Chapter 3: Ye Sanqiu Sent to the Farm for Reformation!

Grandma Ye, with two eggs in her pocket, knocked on the door of the youth center.

When the female youth opened the door and saw Grandma Ye, her eyebrows instinctively furrowed, filled with disgust. She raised her hand to close the door.

Grandma Ye, quick as lightning, grabbed the doorframe and smiled, asking, “Li Zhiqing, is Wang Zhiqing here?”

Li Yanfang inwardly regretted not asking who was at the door before opening it. She had planned to ignore Grandma Ye and firmly close the door.

As this thought flashed in her mind, she saw a half-smiling face with a clenched fist coming toward her.

It was broad daylight, yet she still shivered in fear.

Her hand, resting on the doorframe, felt as though it had been burned, and she quickly withdrew it, stepping aside. “She’s lying in the room,” she said stiffly.

Grandma Ye understood why Li Zhiqing had a bad attitude toward her.

Last month, she had already spoken to Li Zhiqing, and the reason was the same as today: to speak to Wang Zhiqing.

With a soft sigh, Grandma Ye pretended not to notice Li Zhiqing’s displeasure and smiled warmly at her, then stepped toward the female youth’s dormitory.

Grandma Ye had visited the youth center many times and was very familiar with the place.

Upon entering the room, she immediately saw a large lump in the center of the kang (heated platform bed), with soft sobbing sounds coming from inside.

That lump was definitely Wang Jiaojiao, the youth.

But she had wrapped herself so tightly that she didn’t worry about suffocating.

It was already autumn, but the weather was still hot, so she wasn’t concerned about the heat.

When the others saw Grandma Ye, they immediately understood she had come for Wang Jiaojiao. They quickly left the room, avoiding any conflict.

None of them had the desire to watch the drama unfold.

Watching others’ misfortunes might bring some joy, but watching the Ye family’s trouble only brought discomfort.

They didn’t want to risk being beaten by that madwoman, Ye Sanqiu.

Once everyone had left, Grandma Ye approached and lightly patted the bulge in the bed, saying, “Wang Zhiqing, I’m Ye Sanqiu’s grandmother. I heard from the village chief that you had an argument with my Sanqiu, and I’ve come to see you.”

Wang Jiaojiao’s face was red from being buried under the blanket, but she stubbornly refused to uncover it. Her voice came out muffled from under the covers, tinged with tears, “Are you here to laugh at me? Get out, I don’t want to see anyone from the Ye family.”

It was obvious why this old woman had come. Was she here to plead on behalf of that shameless woman, Ye Sanqiu? What a fool!

She wasn’t like those other cowardly youth who would endure beatings without daring to speak up. She had her family supporting her now, and she wasn’t afraid of any power or bullying. She wouldn’t bow down to the evil forces.

Ye Sanqiu dared to knock out her tooth—she should pay the price for it.

She wasn’t going to let Ye Sanqiu get away with this.

Beating a youth was a serious crime.

She would make sure Ye Sanqiu was sent to a farm for reform, preferably one in the harshest northwest.

Grandma Ye understood Wang Jiaojiao’s feelings about losing her tooth, but she regarded it as mere venting. She sat on the edge of the kang and directly said, “I heard from the village chief that you’re planning to report my Sanqiu to the commune?”

Wang Jiaojiao snorted coldly under the blanket, thinking, “Now she’s scared? Too late!”

Ye Sanqiu was definitely going to be reported!

Wang Jiaojiao’s voice came through the blanket, filled with anger. “She hit me! Shouldn’t I seek justice for myself?”

Grandma Ye paused, then calmly responded, “I don’t mind if you report my Sanqiu to the commune, but there are a few things I need to clarify with you.

First, according to my Sanqiu, she hit you because you insulted her. I hope that when you report her to the commune, you tell the leaders the full story—don’t leave anything out.

Second, if because of your report, our brigade loses the advanced brigade designation this year, I expect you to take responsibility for the consequences and not place the blame on my Sanqiu.

Alright, that’s all I needed to say. I’m leaving now.” Grandma Ye made as if to stand and walk toward the door.

Wang Jiaojiao, hidden under the quilt, almost lost her breath.

She had thought the old woman came to plead for Ye Sanqiu, but to her surprise, she was here to accuse her.

She threw off the blanket, turned over, and sat up in anger, her face swollen on one side. She shouted angrily at Grandma Ye, who was walking toward the door, “You’re talking nonsense! If the brigade loses the advanced brigade designation, why should I take the responsibility? If anyone should bear it, it’s Ye Sanqiu, the one who committed the assault.

Old woman, do you think I’m a three-year-old child that you can fool? I’m a youth sent to the countryside to help with rural development. Beating a youth is a serious crime. Not only will I report Ye Sanqiu to the commune, but I’ll also report her to the youth office.

Don’t think you can threaten me with the advanced brigade status. The brigade chief is fair and just, and he will judge for himself who caused the loss of that title.

I’m reporting Ye Sanqiu for sure. A socialist cancer like her should be sent to the farm for reeducation.”

Grandma Ye saw the determined look on Wang Jiaojiao’s face and felt a pang of unease in her heart.

She knew that this time, her Sanqiu had met her match.

Wang Zhiqing seemed different from those other youth.

Suppressing her anxiety, Grandma Ye argued, “Ye Sanqiu had a reason for hitting you, didn’t you insult her? You, as a youth, badmouthing the villagers behind their backs in such a nasty manner—even if you report her to the commune or the youth office, you’re in the wrong, Wang Zhiqing.”

Wang Jiaojiao had already prepared for this. “You keep saying I insulted Ye Sanqiu. Do you have any evidence?” she asked.

When she insulted Ye Sanqiu, there were only female youth from the center around. Ye Sanqiu was the only outsider.

Which of the female youth didn’t despise Ye Sanqiu? They all wished she were gone, so how could they possibly stand up for her?

Grandma Ye frowned, understanding Wang Jiaojiao’s point.

It seemed that no one would speak up for her Sanqiu this time.

Indeed, with Sanqiu’s notorious reputation, it was true that no one would want to stand up for her.

But to watch her granddaughter be reported, and sent to a farm for reeducation? Grandma Ye couldn’t accept that.

Her hand went into her pocket, feeling the two eggs, but she didn’t take them out.

Her heart was in turmoil, though her face remained calm.

Her granddaughter had told her that even if they were in the wrong, they shouldn’t lose face.

She smiled and said, “Who said we have no witnesses?”

Wang Jiaojiao was startled. What did the old woman mean?

Could it be that there were other outsiders present when the incident occurred?

After carefully thinking, she was sure that no one else had been there but Ye Sanqiu. She then relaxed and her anger at being deceived flared up. How dare the old woman try to fool her!

In that case…

She smiled and said, “Even if there are witnesses, it doesn’t change the fact that Ye Sanqiu assaulted a youth. As for whether I insulted her, I will confess to the organization. Whether they make me write a self-criticism or apologize to Ye Sanqiu, I will accept it. But as for your Ye Sanqiu, she’s definitely going to the farm.”

Grandma Ye, filled with dread, knew that the negotiations had failed today.

She realized that continuing to argue would only embolden Wang Jiaojiao.

The best course of action was to retreat.

“Since Wang Zhiqing has made up her mind, I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll be going now,” said Grandma Ye, not showing a hint of panic on her face, still wearing a faint smile as she turned to leave.

Behind her, Wang Jiaojiao had a stunned look, as if struck by lightning.

She couldn’t believe it—she had made it so clear, yet this old woman didn’t even show the slightest fear?

Wasn’t she supposed to beg her not to report Ye Sanqiu?

Could it be that her favoritism toward Ye Sanqiu wasn’t fake?

Grandma Ye left the room and saw several female youths gathered, whispering among themselves.

Grandma Ye had excellent hearing and clearly caught the conversation.

“Ye Sanqiu, that crazy woman, has really met her match this time. I heard that Wang Jiaojiao’s family has big officials in the capital. This time she offended Wang Jiaojiao—she’s done for.”

“Well, she deserves it. Who told her to act so high and mighty, looking down on everyone? I heard Jiaojiao say that she’s going to use this chance to send Ye Sanqiu to a farm, maybe even the harshest one in the northwest.”

The more Grandma Ye listened, the more panicked she became. She couldn’t care to hear more; with trembling legs, she rushed out of the youth center.

No matter what, her Sanqiu could not be sent to a farm.