Chapter 27: Yang Qing's Counterattack

Chen Hong praised him.

"It's because you reacted quickly and seized the fleeting opportunity; also thank Xu Damao—if he hadn't seized the chance to bring the courtyard people in and muddy the water, we couldn't have achieved this effect."

"Now we and the courtyard folks are like brothers who've shared a trench; our relations have improved, which is only natural."

As an outsider to the courtyard, she gave an explanation.

Yeah, it's all a coincidence, but it's also inseparable from Chen Hong's efforts and my own.

Chen Hong seized the moment when Sun Hongqi pointed a threatening finger at him, rushed forward without hesitation—this was the start of the turning point in the whole affair.

The women all stepped forward; the men, after Xu Damao's call, naturally followed.

We can't be inferior to even a woman.

It's just this subtle psychological difference that led to this melee.

Things turned out better than expected.

After returning home, Xu Damao was a bit silent.

He stared at the peanuts on the table, dazed for a while.

His thoughts churned for a long time.

Back in the courtyard, if Yang Qing was the most ostracized, then Xu Damao was the second most ostracized.

Out of shared suffering, Xu Damao would occasionally help Yang Qing.

(It's not that he doesn't want to go further, but he fears drawing fire upon himself.)

But just now he suddenly felt that Yang Qing's situation seemed to have improved.

Then wouldn't he himself become the pitiful one in the future?

Yang Qing is an orphan, so he's bullied; now in the courtyard, how is he any different from an orphan? He is also in a state of isolation and helplessness.

"No, I also need to get married quickly—Yang Qing's marriage has brought too big a change."

"I also want to find a capable wife."

Thinking this, he made a firm decision and slammed his fist on the table.

"Right, let's do it like that."

Early the next morning, Yang Qing went out and then returned to the Siheyuan with the police.

No one knew what he went to do.

The police station had received Yang Qing's letter of forgiveness yesterday, so today they came to inform the family to handle the outcome.

(I'm not clear on the procedure; right after the founding of the country, such matters were handled expeditiously, with only major cases reviewed—I don't know how it was done in the 1960s. This is my own made‑up explanation, so don't dwell on it.)

"Considering Jia Zhangshi is a first‑time offender, actively compensated, and obtained the victim's forgiveness, we shall punish leniently on the principle of healing and saving."

"The penalty is six months of labor reform."

"Do you have any objections to the result?"

Only Qin Huairu was at home; she had long been mentally prepared and indicated she had no objection.

"No objection; we accept this result."

She is now more than four months pregnant; in half a year she will give birth just in time.

Her mother‑in‑law essentially got a good jail term, sparing her the trouble of looking after a pregnant daughter‑in‑law—too bad for herself.

However, with one less person at home, life will improve a bit; the mother‑in‑law eats a lot, so this saves a lot of grain, which is just right for her to replenish herself.

This is also a case of losses and gains.

"Then tidy up the bedding and clothes—you're pregnant, don't run around; we'll bring them back for you."

Qin Huairu repeatedly thanked them.

"Thank you, but I still need to see my mother‑in‑law off; otherwise it would be too desolate with no one."

The police, however, said nothing.

"Then it's up to you."

Upon arriving at the police station, Jia Zhangshi had already prepared herself for escort.

Qin Huairu burst into tears upon seeing Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, yesterday the eldest uncle spent 700 to obtain the letter of forgiveness, changing the penalty to labor reform."

"Mom, I'm incapable and have let you suffer."

Jia Zhangshi had already been given a thorough legal lesson yesterday and knew this outcome was currently the best possible; otherwise, without the 196 provision, her theft would also merit labor reform.

Just hearing about the 700 made her heart ache in waves.

"Mine, mine, all mine! Yang Qing, you beast, I won't let you off—my money!"

"You actually extorted that much money from me."

Qin Huairu saw Jia Zhangshi's bad complexion, knew he was distressed about money, and explained.

"This money was all put up by the eldest uncle; our family didn't contribute a cent."

Jia Zhangshi's complexion improved a little, but she still ached over the money.

Yi Zhonghai, being sensible, let you off this time.

The police officer beside her, seeing her grit her teeth, felt his own teeth ache and felt nauseated.

Later, hearing that the money came from the eldest uncle, he also felt that although some people in the courtyard are quite disgusting, this eldest uncle is still not bad.

After seeing Jia Zhangshi off, Qin Huairu felt a wave of relief.

To be honest, although she greatly admires Jia Zhangshi, she also has a domineering mother‑in‑law and feels quite oppressed herself.

Now that Jia Zhangshi has left, she suddenly feels a wave of relaxation throughout her body.

Back home again, looking at the vast family estate, she feels like the mistress of the house.

This feeling is great; Qin Huairu lies on the bed and rolls over—this is the feeling of freedom.

On the other side.

Sun Hongwei's father, Sun Hao, who was local, didn't go to work; he was busy running around, making arrangements, trying to rescue his son.

Hooliganism, in this era, is a very serious matter.

But he didn't know the police were investigating Sun Hongwei's background; he was still trying to use connections and money to clear a way, to get Sun Hongwei out.

After a few days, the scandal broke; Sun Hongwei, a jobless street loafer, what good could he usually do?

Buying low and selling high, oppressing the people, gathering for gambling, blocking roads and robbing…

After several days of investigation, his charges already covered the table.

Ge Liang looked at these charges, angrily pounding the table.

"Such a scoundrel, living under our noses for so many years, we knew nothing about him."

"This is dereliction of duty, a major dereliction."

If it weren't for Yang Qing coming to remind him, he might really have been let off lightly by various connections.

"Regarding the case of Sun Hongwei's rape and murder, how's the investigation going?"

Several veteran officers said.

"We've already sorted it out; we have a few leads."

Long Tao Jia, unable to withstand the interrogation, revealed that Sun Hongwei had raped a refugee woman last year.

But there was no evidence, so they still needed to keep busy.

As for the refugee woman, whether she was dead or alive, he didn't know.

This is a major case, not like the Jia Zhangshi incident, so we must be cautious, cautious again.

"Speed up the time, conclude the case as soon as possible."

The pressure on his side is great.

Sun Hao frantically used connections, gave gifts, thinking his son could get out soon.

This gave him great pressure, so he needed to quickly obtain evidence, bring him to justice, and silence all sides.

At the police station, based on the leads, they frantically interrogated Sun Hongwei.

"Speak, where did you kill that woman and bury her?"

Sun Hongwei was panicking.

"I didn't, I didn't, how could I possibly kill someone?"

The interrogating police snorted.

"Hmph, you still want to quibble? Long Tao Jia has already confessed; he personally saw you rape and kill her."

Sun Hongwei carefully recalled in his mind; Long Tao Jia might indeed know something.

But he absolutely didn't know about the killing; he did it secretly in the middle of the night, how could others know?

"I didn't; he's framing me."

He stubbornly refused to admit.

"Hehe, do you really think we can't do anything about you? We've already gone to catch Long Tao Yi; we believe he'll know even more."

"By then, we won't even need your confession; just wait to be shot."

"Now we're giving you a chance; don't be ungrateful, look behind you."

"Confess and be lenient; resist and be strict."

"Think about it yourself."

Long Tao Yi?

He is the one who truly knows about his rape.

This charge would see him imprisoned, but he cannot admit to rape; at most it could be considered an improper relationship.

"I didn't rape; it was an exchange, at most it's prostitution; I gave him steamed buns."

He tried to downplay the seriousness and bluff his way through.

The interrogator, very angry, stood up directly.

"Alright, since you think we police are easy to fool, then there's nothing more to say."

"Deal with it strictly."

Sun Hongwei panicked greatly upon hearing that.

Strictly, this 'strict' is too flexible; even target practice is considered strict, and added punishment is also strict.

It all depends on their intentions.

"I admit, I indeed used force, but I really gave him steamed buns, two white flour steamed buns."

The interrogator secretly smiled.

"Alright, let's confirm the statement; this time we'll count it as your voluntary confession."

Just admitting is enough.

Once everything is admitted, it's easy to handle.

As for the refugee woman, whether she is dead or alive, they currently can't handle it; they can only first convict, then slowly look for evidence later.

After all, Sun Hongwei isn't a fool; Sun Hao's connections are also genuinely strong; if delayed further, he might really escape thanks to this guy.

Ge Liang received the transcript and also breathed a sigh of relief.

He was under considerable pressure.

Now he can talk back to those people.