Chapter 105: Song Qing Is Captured

After lunch, Wen Mubai went out to work again. However, he only showed up briefly in the fields, then excused himself to go to the restroom and never returned. Instead, he headed straight up the mountain, moving purposefully in one direction.

After about an hour’s walk, he arrived at a rundown wooden cabin in a remote spot. This cabin had once served as a resting place for hunters but had long been abandoned; the door was hanging off its hinges. Wen Mubai peered through the broken door and easily took in the scene inside.

The cabin had been tidied up. Song Qing was busily moving about, making chestnut cakes. Wen Mubai smiled faintly. He had always been cautious, even when dabbling in shady dealings, never letting anyone see his face. Except for once—when a mischievous child had yanked his scarf during a sale, revealing most of his face. After that, he never dared to sell goods there again.

By chance, he noticed Song Qing often frequented that place, though he hadn’t thought much of it. But considering how careful he was, it was clear someone had leaked his side business to Liu Liyun. Even if he was wrong, it didn’t matter; he intended only to be an upright man.

Taking a long look at Song Qing, Wen Mubai vanished behind a rock. When Song Qing’s cakes were done, she placed them carefully into a large wooden box, humming happily. She knew the mountain paths well, choosing secluded trails as she carried the box down to town. Wen Mubai followed her all the way.

Seeing her enter a house in town smoothly, Wen Mubai’s smile grew brighter. That was the home of the very child who had pulled his scarf. He could have dodged the child’s grasp then, but if he did, the child would have run into a wall. It seemed the family had done it deliberately.

Now that the location was confirmed, the matter became straightforward. That evening, Wen Mubai told Tang Banxia, “Honey, I’m heading out tonight.”

“Again?” she frowned. “It’s best to keep a low profile these days.”

“I’m going to settle this tonight. Don’t worry.” Wen Mubai put on his hat and scarf.

“How do you plan to handle it?” Tang Banxia asked.

“You’ll see soon enough.” Wen Mubai smiled mysteriously, giving her no chance to ask more, and swiftly climbed over the wall.

He called on Hu Qixin and Sun Wenming, and the three of them returned to the dilapidated alley. Wen Mubai employed his usual tactics and sought out Baldy Gouzi.

With limited time, he got straight to the point: “Gouzi, tomorrow at 3 p.m., take the Revolutionary Committee members to Qingli Alley. The third house is involved in profiteering. Make sure to catch them red-handed.”

“You okay?” Baldy Gouzi eyed him suspiciously. “Since when did you become so helpful?”

“Just do as I say.” Wen Mubai handed him a hairpin. “Or watch your reputation suffer.”

Baldy Gouzi huffed in anger. That sly wolf cub!

After giving his instructions, Wen Mubai waited to see how the scene would unfold.

As expected, Hu Dashan, now transferred to the commune, hurried back that afternoon. His first move was to find Song Lao San’s family. Wen Mubai immediately brought Tang Banxia to witness the spectacle.

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the matter was nearly over. Hu Dashan forcefully took Song Lao San to the commune.

News of Song Qing’s profiteering spread quickly through the village, stirring shock and chatter.

Song Qing? That Song Qing?

Everyone still remembered her as the shy, hardworking girl from before. Even after her dispute with Old Lady Song, most thought the old woman had been too harsh, forcing the girl to rebel.

No one expected that quiet girl to dare engage in profiteering.

When the news broke, Wang Siyun laughed aloud to the sky: “I told you she was involved in profiteering, but none of you believed me!”

Since breaking her leg last year and being ostracized by the educated youth at the commune, she had moved out and had been almost invisible in the village. Remembering the days of being gossiped about, how could she not harbor resentment? She had only spoken the truth.

Yet that black-hearted Song Qing had turned the tables, accusing her of holding grudges and fabricating stories to tarnish her name. Later, Song Qing even threatened her with her background, leaving Wang Siyun helpless and bitter.

Now, divine justice had come. Let’s see how Song Qing would twist the truth this time.

Wang Siyun took leave immediately and went to the commune. Even if she couldn’t see Song Qing’s misery, seeing her father’s would be enough to vent her anger.

Next on her list was Liu Liyun.

One night, under cover of darkness, Wen Mubai knocked on the wooden door of the educated youth’s commune.

Xu Guiming, opening the door, nearly choked on the sight of Wen Mubai’s striking face. But Wen Mubai gave him no chance to react—one swift kick sent him sprawling.

This time, however, he was more reasonable: just one kick, then told him to fetch Liu Liyun.

Xu Guiming dared not ask questions and obediently called Liu Liyun out.

Liu Liyun tried to flee upon seeing Wen Mubai, but he wouldn’t allow it. Yet now he had his limits—hitting a woman was not right.

So, he pointed at Xu Guiming. “You hit her!”

Xu Guiming: !!!

Wen Mubai chuckled slyly, “If you don’t, I will.”

It was easier to hit a man without guilt.

Xu Guiming felt like vomiting, but seeing Wen Mubai ready to fight, he dared not resist. He had no choice but to face Liu Liyun’s furious glare and deliver a kick.

Wen Mubai scolded, “Haven’t you eaten?” Xu Guiming shivered and kicked again.

Wen Mubai smirked, “You’re quite protective of her, huh?”

Xu Guiming swung his arm and slapped Liu Liyun across the face.

“Keep going!” Wen Mubai urged.

Xu Guiming wanted to cry but couldn’t, so he complied.

For a while, the little courtyard echoed with Liu Liyun’s curses and Wen Mubai’s occasional remarks.

Only once Wen Mubai felt he had vented enough did he step forward slowly. “Do you know why you’re being hit?”

Liu Liyun glared at him with hatred.

Wen Mubai smiled lightly. “If you’re not afraid of death, keep it up.”

With that, he turned and left. Glancing at the people inside the house, he sneered silently and walked away.

But the next day, he learned he had been reported.

Wen Mubai laughed in anger. He had planned to let her off lightly, but apparently, she didn’t value his compassion.

He said no more and sent a letter directly to Zhang Sino’s home.

Zhang Sino was an educated youth who had come to the countryside with Liu Liyun. Though her family was just ordinary workers, they cared deeply for her.

However, shortly after arriving, she married a violent man from Muzi Village. Within six months of marriage and while pregnant, she jumped into a river, ending both their lives.

The incident caused a huge stir, and the police immediately arrested the abuser, making him pay dearly.

But that couldn’t heal the Zhang family’s grief.

Previously, Tang Banxia had spread word through Sister Hu’s network about Zhang Sino.

As far as she knew, Zhang Sino’s hasty marriage was orchestrated by Liu Liyun, who had set the violent man up, turning a bad situation into an irreversible one.

Later, Liu Liyun even urged Zhang Sino to give in, warning that the scandal would harm her family.

After learning this, Wen Mubai investigated Zhang Sino’s address to be prepared.

And now, it seemed, his precaution was about to be put to use.