Chapter 494 - 481: Evil Deeds
No matter how you looked at it, Zheng Changsheng was full of surprises. When they first saw him, they thought he had fallen on hard times, that he’d come begging for food. Now, it turned out he was a boss.
And it was true. Once he took off his outer cotton-padded jacket and pants, the clothes he wore underneath were clearly not those of someone down on their luck.
He now had hundreds of thousands of yuan. This was no small sum. Although luck played a part in Zheng Changsheng earning so much money, it was undeniable that he was also very capable.
The Zheng Changsheng of today was wealthy, handsome, and had no family burdens. It would be a simple matter for him to find a woman—even a young, beautiful, unmarried girl. Yet, he had still come here to find Lin Shuying. This showed that Zheng Changsheng was a loyal and sentimental man.
"Did you come straight from Guang City?" Lin Shuying asked Zheng Changsheng.
"No, I went back before the New Year to tend to my parents’ graves. I spent the holiday in the village and stayed a few more days before coming here."
Zheng Changsheng didn’t hide anything. This was the first time he had returned to the village since he left. There was nothing in the village for him to miss, except for his parents’ graves. He had to go back to see them.
Lin Shuying fell silent. Since the day she left that place, she had never once asked for news about it, so she knew nothing of what had happened in the village. She didn’t particularly want to know, either. ’As long as my own life is good, that’s all that matters.’
Zhongshan and Xinghua exchanged a look. Uncle Changsheng had come from the village. ’I wonder how things are over there? Did that widow, Chang Juhua, have the baby? Was it a son? How is Zheng Daniu?’ They had no idea. They wanted to ask but didn’t know how to begin.
"How are things in the village? Did she give birth to a son?"
They didn’t ask, but Gu’er did. She was still curious. In fact, she knew that her aunt and the others wanted to know too, but just felt it was awkward to ask.
Zheng Changsheng glanced at them and said, "The baby was born, but it was a girl, not a son. I heard that when the midwife told Da Niu it was a girl, he cursed for a long time before storming out to get drunk, completely ignoring Chang Juhua. Da Niu wanted a son, so he made life difficult for her. With Shuying gone, Chang Juhua felt the house was hers and no longer bothered to humor Da Niu like she used to. The two of them were always fighting. A few times, Da Niu even hit her. Chang Juhua’s crying and screaming brought the neighbors over to mediate, but Zheng Fuzi sided with Zheng Daniu and told Chang Juhua to behave."
"Later, Chang Juhua went to the market and somehow got involved with an unmarried young man in his twenties from the next village. When Zheng Daniu found out, he nearly beat her to death. She cursed him, calling him a good-for-nothing and saying that getting with him was the worst luck imaginable. She even brought you up, yelling that it was all Zheng Daniu’s fault you ran away and that she wouldn’t take his abuse like you did. That just made Zheng Daniu angrier, and he beat her viciously again. Once she had mostly recovered, she snuck away one night. You could say Zheng Daniu literally beat her until she ran for good. She abandoned both children at the Zheng Family’s home. Chang Juhua didn’t take either of them with her."
After speaking, Zheng Changsheng sighed and continued, "When I went back, I saw Chang Juhua’s other daughter. The child isn’t even six yet, but she was covered in bruises from Da Niu’s beatings. He kicked her out of the Zheng Family home, and now she survives in the village on the charity of others, sometimes full, sometimes starving. It’s a pitiful sight. But her mother has vanished, and no one can find her. The Zheng Family doesn’t want her, so who would dare take her in? As for the daughter Chang Juhua had with Zheng Daniu, her fate was even more pitiful. Although Zheng Daniu didn’t throw her out, he was drunk out of his mind every day and paid no attention to the child. That baby actually starved to death. What a tragedy."
Everyone was shocked by Zheng Changsheng’s story. They had never expected such an outcome. They’d figured that if she had a girl instead of a boy, life might get difficult for Zheng Daniu and Chang Juhua, but they never imagined it would turn out like this.
But on second thought, it made sense. People always say mistresses are better—gentle, considerate, generous, and fun—and that they easily capture a man’s heart, while wives are just annoying. Many say that’s because you don’t see a mistress every day. You aren’t always together, and there’s the thrill of a secret affair. Both sides show only their best selves, which is why it feels so good.
But once a mistress becomes a wife, all those good qualities vanish, and she becomes just as annoying.
Wasn’t that exactly what happened with Zheng Daniu? He used to despise Lin Shuying, so he brought the charming little widow home. He doted on her and did whatever she said, thinking she was perfect. And now? Lin Shuying was gone, but he couldn’t get along with the new woman either. The widow was no longer gentle and charming; she had become a tramp. They fought every day, he beat her every day, and in the end, the widow cheated on him, abandoned her children, and ran away.
’This little widow was even more ruthless than Liu Fang. How could she abandon her children? She knew what kind of person Zheng Daniu was. Wasn’t she afraid her daughter wouldn’t survive? Even if she’s living happily somewhere else, won’t her conscience torment her?’
’And the daughter she had with Zheng Daniu actually starved to death. That was an innocent life.’
"He’s not even human! Back then, he wouldn’t even let me look after Zhongshan, and Zhongshan was a boy! They’re worse than animals."
Lin Shuying was furious.
Zheng Zhongshan also hadn’t expected this. He looked at his mother. ’If it weren’t for Mom looking out for me no matter what, I probably would have died long ago with a father like that.’
Xinghua felt the same way. She felt no familial bond with Zheng Daniu, only deep disgust.
"Before I left, I gave Er Lingzi’s family some money and asked them to take that child in. At the very least, to give her a bowl of rice and a place to stay. If her mother ever remembers her and comes back to get her, fine. If not, I’ll give Er Lingzi’s family some money every year from now on, just to make sure she survives. No matter what, the child is innocent."
After speaking, Zheng Changsheng looked at Lin Shuying.
"You’re right. Yes, I hate Chang Juhua, but without her, I’d probably still be suffering in that village. In a way, she set me free. This is all a mess created by adults; the children shouldn’t have to suffer for it. You did the right thing."
Lin Shuying nodded. ’Even though the child belongs to that widow, she’s done nothing wrong. The adults are the ones at fault. One child has already starved to death. Now that I know about this one, it’s only right to help.’
Zheng Changsheng smiled at Lin Shuying. He knew she was a person who distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges. She was also strong. Despite all the bitter years she had endured, the kindness in her heart hadn’t been extinguished.
Gu’er also sighed with emotion. She had never expected such an ending. ’Life is truly unpredictable.’
"What about Zheng Daniu? What’s he up to now?"
Gu’er felt that Zheng Changsheng hadn’t finished his story. She also knew that even though Zheng Daniu had let the child starve to death, he wouldn’t go to jail for it. There were no such laws back then.
Zheng Changsheng glanced at Gu’er, surprised that she had realized he wasn’t finished. Everyone else had thought the story was over.
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Thank you to Snow Under the Maple Tree for the Golden Pig, thank you to Dong Han Yue for the peace charm, thank you to lichu for the monthly ticket, and thank you all for your support.