Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

She was desperate to return to the city, but she had no way to make it happen. Her parents back in Jincheng City were just ordinary folk; they didn’t have the connections to arrange a transfer back for her. She had no roots in Nianqiao Village. Even if Zhao Nuanyue and Li Qiong said they were willing to give up their spots, it was just talk. Who knew if they would actually be willing to give them up when the time came?

Liu Lanhua wasn’t a trustworthy person. She might do the job, but she could just as easily sell her out in the end. ’I can’t work with her.’

’But if I want to go back to the city, what should I do?’

Wang Yuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind consumed with ways to return to the city. ’Hua Yusen is from Jincheng City, and it seems like he comes from a good family... but forget it. If his family was really that well-off, why would he have ended up in a remote place like Nianqiao Village? Even if they were once prominent, they probably got into some kind of trouble. Plenty of big shots in Jincheng City have had their downfall!’

’He’s probably not someone I can count on,’ Wang Yuan thought to herself.

’As for Yang Guanghui and Li Qiong, their family situations are even worse than mine. They’d be of no help at all.’

Wang Yuan thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a good plan. She stared wide-eyed at the ceiling in the darkness, unable to fall asleep for what felt like an eternity. It wasn’t until the sky showed the first hints of dawn that exhaustion finally took over, and she drifted into a groggy sleep.

Li Qiong had been keeping an eye on Wang Yuan the day before. But since Wang Yuan didn’t say anything, she didn’t feel it was her place to press the issue. She just felt that Wang Yuan was a little different than before.

Early the next morning, Hua Yusen had a quick bite to eat before heading to the county town with Miao Dahai, Li Guihua, and some other villagers.

When they arrived in the county town, they learned that Zheng Delin hadn’t returned yet.

Miao Dahai was stunned. He turned to Hua Yusen and asked, ”Where did Zheng Delin go after leaving our village yesterday? Do you know?”

Hua Yusen shook his head. ”I don’t know. But since he hasn’t come back, he must have gone to another village.”

Li Guihua said worriedly, ”Miao Dahai, hurry up and give the report to Zhou Jianmin, then let’s get back to the village. I’m afraid Zheng Delin will suddenly double back. Sanshu and Dazhu won’t be able to hold them off.”

Miao Dahai nodded repeatedly. ”Right. We have to get back as soon as possible.”

When Miao Dahai told Zhou Jianmin about Zheng Delin, Zhou Jianmin was also taken aback, completely shocked. He asked, ”Wasn’t Zheng Delin supposed to go to Sheep Valley? Why would he go to Nianqiao Village? One’s north and the other’s south—they’re in opposite directions!”

”He came to our village yesterday,” Miao Dahai replied. ”I heard them say they came straight over, probably without you knowing. They were incredibly arrogant. First, they accused me of sheltering the people designated for ’re-education’ and threatened to arrest me for ’re-education’ myself. Luckily, the village is united, so they didn’t succeed. Then, one of the young men started getting handsy with a young woman, which caused her to jump into the river. Fortunately, we rescued her in time, and no one died.”

”Well, well. So Zheng Delin has started playing at misdirection,” Zhou Jianmin mused. ”You handled this very well. Let me see your report.”

Zhou Jianmin opened Miao Dahai’s report and read it carefully twice before nodding in praise. ”Good, good! The young woman’s actions put Zheng Delin and his men in a very difficult position. A preliminary victory. The rest is my responsibility now; you don’t need to get involved any further. Just keep things stable in Nianqiao Village. The results from the last report I submitted for you are about to come through. Just wait patiently in the village!”

”Yes, Zhou Jianmin,” Miao Dahai replied.

Hua Yusen secretly left a letter for Zhou Jianmin before leaving with Miao Dahai.

Meanwhile, Li Guihua was reporting to the county’s Women’s Federation official, emphasizing the incident where the young woman was harassed. This made the official visibly uncomfortable, but she immediately promised to handle the matter seriously and to regulate the conduct of the young men.

Satisfied, Li Guihua was personally escorted out by the Women’s Federation official.

The official wanted to see Li Guihua off as quickly as possible. She was also afraid of running into Zheng Delin, because he was Leader Zhao’s trusted subordinate.

If she didn’t handle it, it would certainly damage her authority; if she did handle it, she would offend Zhao Delin. Therefore, getting Li Guihua to leave quickly so she wouldn’t confront Zheng Delin was the best way to handle the situation.

How could someone as shrewd as Li Guihua not see through this? In any case, she hadn’t come here expecting the county’s Women’s Federation to deliver justice for her. She had simply come to voice their grievances and make sure the higher-ups knew about the injustices they had suffered.

It was to prove that their resistance was justified.

When Miao Dahai and Hua Yusen saw Li Guihua come out, they prepared to head back together.

But not far from the main gate, they ran into Zheng Delin, who was being pushed in a wheelchair by two young men.

The moment he saw Miao Dahai, fury and anger surged through Zheng Delin. These people had humiliated him yesterday, and today they dared to come and file a complaint—and they’d arrived even earlier than he had. ’I really underestimated them. That Miao Dahai has some nerve!’

When enemies meet, sparks are bound to fly.

”They’re the bad guys! Seize them!” Zheng Delin bellowed. This was the county town; this was his turf.

Sure enough, hearing Zheng Delin’s command, a crowd of young men from nearby rushed over, swarming around Miao Dahai, Li Guihua, and Hua Yusen.

Passersby saw what was happening and kept their distance, not daring to get close or interfere.

Miao Dahai was startled. He hadn’t expected Zheng Delin to actually try and arrest them right here. The man was completely lawless.

Li Guihua’s face also turned pale. She didn’t know what to do.

Hua Yusen, on the other hand, was not afraid. He could get away himself, but surrounded by so many people, he couldn’t take Miao Dahai and Li Guihua with him.

”Mr. Hua, break through and go tell Zhou Jianmin that Zheng Delin is abusing his power for personal revenge,” Miao Dahai said. ”Tell them to figure something out. If we all get captured, Zheng Delin will block any news from getting out, and then it will be too late for anything.”

Hua Yusen heard this and agreed it made sense.

”Alright, I’m on it.” With a few quick leaps, Hua Yusen appeared before Zheng Delin and sent him toppling with a single kick.

When Zheng Delin’s lackeys saw their boss get kicked over, they rushed to help him up, creating an opening. Hua Yusen easily broke free and, turning around, ran straight for the government office.

Zhou Jianmin was just about to start a meeting when he saw Hua Yusen running over. ”What’s wrong?” he asked urgently.

”Zheng Delin is abusing his power for personal revenge! He has us surrounded not far from the commune building. I broke out to get word to you. You have to take some people and rescue Miao Dahai and Director Li!” Hua Yusen said frantically. ”Hurry! If Zheng Delin gets his hands on them, they’re sure to be brutally beaten.”

”How audacious!” Zhou Jianmin roared. Forgoing the meeting, he stormed directly into Xu Jinda’s office. ”Old Xu, grab a few men and come with me to rescue them.”

Xu Jinda was Zhou Jianmin’s trusted man. Hearing his words, he immediately gathered some men and followed.