Chapter 73: You Throw the Punches, I’ll Hand You the Brick

“Someone from the commune is here—” Suddenly, a shout rang out from the crowd, and the chaotic throng fell silent.

The people on the stage were momentarily stunned.

How did the commune find out?

The brigade leader looked at the arriving cadre and the group of arrogant, difficult-looking people behind him, darkness clouding his vision. He glanced at the Party secretary, whose face was even more ashen.

If he weren't biting his tongue to keep himself awake, the secretary might have fainted on the spot.

“Comrade Chen, what brings you here…” The brigade leader and the secretary hurried forward to greet them, but before they could finish, they were cut off.

“Leader Li, something this big happens in the brigade—how could we not come?” Comrade Chen glanced at the two people on stage. “They’ve been organizing illicit associations. They must be taken to the commune. The commune will not tolerate such rotten apples!”

“Comrade Chen, about this matter—”

“There’s nothing to discuss. Take them away!” Comrade Chen was resolute.

The crowd that had arrived in a whirlwind left just as swiftly; no one dared resist.

Everyone could only watch helplessly as the offenders were taken away. Not only did Lin Xinrou and Sun Tiezhu look utterly hopeless, but the Sun family and Lin Xinjian were equally devastated.

Lin Jingyue, though pleased to see Lin Xinrou meet this fate, felt uneasy, sensing something unusual.

Why had those catching the adulterers arrived so quickly? Why had the commune’s people come so fast?

It was as if… everything had been prepared in advance.

Lin Jingyue glanced in Wang Xueping’s direction, only to meet Wang Xueping’s gaze.

Their eyes met in midair, both calm on the surface.

Yet Lin Jingyue could see the satisfaction and triumph gleaming in Wang Xueping’s eyes.

She looked away, suddenly understanding.

In the entire Qingshan Brigade, aside from herself, only Wang Xueping hated Lin Xinrou this much. Today’s spectacle had been orchestrated by Wang Xueping.

The commune’s people had been summoned by her as well.

Lin Jingyue sighed inwardly; how swift she was—Jingyue hadn’t even taken action yet.

Later, she would learn from Sun Jiabao that today’s secret tryst between Lin Xinrou and Sun Tiezhu had also been a trap set by Wang Xueping.

That explained it. Otherwise, no matter how bold Lin Xinrou was, she would never have risked meeting Sun Tiezhu now.

“Comrade Lin, your sister was caught doing disgraceful things—aren’t you going to say anything? You’re family, after all. Blood is thicker than water, you know?” As Lin Jingyue mulled over these matters, a voice dripping with disdain interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up, eyes narrowing. In a sudden burst of speed, she charged forward and landed a flying kick. “Du Jianguo, I’ve put up with your crap long enough!”

Bang!

Du Jianguo flew backward and crashed to the ground. The remaining crowd fell silent as if struck dumb.

Those who had been muttering about Lin Jingyue behind her back swallowed hard. She was terrifying.

“How many times have I told you? She’s just an illegitimate child—nothing to do with me. If you want to spew nonsense, get lost. Keep yapping in front of me and I’ll beat you senseless, you idiot. Did a donkey kick your brains out?” Lin Jingyue strode over and kicked Du Jianguo a few more times before the onlookers snapped out of their daze.

The brigade leader…

The others…

A raging shrew—no, a fierce young woman!

Lin Jingyue seethed inside. Du Jianguo, with his malicious intent, thought that by saying such things in public, her reputation would be tarnished and she’d be unable to remain in the brigade.

No matter how she denied it, blood ties could not be changed.

But!

Lin Jingyue wouldn’t stand for it. Since Du Jianguo handed her this opportunity, she seized it to intimidate the gossips. Whoever dared speak ill of her would be beaten to a pulp.

“Cough, cough… Lin Jingyue, I’m going to report you…” Du Jianguo hadn’t expected her to strike without hesitation. Fear flickered in his eyes—could it be she truly didn’t care about anything?

Lin Jingyue clenched her fists, about to punch him again, but someone grabbed her arm. She turned, annoyed.

“Jiang Xun?” Why are you stopping me?

Jiang Xun, dressed in a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, looked refined and collected. He calmly handed her half a brick. “Use this.”

Lin Jingyue gave him an indescribable look, but took the brick and, under Du Jianguo’s terrified gaze, brought it down on him.

The people in the grain-drying yard: “…!!”

The other educated youths: “!!” Damn!

These two are something else—a match made in heaven!

In the back of the crowd, Sun Lanlan watched Jiang Xun, who smiled as he handed Lin Jingyue a handkerchief to wipe her hands, and shivered, feeling a wave of relief.

Damn, I must have been out of my mind before.

“Don’t use your fists next time—they’re dirty, and it hurts your hand,” Jiang Xun said softly. “I made you some sugar cakes. Hungry? Want to try them when we get back?”

Lin Jingyue burst out laughing, as radiant as a solitary orchid blooming in a valley. “But bricks aren’t easy to find. Where did you get it?”

“I pried it from the brigade leader’s wall.”

“…Impressive!” Lin Jingyue gave him a thumbs-up.

The two of them laughed and chatted as they left everyone’s sight.

The brigade leader: “…” Are they mad, tearing bricks from my wall?

The others were equally speechless.

“Hurry, get him to the hospital!” the accountant suddenly shouted, and everyone realized Du Jianguo had fainted on the ground.

“…”

Those who had wanted to implicate Lin Jingyue shrank back, falling completely silent—she was far too terrifying. The other educated youths were equally at a loss for words.

As for Sun Tiezhu’s family and Lin Xinjian, they had already followed the group to the commune.

As the crowd dispersed, Li Cuihua stood stiffly in a corner, staring in the direction of the educated youths’ quarters.

Those two…

“That’s why I said you’re not worthy of Jiang Xun. If he handed you a blade, would you dare use it?” Sun Lanlan sneered at Li Cuihua. “All bark and no bite.”

She turned away in disdain.

“You think you’re so great?” Li Cuihua’s voice rang out. “After what happened to your family, do you think Cai Jinzhou will still marry you?”

Sun Lanlan froze.

Li Cuihua, now smug, turned and left. Hmph, who doesn’t have a weakness? Idiot.

Back at the educated youths’ quarters, Lin Jingyue was savoring a plate of soft, glutinous sugar cakes—Jiang Xun’s handiwork was truly exceptional.

“If you like them, I’ll make more next time. I can do other pastries too. I’ll make you something different every day for a month,” Jiang Xun said gently as he poured her a glass of water.

Lin Jingyue couldn’t help but laugh and cry at once.

Always trying to win her over—he never missed a chance.

Still, with such a talented suitor, who would ever say no?

That day, the other educated youths regarded Lin Jingyue with an unprecedented mixture of awe and confusion.

Even Xie Wenjuan, who usually greeted her in passing, remained silent.

Lin Jingyue…

Three days later, Lin Xinrou and Sun Tiezhu were released. Lin Jingyue went to see them.

Neither looked remotely human—their bodies were battered, their clothes in tatters.

They were dragged back like dead dogs. For the next three years, unless something unexpected happened, this disgrace would haunt them, and people would bring it up again and again.

Lin Jingyue saw the terror and numbness in Lin Xinrou’s eyes, the extinguished spark in her gaze, and raised her brow ever so slightly.