Free Web NovelChapter 52: Chapter 52: Unreasonable Harassment and Protection
Li Siming looked at Miao Dahai’s sly, fox-like smile, and a chill ran down his spine. His scalp prickled. Recalling what that person had said, he no longer dared to cause a scene. He pulled Liu Lanhua up from the ground and snapped, "What are you wailing about? Let’s go home!" freewёbnoνel.com
Liu Lanhua froze for a moment, but then she remembered how much money her husband had spent because of her. Besides, crying and screaming was useless now. She got to her feet, wiped away her tears, and walked off, muttering curses under her breath.
By the time Wang Cuihua arrived, Miao Dahai had already finished his announcement, so she had no idea what was going on.
"Da Zhuzi’s wife, what did Miao Dahai say?" Wang Cuihua asked, grabbing the woman’s arm. Ordinarily, Da Zhuzi’s wife was quite deferential to her.
When Da Zhuzi’s wife turned and saw it was Wang Cuihua, she was secretly overjoyed. She had been wondering how she was going to flaunt her good news, and now Wang Cuihua had come to her.
"Oh, you haven’t heard?" Da Zhuzi’s wife feigned surprise, putting on a troubled expression, but her eyes glinted with smug satisfaction. This Wang Cuihua was always lording it over her, flaunting her status.
Wang Cuihua paused, rubbing her hands together. "Heard what? What’s happened in the village now?"
"Well, it’s about your Wang Dadan. He’s been a squatter in his post, completely irresponsible. That’s why we’ve had two of these vicious incidents in a row, and the higher-ups have disciplined your husband. If he’s not capable, then a capable person should have the job." Da Zhuzi’s wife grinned, looking at Wang Cuihua expectantly. She was dying for her to ask who was taking over the position.
But Wang Cuihua was completely floored by the news. It took her several long breaths before she lunged toward Zhao Nuanyue, screaming, "You hussies from the city! Where there’s smoke, there’s fire! You’re the ones who aren’t decent, seducing hooligans all over the place, and now you have the nerve to blame my husband for being irresponsible! You’re grown adults! What, is my husband supposed to follow you around every second of the day to protect you?!"
Wang Yuan and Li Qiong weren’t around. Hua Yusen was tall and powerfully built, so Wang Cuihua didn’t dare pick a fight with him. Instead, she turned her fury on the more delicate Zhao Nuanyue.
Zhao Nuanyue took two steps back to avoid the spray of spittle from Wang Cuihua’s mouth. Even if it came to blows, she was no match for the stocky woman.
"You’re spewing such filth," Zhao Nuanyue retorted. Discretion being the better part of valor, she dodged behind Hua Yusen before peeking her head out to add, "And you don’t know what kind of man your husband is? Him, following us? I’d be more worried about a thief shouting ’Stop, thief!’"
Hua Yusen shielded Zhao Nuanyue, blocking Wang Cuihua from getting any closer. He rebuked her in a cold voice, "Your husband is incompetent. He can’t maintain order in this village, so he shouldn’t be in that position. It needs to be given to someone who can handle it. Besides, we didn’t give this order. It was a decision from the higher-ups. We don’t have that kind of power. If you’ve got a problem with it, go complain to the county officials and plead your case!"
Most of the surrounding villagers knew about Wang Dadan’s sordid business with Widow Qian. They had also seen how, during work, his dead-fish eyes would lock onto the young women from the city, drool practically dripping onto the ground as he stood there, rooted to the spot.
The villagers weren’t fools. On the surface, the two incidents didn’t seem to have much to do with Wang Dadan, but they were connected to Liu Lanhua; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been a suspect both times. The only reason Liu Lanhua got off scot-free was because Li Siming had sent a lot of "gifts" to the county town.
As for Wang Dadan, he had stayed in the county town from the day after the incident until just last night.
The villagers would never believe there was nothing fishy about that.
"You adulterous pair! How dare you slander my husband! I’ll kill you!" With a shriek, Wang Cuihua charged at Hua Yusen, switching into full-on tantrum mode—crying, screaming, and threatening—determined to vent her fury.
Hua Yusen had no desire for any physical contact with a madwoman like her, so he quickly sidestepped.
Seeing Hua Yusen move, Zhao Nuanyue mirrored his action, staying with him, absolutely refusing to face Wang Cuihua directly.
Having failed to hit anyone, Wang Cuihua’s momentum carried her straight into a large tree on the edge of the village grounds. She collapsed onto her bottom with a thud, groaning in pain.
Miao Dahai had no interest in watching such a farce. Ignoring Wang Cuihua completely, he addressed the crowd. "Alright, Big Pillar and Dong Sanshu, you two stay behind for the handover. The rest of you, go home. It’s too cold out here."
The villagers dispersed, chatting and laughing. Da Zhuzi’s wife deliberately went over to help Wang Cuihua up. "Oh, Cuihua," she said sweetly, "you did that all by yourself. It wasn’t our Big Pillar, the new man in charge. You can’t go around making wild accusations."
Hearing this only enraged Wang Cuihua further. She lunged, her hand reaching to scratch the other woman’s face. "I was always so good to you, and this is how you repay me! I must have been blind!"
"Hey now, Cuihua, you’re biting the hand that feeds you. Can’t you recognize a kind heart when you see one?" Da Zhuzi’s wife said, displeased. "We’re all neighbors here. But if that’s how you’re going to be, I won’t bother helping you."
Having thoroughly mocked Wang Cuihua, Da Zhuzi’s wife sashayed away, looking utterly pleased with herself.
Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen, seeing that they had achieved their goal, headed back to the Dragon King Temple together.
Wang Cuihua scrambled to her feet and rushed home to tell her husband.
"Husband! Father of our child! Your position is gone! Someone’s replaced you!" Wang Cuihua said frantically. "Miao Dahai has dismissed you, and he says the order came from the higher-ups. Get up, quickly! You still have some sway in the village. Go talk to some people, maybe there’s still a way!"
Wang Dadan had been sleeping soundly. He was just about to curse his wife for waking him when her words sank in. Without even stopping to dress, he bolted out the door.
The sky had grown even more overcast, and large snowflakes drifted down relentlessly. One landed inside the collar of Wang Dadan’s long johns, snapping him fully to his senses. ’That Miao fellow already has the official notice from above,’ he thought. ’It means he’s already greased all the wheels. It’s useless for me to go and raise a fuss.’
His cousin’s husband had already spent a lot of money and called in a lot of favors for him. He couldn’t possibly ask him to go begging the township officials again over a mere village position. To get those three people to shut their mouths this time, his cousin’s husband had to promise them a lot.
His own safety hadn’t come cheap. He now had to do things for his cousin’s husband and that other person.
’And to do those kinds of things,’ he mused, ’it might actually be easier not being a village official.’
With this thought, Wang Dadan turned around, went back inside, and climbed onto the bed to go back to sleep.
Seeing her husband’s behavior, Wang Cuihua tried to ask, "Hus—"
"Shut up!" Wang Dadan roared. "Say one more word and I’ll take my shoe to you." He rolled over, leaving Wang Cuihua with nothing but his back.
Wang Cuihua covered her mouth, not daring to cry in the bedroom. She ran to the kitchen and broke down into sobs. ’Looked down on by the villagers, no position of power, no more bringing things home from work... How are we going to live?’
