Zeng Hongjie put her arm around Jiang Lin’s shoulders. “Yes, gentle Linlin, Dongsheng likes you a lot.”

“Oh dear, oh dear, you big sister,” Jiang Lin playfully pinched Zeng Hongjie’s fair face.

At this moment, a school staff member came to ask the president of the school newspaper to take a phone call from the military district office.

Jiang Lin quickly accompanied Zeng Hongjie to answer the call. Zeng Hongjie picked up the receiver, “Hello, sir.”

The voice on the other end was stern and emotionless. “Comrade Zeng Hongjie, the Public Security Bureau thanks you for your cooperation in the investigation and the fight against evil forces. All photos and documents are to be handed over to the police station for evidence preservation and must not be sent to any newspapers.”

Zeng Hongjie replied, “Understood.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.” The caller hung up.

Soon, police officers from the station arrived to collect the materials.

Jiang Lin, along with Zeng Hongjie, Su Xingyun, and others, handed over the negatives, photos developed overnight, and written documents to the police.

However, she kept the photos taken for Jiang Lin, Cheng Rushan, and Fang Chengguang, only turning in those related to Huang Xiangyu and Wu Jinshui.

Jiang Lin quietly asked, “Which office made the call?” She thought it might be from Colonel Fang and wanted to confirm.

Zeng Hongjie whispered back, “It was the Command Headquarters office. You don’t know how scared I was.”

The Command Headquarters office meant it was the order of Commander Han.

If it were Colonel Fang, the call should have come from the Political Department office.

It seemed Commander Han had intervened, indicating the involvement of Colonel Fang and that the higher-ups were taking the matter seriously.

In the evening, Cheng Rushan and Fang Chengguang arrived in a jeep to pick up Jiang Lin, as they would be shifting to the City Public Security Bureau the next day.

As long as there was sufficient evidence, the City Revolutionary Committee and the City Public Security Bureau could jointly adjudicate the case and report the results to the Provincial Revolutionary Committee and the Public Security Department.

After ten years, the public prosecution and judicial systems had been dismantled, leaving only the Public Security Bureau operational, under the Revolutionary Committee and military leadership.

Recently, efforts had begun to restore inspection and court systems from top to bottom, but preparations required time.

Thus, until the formal restoration, the Public Security Bureau would continue to handle investigations while the Revolutionary Committee would handle trials and sentencing.

Although the military had withdrawn from the Revolutionary Committee, it still held key positions and required reports to the military district office.

Especially since the case involved Fang Jianhua, the Political Department Director of the military district, the Command Headquarters would definitely intervene, and orders were issued to ensure the military and Colonel Fang would not be involved in the trial process.

Even some officers with concrete evidence of collusion with Wu Jinshui would not appear in the case handled by the Revolutionary Committee or Public Security Bureau but would be directly tried in a military court.

Strict Punishment!

Initially, the Huang family tried desperately to find ways to appeal to Huang Shurou when they learned of their son’s troubles.

Unfortunately, not only could they not meet Huang Shurou, but they couldn’t even enter the military district’s gates.

In just a few days, the cases involving Huang Xiangyu—marriage fraud leading to Chen Yue’s death, sexual assault, extortion, and other crimes—were thoroughly investigated, resulting in a death sentence.

Wu Jinshui was sentenced to death for multiple crimes, as was his wife Huang Shufen, with all their assets confiscated.

What was shocking was that despite relying on allocated housing, which couldn’t be freely bought or sold, Wu Jinshui somehow managed to acquire twelve properties from different units.

Additionally, he personally occupied over a dozen rental properties that were seized by the government from private landlords!

Some of these properties were given to relatives, while others were rented out, leaving people stunned.

Other accomplices were also thoroughly investigated, receiving deserved punishments—death sentences, imprisonment, or dismissal from their positions.

The actions of Huang Shurou’s remaining three sisters and their husbands were also uncovered, involving various financial transactions and smuggling, leading to their arrest and sentencing.

Huang’s mother, who had previously relied on Wu Jinshui to secure a position as a neighborhood committee member and was a local bully, and Huang’s father, who had secured a workshop manager position in a factory through his sons-in-law, were all removed from their positions and faced trial.

Coupled with Chen Yue’s case, they were sentenced to three years in prison.

The once prosperous and bustling Huang family suddenly became a desolate place, shunned by everyone.

Huang’s mother, unable to cope with the blow, went mad, crying out, “Heaven, what sins have we committed… My son, it hurts so much for Mother—”

At the Fang family’s small villa.

Huang Shurou hadn’t slept for several days and nights.

She appeared haggard and pale, looking extremely pitiful.

She held a kitchen knife to her neck, threatening Xiaolian, “Go tell him that if he doesn’t come back, I’ll die right here.”

“Doctor Huang, please don’t do this. Don’t scare the children.”

Xiaolian had been terrified these past few days.

Fang Jianhua had been staying at the military district dormitory for several days, refusing to return home.

Huang Shurou, left alone at home, spent her time crying.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, she would suddenly try to hang herself with a rope or set fire with matches.

One day, she even attempted to strangle her son to force Fang Jianhua to come back.

“Go call him and tell him I’m dying and want to see him for the last time.” Huang Shurou slashed at her own neck with force, causing blood to flow.

Xiao Lian was terrified and screamed, covering her eyes as she ran out.

She ended up bumping into the door frame, which caused her immediate pain and made her start crying.

She hurried off to find Fang Jianhua in the office area.

After Xiao Lian left, Huang Shurou immediately put down the knife, her body going limp as she collapsed onto the floor.

She knew that her family was finished; the prosperous home they had worked so hard to build was gone.

She hadn’t publicly committed any wrongdoings under Fang Jianhua’s name because her second brother-in-law’s methods were sufficient.

Moreover, her father had said that as long as she acted as a proper wife to Fang Jianhua—doing nothing but wholeheartedly serving him, taking care of the children, and giving him more sons—everything would be fine.

As long as she held that position, others would regard her family with respect and care.

So, she really didn’t need to do anything.

A person’s reputation and a tree’s shadow were enough.

But she hadn’t expected it to be insufficient. Even though Fang Jianhua loved her, he would never tolerate such matters.

When she first learned about her brother’s actions, she had advised him to stop, and he had said he wouldn’t do it again.

But later, when Wu Jinshui had smoothed things over, she blamed those girls, feeling they were improper for enticing her brother.

Now, she was filled with hatred for Cheng Rushan and his scheming wife, who had ruined her family.

She also hated Fang Chengguang, who lurked like a venomous snake, waiting to deliver a fatal blow with damning evidence.

Everything was over.

It seemed like she had waited a long time, yet also like no time had passed at all when Fang Jianhua finally returned.

“Fang Ge.” Huang Shurou, with tears streaming down her face, reverted to her gentle and submissive demeanor.

Her lips trembled as she said, “Let me see you one last time. It was my fault. I’m not asking for your forgiveness or for you to save my brother. I only ask… ask that you ensure he is properly buried and not desecrated by those people. Wuwuwu…”

Fang Jianhua stood before her, her pitiful and weak appearance felt like a knife stabbing his heart.

It was because she was so gentle and like a little dove that he couldn’t resist her initially.

Later, when he decided this was not right and wanted to end things with her, she remained the same—silent and tearful, with a mournful gaze at him. “Fang Ge, it was my fault. I… I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you uncontrollably. I know I’ve caused you a lot of stress, made you a subject of ridicule, and said you’re disrespecting your age. They don’t understand me and don’t believe that a young woman could love a mature man. I don’t ask you to understand me, only that… that you don’t avoid me in the future and come to the hospital, so I… so I can see you…”

As she turned to leave, a test report fell from her hand, revealing that she was three months pregnant.

Unable to resist any longer, he decided to marry her and give her and the child a legitimate status.

She was indeed very understanding and considerate, aware of his embarrassment about the age difference.

She never allowed her family to visit, nor did she let him meet her parents, to avoid gossip.

And he, out of embarrassment, avoided her family’s relatives as much as possible.

Although he didn’t speak of it, he acted as though her family didn’t exist, fearing further awkwardness.

Over time, with no contact, he began to treat it as if it never happened.

However, it proved that self-deception is futile.

This time, the case involving Wu Jinshui and Huang Xiangyu exposed a series of illegal activities involving grassroots officials, factory leaders, and military officers.

The military district command and provincial revolutionary committees issued strict orders for severe punishment.

Although high-ranking and equal-level people might avoid mentioning him to save face, the lower levels dared not discuss it.

Nevertheless, he knew his face had been bloodily torn away.

The pain was secondary; it was the fact that a lifetime of effort was going to waste, and with it, her reputation.

For someone who cared about face and honor, having it trampled on and thrown to the ground felt like public execution.

He spoke with difficulty, his voice as rough as sandpaper scraping his throat, burning with pain. “All I can do is ensure your safety. You can choose to stay here or return to your family.”

Thinking about her sisters, all married to men much older than themselves, and reflecting on her earlier remarks about young women falling for much older men due to their maturity and unique charm—it was nothing short of a slap in the face.

He could not continue being with her; otherwise, what would he appear to be in everyone’s eyes?

All five sisters married older men—was it ambition or love?

It would only make him a laughingstock.

“Jianhua!” Huang Shurou chased after him, tripping and falling to the ground. “I truly loved you. I never lied to you. During these years of marriage, I took care of you and Tongtong with no pretense. I never schemed against you…”

In the past, she wouldn’t have needed to fall to the ground.

Just showing such sorrow would have been enough to make him heartbroken.

Now, his sympathy was mixed with self-mockery and helplessness.

After much consideration, Fang Jianhua decided to resign from his position at the Command Headquarters and submit to an organizational review.

Commander Han personally received him, patting him on the shoulder. “Old Fang, don’t feel pressured. I’ve personally reviewed this case, and the Public Security Bureau has thoroughly investigated and found no issues with you. As for your wife…” He paused, “It’s not too serious. Our military district will not let a bad person go unpunished, nor will we wrong an innocent one.”

He and Fang Jianhua had been partners for many years, working together smoothly.

If Fang Jianhua had indeed committed serious illegal acts, he would have been warned long ago.

Fang Jianhua still felt deeply ashamed, as if he had no place to hide.

He empathized; if the Commander had married a much younger woman and his five sisters had all married men significantly older than themselves, he would likely have had his own thoughts on the matter.

“Commander…” Fang Jianhua couldn’t find the words.

The feeling of being at a loss for words was overwhelming.

Commander Han patted him firmly on the back, “Don’t talk about growing old. We’re still strong and capable. If you’re unhappy here, I can help you with a transfer.

I’ll arrange for you to be reassigned to another military district for two years. You can exchange experiences with their political department director.”

The positions of military district commander and political department director are not appointed by the local military command; they are regulated by the central authorities.

However, the local command can propose changes, which are usually accepted.

At his age, he could still make a push for a higher position, but since his career is nearing its end, he will retire in two years.

Fang Jianhua responded, “Thank you, Commander.”

“No need to be formal with old friends. Fang, the more peaceful the times, the more vigilant we must be. In our high positions, we need to be particularly self-reflective.”

“Yes!” Fang Jianhua wished he could find a hole to hide in.

He knew that Commander Han had already helped him a lot.

Otherwise, even if he had not committed any illegal acts, just having such a second marriage might have led to his dismissal or at least a divorce.

However, he didn’t want to harm Huang Shurou.

After all, she had been his partner, and he couldn’t just abandon her.

Fang Jianhua was reassigned to a military district in the western region.

Although his official position remained the same, it was effectively a demotion.

Before he left, he made arrangements.

However, Fang Chengxia had already volunteered to go to the countryside to train barefoot doctors, and Fang Chengguang was unwilling to see him.

He went to see Huang Shurou.

Although he was no longer in the province, he still ensured that she and their child would be taken care of.

Huang Shurou realized that he wasn’t taking her and their son with him, and understood that his decision to abandon them was final.

Men, no matter how much they cherish their loved ones, are always driven by their own career interests.

Huang Shurou decisively chose to divorce, “I want to take Tongtong with me. Since you’ve cruelly abandoned us, I can’t leave my son behind.”

Fang Jianhua paused for a moment in silence before nodding in agreement.

Time passed swiftly amidst busy schedules and laughter.

By the end of 1978, on December 18, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee was convened.

This meeting marked the beginning of a comprehensive reform, shifting the focus of the Party’s work towards economic construction and opening the curtain on the era of reform and opening up.

On this Winter Solstice, Jiang Lin had no classes in the afternoon, so she went to the dormitory to find Zeng Hongjie after her morning classes.

“Xiaojie, it’s the Winter Solstice. Do you want to come to my house for a meal? My mother will make at least four kinds of dumplings with different fillings,” Jiang Lin said, already craving the thought of it—shrimp, black fungus, and mushroom dumplings, lamb and radish dumplings, chive and egg dumplings, cabbage and pork dumplings… and maybe even some others.