Chapter 25

“Well,” said the Captain, “we can’t control other people’s families, we just need to take care of our own. It’s late, put these things away and go to sleep. If the rats eat them, it’ll be a shame.”

Hu Guiqin said, “Don’t worry, I’ll lock these good things in the cabinet. Even people don’t have enough to eat, let alone rats. Does it think it’s made of gold?”

Except for the people at the Zhiqing Point, everyone else slept soundly through the night, waking up only the next morning to go to work. Xia Yunxuan got up, tidied up, had breakfast in her space, and then headed towards the brigade headquarters. She felt her eyelids twitching, did something bad happen again?

She didn’t want to think about it. After all, she wasn’t the original owner. If anyone dared to mess with her, she would make sure they regretted it.

Xia Yunxuan had just arrived at the brigade headquarters when she heard the sound of the loudspeaker announcing a meeting. Soon, the Captain came out with the loudspeaker and said, “Is everyone here?”

People below said, “Captain, you’re here, hurry up and say what you need to say. We’ll work hard after that.”

The Captain said, “You act like you’re eager, but you work like ants crawling. Now you’re in a hurry.”

“First, those of you who signed up to help Yun Girl build her house, make sure you start working after you finish your work today. She’s waiting to move in.”

“Also, let me tell you, two people from the Zhiqing Point also want to build a house. After you finish Yun Girl’s house, you can help them build theirs.”

“They probably want a bigger house, they need a lot of people. Those of you who didn’t sign up can come to me and sign up, but you have to be reliable workers. If you’re lazy and shirk your responsibilities, don’t even bother coming.”

“The wages are the same, no meals included, 70 cents a day.” People below were excited to hear this good news, they could earn a few more cents.

“Captain, I want to sign up! I want to sign up!”

“Stop, don’t rush, one by one,” said the Captain.

“Also, you all know what your daily tasks are, so I don’t need to say anything else.”

The Captain looked at the people below and said, “There will be a few new Zhiqing tomorrow. You have to help them. What if they don’t know what wheat seedlings look like and pull them out? What will you eat then?”

Mrs. Zhao said, “Captain, surely not. Aren’t Zhiqing all very smart people? They wouldn’t not know what wheat seedlings are, would they?”

The Captain said impatiently, “They’re from the city, they haven’t seen them, it’s normal.”

Mrs. Zhao nodded and said, “I thought they were all-rounders. They look down on us rural people, but it turns out there are things they don’t know either.”

The older Zhiqing next to her didn’t say anything, they all lowered their heads. It was true that when they first arrived, they looked down on the rural people. It wasn’t until they came here that they realized how hard the rural people lived.

Just as those people were about to say something, there was a commotion. The Captain asked, “What’s going on?”

Someone said, “It’s Zhang the Butcher, he’s looking for Mr. He to get someone back. Didn’t Mr. He sell Yun Girl to Zhang the Butcher? She took his dowry, and now he’s here to get her back.”

The Captain said, “This is outrageous! They’ve already severed ties, they’re not even family. Even if they weren’t, selling people is illegal. Doesn’t he know that?”

The Captain, along with the young and strong men of the brigade, and Xia Yunxuan, went to Mr. He’s house. The Captain said, “Zhang the Butcher, let’s be clear, even if the little girl wasn’t severed from her family, buying people is illegal. Don’t you know that?”

“Captain, look at Mr. He,” said the Captain. “You took his dowry money, return it to him quickly. Otherwise, if something happens, I won’t be responsible. You absolutely cannot force Yun Girl to marry him.”

Zhang the Butcher said, “I don’t care. Mr. He took my money, she has to come with me. It’s 500 yuan, it’s not a small amount. Can I just let my money go down the drain? Otherwise…” Zhang the Butcher brandished the butcher knife in his hand, “My knife will have to see some blood.”

“Zhang the Butcher, don’t try to scare people here,” said the Captain. “If you dare to commit violence here, do you think you can get away with it? It’s broad daylight, you really think no one can control you? Do you think the police are just for show? Mr. He took your money, you should go to her. I won’t allow you to bully Yun Girl. She’s severed ties with her family, they’re not even family anymore.”

“Otherwise, I’ll call the police. Let’s see who’s right when the police arrive. This is a new era, arranged marriages and human trafficking are illegal. You’re breaking the law.”

Mr. He said, “I don’t care. I took the money, why should I return it? Let that dead girl go and enjoy the good life. The money is in my hands, why should I give it back?”

500 yuan! Xia Yunxuan thought, she had work to do tonight. She would get back the jade pendant that belonged to her. Since Mr. He took the man’s money, it wouldn’t be too much to ask for her help, right? After all, it was in her name that the money was taken. Look, she was such a good person, a filial granddaughter. She was afraid her grandma had money and was too stingy to use it. What if the rats dragged it away?

Zhang the Butcher heard the Captain say he was going to call the police. He was actually scared too. He didn’t want to ruin his life for a woman. He pretended to be angry and said, “Mr. He, you either give me the person or return my money. I’m not looking for anyone else, I’m looking for you.”

“I hope you keep your word,” said the Captain. “There are so many people in our village, we’re not pushovers. Don’t think you can scare us with a knife.”

As the Captain left, he said angrily, “Auntie, you took the man’s money, return it to him quickly. What kind of behavior is that? If you don’t return the money, you can move out of our Xiangshuwan brigade. Don’t think I’m trying to scare you. You can try me.”

The Captain left with the villagers and Xia Yunxuan. After everyone else was gone, Zhang the Butcher said, “Mr. He, what’s it going to be? Return the money or give me the person. I can’t lose both the person and the money.”

Mr. He was also scared. She couldn’t bring herself to return the 500 yuan, it was like taking the flesh off her bones.

Her eyes rolled, and another bad idea came to her. Mr. He said, “Zhang the Butcher, don’t worry. I’ll send that little slut to you tonight. Then she’ll be ruined, she’ll have to marry you even if she doesn’t want to.”

Zhang the Butcher said, “You better be telling the truth. If you dare to lie to me again, I won’t hesitate to make you lose an arm or a leg.”

Mr. He said, “Of course it’s true. Just wait until tonight.”