Chapter 23.3

In the evening, as Zhou Junhui finished work, she heard about what happened today. She learned that the woman from the south wing had been put in her place by her sister-in-law and was thrilled. She happily skipped back home, carrying her lunchbox and singing. She first went to the bedroom where her brother and sister-in-law lived. Finding no one there, she headed to the kitchen, where she found Luo Lan cooking.

“Sister-in-law, you really made us proud today. Too bad I didn’t see it myself.”

Luo Lan turned around. “Does your family have some kind of grudge against the woman from the south wing?”

Surprised at Luo Lan’s calm reaction while she was being praised, Zhou Junhui took a moment to switch gears, first shaking her head and then nodding.

“What do you mean by shaking your head and nodding?”

“Well, if we’re talking about grudges, I wouldn’t call it that. But if we’re talking about minor conflicts, there have been a few.”

“Tell me more.”

The system: Quick, spill the details!

“It’s inevitable to have some issues with shared items like clotheslines, water buckets, and the courtyard. But you know how Mom is, she always lets things slide. Back then, when the daughter of that woman was at home, there was a fight because some clothes fell off the line into our yard.”

“That’s it?” Luo Lan asked, finding it rather trivial. Such small matters are usually not worth fussing over. Only someone nitpicky would make a big deal out of it.

“She picked fights, and we argued. Later, when my brother had trouble, she made sarcastic remarks, and we fought again. She even tried to extort money from me, claiming her legs and arms hurt.”

“Seems like she’s using the same old tactics again today.”

“This person’s heart is really bad, so be careful.”

“Got it.”

“Hey, sister!” Zhou Junfang burst in, looking anxious. “Sun Tong’s house was raided by the Red Guards. I heard his father was reported, and now the house is a mess. When I was coming back, I saw a lot of people at his place.”

Luo Lan was surprised to hear Zhou Junfang speaking so much at once and realized it was Sun Tong’s family that had fallen into trouble. The girl’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Let’s go check it out,” Zhou Junhui suggested, eager to see the commotion. “Let’s see if this has anything to do with Minshan, since Sun Tong is a classmate of his. Come on, let’s see what’s happening.”

Luo Lan, always on the lookout for such events, agreed. With multiple incidents happening this year, she suspected Sun Tong’s situation might be connected to Zhou Qingshan. Sun Tong was known for throwing bricks at people in secret, so if his father was brought down, the students who had been intimidated into silence might now feel braver.

The Sun family house wasn’t far. They lived on the same street. By the time they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered outside. From a distance, they could hear shouting, crying, and the sounds of things being smashed inside, as well as the crowd’s gossip.

“Where has Director Sun been sent now? What’s going on with him?”

“I don’t know. I heard he was reported, and they’re searching the place right now.”

Zhou Junhui pulled Luo Lan through the crowd and into the yard. Inside, the Sun family house was in chaos. Luo Lan quickly spotted the person she was looking for: a tall teenager with a sullen face, held tightly by a woman.

“Don’t be impulsive. Just stay calm and let your mother handle things.”

“Mom, let go of me. Let me see if they dare to do anything!”

One of the Red Guards turned to him with a disdainful look. “Such a stubborn kid. Let’s see how you behave after a few days in detention.”

“Don’t argue with him. He’s just a child who doesn’t understand,” the mother said, trying to keep the peace with a smile.

The Red Guards and Sun Tong were not much different in their arrogance, but the Red Guards were even more brazen. Sun Tong, restrained by his mother, could only clench his teeth in anger without daring to say more.

His father had been taken away and was awaiting trial. Sun Tong looked both dejected and furious, his eyes bloodshot and teeth grinding. Nearby, people whispered among themselves, focusing on him.

“He’s known for fighting and stealing, always relying on his father to clean up his mess. Now that his father’s gone, let’s see if he’s still so arrogant.”

“Didn’t you see his anger? If his mother wasn’t holding him back, he’d probably fight back.”

“He should go ahead and try. If he does, I’d actually…”

“Get lost!” Sun Tong roared at the onlookers, venting all his negative emotions. He picked up a heavy stick and pointed it at the crowd.

“Leave now, or don’t blame me for being rude. One less person won’t matter. I’m not afraid to die, so if anyone wants to stay, be my guest.”

With that, he waved the stick menacingly, causing the crowd to retreat quickly. Luo Lan, pulling Zhou Junhui with her, decided it was best not to confront him at that moment.

With the raid concluded, the crowd dispersed, retreating from the yard. They continued to discuss the events from a distance.

“This kid is really something. His father is already in trouble, and he’s still so arrogant.”

“He’s notorious for fighting. How many kids on our street hasn’t he bullied? He should be sent to the countryside.”

“I heard they’re sending people to the countryside now. After graduating from high school, everyone has to go.”

“I heard only children are exempt.”

“My son is an only child.” The conversation began to stray.

“The only children they mean are those with just one child, not your family with five daughters and one son. If the school can’t arrange employment, they’ll all have to go to the countryside.”

“Really? Then this Sun Tong kid will probably end up in the countryside soon.”

“Will he become a bully there too?”

“I don’t think so. A strong dragon can’t overwhelm a local snake. He’s an outsider and won’t dare to be arrogant in someone else’s turf.”

Sun Tong forced everyone out of the Sun family courtyard. He could close the door to shut out the crowd, but he couldn’t escape the voices that surrounded him. His teeth clenched in anger as he gripped the heavy stick and prepared to leave, but his mother pulled him back fiercely.

“Don’t cause any more trouble.”

His grandmother trembled, visibly shaken by the day’s events. With the loss of her son as a protector, she seemed to age considerably. Her tone had shifted; she no longer indulged her grandson.

“Be a good boy. Your father isn’t here, so listen to your mother. Didn’t your father tell you to obey your mother before he left? Be good and don’t make a fuss.”

“Ah—”

The angry shout was heard outside, and Luo Lan exchanged glances with her sister-in-law before turning to leave. Zhou Junhui was quite pleased and talked to Luo Lan along the way.

“He used to bully Minshan a lot. I almost got into a fight with him because of it. Ugh, this kid is really something. He’s willing to do anything in a brawl.”

“He’s always been like this?”

“Of course. He’s the only boy in the family and has been spoiled since he was little. One time, he even made a gash on Minshan’s forehead.” Her voice trailed off, growing somber. “In the end, the school said he wasn’t involved in the conflict with Minshan. I was really suspicious, but I had no proof. The little kids wouldn’t say a word; they all ran away when they saw us.”

“Maybe this time someone will speak up.”

“Sister-in-law, what do you mean? Are you suggesting we go find those kids and investigate whether it really has anything to do with him?”

“Don’t worry about it. Now that your brother is back, he’ll handle everything.”

“Sister-in-law,” Zhou Junhui lowered her voice. “Is this something you and my brother planned? Do you really believe Sun Tong caused Minshan’s death?”

“I don’t know anything. Don’t ask. You don’t want your brother to scold you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? We’re all family. If we’re seeking justice for Minshan, then I, as his sister, should help out too.”

“If help is needed, I’m sure you’ll be informed.”

Not finding anything useful from her, Zhou Junhui stubbornly went to ask her brother later that evening. Zhou Qingshan was reading in his room when he looked up, his expression calm and composed.

“A cornered dog will fight back, don’t stir up trouble right now.”

“Brother,” Zhou Junhui dragged out her tone. “Can you tell me if it’s true that Sun Tong killed our brother?”

“You don’t need to know. I will seek justice for him.”

With that, Zhou Junhui sighed and stopped pressing for answers. She had always admired her brother; when their father went missing and their brother died, it left just the three of them: her, her mother, and her sister. She had gone to the school several times without achieving any results, and ultimately, she had been driven out, feeling powerless. Then, when their mother fell ill, she was left to face all these troubles alone—thankfully, her brother had returned from the military.

“Brother, treat my sister-in-law well.”

Zhou Qingshan turned back, not understanding why his sister suddenly said that, but he nodded silently. Luo Lan was the girl he had chosen; she was bold and straightforward, and just thinking about her made his expression soften.

“Go to sleep quickly, and don’t forget to pour water for Mom so she can take her medicine.”

“Got it.”