Su Qing took sip after sip of plain porridge from He Miao’s hand. The young girl collected the bowl and, frightened, hurriedly carried another bowl of porridge to Wang Haifeng’s sickbed.
“Dad, are you in pain? Drink slowly, it’s still a bit hot!”
“Dad’s not in pain. Just take good care of your grandmother. By the way, go check on your Ninth Uncle later and see how he’s doing?”
“Alright, I’ll go in a moment.”
He Miao cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, taking the thermos out with her as she tremblingly closed the door.
In the ward, Su Qing, having eaten and drunk her fill, leaned against the pillow pretending to doze. Wang Haifeng felt somewhat anxious. He roughly knew what his mother was scheming, but at a time like this, the Wu family who had done the beating hadn’t even come to check on them. As a bunch of country bumpkins, could they possibly gain any advantage?
“Mom, what are you thinking? How do you plan to handle this matter?”
“Just sleep. Focus on resting well with good food and drink. Remember to listen to your mother in everything—that’s all you need to keep in mind.”
Wang Haifeng opened his mouth, sighed, and burrowed under the covers to sleep. Before he could even close his eyes, He Miao rushed in frantically.
“Grandma, Dad, something’s happened, something terrible! On my way back, I saw Grandpa Liu being brought to the hospital. His face was covered in blood, and he was all bloodied up—it was terrifying! My uncle and aunt are injured too. Grandma, what should we do?”
Tears streamed down the young girl’s face. It was the first time in her life she had experienced such events—adults being hospitalized, injured, with no one in the family capable of making decisions. It was utterly frightening!
“What? Grandpa Liu is in the hospital? Mom, what should we do?”
Su Qing closed her eyes briefly. That cunning old coot sure knew how to grab benefits for his family. She had explicitly instructed Wang Weidong to have Liu Wanli write the Big-Character Poster and leave, but now that fellow had let the Lius latch onto them.
That old man had been an accountant for decades and was shrewd enough to scoop a ladle from a passing manure cart. This time, they’d probably have to cut him in on the spoils.
Frustrated with nowhere to vent, she turned and glared at Wang Haifeng. None of them were learning anything proper, barely literate. Once this was over, all the little ones would have to go to school—not a single one would escape.
Wang Haifeng: “…”
Why glare at me? I wasn’t the one who beat him!!!
“Stop wailing. Your third aunt will take care of it. The Lius will probably come too, so no need for us to worry. Right now, you and I are both seriously injured. Remember, lie low and don’t move.”
After admonishing her son, she turned her gaze to her granddaughter.
“Stop crying. Go check on Grandpa Liu later and tell him Grandma had stitches on her head and isn’t well enough to visit. Once we’re discharged, invite Grandpa Liu over for a meal. I’ll slaughter a chicken.”
“Okay, Grandma, I’ll go tell him soon. Oh, and Grandma, the doctor said Uncle is seriously injured and still hasn’t woken up. Even after he’s discharged, he’ll need proper rest.”
“Understood!”
Over at the Public Security Bureau, chaos reigned. The incident at the Baishi Town Coal Mine Factory today was the largest armed brawl the Yongning County Public Security Bureau had handled since its establishment.
It was almost a one-sided beating, with the Wang family members sustaining injuries of varying severity. Fortunately, the children were unharmed, or the police chief might have found his position in jeopardy.
In the interrogation room, Wu Dakui was frantic, his eyes red and lips pale, his voice trembling with post-event fear.
“I waved my hand, and the old woman fell down. The man who rushed at me from behind tried to hit me with a rock, but he lost his balance and hit himself instead. How many times do I have to tell you? Why do you keep asking?”
Jiang Wei slammed his palm on the table, glaring at him with fierce eyes.
“Be honest! If you don’t tell the truth, we’ll detain you right away!”
“Everything I said is true. I’m not lying. Why won’t you believe me? Let me out to call my dad. I’ll have someone else investigate. Oh right, Su’e saw it. She can testify for me.”
“Hmph, but the Commune Members from Hongxing Village all saw you hit people. And that old lady you mentioned – just recently she jumped into the river to save a child. Her physical condition is excellent. How could she possibly be knocked down by you just waving your hand? She needed six stitches on the back of her head. Her sixth son, a seasoned farmer, hit himself in the head hard enough to require seven stitches. And there’s still a younger son who hasn’t woken up yet. You’re something else, Wu Dakui – nearly took out a mother and her three sons single-handedly!”
Wu Dakui was stunned by the shouting, looking at his own hands in disbelief. Was he really that powerful?
After leaving the interrogation room, Jiang Wei saw Wang Haiyang still sitting on the chair outside and went over to pat his shoulder.
“How’s it going?”
“The guy’s too slippery, won’t tell the truth at all. Don’t worry, Old Wang, I’ll definitely get justice for your mother and the Wang family!”
“Thanks, brother.”
“No need for thanks between us. You should go check on the hospital first!”
Wang Haiyang nodded, turned and left the Public Security Bureau. Jiang Wei sighed and went back into the interrogation room. He refused to believe he couldn’t get the truth out of Wu Dakui today.
In the bureau chief’s office, Chief You paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. When the phone rang, he immediately picked it up.
“Chief You, you have to save my son! You’ve watched Dakui grow up!”
“Old Wu, what have you done? I told you to handle this properly. The higher-ups just issued documents recently, and you had to run right into the line of fire!”
“I don’t know what happened either. I just sent the security team to scare them a bit. Who knew they’d start fighting? Maybe… maybe those country folks are deliberately causing trouble, trying to extort money?”
Chief You angrily slapped his desk, his hand turning red from the force. He couldn’t understand how this man became a factory director while being so stupid!
“Never mind what they want to do. You’re in the wrong here. I’m telling you, hurry up and go to the hospital to see them. If they sign a letter of understanding, your son might still have a chance. Once the statements are finalized and the case is transferred, even a letter of understanding won’t help. He might end up eating peanuts!”
He hung up with a sharp “smack.” Stupid, absolutely heaven-defying idiot.
The next day, two mediators came to Su Qing’s hospital room. The two comrades carried themselves with some arrogance, their condescending manner making Wang Haiyang shrink back somewhat.
Country folk still felt some inferiority when facing city people. Wang Haiyang, who had served in the military, stepped forward twice, using his body to shield his mother and brother.
“If you have business, state it. If not, leave. What’s with the arrogant looks?”
“Ahem, comrade, you’ve misunderstood. We don’t mean it that way. We came today representing Factory Director Wu to mediate. We know you’re the victims, but it’s better to settle disputes than keep them going. We’re all from the same township – why must we fight to the death? Granny, I know you’re the head of household. Feel free to state any demands you might have.”
Su Qing cleared his throat twice and slowly extended his hand.
“I have no demands except for justice. We’re just honest farming folk being persecuted by Wu Dakui’s family. He acts like some feudal landlord! I only want justice, and I’m determined to fight against these bad elements to the end, to the very end!”
Wang Haiyang: “……”
Wang Haifeng: “……”
She sounds quite passionate, but why is it so hard to believe her?!