Chapter 38.3

Qin Qingman next saw Ma Xiuying in the break room.

The frail woman had changed. Her hair was neatly styled and tightly tied, and her tattered clothes had been replaced with a set of attire provided by the police. She now wore a military coat from Wen Nuan, sitting quietly, gazing out the window.

Though the weather outside was freezing cold, the sky was a clear, calming blue.

“Comrade Ma Xiuying.” As Qin Qingman entered the room, she sat directly across from Ma Xiuying. She didn’t wait for the other woman to speak first but initiated the conversation herself.

They had already spent quite a bit of time in the county town, and if they delayed any longer, it would be dark by the time they returned.

Ma Xiuying may have been thinking the same thing. She didn’t mind Qin Qingman speaking first but instead said, “Tell me, what meaning does my life have anymore?”

She was searching for a reason to continue living.

Qin Qingman studied Ma Xiuying intently for a while before replying, “You’ve studied. I believe you understand the greater principles, so I don’t need to tell you. I’ll just ask you one question—why punish yourself with the sins of a scoundrel? You are a woman of the new era. Does your chastity really matter that much to you? Is it more important than your life?”

Ma Xiuying froze at once.

“What does the liberation of the country mean? It means the liberation of thought, the liberation of privileges. In an era of equality for all, why should you care about chastity? Moreover, the fault is not yours. You are the victim, and you have the right to defend your dignity.” Qin Qingman hoped to inspire Ma Xiuying to stand up again.

A fire seemed to ignite in Ma Xiuying’s eyes.

“But the world won’t see it that way. They’ll look at me with judgmental eyes, and they’ll whisper behind my back.” Just the thought of how she would be perceived made Ma Xiuying tremble inside.

She feared she wouldn’t be able to bear such a heavy burden.

“Comrade Ma, you are free. You are also clean. Your spirit is purer than that of many people. Break free from the limitations of your narrow perspective, and you’ll see a much wider world. You’ve studied for so many years, and the country has nurtured you to help build it. What do personal gains and losses mean in the face of the nation?”

Qin Qingman knew how deeply the people of this era were devoted to the country, the Party, and the Chairman.

Sure enough, upon hearing these words from Qin Qingman, Ma Xiuying’s breathing became more hurried. Even her dry, thin face flushed with a hint of color as she murmured, “The ancestors died for the country, and we study hard to build the country. For the nation—yes, I can’t die. The country has nurtured me; I must contribute to it.”

As Ma Xiuying’s eyes brightened, a new light began to shine in them.

A beam of hope.

“Comrade Ma Xiuying, as long as you don’t care what others say, no one can hurt you, because you are strong. You have the purest backbone—the backbone of a scholar.” Qin Qingman stood up and extended her hand to Ma Xiuying.

Ma Xiuying looked at the hand just within reach, her heart trembling, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Comrade Ma Xiuying, I’m very glad to meet you. My name is Qin Qingman. I’m from Kaoshan Village in the Hongqi Brigade. I hope you’ll come visit my home sometime.” Qin Qingman spoke to Ma Xiuying with the utmost sincerity.

Ma Xiuying was moved, trembling all over.

Having had her freedom controlled for four years, she had become extremely sensitive and could sense the intentions of everyone who treated her.

She rubbed her withered, thin hands on her body over and over, before finally gripping Qin Qingman’s hand tightly.

Soft and warm.

Qin Qingman’s warm hand seemed to pour warmth into Ma Xiuying’s soul, just like a beam of light that entered Ma Xiuying’s withered heart, nourishing her and giving her the courage to live on.

“Comrade Qin Qingman, if I ever encounter difficulties in the future, can I come to you?” Ma Xiuying asked, staring at Qin Qingman.

“Of course, Comrade Ma Xiuying. My door is always open to you.” Qin Qingman didn’t think that Ma Xiuying, who had been harmed by Zhou Baogen, was tainted or unlucky in any way.

She despised the ignorant notion that victims were to blame.

Ma Xiuying still wanted to ask Qin Qingman one more question. “Do you think I should keep that child?”

Qin Qingman knew who Ma Xiuying was referring to. She had seen what the child was like, and while she couldn’t make a decision for Ma Xiuying, she still shared her thoughts. “The adult is at fault, but the child is innocent. A child of that age is like a blank sheet of paper—if it’s stained with black, it becomes black; if it’s stained with white, it becomes white.”

Ma Xiuying pondered Qin Qingman’s words. By the time Qin Qingman left, she didn’t notice that Ma Xiuying was still deep in thought.

As soon as Qin Qingman walked out of the police station with Huang Wanqing, she saw the tall figure of Wei Ling, along with a jeep parked behind him.

She didn’t see Chuchu, but when her eyes swept over the jeep, she saw that the child had fallen asleep.

“Chuchu is asleep. I wrapped him up tightly in my coat.” Wei Ling approached Qin Qingman and explained, while casting a glance at the hand Huang Wanqing had wrapped around Qin Qingman’s arm. No matter how he looked at it, it bothered him.

Huang Wanqing shrank her neck under Wei Ling’s gaze.

But in the end, she bravely didn’t let go.

Qin Qingman couldn’t be bothered with the rivalry between Wei Ling and Huang Wanqing. She quietly asked, “Can we fit?” They had bought a lot of things today. Although they hadn’t bought the large bicycles, all the small items added up, and the car was almost full.

“We can.” Wei Ling replied. Earlier, apart from taking Chuchu to Wu Zheng’s office for a quick tour, he had arranged for someone to take their purchased items back first.

Otherwise, no matter how big the car was, adding Huang Wanqing and her luggage would still be a tight fit.

Upon hearing Wei Ling’s words, Qin Qingman immediately felt relieved.

Wei Ling was a steady person. He would never speak without thinking. If he said it was fine, then it was definitely fine.

Sure enough, the jeep easily accommodated all of them.

Because Huang Wanqing kept clinging to Qin Qingman, Wei Ling couldn’t sit beside her. He ended up in the front passenger seat. Originally, he had wanted to hold the sleeping Chuchu in his arms, but after seeing Wei Ling’s tall frame, Qin Qingman, being considerate, left Chuchu by her side.

Xiao Shi drove the car, heading toward Kaoshan Village under the glow of the setting sun.

Wei Ling didn’t speak the entire way, his face stiff and serious.

He had a premonition that on his first day of marriage, not only would he have to sleep separately from his wife, but he might even end up sleeping in the dormitory at the headquarters.

Thinking about this, it was no wonder Wei Ling’s mood wasn’t good.

Although the return trip didn’t take less time than the journey to the county, the road was slightly better since it hadn’t snowed during the day. By the time night fell, Qin Qingman and the others had returned to Kaoshan Village.

The village at the foot of the mountain seemed incredibly cozy, with every household’s dim oil lamp glowing warmly.

Huang Wanqing looked at the village and suddenly fell in love with Kaoshan Village. With Qin Qingman’s Kaoshan Village, she said, “Qingman, this place is so beautiful.”

Qin Qingman also liked Kaoshan Village.

Don’t look at Kaoshan Village as poor; everywhere in the country was poor. She believed that as long as the country embraced reform and opening up, Kaoshan Village would definitely become prosperous in the first wave.

This place had unique natural resources and beautiful, pristine landscapes.

“Wanqing, this is Kaoshan Village. The XXX division headquarters is about ten more minutes ahead. Should I take you to the headquarters?” Qin Qingman, holding Chuchu, quietly asked Huang Wanqing. Since she had come to search for her relatives, it only made sense to send her to the headquarters.

Huang Wanqing secretly glanced at Wei Ling’s side profile and cautiously said, “Qingman, could I stay at your house for one night?”

“Why?” Qin Qingman was puzzled by Huang Wanqing’s choice.

Although she had saved her, since Huang Wanqing had traveled so far to search for her family, wouldn’t she want to see the person she had been longing for first?

Wei Ling was also listening closely when Qin Qingman asked Huang Wanqing.

He too was curious about what Huang Wanqing meant.

Huang Wanqing glanced at Wei Ling again, her face turning completely red before replying to Qin Qingman, “I… I’m not ready yet.” She was nervous, her mind in chaos after the situation with Zhou Baogen. She was somewhat reluctant to go to the xxx division headquarters at that moment.

Qin Qingman understood Huang Wanqing’s feelings. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Then you can stay at my house tonight, and tomorrow I’ll take you to the headquarters.”

“Qingman, you’re so kind.” Huang Wanqing said, smiling brightly at Qin Qingman.

Wei Ling in the front seat was not feeling as cheerful.

By having Huang Wanqing stay, it meant that he couldn’t stay at Qin Qingman’s home and would have to return to the headquarters.

Qin Qingman sensed Wei Ling’s displeasure and secretly reached out from the back seat to scratch his arm. Though they were separated by thick cotton clothes, she knew Wei Ling would definitely feel it.

Sure enough, Wei Ling not only felt it, but he also quickly reached out to cover Qin Qingman’s hand. His hands were bare, warm to the touch. To express his displeasure, he gently squeezed her hand.

Being forced to separate so soon after their marriage really frustrated him.

Qin Qingman, worried that Wei Ling might say something to upset Huang Wanqing, blushed slightly and tried to ease the tension, “I’ll make something delicious when we get home. Xiao Shi can stay and eat before leaving.”

“Alright, Sister-in-law.” Xiao Shi said with his signature shy smile.

He had heard from Du Hongyi and the others how good the Wei family’s wife was at cooking, and he didn’t expect to be able to taste it so soon. With a happy expression, the young man drove the car quickly and steadily, and within minutes, they arrived at Qin Qingman’s home.

The snow on the village roads had long been cleared by Zheng Anguo, the brigade’s party secretary, and not only was the ground easy to walk on, but there were also bundles of straw laid out.

The straw bundles helped with traction.

“The things have already been sent to the headquarters by car. I’ll have them brought back tomorrow.” Wei Ling explained to Qin Qingman as he got out of the car and picked up Chuchu, who was next to her.

As soon as Chuchu was in Wei Ling’s arms, he woke up.

Recognizing the familiar surroundings, the child immediately became fully awake. After getting down from Wei Ling’s arms, he ran to the house, tugging on Wei Ling’s hand.

Xiao Shi helped Huang Wanqing with her luggage. A few minutes later, the gate of the courtyard closed, and the warm lights of Qin’s house flickered on.