He Xiaoya wanted to explain further but was stopped by Zhang Xiaobei.
"Sister-in-law, listen to me, we have nothing to fear if we have a clear conscience. We must trust the government. The government will certainly give us justice. Take good care of yourself at home and don't worry about me. I'll be back soon."
Watching Zhang Xiaobei being taken away by the police, He Xiaoya collapsed to the ground. At that moment, she felt as though her whole world had crumbled.
She didn't know about others, but she knew Zhang Xiaobei too well. He was definitely not the kind of person to harm others for money.
But what was the use if only she knew this? Who would believe her?
Just when life was starting to look up, why did this have to happen?
Could it be true, as others said, that she was really jinxed?
No, she had to save him, no matter the cost, even if it meant risking her own life.
With that thought, He Xiaoya quickly got up from the ground and stumbled out of the door.
By evening, He Xiaoya dragged her exhausted body back home, limping.
In the span of an afternoon, she had run through the entire village, but had received nothing but scorn and ridicule. Even her own relatives were no different.
What should she do? Was there really no way out?
"Is anybody home?"
No sooner had He Xiaoya sat down inside her house than she heard someone calling her from the yard. Not daring to delay, she quickly wiped the tears from her face and went to open the door.
But when she saw who it was, she couldn't help being surprised. She hadn't expected the visitor to be Meng Qingdong's uncle, Meng Changhe.
Why would he come at this time if not to take advantage of their troubles?
"Village Chief, is there something you need?"
"Such a big incident has happened to your family, and the whole village is in an uproar. As the Village Chief, it's only right that I come to check on things, isn't it?"
Meng Changhe didn't wait for He Xiaoya to invite him in; he walked right into the house and found a chair to sit down.
"Village Chief, Xiaobei is innocent. You, as our Village Chief, are highly respected and know a lot of people. Could you please think of a way to help? We were wrong before, and when Xiaobei returns, I will definitely bring him over to apologize to you."
"There's no need for that, talking like this among fellow villagers is too formal!" Meng Changhe crossed his legs and kept tapping his fingers on the table. "I've looked into Xiaobei's case a bit, it's indeed a big one, but..."
He Xiaoya hadn't held much hope initially but now, hearing Meng Changhe's words, it seemed like there might be a chance for improvement. This reignited a flicker of hope in her heart.
"Village Chief, please speak directly if there's any difficulty. As long as Xiaobei can be saved, anything will do!"
Hearing this, Meng Changhe took a long look at He Xiaoya.
"Xiaoya, how about this! Don't be too anxious. I'll go back and hold a meeting, to think of a solution properly. Come to my house tonight, and I will tell you the outcome."
At these words, He Xiaoya's heart skipped a beat. Meng Changhe was a bachelor; his wife had been dead for five or six years.
His children were married off and lived in the county. To go to his house so late at night...
He Xiaoya was reluctant to agree, but saving someone was like putting out a blazing fire; every minute she delayed could put Zhang Xiaobei in danger.
"Well ... all right then! I'll come ... I'll find you tonight!"
Meng Changhe left the Zhang family home with a spring in his step. As soon as he turned the corner, a shadow pulled him into the darkness.
"Uncle, did our plan succeed? When is He Xiaoya going to marry me?"
Seeing that it was his nephew, Meng Changhe's face darkened, and he lowered his voice to scold, "Meng Qingdong, how old are you now? Why are you still so clumsy in what you do? Don't you know that scaring people can scare them to death?"
"Uncle, I was just anxious."
"Anxious about what? Things aren't as simple as you think. You think capturing Zhang Xiaobei will settle everything, but don't forget, you filed a false report."
"Uncle, if I didn't do it this way, how could I have dealt with Zhang Xiaobei? Without doing this, would He Xiaoya agree to marry me?"
"How about this! He Xiaoya hasn't agreed yet, I'll work on her a bit more, you go back and wait for the news." Meng Changhe glanced at his nephew with annoyance and left briskly.
...
At night, Meng Changhe stood at the doorway, constantly peering outside on tiptoes.
When he saw He Xiaoya's graceful and delicate silhouette approaching, a greedy smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Xiaoya, you've finally come, come in quick, come in quick."
To welcome He Xiaoya that evening, Meng Changhe had dressed up specially, not only putting on a new set of clothes but also having shaved his beard so clean that even the stray hairs on his head were neatly combed.
"Village Chief, no need to be so busy, I came to ask about Xiaobei."
Watching Meng Changhe fetching chairs and pouring water, He Xiaoya felt uncomfortable all over.
"No rush, have some water first. This is top-quality Longjing tea, I prepared it especially for you." Meng Changhe stared at the beauty before him, not even noticing the drool leaking from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing Meng Changhe's sleazy look, a wave of unease rose within He Xiaoya, "Village Chief, if there's no result, then I should leave. Let me know when you have news."
Just as He Xiaoya was about to turn and leave, Meng Changhe, like a dog in heat, suddenly embraced her from behind.
"Xiaoya, I've missed you for so long. From now on, stay with me. As long as you're with me, I guarantee you a life of luxury, a million times better than living with the Zhang family..."
"Meng Changhe, you bastard, let go of me right now, or I'll start screaming." He Xiaoya struggled desperately.
"Scream then! Don't forget this is my house! What are you, a widow, doing not sleeping at night and coming to my house? What's your intention?" Meng Changhe countered disdainfully.
"You... you bastard!"
"Xiaoya, listen to me, you want to save Zhang Xiaobei, right? Just satisfy me tonight, and I guarantee he will be released tomorrow. Otherwise, prepare to claim his corpse. Practicing medicine without a license, accidental death, extortion of money, when these crimes are stacked, he could be sentenced to death!"
"..." Remembering Zhang Xiaobei, He Xiaoya's strugging body stiffened, the past events vivid in her mind.
When she was poisoned and on the brink of death, it was he who, regardless of his own safety, sucked the poison out for her.
When she was humiliated, it was he who stepped forward without hesitation to protect her.
Though they called each other nephew and aunt all these years, her heart...
Rather than letting him die, it might be better to...
Seeing He Xiaoya stop struggling, Meng Changhe immediately softened his tone, "Xiaoya, think about it, just once, and you can exchange it for Zhang Xiaobei's freedom. And I promise, I won't let a single word of this slip. How about it? Promise me."
"You... are you telling the truth?" He Xiaoya asked with quivering lips, softly.
"Of course, I swear on the heavens if you don't believe me." Meng Changhe agreed with his lips, but in his heart, he had already made his own plan. As long as he could take advantage this time, he did not believe He Xiaoya could ever escape his clutches.
"Just once! Only this once, and afterward you must never bother me again!"
"Yes, yes, just once, only once," Meng Changhe, while greedily inhaling He Xiaoya's scent, readily agreed with his mouth full.
Feeling those devilish hands reaching for her, He Xiaoya slowly closed her eyes, and two tears silently slid down her cheeks.