Chapter Seventy-Eight: Xiagezhuang Village

The journey, originally expected to take three hours, dragged on for a full four; the road out of the Forty-Nine Cities was truly indescribable, jolting them so much their bones felt as though they’d come loose. Chen Liang and Borba, each with their own bicycle, rode from a little after eight in the morning until well past noon, finally arriving at Xia Ge Zhuang Village in Langfang.

As they pushed their bicycles into the village, they caused quite a stir. Despite the dust on their faces, it was clear to the villagers that these two, dressed in patch-free clothes and sturdy leather shoes, had come from the city.

The clever children of the village hurried off to fetch the village chief, while the less quick-witted ones simply followed behind, trailing after the visitors. Chen Liang stopped, propped up his bicycle, and pulled a handful of big White Rabbit milk candies from his small satchel, waving to the children to come closer.

“Come here, everyone. Your big brother has a quiz. Whoever answers correctly gets two candies.”

With a rush, the children crowded around Chen Liang.

“Ask me, brother! I know everything!”
“He’s lying—I know everything! Ask me instead!” ...

“Alright, one at a time. Let’s start with you,” Chen Liang said, pointing at the liveliest child.

“Is there a girl named Yue Hehua in your village?”

“I know, I know! That’s the youngest aunt in Third Uncle Yue’s family.”

“Good, here are your candies.” Chen Liang handed the child two pieces.

“Is Yue Hehua kind to you all?” Chen Liang asked another child.

“She’s very nice! When she cuts pig grass in the summer, she always shares the mulberry fruits she picks with us. And she’s really good at it—she always cuts more grass than anyone else!”

“Here are your candies,” Chen Liang said. “Your turn—tell me, is Yue Hehua’s family good to her?”

The child hesitated, but with the promise of candy, he answered, “Third Uncle likes to drink. When he does, he hits Hehua. My mom says sometimes Hehua doesn’t get enough to eat and her stepmother drives her out to work!”

“Really? Here’s your candy.” The child, still lingering after receiving his reward, looked at Chen Liang with longing eyes. “Brother, can you ask me another question? I have two younger sisters at home.”

“Well! Aren’t you a good big brother? Here, take two more candies!” Chen Liang handed over the treats, and the child bowed happily. “Thank you, brother!”

A well-mannered child, much better behaved than the previous ones.

Turning to the fourth child, Chen Liang asked, “Do you know if Yue Hehua is engaged to anyone?”

If only the fourth child could curse, he’d probably have sent Chen Liang’s whole family packing. The earlier questions were so easy, but now he was being asked about marriage arrangements—what did a little kid know of such things? Face flushed and tears welling up, the child shook his head. “Brother, I don’t know. Can you ask me something else?”

“You don’t know? That’s fine. This candy is for you, a reward for your honesty.” Chen Liang handed him a piece.

He then asked the group, “Does anyone know the answer?” All the children shook their heads.

So be it. Chen Liang passed the rest of the candies to a bigger child. “Comrade, would you please help distribute these? One each. Any leftovers are yours.”

Aside from those who had already received candies, seven or eight little ones hadn’t gotten any. Hearing Chen Liang’s words, they cheered, lined up, and went to collect their share.

Clearly, it was best to ask the children for information; the adults would only spin tales and play games.

While Chen Liang quizzed the children, Borba stood nearby. When they spoke of Yue Hehua’s kindness, his face lit up like a simpleton from a landlord’s family. Hearing about her being mistreated, he grew dark and brooding, as if ready to mete out justice and teach his future father-in-law a lesson.

Just look at him—this fellow, always ready to pummel someone’s father-in-law. Who would dare marry their daughter to him? With fists as big as sandbags, who could withstand them?

But when Chen Liang asked whether Yue Hehua was promised to someone, Borba became pensive and melancholy. In just a short time, his expressions shifted as dramatically as a performer in a Beijing opera.

By now, Chen Liang had gathered enough information. In his mind, he could picture Yue Hehua: not a naïve, sweet little flower, but a girl with sharp wits, likely forged by her stepmother’s oppression. If he guessed right, she was already engaged—but dissatisfied with her match. That explained her attempt to enter the city with her cousin, hoping for a final chance, only to be betrayed and nearly disgraced, then rescued by Borba, who returned her to her family.

The Yue family, it seemed, was just like those infamous relatives in women’s novels—every one of them a handful.

As they prepared to move on, three or four people emerged from deeper within the village. The leader, upon seeing Chen Liang and Borba, hurried over.

“Comrades, I am the team leader of Xia Ge Zhuang’s production brigade. Is there something you need?”

It was no wonder he was nervous. The nearest city was the Forty-Nine Cities, and Chen Liang and Borba were dressed in dark blue winter police uniforms—an intimidating sight.

The Security Department of Red Star Steel Mill was an armed, organized unit. Back in the sixties, their authority often exceeded that of the local police. Whenever factory workers had issues, they went to Security instead of the police, unless the district bureau or city bureau intervened; only then would Security transfer cases.

So, in those days, there was no need to envy the police. Anyone with connections was placed in the factory Security Department.

“Hello, Comrade Team Leader. We’re from the Security Department of Red Star Steel Mill—here are our credentials. We’ve come to speak with Comrade Yue Hehua and understand her situation.”

After all, news of Yue Hehua being harassed had likely spread throughout the village already.