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Early the next morning, Zhang Lan got up to prepare breakfast for the family. Seeing her in good spirits, the two elderly men felt relieved. “Niece, don’t worry. We’re here for you. You should carry on as usual. I don’t know who the fool was who came here causing trouble, but if I see him next time, I’ll break his legs,” Old Zuo said.
“Uncle, let’s not tell the children about last night’s incident. I’m afraid it might scare them,” Zhang Lan said. She wasn’t too concerned for herself, but she worried about the younger ones in the family.
The elderly men understood her concerns as a mother. ” Niece, your children aren’t as timid as you think. By the way, did you recognize the person from last night? I have a feeling that someone who knew the situation came over. Otherwise, how did they know when to sneak in, timing when Zhenhe wasn’t around?” Lao Wu asked.
Zhang Lan had thought about the voice from last night. Although the person had deliberately lowered their voice, the final shout had sounded familiar to her.
“Uncle, I feel like I recognize the voice, but I just can’t remember who it might be. Besides, everyone in our village gets along well. I just can’t imagine who would have such ill intentions,” Zhang Lan replied.
She also had another worry. If news of the incident got out, it wouldn’t reflect well on her. Her husband had only been gone for a few days, and someone had already entered their home. It was fortunate that those who knew the situation understood, but if it spread to those who didn’t, she didn’t know how it might be twisted. It might even tarnish her reputation.
Zuo Zhanshan came in after washing up. “Old Wu, Niece, only the three of us need to know about this. Your blow last night probably injured that kid’s leg. We need to investigate this secretly. After all, this is a rural area. If this gets out, it won’t be good for you, Niece. Some people can turn a non-issue into a big deal. For the sake of your reputation, it’s best not to publicize it.”
Zhang Lan was truly grateful for the considerate old man. “Uncle, I’ll trouble you with this matter.”
Mingcheng and the others had finished breakfast and gone to school, but Wang Qian called the two old men into the house. The two elderly men looked at the little girl, who seemed mysterious that day.
“Grandpa, I know about last night’s incident. I was also awakened by it,” Wang Qian said.
The two elderly men were startled by her words. They hadn’t expected the little girl to be awake.
“Qianqian, don’t tell anyone else about this. It’s best if only we know. If others find out, who knows how they might twist the story about your mom,” Zuo Zhanshan cautioned.
Wang Qian understood the old men’s words. After all, she wasn’t a child anymore. “Grandpa, I know how to handle it. I suspect a certain person from last night. I’d like to hear your thoughts on how to deal with this,” she said, sharing her suspicions with the elderly men.
“Damn, I knew it wasn’t an outsider. It really was that scoundrel,” Wu Changyong exclaimed, visibly agitated. Anyone would be angry upon hearing about the incident, let alone someone with a temper like Old Man Wu.
Old Zuo put his arm around Wu Changyong and calmed him down. “Old Wu, we need to handle this. Qianqian, take us to see him today. If it’s really him, we’ll give him a good lesson. Damn, someone like that should be in prison,” Lao Zhanshan couldn’t help but curse.
Until they had confirmation, they had to keep this from Zhang Lan. The elderly men went to inform Zhang Qiang and the others that they have something to do, while Wang Qian led the two men to the mountains. Although they didn’t know exactly where the Zhu family lived, they were able to quickly find out from the villagers. They led the two elderly men to the ancestral hall where the Zhu family was located.
This time, since they had found the Zhu family, the three of them didn’t rush in. Zuo Zhanshan, with the same vigor he had used for reconnaissance during wartime, thoroughly investigated the Zhu family’s surroundings. He then led Zuo Wu to the side where they heard movement and began eavesdropping from behind the wall.
Inside the house, a woman’s voice of complaint could be heard. “You’re such a big man, and you still managed to trip on your way to the outhouse. What’s the use of your eyes? Are they just for show? You better stay at home and rest while I go earn distribution points. It’s only because of my reputation that the team leader allows you to stay at home and still receive points. Don’t you forget that.”
As soon as the woman finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and Wang Qian watched as Yang Liu swayed her hips and walked out. Observing her gait, Wang Qian couldn’t help but think that she walked in a frivolous manner, swaying from side to side, not at all like a respectable person.
The three of them watched as Yang Liu left the house. Zuo Zhanshan turned to Wang Qian and said, “Qianqian, Old Wu and I will go inside to take a look. You keep watch outside. If someone comes in, give us a signal.”
Seeing the girl nod solemnly, the two elderly men leaped into the Zhu family’s courtyard and stealthily entered the room from which the woman had emerged. Wu Changyong immediately spotted Zhu Jianshe lying on the kang, pretending to be asleep.
Despite their age, the two elderly men were once heroes in their prime. They exchanged a glance, and Old Zuo quickly grabbed a towel hanging on a crossbar in the room and covered Zhu Jianshe’s eyes.
Still dreaming, Zhu Jianshe thought it was Yang Liu returning and grumbled, “You woman, my leg hurts, and you still want to do that? Can’t you see the time?”
Wu Changyong lifted Zhu Jianshe’s injured leg and rolled up his pants. The wound was clearly not from a fall. No fall could have caused an injury to the inside of the leg. Wu Changyong remembered clearly that when the intruder was trying to climb over the iron gate at the Wang family’s house, he had struck the intruder’s thigh with his stick, precisely where Zhu Jianshe was injured. There were also clear marks of a long scratch on the inside of the leg, likely from the iron gate.
After confirming the culprit from the previous night, the two elderly men didn’t hold back. Zuo Zhanshan quickly covered Zhu Jianshe’s mouth. Initially, Zhu Jianshe had thought it was his wife playing a prank on him, but he soon realized that something was wrong. He tried to shout, but his mouth was covered, and he began to struggle. Old Wu didn’t tolerate his resistance and started to hit him.
The two elderly men didn’t say a word and continued to strike. They were determined to teach this scoundrel a lesson for their trip.
Outside, Wang Qian was getting anxious. She didn’t know what the two elderly men were doing inside, and she hadn’t heard any noise.
After giving him a good beating, the two elderly men finally let go. Zhu Jianshe would probably need to stay in bed for at least ten days after that beating.
Seeing the two elderly men coming out, Wang Qian looked at them with concern, checking if they were okay.
Zuo Zhanshan smiled and took her hand. “Girl, we’re both fine. We need to leave here quickly. It won’t be good if the family members come back and find out.”
The three of them quickly left the Zhu family ancestral hall. Meanwhile, Zhu Jianshe lay on the kang, bewildered by the unexpected beating and being gagged and tied to the bed.
When Yang Liu and Zhu Mancang’s family returned from work, they were startled to see Zhu Jianshe lying on the kang, looking like he had been beaten up. “Son, what happened to you?” Zhu Mancang was deeply concerned. Elderly people usually dote on their youngest, and Zhu Jianshe was no exception. He had been fine at home, so how did he end up in this state?
Throughout the morning, Zhu Jianshe pondered who could have done this to him. He hadn’t wronged anyone recently, and if there was an issue, it was from the previous night. However, the other party didn’t know who he was, so it was unlikely they would come looking for him so soon. After much thought, he still couldn’t figure out who was behind the beating.
Seeing her husband in this state, Yang Liu rushed to his side. “Honey, if something happens to you, how are we supposed to live?”
Zhu Jianshe’s swollen mouth made it impossible for him to speak. He weakly pushed away the sobbing woman lying on him, unable to shed tears. Seeing his son’s distress, Zhu Mancang quickly pushed Yang Liu away.
“Daughter-in-law, stop crying. Hurry and go to the medical center to get someone to check on him. Eldest and second son, don’t just stand there. Go find out who came to our house today. Damn it, whoever dared to bully my son, they’ve had enough of living,” Zhu Mancang said.
Despite his age, Zhu Mancang remained calm in such situations. However, his eyes were filled with intense hostility. In his younger days, he was no stranger to conflict, but as he grew older and his children grew up, he had mellowed. However, seeing his own son harmed, he felt nothing but heartache. He wished to find the culprit and exact revenge. The Zhu family couldn’t bear such an injustice.
While the Zhu family was busy, Wang Qian and the two elderly men had already returned home. On the way, Wang Qian confirmed with the two men that the person from the previous night was indeed Zhu Jianshe. She couldn’t help but feel angry. She couldn’t understand how the culprit had known that her father was not at home.
Zuo Zhanshan held the little girl in his arms, feeling sorry for her as she remained silent. With so many distressing events at home, it was a lot for the child to bear.
“Qianqian, what are you thinking? If you’re still upset, Grandpa will go and give him another beating next time. It’s not worth being sad over someone like that,” Zuo Zhanshan said.
The little girl obediently nodded, but she still looked puzzled. “Grandpa, our house and the Zhu family are separated by a mountain, and we don’t have much interaction with them. How did he know that my dad was out working? I’ve been thinking about this and I just can’t understand it.”
The old man was also struck by her question. They hadn’t considered this aspect. Old Zuo Zhanshan and Old Wu had a more detailed understanding of the Wang family’s history. From their military perspective, it was likely that someone had leaked the information, either intentionally or unintentionally. However, they also realized that it was unusual for someone to inquire about whether a man was at home or not.
“Old Wu, do you think Zhu Jianshe deliberately inquired, or did someone intentionally inform him?” Zuo Zhanshan asked.
Both men had met Zhu Jianshe and knew that he wasn’t a good person. Anyone who would target his brother’s wife, whether coerced or willingly, was not a decent individual.
Old Wu pondered for a while before responding, “Old Zuo, I think there’s something suspicious about this. How did Zhu Jianshe conveniently show up when Zhenhe was out? If it weren’t for us, something might have happened.”