Chapter 68

After Zhang Guoqiang handed the report letter to the security section, he went to ask the next day, "Is Pei Huaiye still working at the machinery factory?"

Old Zhao from the security section said blandly, "No."

"He was speculating and profiteering; was he arrested?"

Old Zhao raised his eyebrows, "Do you have evidence?! The public security officers are investigating; go away, don't interfere with our official business!"

Zhang Guoqiang was too scared to stay long after looking at the serious Old Zhao; he took his wife to the Shuangshui Brigade, and when he asked the Su family's neighbors, they all said Su Qianyue and Pei Huaiye had disappeared, and they didn't know where they had gone.

"They aren't at the machinery factory; Su Qianqian said at the time that she had money and coupons but couldn't buy a sewing machine anywhere in Xichuan; Pei Huaiye's speculation and profiteering is a nail in the coffin!" Li Dongmei said hatefully.

Zhang Guoqiang frowned; the sewing machine was sitting in the Su family's courtyard; wasn't this clear evidence?

So he discussed it with his wife, "Let's go, we'll move the evidence to the police station; we must severely punish Pei Huaiye, lock him up for a few more years, and send him to the farm for labor reform!"

But Li Zilan refuted it decisively, saying Pei Huaiye and Su Qianyue had gone to the Capital, and Zhang Guoqiang felt a bit intimidated.

"Let's go! Take the sewing machine to the county, find Captain Xiang, and go to the police station!"

Li Dongmei was convinced that Pei Huaiye was speculating and profiteering; thinking of him building a big house and marrying a wife, while her own son had been detained because of him and Su Qianyue and his reputation was ruined after he came out, Li Dongmei was itching with hatred.

Li Zilan was still preparing to fight back when Su Qingwu directly swung the shoulder pole he used to carry water and hit Zhang Guoqiang and Li Dongmei, "You shameless things! I think you're just asking for a beating!"

Zhang Guoqiang dodged the shoulder pole while running and shouting, "Help! Murder! Su Qingwu is going to break my back!"

Li Dongmei acted shamelessly, "The Su family is protecting Pei Huaiye and is now hitting people; the whole family are bad elements! I want to call the police and have the public security officers arrest you!"

Li Zilan glanced at Su Qingwu, afraid that he would really beat this pair of scoundrels to disability, which would be terrible if they extorted their family.

"Call the police? Good, let's go! Let's go to the police station right now; you stole my family's sewing machine and are cursing people; let's see how the public security officers judge it!"

The villagers gathered around, pointing and whispering.

"Zilan, tell everyone the truth; where did Pei Huaiye and Su Qianyue go? Were they arrested?"

Su Qingxi was so angry her face turned red, "You heartless people! My brother-in-law hunted wild boars and shared them with you to eat, and my sister found work for the village to earn money; they just went out of town, and you listen to the wind and rain and slander people as soon as you open your mouths!"

"You little girl, you have a sharp tongue at such a young age; let's see how you'll get married in the future!"

"Pei Huaiye earned work points for hunting wild boars, and Su Qianyue was just doing her job when she acted as a go-between to collect vegetables..."

Li Zilan protected Su Qingxi behind her, her eyes red with anger! "Then don't line up to receive the wild boars Pei Huaiye hunts in the future, and don't hand in the vegetables the brigade collects starting tomorrow!"

"Zilan, don't be angry; Zhang Xiu is Zhang Jun's aunt, so of course she'd help Zhang Guoqiang speak, but Pei Huaiye's speculation and profiteering still needs to be explained clearly."

"Who said I was speculating and profiteering?" A deep, powerful voice came.

The crowded Su Family Courtyard entrance finally quieted down; it turned out that Pei Huaiye had returned with Su Qianyue, and they were even sitting in a Jeep.

"Auntie, wuwu, they are bullying our family..." Little Zhuangzhuang pointed at Zhang Guoqiang and his wife, as well as the people who were talking.

Su Qingxi explained the whole story in a few sentences.

Su Qianyue hugged the two little ones, gave Li Zilan and Su Qingwu a comforting look, and then said to the crowd, "A Ye and I went to the Capital to visit his benefactor from back then, our master, Comrade Qiu Zhiyang."

After she finished speaking, she took out the stamped introduction letter; at the same time, Qiu Zhiyang also got out of the Jeep and asked, "Is there anything I need to cooperate with?"

Su Qianyue smiled and shook her head, "No, Master."

Qiu Zhiyang was nearly sixty, his hair slightly gray, and his Zhongshan suit was neat and tidy, but his whole body was filled with righteousness and dignity, and everyone was convinced instantly.

Zhang Guoqiang stammered, "Pei Huaiye, do you dare say your sewing machine wasn't bought on the black market?"

Pei Huaiye's eyes suddenly shot out two cold rays of light, "Bought at the state-run department store."

"You're lying..."

Pei Huaiye grabbed his collar, his eyes revealing a fierce light, and said with a murderous aura, "Zhang Guoqiang! Open your dog eyes and look clearly! This is the receipt received at the time! If you dare to offend the Su family again, believe it or not, I'll break your legs?"

Zhang Guoqiang looked incredulous, "Impossible, impossible!"

"What's impossible?" Pei Huaiye narrowed his eyes, "Did someone instigate you to do this!?"

Li Dongmei and Zhang Guoqiang looked at each other and shook their heads frantically.

They had accepted fifty yuan from Su Qianqian, and Su Qianqian had also grasped other leverage on their son Zhang Jun; if they betrayed Su Qianqian this time, their son's life would really be ruined!

Su Qianyue's cold voice rang out, "You want to leave after making such a mess?! Apologize to Pei Huaiye!"

Zhang Guoqiang lowered his head, a flash of viciousness crossing his eyes, and then he pulled Li Dongmei and knelt on the ground with a thud.

Su Qianyue was so startled she stepped back, and Pei Huaiye reached out to support her.

He roared at Zhang Guoqiang with a cold face, "Who told you to kowtow! Stop putting on a show here! Get lost!"

The two were so scared they ran home, wetting their pants.

"I said Pei boy wouldn't do anything like speculation and profiteering; he went to pick up his master, nowhere near the ungrateful wolf you all said he was!"

"Huaiye, your house is almost finished; go take a look."

"Qingyue, you really have good fortune, being able to live in such a big house after getting married."

"Sister-in-law Zilan, we'll still come to you to hand in vegetables tomorrow."

The crowd was noisy, and now they were crowding around to talk to the Su family.

Li Zilan remembered the few people who had spoken ill and ignored them now. She called Pei Huaiye and the others back into the courtyard and bolted the gate.

She shook her head and sighed, "They really only look forward when they need someone, and look backward when they don't!"

Su Qianyue took a box of vanishing cream out of her bag, "Alright, Sister-in-law, human nature is just like this; don't be angry; let's just live our own lives well and have a clear conscience."

Qiu Zhiyang was already drinking tea with Su Mingqiang, and he said to Su Mingqiang with a smile, "Your daughter is a transparent girl; she is a blessed one."

"That's for sure!" Su Mingqiang said with a smile; he was very proud, looking at Su Qianyue and feeling satisfied with everything about her. "Our Qingyue is capable, quick-witted, kind-hearted, has a job in the county, and is beautiful!"

Qiu Zhiyang let out a hum from his nose, "Our Huaiye has been a soldier, fought in wars, caught bad elements, and even saved your daughter; he is tall and handsome, and as a second-level fitter at the machinery factory, he can still be promoted!"

Li Zilan smiled and served the food to the table, "That's why they are a match made in heaven!"

Pei Huaiye curled his lips into a smile, put a chicken leg into Su Qianyue's bowl, and felt his heart flutter as he looked at her flushed little face.

After the meal, the two went to check the progress of the house construction.

Su Qianyue asked curiously, "A Ye, where did you actually buy the sewing machine?"

Pei Huaiye was stunned, "You know?"