Chapter 43: The Car Started So Suddenly

The next day.

When Tang Banxia arrived at the drying yard, she learned about what had happened afterward. The news came from Hu Jiaguo’s wife, Big Sister Hu.

Yesterday, after gathering chestnuts, today was the day to shell them, and this time, Tang Banxia was assigned to Big Sister Hu’s team.

“Tang Educated Youth,” Big Sister Hu pulled a handful of roasted soybeans from her pocket, “have some.”

Tang Banxia took them and offered a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds in return. “Big Sister Hu, what really happened last night? Where did Song Qing end up being found?”

“That girl—she fell into a trap while running, hit her head, and fainted. It was Song Yu who found her.” Big Sister Hu simply stopped working and sat with Tang Banxia to crack seeds.

“Luckily she was found. Otherwise, after a night like that, who knows what would have happened to her,” Big Sister Hu sighed deeply.

“How did they even run into a wild boar?” Tang Banxia was quite curious. Clearly, that spot was already near the foot of the mountain; wild boar rarely come down so easily.

“Song Qing said she didn’t know either. While digging for wild vegetables, Wang Educated Youth suddenly burst out, followed by the wild boar. All she remembers is running—she didn’t notice anything else,” Aunt Sun’s voice drifted over from the other side.

“Last night, the Song family was in an uproar for quite a while.” She squeezed her eyes and moved her stool closer to the two.

“You wouldn’t believe it—after Song Qing was saved and brought home last night, she suddenly went mad, insisted Song Yu harmed her, and even pushed Song Yu over.”

“Did Aunt Song just let her?” Big Sister Hu handed Aunt Sun a handful of roasted soybeans, and Tang Banxia gave her some pumpkin seeds.

“Of course not!” Aunt Sun spat out two shells. “Aunt Song guards Song Yu like the apple of her eye. She got furious and slapped Song Qing twice right then and there.”

Tang Banxia focused on her pumpkin seeds, marveling—no wonder she’s the protagonist, her life is full of drama.

Aunt Sun continued, “Then Song Third’s wife wouldn’t stand for it either, her temperament...”—she gave the two a look that said it all.

Big Sister Hu understood instantly. “What did she do?”

“She banged her head against the wall, saying she was useless, couldn’t bear a son, and as a result, her daughter got bullied. Same old story.” Aunt Sun, being Song family’s neighbor, knew their theatrics like the back of her hand.

“And then there’s Song Third himself, always so meek—never said a word all night. Useless! Not a man at all!” Aunt Sun’s disdain for Song Third was obvious. Big Sister Hu agreed wholeheartedly, “I always said Song Third’s no good.”

“Up in our mountains, a man like Song Third wouldn’t attract a single girl,” Big Sister Hu scoffed.

Her family was from the mountains, both men and women were tough, and she had no patience for a man like Song Third.

“Exactly, maybe the reason they can’t have a daughter is all Song Third’s fault. Did you see how little he is? I doubt he’s even capable.”

Tang Banxia felt as if a car had suddenly raced past her.

Big Sister Hu was in full agreement. “That’s right—Song Third looks like a complete weakling, probably no good in bed either.”

“You’re the lucky one, your Wen Cang is strong and impressive, isn’t he?” Big Sister Hu nudged Aunt Sun.

Aunt Sun spat at her, “Your Jiaguo isn’t small either.”

“Xiao Tang, what about your Educated Youth Wen?” The two exchanged glances and fixed their gaze on Tang Banxia.

Tang Banxia’s eyes darted, and she coughed, “He’s... not bad!”

Big Sister Hu and Aunt Sun smiled knowingly. “Not bad? I think your Wen Educated Youth is quite something—keeps you glowing, your face always so rosy.”

“I agree, Xiao Tang, you look much better than when you first came to the village. That’s all thanks to your Wen Educated Youth.” Aunt Sun teased as well.

Tang Banxia blushed from their laughter.

These married women really could talk about anything.

“Hey, look, isn’t that your father-in-law?” Aunt Sun pointed to the village entrance.

Big Sister Hu looked over. “Ah, it is! Didn’t my father go to take Wang Educated Youth to the county? Why is he back so soon?”

“Could something have happened?” Aunt Sun wondered.

“Should we follow and see?” Tang Banxia urged.

“Let’s do it.” Big Sister Hu and Aunt Sun agreed without hesitation, ignoring their work points, grabbing a random excuse about going to the toilet, and quickly slipped away.

The three moved as one, with a clear goal—heading straight for Hu Dashan.

Over there, Hu Dashan was deeply troubled, his brows tightly knotted, making his way toward the Song household.

“Aunt Song, are you home?”

“Here I am, Dashan, come in.” Old Lady Song greeted him at the door. “Is there something you need?”

One look at Hu Dashan’s face and she knew it wasn’t good news. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Hu Dashan carefully chose his words before speaking, “It’s about Song Qing, Wang—”

“Hold on,” Old Lady Song interrupted, “Third daughter-in-law, come here. The team leader wants to speak to Song Qing.”

She then explained, “I’ve separated from Song Third’s family. Anything about Song Qing, ask her parents—I have nothing to do with her.”

Song Third’s wife came out with a sorrowful face, “Mother, must you draw the line so clearly?”

Old Lady Song sneered, hugging her cherished granddaughter as she settled under the eaves. “Xiao Tang, come here, I have something to ask you.”

With no choice, Tang Banxia came out from the neighboring house. “Aunt Song.”

Meeting Hu Dashan’s gaze, she hurriedly explained, “I was a bit thirsty, so I came to Aunt Sun’s for some water.”

Hu Dashan knew perfectly well why she was there, glanced at the nosy eldest daughter-in-law next door, and said, “Mm.”

Tang Banxia touched her nose. “Aunt Song, what is it?”

Old Lady Song patted her granddaughter, and Song Yu immediately brought Tang Banxia a small stool. “Sister Tang, sit.”

Tang Banxia ruffled her hair. “Good girl.”

“Tang Educated Youth, lately I’ve had trouble breathing, can you check for me?” Old Lady Song extended her wrist.

Tang Banxia placed her fingers to take her pulse, multitasking as she kept an ear on Hu Dashan’s side.

Hu Dashan looked at Song Third’s wife, whose eyes were filled with tears, his brows raised high. “Third daughter-in-law, where’s Song Qing? Call her out—I have questions for her.”

“Aqing just went to sleep, Uncle Dashan. If you have something, tell me. Song Qing was frightened, as her mother, I can speak for her.”

Hu Dashan knew her temperament well, so he got straight to the point. “Wang Educated Youth says your Song Qing was dealing illegally outside. Yesterday’s wild boar incident happened because Song Qing stole a wild boar piglet, provoking its revenge.”

“That’s impossible!” Song Third’s wife interrupted loudly. “My Song Qing? Dealing illegally?”

“Uncle Dashan, I know I’ve never borne a son, and you all look down on me, but such a charge could ruin us. How can you pin this on our family? It’s a death sentence for Song Qing!”

Hu Dashan paused.

Seeing her genuine, furious anger, he gave up reasoning and turned to the two “busy” with the medical check. “Aunt Song, what do you think?”

“I have nothing to do with it,” Old Lady Song said coldly.

Having hit a wall, Hu Dashan had to communicate with Song Third’s wife. “Wang Educated Youth called the leadership at the Educated Youth Office, gave a detailed account, and the commune authorities sent me to investigate.”

In other words, this isn’t something you can cry your way out of.

Song Third’s wife understood perfectly, her tears flowing even harder. “It wasn’t me, it has nothing to do with me, my daughter would never do such a thing.”

“Call Song Qing out,” Hu Dashan tapped his pipe. “I need to ask her myself.”