Village Chief Sun stared at the deserted yard in front of his own house, while Wang Xuemei’s home was bustling with activity.
The old man’s face could no longer maintain its composure.
This was more than a matter of pride it was an unprecedented challenge to his absolute authority over Hexi Village.
An outsider, and a woman seeking a divorce at that, had somehow won over the hearts of the villagers under his control overnight?
It was as if the very foundation of the Sun family was being dug up!
“Fine! Just fine!” Sun’s face turned dark as iron, his gaze coldly fixed on Wang Xuemei’s house. “Wang Xuemei, I see your time as Deputy Village Chief is over! How dare you shelter an unknown outsider, a charlatan dabbling in feudal superstitions!”
He swung his hand sharply and barked at a follower beside him, “Call the commune office! Tell them someone here is practicing medicine illegally, pretending to work magic. Ask them to send someone immediately!”
Sun Laizi also shouted to the gathering villagers, fanning the flames, “Villagers, wake up! Don’t be fooled by this woman! She’s not using real medicine it’s witchcraft!
Think about it, can a couple of roots and tree bark really cure illnesses? She’s using forbidden tricks!”
Some villagers, who had already harbored doubts about Shen Zhiwei’s methods, now showed hesitant expressions.
Indeed.
The effects of her remedies were astonishingly fast, almost supernatural, and unnerved ordinary people.
Wang Xuemei trembled with anger, stepping forward to block Shen Zhiwei.
“You’re slandering her! Miss Shen saved lives, that’s a fact everyone saw! How dare you defame her!”
“You’re the one abusing your power and seeking revenge. I’d say the real threat to the village’s peace is you!”
“Shut your mouth!” Village Chief Sun completely tore off his mask of civility, asserting his authority. “Wang Xuemei, by sheltering someone of unknown origin, you are complicit in illegal medical practice.”
“I, as Village Chief, am now suspending all your duties as Deputy Village Chief. Go home and reflect! As for this Shen Zhiwei…”
He sneered, glancing at Shen Zhiwei. “She must be detained immediately. Wait for the commune’s police commissioner to arrive.”
Turning to the surrounding villagers, he threatened, “Whoever dares to shelter them will be going against commune policy.
This year’s relief grain, work-point evaluations you deal with it yourselves!”
At these words, the villagers who had been ready to speak up for Shen Zhiwei immediately fell silent.
Village Chief Sun had ruled the village with an iron fist for years. With the villagers’ rations at stake, no one dared take risks.
Sun Laizi smirked, preparing to step forward with a few followers to seize Shen Zhiwei.
“Wait.” Shen Zhiwei’s crisp voice rang out. She stepped forward calmly, her gaze steady on Sun. “Village Chief Sun, you say you’re suspending Deputy Village Chief Wang?
May I ask is this your personal decision, or the decision of the commune party committee? According to regulations, suspending a Deputy Village Chief requires approval from the commune. Have you completed the proper procedures?”
Old Man Sun froze, utterly unprepared for this city woman’s knowledge of bureaucratic procedures. His face immediately soured.
Shen Zhiwei gave him no time to react and pressed on. “And as for detaining me may I ask which law I’ve broken? Are you a police officer?
Do you have a detention warrant? If not, what you’re doing is illegal confinement!”
She paused, then raised her voice so the surrounding villagers could hear.
“Moreover, before coming here, I already spoke with Minister Li of the County Armed Forces.”
“He is now monitoring the situation here. Are you sure you want to arrest someone without any legal procedure?”
The words County Armed Forces struck like thunder, reverberating through the crowd.
The villagers exchanged glances, and the respect in their eyes toward Shen Zhiwei increased noticeably.
Old Man Sun and his son visibly flinched for a moment they hadn’t expected this woman to have such connections.
Sun Laizi tried to act tough, cursing as he stepped forward, “Damn woman! Stop scaring people. I ”
“Stop!” A loud, commanding voice rang out from the edge of the crowd.
Everyone turned to see Militia Company Commander Zhao Dagang striding forward with several armed militiamen. Zhao Dagang, in his forties, wore a worn military uniform and had a stern, resolute face. He commanded great respect in the village.
“Village Chief Sun, what’s going on here?” Zhao Dagang’s gaze swept over the scene before landing on Old Man Sun. “I just came back from the commune. The commissioner is on the way. Whatever the matter is, wait until the commune personnel arrive.”
Old Man Sun’s face changed he hadn’t expected Zhao Dagang to show up now, and it was clear he was siding with the other party.
Sun Laizi, reckless as ever, still shouted, “Zhao Dagang, this isn’t your business! My father is the village chief he calls the shots ”
“Shut up!”
Old Man Sun hurriedly restrained his son, cold sweat beading his forehead.
He knew better than his son that Zhao Dagang was not just a militia commander, but also a veteran with connections in both the commune and the county. He could not intimidate him lightly.
“Someone’s coming! Someone’s coming!”
A green jeep kicked up dust as it drove into the village, stopping abruptly in front of the crowd.
Three men in Zhongshan suits got out. The leader, a man in his fifties, had a stern expression and piercing eyes.
“Who is Sun Baotian?” the middle-aged official asked in a low but authoritative voice.
Old Man Sun trembled all over and hurried forward. “Secretary Liu, you… you’re here?”
The man addressed as Secretary Liu gave him a cold glance.
“We received a formal complaint from the villagers and, after preliminary verification, you are suspected of serious issues: withholding relief grain, falsifying project payments, and abusing your power.
After discussion by the commune party committee, you are suspended from your duties immediately pending investigation!”
He held up a document stamped with a red seal and continued, “At the same time, the commune party committee recognizes Comrade Wang Xuemei’s principled conduct and dedication to the people, and has decided that she will temporarily oversee the village’s work.”
These words struck like thunder. The villagers were stunned, then erupted into animated discussion.
Secretary Liu ignored the ashen-faced Old Man Sun and turned to Shen Zhiwei and Wang Xuemei, his tone much softer. “Comrade Wang Xuemei, Comrade Shen Zhiwei, you’ve been wronged.
The commune acknowledges Comrade Shen’s lifesaving actions and will give them full recognition.”
He looked at Zhao Dagang. “Company Commander Zhao, during this period, assist Comrade Wang Xuemei in maintaining order in the village and ensure the investigation proceeds smoothly.”
“Yes! I’ll complete the task!” Zhao Dagang straightened, chest out, voice loud and firm.
Old Man Sun slumped completely to the ground, his face ashen. Sun Laizi tried to slip away but was blocked by two militiamen.
Seeing this, the villagers finally relaxed and crowded forward.
“Secretary Liu sees everything clearly!”
“Old Man Sun should have been removed long ago!”
“Deputy Village Chief… no, Village Chief Wang truly cares for us!”
“Miss Shen is a good person, a miracle doctor!”
A wave of genuine cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.
Shen Zhiwei and Wang Xuemei exchanged smiles no words were needed.
Watching Old Man Sun and his son being taken away for investigation, and seeing the villagers’ heartfelt smiles, Shen Zhiwei quietly clenched her fist.
The first battle won.