Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Problem Solved, The Village Fool

Gu Qinghuan didn’t even need to lift a finger—Xu Lei kicked the man directly. “You filthy thing, what disgusting nonsense.”

“You must’ve peeled the skin off your left cheek and stuck it on your right—thick-skinned on one side, shameless on the other. Your mother worked at my house, we not only paid her wages but treated her well. It was a fair deal for both sides. What, just because you helped us out for a few days, you think you’re family now? That I owe you a living? Today I’ve really seen it all—there’s nothing more invincible than shamelessness.”

Aunt Wu hurriedly crawled over. “Shut up! Miss, please don’t stoop to his level. I was wrong, I really was! I beg you, for the sake of the past, let me off just this once! I promise I’ll move out and return the house to you right away, move far away, and never be an eyesore to you again.”

Aunt Wu had worked for the Zhong family for many years and knew their temperament well. They were all good people—honest, kind, and never ruthless. She thought she could rely on their kindness again this time, just like before, to get herself out of trouble.

Unfortunately, she miscalculated.

If it were Zhong Zijun, he might have let it go, at most just making them leave. But Gu Qinghuan was not one to let things slide—she was meticulous and never let things go easily. If you have the guts to do wrong, you should have the guts to face the consequences.

“You’re definitely moving out, and everything you took has to be returned. The thing I hate most in this world are ungrateful traitors. Officer Xu, sorry to trouble you again.”

“Trouble? Nonsense, niece. You wait outside, I’m worried you’ll be frightened,” Xu Lei said with a big smile.

Gu Qinghuan obediently stepped outside to wait. Xu Lei even had someone bring her a stool to sit on.

What followed was a chorus of wailing and shrieking.

After about fifteen minutes, Aunt Wu’s whole family was thrown out by Xu Lei and several police officers. Xu Lei even thoughtfully changed the lock on the front door. Aside from their own personal belongings, they weren’t allowed to take anything else that belonged to the house.

The family was kicked out, carrying their things. The women cursed like shrews, the children wailed, refusing to leave.

Aunt Wu thought that was the end of it and was secretly relieved. They lost the house, but they still had their savings from over the years. Life would go on, just without the big house.

She didn’t expect Xu Lei not only to throw them out, but also to take Aunt Wu and her husband away—on charges of illegal occupation of someone else’s property.

The rest of the family was instantly terrified into silence, afraid to say another word, and slunk away in defeat.

As for the house across the street, Xu Lei also went to explain the situation and told them to move out within three days. Seeing the police involved, they didn’t dare stay any longer and packed up to leave that very day.

Gu Qinghuan hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly—the whole battle was over in a single day. She sincerely thanked Xu Lei and invited him to dinner at the state-run restaurant that evening. After all, favors should be repaid.

Xu Lei, wanting to avoid suspicion, politely declined.

“Niece, maybe another day. When you and your brother move back into this house, invite me for a drink—I’ll definitely come.”

He’d just handled these people, and if he went drinking with the party involved, it might cause trouble if anyone saw. Friendship was one thing, business another—he kept them separate. He helped Gu Qinghuan today because she was in the right. If she’d been the one bullying others, he would never have agreed. As a public servant, he had his principles.

Gu Qinghuan’s respect for him deepened. It seemed Zhong Zijun’s kindness hadn’t all been misplaced.

“All right, I won’t insist. Today was rushed—another day I’ll treat you to a drink. Oh, I just bought three roast ducks—please take them back to the station for you and your colleagues as an afternoon snack. Thank you all for your trouble.”

Xu Lei couldn’t help but laugh—this girl was even more tactful than her mother. But in times like these, being tactful was a good thing; tactful people walked a longer road.

“Okay, I’ll accept them on everyone’s behalf. You head home now—once there’s an update, I’ll have someone let you know.”

Strictly speaking, they couldn’t accept bribes, but a bit of food from the party involved was a common, unspoken rule—no one would say anything.

The young officers behind Xu Lei beamed with delight at the roast duck—a rare treat.

As they left, they thanked Gu Qinghuan.

Gu Qinghuan then went to buy another roast duck to take home. Today was a huge victory—worth celebrating.

—

Zhong Zijun was carrying a basket, ready to head up the mountain to gather firewood. Winter was coming, and they needed to prepare. In past winters, they’d been so busy with heavy work and tending livestock that there was barely any time for their own needs. When firewood ran out, they’d have to wear every piece of clothing they owned and huddle on the heated brick bed.

This year, with Captain Duan looking after them, their workload was much lighter. So she wanted to gather extra firewood and stock up on food from the mountains—anything to fill their bellies.

Though her daughter helped out, they couldn’t rely on her for everything. If they did more themselves, winter would be much easier.

Zhong Zijun happily headed up the mountain, unaware that she’d already caught the eye of a venomous snake.

Ever since Wang the Cripple broke his other leg and was bedridden, he’d held a grudge against Zhong Zijun, convinced she was behind his misfortune—thief crying “stop thief.” He’d secretly come up with a vicious plan.

Ji Linhai, because of Gu Qinghuan’s request before she left, would often cross the mountain to set traps near the neighboring village whenever he had time. While hunting, he kept an eye on the Zhong family. If he happened to see Zhong Zijun in the mountains, he’d deliberately kill some of his trapped prey and leave them where she’d find them.

Zhong Zijun had no idea someone was secretly helping her. She just thought, “Huanhuan was right—why is it so easy to find game on the mountain these days?” It was odd—why hadn’t it been like this before?

She found a patch of forest and started gathering firewood in earnest. Before long, her basket was full. She even bundled up a pile of pine needles on top for kindling. When the basket was packed to the brim, she stopped.

She knocked her aching back, ready to hoist the basket.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind with astonishing strength, startling her. The arms around her were like iron bands, pinning her in place. She couldn’t see who it was, and panic rose in her chest.

But thanks to past experiences with harassment, she quickly calmed down. While shouting, “Help! Help!” she quietly moved her hand to her waist, where she kept a knife Gu Qinghuan had given her. If it came to it, she’d fight to the death.

After a couple of shouts, the person, perhaps afraid she’d attract attention, let go of her to cover her mouth. In that moment, Zhong Zijun kicked backward with her right foot, landing a heavy blow.

He yelped in pain and let her go.

She quickly put distance between them and, looking closely, realized—it was the village fool?

The village fool was well known in the area. He was over thirty, but had the mind of a five- or six-year-old—simple, silly, but big and burly. His parents had died, his brothers had families of their own and didn’t care much for him. He lived alone, scraping by. People helped him when they could.

“Big Fool! What are you doing?” Zhong Zijun, seeing it was him, let her guard down a little, but still snapped at him.

He was just a fool—she figured he was just playing around.

The fool, angry, said, “You hurt me! I’m not happy!”

Then he lunged at her again, trying to grab her.

Zhong Zijun was caught off guard and he grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back.

“Let me go, Big Fool!” she shouted.

The fool mumbled something under his breath, then started tugging at her clothes.

Zhong Zijun hadn’t expected trouble from a fool and hadn’t been on guard. Who’d have thought he’d suddenly act like this?

She quickly came to her senses and started yelling for help. “Help! Help!”

But she’d chosen a deserted spot for peace and quiet, so now there was no one around.

The fool gripped her arm tightly and yanked at her clothes. No matter how Zhong Zijun struggled, she couldn’t break free.

“Don’t touch me, Big Fool!” Zhong Zijun was so desperate she started to cry, but she couldn’t stop him from stripping off her clothes.

He seemed obsessed with getting her naked. Because she was wearing a tight sweater her daughter had bought, he struggled with it for a while, then started pulling at her pants instead. He even pulled out a rope and tied her hands.

Zhong Zijun kicked and cursed him with all her might, but he was unmoved.

She didn’t know what he wanted, but if she was stripped naked by a fool, she’d rather die.

Crying and screaming, she fought with everything she had, but the fool wouldn’t stop.

Her pants, along with the thermal underwear her daughter had bought, were pulled off, exposing her long, pale legs.

She was mortified and furious.

If looks could kill, she’d have killed the fool a thousand times over.

She’d lived half her life and never suffered such humiliation.

The knife at her waist was now in the fool’s hand. He grinned stupidly, “You really do have good stuff on you. This knife is nice—I’ll take it home to cut vegetables.”

Zhong Zijun tried to coax him, “You’ve got what you want, now let me go, okay?”

The fool shook his head firmly. “No, no.”

He hadn’t gotten the food yet—couldn’t let her go.

Wang the Cripple had told him that if he could strip this “stinking intellectual” naked, carry her down the mountain, and parade her through the village, he’d get ten jin of grain.

Ten jin of grain! With wild greens, he could eat for days. His family had been out of food for a while, living on wild greens every day—he was sick of it.

Zhong Zijun looked in despair at her dwindling clothes.

To be humiliated like this by a fool—she’d rather be dead."