“Mom, something’s happened at my third brother’s wife’s place. They say the Public Security Bureau is coming to arrest someone, and my Uncle Man Tun has gone to the county to be hospitalized. I need to go over and see,” Gu Xingye briefly explained the situation and turned to leave.
“What? Arresting someone? Who?” Li Xiulan’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. She quickly put down her work, slipped on her shoes by the kang, and said as she did so,
“Chen’s family only has your third sister-in-law there. I’ll go over and stop them first. You hurry and get your father-in-law and the security director to come. If it’s not a big deal, a little persuasion might resolve it. But absolutely don’t go to that so-called police station. Once you’re in their territory, they call the shots.”
“Alright, Mom, I’ll go get them now.” Gu Xingye turned and walked out.
Zhang Qin and Liu Yuemin also came out upon hearing the commotion. After hearing the general situation, they all went with Li Xiulan to Old Chen’s house.
…
Chen Lishu stood at the doorway, not allowing Granny Zhao and her group to enter. The children at home were still young and couldn’t be frightened.
“It’s only natural to pay back what you owe. You actually assaulted someone? Either pay back the money and apologize, and we’ll let this go, or you’ll have to come with us to the Public Security Bureau. It’s up to you,” the uniformed man said to Chen Lishu. Da Feng Novel Network.
“An apology isn’t enough. She injured someone. Besides the fifty owed, she has to pay another fifty. If she doesn’t agree, arrest her and throw her in jail!” With a man by her side, Widow Liu’s arrogance was even more pronounced.
As her mouth opened and closed, revealing a large silver tooth within. Her front tooth had fallen out, causing her to lisp, and it also affected her appearance. Later, Widow Liu heard a fortune teller say that having a large gold tooth could ward off bad luck. However, due to the state policy, gold was not allowed to be traded. After asking around, she had a silver tooth inlaid. Gold and silver are not separated; they are pretty much the same.
Remarkably, since getting that tooth, her luck had indeed improved. Not only had Widow Liu met a wealthy man, but Liu Dabao’s marriage prospects also brightened.
Chen Lishu glanced at the people gathered in the yard, her gaze finally settling on Widow Liu. She looked at her, a half-smile on her face, and said,
“You say I owe you money, do you have any proof? Did I write an IOU in black and white, or did I personally agree to give you money in front of a third party? If not, why do you say I owe you money? Also, I haven’t sued you for delaying my father’s treatment. Shouldn’t you be the ones paying compensation?”
“Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Granny Zhao treating your father is a fact, isn’t it? You hitting someone is also a fact, isn’t it? Since it’s a fact, you have to pay. If you continue to be unreasonable, I’ll detain you. Do you believe me?!”
As the man spoke, he took out a pair of handcuffs from his pocket and dangled them menacingly in front of Chen Lishu, the metal clinking with two "clinks."
“Comrade Public Security, there must be some misunderstanding. Let’s talk things over properly.” As soon as Li Xiulan entered the yard, she saw the Public Security officer take out handcuffs and was startled. She quickly hurried forward and stood in front of Chen Lishu.
“Mom?” Chen Lishu called out.
Li Xiulan turned back and comforted her, “Third daughter-in-law, don’t be afraid. Fourth has already gone to call the village head. No one can wrong us for something we didn’t do. With Mom here, no one can take you away.”
“Mom, I…” Chen Lishu was about to speak when Widow Liu interrupted her.
“Li Xiulan, what are you trying to do? Do you think you can act tough in front of the Public Security officer?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? If our third daughter-in-law says she doesn’t owe money, then she doesn’t. As for your own disgraceful actions, they probably can’t be told in three days and three nights. Wang Juhua, you’re just like a bean on a stone; when you’re ripe, you jump. You’ve only had a few good days, and now you’re stirring up trouble. You’re itching all over if you’re not causing trouble, aren’t you?”
“What kind of mother are you? What’s wrong with you, old woman? If you keep getting in the way, I’ll arrest you too.” The uniformed man reached out to push Li Xiulan, but Chen Lishu unceremoniously slapped his hand away.
“Chen, you have the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard to dare to lay hands on a Public Security comrade!” Liu Dabao angrily pointed at Chen Lishu from the side.
“Him? Comrade Public Security?” Chen Lishu let out a scoff as if hearing something funny. Her gaze fell on the uniformed man. “You say you’re Public Security, but do you have an ID?”
“Wha-what ID?” The man was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized Chen Lishu was questioning his identity. He immediately became enraged. “This uniform I’m wearing is the best proof. You actually disrespect the Public Security? You’re simply lawless. I’ll take you back to the Public Security Bureau right now.”
As the man spoke, he reached out to grab Chen Lishu’s arm. Liu Dabao also stepped forward to help.
“Anyone who dares to touch a single finger of mine today will face severe consequences!” Chen Lishu’s gaze suddenly turned sharp as she fixed it on the two men.
“Want to take me back to the Public Security Bureau? May I ask if you have an ID? And under what pretext are you arresting me? For detention and questioning, or for summons?”
The man was somewhat confused by her string of questions. “What, what questioning? What summons?”
“You don’t even know what I’m talking about. Are you sure you’re Public Security?”
Seeing Chen Lishu render the uniformed man speechless with just a few sentences, everyone began to react. But to impersonate a public official, how audacious that would be! “The village head is here.” Soon, someone saw Gu Xingye, Zhang Changhe, and the security director Zhao Shucheng entering the yard together. Someone immediately called out.
Chen Lishu glanced at the man whose face was flushed red. She stepped forward and said to Zhang Changhe, “Uncle, I suspect he colluded with the Liu family to extort me and intentionally impersonated a public official. This is a hooligan who seriously endangers social stability. For the sake of our village’s peace and harmony, he absolutely cannot be tolerated.”
“Which eye of yours saw that I’m not Public Security? I was just in a hurry when I came out and forgot to bring my ID.”
The man still wanted to struggle, but Chen Lishu sneered at him. “Let me enlighten you with some knowledge, and also tell everyone that Public Security officers usually go out in pairs or more. If it’s just one person like him, you must verify their identity. Who knows if someone is impersonating them with the intent to endanger society?”
Everyone started to discuss amongst themselves with a buzz upon hearing Chen Lishu’s words.
In their understanding, they had never considered that someone in uniform could be an impostor. If Chen Lishu hadn’t reminded them, they might have suffered greatly if they encountered such a person in the future.
“As they say, you have to study hard. When you study well, you know more. You won’t be as ignorant as us, counting money for others while they sell you.”
“My child is graduating from primary school this year. I had planned to let her stop studying, but now it seems she must continue to gain knowledge. I’ll grit my teeth and let her study for two more years.”
“This Widow Liu and her son have such daring. They’ve only recently been released from jail, and now they’re causing trouble again. They really must think they’ve lived too comfortably.”
Zhao Xiao’e and Granny Zhao, who had been silent all along, their expressions changed when they heard someone mention that the Liu mother and son had been to prison.