The suite where Zhou Cheng and his companion stayed was the guest house’s most expensive, and their introduction letters were from a major Beijing work unit.

When Kang Wei explained to the guest house staff, they were terrified. Without surveillance cameras at that time, who knew how Zhang Er Lai had gotten in? With the stolen amount exceeding 5,000 yuan, the police officers pinned Zhang Er Lai to the ground, treating it as a major theft case.

This was Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei’s second visit to Anqing County Police Station.

The police officers recognized them as the two who had performed a heroic deed days earlier.

While Zhang Er Lai kept protesting his innocence, Kang Wei scratched his head:

“Sorry, comrades, when we found this guy stealing public funds, we might have been a bit rough.”

Zhang Er Lai’s injuries were far beyond “a bit rough” – they’d nearly beaten him to death. However, the police trusted these public-spirited citizens. After verifying Zhang Er Lai’s background, the officers found it quite convenient.

He was already on their wanted list – the Strike Hard campaign had quotas after all. Why trouble honest citizens when they could arrest notorious troublemakers?

“Petty theft, moral corruption, reported relationships with married women, and now stealing public funds!”

“Combined charges of hooliganism and theft – he won’t escape this time!”

Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei were satisfied with the outcome. When Zhang Er Lai shouted about personal vengeance and false accusations, they had already left the station. The female officer who had received Xia Xiao Lan approached the chief:

“Chief Liang, don’t you think this case seems strange?”

Chief Liang looked serious. “Comrade Xiao Ping, we can’t let any criminal escape. A woman’s reputation is precious. Zhang Er Lai is a repeat offender who needs to be arrested under the Strike Hard campaign standards. We needn’t investigate other details.”

Zhang Er Lai’s story kept changing – one moment claiming Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei had a trunk of money to frame him, the next mentioning they carried guns. But their introduction letters were from an impeccable Beijing work unit, and they were purchasing supplies in Shanghai – carrying large sums was normal.

Something was fishy, especially with Zhang Er Lai mentioning “Xia Xiao Lan.” Chief Liang watched him quietly:

“He’s confessed. We’ll make this an ironclad case.”

Zhang Er Lai dared not speak further.

If he insisted on claiming an affair with Xia Xiao Lan, they’d add another charge!

Xia Xiao Lan didn’t know Zhou Cheng had eliminated one of her major enemies.

Zhang Er Lai was partly responsible for “Xia Xiao Lan’s” suicide attempt – at least the part Zhou Cheng could investigate. As for her cousin and future brother-in-law’s involvement, Zhou Cheng didn’t know yet. However, he felt no fondness for the widely praised college student Xia Zi Yu.

Xia Xiao Lan cycled home, radiating happiness.

The Liu family had harvested all their rice paddies. With good weather these days, two more days of sun would ready the grain for storage. After helping the Liu family, Liu Yong and Li Feng Mei needed to repay their labor debt to other villagers, leaving Liu Fen to handle the grain drying.

Every village had its threshing ground. Each morning, families would spread their mats, pour newly harvested rice from baskets, and spread it thinly and evenly to dry out excess moisture.

The grain needed turning every couple of hours under the sun, keeping the threshing ground busy.

Seven Wells Village loved gossip too. It was rare for married daughters to stay overnight at their parent’s home, let alone neglect their in-laws’ farm work to spend days at home. Liu Fen had stayed several days with Xia Xiao Lan, and Xia Da Jun hadn’t visited once – people wondered if they’d quarreled.

Liu Fen, usually submissive even when beaten, must have found support to act this way.

Seven Wells villagers weren’t as harsh as Big River Village’s gossip. Liu Yong wasn’t easily bullied, and Liu Fen was one of their own. Besides, Xia Xiao Lan’s trading business flourished with eggs and eels – who didn’t sell her something?

Xia Xiao Lan traded fairly, openly making her profit from honest work.

She was also helpful, running errands in town for villagers. Why did children catch eels for her? Beyond the 0.8 yuan purchase price, she always carried treats – candy and melon seeds. The village children adored her!

Those kids would raise hell if anyone spoke ill of Sister Xiao Lan.

“Your Xiao Lan is capable!”

“She’s always collecting eggs, making multiple trips between village and town. Must earn good money?”

“Jealous? Neither your daughter nor son could work that hard.”

“When children are sensible, mothers can finally enjoy life…”

Liu Fen just smiled.

Their comments held little malice. Liu Fen now had hope. Though still working at the Liu’s, she wasn’t exhausted. When the family worked together, life improved – unlike at the Xia where both sisters-in-law looked down on her, her mother-in-law despised her, and her husband blamed her. Liu Fen had tried pleasing everyone through submission – but yielding one step only invited two steps of bullying, until you’re crushed into the dirt!

Villagers noticed Liu Fen’s improved appearance after just days at home.

Though still tanned from fieldwork, her worried expression had largely disappeared, her complexion changing from sallow to healthy. Looking closer, Liu Fen had nice features – while Xia Xiao Lan inherited the Xia family’s height, she resembled the Liu family.

With lifted spirits and the best food in the 1983 countryside, Liu Fen’s cheeks had filled out in just days.

Ding-ling-ling.

Bicycle bells – Xia Xiao Lan returned.

Sweet as honey, she greeted everyone at the threshing ground before telling Liu Fen:

“Mom, I’ll start the rice cooker first, then come help.”

Liu Fen wouldn’t let her delicate daughter suffer:

“Your uncle’s family is finishing work. Just cook at home and watch Tao Tao.”

Tao Tao started village school today. Rural areas had no kindergarten, starting directly with first grade. Entering school at 6 showed family care – some children played at home until 10 or older, helping with housework and farming. School? Age varied, and not everyone completed primary school. Some dropped out in primary, and more in middle school. In 1983’s countryside, a high school student marked an educated family.

Xia Xiao Lan’s middle school education wasn’t shabby.

Imagine how precious Xia Zi Yu was, entering university in 1983 – rising from farming roots to urban registration with commercial grain access, and becoming a state cadre after graduation!

Tao Tao showed off his new schoolbag all day, classmates touching it during breaks.

A 10-yuan schoolbag?

Too expensive for Seven Wells Village – enough for two terms’ tuition.

“Sister Xiao Lan, I missed you!”

Tao Tao shot over like a firecracker, clinging to Xia Xiao Lan’s leg. With candy and a schoolbag from her, Tao Tao felt unprecedented happiness. Xia Xiao Lan was his dearest person, even ahead of his parents!