Chapter 132

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

In the village, Feng Huacheng had already been subjected to struggle sessions for three consecutive days.

On the first day, the villagers still surrounded the scene with a mix of novelty and indignation, listening to Song Jie passionately enumerate Feng Huacheng's various misdeeds, occasionally joining in to shout a few slogans.

But by the third day, everyone's enthusiasm had visibly cooled considerably; only half the people came over after dinner to watch the spectacle.

Song Jie stood there, watching the crowd gradually disperse, and thought to himself: "Hmph, the people in this village are losing interest fast. Looks like I'll have to send Feng Huacheng to the commune, let the higher-ups deal with him properly. Can't just let this old bastard off lightly."

So, on the morning of the fourth day, Song Jie went early to find the Village Party Secretary and laid out his idea: "Secretary, look, Feng Huacheng's been struggled against in the village for three days now, and the villagers aren't paying much attention anymore. I was thinking of sending him to the commune, let the commune people handle him properly. What do you think?"

The Village Party Secretary frowned, pondered for a moment, and said: "Alright then, since you've made up your mind, send him over. But you'd better be careful, don't let any mishaps happen on the way."

"Yeah, don't worry, Secretary, I'll be careful." Song Jie replied.

After that, Song Jie, together with a few strong young men from the village, escorted Feng Huacheng toward the commune.

Lin Hao went along as well. He had to witness Feng Huacheng's conviction with his own eyes to be completely at ease.

Moreover, it was time to send a letter to Cai Xiaoguang, explaining the situation here in detail, and have him bring some money; then at year's end he and Zhou Rong would go back together.

Although he wasn't short of money himself, who would complain about having too much? After all, he'd come all this way just to help Cai Xiaoguang out.

Upon arriving at the commune, Song Jie and the others first handed Feng Huacheng over to the commune personnel specifically responsible for custody, and only then breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But before they could even rest a bit, a commune staff member walked over and said to Song Jie and Lin Hao: "You two come with me, the Revolutionary Committee Director wants to get a detailed understanding of the situation regarding Feng Huacheng."

Song Jie and Lin Hao exchanged a glance and followed the staff member to the Revolutionary Committee Director's office.

Upon entering, the Revolutionary Committee Director was sitting behind his desk, looking at them with a stern expression.

Song Jie hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully: "Director, you sent for us? Regarding Feng Huacheng's matter, I've organized all the materials here, please take a look."

As he spoke, Song Jie produced the previously organized letters of Feng Huacheng, as well as some of his so-called "Rightist" poems and essays, placed them on the Director's desk, and then began to recount Feng Huacheng's various misdeeds in detail.

The Revolutionary Committee Director listened while carefully examining those letters and poems; the more he read, the graver his face became. He thought to himself: "Good fellow, didn't expect to catch such a 'big fish' in my jurisdiction. The things Feng Huacheng has done are truly vicious."

Lin Hao, listening to Song Jie's account from the side, seized the right moment and interjected: "Director, there's another matter I must report. In Sichuan there's a young woman named Liu Lan, she's truly a wretched soul. Feng Huacheng was involved with her before and got her pregnant, but then Feng Huacheng abandoned her, causing that girl to lose the child, and now her health is poor, she's having a very hard time in the Sichuan countryside."

Hearing this, the Revolutionary Committee Director couldn't help but frown, a trace of unbearable pity appearing on his face. He slapped the table heavily and said: "Hmph, this Feng Huacheng is utterly outrageous! In that case, here's what we'll do: send all of Feng Huacheng's property to Liu Lan, so that girl can live a bit better. And, half of Feng Huacheng's future labor earnings must also go to Liu Lan, just ensure he doesn't starve to death. Furthermore, from now on Feng Huacheng is forbidden to write letters, forbidden to write poems, and not allowed to have paper or brushes."

Song Jie, listening at the side, hurriedly nodded in agreement: "Director, your decision is truly wise. That's exactly how Feng Huacheng should be dealt with, let him taste the bitter fruit he sowed himself."

The Revolutionary Committee Director glanced at Song Jie and continued: "Song Jie, you did a good job exposing Feng Huacheng this time, very conscious of you. Since you're so proactive, how about this: from now on, you stay at the commune and serve as my assistant, helping me handle some commune affairs."

Upon hearing this, Song Jie was instantly overjoyed and said gratefully with tears in his eyes: "Ah, Director, thank you so much! Rest assured, I'll work hard and won't disappoint your expectations!"

Lin Hao watched this scene from the side and thought to himself: "Song Jie really turned misfortune into fortune. But it's good too; Feng Huacheng is thoroughly finished this time, and Zhou Rong can completely give up on him. Next, just wait and see how things develop."

From then on, Song Jie brought people to struggle against Feng Huacheng at the commune every evening, and Feng Huacheng's days became increasingly miserable; every day he endured criticism and labor reform, paying a heavy price for the mistakes he once committed.

After Lin Hao sent that letter, he watched as ten-odd days passed, yet not even the shadow of a reply letter was seen.

Lin Hao started to fret in his heart: "What's up with Cai Xiaoguang? Could he have changed his heart? Become this unconcerned about Zhou Rong's matter?"

These days, Zhou Rong remained silent and reticent, spending whole days buried in her own work, the radiant smile of the past nowhere to be seen on her face.

Lin Hao occasionally caught sight of her listless, absent-minded appearance, but didn't take it too much to heart. He thought: "As long as Zhou Rong doesn't marry Feng Huacheng, and I can complete the mission smoothly, that's enough. As for how her own life turns out afterward, that's up to her own fortune."

This morning, Lin Hao ate breakfast early as usual, figuring the weather was good, he'd go wander in the mountains — maybe he'd run into some precious herbs.

He hummed a little tune and walked leisurely out of the village entrance; just as he looked up, he spotted a person in the distance walking toward the village.

That person carried a backpack, was soaked with dew all over, had mud caked on his clothes, walked with a limp — clearly he'd suffered quite a bit on the road.

As the person gradually approached and came near, Lin Hao was astonished to discover it was actually Cai Xiaoguang! He widened his eyes, face full of disbelief, and blurted out: "Brother Xiaoguang? How is it you! How did you end up like this?"

Cai Xiaoguang heard Lin Hao's voice, raised his head, forced a smile onto his face, and said in a voice tinged with fatigue: "Lin Hao, finally made it here. This journey really wasn't easy..."