The person who walked into the main room was Xie Jiang, a tall and imposing man. Though there were specks of white in his temples, his posture remained perfectly straight.
He fixed his gaze on Zhou Dahong, and the weight in his eyes made her immediately shrink back.
“Zhou Dahong, do you really want me to call Comrade Chen from the Family Committee?”
Hearing Xie Jiang speak with such calm authority, Zhou Dahong’s arrogance immediately diminished by more than half. She forced a cold expression and said, “Comrade Xie, you and my husband, Old Luo, have been comrades for many years, and we have been neighbors for a long time. There is no need to ruin our relationship over your little housekeeper, right?”
“She is still a person,” Huang Guilan said, feeling relieved that her husband was backing her up, yet her voice was serious. “Even a little housekeeper has dignity and deserves respect. You falsely accused Qiao Xingyue is exactly why you need to receive criticism and education.”
Xie Jiang had been worried that a single bottle of soy sauce might escalate into a neighborhood conflict. Upon arriving, he realized this was more than a simple matter of soy sauce. Zhou Dahong clearly had serious issues with her sense of right and wrong.
He said solemnly, “Regarding your false accusations against Qiao Xingyue, I will submit a written report to Comrade Chen of the Family Committee. You should prepare to receive criticism.”
Then he picked up An’an. “Guilan, let’s go home.”
Stepping over the threshold of Zhou Dahong’s main room, he held the upset An’an in his arms, comforting her. “An’an, don’t be afraid. If anyone dares to bully you or your mother again, Grandpa will protect you. Everyone in the compound respects Grandpa.”
Xie Jiang’s eyes were no longer stern; they were filled with the care and warmth of a grandfather.
For the first time, An’an felt the protection and love from an elder. Her small lips pouted as tears of joy welled up. “Grandpa, before this, others always bullied me and Mom, and no one ever stood up for us. You are so good!”
“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Xie Jiang’s calloused fingers gently wiped the smooth, egg-like skin of her face. “From now on, Grandpa will always have your back.”
Huang Guilan added, “Yes, An’an, from now on both Grandma and Grandpa will protect you. Don’t be afraid; no one dares to bully you.”
“Grandma, Mom didn’t steal the money. She really filled the soy sauce bottle this morning. It was Zhou Dahong who lied.”
“I know, I believe you. Zhou Dahong just loves taking advantage of small things and emptied our soy sauce.”
Back at the Xie household, Qiao Xingyue saw that An’an had been brought back in Xie Jiang’s arms. “An’an, how could you let Grandpa hold you? Get down.”
Xie Jiang set the child down. “It’s fine. I like holding her.”
Qiao Xingyue quickly took the soy sauce bottle from An’an’s hands. “Why is it empty?”
Huang Guilan explained everything, carefully omitting the part about Zhou Dahong calling Qiao Xingyue a fox spirit.
“Xiao Qiao, Zhou Dahong just loves small gains. She’s been like this for decades. Next time if she comes to borrow something, don’t give it to her. Just say it was me who said no.”
“All right, Aunt Lan. Don’t get upset over it, don’t ruin your health.”
Qiao Xingyue reached into her floral apron bag and pulled out twenty cents. “An’an, go get some soy sauce for Mom. She’s waiting to cook the twice-cooked pork.”
“Okay!” An’an happily accepted the money and ran off.
But within two minutes, a voice rang from outside, “Guilan, Xiao Qiao, come quickly. An’an is being beaten.”
Outside, Zhou Dahong had intercepted An’an. She falsely accused An’an of stealing money, took the coins, and her chubby grandson even bit An’an, while Zhou Dahong hurled insults.
“You little bitch born of a widow, you dare steal my money?”
Angry, An’an fought back. By the time Qiao Xingyue and others arrived, the neighbors had gathered and surrounded them tightly.
From the crowd came Zhou Dahong’s crying and shouting.
“Everyone, come and see the truth! This little bastard stole my money and hit us. Where is the law?”
Qiao Xingyue pushed through the crowd and reached An’an, whose face and neck had been scratched, hands marked with teeth and blood, and hair pulled out in clumps.
Qiao Xingyue’s heart trembled as she held An’an close. “An’an, let Mom see your injuries.”
Seeing her mother, An’an pouted but refused to shed a tear. “Mom, I didn’t steal money.”
“I know. Tell me, besides these scratches, are you hurt anywhere else?”
“Mom, don’t worry. I wasn’t going to let them take advantage of me.”
This steadfast courage broke Qiao Xingyue’s heart even more.
Xie Jiang and Huang Guilan, seeing An’an’s injuries, were also deeply concerned. Huang Guilan scolded, “Zhou Dahong, how could you and your grandson be so cruel? Look at what you’ve done to this child.”
Huang Guilan pulled Zhou Dahong to her feet, ready to go to Comrade Chen. Zhou Dahong flopped to the ground, throwing a tantrum.
“She stole my two cents, hit my grandson and me, and broke my back. This housekeeper is yours, Huang Guilan. You pay us!”
Huang Guilan was dumbfounded. Zhou Dahong was shamelessly lying. Watching her flail on the ground, Huang Guilan felt powerless.
Qiao Xingyue noticed Zhou Dahong’s behavior was no different from Zhang Hongmei in the past.
The neighbors, hearing Zhou Dahong’s false accusations, believed them. Voices rose around them.
“She’s a little widow, no manners.”
“Stealing and hitting, like a wild child, needs discipline.”
“She seduced Aunt Lan’s son and even Xie Jiang, a veteran. She’s a fox spirit.”
Huang Guilan clenched her fists, furious that these lies spread throughout the compound.
“Zhou Dahong, did you spread these rumors?”
Still on the ground, Zhou Dahong refused to admit it. “Nonsense, give me money.”
Qiao Xingyue clenched her fists. Wherever she went with her two children, she was careful and never argued, yet she was repeatedly slandered. Today, as a mother, she would protect her child.
“Is this the two cents?” she asked, picking up the green coin from the ground. “You say it’s yours. What makes it yours?”
“It’s just two cents. Money all looks the same.”
“You know all money looks the same?”
“This coin was my living allowance from Aunt Lan. I drew a shallow line under the words ‘People’s Bank’ on the back. This is our money, not stolen.”
She handed it to Zhang Hongmei to check. Zhang Hongmei confirmed the line.
Xie Jiang checked Zhou Dahong’s home as well. The two cents had been stuck in the sewing machine. Zhou Dahong had falsely accused An’an.
“Zhou Dahong, you should apologize to An’an and Qiao Xingyue and write a reflection report,” Xie Jiang said seriously.
Zhou Dahong, however, argued, “Why apologize? Look at how they scratched and bit us. They should pay medical expenses too.”
Qiao Xingyue decided to call the neighborhood security team.
Xie Zhongming supported her. “Dad, Mom, stay here with An’an and Ningning. I’ll go fetch the security team.”
The security team arrived, verified the facts, and required Zhou Dahong to apologize.
Qiao Xingyue also demanded compensation for medical costs, nutrition, and her lost wages from caring for An’an, totaling at least ten yuan.
Zhou Dahong reluctantly complied.
Once resolved, Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming returned home. It was already dark.
In the main room, Xie Zhongming turned on the light. Qiao Xingyue prepared iodine and gauze. “An’an, apply it yourself while I finish the last dish.”
“Okay!” An’an nodded obediently.
Xie Zhongming took over. Under the 15-watt bulb, warm light illuminated An’an’s bloodied and dusty face.
“An’an, I’ll be gentle. Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not scared,” she said, quickly applying iodine herself with skillful hands. She looked at him proudly. “See, Uncle Zhongming, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
Xie Zhongming held her small hand, feeling her warm, soft skin, and a strange ache filled his chest. This child was strong and resilient.
Huang Guilan wiped her tears and said seriously, “Zhongming, An’an’s personality is very much like yours. Also, I haven’t told you yet, but today when you went to the army, Ningning had an asthma attack. Xiao Qiao gave her the special medicine, the same as your father’s.”
Xie Zhongming was surprised. “What, Ningning has asthma like Dad?”
An’an is allergic to peanuts, Ningning has asthma, and both conditions match his family’s hereditary traits. Could these children really be his?
Huang Guilan whispered, “Old Four, Mom asks, back when you were out, besides Chubby Wife, did you have any other affairs?”