"Li Zhiguo attempted to rape me, and Teacher Shen happened to pass by. To protect me, Teacher Shen was beaten by Li Zhiguo!"
Su Taohua said this with a firm tone, enunciating each word with gritted teeth.
Su Changjiu looked at Su Taohua in surprise. She seemed not to have considered that by saying such things, a woman, especially a divorced widow, might invite ill gossip.
Her reputation could be completely ruined because of this.
Even Li Zhiguo, who had been smug, was stunned.
The reason he wasn't afraid was his firm belief that no matter what, for the sake of reputation, Su Taohua would not reveal the truth.
He was about to lay hands on a young girl. Whether his future would be ruined by speaking out was one thing, but the young girl's reputation would be utterly destroyed.
Unexpectedly, this woman before him was ruthless enough to take all the blame upon herself.
"You..." Li Zhiguo stared at Su Taohua in disbelief.
This woman was a widow. Wasn't she afraid of rumors and gossip?
In this world, how often are people swayed by the gossip of others?
"What about me? You beast, I wish I could take your life!" Su Taohua glared at Li Zhiguo with fierce eyes.
If she hadn't understood Li Zhiguo's intentions at first, she saw them clearly later.
This beast was clearly planning to harm Xiao Tian.
A beast blinded by lust, who wouldn't give up even when someone arrived – how audacious!
Such a young child, and he could still bring himself to do it. If he were let off today, who knew how many more people he would harm.
Especially when she thought that Li Zhiguo might be a repeat offender, and this wasn't the first time he had targeted underage girls, her hatred grew even stronger.
Su Taohua was never one to be indecisive. To ensure this beast received the punishment he deserved, she decided to go all out.
Shen Zizhen lay on the ground, her face already beaten beyond recognition. Her eyes, however, stared blankly at Su Taohua.
What was this woman thinking? Didn't she know how important reputation was to a woman?
As long as she didn't speak, that beast certainly wouldn't either, and her reputation would be preserved.
Su Xiaotian, nestled in Su Laosan's arms, couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Was Aunt Taohua planning to sacrifice her own reputation to get Li Zhiguo dealt with?
After a brief moment of shock, Su Changjiu felt that things were not that simple. He hadn't expected Su Taohua to directly accuse Li Zhiguo.
Su Taohua was a middle-aged woman, not young anymore. Someone like Li Zhiguo from the city wouldn't be interested in her.
Let alone using such dirty means.
He cast a scrutinizing gaze back and forth between the two, as if trying to figure something out.
"He's a bad person, Captain Uncle, he's a bad person!" Su Xiaotian gritted her teeth and shouted loudly, sobbing.
Su Changjiu then remembered that Xiao Tian was also present at the time.
But why was Su Xiaotian at the scene?
It was all a mystery!
However, no matter what, Su Taohua had to be given an explanation today.
As the captain, he could not allow outsiders to bully members of his brigade!
This was the bottom line!
Su Xiaotian saw that Su Changjiu was still a bit hesitant, so she whispered something to Su Laosan.
Su Laosan's expression changed drastically, and his gaze towards Li Zhiguo became even more hostile.
"Captain, our Hongxin Brigade cannot tolerate such filth continuing to harm people!"
With these words, Su Laosan spoke through gritted teeth, wishing he could tear Li Zhiguo apart.
This beast, whom they cherished like a treasure and doted on, was almost ruined at such a young age!
He deserved to die!
Su Lao Er and Su Lao Da, standing beside Su Laosan, didn't know what Su Xiaotian had said, but they felt that this matter might be related to Xiao Tian.
After exchanging glances, the two brothers stepped forward, pulled Li Zhiguo off Shen Zizhen, and pinned his hands behind his back.
Li Zhiguo, still in a daze, was subdued by others.
He was confident that he had some skills and didn't believe two farmhands could easily subdue him, so he struggled.
But he found that their hands were like iron clamps.
Then, he felt a sharp pain in his leg bones. These rough men had resorted to dirty tricks!
"What are you doing? I am the head of the work group assigned by the county. Are you rebelling? I will report you, report you!"
"Rebelling? Do you think you are the Emperor?"
"You were sent by the county to bully women!"
The two brothers spoke in unison.
Most of the people in Hongxin Brigade were from the Su family, and Su Taohua was not distantly related to them. They were all indignant.
"Captain, he must be punished!"
"Captain, this hooligan must not be let off lightly!"
...
"Lock him up first, assign a few militiamen to watch him, and tomorrow morning, I will send him to the county town!"
Su Changjiu's words undoubtedly shattered Li Zhiguo's last shred of hope.
He had never thought that the Hongxin Brigade would dare to lay hands on him.
He was assigned by the county and had some family background. Wherever he went in various communes and brigades, people would try to curry favor with him.
Why was everything different in Hongxin Brigade?
Were the people of Hongxin Brigade fools? Didn't they know that the greatest damage would be to the woman's reputation if this matter escalated?
"Captain Su, you have no right to lock me up!"
Su Changjiu sneered, "You are a hooligan now, not a county cadre!"
That night, the atmosphere in the Old Su family was very oppressive. The table was laden with food, but no one touched it.
They were too angry to eat.
Just now, Su Xiaotian had tearfully recounted everything.
Only then did they learn that the beast was not interested in Su Taohua, but in Xiao Tian.
Grandma Su hugged Su Xiaotian and wiped away a tear, "Xiao Tian, be good, don't be afraid, Grandma and Grandpa are here."
Grandpa Su looked at his little granddaughter and said, "Taohua did this for our Xiao Tian! She's a woman who has had a difficult life after divorce. If her reputation is further ruined, we will owe her even more!"
Su Laosan remained silent.
Su Xiao Wu slapped himself fiercely, "It's all my fault. I should have gone with my sister. Why did I let my sister go alone? Xiao Tian, brother is sorry!"
Su Ci Liang also felt guilty, "Little sister, it's second brother's fault. From now on, wherever you go, second brother will follow, and you will never be alone again!"
Su Xiao Si even said directly, "I want to go exercise. I haven't practiced the boxing my uncle taught me properly. If I learn it well, I can beat bad guys and protect my sister!"
Because of Su Xiao Si's words, the male children of the Old Su family collectively started practicing boxing the next morning.
While Su Shou Wen led his younger brothers, sweating profusely, Su Changjiu took people to tie up Li Zhiguo and went to the county town.
There were quite a few people in this group, including Su Changjiu, three or four militiamen escorting Li Zhiguo, Su Taohua, and Su Laosan with his daughter.
There were also several people carrying Shen Zizhen, who had been severely injured.
Of course, whether Shen Zizhen was severely injured was debatable.
This was a decision made by Su Changjiu and Li Mingcai after discussing for over an hour.
The purpose was to protect Shen Zizhen.
Li Mingcai even personally accompanied them to the county town.
The county hospital could see at a glance that Shen Zizhen's injuries were not serious, so he went to find someone to help.
Li Zhiguo was tied tightly and dragged along dejectedly.
He had lived smoothly for many years and had never known such hardship.
Last night, when he was first locked up, he still held onto a glimmer of hope.
After all, Su Taohua, that wretched woman, had directly accused him. As the captain, Su Changjiu had to put on a show for the members.
But Su Changjiu definitely wouldn't dare to offend him. He would definitely find Su Taohua and make her change her testimony, and then he would be released.
But he waited until late at night. Not only did he not see Su Changjiu, but the guards watching him increased.
Li Zhiguo panicked.
He began to try to bribe the militiamen guarding him.
Su Changjiu couldn't be relied upon, but as long as he could escape Hongxin Brigade, this matter would be easier to handle.
What could a bunch of dirt-diggers do?
Did they know which way the county yamen's gate opened?
But the militiamen of Hongxin Brigade were simply blockheads. Even though he took out all his valuable money and coupons, even his treasured fountain pen, the blockhead militiaman remained unmoved.
This was not the end. Soon, people from the Old Su family arrived, their gazes chilling.
He was tortured almost to death all night. The pain made him wish he could die on the spot.
But he didn't know how the people of the Old Su family managed it, but there were not many visible scars left on him.
Suffering greatly, Li Zhiguo was dragged along, but his mind was brewing malice, thinking about how to proceed once they reached the county town.
In his opinion, once they reached the county town, it would be his territory. With his family's status, dealing with a few dirt-diggers would be easy.
At that time, he would have all these people locked up, subjected to daily criticism, and tortured. He would inflict double the pain they had inflicted on him.
As for that tender young girl, he had to have her and absolutely not let her escape his grasp.
Those escorting Li Zhiguo didn't know that this person was still thinking of tormenting others.
If they had known, they would have surely kicked him a few times to tell him that it would be better to faint and have pleasant dreams.
But often, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
Li Zhiguo's thoughts were not wrong, and they were quite pleasant.
But the people of Hongxin Brigade didn't follow the usual path.
They took him not to the Revolutionary Committee, but directly to the Armed Forces Department to find Chen Zi'an.
Seeing the gate of the Armed Forces Department, Li Zhiguo suddenly remembered that he had forgotten a very important thing.
Chen Zi'an's newly married wife was a country woman, and her name seemed to be from Hongxin Brigade!
At this time, he still didn't know that the Old Su family was Chen Zi'an's in-laws.
Seeing her uncle, Su Xiaotian would definitely cry and whine, looking so wronged.
Although he disdained to do so, at this critical juncture, it was either fight to the death or be destroyed. They absolutely could not give Li Zhiguo a chance to turn the tables.
Su Xiaotian thought that if Li Zhiguo escaped this time, many people would be in danger.
Not only her, but also Uncle Shen and Aunt Taohua would be in greater danger.
Seeing his little niece crying sadly, Chen Zi'an, although he didn't understand what had happened, felt his heart twist even more.
In Chen Zi'an's heart, Su Xiaotian, this little niece, held a position almost equal to that of his own brat.
He truly doted on this little girl like his own daughter.
Who wouldn't feel heartache if their own daughter was wronged?
Therefore, Chen Zi'an felt heartache.
As soon as he felt heartache, he immediately ordered a thorough investigation!
Li Zhiguo was stunned. This little girl called Chen Zi'an her uncle?
Had he really kicked a steel plate?
Chen Zi'an had Li Zhiguo taken away by his subordinates, and then he made arrangements for others.
"Big brother, second brother, third brother, you first take Xiao Tian and the others to our home. Manxiu is at home. I will have someone invite second sister-in-law and third sister-in-law over later!"
Chen Zi'an actually had some suspicions. Why did his several elder brothers appear together, and why did they bring a child like Xiao Tian?
Such matters were not pleasant to hear and might taint a child's ears.
"We'll go now!" Su Laosan said with a dark expression.
"Captain, you should also bring the villagers to our home for a meal."
Su Changjiu felt that it would be inconvenient for so many people to visit. Their invitation was polite, but if they actually went, it would be inconsiderate.
"Minister Chen, we won't bother you. We'll go to the guesthouse later. There's food at the guesthouse too!"
Although Su Changjiu still didn't know what had happened at that time, he keenly sensed that this matter was related to this child, Su Xiaotian.
This could be seen from the fact that the entire Old Su family almost mobilized today.
Taohua must have hidden something!
"Captain, I'll have someone take everyone to the guesthouse. You must come to our home for a meal."
Chen Zi'an also felt that there was something strange about this matter and thought that the captain must know something.
But he didn't know that the captain simply didn't want to discuss this matter at his home.
"I won't go. Taohua, you go. It's not good for a woman like Taohua to stay with us a bunch of men. Besides, Teacher Shen also needs someone to take care of him, and we still have to go to the hospital!"
The Old Su family did not intend to let outsiders know about this matter.
If he really went, would they speak or not?
It was better to let Su Taohua go.
But he didn't expect Su Taohua to say, "Captain, I won't go either. I'll go to the hospital to take care of Teacher Shen!"
Teacher Shen was beaten so badly. How could a group of men take care of someone?
"We can take care of him. You go with Xiao Tian and the others to eat first, clean up! And meet Manxiu. I remember you and Manxiu have a good relationship." Su Changjiu said firmly.
Why was there such a big difference between women who were both divorced?
Manxiu was lucky, but after this incident, Taohua's reputation would likely be ruined!
Su Taohua finally followed Su Laosan and his brothers to Su Manxiu's home.
Seeing several of her brothers and nephews suddenly arrive, Su Manxiu was terrified, fearing that something bad had happened.
"Why did you suddenly come? Did something happen at home?"
Although Su Manxiu didn't know what had happened, she saw that her brothers and nephews all had grim expressions and were all scowling.
Su Lao Da looked around. There were people coming and going at the entrance, so he waved his hand and said, "Let's talk inside!"
Su Manxiu quickly invited her brothers, nephews, and Su Taohua into the house, poured them sugar water, and then asked, "What exactly happened?"
Su Lao Da looked at Su Xiaotian and said to her, "Tian'er, go to the inner room and watch your younger brother. Don't let him be naughty!"
Such matters were not to be heard by a child like Su Xiaotian, lest her ears be soiled.
Su Xiaotian obediently went to the inner room to play with Chen Xiuyuan, who was already one year old.
She hadn't seen this little brother for a while and was curious if a slightly older child would be even cuter than when he was younger.
Su Lao Da briefly explained the whole story. Su Manxiu's expression also turned grim.
"There's actually such a beast!"
After scolding Li Zhiguo, Su Manxiu grabbed Su Taohua's hand and said, "Sister Taohua, thank you. If it weren't for you, Xiao Tian would have been harmed!"
"Anyone who saw it would have saved her. Besides, I'm Xiao Tian's aunt, aren't I?"
"Sister Taohua, you sacrificed your reputation to protect Xiao Tian. Our Old Su family still has to thank you!" Su Manxiu said sincerely to Su Taohua.
As a woman who had also been divorced, Su Manxiu knew how difficult it was for Taohua now!
"I'm already this old, what do I care about reputation? This child Xiao Tian is like a flower bud, her life is just beginning, her reputation cannot be ruined."
Su Taohua forced a smile and said, "I even implicated Teacher Shen!"
She really didn't expect that a man could be so weak, to be beaten down without even enduring a single move.
However, no matter what, Teacher Shen was their benefactor!
"Teacher Shen?"
Su Manxiu hadn't returned to her maiden home for some time, so she didn't know that another Shen Zizhen had come to Hongxin Brigade.
"He was assigned to our Hongxin Brigade this year. You were in a hurry last time you visited and didn't have a chance to tell you," Su Lao Da said.
"Then I'll cook and send it to him at the hospital. We received his favor, so we must repay it!" Su Manxiu said immediately.
"Favor must be repaid, and that beast Li Zhiguo must not be let off lightly either!" Su Lao Da said indignantly.
Such a beast deserved to die, even if he were beaten to death. Keeping him alive was a waste of grain!
If it weren't for the captain's disapproval last night, he would have definitely gone to kick him to death!
Just letting him suffer some pain could not alleviate his frustration.
"Big brother, don't worry, Zi'an will handle it!"
On this point, Su Manxiu had great faith in her husband's methods.
Soon, Liang Xiu and her sister-in-law also arrived.
Liang Xiu was surprised when she heard that her daughter and husband had arrived in the county town, but she didn't think much of it.
When she arrived at Su Manxiu's home and saw so many people, she sensed that something was wrong.
Upon hearing that Su Xiaotian had almost been harmed, her mother's heart broke.
She covered her face and cried sadly.
After crying, she resolutely decided, "I'm not going to be a worker anymore. I'm going home. I'm going home to watch over my daughter!"