Chapter 83
“Nonsense!” Team Leader Jiang hadn’t even seen clearly who was speaking and was immediately furious. But when he turned around and saw it was Su Xiaoxiao, his expression became even more unpleasant. People from the production team were scared when they saw him getting angry, but Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze was hinting at the woman still hanging on Team Leader Jiang’s thigh.
“Am I talking nonsense? With you being held like this and not pushing her away, who wouldn’t have thought that this was a regular thing for you? Or are you intentionally taking advantage of someone else’s wife?” Team Leader Jiang’s face turned dark with anger, and he quickly kicked his leg.
However, Xiang Hongmei was afraid of exposing herself and held onto Team Leader Jiang even tighter.
“You better let go! If you have something to say, say it!” Team Leader Jiang shouted in frustration and pointed at an aunt wearing a thick coat. “You, take off your coat and give it to her.”
The aunt took a few steps back and said in disdain, “I won’t let a slut like her wear my clothes. Team leader, you’ve already been touched by her, so you’re already dirty. Just give her your coat.”
“Indeed, it’s dirty,” Su Xiaoxiao agreed with a nod.
Team Leader Jiang almost fainted from anger, but he had no choice but to take off his own coat and drape it over Xiang Hongmei to prevent her from further tarnishing his reputation.
Xiang Hongmei quickly wrapped herself in the coat and sat down on the ground, sobbing, “I don’t know him! I went to the toilet in the evening, and he sneaked into the yard, forcing me and throwing me on the bed. He’s committing a crime and should be executed!”
“Rubbish! This morning at the supply and marketing cooperative, you received five eggs from me and asked me to come to your place at night. Everyone can go and ask the saleswoman at the cooperative; they all saw it! I even gave her five yuan, which she stuffed into her pants pocket.”
The man immediately became anxious upon hearing about execution, and he didn’t even bother to put on his clothes. He just got up from the bed.
“My eyes!” The women were scared and screamed.
“Be good, don’t look,” a big hand covered Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes.
That broad and hot palm, combined with the deep and hoarse voice whispering in her ear, made her legs feel weak. Su Xiaoxiao secretly leaned against his solid chest. Jiang Yexun didn’t want to embrace her in front of so many people, so he stood behind her, supporting her with his hand on her waist.
When someone glanced over, he explained, “Xiaoxiao got scared.”
“It’s ugly and disgusting; one may get eye disease even just glance at it. You have to pretend your young bride from seeing it.” An aunt next to them quickly nodded in agreement.
However, after saying this, everyone’s attention returned to the couple.
“See, this is what I gave her.”
The man pulled out a pair of patched underpants from the bundled quilt. In front of everyone, he took out the money from the pocket inside the underpants and waved it.
Xiang Hongmei quickly shook her head and said, “No, this is my money!”
“Well, I’m clever. I wrote my name on top of it!” The man kicked her shoulder, knocking her down. He then showed the front row of people the name written on the money.
“Xiang Hongmei, do you have anything else to say?” Team Leader Jiang sternly questioned, “You’re involved in adultery and even accepting money for it. Are you seeking death?”
Xiang Hongmei was so frightened that her body trembled, and she quickly changed her tune, saying, “No! I… we know each other, it’s not what you think.”
Being an adulterer might result in some criticism, but if they took money for it, the nature of the act would change, and it would be a much more serious offense. The people in the production team didn’t want their affair to ruin their chances of being selected as an exemplary production team at the end of the year, so they chose to turn a blind eye.
However, someone as wicked as Xiang Hongmei would surely be heavily criticized in any future public denunciations. It would be best if they were denounced to the fullest extent.
Team Leader Jiang couldn’t help but frown. “Alright, tie them up, and they’ll receive criticism and education tomorrow. I’ll go to the city and bring Old He back.”
As someone found a rope from the yard, he looked back and saw Jiang Yexun, who had returned at some point. Before he could speak, he saw his youngest son’s smile disappear in an instant when he met his gaze. His deep black eyes exuded an aura of aggression and sharpness as they locked onto him.
“Dad, you acted like this with another woman in public. Shouldn’t you give an explanation to my mom and me?” Jiang Yexun coldly questioned.
Being scolded in public by his son, Team Leader Jiang was so angry that he wanted to stomp his feet. But he was afraid that Su Xiaoxiao would cause him more embarrassment, so he suppressed his anger and explained, “I just didn’t react in time. If it wasn’t for Su Xiaoxiao suddenly speaking, I would have kicked her away long ago.”
“Are you trying to shift the blame onto me? Clearly, Team Leader Jiang, you were holding her without reacting, how can you blame me for speaking up?” Su Xiaoxiao was shocked, her eyes widened. Then she turned around to look at Jiang Yexun with a helpless expression.
Jiang Yexun’s eyes flashed with a hint of a smile. He hadn’t expected that by seeking revenge for Xiaoxiao and Xingzhi, he would unexpectedly gain something extra.
He patted the young girl comfortingly and then used an even colder gaze to stare at Team Leader Jiang. “Dad, you’re the one who acted shamelessly. No amount of bluster will help.”
“Unfilial child! You ungrateful child!” Team Leader Jiang clutched his chest, almost fainting from anger.
But Jiang Yexun remained indifferent and said, “It’s getting late; I’ll take Xiaoxiao back. After you’re done with things here, make sure to explain to me when you get home what your relationship with Xiang Hongmei is!”
“Explain to you? Who’s the father here?” Team Leader Jiang cursed.
But Jiang Yexun completely ignored him. He took his girl and walked out. Team Leader Jiang was furious, so he took off his muddy cloth shoes and threw them at Jiang Yexun’s head. However, Jiang Yexun caught the shoe and tossed it back at Team Leader Jiang’s face. Only after hearing Team Leader Jiang’s painful shout did he turn to look.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you who threw it. I didn’t look back.” Jiang Yexun offered a nonchalant apology.
Without giving Team Leader Jiang a chance to get even angrier, he led Su Xiaoxiao out of the house.
On the peaceful country road, Su Xiaoxiao, looking at Jiang Yexun’s undeniably uplifted lips, suddenly had a new suspicion.
“Is there any connection between Aunt Xiang getting caught and you?” Su Xiaoxiao asked.
Jiang Yexun’s eyes flickered, but as he looked at the young girl with her eyes sparkling and clear in the night, it seemed she could see all the darkness in the world. He couldn’t bring himself to lie.
However, he was afraid that Su Xiaoxiao might think he was too ruthless. So, he simply bit his lip.
“Are you doing this for me? Because she bullied me last time when you were away?” Su Xiaoxiao walked up to him, hugging his arm directly, her voice softer.
The sudden sweetness and soft touch made Jiang Yexun’s tense heart suddenly feel a warm flow.
“Do you think I’m going too far?” he asked in a hoarse voice.
“No, you’re doing this to stand up for me,” Su Xiaoxiao replied with utmost seriousness.
She wasn’t afraid of Jiang Yexun, and she didn’t think he would intentionally frame Xiang Hongmei.
Having been by Jiang Yexun’s side for decades, she knew very well his principles and bottom line.
Jiang Yexun looked at the young girl hugging his arm. Her eyes were full of trust and gratitude, and it melted his heart. He lowered his head and smiled gently. “It’s not just for you, but also for Xingzhi. If she’s still in this village, she won’t stop causing trouble until she gets the money.”
Previously, he hadn’t intervened because he considered it He Xingzhi’s domestic affair. But He Xingzhi had been so soft, enduring bullying for so many years. Jiang Yexun couldn’t allow this Xiang Hongmei to come and bully his young girl.
However, he didn’t want to place all the blame on Su Xiaoxiao. After all, this was not a good deed, and he was afraid she might feel pressured.
“Don’t worry. Although the man tonight isn’t the same as those people she used to associate with, she has done such things many times since she married into the village. If she hadn’t agreed, that man wouldn’t have come tonight.” Jiang Yexun was afraid Su Xiaoxiao might think he was clumsy in dealing with women and offered an additional explanation.
Su Xiaoxiao clung to his arm and said, “I know you’re not the kind of person who would frame a female comrade.”
Because of her words, Jiang Yexun’s lips curved into a wide smile, almost reaching his ears. In his deep and affectionate gaze, you could see joy and contentment.
As the two of them walked, they reached the entrance of the educated youth dormitory. Jiang Yexun asked warmly, “Sleep a bit longer tomorrow. Our bus leaves in the afternoon. Would you like to have lunch at the production team or at my sister’s place?”
“I need to wake up early tomorrow to see the show. They’re going to have a public intervention, right?” Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Jiang Yexun looked at her lively expression and couldn’t help but raise a corner of his lips. “Alright, I’ll bring you some food in the morning.”
He kissed the girl on his arm, and he didn’t want to let go. But when he heard people approaching, he helped her stand up.
“I’ll be leaving now. Don’t stay up too late discussing things, alright?”
“Okay, I’m not a child,” Su Xiaoxiao said with a pout, taking a few steps back to show her displeasure.
The way her eyes turned upwards, like little hooks, made Jiang Yexun’s heart, which had just calmed down, start tingling again. But with the other youth approaching, there was nothing he could do but sigh and clench his back teeth.
“Hurry inside, don’t catch a cold. I’ll leave after I see you inside.” Jiang Yexun waved to Su Xiaoxiao.
It was only when he saw the girl jumping and skipping into the house like a little rabbit that he withdrew his gaze, his mouth curling upward in satisfaction.
He wanted to turn and leave but saw the girl peek her head out from behind the door. Her face was bright with a smile.
“Brother Yexun, you’re not going to kiss me before leaving?”