Chapter 122 2/2

Everyone respected Secretary Meng as the leader.

What had Guan Tuwei done for everyone and for Bocheng?

Good deeds were hard to recall, but there were quite a few unethical things remembered.

Why should he be the leader?

The emotions of the masses were aroused, eager to step forward to expose and report, even some carried hatred and rushed forward to beat him up.

Yan Lei put on the military cap he was playing with.

“Maintain order,” he commanded.

His subordinates controlled the scene, calming the masses: “One at a time.”

However, he acted as if he didn’t see the beating of Guan Tuwei.

Yan Lei quietly retreated to the side of the crowd, hands in his pockets, silently observing everything on the stage.

Huang Zengyue stood on the stage, in control of the entire scene, and his gaze turned towards Yan Lei.

Yan Lei nodded slightly.

Huang Zengyue also nodded.

Some sharp-eyed and insightful people noticed this, realizing that the Revolutionary Committee of Bocheng County, which had been established not long ago, was about to undergo a reshuffle.

Yan Lei glanced at Guan Tuwei again. The man who dared to use despicable means to harm Qiao Wei was now covered in blood from a beating.

This was just the beginning.

Do not provoke me, and I won’t provoke others.

He remained silent, lowered his cap, and left the venue.

Yan Lei’s father had been in the provincial capital’s First People’s Hospital for half a month. Originally, it shouldn’t have taken that long, but the hospital director, being cautious and seeing that Qiao Wei had enough money, suggested extending the patient’s stay for a few more days for further recovery.

Qiao Wei agreed.

One of the reasons for her trip was to avoid the chaos and power struggles in Bocheng County. She wanted to stay outside for a longer time and not return so soon.

The female doctor in the gynecology department originally thought that Yan Lei’s mother would leave the provincial capital soon, but since she decided to stay, she arranged for her to undergo three consecutive sessions of treatment.

After all, the hospital had specialized equipment, and the hygienic conditions after sterilization were much better than if the elderly lady went back to her rural home to take care of herself.

Yan Lei’s mother no longer had any unpleasant odor, and the discomfort had disappeared.

With some free time on her hands, Qiao Wei had her undergo a thorough physical examination, taking the opportunity to address some long-standing health issues.

During the days when Yan Lei’s father couldn’t move after the surgery, Yan Lei’s mother took care of him during the day, and Yan Zhu took over at night. After the tube was removed, Yan Lei’s father could basically take care of himself. Yan Zhu was no longer burdened, and Yan Lei’s mother didn’t have to tire herself out.

In short, when Yan Lei’s father was ready to be discharged, he found that his wife’s complexion was rosy, and her skin seemed much smoother, making her look several years younger.

Yan Lei’s father: “?”

Yan Lei’s mother blushed slightly, “Well, Qiao Wei insisted on applying some facial oil for me. In this hot summer, what’s the point of doing that?”

While saying this, her hand reached up to her face. No one wants to grow old, especially women.

Look at the hospital director; she was two years older than Yan Lei’s father, but they looked like they belonged to different generations.

Qiao Wei told her, “You’ve worked hard all your life, the children have grown up, and it’s time for you to take care of yourself.”

After living a lifetime, it was the first time someone had told her to take care of herself.

No one had ever said such words to her, not even her own parents, who always told her after marriage, “You should be diligent, work hard, be filial to your in-laws, serve your husband, respect your elder brother-in-law, and be virtuous. You mustn’t let us hear that our daughter, who married into another family, is lazy. We’ll disown you if we do.”

This time, Qiao Wei, entrusted by Yan Lei, completed her mission successfully on her journey.

When she was discharged, doctors and nurses greeted her, and even Director Zhang came to see her off.

Shaking hands with her, he kept saying, “You really don’t have to be so polite.”

Yan’s family: “?”

The Yan family had no idea, but Qiao Wei, on behalf of Yan Lei, had brought back a lot of gifts when she returned to her hometown. She brought a box and a bag; the woven rattan suitcase contained her own clothes for changing, while the other travel bag was filled with gifts.

But the Yan family’s house was empty when they arrived to greet her, and Qiao Wei didn’t even unzip the travel bag.

During the half-month of treating Yan Lei’s father, Qiao Wei had given all the candies and snacks to the nurses and doctors at the nursing station. As for the two bottles of Maotai she brought from Bocheng County, she gave them to Director Zhang.

These items were not considered rare to the people in the provincial capital, but who doesn’t like receiving gifts?

At Director Zhang’s level, two bottles of Maotai didn’t matter much; he had plenty at home. But Qiao Wei’s gesture, giving something sweet despite having faced a bitter situation earlier, made everyone feel much better.

Gratitude was exchanged between the two sides.

Back at the guesthouse, Qiao Wei took out the remaining items from the travel bag and said, “Dad, Mom, these are a few clothes that Yan Lei and I bought for you two. Take them, they’re perfect for you to take back.”

Yan Lei’s parents accepted them, repeatedly saying, “Ah, there’s no need to buy these; don’t spend money like this. We can wear anything; don’t buy such nice clothes.”

Qiao Wei’s travel bag was almost empty now, with the bulging, heavy items having been distributed around the hospital. Even the receptionist at the guesthouse received a bag of candy and was delighted.

Yan Lei’s mother, living with her, knew a bit more, but she kept quiet.

However, when Qiao Wei pulled out three long-distance bus tickets, she panicked.

“Weiwei, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault; I’ve been too foolish,” she said shamefully, unable to lift her head, “You came all the way back, and I didn’t even go out to greet you. I… I was afraid you’d look down on me…”

So when her daughters-in-law insisted, she also wanted to maintain her dignity.

Actually, the last time she met this daughter-in-law, she really didn’t want to spend much time with this mother-in-law. She looked down on all the people in Yanzhuang Village.

Qiao Wei could understand her mentality. But she would never accept this treatment because after all, she was Yan Lei’s wife now.

“Mom, I’ve made mistakes before too, so I don’t blame you. But I believe in reciprocity.”

“Yan Lei entrusted me with the family matters and taking care of you and Dad, and I’ve handled everything well. I suppose everyone is satisfied?”

Who dared to be dissatisfied? Who could be dissatisfied? All three shook their heads vigorously.

Yan Zhu also regretted it deeply. He said, “Sister, sister, please don’t be angry. It’s all the fault of those women in the family. When I go back…”

“Do you want to scold them?” Qiao Wei interrupted him, “Don’t.”

In the original text, the men of the Yan family were described as “honest men.” It was the Yan family’s daughters-in-law who were causing trouble, as often portrayed in period literature.

Finally, Yan Lei got angry and firmly stood up for his wife. Yan Zhu, the honest older brother, quickly stepped forward and slapped his wife in the face.

Following his lead, the other brothers also disciplined their wives.

The world became quiet.

Before Yan Lei got angry, the women were causing trouble, and the men were invisible.

This was a common portrayal in period literature.

Qiao Wei knew that her sisters-in-law would be very annoying, very ignorant, and even very greedy. But these were the attributes given to them by the Creator.

What Qiao Wei truly disliked wasn’t the petty, annoying, and shallow-minded sisters-in-law; she disliked the things hidden behind this behavior.

She looked at this honest older brother.

“They don’t even deserve a seat at the table,” she asked, “What exactly are they relying on to cause trouble?”

Yan Zhu was caught off guard by the question. He couldn’t answer, but he felt panic and dread in his heart.

Who ultimately benefited from the women’s troublemaking?

He didn’t dare to admit it.

Ashamed, he lowered his head, unable to meet the piercing gaze of this sister-in-law’s dark and bright eyes.

The village branch secretary received a call from Qiao Wei. He sent someone with a donkey cart to the long-distance bus station in the county town to pick up the guests, but only three people were picked up.

The secretary was stunned, “Where’s Qiao Wei?”

The three members of the Yan family blushed.

After clarifying the situation, the secretary exclaimed, “Hey, Eight, it’s not me saying this, but…” The secretary had a lot to say but felt too tired to say it all, so he waved his hand and said, “Forget it, let’s get in the car. Let’s go home.”