Chapter 20

Luo Yisen led the crowd into the Wei family’s courtyard, only to see Deng Zhilan calmly sipping chicken soup.

Beside her, little Luo Xiaojun sat on a small stool, happily munching on chicken meat.

Luo Yisen felt a little awkward — that was his own son sitting there. For a moment, he didn’t immediately rebuke Deng Zhilan.

But the female educated youth beside him, Sun Fangfang, was visibly shocked. There really were fish being raised in the courtyard, and they were drinking chicken soup. She hadn’t tasted meat in so long!

Sun Fangfang frowned and said, “Comrade, the fish you’re raising — I saw it in the Reed Lake. And those mushrooms, they look like ones dug up from the brigade. Those are collective property!”

Seeing someone criticizing Deng Zhilan, Song Yitao was overjoyed and quickly added fuel to the fire:

“Some people really make others mad with jealousy! Shutting the door to secretly eat meat and drink soup — you’re blatantly infringing on others’ rights!”

But Deng Zhilan wasn’t flustered at all. She gracefully dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, stood up, and looked at the crowd calmly.

“What, jealous because I’m eating meat and raising fish?”

Then, Deng Zhilan picked up half a bowl of chicken soup and suddenly flung it out — the broth splashed right by Song Yitao’s feet, soaking her shoes.

“If you’ve got the guts, go eat meat too. Who’s stopping you?”

“Oh, wait — can’t afford chicken, duck, or fish? Ah, must be because someone’s broke. Makes sense — someone’s been chewing on cold buns for days…”

Her tone rose and fell with sarcasm before suddenly escalating, eyes fixed directly on Song Yitao:

“You want chicken soup?”

“If you want it, I’ll give you chicken soup!”

Before anyone could react, Deng Zhilan grabbed Song Yitao by the back of the head — quick as lightning — forcing her to bend forward!

“The ground’s still wet. If you want soup so bad, lick it off!”

Song Yitao struggled furiously, her face full of panic and rage. She hadn’t expected Deng Zhilan to actually lay hands on her in front of everyone.

“You’re crazy! Let go of me!”

Everyone around was stunned. No one had expected Deng Zhilan to be so fierce.

“Lick it! Come on! Lick it clean!”

“You said you wanted chicken soup!”

Just as Song Yitao turned red in the face trying to break free, Luo Yisen finally stepped forward and pulled Deng Zhilan away.

“Comrade Deng, let’s talk things out. No need to get physical.”

Only then did Deng Zhilan let go.

Song Yitao stumbled away, hair disheveled, face full of humiliation and hatred.

“Comrades, look at her! She’s bullying me!”

Deng Zhilan folded her arms and retorted fearlessly, “And who started this nonsense?”

“Who went around slandering people?”

“Song Yitao, you tell everyone — who exactly?”

The educated youths nearby were all stunned by her aura. They whispered among themselves, but none dared to speak out.

Among the crowd, Zhu Qinghan saw the mushrooms drying on a millstone in the courtyard — chicken fir mushrooms — the same ones she’d spent days gathering.

Just then, Deng Zhilan turned, walked over to the millstone, and confidently picked up the mushrooms.

“The fish was bought with money. The chicken was traded. Our family has always been upright and honest — never stolen a single thing from the collective!”

“As for these mushrooms, they were a lucky find. And since everyone’s here, we’ll divide them up.”

Zhu Qinghan was stunned. She hadn’t expected Deng Zhilan to be so generous and decisive. Those were chicken fir mushrooms! They’re worth real money.

After brushing herself off, Song Yitao tried again with her usual venom.

“Acting generous now? Who knows — maybe you stole those mushrooms too.”

Deng Zhilan sneered. “You sure know how to fling crap. Been spreading manure too long — now even your mouth is full of it.”

She raised her hand, as if ready to strike.

Song Yitao shrank back immediately, hiding behind Luo Yisen.

Ignoring her, Deng Zhilan turned to the villagers and educated youths in the courtyard, smiling brightly:

“Come pick some!”

“They were truly found by chance. I even gathered a whole sack!”

…

At that moment, Wei Yanzhen left the militia outpost.

As he walked home, the militia captain, Feng Zhijun, followed alongside him.

“Xiao Wei, you’re way too polite. You just caught a fish at Reed Lake — paying for it was enough. Now you’re even treating me to a meal.”

Though Feng’s words were modest, his eyes were gleaming — clearly in a good mood.

Wei Yanzhen smiled, “Captain Feng, it’s just a small gesture. Please don’t hold back.”

Feng Zhijun clapped him on the shoulder. “Alright, then I won’t! But this is so sudden — is your home even ready for guests?”

Wei Yanzhen replied, “All ready. The fish is fresh too — I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.”

As they chatted and approached the Wei household, they noticed a crowd had gathered at the alley entrance. Wei Yanzhen immediately grew concerned that something might’ve happened to Deng Zhilan.

After all, his parents and younger sister had gone to relax by the river after work and wouldn’t be back until late.

He quickly pushed through the crowd into the courtyard — only to breathe a sigh of relief.

It was a false alarm.

The courtyard was filled with villagers and educated youths, all smiling brightly with hands full of chicken fir mushrooms.

“Wife, are you okay?” he asked anxiously, coming to Deng Zhilan’s side and checking her head to toe.

Seeing that she was unharmed, his heart finally settled.

Deng Zhilan brushed his hand aside. “What are you worried about? I’m fine.”

Luo Yisen, seeing Wei Yanzhen return, walked toward the couple — but before he could say anything, Feng Zhijun called out to him.

“Team Leader Luo, let me clarify something.”

“Comrade Wei caught a fish at Reed Lake and paid for it. You can’t accuse someone of stealing from the collective. That’s slander!”

Luo Yisen nodded, indicating he understood.

In that moment, the Wei household courtyard was filled with joy and laughter. Everyone was smiling.

Except for Zhu Qinghan — she stood frozen, face turning green with fury.

Those chicken fir mushrooms were the result of her hard work. And now, someone else was reaping the rewards.

She seethed with frustration and was about to leave the courtyard — when she turned and saw a tall, broad-shouldered figure.

She froze.

Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

From her angle, she saw the man’s strong facial structure, prominent nose, clean jawline, and the veins running subtly down his neck beneath his white short-sleeved shirt…

As if sensing her gaze, the man suddenly looked up, sharp eyes locking directly with hers.

Zhu Qinghan panicked and quickly lowered her head.

She turned to ask Sun Fangfang in a low voice, “Who’s that man who just walked into the courtyard? The tall one!”

Sun Fangfang glanced over at Wei Yanzhen. Surrounded by other men, he stood out like a crane among chickens — tall and imposing.

“Oh, him?”

“That’s Comrade Deng’s husband.”

In that instant, Zhu Qinghan felt like something inside her heart cracked — sharply, painfully.