune secretary. It should arrive any day now.”
“Perfect,” she said eyes lighting up. “We will use that letter to set a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Zhao Xueting intercepts letters does she not? Let us spread word that this letter carries crucial proof of my identity. She will not be able to resist trying to take it. Then we will catch her red-handed.”
Lu Qingnian admired her quick spirited plan and smiled.
This woman certainly had a clever mind.
“Agreed,” he said. “We will do exactly as you say.”
By the next morning word had spread throughout the camp.
“Have you heard Commander Lu sent another letter to Sichuan this time directly to the commune secretary!”
“Is it true? Surely the secretary’s reply will settle everything once and for all?”
“Absolutely they say it carries his official seal far more authoritative than anything from the village!”
“Once that reply comes his wife’s status will be fully confirmed and she will move into the family quarters at last!”
Before long Zhao Xueting heard every word.
Sitting at her desk she twisted a pen between her fingers plotting furiously.
No. She could not let that letter arrive.
Once it did Shuiying’s place would be secure forever and she would lose any chance she had left.
Her eyes darkened with malice.
She would get to that letter before Lu Qingnian did.