"Yes, isn't this extorting money? We all live in the same village. Even if we aren't in-laws, we shouldn't be enemies. Look at Widow Liu's behavior; she's clearly trying to extort them."
"Those Chen couple are fools. How long has it been since the three of them were released from prison, and now they're like leeches, clinging to whoever they can."
"Then what should we do? Are we really going to push them to death?"
...
Chen Lishu rushed to the reception room. After asking the elderly man at the reception room for information, she took the phone and dialed the village.
The phone rang several times before a voice answered, "Hello?"
"Uncle Changhe? It's Chen Lishu."
Upon hearing her voice, Zhang Changhe secretly sighed. Chen Mantun and his wife were truly a handful, even troubling Chen Lishu, who was studying in the provincial capital.
Chen Lishu heard a sigh from the other end after a long pause, and her heart sank. The hand holding the receiver tightened. "Uncle Changhe, did something happen at home?"
Fearing she would overthink, Zhang Changhe quickly said, "Don't worry, child. Lifei came to ask me to make the call this morning. Your family..." He then briefly explained the situation.
"Okay, Uncle Changhe, I understand. I'll ask for leave from my teacher shortly and head back as soon as possible."
After Chen Lishu hung up the phone, her pretty face was so somber it looked like water could drip from it.
Zhang Xue, seeing her anxiety, couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Lishu, what's wrong? Did something happen at home?"
Chen Lishu forced a smile. "Something did happen at home, but it's not a big problem. You don't need to worry. I have to ask for a few days off from my teacher at the department. You go back by yourself first."
Zhang Xue was slightly relieved to hear her say that. "Alright, if there's anything you need me to do, just ask."
Chen Lishu nodded. "Mhm."
After parting ways with Zhang Xue, Chen Lishu went directly to Chen Yinchu's office to ask for leave. Upon hearing that she had family matters, Chen Yinchu immediately started writing a leave request slip without a word. "Be careful on your journey. If there are any problems, call your teacher anytime. You know my office number, right?"
Before Chen Lishu could answer, Chen Yinchu quickly wrote down his office number on another piece of paper and handed it to Chen Lishu along with the leave slip.
Chen Lishu said gratefully, "Thank you, teacher."
"Why be polite to your own teacher? Hurry up and go back to pack your things."
Chen Lishu came out of Chen Yinchu's office and headed straight back to the dormitory. She packed only a couple of clothes and informed Zhang Xue before leaving the campus.
She took a bus to the train station and bought a train ticket for a little past five that evening. With three to four hours before departure, Chen Lishu thought for a moment and went out to find a phone booth to call Gu Xingdong.
"Hello, Xingdong? Yes, something happened at home, and I need to take leave to go back."
Chen Lishu then roughly explained the situation. Although her tone was as relaxed as possible, Gu Xingdong could still hear her worry. Before hanging up, he specifically instructed, "Be careful on your journey. If it really doesn't make sense, just give them a good beating. Don't be afraid. If you hurt someone, I'll take responsibility."
"You make it sound like organized crime," Chen Lishu said, a smile finally appearing on her face when she heard his words. "Don't worry, I can handle it."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Lishu returned to the train station and found a long bench to sit and wait for the train.
After hanging up the phone, Gu Xingdong thought for a moment and called Gu Xingye.
"Hello, fourth brother? Yes, your third sister-in-law is on the train tonight and will arrive tomorrow evening. I'm worried, so I want you to pick her up at the station."
Gu Xingdong paused, then continued, "Also, stay away from the team for the next couple of days. Keep an eye out and make sure no one gets hurt."
Gu Xingye nodded. "Third brother, don't worry. I promise your third sister-in-law won't suffer any loss. I don't even put those two Liu family brutes in my eyes."
...
After a day and a night on the train, Chen Lishu arrived at the county town a little past seven in the evening. Although she was anxious, traveling at night was too dangerous. She decided to stay at Gu Xingping's place for the night and return to the village early the next morning. As soon as she reached the exit, she heard someone call her, "Third sister-in-law!"
Chen Lishu subconsciously turned her head and saw Gu Xingye waving at her not far away. She quickly walked over. "Fourth brother, why are you here?"
Gu Xingye smiled. "My third brother called me yesterday and said you'd be arriving today. He was afraid you'd be anxious in the dark, so he asked me to come pick you up."
Chen Lishu felt a warmth spread through her.
"Third sister-in-law, I rode my bicycle here. I'll take you straight back to the village later."
Chen Lishu nodded. "Mhm."
The two rode their bicycles back to the village, arriving home a little past eight in the evening.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I heard fourth son say you were coming back. The food is all kept warm in the pot. Shall I get it out for you to eat?" The elderly couple hadn't slept yet. Li Xiulan saw her enter and got up to get the food.
Chen Lishu stopped her. "Mom, don't bother. I ate a little on the train and I'm not hungry yet."
Chen Lishu said, looking at her watch, it was almost nine o'clock. Usually, everyone would have been asleep by this time, so she said, "Mom, Dad, you should go to bed. I'm going to my mother's home to check on things."
Li Xiulan knew she was worried about her family and sighed, saying to Gu Xingye, "It's so dark, fourth son, you should take your sister-in-law over there."
"It's alright. It's not far, just a few minutes. Fourth brother, just give me the flashlight, and I'll go by myself."
"It's too dark. How about I escort you to the courtyard gate and watch you go in before I come back?"
Chen Lishu knew they were worried and agreed. She first went back to her room to put down her shoulder bag, then went to the Chen family's home with Gu Xingye.
...
It was the waxing crescent moon, and it was also cloudy. The moon had hidden itself behind the clouds early, leaving the surroundings pitch black, making the village exceptionally quiet.
At this time of night, the family had already gone to rest every day. However, with such upsetting matters happening, neither Chen Mantun nor Wu Chunmei could sleep.
Including today, Chen Liyuan hadn't eaten for four days. Seeing the child so emaciated that she was unrecognizable, the couple felt as if someone was carving their flesh with a knife. Yet, Widow Liu was relentless, bringing her two sons to cause trouble every day.
Whenever Wu Chunmei thought about it, she would cry regretfully.
Just as Chen Mantun had persuaded her to stop crying, she suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. The couple's bodies tensed up, and their hearts started pounding.
"Coming," Chen Mantun got out of bed to open the door, wondering in his heart who it could be so late.
When he saw Chen Lishu standing at the door, Chen Mantun was greatly surprised. "Lishu, why are you back?"
After saying that, he felt his question was unnecessary. He looked at her and sighed heavily. "You've heard about what happened at home, right? Liyuan refuses to eat anything. It's good that you're back. Go quickly and help your mother and me persuade her."
"Child's father, who is it?" Wu Chunmei also put on a coat and came out. Upon seeing Chen Lishu, she was equally surprised, and then her tears began to flow uncontrollably. "Lishu, you're finally back. Something big has happened at home..."