Chapter 66

As Qin Qingman saw the Wu family members rushing toward them with great aggression, she immediately realized the situation had changed. She quickly threw Chuchu onto her back and kicked Zheng Xuesong.

Wu Yuanming had colluded with the fake police, and now, with the Wu family acting like this, it was clear they were about to cause trouble.

Zheng Xuesong had been considering how to calm down the Wu family, but as soon as Qin Qingman kicked him, he immediately sensed something was wrong. He quickly drew his gun, pointed it toward the sky, and loudly shouted at the approaching Wu family, “I’m Zheng Xuesong from the County Public Security Bureau. I’m the police. I’ve been assigned to investigate this case. Everyone, please calm down, listen to me.”

“My Wei Min! Give Wei Min back to me!” 

Wu Weimin’s grandfather, Wu Rong, was nearly seventy years old and had only one grandson, whom he treasured dearly. When he received the news of his grandson’s death, the old man had fainted several times. Upon learning that his son, Wu Yuanming, had also been captured, his anger exploded, and he immediately rallied all his relatives and friends to storm out.

He was going to avenge his grandson.

“Old man, listen to me. We didn’t take your grandson. We just moved him to another place. The ground was too cold, and it wasn’t suitable for him to stay there,” Zheng Xuesong shouted, trying his best to calm the situation. He added, “Comrades, please trust the police. We will handle this case fairly.”

“Hand over that woman named Qin! She’s the one! She killed my Wei Min!” Wu Weimin’s mother, Wu Chunxia, was being supported by someone in the crowd, and her eyes were fixed on Qin Qingman, full of hatred. 

She wished she could kill Qin Qingman right then and there.

Zheng Xuesong immediately sensed the seriousness of the situation. He quickly stepped in front of Qin Qingman and shouted, “Family members, I understand how you feel, but please believe me, Comrade Qin Qingman is not the murderer. Wu Weimin was killed by the criminal suspects posing as police officers.”

The murder case was actually very clear. There were both witnesses and physical evidence that proved Qin Qingman was innocent. In fact, one could even say Qin Qingman was the unfortunate one. If it hadn’t been for Wu Weimin bothering her, she would have already gone home to warm up by the fire.

“It was that woman named Qin who killed my son! If it wasn’t for her, my son wouldn’t be dead. She’s the one! She’s a disaster, and my son died because of her! I want her to pay for my son’s life today!”

Wu Chunxia wouldn’t listen to anything Zheng Xuesong had to say. She insisted that Qin Qingman was the one who had killed her son and demanded that Qin Qingman pay with her life.

As Wu Chunxia finished speaking, the Wu family members charged even faster. Many of them raised the farming tools they were carrying.

Seeing this scene, even the calmest Zheng Xuesong began to sweat with fear.

Even if they had guns, they were no match for so many people. Zheng Xuesong quickly pulled back the gun’s safety and shouted, “Stop! Everyone, stop! If you don’t stop, I’ll shoot! You’re obstructing the police in the course of their duties, and that’s a crime!”

During this time, the police still held a great deal of authority. When the Wu family members heard Zheng Xuesong’s warning to shoot, many hesitated and slowed their steps.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on Wu Rong and Wu Chunxia’s faces.

The people in the crowd dared to cause trouble because they followed the lead of these two individuals.

“The police are protecting the murderer of my grandson. I, this old man, will no longer live. You can kill me, I’ll go accompany my Wei Min.” Wu Rong, seeing that the people he had brought were subdued by the police officer Zheng Xuesong, felt even more sorrowful. He pushed away the people who were supporting him and staggered toward Zheng Xuesong.

At nearly seventy years old, he had lived long enough. Since hearing about his grandson’s death, he had no desire to live any longer.

His son was about to die, his grandson was already dead, so what was the point of his old bones continuing to live? It would be better to go join his grandson. The weather was so cold; his grandson must be freezing, and he needed to go keep him company.

Wu Rong had made up his mind to die as he walked towards Zheng Xuesong, and his gaze towards Qin Qingman was filled with coldness.

He hated the suspect who had killed his grandson, but he hated Qin Qingman even more.

If it hadn’t been for Qin Qingman, his son and grandson would never have been in danger. So, Qin Qingman, this woman, had to die. Today, he would take revenge for his son and grandson.

Wu Rong walked resolutely toward Zheng Xuesong, and the Wu family behind him began to gather around Zheng Xuesong and his people once again.

They raised their weapons once more.

“Bang!” A crisp gunshot rang out. It was Zheng Xuesong firing, a warning shot, a warning from the law enforcement to the Wu family.

The gunshot caused most of the people behind Zheng Xuesong to retreat.

These people retreated along with Zhou Jingguo and Liu Hechang. They didn’t want to get involved in the complicated situation and chose to protect themselves.

Zheng Xuesong’s gunshot caused some people to make their decision, and it also once again subdued the Wu family. All the faces of the Wu family turned pale. They hesitated, for everyone clearly knew what it meant to go against the police.

Li Hongyi and the other police officers also lowered the body bags they had been carrying on their shoulders, each drawing out their guns. They stood with their guns pointed in the air to protect Qin Qingman and Chuchu.

Qin Qingman calmly looked at the Wu family, while Chuchu clung tightly to Qin Qingman’s neck from behind.

The child wasn’t frightened by the gunshot or by the Wu family. At that moment, he was staring fiercely at Wu Rong and Wu Chunxia. It was these two who had said that Big Sister was a bad person and that they should deal with her.

“Family members, I understand your feelings, but we must stick to the facts. The death of Wu Wei Min has nothing to do with Comrade Qin Qingman. Everyone present can testify to that,” Zheng Xuesong had to rely on witnesses at the scene.

“Yes, I can testify for Comrade Qin Qingman. I was there and saw it with my own eyes. Wu Wei Min was shot and killed by someone pretending to be the police,” the first person to stand up and testify for Qin Qingman was Zhou Bangguo, the deputy director of the farm.

Although he had been suppressed at the farm, his position was high enough, and his character was good.

“I can also testify for Comrade Qin Qingman. Wu Wei Min’s death has nothing to do with Comrade Qin Qingman.” The second person to testify for Qin Qingman was an Educated Youth, who was also the first to ask Qin Qingman questions.

“I can testify for Comrade Qin Qingman.”

“I can too…”

…

One after another, witnesses stood up behind Qin Qingman. These were all farm workers who had personally witnessed the entire incident. They had no vested interest in Qin Qingman and had no reason to lie.

As they watched witness after witness stand up in defense of Qin Qingman, Wu Rong and Wu Chunxia’s faces grew even more unpleasant.

“I can testify for Comrade Qin Qingman. Wu Wei Min’s death has absolutely nothing to do with her. In fact, it was because Wu Wei Min, seeing that Comrade Qin Qingman was beautiful, tried to hit on her. When she ignored him, Wu Wei Min rushed from behind and pushed Qin Qingman’s aunt and brother, causing them to get injured.”

The last person to testify for Qin Qingman was someone unexpected, someone hard to believe.

Because these words came from Zhao Tiancheng.

Zhao Tiancheng was the son of Zhou Jingguo, the director of the commune’s revolutionary committee, and was also Wu Wei Min’s inseparable close friend and brother. His words were absolutely credible.

Zhou Jingguo was stunned when he saw his son speak up.

His son had been influenced by Qin Qingman in such a way. Why was he getting involved in this? There was no need for this at all!

Zhou Jingguo couldn’t understand his son, and the Wu family couldn’t understand either.

They found it hard to believe that Zhao Tiancheng chose to abandon his brother at such a time.

Zhao Tiancheng, regardless of the Wu family’s expressions, continued, “The fake police officers were reported by Wu Yuanming. When they arrived, they didn’t inquire about the case, but instead tried to take Comrade Qin Qingman away. It was then that Qin Qingman realized they were suspicious and, based on the facts, exposed that they were impersonating the police.”

“Shut up, shut up!” 

Wu Rong slammed his cane on the ground angrily. He didn’t want to hear what Zhao Tiancheng had to say about the process. “All I know is that if it weren’t for this woman named Qin, my grandson wouldn’t have died. This Qin must be buried with my grandson.”

After Wu Rong said these words, he continued to walk towards Qin Qingman, and his gaze towards her was filled with killing intent.

Zhao Tiancheng, who had been shouted at by Wu Rong, looked grim for a moment, then continued, “The fake police officers, after having their identities exposed, panicked and drew their guns, aiming at Qin Qingman. It was Wu Wei Min himself, in his panic, who ran in front of Qin Qingman, blocking her, and then he died.”

He had not been at the center of the chaos but had been in a position to see everything clearly.

Now, he recounted the events truthfully in front of everyone.

After saying this, Zhao Tiancheng felt a sense of relief. He wasn’t sure why he had chosen to help Qin Qingman, but in the atmosphere just now, he felt compelled to tell the truth.

Once he had finished speaking, he stepped back a few paces to stand beside Zhou Jingguo.

Zhou Jingguo… He didn’t understand his son at all. However, looking at the body bag on the ground not far away, he began to think. Perhaps his son had been influenced by Wu Wei Min’s death and had undergone a change. This change might not be a bad thing.

Wu Wei Min’s death had shaken Zhao Tiancheng, and it had also served as a wake-up call for Zhou Jingguo.

His son needed to be guided, or else he might follow in Wu Wei Min’s footsteps.

Zhou Jingguo sank into deep thought.

Zhao Tiancheng had no more reservations and had revealed the whole truth. Wang Ji and Zhou Tao, who had already chosen to follow Zhao Tiancheng, also stepped forward to testify for Qin Qingman once again.

They had been with Zhao Tiancheng before and had seen everything clearly.

Wu Rong felt as though he was losing his mind.

He didn’t care about the truth of the situation. All he knew was that this entire incident stemmed from Qin Qingman.

Qin Qingman was the root cause of the destruction of the Wu family.

“I only know that this whole thing started with this woman named Qin. I’m going to make her pay for my grandson’s life. An eye for an eye, from ancient times to the present, that is the way of the world. As for the fake police and the guns, that’s your police matter, I don’t care. I only want the culprit, this Qin, to pay for my grandson’s life.”

Wu Rong stubbornly walked towards Qin Qingman, while also signaling the rest of the Wu family behind him.

They all shared the same surname—Wu. Now that Wu Yuanming had fallen, if they couldn’t protect him, they would all be buried together.

The Wu family understood the consequences of Wu Yuanming’s fall, which was why they had followed Wu Rong out to cause trouble. Now that they had already revealed themselves in front of the police, they might as well risk it all. After all, their family had lost someone, so what was the harm in making a scene?

The law couldn’t punish everyone, and they didn’t know the law well enough to fear it.

The Wu family, having steeled themselves mentally, immediately lifted their weapons and resolutely advanced towards Qin Qingman.

Though the steps underfoot were slow, they were indeed moving forward.

Even the faces of all the Wu family members had turned fierce.

“Stop, everyone stop right there. I warn you again, you are obstructing the public security law enforcement, and this is a crime. Crimes are punishable by law,” Zheng Xuesong stepped forward and blocked the Wu family members, his finger slowly tightening on the trigger of the gun in his hand.

“Bang!”

Once again, the warning shot rang out.

This was the second warning; a third warning could lead to the leader of the troublemakers being shot dead.

But the tricky part was that the Wu family members were causing trouble due to the grief of a death in the family, and the leader, Wu Rong, was an elderly man nearing seventy.

Without a conviction, Zheng Xuesong truly couldn’t act against such an elderly person.

“The police dare not shoot to kill. We haven’t committed any crime. We’re innocent. All we want is justice. We want justice!” Wu Rong was not afraid of Zheng Xuesong at all. Leaning on his cane, he was the first to charge toward Qin Qingman, lifting his cane high in the air, intending to strike her to death.

“Stop! Stop! If you don’t stop, I will shoot! You are obstructing law enforcement, and I have the right to shoot you!” Zheng Xuesong’s grip on the gun was steady, but his heart was trembling.

The other public security officers were sweating despite the cold weather.

The situation before them left them in a dilemma.

“Are you bullying us from Kaoshan Village just because we’re nobody? Damn it, isn’t this just a brawl? Who the hell is afraid of you?” Zheng Meiqin had been watching the law enforcement team handle the case from the tractor’s cart nearby, but as she watched, her anger boiled over.

These Wu family members seemed as though they didn’t understand human language. No matter how the police explained it, no matter how the witnesses testified that Qin Qingman had no connection to the deaths of Wu Weimin and Wu Rong, the Wu family refused to let go of Qin Qingman.

A group of big shots were bullying a weak woman, and it made Zheng Meiqin furious.

Seeing that Zheng Xuesong and the others could not control Wu Rong and the others, Zheng Meiqin threw off the blanket, cursing as she jumped off the cart.

She was tall and had never been afraid of fighting.

She casually picked up a sturdy stick from the side of the road and charged toward the Wu family members, with Bao Shengli following closely behind.

As for the two male comrades who had gone with Bao Shengli to report the case in the county, they were frozen in the car, not knowing what to do.

“This doesn’t concern you. You don’t need to get involved,” Aunt Guiying did not blame the two men in the car for not helping, instead understanding their decision.

The two men immediately turned red in the face.

Among the crowd at the farm gate, there were, of course, people from Kaoshan Village.

Although they were all from Kaoshan Village, due to their work, they had moved their families to the farm’s residential area.

Though they had moved, they had been born and raised in Kaoshan Village, and their relatives still lived there.

One village, one bloodline.

When they saw Qin Qingman being falsely accused and bullied by the Wu family, and saw Zheng Meiqin, a woman who had married out of Kaoshan Village, bringing her own man to help, these Kaoshan Village men could no longer sit still. Their blood immediately began to boil with excitement.

One by one, they grabbed anything they could use for a fight and rushed out.

“Wu, you dare bully someone from Kaoshan Village? First, ask if the stick in my hand agrees with it!”

“Isn’t it just a fight? Who’s afraid of who!”

“Damn them! I’ve had enough of this Wu family. They all rely on that bastard Wu Yuanming to act lawlessly on the farm. They’re all a bunch of grandsons. Fight! Whoever’s afraid to fight is a grandson.”

The people from Kaoshan Village in the crowd charged forward.

Though their numbers were few—perhaps not even a tenth of the Wu family—they still rushed forward with a fearless momentum.

Qin Qingman and Chuchu looked at these Kaoshan Village people, who had no blood relation to them and whom they had barely seen before, yet they were defending them. They smiled, their hearts filled with excitement.

It was just a fight, after all. Fighting was all that mattered.

The Wu family was completely caught off guard by the appearance of the Kaoshan Village people. The encirclement was immediately broken open by Zheng Meiqin and the others, and they quickly joined Qin Qingman.

With seven or eight people standing against more than a hundred, their momentum showed no signs of weakening.

Seeing this unexpected scene, the onlookers were shocked and filled with admiration. Some even thought about joining in, but they were eventually held back by their companions.

A rootless reed should still prioritize self-preservation.

“Hit them!” Wu Rong, blocked by Zheng Xuesong, was enraged by the sight of more people daring to help Qin Qingman. The sorrow and anger in his heart erupted like an explosion, and he immediately gave the order.

The Wu family members, who were already prepared, raised their sticks and charged toward Qin Qingman and the others.

The battle was about to begin.

At that moment, a loud rumbling sound came from the distance, shaking everyone. All eyes turned toward the noise.

Then, the crowd saw a mass of people approaching, their heads black as a sea of people.

They were all carrying sticks and running toward the farm gate, with a half-elderly man at the very front.

The old man, with more strength than even Wu Rong, roared loudly, “Let me see which little bastard dares to hit anyone from Kaoshan Village! I’ll skin him alive!” His voice was loud, like rolling thunder, growing louder as it drew near.

The group was running fast, each one sweating profusely, their faces flushed red.

They moved with incredible speed. By the time people saw them, they were nearly at the farm gate.

Their charge was like the thunderous sound of a stampede.

The sharp momentum gathered into an unstoppable killing intent, fierce and overwhelming.

“Qingman, don’t be afraid. With me, Zheng Anguo here, no one can bully anyone from Kaoshan Village,” the strong and resilient Zheng Anguo shouted as he ran closer and closer to Qin Qingman and the others.

“Secretary, I’m fine!”

At that moment, Qin Qingman was no longer afraid at all, because she had her own backing. Not just Wei Ling, but the entire Kaoshan Village was behind her.

“Beat them, as long as you don’t kill them or cripple them, beat them however you want! I, Zheng Anguo, take full responsibility!” Before Zheng Anguo even got close to the Wu family members, he had already given the command. His presence felt like that of a general returning from the battlefield.

“Roar—beat them—beat them hard!”

A group of Kaoshan Village men rushed into the Wu family’s crowd, attacking with incredible speed, precision, and brutality.

Qin Qingman, quick on her feet, shouted loudly, “The Wu family members are obstructing law enforcement, gathering a crowd to cause trouble, and disregarding the police’s two warnings. We, the people of Kaoshan Village, are helping the police to eliminate violence and maintain order according to the law.”

Zheng Xuesong understood what Qin Qingman meant and did not speak to contradict her.

Not far away, Zheng Anguo immediately understood Qin Qingman’s subtle hint.

He quickly turned to his own people and shouted, “We, the people of Kaoshan Village, are assisting the police in maintaining order, eliminating violence, and upholding justice!”

“Eliminate violence and uphold justice!”

The people of Kaoshan Village now had a legitimate reason and a clear slogan.

Although the Wu family members appeared fierce and hard to deal with, they soon realized what true fierceness meant when they faced the people of Kaoshan Village.

The villagers who dared to hunt in the mountains even during heavy snow were not to be trifled with.

In just a few minutes, the Wu family members were all knocked to the ground, each one lying there clutching their stomachs, wailing in pain.

Zhou Jingguo, watching Zheng Anguo behave completely differently from usual, suddenly shivered. He had not expected that Zheng Anguo had such a fierce side. It seemed that he had been quite polite to him before.

Zhou Jingguo was frightened by Zheng Anguo, and the others were also stunned by the fierceness of the Kaoshan Village people.

Damn, they were ruthless!

Zhao Tiancheng and a group of young people, watching the fight, were filled with excitement. They could no longer hold back and rushed forward, kicking the Wu family members who had fallen to the ground. Those with grudges against the Wu family kicked even harder, and if they hadn’t been pulled back by the Kaoshan Village people, someone might have died.

This was a clear indication of just how unpopular the Wu family was on the farm.

The Kaoshan Village people fought with unrestrained vigor.

Among the crowd, Qin Qingman saw many familiar faces. She saw Qin Lei, whom she had cut ties with, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and her uncle-in-law Jiang Linshan. She even spotted a still-young Shan Wazi…

“Uncle, was it you who went back to inform the Secretary and the others?” Qin Qingman softly asked.

“Mm, I heard about a death on the farm in the town, and then I heard it involved you. So I rushed back to notify the Secretary and the others. Luckily, I wasn’t too late.” A Yun’s husband looked at Qin Qingman, smiling honestly.

Qin Qingman felt warmth in her heart.

She knew that her previous choices had been right—protecting the interests of Kaoshan Village was protecting herself.

A village’s people were always connected, like bones joined together.