The Zhang family acted quickly. Early the next morning, Zhang's father planned to go to the police station and the Revolutionary Committee.
The reason why they went to both places was that Zhang's father was worried that the police station would not be able to handle the case.
This is also normal. During the movements in recent years, the functions of police stations and grassroots organizations in many places have been replaced by revolutionary committees.
But what he didn't expect was that when Zhang's father arrived at the police station, he found an acquaintance to talk to about the situation.
The other party first looked concerned and said, "Mr. Zhang, this is a good thing. Your daughter has changed her mind. Aren't she going to have a good life in the future?"
They were all old friends who had known each other for many years. They all knew that Zhang's father's daughter was a love-brained person who would disown her parents for a man. However, in front of him, the old friends were still happy for Zhang's father.
When people get older, they will understand that the greatest blessing is to have children who save them trouble.
Father Zhang sighed, "Who says it's not true? I just hope she can come home safely. Even if she doesn't get married, she will have something to eat at home. It's better than being a slave in someone else's house."
"That's right. By the way, what was the name of the man your daughter is dating?"
Father Zhang: "His name is Xu Lei. He lives in the old district. He has parents at home. He used to work as a waiter in a state-owned restaurant. Later, he got into trouble for some reason and sold his job. Old Jiang, can you take this case? The neighbors saw it. The guy hired a young woman to come to his house for questioning. How could it be false?"
The old friend nodded and said, "That's fine. It's a crime of hooliganism. Xiaoyun, remember to cut off all ties with her and don't get implicated. As for the rest, we need to ask that person, what's her name? Sun Mei."
Father Zhang thought it was a good thing that he arrived first. After a while, his wife and daughter would go to discuss the matter with the person named Sun Mei, and both sides would be able to get things done.
The old friend smacked his lips and said, "This Xu Lei... the name sounds strangely familiar."
Before Zhang's father could say anything, the old friend slapped his thigh!
"That's what I thought! Xu Lei! Xu Lei! Isn't that him?!"
"Old Zhang, wait for me for a moment. I'll go report it. Wait!"
The old friend quickly ran into an office, and after a while he came out on a bicycle: "Come on, Lao Zhang, come with me to the headquarters!"
Zhang’s father:
He didn't understand why, so he could only follow his friend.
When they arrived at the place, they saw an old policeman coming out to greet them.
"Lao Jiang, are you telling the truth? Can he really be caught by that person?"
The old policeman hadn't slept well in the past few days. He was so anxious that someone in his group even came up with a bad idea. They said that they heard that Xu Lei had an affair with two lesbians whose conduct was not so clean. Some people also said that the two lesbians left the door half-closed. It would be better to arrest the two lesbians and get confessions from them to arrest Xu Lei.
But the old policeman rejected this proposal. First, it was difficult to catch someone with bad work style. Unless you caught them in bed, it would be hard to make a decision. Second, he thought there was no need to drag him into the water. Xu Lei's case was already complicated enough. If he introduced other things, it would alert the enemy.
Who knows if this guy has any other tricks up his sleeve
Just when I was worrying about it, I suddenly received a call saying that there was some clues! I could find a way to arrest Xu Lei without alerting the other party!
The old policeman was both excited and thrilled!
Lao Jiang nodded: "Let's go in and talk!"
As soon as he entered the room, Lao Jiang's hand was held by the old policeman: "Hurry up and tell me!"
Lao Jiang briefly introduced the stories of Zhang Yun, Xu Lei and Sun Mei, and the old policeman's eyes lit up.
"Okay, okay, let's not delay any further, let's go catch him now!"
Father Zhang was confused as he listened to this. How could this... was it necessary to make such a big fuss just to arrest someone
Look at all the policemen in this room, they are all smiling. Is it that serious
Old Jiang didn't say anything to Zhang's father. He just took advantage of the others going out to whisper to Zhang's father, "You should hurry back and tell your daughter to behave properly. Don't keep in touch with her anymore."
The matter involving Xu Lei is not a trivial matter. If Zhang Yun is a little soft-hearted later on, she will easily be implicated.
After all, they have been married for ten years. If they want to say they know nothing, they need to show their attitude and provide evidence.
Father Zhang shuddered and became awake, his back instantly covered with sweat.
He responded, walked home in a daze, and slapped his head halfway.
It's bad! My wife and daughter went to look for Sun Mei! I hope nothing bad happens!
…
Let's talk about Zhang Yun. Zhang's mother seemed to be a kind person. She took her daughter to Sun Mei's family compound. After a short while, she became familiar with everyone there and found out everything about the character of the Sun couple.
After returning, he said to his daughter, "I asked clearly, and it's almost the same as what your father said."
In fact, it was even worse than what Zhang's father said. Few people in the compound could like Su Sanmei, not to mention Sun Mei's father. The couple had the worst popularity in the compound.
Zhang's mother: "That's good."
The worse Sun Mei's parents are, the greater the chance that Sun Mei will agree to their conditions.
Sure enough, Zhang's mother found a few children to lead Sun Mei out and went to a secluded place to negotiate terms.
Sun Mei came home in a daze yesterday, and now she looks like a zombie.
She felt that her life was over. Her parents took the money and didn't care about her reputation at all. Even if Xu Lei was a piece of shit, the dirty water on her body was not necessarily clean.
That would not be all. Her parents told her last night to sell her temporary job in the spring so that she could go to the countryside.
Sun Mei looked at her parents and felt that they seemed so strange.
In the past, she only knew how to bring glory to her parents, but now she realizes that if she cannot bring benefits to her parents, they will throw her away like garbage.
Sun Mei looked at Zhang Yun in front of her, and Zhang Yun also looked at Sun Mei.
The two of them were completely different people, but they came together because of a man.
She, Zhang Yun, had parents who were one in a million, but she had been deceived for ten years.
Sun Mei, on the other hand, has a pair of rotten parents and an uncertain future.
Zhang's mother: "My purpose for coming here is very clear. I hope you can come forward to testify against Xu Lei. As long as you can prove Xu Lei's death, we will help you with your life."
Sun Mei murmured, "Help me with what?"
Zhang's mother: "Help you get rid of your parents."
Zhang's mother: "We can give you a sum of money, not much, but enough for you to use when you go to the countryside. Then we can also arrange for you to go to a relatively wealthy place to join the production team. You know, joining the production team is not the same as joining the production team. In some wealthy places, not only is there enough food and drink, but life is not very inconvenient."
For example, there is a brigade in the commune under their county town. In recent years, they have planted medicinal herbs. I heard that just relying on medicinal herbs, every household can now save money! In addition, they have built a school, ensuring that most children are in school.
A place like this is a good place.
Sun Mei said nothing.
Zhang Yun saw that her mother was getting anxious, so she patted her mother's hand and said, "Let me tell you."
Zhang Yun stood in front of Sun Mei and said, "Comrade Sun, what I said yesterday was wrong. I hope you don't take it to heart."
Sun Mei hasn't reacted yet.
Zhang Yun reminded her, "I'm sorry for saying you lied."
From yesterday till today, no one, neither Xu Lei, the instigator, nor her parents, has ever said sorry to Sun Mei.
Everyone was blaming her, as if it was all her own fault and she was too stupid. As a result, now only Zhang Yun, who was also a victim, said sorry.
Sun Mei sobbed softly, and her crying became louder and louder.
Zhang Yun held her mother's hand and waited quietly for her to finish crying.
Sun Mei: "I do."
Sun Mei sniffed: "I am willing to come forward. As long as Xu Lei can be punished, I will do anything."
Mother Zhang was overjoyed: "Okay, then in the afternoon, no, now, can you go to the police station with us?"
She was afraid that Sun Mei would regret it.
Sun Mei had no regrets about her home and said firmly, "I can do it."
She didn't go back to get her things, nor did she go back to say a word. She knew that her parents were not at home yet and they had gone to the Xu family to ask for money, but she didn't intend to inform her parents.
In fact, Sun Mei felt that what was behind her was not her home at all.
"Aunt, after I come forward, I hope you can find me a place to live. After the Chinese New Year, I will follow the first batch of educated youth."
Zhang's mother: "Sure, no problem. The house my son was allocated is a single room, and it's still empty. You can move in. Don't worry, I will give you everything I promised you."
Several people hurried to the police station, but when they arrived they learned that someone had gone to arrest Xu Lei.
The police kept Sun Mei to take a statement, and Zhang Yun also gave a testimony.
Not long after, the police who went to arrest people came back.
Not only Xu Lei was captured, but also Sun Mei's parents. Aunt Xu was holding Xu Dabao and crying behind them.
When Sun's father saw his daughter, he flew into a rage: "Sun Mei! Tell everyone quickly that our family has nothing to do with Xu Lei! Why did they arrest us?"
Su Sanmei was so frightened at first, but when she saw her daughter, she rushed over to hit and scold her: "Well, is it you? Did you have someone arrest your father and me? You are an ungrateful, heartless person!"
Xu Lei was terrified. He discovered something bad. Sun Mei and Zhang Yun were actually sitting together. They were not even in a hostile state. It was obvious that they were waiting for the result together in the police station.
Aunt Xu didn't care about much at this moment and was almost kneeling in front of Zhang Yun.
"Xiao Yun! You can't be so cruel! How can you be so cruel? How can you report a man? Aren't you heartless? Don't you want Dabao anymore?"
…
The room was filled with so much noise that the police were completely confused.
The old policeman rubbed his brows and said, "Separate them."
It's not good enough if they are not separated. The affairs of several families are mixed together. It's so noisy, just like a supply and marketing cooperative where people are robbing goods.
The police came over and separated them. The Sun couple was taken to the other side, and Xu Lei was detained alone. The family members were left with a few minutes to talk.
Sun Mei's side was easier to deal with. She asked the police why they arrested her parents.
The policeman had a hard time describing it. "We went to arrest someone. Your mother said she hadn't paid yet, and she wanted Xu Lei to give her two hundred. Then the aunt of the Xu family disagreed, and the two of them started fighting, and they almost bled. Your father also went up to ask for it, and the fight got out of hand. When we went there, it was just the tail end of the fight."
Sun Mei was in a daze: "How long will they stay?"
Police: "At least five days. Our people went to stop them, but your mother beat everyone without any discrimination."
So strictly speaking, Su Sanmei's behavior constituted assaulting a police officer.
It is not unfair to be detained for five days.
Sun Mei breathed a sigh of relief. If it was five days, that was just right. She could stay at home first, and then go to ask the educated youth point after five days. At worst, she could go to the countryside alone. In previous years, some people went very early. One year, she heard that they went as early as New Year's Day.
Her parents were still cursing, but Sun Mei's mind was far away.
Su Sanmei cried and made a fuss, but finally she got the news that she had to be locked up for five days, which was like a bolt from the blue!
Father Sun became even more dazed.
He has been locked up for five days, and when he gets out, he will have to miss two days of work!
Their factory only allows one day off on the first day of the Chinese New Year, so it doesn't matter if he goes late, but if he goes late because of the lockdown, then everything will be over!
Sun's father threw himself on the iron gate, tears streaming down his face. "Comrade! Please help me, I still have a job and a family to support! Can you be flexible, give me three days! Three days please?!"
As long as it's three days, he won't delay his work. Even if the news that he had been inside spreads, he can still say that he was implicated by his wife.
Police: "What are you thinking? We are just following the rules. What you did is very bad."
In other words, the Xu family could hardly protect themselves. If not, the Xu family could have sued them for robbery.
Going to someone's house to rob money, isn't that just waiting to be punished
Father Sun collapsed to the ground, and everything was over.
He has been imprisoned, and he may have difficulty finding a job when he gets out.
All the family’s income is gone, how are we going to live
On the other side, the Xu family was also making a fuss.
To be precise, it was Aunt Xu who was making trouble.
She knelt in front of Zhang Yun and begged for forgiveness: "Xiao Yun, please forgive Xu Lei! Don't you want a divorce? We agree! As long as you don't sue!"
Zhang's mother pulled him away: "Don't think about it."
What did her daughter do to get a divorce? Just cut off the relationship. People like Xu Lei should come in and stay here!
After being rejected, Aunt Xu quickly pulled her grandson over to act pitiful: "Look at Dabao, look at Dabao. Xiaoyun, do you want Dabao to be without a father? Do you have the heart to let Dabao bear his father's reputation in the future?"
Zhang Yun's heart was broken. She squeezed out a sentence from her throat with difficulty: "I will take good care of Dabao..."
Aunt Xu: "What are you talking about! You are not the child's father! Dabao is the root of our Xu family, and he only has Xu Lei as his father! Dabao, Dabao! Come here and tell your mother! Tell her not to sue!"
Zhang Yun couldn't help but touch her son's head: "Dabao, let me explain..."
"I don't want to listen to you! You are a bad woman! You are not my mother! I don't want to recognize you!"
Xu Dabao slapped Zhang Yun's hand away, his eyes filled with deep hatred.
Zhang Yun was stunned: "Dabao?"
Xu Dabao had already thrown himself back into his grandmother's arms: "I don't want you! You're not good to me! You always say things about me, not letting me do this or that! I don't want you! Go in and bring my dad back! I want my grandmother and my dad! My last name is Xu!"
Zhang Yun felt as if she were in ice and snow. This was her son? This was the child she had raised with so much effort
However, Zhang's mother looked at the so-called in-laws with disgust, took her daughter and turned away.
"We won't give up! Your child's last name is Xu, so you should just raise him!"
What's the point of raising such an ungrateful kid!
Zhang's mother took Zhang Yun away, leaving behind only Aunt Xu, whose face was covered in sweat.
Aunt Xu was both annoyed and scared: "Why did you say that? That's your mother!"
Xu Dabao looked puzzled: "But... Grandma, you said that!"
Aunt Xu suddenly remembered everything she had said to her grandson.
"Your mother won't let you play, look how mean she is!"
"Your last name is Xu. Remember, your father and I are the ones who love you the most in our family."
"You are such a good boy, how could your mother be so ungrateful and always find fault with you!"
…
Aunt Xu fell back and heard someone's voice.
"Fuck! Why is this old lady still fainting? Isn't this just adding to the trouble?"
For those who lived in the same compound with Xu Lei, this day was a bit too busy.
First, the Sun family came to ask for money, and then they raised the price on impulse, and then they started fighting with the Xu family. Just when Aunt Liu was about to go up to stop them, the police came, and there were four of them.
Four policemen took everyone away, leaving only Old Man Xu behind, because Old Man Xu was in poor health and was lying in bed.
The remaining few were taken back to the police station.
Xu Lei was taken away!
The news spread quickly as if it had wings.
"I said his wife would definitely not agree to it. Look, she got rid of him."
"It's what he deserves. A man like him who relies on his wife and dares to have affairs outside is just asking for death."
"He deserves it! He should be locked up. What kind of person is he? He has ruined the reputation of our area!"
…
Wang Ying learned the whole story from beginning to end, and with the help of first-hand information from Chen Dong, she quickly pieced together a correct conclusion.
“You deserve it!”
Wang Ying clapped her hands in approval. Isn't this a good thing? Xu Lei was arrested, Zhang Yun went back to her parents' home, and although Sun Mei was going to work in the countryside, it looked like she wouldn't be too bad in the future.
As for Sun Mei's parents, Xu Shuang's nominal third aunt and uncle, Wang Ying did not show any favoritism at all.
"It's good that the two of them are in prison. Those who want to sell their daughters should be taught a lesson!"
Sun Mei is miserable enough, but now she has to be bullied by her parents. They really have no mercy at all.
Xu Shuang handed Wang Ying a prepared candied bean roll: "I'm afraid it will be ripe in the next few days."
Xu Lei was put in jail, and it was for a matter that had nothing to do with kidnapping. His accomplices are now like blind men groping in the dark, and their vigilance is not high at all.
As long as they take action, the police will arrest them quickly.
Wang Ying blew air into her palms: "Catch him quickly, we will feel at ease after we catch him."
Otherwise I'd always worry that this group of thieves would cause more trouble.
Xu Shuang turned the topic back to the main business of the family: "What would you like to eat for New Year's Eve dinner?"
Today is the 29th, and tomorrow is the 30th. People who are more particular would probably start preparing today, but their family is small, so they haven't had time to arrange the menu for tomorrow night.
Wang Ying counted on her fingers and ordered the dishes: "There is still one yellow croaker, let's make yellow croaker noodles, and the duck can be made into roast duck? And we have some chicken at home, but we don't want to eat fried chicken, so let's make chicken meatballs."
Xu Shuang: "Add two more dishes, one is eight-treasure rice, and the other is sea emperor vermicelli casserole."
The Eight Treasure Rice Pudding is made to suit Chen Dong’s taste. Chen Dong is actually from the south and still likes to make a bowl of Eight Treasure Rice during Chinese New Year. The Sea Emperor Vermicelli Pot is a simple version made by Xu Shuang, and the ingredients used are all cheap substitutes.
Dried shrimps are used instead of prawns, scallops and abalone are omitted, and some eggs and mung bean sprouts are added. Although the ingredients of the vermicelli pot are simple, the taste is quite good. It is one of Wang Ying's favorite dishes recently.
The preparations for the New Year’s Eve dinner started early, and Xu Shuang and Chen Dong were busy. There were enough ingredients at home, enough for the two of them to cook.
It was fine for them, but other families were busy gossiping about the Xu family while doing their work.
At this moment, Xu Lei, who was locked up, was also a little panicked.
It would not be a big deal if Zhang Yun sued him, but the key point is that if those people couldn't bear it anymore and came out and were caught, then he would be finished.
Whenever Xu Lei thought of this possibility, his legs went limp with fear.
He thought that when he was brought in for interrogation, he would try to get out first no matter what. Even if he couldn't get out, he would inform his parents and not let those people act rashly.
However, the police seemed to have forgotten about him. No one came to interrogate him, and no one was allowed to visit him.
Xu Lei was locked up, simply locked up.
I was locked up like this for more than a day.
The police station finally got the news.
"Leader, those people are moving. They plan to take a group of people away tomorrow morning on the first day of the lunar year."
The old policeman's eyes sparkled: "Okay!"
Just waiting for them!