Liu Chunyan rolled up her sleeves and spat blood, "Who are you trying to scare, you worthless trash? Your parents are locked up in prison and you're still putting on airs here? I wasn't born yesterday.
Go ahead and report me if you dare! We'll see who ends up undergoing criticism and struggle sessions!"
She truly was an illiterate thug!
Huo Qingqing replied, "Fine, then just wait." After speaking, she pulled Han Jianwu along, saying, "Let's go home and draft the lawsuit right now."
After taking a few steps, Huo Qingqing turned back to look at the Han family members and said, "Now that we've divided the household, each family manages their own affairs. This is a new society where the law doesn't impose collective punishment. If one person faces legal trouble, it only affects their own descendants and has nothing to do with other family members. You don't need to worry about being implicated."
The parents-in-law trembled with anger, unable to speak for a long time. It was only then that Second Brother spoke up, "Fourth Brother's wife?"
Huo Qingqing looked at Han Lao Er and nodded slightly, "What is it, Second Brother?"
Han Lao Er said, "Fifth Brother's wife is completely illiterate – just a blind village woman who only knows how to fight within the family. Those slanderous words defaming your father must have been instigated by someone. With her level of understanding, how could she possibly come up with such statements herself?"
Liu Chunyan was about to start cursing at Second Brother when Han Jianhua kicked her and pointed at her, scolding, "Shut up! If you dare curse at anyone again, I'll have your parents come take you back home."
Liu Chunyan actually restrained herself. In these times, rural women had to endure all hardships and exhaustion, and those who truly couldn't bear it would rather commit suicide than get divorced. Han Jianhua's words "have your parents take you back" meant he would abandon her.
Huo Qingqing asked, "What do you mean, Second Brother?"
Huo Qingqing's previous job as a substitute elementary school teacher had been arranged by Han Jianwu through his persistent begging of Second Brother. As a brigade cadre, Second Brother had more contact with Educated Youth. From his observations, Huo Qingqing wasn't as unreasonable as everyone claimed. Take this household division for example – they were given such dilapidated housing, yet not only did she not make a scene, she even used her own money and ration coupons to fix up the house together with Fourth Brother. It seemed she genuinely intended to build a life with Fourth Brother.
From her argument with Liu Chunyan just now, one could see the difference in their levels – she was a reasonable woman with perspective.
Second Brother said, "Sister-in-law, your real goal is to find out who instigated Fifth Brother's wife, not actually wanting to send her to face legal consequences, right?"
Huo Qingqing said, "Finally, someone who understands. That was indeed my initial intention, but since I see she never learns her lesson, forget it. This kind of thug should be sent to prison for reform."
Liu Chunyan was furious. Keeping all those curses inside was killing her, but Han Jianhua had her completely under control now. She didn't dare cause trouble – what if she really got sent back to her parents' home if she provoked him? That was all she could think about. As for Huo Qingqing's talk about sending her for reform affecting her descendants' chances to attend university, join the military, or become officials – that was completely beyond her comprehension.
The oldest brother and his wife kept their hands tucked in their sleeves without speaking, incapable of discussing matters at this level. The third brother and his wife could talk endlessly about other topics, but these matters also exceeded their understanding.
Second Brother looked at Han Jianwu, "Fourth Brother, what do you think should be done?"
Han Jianwu said, "As long as Fifth Brother's wife clarifies who instigated her to say those things, we can let this matter go. After all, we're still family."
Second Brother looked at Liu Chunyan. "Fifth Brother's wife, are you still not planning to tell the truth? Do you intend to shield those wrongdoers while abandoning your own child to undergo reformation?"
Liu Chunyan couldn't believe she might be taken away for reformation, but everyone seemed genuinely concerned about it. Could that wretched Huo Qingqing really have the power to send her for reformation or to prison? Weren't her parents already in prison? Hadn't she herself nearly been taken for criticism and reformation back then because someone anonymously reported her as a traitor and capitalist's daughter who engaged in improper relationships instead of reforming properly in the production team? Yet she had done nothing wrong—she had only spoken the truth.
Having recovered somewhat, Father Han turned to his youngest son and shouted, "Jianhua, since she won't tell the truth, go get your father-in-law and mother-in-law to take her away!"
Seeing her father-in-law's stern order, Liu Chunyan broke down in tears. "I'll talk, I'll talk, alright?"
Huo Qingqing said, "Look at me and speak."
Liu Chunyan replied, "It was that Gao Zhiqing who said it."
Huo Qingqing asked, "Which Gao Zhiqing? There are several educated youths with the surname Gao at the educated youth point."
Liu Chunyan said, "The one named Gao Yunxia, the one you're close with."
Huo Qingqing sneered, "Close with her? What a joke. What else did she tell you?"
Liu Chunyan fell silent until her husband kicked her again. "Speak up! What else did that woman tell you?"
Liu Chunyan stammered, "She… she also said something about Zhang Guohua and her being like… like pigs and horses or something, meaning that Zhang Zhiqing was her lover. And she said Zhang Guohua only got close to Huo Qingqing for her money."
Huo Qingqing said, "I know. So I went along with their scheme and took the opportunity to demand repayment from them. I've already recovered some of it, but there's still more outstanding."
Whether Han Jianwu believed her or not, Huo Qingqing felt she had used Liu Chunyan's testimony to clear herself of suspicion regarding Zhang Guohua.
Han Jianhua scolded his wife, "You brainless fool! Stay away from those educated youths from now on, especially that wretched woman surnamed Gao. What kind of people are they anyway?"
Mother Han added, "If I ever hear any of you siding with outsiders again, watch your hides! Don't think I can't control you just because we've divided the family."
After returning home, Han Jianwu asked Huo Qingqing, "What's the plan now? Confront Gao Zhiqing?"
Huo Qingqing looked at him. "You still don't believe me? Or do you still think I'm having an affair with that Zhang Zhiqing?"
Han Jianwu explained, "I mean that Gao Zhiqing is deliberately spreading rumors to ruin your reputation."
Huo Qingqing responded with an "Oh" and said, "You don't need to worry about these matters. Right now, let's focus on getting the money and ration coupons back first." There would be plenty of time later—she would make sure those two experienced all the suffering she had endured in her previous life.
Han Jianwu said, "If you need me to do anything, just tell me. Don't carry everything alone. As long as you're here, your problems aren't just yours to bear."
Huo Qingqing felt a sudden warmth in her heart. "Okay, I understand."
The next day, a commune postman came to Han Family Village with an express letter for Huo Qingqing, which Han Jianwu brought back for her.
When Han Jianwu returned, Huo Qingqing was making dumplings.
Looking at the beautifully shaped dumplings resembling gold ingots, Han Jianwu exclaimed in surprise, "You know how to make dumplings?"
Huo Qingqing replied, "Of course. Did you think these dumplings grew by themselves? By the way, why are you back so early today?"
Han Jianwu took out the envelope and handed it to her. "Your express letter."
Huo Qingqing quickly wiped her hands on her apron and took the letter, opening it to find recent photos of her parents and two older brothers.
There were no overly sentimental words, but every sentence from her mother brought tears to her eyes. Not only did her mother not blame her for getting married and having children without a word, but she also said she had good judgment—the man she chose must be decent, and the two children were being raised well, looking adorable and clever at first glance.
Finally, her mother mentioned that she would arrange to visit Han Family Village as soon as possible and would send another express letter once the train tickets were booked.