Chapter 135: Informant

During lunch, Zhang Qiang and Guo Xing experienced the true meaning of “freshness.” The taste was incomparable to what they had bought in stores before.

Seeing the two men enjoying the food, Zhang Weiguo smiled and said, “Brother-in-law, when these two gentlemen return home, give them a portion of what I brought for their families to taste. I’ll bring another batch before the Lunar New Year.”

“Xiao Zhang, we can’t accept this,” Guo Xing hesitantly declined. However, when Wu Changyong intervened, “Accept it graciously. You’ve been with us for almost a year. Consider this a gift from us, a token of appreciation for your families. Don’t feel it’s too little. After all, it’s not easy for Weiguo to bring it all the way here.”

With the elders speaking, the two men accepted graciously, feeling an added sense of joy and gratitude.

After the meal, Guo Xing and Zhang Qiang packed up with Zhang Lan and returned home. Wang Zhenhe carefully examined the anonymous letter. In fact, the letter wasn’t targeting the elders, but him. The situation of these elders was well known within the team. The letter accused him of harboring counter-revolutionaries with malicious intent. Wang Zhenhe couldn’t help but sigh. Was it really going to come to this?

Wang Qian quietly approached her father. “Dad, I guess this letter was written by Wang Zhenguo, right? No wonder I saw him sneakily throw a letter into the mailbox when I was collecting scrap last time. It turns out he’s done something unscrupulous.”

Although Wang Zhenhe recognized his brother’s handwriting, he still found it hard to believe. However, when Wang Qian spoke, his heart sank. “Qianqian, are you sure about this?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t joke about something like this. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” she replied, describing the situation to her father.

Wang Zhenhe’s expression turned increasingly grim. “This scoundrel wants to kill me. How deep is his grudge to dare to do this?”

After speaking, he took the letter and left the house.

Wang Qian, feeling worried, quickly found Zhang Lan. “Mom, something’s wrong. The letter was written by Uncle Zhenguo. Dad is probably going to confront him. Should we go and check?”

Zhang Lan was also taken aback by the news. She never expected such a family conflict to arise. After some thought, she said, “It’s okay. Let your father handle this. There are some things he needs to face.”

Wang Zhenguo’s actions undoubtedly pushed Wang Zhenhe to the brink. If it weren’t for the two comrades who came to explain today, and the elders who knew these people, the situation wouldn’t have been resolved so easily. Zhang Lan even thought that Wang Zhenguo’s actions were insane.

At that moment, Zuo Zhanshan opened the door and walked in. “Niece, is Zhenhe going to confront the person who wrote the letter? It should be someone close to you, right?”

Zuo Zhanshan had observed carefully, and he had seen the expression on Wang Zhenhe’s face when he read the letter. His bold guess was that the informant was definitely a member of the Wang family. Otherwise, Wang Zhenhe wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.

Zhang Lan lowered her head and said with some sadness, “Yes, it’s Zhenhe’s brother who wrote the informant letter. He probably went to talk to Wang Zhenguo.”

Hearing this, Wu Changyong, who was following Zuo Zhanshan, couldn’t help but curse, “Beast! Is this something a human would do? Damn it, who does he think he is to judge us? This little brat, he even dared to harm his own brother. He’s a real scoundrel.”

With Wu Changyong’s outburst, everyone in the room heard about the situation. “Ah, how could Zhenhe have such a foolish brother? He really has no brains.”

Old Chen stood by feeling sorry for Wang Zhenhe. This was like using a soft knife to stab someone’s heart, especially when it involved family. It was more hurtful than dealing with enemies.

“Old Zuo, should we go and check on them? Let’s not let them fight. Zhenhe will suffer,” Old Wu suggested.

Zuo Zhanshan shook his head. “Old Wu, we shouldn’t meddle in this. After all, it’s a matter between brothers. It’s their family affair. It’s best for us not to interfere. Let Zhenhe handle it. We have to trust him.”

Zuo Zhanshan and Zhang Lan shared the same opinion. Some things were beyond their involvement. Whether good or bad, blood ties between brothers were strong. Their interference might not have a significant impact and could even make things worse.

It’s hard for an upright official to judge family matters, especially when they were accompanied by old folks with groundless accusations.

Wang Zhenhe, filled with anger, stormed into the former family home. Inside, Wang Zhenguo and Wang Zhi were having a good time with their parents.

Wang Zhenhe pushed the door open and his mother, Zhu Qiyu, looked surprised at her third son’s furious expression. She wondered what she had done recently to provoke such a reaction from him.

“Third son, what’s wrong with you? You look so gloomy. It’s almost the Lunar New Year. Can’t you make your mother happy?” Zhu Qiyu said, a little annoyed.

Wang Zhenhe handed the letter to his brother, wearing a grim expression. “Wang Zhenguo, did you write this letter? Don’t tell me you don’t recognize your own handwriting.”

Wang Zhenguo’s expression changed when he saw the letter, but he still tried to remain composed. “Brother, what are you talking about? You’re accusing me for no reason. How could I have written such an informant letter?”

Wang Zhenhe sneered, “That’s right. You didn’t even see the contents of the letter, yet you knew it was an informant letter. I didn’t mention it earlier, so how did you know? Wang Zhenguo, you’ve lost your conscience. Do you realize the consequences for me if this letter is confirmed? Execution for serious charges, or imprisonment for lighter ones. You’ve plotted against your brother who has cared for you for so many years. You’ve finally shown me the taste of fratricide, my good little brother.”

“Brother, just because of that, you’re convinced I wrote it? Damn it, nowadays you can’t even make a mistake. If you do, you’ll be charged. I’m telling you, I didn’t write that letter.”

Zhu Qiyu didn’t understand the conversation between the two brothers. She picked up the letter that Wang Zhenhe had thrown on the kang. Fortunately, she was literate and could understand the contents of the letter. As she read, her brows furrowed tighter and her expression grew increasingly grim.

“Wang Zhenguo, you’re truly spineless. You dare to do it but won’t admit it. Are you even a man?” Wang Zhenhe stepped forward and slapped Wang Zhenguo, causing him to stagger and almost fall. “You scoundrel! Instead of doing something worthwhile, you engage in such despicable acts. Today, I must teach you a lesson for daring to plot against your brother. You deserve this slap.”

Wang Zhenguo couldn’t just take the beating. He fought back against Wang Zhenhe, but he lacked the strength and soon found himself at a disadvantage.

Seeing her younger son being beaten, Zhu Qiyu couldn’t bear it. “Wang Zhenhe, stop it! This letter wasn’t written by Zhenguo. Why are you trying to frame him?” With that, she threw the letter at Wang Zhenhe’s face.

Wang Zhenhe looked at his mother with a blank expression. “Mom, I taught Zhenguo how to write since he was little. Although this letter deliberately concealed the handwriting, Zhenguo has a habit of separating the character ‘白’ (bái) in writing, which you should also know. I even used to beat him for this when we were young, but he never changed. Could I possibly frame him for something like this?”

He then gave Wang Zhenguo another resounding slap. “This slap is for you. You never thought that your actions would hurt so many people. What about my children and wife? What about our parents? I’ve cared for you for so many years, but you’ve turned out to be a wolf after all these years.”

Zhu Qiyu hurriedly stepped forward to shield her younger son and scolded Wang Zhenhe. “You rascal! You have the nerve to hit your own brother. Besides, you can’t just assume it was your brother based on what you said. Many people write like that. If you’re so capable, find someone else to blame.”

With his mother protecting him, Wang Zhenhe couldn’t reach Wang Zhenguo. However, he viciously kicked him, causing Wang Zhenguo to wail in pain.

“Dad, Mom, if Zhenguo does this again, don’t blame me for not recognizing him as my brother. I’ll report him to the Revolutionary Committee. Who knows who will end up in prison? If you don’t discipline this son, be careful cause he  will surely soon make a big mess.”

Wang Deshan, having guessed the situation from the brothers’ conversation, was so angry that he was trembling. He pointed at Wang Zhenguo and cursed, “You little beast! He’s your own brother. How could you do something so despicable? Damn it, you’ve really crossed the line. Today, I must teach you a lesson.”

Wang Zhenguo, seeing his father’s anger, quickly retreated into the inner room and bolted the door shut. Despite his father’s persistent calls, he refused to open the door.

This time, Zhu Qiyu didn’t say anything. Instead, she let Wang Deshan rant and rave. After a while, she spoke slowly, “Third son, I’m not taking your brother’s side, but without a proper investigation, it’s wrong for you to hit Zhenguo.”

Wang Zhenhe just gave his mother a deep look before saying, “Mom, I’ll let him off this time. But if there’s a next time, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do. Besides, he’s grown up. You should discipline him properly.”

After saying this, he glared fiercely at the room where Wang Zhenguo was hiding, then turned to stare intently at his sister sitting on the kang, frightening Wang Zhi, who quickly shrank behind their mother.

“Dad, don’t be angry. It’s not worth getting sick over. I’m leaving,” Wang Zhenhe said before walking out. The room fell silent, with no one speaking. The silence was almost eerie.

“Zhenguo, your brother has left. Come out,” Zhu Qiyu said calmly to the inner room. Wang Zhenguo, hiding inside, seemed to have heard good news and quickly rushed out, seeking refuge behind his mother.

Zhu Qiyu raised her hand and slapped him hard. “You rascal, who taught you to do this? How dare you harm your own brother? He’s your real brother, not an adopted one. Do you have any conscience left? He’s my own son, and I have the right to discipline him, scold him, or even take his life, because I carried him for nine months. I have that right, which you don’t. Do you understand? You rascal, if you dare harm your brother today, will you harm your mother in the future? How did I give birth to such an ungrateful wretch?”

As Zhu Qiyu continued, her emotions overwhelmed her. She pointed at Wang Zhenguo and began scolding him. Wang Zhen Guo, bewildered after being slapped by his mother, said, “Mom, you hate him too. Why are you taking his side today? Besides, I’m your most beloved youngest son.”

Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu abruptly grabbed a broom and hurled it at her younger son. “Nonsense! I may hate him, but I’ve never thought of taking his life. Remember this: he is my son, my own flesh and blood. If you dare to harm your brother again, I’ll break your legs.”