Chapter Seventy Lesson

  But they still seemed to have some doubts in their hearts, and they all looked at Liu Jianjun, as if they wanted to get a definite answer from him.

  Liu Jianjun saw Du Guoping and naturally understood the meaning, so he didn't care about it anymore. He loudly scolded them: "As soon as I entered the door, I told you that it was Mayor Leng, who came specifically to visit Xiaowei. Look at what kind of mess you two are making! Is this something a human being would do?"

  The last hope in the hearts of this couple was also shattered. The township party secretary would not deceive them with such things. In fact, just by looking at Secretary Liu's humble attitude, it can be guessed that he is not a big official from the city, and as a township secretary, why would he do so?

  Both of them were shocked, and Liu Jianjun said something behind him, but they didn't hear it at all. Especially Fang Qin, thinking that she had just shouted at the mayor, her heart was filled with anxiety, and her feet felt weak. She didn't know what kind of punishment or revenge would come back later. Her two eyes turned left and right, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, trying to slip away unnoticed.

  "Halt!" The voice behind her was stern but not loud, yet to Fang Qian it was like a thunderclap, stunning her and making her eyes dim. Her legs went weak and she fell to the ground with a thud, crying as she kowtowed to Leng Yunfei: "Mayor Leng, I was wrong, it's all my fault, I didn't recognize your greatness, please forgive me this time." Where was the fierce and overbearing woman from before?

  Xiao Jiefang was already stunned, his mind a complete blank, while Liu Jianjun, Du Guoping and Xiao Wang all looked at Fang Qin with cold eyes. A woman like this wasn't worth anything, they didn't feel the slightest bit of sympathy or pity for her.

  Leng Yun pulled the timid and shrinking Xiao Wei, her face cold as she looked at Fang Qin, then glanced at Xiao Jiefang, saying sternly: "I don't want to interfere with your family affairs, but abusing children, cheating them out of their interests is a crime. I will intervene."

  If someone else told them that this was a crime, Fang Qian would definitely jump up and spit in his face, shouting: "You say it's a crime, then it's a crime! Do you think the police station and court are your family's? If you have the ability, call them to arrest me! I'm just thinking of going to prison to eat the government's free food..." But when these words came out of the mayor's mouth, it was completely different.

  Fang Qin was immediately frightened, seemingly without even the strength to kneel, and collapsed to the ground motionless. Xiao Jiefang's face also turned deathly pale, his legs trembling uncontrollably, his mouth twitching nonstop, unable to utter a word.

  Xiao Wei was twelve years old, and she already understood things quite well. She knew about her aunt's abuse, but there was nothing she could do. Overnight, her mother had disappeared, her little sister had disappeared, and their home had disappeared too. What else could she do except stay at her uncle's house? However, no matter what, she didn't cry. She was very strong and determined to keep on living strongly.

  She also knew that this seemingly majestic uncle must be a high-ranking official, sitting in such a beautiful car, and the other uncles were very respectful of him. But he was really good to her, she could see it from the way he looked at her, inside there wasn't the pretentiousness like others, his eyes had genuine affection, heartache, fondness, and many more, making her feel a strong sense of closeness, feeling warm. At this moment, holding her hand, just like when her father held her hand when she was little, so warm, so cozy. Her father had passed away for a long, long time, to the point where she almost forgot what that feeling was like, but at this moment, she felt it was so clear and deep.

  Although I detest my aunt and uncle, and this family, now that I see this uncle wanting to punish them, it seems I have some reservations. If they really go to jail, what will happen to my cousins? Will they repeat the mistakes of their own past?

  Xiao Wei gently pulled on Leng Yunying's sleeve, her eyes full of pleading as she looked at the high-ranking official who had always been kind to her, hoping he would spare her uncle and aunt.

  Leng Yun understood the meaning of Xiao Wei, and while praising Xiao Wei's kind heart, she also hated the evil deeds of this couple. However, she didn't want to make Xiao Wei sad, so after a moment of contemplation, she said: "The harm you've caused Xiao Wei is not worth mentioning even if you were sentenced to several years in prison. But since Xiao Wei has pleaded for you, I won't pursue your responsibility either. This time, I came to take Xiao Wei away with me. I don't trust leaving her in your care, so I'll adopt her as my goddaughter. From now on, she'll live with me, and I'll treat her like my own daughter. You two don't need to worry about anything else."

  Xiao Jiefang and Fang Qin, the couple, were overjoyed when they heard that the mayor wouldn't pursue them, and they felt grateful and indebted. How could they dare to have any other thoughts? Moreover, the mayor wanted to adopt Xiao Wei as his goddaughter, which was a blessing for Xiao Wei. The couple naturally quickly agreed without hesitation.

  Fang Qin was praising the mayor's great kindness and generosity, but in her heart she was thinking: this little Wei is really lucky to have risen to such a high position, why can't my own daughter have such good fortune? If she could become the mayor's goddaughter, then I as her mother would be related to the mayor, and when I go out, which of these village and township officials wouldn't treat me like a revered ancestor?

  Jian helped Xiao Wei tidy up a bit, but there wasn't much to clean up anyway, just a few clothes and some textbooks. Although her aunt's family had replaced them with new ones, Xiao Wei hadn't gone back to school. Her uncle and aunt couldn't bear to spend that little money, but she still hadn't given up on her studies.

  Watching Leng Yun bring Xiao Wei out of the house, Xiao Jiefang and Fang Qin finally let out a long sigh of relief. The majestic momentum, the ups and downs of the plot development, the fearful emotions, truly made these two people not dare to breathe loudly, fearing that if they were not careful, they would suffer a disaster. Now that the mayor and Xiao Wei have left, they can finally put their minds at ease, feeling as though their backs are drenched in sweat. It's a truly complicated yet relaxed feeling, like being reborn after a calamity.

  "The consolation money left by the Hong Kong company for Xiaowei..." Du Guoping walked to the end and coldly mentioned the money, causing the couple's hearts to jump into their throats. They stared straight at Du Guoping, fearing he would take the money away. This person who could come with the mayor must also be a high-ranking official in the city. If he really took the money away, the couple wouldn't dare say anything, but it would hurt more than having flesh carved out of their hearts.

  "That money can be left to you, and it's also a way for Xiaowei to show her respect. However, the fake ones in the city should be replaced immediately. The living expenses that have been received should also be returned. I will personally oversee this matter. If it is not handled within three days, you will have to spend the New Year in prison." Du Guoping gave them a severe look before turning around and chasing after Leng Yunqiu.

  The couple looked at each other with bitter faces, neither knowing what to say. The two hundred yuan that the Hong Kong company had subsidized for Xiaowei's living expenses in Changfu was wasted, and the one thousand yuan from her elder brother-in-law could only be returned, although it was a pity, but what could they do? That person's last glance before leaving seemed to see through himself, as if seeing into his soul, making him shiver without being cold, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, who dared to try again whether what he said was true or not.

  Although the elder brother is not good at talking, this is also an inevitable thing. Would he dare to confront the government?

  On the bus, Liu Jianjun asked Du Guiping with some curiosity: "Secretary Du, what did you just say to them?"

  Du Guoping glanced at Leng Yun and Xiao Wei, mentioned the matter just now, then said indignantly: "They are really too much, I just went to help Xiao Wei clean up things, only to find out that they let Xiao Wei live in a corner of the storage room where firewood is stored, with only a straw mat, thin and tattered sheets and quilts, not even a good cotton quilt. In such cold weather, I really don't know how Xiao Wei has been getting by these days?"

  "Next to the junk room was their cowshed, and between the two rooms there was only a half wall, it was really dirty and smelly, and the roof of the house was also leaking wind. I couldn't stand it for just a few minutes. I think they must have had their conscience eaten by dogs, why don't they go live there themselves? Why don't they let their own children go live there?"

  Liu Jianjun also looked indignant and scolded, "This is really not a human thing." Then he complained, "It's also because Du Mi has such a good heart. If it were me, I wouldn't leave them a single penny. Leaving it to them is no better than feeding dogs." This isn't because Liu Jianjun ate leopard gall and dared to openly provoke Du Guoping, but rather that sometimes using this method can quickly narrow the distance between people. Whether what he said was right or wrong doesn't matter; what's important is that he positioned himself within this circle.

  Du Guoping was younger than him, but who among those working alongside the mayor didn't have a clever mind? He didn't say anything, just gave him a look with some deep meaning and smiled.

  Leng Yun looked at Little Wei beside her and smiled, saying: "I think Xiao Du did a good job, let's just say it's for Little Wei's sake, benevolence and righteousness are fulfilled, and Little Wei doesn't owe them anything anymore."

  Xiao Wei didn't say a word, but her big eyes blinked at Leng Yun Ai, and her thin body squeezed closer to him in a show of affection.

  Seeing Xiao Wei willing to get close to him, Leng Yun's mood also improved greatly, and he stroked Xiao Wei's head with a hearty laugh.

  The mood of others in the car revolved around Leng Yun, now that Leng Yun's mood was good, everyone else relaxed too. The originally somewhat oppressive and gloomy atmosphere in the car suddenly became cheerful, as if the rain had just stopped and the clouds had parted to reveal a bright and sunny sky filled with warm and gentle sunlight.