Chapter 78: Coercion and Temptation

A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and the snow on the streets had mostly melted.

The mountain roads finally opened up, and people from the brigade began to head into the city.

Although Jiang An’an had booked a room at a guesthouse near the hospital and took a shower every day, her clothes still had a lingering odor.

Just as she was planning to take Daya back to the Nanxi Brigade, good news came from the hospital.

Wu Lingyu’s fever had finally broken.

Jiang An’an hurriedly made her way from the commune to the hospital.

In the ward.

Dong Feng was the first to meet Wu Lingyu.

He sat on a bench, casually crossing his legs: “Wu Lingyu, why make a big fuss over a little family matter? Once the snow stops, I’ll take you back home so you can apologize to your family and continue living your previous life.”

“Living like a caged bird?”

“This isn’t just a family matter; the clan leader has united the villagers to freeze me to death to uphold your husband’s honor. Director Dong, are you being bribed by the clan leader to distort the truth?” Wu Lingyu was unyielding, adopting a fearless stance of ‘equal destruction for all.’

After all, she had nothing left to lose, including her worthless life.

Dong Feng, being an experienced interrogator, had a chilling look in his eyes as he lowered his voice: “If you hadn’t acted shamelessly and broken your marital vows, would the villagers punish you?

Wu Lingyu, once you become a whore, don’t expect to uphold any reputation. As long as I find your lover’s signature, I can still convict you.

The Northwest Farm does the dirtiest and hardest work; women convicted of adultery are subjected to whipping. There, men outnumber women, and they’re all waiting to take advantage of you.”

As if she had been frightened, Wu Lingyu’s blank expression finally shifted, her hands curling tightly around the blanket.

Dong Feng smirked sarcastically: “I’ll ask you one last time, who is the man you eloped with?”

“I’ll confess.”

Wu Lingyu bit her lip, seeming to make a decision: “Come closer; I’ll only tell you one person.”

Dong Feng leaned forward.

“Bah!”

Suddenly, she spat in his face.

With a face full of hatred, Wu Lingyu shouted loudly: “The Xinghua Brigade abuses women; the evidence is undeniable!”

She repeated it over and over.

“You filthy whore dare to play me?” Dong Feng was furious, his anger boiling over as he raised his hand to slap her face.

“Stop!”

Jiang An’an kicked the door open and sternly intervened: “Director Dong, the regulations for cadres state that you cannot hit the masses.”

Dong Feng’s hand froze in mid-air, his fists clenched tightly as he restrained the impulse to strike.

He took out a handkerchief to wipe the spit off his cheek and finally disdainfully threw it in Wu Lingyu’s face: “You will definitely regret what you did today.”

Dong Feng pulled out a chair and walked towards the door, sneering: “Has that old hag Gao Xiuhua not called you yet? This matter has been completely taken over by the Ministry of Culture.”

Jiang An’an pressed her lips together and smiled slightly: “That’s not contradictory. Right now, we’re promoting the destruction of the Four Olds, and the entire Xinghua Brigade has outdated and unhealthy thoughts. Your Ministry of Culture has made serious mistakes. However,”

She blinked: “There are many women comrades in the Xinghua Brigade who need saving, and the Women’s Federation cannot stand by and do nothing.”

“…”

Dong Feng was filled with hostility: “Why do you have to interfere in this matter?”

The Xinghua Brigade was highly recommended by the Ministry of Culture as a civilized brigade this year. If a scandal broke out now, not only would their plans fall through, but they would also face consequences for negligence.

He softened his tone, deciding to reason with her emotionally: “The tea produced by the Xinghua Brigade supports the county’s economic development and is an indispensable pillar industry. Clan leader Wu is also the first to support the infiltration of new culture and has played a leading role.”

Jiang An’an raised an eyebrow: “So, Director Dong means…”

“Well, since no one died, let’s handle this lightly. I’ll persuade clan leader Wu, and this will not happen again.”

In the ward, Wu Lingyu stared blankly at the ceiling, hearing Dong Feng persuading Jiang An’an while tears slid down the corners of her eyes, soaking into the pillow.

Despair gradually filled her heart.

She remembered her childhood when her mother wrapped her feet tightly with thick cloth strips, ignoring her cries and pleas for mercy.

“You can only marry the best husband if you bind your feet while growing up; your mother does this for your own good.”

“From now on, apart from your husband, you cannot let other men see your feet; otherwise, it’s equivalent to losing your virginity, and you’ll be punished severely.”

This binding lasted nearly ten years.

Until the educated youth went to the countryside, she learned from them that foot binding was also a feudal remnant, a shackle that oppressed women.

It turned out that women outside had the freedom to marry; they didn’t need to bind their feet to attend school, and they could work in various fields just like men. They also didn’t have to live in mourning for their husbands for the rest of their lives after their husbands died.

Since her newlywed husband passed away, she was not allowed to go out, and she was almost kept indoors like livestock every day, only being let out for fresh air occasionally when the cadres came to inspect the countryside.

Therefore, when Wu Zewei proposed to elope with her, she agreed.

She was eager to experience the new world outside.

But Wu Zewei ultimately betrayed her…

Just when Wu Lingyu was in despair, Jiang An’an came to her rescue. It was her first time leaving the village, and no one knew how happy she felt inside.

But then Dong Feng appeared, shattering her dreams once again.

Wu Lingyu licked her cracked, dry lips and silently resolved that if she were really sent back to the village, she would find a rope and hang herself from her beloved apricot tree to end it all.

“Sorry!”

Jiang An’an’s firm voice suddenly echoed throughout the room.

Wu Lingyu’s cold heart trembled violently.

She heard Jiang An’an resolutely refuse Dong Feng: “Are we really going to let women comrades like Wu Lingyu bear the suffering and continue to endure feudal oppression just to maintain the greater good?

On the day I joined the Women’s Federation, I swore to the Party that I would not fear power or hardship in this life, and I would always speak up for women comrades.”

“Well said!”

Gao Xiuhua clapped from outside the door.

Dong Feng’s eyes narrowed with malice: “Hmph, Gao Xiuhua, if you have the time to watch the show, why not teach your subordinates what flexibility means?”

Gao Xiuhua retorted coolly: “Director Dong, you’re an old cadre; how come you don’t have the steadfast determination to serve the people like our little cadre from the Women’s Federation? This matter is definitely under the Women’s Federation’s jurisdiction!”

The Women’s Federation was at the same level as the Ministry of Culture, and he, Dong, actually had the audacity to call and order her to expel Jiang An’an yesterday?

Why should he be the one to decide?

Just because he has a big face?

So, Gao Xiuhua braved the wind and snow to rush to the town early in the morning to support her people.

“Fine, let’s see how this plays out.” Dong Feng stopped wasting words and slammed the door as he left.

Jiang An’an’s eyes brightened, then she hesitantly asked, “Did I get you into trouble?”

Gao Xiuhua reassured her: “The Ministry of Culture has been suppressing the Women’s Federation everywhere for years; I’ve been holding in my anger for a long time.”

If they could take down that Dong, it would be a double victory and a great relief to the people.

“By the way, how do you know the county magistrate’s wife?”