The moment Su Tong saw Ma Daming, she immediately understood where the doctors and nurses had learned of “Wu Tong’s” so-called “glorious deeds.”
Ma Daming also had a nickname in the village—“Big-Mouth Ma.” He was talkative and bold, and at one point even overshadowed his other nickname, “Daring Ma.”
She was certain that in order to highlight her “tall and heroic” image, Ma Daming must have spent far more effort describing how “tragic and miserable” her life at home had been…
Otherwise, why would the doctors and nurses look at her with such sympathy?
Su Tong looked at Ma Daming, unsure what to say.
Ma Daming pulled over a chair by the bedside and sat down on his own.
“Tong girl, don’t worry! We’ve already understood your situation. Just focus on recovering. Village Secretary Wu has already gone to your home. You don’t need to be afraid anymore. From now on, the village will stand up for you. If you want to get married, you can. If you don’t, then forget it…”
After speaking, he felt his explanation lacked weight, so he turned back and asked the person behind him, “Old Jiang, right?”
Jiang Pinglu finally found a chance to speak and quickly stepped forward.
“Right! Right! The country has a Marriage Law. Marriage is supposed to be free and voluntary. Your parents’ actions violate the law and don’t count.”
“Wu Tong, don’t worry! Our police station will also conduct legal education for your parents so they understand their mistakes. Your case also shows that our legal awareness work still has many shortcomings!”
“Next step, we will make this a key focus. We will follow national policy, oppose arranged marriages, and firmly reject any marriage-forced or transactional marriages…”
Jiang Pinglu became more and more excited as he spoke, raising his arm high.
Su Tong blinked repeatedly, only hearing “don’t worry” from left and right, while everyone kept talking endlessly.
Seeing her confused expression, Jiang Pinglu paused. Remembering what Ma Daming had told him, he realized this girl was introverted, insecure, had little social experience, and had dropped out before finishing middle school…
Maybe she couldn’t fully understand all this reasoning?
After thinking for a moment, he asked a more practical question.
“Wu Tong, is there anything you want to solve right now? Just tell us. We’ll do everything we can to help.”
Su Tong’s eyes lit up slightly. So they were done with theory and ready to solve real problems?
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Pinglu knew he had asked the right question and put on what he believed was a kind smile.
“Go ahead! Say whatever you want.”
Seeing both of them finally quiet down and looking at her seriously, Su Tong confirmed she finally had a chance to speak.
“I… I only have one request…”
She raised one finger.
Both Jiang Pinglu and Ma Daming nodded in unison, already mentally preparing themselves to do everything possible—even beyond their ability—to help her.
“I want the matter of me exchanging the child to be mentioned only in the hospital. Can you please stop spreading it? And as for anything related to me in this case afterward, please keep it confidential! I just want to live quietly like before.”
Her tone was firm.
Outwardly calm, she was screaming inside. From what it seemed, they didn’t even know about the escaped criminals yet. Just exchanging the child had already made the hospital talk endlessly—thankfully, the doctors and nurses didn’t know her before, and once she was discharged, she wouldn’t have to deal with them anymore.
But there were still those two escaped criminals—like two ticking bombs. If they confessed, and others exaggerated the story, how would she ever explain herself?
In this sensitive era, if someone with a wild imagination decided she was a spy or something…
She couldn’t even bear to think about it.
She had just arrived and only wanted to live peacefully. Exchanging the child could still be explained as a moment of impulse—but catching criminals? How was she supposed to explain that?
Jiang Pinglu and Ma Daming both stared at her without speaking.
Su Tong blinked again.
“Am… am I asking too much?”
“Too much! Extremely too much!”
It was Ma Daming who spoke first.
“Tong girl, I know what kind of life you’ve had! How your parents and siblings mistreated you—we all saw it but couldn’t really intervene. Now that you’ve made such a huge contribution, we must publicize it properly. Let your family see it too. If they still dare to mistreat you, they’ll be opposing a hero who served the people—the government won’t allow it!”
“What a good child!” Jiang Pinglu added.
“There are times to keep a low profile, and times not to. On this matter, I agree with Daming. This must be publicized properly—it’s beneficial to you, your production team, and even our entire Qingfeng Town!”
Then he added, “Of course—this matter has already been reported to the county leadership. Village Secretary Wu has also already made a speech in the village. So, even if you wanted to keep a low profile, it’s no longer possible! Haha!”
Jiang Pinglu looked very pleased with himself. The leadership had been satisfied with the report, and even the police station had been praised.
Su Tong felt completely drained.
These two would have been wasted talents in a propaganda department.
……
After finally sending off the two “propaganda experts,” Su Tong sighed in relief. She needed to sort out her memories properly. Her recent memories were fairly clear, but older ones were vague.
There were still many problems ahead: her poor family background, ignorant and biased parents, manipulative younger siblings. This era had underdeveloped economy and conservative thinking. There were no ID cards, travel required letters of introduction, and society had limited acceptance of new things…
It seemed that after resolving this case, she would still need to carefully consider her future life.
Ma Liu and Zhang Kui should also be waking up soon. Zhang Kui had been knocked out by her punches, but the main cause of unconsciousness was blood loss. As for Ma Liu, she might have an underlying illness—judging from his pain, it seemed like appendicitis…
Just as she was thinking, there was another knock on the door.
She silently sighed. The ward was really lively today—people kept coming one after another. Maybe she should just pretend to be asleep next time.
The door was only slightly ajar, and the visitor barely knocked before entering. It was a tall young man wearing a black leather jacket, his presence sharp and composed, his gaze cold and distant.
Su Tong’s heart sank slightly. She recognized him—the young man who had shouted at Ma Liu during the ambush. He had been the one to stop Ma Liu from shooting her.
And later, he was also the first to catch up to the jeep. Though she had been “unconscious” at the time, she had still heard his voice.
What must come, comes. What must be faced, must be faced.
The man carefully closed the door, then walked steadily to her bedside.
Only now, in daylight, did Su Tong realize he was much younger than she had imagined. His features and temperament were outstanding—sharp brows and eyes like an unsheathed blade—but there was also a calm maturity beyond his age. That contrast gave him an overwhelming presence.
He looked at her for a moment before speaking.
“I’m sorry for involving you in this case. I am the person in charge of this investigation. My name is Qin Yi.”