As the women gathered

Jiang Lin turned to Gousheng’s mother and asked, “Why was your son Gousheng chasing after our Wen Sheng and cursing at him?”

Gousheng’s mother quickly smiled apologetically, “They’re just kids playing around, not understanding much. We adults shouldn’t get involved in their squabbles.”

Jiang Lin asked, “Wasn’t it you who came to our door?”

Gousheng’s mother immediately apologized, “I’m really sorry, Jiang Zhiqing. I didn’t know about it before. After I went home, my mother-in-law scolded me. I felt it wasn’t right and have been meaning to come and apologize to you.”

After her visit to Yan Runzhi, a neighbor had advised her not to try to outshine Jiang Lin, warning her she might get beaten up.

Seeing Wen Sheng’s reaction later, she felt even more embarrassed.

Seeing her sincere apology, Jiang Lin decided to let it go and took her payment, noting to send her the tiles later.

Once the women who came to pay had left, Jiang Lin invited Cheng Yulian inside.

Cheng Yulian said, “The brigade sent me to ask about the redress meeting.”

Cheng Fuchun had asked Cheng Yunzhi, but Cheng Yunzhi had directed him to consult Jiang Lin.

Since Cheng Fuchun felt it inappropriate to approach Jiang Lin directly, he had asked Cheng Yulian to inquire instead.

Jiang Lin had been waiting for this topic, wanting to understand the brigade’s stance first.

Cheng Yulian explained, “The county committee is sending a cadre to preside over the meeting.”

Holding a large meeting wasn’t difficult for the brigade, as they often held meetings.

The main issue was the restitution of property, particularly the house.

Jiang Lin understood, “Director, we don’t want to be unreasonable. What’s in the past is past. Clinging to it doesn’t make sense. But my parents are old, both in poor health, and my older brother can’t support himself. Shouldn’t the brigade have a plan to provide for them?”

Cheng Yulian agreed, “I’ll apply for that.”

Jiang Lin then outlined her other requests, “The brigade office and each production team can continue using the house, but they need to provide our family with compensation in the form of daily necessities on a quarterly basis.” She paused and looked at Cheng Yulian.

Cheng Yulian nodded, “I think that’s fair.”

Jiang Lin continued, “Could we also have a small courtyard at the school, just a few rooms, to display and commemorate our family’s contributions over the years? This way, it’ll be clear that our redress is legitimate, preventing any rumors or criticisms.”

Jiang Lin emphasized their contributions during the war and the importance of the redress being recognized as legitimate, avoiding mention of the hardships they endured during the political movements to not provoke the officials.

Cheng Yulian sighed, “I think that’s reasonable.”

“Regarding the old furniture, confiscated livestock, and grain, I understand these can’t be returned. Could they be converted into grain and work points and provided to us quarterly? Additionally, we’d like a few acres of private land.” Jiang Lin concluded, “If these terms are agreeable, we can proceed.”

Cheng Yulian promised, “I’ll take care of it.”

Having land, work points, and grain as compensation was the best possible outcome, considering the flexibility of returning property.

Cheng Yulian took note of everything and then left to report to the brigade.

Cheng Fuchun and Cheng Fulian were waiting there.

After Cheng Yulian explained the situation, Cheng Fuchun found no issues with it.

However, Cheng Fuwan disagreed, “We’re still supposed to pay them for using their house? Isn’t this just perpetuating the landlord’s habits?”

“Stop bringing up landlords all the time. They are revolutionary gentry!” Cheng Yulian retorted sharply.

The family had been exonerated, yet Cheng Fuwan was still nitpicking, showing his maliciousness.

After some discussion, Cheng Fuchun and Cheng Fulian agreed to continue using the large house but compensate Cheng Rushan’s family.

They decided to repay the 200 yuan Cheng Rushan had spent redeeming the house, allocate them five acres of private land, and provide quarterly payments in grain, pork, oil, cotton, and other necessities to ensure the livelihood of Cheng Yunzhi, Yan Runzhi, and Cheng Ruzhou.

Additionally, three exhibition rooms would be set up in the primary school to document the Cheng and Yan families’ contributions.

Since the Cheng family didn’t demand acknowledgment of their sufferings during the political movements, there was no need for anyone to feel uncomfortable about it.

Cheng Fuwan protested, “The commune won’t approve. Why should we give them private land and money? This is favoritism!”

Cheng Fuchun replied, “This matter isn’t against policy, and we have the authority to decide it. The brigade revolutionary committee will vote on it.” He pointed out that the commune wasn’t providing the brigade and production team offices.

Without tens of thousands of yuan, those buildings couldn’t have been constructed. To avoid any team feeling slighted, the costs would come from the brigade’s reserved grain.

A vote would likely pass, leaving Cheng Fuwan with nothing to do but glare in frustration.

Once the decision was made, Cheng Fuchun had Cheng Yulian inform Jiang Lin.

Upon Jiang Lin’s agreement, accountant Wang Gang drafted the explanatory documents, making three copies: one for the county revolutionary committee, one for the commune revolutionary committee, and one for themselves.

They requested county officials to preside over the redress work.

A few days later, in the morning, Jiang Lin was helping to roof someone’s house when the loudspeaker crackled, announcing, “Attention all members, attention all members. Secretary Zhao of the county revolutionary committee and Secretary Cheng Fugui of the commune are coming to oversee the redress of the Cheng Yiyi, Cheng Rongzhi, and Cheng Yunzhi family. After dinner tonight, everyone should gather at the brigade office courtyard for a full member meeting! Full member meeting!”

The loudspeaker repeated the announcement, reminiscent of the tone used for public denunciation meetings in the past.

Shang Zonghui clapped her hands joyfully, “Jiang Zhiqing, that’s wonderful! Congratulations to your family.”

Jiang Lin was genuinely happy.

She looked at Wen Sheng, but saw him tilting his head in confusion.

Gradually, his expression changed, his eyes fixating on a point with a darkening face.

His jaw clenched, and his hands began to tremble.

Jiang Lin was startled and quickly called him gently, “Wensheng, what are you thinking about? Mother is thirsty. Let’s go down and have some water.”

But he didn’t respond.

Jiang Lin slowly approached him and gently patted his arm, “Let’s go down.”

Suddenly, Cheng Ruzhou knocked her down on the roof and raised his fist, aiming at her face.

“Stop!” Shang Zonghui screamed in fear.

“Wensheng!” Jiang Lin immediately called out to him.

Cheng Ruozhou’s fist brushed past her soft hair and suddenly changed direction, slamming hard onto the tiles beside her.

Jiang Lin’s eyes widened, seeing the darkness in his eyes like an ancient well.

She softly reassured him, “Wensheng, it’s mother.”

He coldly looked at her, his eyes filled with violent emotions, no longer the familiar Wensheng.

His large hand gripped her slender neck, then suddenly pushed her away with great force, causing Jiang Lin to roll over.

Shang Zonghui rushed over and held her, both of them breaking into a cold sweat.

“Jiang Zhiqing, you need to go down quickly,” Shang Zonghui urged.

“What about Wensheng?” Jiang Lin asked anxiously.

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Shang Zonghui replied.

Cheng Ruzhou suddenly started punching the tiles again, not feeling any pain as he continued to smash dozens of punches, breaking several cement tiles, his hands bleeding profusely.

Jiang Lin couldn’t help but rush over to grab his hand, “Wensheng, Wensheng, stop!”

He turned to look at her with a cold, unfamiliar gaze, and the next moment, he fainted.

Jiang Lin held him but didn’t dare to wake him immediately.

Shang Zonghui called for help, and together they carried him down.

Once he was safely on the ground, Jiang Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

Shang Zonghui helped carry Cheng Ruzhou back home.

Yan Runzhi was at home embroidering, and Cheng Yunzhi was spinning yarn.

Seeing them bring Wensheng back, they were startled.

“What happened?” Yan Runzhi asked.

Jiang Lin explained briefly, “He seemed to have been triggered by something and suddenly changed.”

Cheng Yunzhi quickly helped carry him to the bed, his expression heavy. “It’s been so many years since this happened. I thought it would never happen again.”

Yan Runzhi asked, “What’s going on, old man?”

Cheng Yunzhi explained, “The winter after my eldest brother died, Wensheng suddenly changed, not recognizing anyone.

He beat up two cadres at the farm who always caused trouble for my elder brother, breaking one’s leg and the other’s nose.

Later, those two transferred to other units. He was confined for a month at the farm, and when he came out, he was even more confused.”

Jiang Lin said, “It seems certain things trigger him.”

Cheng Yunzhi replied, “From now on, I’ll stay with him. Unless he’s fully awake, none of you should come near him.”

Once there was suspicion among officials that he might be pretending to be foolish, which greatly angered Cheng Yunzhi, who had never shown anger before.

How could a child just over ten years old understand how to act foolish? And for twenty years?

He turned himself into a carefree child who was doted on by his parents, but when provoked, he became vengeful, showing no rationality.

He wasn’t like great figures such as Goujian, where did he find such patience and wisdom?

He was truly insane.

Though Cheng Yunzhi thought he didn’t randomly hit people, he was still afraid of accidents, so he watched over him.

Jiang Lin: “Zonghui, don’t tell anyone.”

If people in the village knew, they would discriminate against and exclude him even more, which would indirectly provoke him.

Shang Zonghui: “Don’t worry, I understand.” He continued to lay tiles.

When Da Bao and Xiao Bao returned, Jiang Lin reminded them to stay away from Brother Wensheng for now and play together again when he was back to normal.

Da Bao: “Wensheng is so pitiful, when will he get better?”

Xiao Bao: “I’m willing to share half of my candy with him.”

In the afternoon, the leaders came to the village, and the brigade sent someone to invite Cheng Yunzhi and Jiang Lin, saying that the county leader was coming to see them.

Yan Runzhi said, “You go, I’ll stay with Wensheng, everything will be fine.”

Cheng Yunzhi: “No, you go, I’ll stay at home and say my leg is acting up and I can’t walk.”

Yan Runzhi stayed behind to accompany him, and Jiang Lin took Da Bao and Xiao Bao with her.

Secretary Zhao arrived in a jeep with Cheng Fugui and others, surrounded by a large group of people from Yanghong Brigade, making quite a scene.

Jiang Lin brought Da Bao and Xiao Bao over, and someone immediately shouted, “They’re here!”

The crowd quickly made way for them.

Secretary Zhao had a friendly face and smiled when he saw Jiang Lin, “So this is Little Jiang, the educated youth?”

Jiang Lin stepped forward to greet Secretary Zhao.

Secretary Zhao reached out to shake hands with her, “Little Jiang is a discerning and ambitious educated youth, very good.”

Jiang Lin: “Thank you, Secretary. My father’s leg has been acting up these days, so he’s embarrassed to limp out. I brought the children to thank Secretary Zhao.”

Cheng Fugui and Cheng Fuwan’s faces turned unpleasant; they felt Cheng Yunzhi was being intentional, giving them a hard time, which was unreasonable!

Just as Cheng Fuwan was about to speak, Cheng Fugui gave him a stern look.

Secretary Zhao smiled and said, “No problem, let’s all go see him together.”

Cheng Fugui said, “Secretary, perhaps it would be better to meet later during the evening meeting. We can have him carried over then.”

Upon entering to see Cheng Yunzhi, he appeared quite imposing!

However, Secretary Zhao insisted that, as responsible for United Front work in the county, he would host the rectification conference.

Since rectification had been given, naturally there would be a rectification conference and the return of property, along with expressions of sympathy and the approval of the exhibition room.

It had to be done beautifully and thoroughly; otherwise, it would be better not to do it.

Seeing his determination, Cheng Fugui reluctantly agreed.

Secretary Zhao warmly took Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s hands, remarking how beautiful they were and how alike they looked.

Cultural Department staff immediately took photos for the newspaper.

Escorted by a crowd, Secretary Zhao went to Jiang Lin’s home, accompanied by Cheng Fuwan’s drum team, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Those who didn’t know might have thought it was a wedding.

Elderly and children who were not working rushed out to see the excitement.

At the door, Cheng Fugui and Cheng Fuwan hurried to open it for Secretary Zhao, while Jiang Lin, the proper hostess, found herself pushed to the back.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Jiang educated youth?”

Jiang Lin turned to see a stylish and pretty young woman in a blue work uniform, wearing an embroidered handkerchief around her neck.

It was unexpectedly Zeng Hongjie, which delighted her. “Zeng, what a coincidence!”

Zeng Hongjie smiled, “I work at the Cultural Center, so this matter falls under our jurisdiction.”

Jiang Lin quickly invited her inside, “We’ve done a lot here and plan to take some to the city to ask the supply and marketing cooperative for help with selling.”

Zeng Hongjie’s eyes sparkled, “I’d love to see it first-hand and pick out a few favorites.”

Leading her inside, Jiang Lin showed Zeng Hongjie the garden full of seasonal flowers, and she exclaimed, “What a beautiful courtyard!”

Jiang Lin proudly said, “My parents take care of it.”

Zeng Hongjie looked at Jiang Lin in surprise.

She had never seen an educated youth from the city happily call rural farmers “mom and dad,” especially someone with a lower social status who might typically be ridiculed for falling from grace.

Yet Jiang Lin seemed calm and poised, truly unique.

Meanwhile, Secretary Zhao had been ushered inside by a crowd of people.

In the west room, Cheng Yunzhi and Yan Runzhi heard the commotion and hurried out to intercept, not wanting them to see Wensheng in his current state.

As they came out, the first people they saw were Cheng Fugui and Cheng Fuwan.

Faced with Cheng Fugui’s cold gaze, Cheng Yunzhi froze in place, unwilling to approach them!

Secretary Zhao beamed, “Comrade Cheng Yunzhi, hello.”

The word “comrade” struck Cheng Yunzhi like a thunderbolt.

Never in his life did he expect to be addressed as “comrade” instead of a landlord or a criminal.

Secretary Zhao immediately handed Da Bao and Xiao Bao over to Yan Runzhi and stepped forward to grasp Cheng Yunzhi’s hands. “You have a leg condition; find time to visit the county hospital for examination and treatment.”

Cheng Yunzhi choked up, his eyes reddening.

He nodded vigorously but couldn’t speak.

He struggled to contain himself, not wanting to lose control as he had on the farm.

Yan Runzhi intervened, “Secretary Zhao, please excuse him. The old man is just overwhelmed by the leader’s kindness.”

Cheng Fuwan asked, “What about Cheng Ruzhou? Since the Secretary came to check on us, why isn’t he here?”

Yan Runzhi hurriedly replied, “He’s like a child, eating and sleeping all the time. Right now, he’s asleep on the kang.”

Secretary Zhao had already known that Cheng Ruzhou had intellectual abilities similar to a six or seven-year-old child.

He avoided mentioning anything sensitive or unpleasant and only talked about positive things like rectification.

The room was small and crowded.

After exchanging a few warm words and announcing an evening meeting, Secretary Zhao prepared to leave.

Cheng Yunzhi nodded, “Thank you for the Party’s care. I will definitely go.”

Secretary Zhao bid farewell, and Cheng Yunzhi escorted him out.

Yan Runzhi followed with Da Bao and Xiao Bao, while Jiang Lin and Zeng Hongjie conversed in the courtyard and quickly excused themselves upon seeing the situation.

Cheng Fugui and Cheng Fuwan were left behind.

Suddenly, Cheng Ruzhou leaped off the kang, dashed out, grabbed a kitchen knife from the table by the stove, and lunged at Cheng Fugui’s neck as he passed through the front door.