Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

But this was no time for her to be looking around. Liu Lanhua quickly and cautiously replied, ”I’m here to deliver a message for Dadan! He and my husband were locked up by the village. They can’t get out or tell anyone what’s happening, so they sent me to deliver a message and let you and Mr. Zheng know about the situation in the village.”

Hearing this, Zhao Qinqin had a bad feeling. She asked in a low voice, ”What’s the situation in the village right now? And how did Dadan end up locked in a shack? What did he do this time?”

She knew her husband was keeping a close eye on Nianqiao Village. It wasn’t just because Wang Dadan was her cousin; it was because the people there could bring her husband immense benefits—credit, promotions, and wealth.

”Miao Dahai has always had it in for Dadan and my husband, and he stripped them of their positions.” Liu Lanhua chose her words carefully, hoping to sound pitiful enough to earn Zhao Qinqin’s sympathy. That way, they might be willing to step in and get her husband and Wang Dadan released. ”Ever since we stopped being village cadres, life has been impossible for us. They ostracized and suppressed Dadan and my husband while they were trying to complete Mr. Zheng’s mission. This time, they actually accused us of stirring up trouble for no reason, so Miao Dahai locked them up.”

”Hmph, so Miao Dahai thinks he’s the local tyrant of Nianqiao Village,” Zhao Qinqin huffed, displeased. ’Even if you have no respect for the man, you should respect his connections.’ Treating Wang Dadan this way was a slap in the face to her and Old Zheng. ”You came at just the right time. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to pass this on. Give me the letter. I’ll arrange an ox-cart for you. Go back and tell Dadan to be patient and not to be afraid. His cousin-in-law will come rescue him as soon as possible.

Liu Lanhua was grateful to hear Zhao Qinqin’s words.

She was also worried about her family back home, so the sooner she could return, the better.

”Three days ago, Miao Dahai made a trip to the county seat. As soon as he got back, he ordered the villagers to work on production during the day and attend study sessions at night,” Liu Lanhua continued. ”I don’t know what his goal is, but I know Miao Dahai never does anything unless there’s something in it for him. We have to take this seriously.”

”Oh?” Zhao Qinqin was surprised. ’This Miao Dahai really is a formidable character.’ ”That’s important information. Tell me, what else is going on in the village?”

Liu Lanhua thought for a moment before continuing, ”The village put the young people in charge of managing those undergoing ’re-education.’ Now, it seems to me that the young people are getting along quite well with them. My husband and Dadan were locked up this time because those youths stood up for them. Maybe that’s an angle we can use?”

Zhao Qinqin’s eyes lit up. ”Good,” she said with a nod. ”That’s not bad, a good place to start. Anything else?”

”That’s all, really. The entire village is under Miao Dahai’s control now. Dadan and my husband have no say in anything.” Liu Lanhua was hinting that without their cadre positions, it would be difficult for them to get anything done in the future.

”Heh, this is a new society. Miao Dahai can’t just run a one-man show,” Zhao Qinqin replied. ”I’ll discuss this with Old Zheng tonight. We can’t just stand by and watch those people do as they please and stir up trouble.”

Now that people were constantly fawning over her, Zhao Qinqin had long since adopted the airs of a superior.

”That’s wonderful.” Hearing Zhao Qinqin’s words was a great relief to Liu Lanhua. ”Now I can rest easy. You have no idea what we’ve been through lately. We’re being watched wherever we go. It’s nearly impossible to get anything done, let alone complete the mission.”

”Alright, that’s enough of that. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you. I’ll have someone take you to get something to eat and then hire an ox-cart to take you back.” Zhao Qinqin truly had neither the time nor the inclination to entertain Liu Lanhua. She gave direct orders to her subordinates to see Liu Lanhua out and had them buy a few steamed buns for her to eat on the way.

Liu Lanhua was also worried about her family at home, so leaving sooner was for the best.

Eating the large, meat-filled buns, Liu Lanhua grew even more envious of the good life in the city. ’How wonderful it must be,’ she thought. She couldn’t bring herself to eat more. After finishing two, she saved the remaining two to take back for her husband and Wang Dadan. Times had been tough for her family since the end of last year.

’Sigh, how pitiful.’

Just then, an image of Zhao Nuanyue flashed through Liu Lanhua’s mind. It seemed like everything was connected to that little bitch. ’If Zhao Nuanyue hadn’t been so meddlesome,’ she fumed, ’I would have dealt with Wang Yuan and Li Qiong long ago. With a few threats and bribes, they would have been powerless to cause any trouble.’

But Zhao Nuanyue had ruined her plans time and time again. Not only did Wang Dadan suffer for it, but her own family was dragged down with him.

’Zhao Nuanyue, you little bitch, just you wait!’

’Once I, Liu Lanhua, get back on my feet, I’ll be sure to teach Zhao Nuanyue a lesson. That pretty little face of hers could definitely fetch a good price.’

By the time Liu Lanhua returned to Nianqiao Village, it was already past eight in the evening. The howling of wolves along the way had frightened the cart driver so much that he didn’t dare make the return journey overnight. Liu Lanhua had no choice but to let him stay at her house. Then, she heated up the steamed buns and brought them to the two men.

”Mrs. Yingzi, you’re back? Did you meet with them?” Li Siming asked hurriedly as he took the food from his wife. ”What did they say?”

Wang Dadan also looked out from the shack hopefully at Liu Lanhua. ”Madam Lan Hua, my cousin... what did she and her husband say?”

”I told your cousin everything that’s been happening in the village, and I gave her the letter. Her husband was in a meeting, so I didn’t get to see him. But your cousin said she’ll definitely have him figure something out, and she told you not to worry,” Liu Lanhua said. ”They won’t just sit by and do nothing. You two just wait patiently!”

Hearing Liu Lanhua’s words, both Wang Dadan and Li Siming felt relieved.

’As long as his cousin is still willing to help,’ he thought, ’there’s nothing to worry about.’

Zhao Qinqin handed the letter to Zheng Delin, her voice edged with anxiety. ”Delin, my cousin ended up in this mess because he was working for us. We can’t just let him be bullied and kept locked up!”

Zheng Delin read the letter spread out on the table while he ate, his brow furrowed. ”Useless fool! He didn’t end up in this mess because he was working for me. If he could just keep himself out of trouble, he wouldn’t have lost his position in the village in the first place. Do you have any idea how many favors I had to call in and how much money I spent on his behalf before the year’s end? I asked them to gather information on those people undergoing ’re-education,’ but look at him—first a broken bone, now he’s locked in a shack. He hasn’t brought back a single piece of useful information.”