Li Jianhan steadied himself his face pale striving to keep his tone even. “Brother you have only just arrived. How much can you truly know about our family affairs?” He silently cursed running into this man of all people here.
Li Jianyong recognized him and snapped. “Are you looking for a beating?”
Li Jianhan studied the stranger in his bright patterned shirt and slicked hair. He looked familiar.
The officer spoke. “We live in a new society now. Watch your words. Li Chuxin you claim to have evidence produce it.”
Li Jianhan moved to shield Li Xixi his voice turning cold. “What evidence could she possibly have? She only wants to force her sister fresh from surgery to bear her burden. Comrade Officer it falls to me as elder brother to admit I have failed to guide her well. She has always taken the wrong path envying Xixi competing with her and claiming what belongs to her. Brother do not be deceived by her gentle appearance that is how she deceives everyone.”
Li Jianyong spoke with pure hatred. “Elder Brother is right. Our fifth sister is ruthless and unprincipled. This family would be better off without her. She would do anything. Xixi is frail and recovering yet Chuxin would heap trouble upon her and see her imprisoned. You are truly wicked.”
Li Weiguo glowered. “Li Chuxin has your sister not shielded you enough over the years? This time you have caused grave harm and you would have her take the blame. Never while I live will I allow it. I will do what is right and hand you over myself.”
Li Chuxin stood in the center of the room looking at them all. They had loved ones yet they would not hear a single word in her defense. They had judged her guilty solely on Li Xixi’s word. Her father looked at her as an enemy. Her eldest brother looked as though she had struck him personally. Her second brother burned with rage and she knew without the officers present he would already have beaten her. She met Li Xixi’s taunting triumphant gaze and spoke firmly. “Sister I will never confess to something I did not do.”
She turned to the officers. “I have a witness who saw Li Xixi ride toward Litou Village ten days ago.” She had prepared for this moment remembering all too well how it had unfolded before. How she had been forced to confess to save her brothers. How her wound had festered untreated in prison. How she had suffered while Xixi prospered.
“This is Sister Zhang who lives at the edge of Litou Village. She saw who it was.”
Sister Zhang stepped forward. Li Xixi shrank back alarmed. She had been certain no one had seen her. How could there be a witness now?
“For all we know she paid you to say this.” Li Xixi blurted.
Sister Zhang replied. “I do not know these people at all. The elderly lady who was injured is my dear neighbor. I would not lie about such a thing.”
Li Xixi fought to regain control telling herself she had been moving fast and no one could have clearly seen her face. “What exactly was she wearing then?” she challenged half hiding behind Li Jianyong’s arm.
Sister Zhang recalled. “She wore a red coat with a floral pattern.”
Li Xixi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Chuxin. “That coat is yours is it not? Your own witness has proven it was you. What more is there to say?”
Li Jianhan nodded. “I remember that coat it is Chuxin’s. The truth is clear.”
Li Jianyong shouted. “Justice prevails. Arrest her this instant. You are truly evil.”
Li Chuxin remained calm and steady. “You are all so eager to see me condemned? You want me to take the blame for something she did? I will not give you the satisfaction. Who said only I had one? Mother bought identical coats for both of us. Do you all forget or choose not to remember? Mine was cut to pieces by Sister Xixi herself over a year ago. She then claimed I had destroyed hers out of jealousy. You gave mine to her. Only Xixi has one now.”