Chapter 119

She looked up and said, "Chief Lei, please spare him this time. He is still young and doesn't understand things. When he comes back, I will definitely keep a tight rein on him and not let him mess around again!"

Lei Ming shook his head and said, "Sister, this is no longer a matter of me sparing him or not. He has already entered the detention center, his case file has reached the procuratorate, and it is about to enter the judicial process. It is no longer under the jurisdiction of our public security department. If you don't believe me, you can ask Township Head Jin."

The woman looked up at Jin Taihe, and Jin Taihe nodded silently.

The woman lowered her head and wept helplessly. In this crying, there was heartache for her son, anger at his lack of understanding, and deep regret: why hadn't she disciplined him well?

Lei Ming added, "Sister, you can go to the detention center to see your son. Explain the situation to him clearly and tell him to confess properly and show a repentant attitude. If he has this attitude, the court will consider it when determining his sentence. He hasn't been in this line of work for long and doesn't count as a repeat offender. It's possible he will only be sentenced to a little over a year. If he behaves well while serving his sentence, he might be back in a year."

The woman looked up and asked, "Is what you're saying true?"

Lei Ming nodded and said, "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, you can ask Township Head Jin."

The woman looked at Jin Taihe again. Jin Taihe nodded and said, "Chief Lei is right. How about this: in two days, I will accompany you to the county seat to see Ming'an."

The woman nodded, wiped away her tears, and stood up, saying, "Then I'm going back!"

The female police officer saw her out. Jin Taihe looked at Lei Ming and Su Xinghui, feeling somewhat embarrassed. After all, he was still a Deputy Township Head, their superior, and his relationship with them wasn't very good. Yet, he had made such a fool of himself in front of them and had to rely on them to resolve the situation. How could he face them?

Jin Taihe nodded unnaturally and said, "Thank you both!"

After saying this, he didn't wait for them to reply and left in a hurry.

Su Xinghui and Lei Ming looked at each other and shook their heads, laughing.

On the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, Cheng Taoxian was beaming with joy all day long. She had never been this happy before. Su Xinghui saw this and asked casually, "Sister Cheng, is Brother Luo coming back?"

Unexpectedly, Cheng Taoxian nodded and replied, "Yes, he'll be here at noon. He's coming back for home leave."

Su Xinghui said happily, "Is that so? That's great! Then Sister Cheng, you can have a lively New Year."

Cheng Taoxian feigned complaint, "Sigh, your Brother Luo, he only comes back once a year, you can't count on him for anything."

Cheng Taoxian's tone was one of complaint, but the joy on her face couldn't be hidden.

Su Xinghui said, "Alright, if Brother Luo arrives and there's anything you need help with, just call me!"

Cheng Taoxian nodded and said, "Okay."

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Cheng Taoxian's husband, Luo Wenchang, returned. He was carrying large and small bags, and when he walked in from outside, he was spotted by Su Xinghui.

Su Xinghui shouted hurriedly, "Brother Luo, you're back!"

As he spoke, he enthusiastically stepped forward to help Luo Wenchang with the bags, which made Luo Wenchang a bit puzzled because he had never seen Su Xinghui before. He asked, "Comrade, do you know me?"

Su Xinghui then remembered that although he had met Luo Wenchang in his previous life, Luo Wenchang hadn't met him in this life. He hurriedly smiled and said, "Brother Luo, I'm Sister Cheng's colleague. I only came this year. Sister Cheng said you were coming back today, and seeing you in your military uniform, I guessed it was you."

Luo Wenchang then smiled and said, "Oh, then thank you!"

Su Xinghui helped Luo Wenchang carry two bags into the courtyard and shouted, "Sister Cheng, Brother Luo is here!"

Cheng Taoxian came out of the office in response. Seeing Luo Wenchang, her eyes instantly turned red. Luo Wenchang smiled and said, "Taoxian, I'm back."

With Su Xinghui present, several people from the township government also came out. Cheng Taoxian controlled her emotions and said softly, "Let's go, let's go home."

Su Xinghui helped deliver the bags to Cheng Taoxian's dormitory and then smiled, "Brother Luo, Sister Cheng, you two talk, I'll head down first."

The two thanked Su Xinghui. Su Xinghui went downstairs to the courtyard, where Chen Hongfu and Dong Jianshu had both come out. They asked, "Little Cheng's spouse is back?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Yes, just went upstairs."

Chen Hongfu said to Dong Jianshu, "Old Dong, then our township should invite Little Cheng's spouse to a meal this afternoon."

Dong Jianshu nodded and said, "Fine, then Little Su, you go to Fatty Zhang's place and arrange a table."

Su Xinghui then went to Fatty Zhang's restaurant to book a table and asked him to reserve the private room for them. Fatty Zhang, of course, readily agreed.

About half an hour later, Cheng Taoxian's door opened, and the couple came out together. Luo Wenchang had his son, Luo Wei, perched on his shoulders. Cheng Taoxian's beautiful eyes were swollen like peaches, and Luo Wei was holding a brand-new toy gun, incredibly happy.

After going downstairs, Luo Wenchang put his son down and let him play with his mother. He went into Chen Hongfu's office. Since his wife worked under him and Chen Hongfu usually took good care of her, he naturally had to express his gratitude to Chen Hongfu.

After coming out of Chen Hongfu's office, Luo Wenchang went into Dong Jianshu's office, thanking all the township government leaders. He also went to the Party and Government Office to hand out cigarettes, thanking everyone for their usual care for Cheng Taoxian. Next, he carried his son on his back to go to the street to buy new clothes.

By the time work ended in the afternoon, Luo Wenchang returned. By then, Luo Wei, who had felt a bit of distance from him when he first arrived, was already on intimate terms with him.

Chen Hongfu smiled and said, "Little Luo, come on, the township is inviting your family to a meal."

Luo Wenchang didn't stand on ceremony; he nodded and agreed, "Fine, then thank you, Secretary Chen."

Chen Hongfu, Dong Jianshu, and other township leaders, plus Wei Bingyi and Su Xinghui, went to Fatty Zhang's restaurant with Luo Wenchang's family. Since Jin Taihe had gone to the county seat and the other two township leaders had matters at home and couldn't come, there were ten people in total, exactly one table. Although the private room was a bit small, it was still enough to sit in.

Fatty Zhang had already prepared everything. As soon as the township government group arrived, he started cooking. Within a few minutes, a hot pot and several stir-fried dishes were steaming on the table.

Su Xinghui was the youngest, so he took the initiative to pour wine for everyone. After the wine was poured, Chen Hongfu first raised his glass and said, "Come, let's all toast to our most beloved people!"

Everyone agreed in unison, stood up, and toasted Luo Wenchang. Luo Wenchang stood up and said, "Thank you, leaders!"