Chapter 11: Picking a Fight

Chu Linyu was nestled in her mother’s arms, nursing, when she was startled by the noise outside and suddenly burst into tears.

So scary! I’m just a little baby now—I can’t handle such harsh sounds.

Lin Shufen tried to soothe her daughter while looking nervously at her husband.

Something’s wrong!

Everyone else in the house also stopped what they were doing.

Jia Chunhua threw down the rag in her hand. Here we go again. I knew these people couldn’t leave us alone—they always have to stir up trouble.

Chu Minghai gently patted his wife’s arm to reassure her.

Lin Guodong happened to be near the doorway. He frowned at the commotion and lifted the curtain to step outside.

When he saw who it was, he raised his eyebrows and spoke up, “Well, if it isn’t the eldest son of the director of the Forestry Reform Committee! What brings you to a humble commoner’s home like ours?”

“Cut the nonsense! Get Chu Minghai out here. Is he hiding inside?”

A short, chubby man barked impatiently.

Lin Guodong was just about to reply when Chu Minghai had already put on his jacket and come out.

He nodded to Lin Guodong, signaling him not to worry.

“Big Brother, let me handle this.”

Then, with a serious expression, he addressed the man leading the group: “Comrade Wu Yongfu, I was injured in an avalanche on my way to work two days ago and couldn’t move properly, so I took a day off. You’re accusing me of sabotaging state property—on what grounds? My background may not be spotless, but that doesn’t mean you can slander me without evidence!”

Wu Yongfu sneered and said,
“Chu Minghai, everyone knows what your background is. A child of the ‘Black Five Categories’—how could you be any good? The tractor broke down right after you went to work the other day. You weren’t even supposed to be on duty—why was there a last-minute change?

That tractor had been working just fine before. Besides, someone reported seeing you hanging around it. Who would believe you didn’t sabotage it on purpose?”

Chu Minghai explained, “Yesterday, Old Zhou’s arthritis flared up and he couldn’t walk, so I filled in for him.

And I never even touched the tractor. How could I have damaged it? I’m willing to confront the person who reported me.”

“You filled in for him?” Wu Yongfu stroked his chin and sneered,
“Who gave you permission? Don’t you know he’s a class enemy? He’s here for reform through labor, not to be pampered!

And who can prove you’re telling the truth? Maybe you volunteered just because fewer people were working yesterday—easier to get close to the tractor and sabotage it.

You people from bad backgrounds are all full of tricks—no one in the masses dares trust you!”

Wu Yongfu didn’t waste more words. He turned to the three men behind him and ordered, “What are you standing around for? Take him!”

The three men moved to step forward.

But Jia Chunhua, listening from behind the curtain, couldn’t take it anymore. She flung the heavy cotton door curtain aside and stormed out.

Pointing a broom at the Reform Committee members, she shouted, “I dare any of you to try!”

The three men were actually intimidated and froze on the spot.

Jia Chunhua had once caught a spy and received a commendation in the county. If Chu Minghai hadn’t been her son-in-law, he’d have been dragged out and denounced long ago.

She was known for being fierce—when that spy tried to flee, she grabbed a wooden pole and whacked him flat to the ground. The man screamed in pain, and the bruises were said to have turned black and purple. He took ages to recover.

Because of that, no one dared mess around in front of her. They were all afraid of her temper.

Wu Yongfu was furious seeing his men so scared of an old woman.

“Chu Minghai, are you even a man—hiding behind an old lady? Afraid to face investigation? What are you guilty of?”

Chu Minghai took a step forward. “I have a clear conscience, but who knows what you people might do after dragging me away? After all, some of your past actions were seen by everyone.”

“Hmph! I am taking you away today—what are you going to do about it? There are only a few of us here now, but if you resist, I’ll call all the progressive elements from the factory’s Revolutionary Committee. Let’s see if your whole family can stop them. You wouldn’t want your home turned upside down, would you?”

Chu Minghai’s expression turned grim. Wu Yongfu was actually threatening his family—what a despicable man.

Lin Guodong frowned and said, “Don’t try to scare us. When you’re in the right, you can walk the world without fear. We’re not afraid. My brother-in-law didn’t do it—end of story!”

Meanwhile, in the east room, Lin Shufen also frowned in thought.

Things were getting chaotic. The Wu family had always been at odds with theirs, especially because of past grievances involving her. If they managed to take her husband away, he would definitely be abused.

Suddenly, a glint flashed in her eyes. She had an idea and quickly told her son Lin Zhen to go fetch Lin Feng.

Lin Feng had just been about to head out to help when his little brother pulled him into the east room.

Old Man Lin followed closely behind.

“What’s up, Auntie? I was just about to go out and help!” Lin Feng asked.

Lin Shufen motioned him closer and whispered, “Little Third, you’ve got fast legs. Go to the county Revolutionary Committee and find Cheng Biaozi. Tell him Wu Yongfu is throwing his weight around at our house!”

Lin Feng might not have been the brightest, but he was solid when it counted. He never dropped the ball in critical moments. He didn’t even ask why—he just dashed off immediately.

Wu Yongfu and the others in the yard saw the boy run off but didn’t pay it any mind. Just a teenage kid—what kind of help could he possibly bring? Who would even dare go against the Forestry Bureau’s Revolutionary Committee for the sake of this family?

After all, half the county’s workers were employed by the Forestry Bureau. Unless they weren’t afraid of losing their jobs, no one would intervene.

Old Man Lin didn’t quite understand what his daughter was up to and couldn’t help asking, “Girl, we don’t have any ties to that Cheng Biaozi. He’s part of the Revolutionary Committee too—they’re all cut from the same cloth. What’s the use of going to him?”

Lin Shufen explained, “Dad, how is it useless? The enemy of our enemy is our friend. Don’t you remember how the Cheng and Wu families fought for power at the forestry plant?

We might not have any personal connection with the Cheng family, but it’s enough that there’s bad blood between them and the Wu family. Cheng Biaozi may be a bit of a rascal, but at least he has some principles.

Ever since Old Cheng stepped down as factory director, their family has been suppressed by the Wu family. Their feud runs deep.”

“But… even if they’re at odds, given Minghai’s background… would he really step in?” Old Man Lin still had his doubts.

Lin Shufen smiled and said, “He doesn’t need to speak up for Minghai. He just needs to be fair. We haven’t done anything wrong. As long as there’s a proper investigation, the truth will clear everything up!”

In the novel, it was written that life hadn’t been easy for Chu Minghai in Jiacheng County. He’d been denounced several times, but each time it was Cheng Biaozi from the county Revolutionary Committee who came to get him back—because Chu Minghai had once saved Cheng’s nephew from falling into an ice hole.

Later on, Cheng Biaozi became one of the few people in this area who was still willing to speak up for Chu Minghai.

Since arriving here, Lin Shufen had gained a clearer understanding of Jiacheng County’s reality. Even if her husband hadn’t saved Cheng’s nephew in this version of events, she believed Cheng Biaozi wouldn’t stand by and do nothing. He was, after all, a bit of a righteous man.

Old Man Lin mulled it over and finally nodded in agreement. His daughter’s plan was good.

He looked her up and down and praised, “Well done! My daughter really keeps a low profile—turns out, when it matters, you’re like a female Zhuge Liang!”

Lin Shufen couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time. She had just been complaining about her husband being a softie, but really, her dad was a full-on daughter-con. Every day, he found a new way to compliment her.