Chapter 179: A Man Who Can Speak

Cheng Jingmo had been wary of Dong Xingwang all along. As soon as he realized Dong Xingwang’s intention, he swiftly moved, pulling Yu Xiangnian behind him and landing a punch on Dong Xingwang’s cheek.

His movements were so quick that by the time everyone registered what had happened, Dong Xingwang was already on the ground.

Cheng Jingmo held Yu Xiangnian’s shoulders, drawing her into his embrace and softly asked, “Are you scared?”

Dong Ju watched this scene with a tumultuous bitterness in her heart. She had never experienced such tenderness from her own husband. While other men cherished their wives, her husband’s fists had nearly beaten her to death.

Dong Xingwang climbed up from the ground, shouting loudly, “Village chief, everyone saw it! Jianwa hit me! And his wife hit me earlier too! Village chief, how should this be resolved?”

Cheng Jingmo, who had remained silent until now, spoke, “He tried to hit my wife, so I defended her.”

The village chief said, “…Cheng Jingmo is right!”

Although the village chief had witnessed Cheng Jingmo hitting Dong Xingwang, he was still inclined to side with the Cheng couple, as they were just and kind-hearted. Besides, he knew Dong Xingwang’s character—lazy and abusive when drunk.

Dong Xingwang, hearing this, became more agitated, “Village chief, you think I’m easy to bully and are taking their side!”

The village chief retorted, “Dong Xingwang, stop talking nonsense!”

“I’m talking nonsense? I’m the one who got hit, and you’re still siding with them!”

The village chief stated, “I’m not siding with anyone; I’m just stating the facts! If you think I’m biased, then report it to the police!”

Dong Xingwang fumed, “Fine, I will report it to the police! I refuse to believe there’s no justice left in the world! How can hitting people be justified for Jianwa and his wife!”

Cheng Jingmo calmly said, “Then report it. First, I will accuse you of slander and defamation, damaging my reputation; second, I will accuse you of attempted assault on my wife; third, I will accuse you of domestic violence, causing long-term harm to women.”

Cheng Jingmo, with a composed expression, systematically listed Dong Xingwang’s offenses.

Dong Xingwang was momentarily stunned, then arrogantly lifted his head, “I’ll tell you this, a man hitting his wife is natural. No one can interfere!”

Cheng Jingmo remained calm, “Now add another charge: promoting wrongful ideologies in public and opposing the party and the government. Chairman Mao clearly stated that women have the right to freedom and equality, yet you’re here advocating the idea of freely beating women.”

If the previous charges hadn’t been enough to scare Dong Xingwang, this new one certainly did. Being labeled anti-party and anti-society could easily land someone in prison for several years!

Everyone present gave Jianwa a mental thumbs-up. He had been in the army for years, and his every word was backed by law.

Yu Xiangnian thought to herself, if Cheng Jingmo had been this articulate earlier, she wouldn’t have needed to step in!

“You… you…” Dong Xingwang stammered, unable to retort, pointing at Cheng Jingmo, “You’re slandering me!”

Cheng Jingmo said, “Who’s slandering whom? The villagers have seen everything. When the police arrive, please testify.”

Dong Xingwang: “…” He couldn’t win in a fight, and he couldn’t outtalk him either!

The village chief timely interjected, “Didn’t you want to report to the police? Hurry up then, go!”

Dong Xingwang: “…” He immediately put on a conciliatory smile, “Village chief, it seems I misunderstood Jianwa.”

The village chief, eager to resolve the matter, impatiently said, “Then apologize to the couple!”

Dong Xingwang, with an embarrassed smile, said, “Jianwa, Jianwa’s wife, it was my misunderstanding today. Right? Right?”

Neither of them responded to him, and Yu Xiangnian even rolled her eyes disdainfully.

The village chief acted as a mediator, “Dong Xingwang, if you keep causing trouble like this, I will definitely hand you over to the police!”

Dong Xingwang smiled obsequiously, “It’s all a misunderstanding, I won’t cause any more trouble.”

The village chief glared at him, then addressed the crowd, “Disperse, everyone. There’s plenty of work to do in the fields. Get back to it!”

The onlookers gradually dispersed. Dong Ju, supporting her mother, walked over to Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian.

Dong Ju choked up, “Brother Jianwa, I’m sorry for today.”

“It’s nothing,” Cheng Jingmo’s gaze fell on Dong Ju’s mother, “Auntie, what happened to your leg?”

In Cheng Jingmo’s memory, Dong Ju’s mother was a kind and capable woman, keeping her home spotless and making large, fluffy steamed buns. It had been ten years since he last saw her, and now she looked old, and her leg was injured.

Dong Ju’s mother’s eyes instantly reddened. She wiped away the tears that began to form, “We’ve had a hard life. Since your uncle passed, it’s been tough for us.”

Cheng Jingmo, aware that it wasn’t his place to comment on their family matters, could only offer comfort, “Auntie, things will get better.”

Dong Xingwang shouted from a distance, “Dong Ju! Get back home!”

Hearing Dong Xingwang’s yell, both Dong Ju and her mother flinched.

“Quick, let’s go! Otherwise, we’ll get beaten again!” urged Dong Ju’s mother.

Watching Dong Ju and her mother’s retreating figures, Cheng Jingmo sighed helplessly.

When he turned back, Yu Xiangnian had already walked some distance away.

He hurried to catch up, “Nian Nian!”

Yu Xiangnian pretended not to hear him and ignored him.

Cheng Jingmo knew that after dealing with others, it was now time to settle his own accounts with her.

“Nian Nian!” Cheng Jingmo caught up with Yu Xiangnian and grabbed her wrist.

Yu Xiangnian allowed him to hold her, but she still ignored him, continuing to walk briskly ahead.

“Nian Nian, I’m sorry for making you worry.” Cheng Jingmo sincerely apologized. “I know I should avoid suspicion, but when I saw Dong Ju fall, I couldn’t just ignore it.”

Yu Xiangnian still ignored him, so Cheng Jingmo added, “Nian Nian, I’ve often heard people in the village mention how miserable their lives are, and I just wanted to help. I have no feelings for Dong Ju or anyone else!”

“Nian Nian, please look at me. You can scold me or hit me, just don’t ignore me.” By the end, Cheng Jingmo’s voice had softened, sounding pitiful.

Yu Xiangnian finally stopped and turned to glance at him, pouting, “I went out without washing my face or combing my hair, and now everyone in the village saw me like that!”

Cheng Jingmo was taken aback, “…”

So that’s what she was upset about?!

“You can’t even tell you didn’t wash your face or comb your hair. Your face is still so fair, and your hair is smooth.” He quickly said.

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Stop lying! And I understand you want to help Dong Ju. But you can help her this month, what about the future?”

She spoke firmly, “If Dong Ju doesn’t have the drive herself, no matter how much you help, it won’t make a difference.”