Chapter 10 : Getting Compensation

The captain, already impatient, saw that she was still acting like a rogue. He frowned, snatched the money from her hand, and handed it to Han Zhenyu.

“Take it, take your wife to the doctor immediately. Don’t delay the treatment.”

He then addressed the Han family, saying, “This matter ends here. If anyone dares to cause trouble again, I will deduct their work points.”

Before the elderly couple could speak, Han Zhenyu immediately expressed his gratitude, “Captain, I apologize for troubling you today. Please rest assured that as long as they don’t cause any more trouble, my wife and I won’t be a burden to you.”

Hongbing nodded in acknowledgment, saying, “Let your wife take good care of her injuries and return to work once she recovers.”

Han Zhenyu responded sincerely, “Okay, thank you, Captain, for helping my wife get justice. Once she’s better, I’ll ask her to write a thank-you letter to the county government to express our gratitude and respect for you.”

Hongbing was pleased upon hearing this and thought Han Zhenyu was truly clever.

This was an important time for evaluating advanced personnel. If someone praised him with a letter now, the township would likely give him extra points.

Hongbing looked at Han Zhenyu with satisfaction, then recalled that he hadn’t worked for several days this month, and the team leader had mentioned it to him a few times. He said sternly, “Don’t run around these days. Go with Han Lei and the others to the mountain to cut some trees. Yesterday, I attended a meeting in the village, and they mentioned that some educated youth will be coming to our village soon. They’ve asked me to prepare a place for them to stay, so you and Han Lei should take care of it.”

Han Zhenyu felt conflicted since he had to go out in a few days.

However, not wanting to refuse the captain’s request, he smiled and nodded. He planned to talk to the captain later to see if the task could be handed over to someone else.

Before leaving, the captain spoke to Yang Lanhua, “Aunt, you are the elder, and you should guide the younger generation in the family to live a good life moving forward. Don’t let your daughter bully your daughter-in-law. This is a new society, and the old ways are no longer acceptable. If it happens again, I won’t intervene, I’ll just let the police handle it.” With that, he walked away, hands behind his back.

Not only did Yang Lanhua fail to flatter him, but she was also scolded.

She glared fiercely at Han Zhenyu, cursing him inwardly.

He avoids work and runs faster than a rabbit when it’s time to take credit. He’s the most cunning person in the family.

Unexpectedly, Han Zhenyu completely ignored her. He saw the captain out, paid no attention to the people watching, and went straight back to his and Su Xieqiu’s room.

He had originally planned to give all fifty yuan to Su Xieqiu, but after considering her personality, he decided to give it to her in installments.

He would give her two or three dollars each time to buy food, just enough to keep her from starving.

He had finally managed to get some nutrition expenses for her, and he didn’t want her to be tricked by someone else again.

He’d give her the rest when he sent her back to the city and add a little extra to make the total an even amount.

No matter what, they were still husband and wife, even though this marriage wasn’t what either of them had wanted.

But after all, they had been sharing a room for several months, and as a man, he couldn’t let a woman suffer any loss.

He took three dollars from the stack of bills and a few grocery vouchers from his pocket.

“Take this money and the vouchers. If you’re hungry, go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy something to eat.”

Su Xieqiu had overheard everything about him negotiating with the Han family for money just now.

He gave her three dollars, and she took it without asking any questions.

She knew it wasn’t because the man was stingy, but because the original owner had been too cowardly.

Part of the pocket money that this man had given her in the past had been taken by Zhang Qianyun and Han Meili.

Although Yang Lanhua hadn’t explicitly asked for it, she often asked her to buy things without ever giving her any money or receipts.

In the few months since she had married into the Han family, the original owner had spent all the pocket money Han Zhenyu gave her, and even the money she had saved.

Han Zhenyu glanced at her, wanting to reassure her and tell her he’d find a chance to take her back to the city.

But he was also afraid that if this matter didn’t work out, given her way of thinking, he wasn’t sure what she would think at that time.

He feared she might still think he couldn’t bear to let her go.

So Han Zhenyu swallowed the words he had almost spoken.

He didn’t want others to think he was being overly sentimental.

It was better not to talk about it before things were settled, to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

Han Zhenyu was concerned that this woman might go back to her old ways after he left in a few days, so he looked at Su Xieqiu and gave her some serious instructions.

“Although this matter has been settled for now, the old woman must be feeling very upset after spending so much money today. I’m afraid they’ll find a reason to bother you again later, so you need to stand your ground, or it’ll be hard for you in this family.”

Su Xieqiu understood that he was looking out for her, so she didn’t mind his tone. She nodded obediently and responded fiercely:

“What I said last night wasn’t a joke. I’ve died once before, and now I understand everything. If anyone dares to bully me again, I’ll fight them to the death.”

Han Zhenyu noticed that she seemed like a completely different person, no longer as timid as before, so he wasn’t too surprised.

After going through such a big ordeal, if she still acted weak and got bullied again, she would deserve it.

“It’s good that you figured it out. This family bullies the weak and fears the strong. Only if you are strong will they dare not mess with you.”

Han Zhenyu thought for a moment, then whispered to her, “Han Meili is just a paper tiger, don’t be afraid of her. But Yang Lanhua is a schemer, so be careful not to fall into her trap.

Zhang Qianyun isn’t a good person either. You know that our marriage was caused by her and those women from the Youth Hostel. You’d better stay away from them and don’t go there unless you have to.”

Han Zhenyu had a low opinion of the female educated youth at the Youth Hostel. Though they seemed delicate, they were full of ill intentions.

This woman, Su Xieqiu, was no match for them.

“Thank you for your reminder, I understand,” Su Xieqiu nodded and thanked him solemnly.

Han Zhenyu wasn’t sure if she truly understood, but he had told her everything. It was up to her what she did next.

Anyway, he wouldn’t stay at home with her every day. Besides, this woman hadn’t yet warmed to him, and he didn’t like her either.

He opened the door and said, “Let’s go eat.”

The two of them left the house one after the other.

Zhang Qianyun was carrying a pot of food toward the main room. When she saw the two of them coming out, she immediately lowered her head guiltily and quickened her pace.

Su Xieqiu snorted coldly and walked into the main room with Han Zhenyu.

Han Baoguo, Yang Lanhua, and Han Zhenhua were already seated, while Zhang Qianyun and Han Meili were serving the rice.

That morning, they had corn porridge with a bowl of fried eggplant and beans in the middle, along with a bowl of egg custard.

Seeing Su Xieqiu walk in front of them, everyone looked wary, fearing she might suddenly go mad.

Su Xieqiu ignored their gazes, sat down on the stool, picked up the bowl of egg custard on the table, and started eating.