He probably didn’t truly understand his sister-in-law. After all, before this, he had only met her twice and barely exchanged a few words. He had heard from his brother and birth mother that his sister-in-law was somewhat delicate, prompting him, as her younger brother-in-law, to be considerate.
If this could be considered delicate, then those girls specially trained in the cultural troupe were even more delicate.
Bai Naihan’s expression was somewhat numb.
Yun Qinghuan, feeling tired from the beating, breathed heavily, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and then looked at Lu Sunhua. “I’ll let you go this time. If I hear again that you can’t keep your mouth clean, it won’t just be a slap on the face next time.”
Her voice was calm, but Lu Sunhua drew in a cold breath. His eyes were filled with fear as he nodded repeatedly. “Yun Zhiqing, I was blind to offend you. I won’t provoke you again next time!”
He even bowed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face, looking particularly despicable and lacking any trace of manly spirit.
Yun Qinghuan waved her hand dismissively. “Get lost. Don’t let me see you again.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Sunhua crawled away in a sorry state, his figure pitiful.
Yun Qinghuan looked at him with disdain, finding it hard to believe that such a man had driven the original host to such a miserable state.
When the original host first came to the countryside, she became a target and faced numerous obstacles.
He wanted to take advantage of the original host, but despite her gentle personality, she wasn’t one to be bullied. Lu Sunhua repeatedly harassed her physically, and when she sought help by reporting to the brigade, Lu Sunhua’s father happened to be the brigade secretary. As a result, her complaints were ignored, rendering them useless.
Lu Sunhua, on the contrary, intensified his actions. Not only did he sabotage her work in the field, assigning her difficult and tiring tasks, but he also made sure the record-keeper intentionally underestimated her work points during the calculation.
Moreover, he ordered her not to return to the Zhiqing Point until her tasks were completed.
Suddenly, the young girl, who had just turned sixteen, became the target of persecution.
Unfamiliar with the area and being a young girl, she felt helpless and wronged when she was targeted. Especially considering her parents, who not only failed to recognize the difficulties of a young girl going to the countryside but also believed she was living well there. They even demanded her to send things home regularly.
Poor and unable to support herself with the meager work points she earned, she had to save every bit to send something home. If she didn’t, her relatives, led by Chen Pandi, would scold her as an ungrateful wretch.
Many comrades in the Zhiqing Point also needed financial help from their families, yet she, being so young, had to support her family.
However, due to her young age and Lu Sunhua’s longstanding desire for her beauty, he was determined to break her spirit, trying various methods to make her yield. Even when she was emaciated and hungry, she refused to give in, making Lu Sunhua increasingly desperate.
He even contemplated using force against her. He deliberately chose a time when she had finally finished her work in the fields, and most of the others had left, leaving only her behind. Lu Sunhua seized the opportunity to ambush her.
At that time, the night was pitch dark, and the original host, scared, hurriedly rushed towards the Zhiqing Point. Suddenly, she was tackled to the ground by Lu Sunhua, who had been lying in wait in the grass.
The original host was both shocked and scared. Perhaps, under extreme urgency, one can unleash unprecedented strength. She desperately pushed him away and ran forward.
At that moment, Bao Wensong happened to finish work. Being both deaf and mute, he couldn’t hear the original host’s loud calls, strolling leisurely towards home.
However, the original host spotted his figure, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over, grabbing him and refusing to let go no matter what.
Seeing the relentless pursuit of Lu Sunhua behind her, Bao Wensong instantly understood what she had encountered.
Lu Sunhua wasn’t afraid of this deaf man and even acted arrogantly, demanding that Bao Wensong release the original host, claiming she belonged to him. He warned Bao Wensong not to interfere, or he wouldn’t spare the Bao family.
Despite his disability, Bao Wensong was a just person, especially with the original host desperately clinging to him as if holding onto a lifeline. He chose to protect her, paying no heed to Lu Sunhua’s words. Though deaf and mute, Bao Wensong was naturally intelligent. By watching a person’s lips, he could understand what they were saying. Additionally, his imposing stature made Lu Sunhua no match, forcing him to leave empty-handed.
However, Lu Sunhua was not one to easily give up. Later on, he continued lurking, hoping to harass the original host.
Therefore, despite being cautious, the original host was once again caught by him. It was high noon, scorching hot, and she was thinking of taking a break at the Zhiqing Point, resting until after lunch before going back to work in the fields.
Passing by a field of corn about the height of a person, she was suddenly pulled in by Lu Sunhua.
It was a moment of despair. Her clothes were stripped off, and just when she thought there was no hope, Bao Wensong suddenly rushed over, lifting Lu Sunhua off her and delivering a fierce punch.
Bao Wensong once again saved the original host. However, due to the commotion, which attracted the attention of many people during the bustling midday, they witnessed Yun Qinghuan disheveled and Bao Wensong’s clothes draped over her. Meanwhile, Lu Sunhua had already escaped into the cornfield long before the crowd arrived, so no one saw him. They only saw Bao Wensong and Yun Qinghuan.
The appearance of the two of them together was hard for people not to misunderstand, especially considering Lu Sunhua’s influential family background. Even if it was him bullying Yun Qinghuan, others found it hard to believe. After this incident, the original host’s reputation was tarnished, and people assumed she was involved with Bao Wensong.
She couldn’t explain herself, feeling guilty for implicating Bao Wensong. Subsequently, as rumors spread, people began making baseless claims, even suggesting that Bao Wensong had used force on her or that she was pregnant.
Fearing the potential ruin of Bao Wensong’s reputation, especially after facing near harassment twice, and with no support from home as her mother, Chen Pandi, thought she was being promiscuous, the original host desperately sought refuge. She ran to Bao Wensong, asking if he would be willing to marry her.
In the end, the two agreed and got married.
Initially, the original host had no feelings for Bao Wensong and just sought someone to rely on. However, Bao Wensong treated her exceptionally well, and genuine emotions developed between them. As they settled into their life, especially after the birth of their child An’an, they found peace. But no one could have anticipated that within a few short years, their lives would take the tragic turn they did.
Both of them had unexpectedly died.
Thinking of these events, Yun Qinghuan’s eyes reflected a complex mix of emotions as she looked in the direction Lu Sunhua had left, feeling regretful. If only she had been more ruthless just now… She couldn’t shake the feeling of dissatisfaction.
That scoundrel shouldn’t have continued living in this world!
KNOWLEGE CENTER
“Zhiqing” (知青) translates to “educated youth” in English. During China’s Cultural Revolution, young people, known as “zhiqing,” were sent to rural areas to experience life and contribute to agricultural work as part of Mao Zedong’s policies. The term “Zhiqing Point” likely refers to a specific location or commune where these educated youth were assigned to work in the countryside.
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Translator Note
Next release
– Dec. 25 (8pm)
(There’ll be extra chapters for Christmas, stay tuned!)
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- John 1:29
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
