Chapter 9: Got Beaten

Before the founding of the People’s Republic, the textile factory in Ning County was privately owned. After the founding, it was nationalized. The factory workers and their families had lived in the factory compound for generations. After the two brothers, Song Nanshan and Song Nanfou, went out, the couple locked the door and discussed the events of the day. The two sons wanted to report to the police, but Song Aiqiang suppressed them. If it were just ordinary money and tickets, Song Aiqiang would have definitely reported it to the police, hoping to recover whatever possible. But some things were different.

Zhao Xiue hesitated and said, “That damn girl Song Nanting still hasn’t been found. Do you think she might have stolen the things?”

Song Aiqiang was surprised. “Does she know where we hid our stuff?”

“She really doesn’t know, but… but it can’t just be ghosts, right?”

Song Aiqiang didn’t want to continue the conversation. He was annoyed and said, “Enough, this is embarrassing. Even if we take this to the police, they probably won’t figure anything out. When Nanting comes back, we’ll ask her properly. Even if she took something, as long as she’s in the county, can we really not find the things? If the police come and find the gold and valuables, how would we explain that? There are so many people who want to see us fail. If that happens, won’t they just label us landlords?”

It wasn’t strange to have some money missing, but gold and other valuables were not things a working-class family should have.

Zhao Xiue was heartbroken and laid down in frustration. “That damn girl comes back, I’ll beat her to death.”

“Why beat her to death?” Song Aiqiang sneered, “Better to find her a capable husband. Such a waste of those four years.”

Then Song Aiqiang reminded her, “Don’t relax about the Pan family either. You still have to stir up trouble over there. That woman must have money in her hands. She even said all the family’s money was taken by Nanting. What nonsense, if Nanting was really capable, would that stubborn old lady have fooled her for so many years, refusing to come back?”

Zhao Xiue thought about it and agreed. Her stomach was growling, making her even more irritable, pacing back and forth. The thought of the missing money and gold made her so upset she wished the thief could be cut into pieces.

Looking at the time, it was already eleven o’clock, and the two sons still hadn’t returned. She complained, “Such a big mess at home, and they still have time to go out and play. What are they thinking?”

Usually, even if the brothers went out to play, they would have been back by now. Song Aiqiang was a bit worried.

“I feel something’s off recently. When they get back, I’ll have a good talk with them. They should stop wandering around so much. My eye keeps twitching; it makes me uneasy.”

Zhao Xiue was even more worried, “Should we go out and look for them?”

Just as they were about to go out, a scream was heard, followed by a terrified shout from downstairs, “Song Nanshan has been beaten!”

“What?” Zhao Xiue’s legs almost gave out and she nearly fell. She turned pale and said, “Did you hear that, husband?”

Song Aiqiang grabbed her, hurriedly put on his coat, and said, “Hurry, let’s go see.”

As they went downstairs, Song Aiqiang felt his right eyelid twitching even more intensely, making him very uneasy.

Several elderly neighbors also came out, asking, “What happened?”

Song Aiqiang glanced at them. Some were probably genuinely worried, but most just wanted to watch their family’s misfortune. Maybe someone among them even stole from the family.

Feeling distressed, he looked at the person who brought the news. “You said my Nanshan was beaten. Where is he?”

The messenger was a young man of about sixteen or seventeen from the third floor. He said anxiously, “I just saw Song Nanshan lying on the ground beaten. I don’t know if he’s dead or not. You should hurry and check.”

Hearing this, Song Aiqiang was unhappy. “Then why didn’t you carry him back?”

Before the young man could explain, Zhao Xiue scolded, “Yeah, not only did you not bring him back, but you’re also spreading lies. My Nanshan won’t be hurt.”

The young man’s parents came down and were displeased. “Our son was only trying to report kindly. Is that wrong? You people are so rotten, maybe you deserve to be beaten to death.”

Then they dragged their son back upstairs.

“Hey, how can you talk like that?” an elderly woman on the first floor said helplessly. “Go see to the child instead of arguing here.”

They already knew this couple was troublesome, but this was going too far. Many had such thoughts but considering someone was hurt, they hurried to help.

Zhao Xiue and Song Aiqiang finally snapped out of it and hurried outside.

Song Nanshan had already gotten up but looked like his body was falling apart. His knee hurt terribly. When he saw his parents, he burst into tears like a child. This made Zhao Xiue and Song Aiqiang very distressed. They hugged him and cried loudly.

Before their cries ended, someone else shouted, “Hurry up and help. Your son Song Nanfou has also been beaten.”

Zhao Xiue stopped crying abruptly and looked toward the alley. A man was carrying Song Nanfou, who was staggering.

“My son!” Zhao Xiue dropped Song Nanshan and rushed over to Song Nanfou.

Song Nanshan, caught off guard, fell to the ground with a bang, his head spinning, nearly fainting a second time. He cried out, “Mom!”

Unfortunately, Zhao Xiue’s heart had already gone to her eldest son. “The youngest won’t die. Let’s check on the eldest first.”

Meanwhile, the man carrying Song Nanfou was exhausted. When Zhao Xiue lunged at Song Nanfou, the man lost his balance and fell to the ground with Song Nanfou beneath him.

By accident, the man pressed on a sensitive area. Song Nanfou screamed loudly and woke up, “Ahhh, it hurts so much! Get off me!”

Song Nanfou rolled on the ground clutching his crotch. Seeing this, Zhao Xiue was even more distressed. “My son, my son, what happened to you?”

If his “family jewels” were broken, how would he get a wife in the future?

It’s often said mother and son are connected at heart. Right now, Song Nanfou’s heart was truly aligned with Zhao Xiue’s. Poor boy—he hadn’t even married yet. What if he was injured? He was still a young bachelor!