Li Youqing was startled, his heart sinking uncontrollably.
"Youfeng, that’s not what I meant. You are my own sister; how could I ever force you to die? Before Mom passed, her biggest worry was you—she told me to take good care of you. How could I ever do something like that?"
Li Youfeng did not believe him for a second. "Brother! Whether you are forcing me or not, you know better than anyone. Since you walked in, I haven't heard a single word of apology. Instead, every word out of your mouth, Brother, has been a threat. I just suffered a miscarriage yesterday, and had the surgery last night. It would be one thing if you didn't care about me, but why are you rubbing salt in my wounds? Brother, are you really my own brother? We share the same mother—have you lost all sense of familial affection? Dequan held the sister-in-law hostage yesterday, but she ended up fine, didn't she? Since you keep saying she knows she was wrong, why hasn't she come to apologize? Does it mean, in your eyes, that my son’s life wasn't even worth an apology from her? Brother, you’ve truly chilled my heart this time. When the second brother saw I was hurt yesterday, he knew to come and defend me immediately, but you, my 'best' brother? You just stood on the sidelines watching the spectacle. Heh! I know what you’re here for today, and I’ll tell you straight: I don't agree."
Stung by being called out, Li Youqing became indignant. "Youfeng, how can you think of your brother like that? I have my own troubles, I..."
Before Li Youqing could continue, Ke Xiaohong sensed the situation turning sour and pushed open the door to enter.
"Aunt, the water is warm. Would you like a drink?"
Li Youfeng nodded, turning her side to ignore Li Youqing.
Left standing there, Li Youqing felt incredibly awkward. Pulling a long face, he said, "Youfeng, perhaps you're still not feeling well today and your head isn't clear. It's fine; I’ll come to see you later. I’m heading out now. Xiaohong, take good care of your aunt at the hospital, and send word home if there’s any news. I’ll have your sister-in-law bring over lunch. Take this ten-yuan note, and keep your wits about you if anything happens." He whispered the last part to Ke Xiaohong, intending for her to keep an eye on her aunt’s condition.
With her aunt watching, Ke Xiaohong promised, "Dad, don't worry! I’ll take good care of Aunt."
Li Youqing left right after.
"Aunt, my dad just gave me some money. What would you like to eat? I’ll head downstairs and buy you something." Ke Xiaohong said, waving the ten-yuan note and smiling at her aunt.
Li Youfeng was amused by her niece-in-law’s act. "Alright, alright! If your brother-in-law gave it to you, just keep it. You need to have some money on you just in case. I don’t lack anything here for now."
Ke Xiaohong hadn't expected that in this new life, she would actually receive a bit of genuine affection. Even though she knew the other woman had spoken casually, concern was still concern, and her heart felt warm. She secretly vowed that if the opportunity arose, she would offer her aunt some guidance to help her live a smoother and happier life.
Li Youqing emerged from the hospital with a dark, scowling face. Just as he entered the gates of the machinery plant, he saw people nearby whispering and pointing at him in small groups; they shut their mouths as soon as he approached. Li Youqing was left puzzled and bewildered.
Old Han, from the same workshop, couldn't stand it anymore. He walked over and said earnestly, "Old Li, sigh... you really need to keep your wife in check, otherwise, I fear your home will never know peace." He patted Li Youqing on the shoulder and walked away.
Old Han’s words, combined with the whispers he’d seen at the gate, made Li Youqing’s heart leap. *It can’t be! Has news of his family affairs spread to the plant so quickly? Who was it? Don't let me catch them.*
He was furious. The thought of it made his face grow even darker, but before he could make sense of it all, the workshop director came over to tell him the factory director wanted to see him.
"Director, what’s this about? Why is the factory director calling for me suddenly? Do you know what’s going on?" He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his bag to offer, but the man pushed it away.
"Don't! Don't try that with me; I don't want it. You know clearly what this is about." With a huff, the director turned and walked away.
Watching his coworkers staring at him, Li Youqing broke out in a cold sweat. He felt so embarrassed he wanted to crawl into a hole, and he practically fled the workshop. Along the way, he felt the scornful, pointed looks of others. In nearly twenty years of work, he had never been so humiliated.
He walked to the factory director’s office in the administration building with a grim face, using his hands to rub his cheeks vigorously until he forced a smile.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
A deep voice came from inside. Li Youqing pushed the door open and stepped in. The director glanced at him, then returned to his paperwork. Left standing on the sidelines, Li Youqing felt extremely anxious, unable to guess the director’s intentions.
After waiting for about an hour, his legs were getting sore, and just as he was about to shift his weight, the director’s eyes scanned over like a radar, making him dare not move again. The director finally set his work aside.
The director slowly capped his pen, rolled his shoulders, and leaned back in his chair. In a flat, indifferent tone, he asked, "Do you know why I called you here?"
Li Youqing shook his head.
"Please enlighten me, Director. I’ve been personally overseeing this latest batch of goods for the plant; I’ve checked every single one, and the workshop director checked them too. Logically, there shouldn't be a problem, right? Is the client unhappy with the goods?"
"The goods are fine, the client is very satisfied. Think again," the director said.
Hearing it wasn't about the goods, Li Youqing wondered if it was about his family affairs. But the director was such a busy man—he shouldn't be concerned with an employee’s personal life. Li Youqing couldn't be sure.
"Still haven't thought of it? Hmph."
"Please enlighten me, Director."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a book fell from the sky, slamming into Li Youqing’s head with a "thud." An angry voice roared from across the desk:
"Enlighten you? Li Youqing, oh Li Youqing, you really are something! Do you have any idea how malicious the impact of your family’s affairs is? Our plant’s reputation is ruined because of you—where do you expect me to put my face as director? You caused your own sister to have a miscarriage? Is forcing one life to its end not enough that you planned to force your own mother to hers as well? Tell me, who gave you the guts? Huh? Even I, as the factory director, wouldn't dare act so lawlessly. You really are something, Li Youqing. If this were the old days, you’d be headed straight to hard labor!"
Li Youqing dropped to his knees with a thud and pleaded, "Director! Director! I really didn't force my sister to do anything! I really didn't! I’ve been wronged! I’ve been wronged!"
The director looked at him with disgust. "Don't shed those crocodile tears in front of me. I don't want to hear it. You aren't working today—go home and get your sister’s situation sorted out before you come back!"
With a wave of his hand, he chased Li Youqing out.
Just as he stepped outside, Xiao Zhao from the security department rushed over and grabbed Li Youqing, pulling him toward the stairs.
"Uncle Li! Come with me quickly! There’s an old man and an old woman at the gate with a few daughters shouting for justice! They’re saying you owe their family a life. The comrades from the Women’s Federation are already there, and they’ve been looking everywhere for you. Hurry up and come with me!"
The moment he heard that Old Mrs. Lin was at the plant, Li Youqing turned to run, but an old man was no match for a young man’s strength. He couldn't shake him off after a long struggle and was forced to follow.
"Li Youqing! Give me back my grandson’s life!"