Xu Zhouzhou dodged his hand in disgust and cursed furiously, “Cherish your damn mother!”
She pulled a packet of chili powder from her pocket and threw it violently into their faces.
“Cough, cough, cough!” The men were caught off guard and got faces full of chili powder, choking until tears and snot flowed uncontrollably.
Xu Zhouzhou seized the chance to try and run out, but she was grabbed by Lu Shijie. Having failed at this woman’s hands several times, Lu Shijie had long been annoyed by his friends’ mockery. With new grudges added to old hate, he didn’t plan on showing any mercy to the fairer sex.
“You little slut. Me taking a liking to you is giving you face. Since you provoked me, don’t even think about surviving in this village.”
Lu Shijie dragged Xu Zhouzhou and threw her onto the bed, saying to the men at the door, “Go watch outside for me. When I’m done playing with her, I’ll reward her to you guys to play with.”
The men wiped the chili powder off their faces. “Brother Jie is generous! We’ll be waiting right here.”
The sky had turned dark. Although the school wasn’t far from the village, it was still on the outskirts. Country folk didn’t have a nightlife; after a day of work and dinner, they went to sleep early. It was quiet with no one around. They could run after doing the deed, and no one would see.
The men waited outside, rubbing their fists and palms in anticipation. Hearing Xu Zhouzhou’s screams from inside, their blood surged, and they burned with impatience.
Suddenly, they heard a few muffled thuds, and then it went quiet inside.
The men looked at each other in dismay. That fast?
They called out tentatively, “Brother Jie? Brother Jie, are you done?”
Inside, it was silent and still.
“Something’s wrong.”
Someone sensed something was off and kicked the door open. Seeing the scene inside, they were all startled.
Xu Zhouzhou was squatting on the ground holding a brick, smashing it onto Lu Shijie’s head, blow after blow.
Lu Shijie lay on the ground, blood spurting from his head and pooling on the floor. He was motionless, seemingly unconscious. Xu Zhouzhou, her hair disheveled and eyes red, turned her head fiercely. Like a beautiful demon from hell, she looked at them gloomily.
“If you want to die, come and try.”
Seeing this scene, the men’s legs went soft with fright. Screaming incoherently, they turned and ran out.
When Ding Lan arrived at the school with Lu Dahai and Fu Chunhua, the dormitory door was wide open, emitting a dim yellow light. Inside, it was silent.
Fu Chunhua felt a chill in her heart too. Did that brat really cause trouble?
Lu Dahai’s brows were locked tight, his heart filled with worry and doubt. He said to Fu Chunhua, “You go in and look.”
Fu Chunhua shuffled to the door step by step and peeked inside.
“Shijie?”
Following Fu Chunhua’s loud shout, Lu Dahai also strode inside.
Ding Lan was startled and ran in after them. Lu Dahai and Fu Chunhua were shaking Lu Shijie, who lay on the ground. Xu Zhouzhou sat on the floor nearby, her hair messy, her eyes vacant, holding the bloodstained brick in her hand.
“Xu… Teacher Xu?” Ding Lan walked over slowly, crouched down, and called out to her gently.
Xu Zhouzhou spoke faintly, “I hit him. Call the police.”
Lu Shijie was sent to the hospital, and Xu Zhouzhou was taken away by people from the police station.
The next morning, Lu Dahai and his wife, Fu Chunhua, along with the Town Mayor, arrived at the police station to inquire about the situation.
Seeing the Town Mayor personally visit, Director Su of the police station hurriedly stood up to receive them attentively.
“It’s like this, Mayor. Although this female comrade was the one who struck the blow, according to her confession, Lu Shijie assaulted her first. If we were to determine guilt, Lu Shijie would also…”
“She’s farting! My son wouldn’t even look at a slut like her. It must be that she seduced my son, and when he refused, she injured him. Can’t you police investigate properly? Lock this slut up in prison and don’t let her out for the rest of her life!” Fu Chunhua interrupted the police officer viciously.
The Town Mayor glared at her impatiently. “Big Sister, settle down for a moment.” Then he turned to Director Su: “Director Su, we can’t just listen to her one-sided story, right? Does she have any witnesses? Who can prove that Lu Shijie assaulted her first?”
Director Su smiled and said, “Of course, of course. Once Lu Shijie regains consciousness, I will arrange for someone to take his statement. We’ll gather evidence from multiple sources and absolutely won’t wrongly accuse anyone.”
“Our Shijie was beaten until his head was broken and bleeding by her. The doctor said his brain… his brain has a concussion or something, and he might be left with permanent damage. He might even become stupid! That slut was so ruthless; how could she be wrongly accused? Oh my, Changqing, you have to stand up for your nephew. I only have this one son; if he becomes stupid, who can I rely on?”
Fu Chunhua slapped her thigh and started crying. Beside her, Lu Dahai frowned at his wife, thought of his son’s pathetic state in the hospital, and sighed.
Seeing the Town Mayor’s gloomy expression, Director Su’s eyes flickered. “Mayor, a word in private?”
The Town Mayor stood up and walked aside with Director Su.
“Mayor, this female comrade is an educated youth. Although educated youths have mostly returned to the city now, the policy from superiors repeatedly emphasizing the protection of their personal safety is still in effect. In this matter, if the female comrade insists that the man assaulted her first, I’m afraid Lu Shijie won’t escape investigation,” the Director reminded him softly. “If it’s classified as harming an educated youth, the charges…”
Fu Changqing naturally knew what kind of character his nephew had. If not for his older sister threatening to cry, make a scene, and hang herself, he wouldn’t have bothered to make this trip and meddle in this business.
If this matter were truly investigated, that brat wouldn’t withstand scrutiny, and it might even implicate him as the Town Mayor.
“Then what do you suggest?”
“It’s best to turn big problems into small ones, and small problems into no problem at all.”
“How small?” the Town Mayor asked, raising an eyebrow.
Director Su smiled gently. “A young couple having a lover’s spat, accidental injury.”
The Town Mayor narrowed his eyes at Director Su.
…..
“What? Let Shijie marry that slut? Is there something wrong with your brain?” Hearing her brother’s words, Fu Chunhua wished she could poke a hole in his head with her finger.
“Big Sister, regardless of everything, this Xu Zhouzhou is an educated youth. If they really investigate, can Shijie come out clean? Don’t you know what kind of things your son has done?”
The Town Mayor furrowed his brow and looked at Fu Chunhua solemnly. “Shijie probably did this because he took a fancy to the girl anyway. Why not just bring her home as a wife? It might settle his heart and stop him from causing trouble all day long.”
How could Fu Chunhua not know her son’s thoughts? But to make her accept the slut who had beaten her as a daughter-in-law—how could she be willing?
“That girl is not someone to be messed with. Didn’t she hit me last time too? bringing her home would just be inviting a disaster.” Fu Chunhua scowled reluctantly.
“I think Changqing’s idea isn’t bad. Shijie was beaten so badly; we don’t know what he’ll be like when he wakes up. If he really has permanent damage, will he be able to find a wife later?”
“Anyway, he likes that girl, so let her marry in and serve him. Once she’s married in, you’ll be the mother-in-law. Will she still dare to be arrogant? Won’t she be at your mercy to discipline?” Lu Dahai also persuaded from the side.
Hearing this, Fu Chunhua’s heart stirred. Right. Once she falls into my hands, won’t it be up to me to deal with her?
T/n: You can support the original author here.