RYEY – Chapter 119 Wang Tuozi’s Mother Went Mad

“Village Head, what brings you here today?”

Li Huan happily extended his hands and firmly grasped the rough ones of the village head.

“The county leaders want to see how the family of a hero lives, so I brought them over. Seems like today’s meals are pretty good—you even have scrambled eggs.”

Mother Li was about to say that there was chicken stewed with mushrooms and braised pork in the kitchen, but Cheng Qiao quickly pulled her aside: “Mother, since the leaders and village head are here, let’s go pour some water.”

“Right, water, yes, yes, let’s go.”

Mother Li cheerfully followed Cheng Qiao out. But when she saw that Cheng Qiao brought out two chipped bowls and poured plain boiled water into them, her expression turned displeased.

“Qiao, these are county leaders, no matter what, we should put a little sugar in it.”

“Mother, we don’t have any sugar left.”

“No sugar? That’s impossible. Didn’t we just use some when making the braised pork?”

“Mother, there’s no sugar at all—not a single grain.”

Looking at Cheng Qiao’s unusually stern face, Mother Li’s heart suddenly felt uneasy. She knew Cheng Qiao’s character—normally she wasn’t one to behave so “improperly.”

“Qiao, what’s really going on?”

“Mother, just remember this—the county leader here is our family’s mortal enemy. But we’re still too weak to confront him head-on.”

Mother Li was shocked. When she looked into Cheng Qiao’s eyes, which were usually soft and radiant but now icy cold, her hands began to tremble. She suddenly thought of the uncle hiding inside Cheng Qiao’s room.

“Enemy? This… this… Does Huan’er know? And does that leader know?”

“Li Huan knows. That leader doesn’t—because he doesn’t recognize me.”

“That’s good, that’s good. Qiao, if that’s the case, then don’t go in. I’ll deliver the water.”

Mother Li’s back suddenly straightened. Cheng Qiao was her daughter-in-law, the mother of her grandchildren, a part of their Li family. She had to stand by her side.

“Village Head, County Leader, originally I wanted to serve you sweetened water, but unfortunately, we’ve run out of sugar. We country folk don’t get sugar ration tickets either, so you’ll have to make do with plain boiled water.”

The man with the fleshy face smiled. Not having sugar was a good sign—the poorer the household, the easier it would be for him to take advantage. He coughed lightly and put on a casual tone:

“Auntie, you raised your son well, and I’m sure your daughter-in-law is also an educated and reasonable woman. From what I know, she’s an educated youth with a high school education, right?”

Mother Li immediately grew wary. She knew the saying: If someone offers kindness for no reason, they’re surely up to no good. No wonder Cheng Qiao didn’t want her to add sugar—thank goodness she hadn’t.

“Auntie, don’t be nervous. I’m acquainted with the principal of the First Elementary School in the county. They happen to be short of a teacher. How about I recommend your daughter-in-law for the position?”

Mother Li felt uneasy. If Cheng Qiao went to the county to teach, wouldn’t that be like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den? But she looked to Li Huan, wanting to know his thoughts.

The moment Li Huan heard it, he knew this man had bad intentions. His chest felt heavy; he wanted to smash that fake smile with a punch. But he also knew he absolutely couldn’t act rashly—otherwise, the Li family would be ruined.

“Li Huan, aren’t you going to thank the county leader? If Cheng Qiao becomes a teacher, our Xiangyang Village will have face! And teachers are formal government employees—they’ll get wages and all kinds of ration coupons.”

Chen Weidang also felt a tinge of jealousy. Why did such a good opportunity fall into their lap? After all, his daughter was also a high school graduate, but since she couldn’t find a good job and refused to work the fields, she had no choice but to marry into the county.

The fleshy-faced man glanced at Li Huan’s tightly clenched fists and then at the smiling face. His nerves relaxed. He thought Li Huan had seen through his scheme, but apparently, the man was just happy.

“Li Huan, why aren’t you thanking the leader yet? Don’t tell me you’re too happy to speak!”

Seeing Li Huan grinning foolishly, Chen Weidang teased him. Li Huan’s mind had already spun through countless calculations, weighing Cheng Qiao’s safety. Finally, he nodded firmly in agreement.

“Then tomorrow, have your wife come to the Committee office to find me. I’ll take her to the First Elementary School for testing.”

“Testing?”

“Not just anyone can be a teacher. She’ll need to pass an assessment before being hired.”

The fleshy-faced man stood up. Half the work was already done. He’d go back and make arrangements—and besides, that other woman in the courtyard needed to move out for Cheng Qiao.

Chen Weidang quickly invited him to dinner at his home, but the man shook his head. What could be so good about food here? Better to return to enjoy a government meal.

As he left, he glanced toward the kitchen. Why didn’t that young woman come out to see him off? How rude. She’d need to be taught better in the future.

Li Huan escorted them to the door, burning with the urge to pull out his gun and end him right there. But Cheng Qiao’s uncle had said earlier—they needed to pry out who exactly was behind the Zhao family’s downfall from this man’s mouth.

At some point, Cheng Qiao had appeared silently behind him. Watching the fleshy-faced man’s retreating figure, a cold smile tugged at her lips. She, too, wanted to know what had become of her grandfather and aunt—the only lead they had was this demon.

“Qiao, he wants you to go to the Committee tomorrow. Are you afraid?”

“When soldiers come, we raise troops; when water comes, we build dikes. Nothing to fear.”

Meanwhile, in the county’s courtyard house, the quiet atmosphere was shattered. An old woman was yanking at another woman’s hair, shrieking curses at her for being unfaithful.

The old woman was Wang Tuozi’s mother. Ever since Chen Chunhua started working at the brick factory, she only came home twice a month. But her wages and ration coupons always went straight into the old woman’s pocket.

She had been quite satisfied with this arrangement—until someone told her that Chen Chunhua didn’t actually care about the meager earnings from the brick factory. She had climbed high, attached herself to a big county leader, living in a two-story brick house, wearing new clothes, eating and drinking well every day.

The old woman scoffed at first. Chen Chunhua? Just a village girl from Xiangyang. Even if she had some looks, county leaders aren’t fools. Why would they pick a married peasant woman over the young girls in town?

But when the person saw her disbelief, they led her to an alley near the courtyard house. Pointing at a red-brick, green-tiled two-story building, they said, “Chen Chunhua lives here.”

And just then, by sheer coincidence, Chen Chunhua appeared on the second-floor balcony, stretching lazily in a bright peach-colored wool coat.

The moment the old woman recognized that familiar figure, her eyes went red. She went mad, charging straight at the house.

When Chen Chunhua heard the knock, she thought her man was home. She swayed her hips as she opened the door, throat already prepared to purr coquettishly—when a slap landed square on her face.

“You whore! Married and still restless, sneaking around as a homewrecker! I’ll beat you to death, you shameless slut!”