"Shut up!"
After Chief of Staff Shi finished his reprimand, he turned to Qu Chuning with a pleasant expression, nodding with a smile: "No problem, Comrade Chuning. Since that's the case, we'll go back and prepare!"
With that, Chief of Staff Shi pulled Shi Zhenzhen and walked out!
After they left, Qu Chuning could still hear Shi Zhenzhen questioning her father in the clinic corridor: "Why should we give her so much money? Is she made of gold? Dad, what are you afraid of? What does it matter if Xi Muzhou is here? I'm not afraid of him!"
Qu Chuning knew that achieving this outcome was because she had encountered someone yesterday. If she hadn't met Xi Muzhou, she might not even have been able to enter this place.
"Thank you!"
Qu Chuning raised her head and sincerely expressed her gratitude to Xi Muzhou.
Xi Muzhou wasn't much of a talker, and besides, this was part of his job responsibilities, not worthy of thanks. He gave Qu Chuning a slight nod before leaving.
Qu Chuning originally thought that since the matter was resolved, she should leave this place. Unexpectedly, not long after Xi Muzhou left, an orderly ran back, smiling as he pulled out several meal tickets and a letter of introduction, telling Qu Chuning: "Comrade, these are meal tickets for you. There's a guest house near our garrison where you can stay for a couple of days. When Deputy Battalion Commander Lin gathers the money, he'll bring it to you. As for the newspaper announcement, Deputy Battalion Commander Lin will handle that personally when the time comes!"
Holding the meal tickets and letter of introduction, Qu Chuning had a meal and then went to the guest house near the garrison. Presenting the letter of introduction, she smoothly checked in.
The next afternoon, Lin Dongguo and Shi Zhenzhen arrived.
Seeing Qu Chuning again, Lin Dongguo's eyes held nothing but resentment and disgust. He threw out two thick envelopes of money, saying viciously: "I never expected you'd even try to make money off acquaintances. Qu Chuning, here's your money. Are you satisfied now?"
"Three thousand yuan! I say, comrade, don't be too greedy!"
Lin Dongguo and Shi Zhenzhen mocked Qu Chuning. Three thousand yuan was no small amount – this had truly crippled Lin Dongguo financially. Shi Zhenzhen had even shamelessly borrowed money from her parents, otherwise they couldn't have gathered this much money!
Qu Chuning took the money out from the envelope and began counting it right in front of them. While counting, she reminded Lin Dongguo: "Lin Dongguo, I need you to publish a clarification in the newspaper as soon as possible. Also regarding your hometown – whether you return to explain to relatives and friends from both sides in person or write letters, either is fine! But do it quickly, otherwise I might have to come back to this place!"
Shi Zhenzhen was so angry her features twisted. She pointed at Qu Chuning: "You'd dare come back? Qu Chuning, in that situation back then, Dongguo was only…"
"But he came back later, and he married you. So why wasn't there any clarification?" Qu Chuning interrupted Shi Zhenzhen, looking directly into her eyes: "When you got married, why didn't you find a way to clarify things? Why didn't you choose to tell me the truth, instead of letting me continue caring for his parents at the Lin Family?"
Shi Zhenzhen was left speechless by the retort. Seeing her being bullied, Lin Dongguo immediately stepped forward: "What's the point of saying all that? So what if I forgot? The money has already been compensated to you. What more do you want? Qu Chuning, this is three thousand yuan! Adding the two hundred yuan bride price we gave your family back then, that's three thousand two hundred yuan. Your entire family couldn't save this much money in a lifetime. How dare you accept it without worrying it might break your back?"
The thought of such a large sum made Shi Zhenzhen's face twist in pain.
Did they think this was painful? Qu Chuning recalled the suffering she had endured in her previous life. Could three thousand two hundred yuan buy her decades of diligent service in the Lin Family? No, this wasn't enough. How could it ever compensate for the harm she had suffered?
"This is what I earned through hard work. Lin Dongguo, you also came from the countryside. Don't you understand how important reputation is to us women? It's only a little over three thousand—why would it break my back? Don't worry, it won't. I'll take it with a clear conscience. Also, you'd better arrange for the newspaper clarification as soon as possible…"
"Don't push your luck! We've given you the money. What else do you want with a newspaper clarification?"
Qu Chuning securely tucked the money away, stood up, and walked over to Shi Zhenzhen. Lin Dongguo instinctively pulled Shi Zhenzhen behind him. Qu Chuning snorted coldly: "If you don't publish the clarification, I won't leave. I'll go to the Inspection Team or your superiors every single day! Lin Dongguo, search your conscience. I've been with your Lin Family for three years. Even though you never came home, in everyone's eyes, I was your Lin Family's daughter-in-law. My reputation was ruined because of you. Shouldn't you make it right?"
"You!"
Shi Zhenzhen and Lin Dongguo stormed off in anger. Qu Chuning, delighted with the money, cheerfully went to the Guest House to extend her stay for two more days.
That evening, after Qu Chuning had dinner outside, she hadn't gone far from the restaurant when she ran into a group of ruffianly dressed men. Without a word, they grabbed her and threw her onto a tractor. Her cries were quickly drowned out by the tractor's noise. She tried to jump off, but they forcibly restrained her and directly transported her to the bus station.
If Qu Chuning didn't realize what was happening by now, she would have truly wasted her second chance at life. Someone wanted her to leave, and besides Lin Dongguo and Shi Zhenzhen, she couldn't think of anyone else!
"Get out of here now, understand? Otherwise, we'll beat you up every time we see you!"
The group spat out these words and left the bus station.
Qu Chuning checked the money and her introductory letter on her person. She had a few old clothes left at the Guest House, but she kept all her important belongings with her. As soon as she stepped out of the bus station, she saw the group standing not far away, watching her—as if they had already guessed she wouldn't obediently take the bus back.
One of them even shook his fist at Qu Chuning.
Gritting her teeth, Qu Chuning turned around and went back into the bus station.
By now, it was already dark. There was only one last bus heading to the county town. She definitely didn't want to leave like this. Her reputation hadn't been restored yet—how could she possibly leave?
After hesitating for a moment, Qu Chuning began searching for a way out. The bus station here was very small. Using the excuse of needing to use the restroom, she asked a vendor for directions. When Qu Chuning reached the restroom, she discovered there was also a tall perimeter wall. She moved some objects over and, with great effort, managed to climb over the wall. After jumping down, she landed flat on the ground. Ignoring the pain, she checked her surroundings and immediately started running.
She hadn’t run far when she collided head-on with someone. The person clung to her clothes desperately, as if grabbing onto a lifeline.
"Let go! Let go of me!"
Qu Chuning struck out fiercely a couple of times. The person was tall and stumbled, his body collapsing heavily onto Qu Chuning. She pushed with all her might but couldn’t free herself. Moreover, his body was burning hot, as if he were ill. Just as she was about to ask what was wrong, she caught a clear glimpse of his face in the dim light.