Volume One, Chapter 14: You’re Looking for Me

“County Magistrate Gao, maybe I should go out and take a look first!” Gao Qiming, usually the epitome of composure, caught a fleeting trace of panic on the county magistrate’s face—though it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

“No need. You stay here. I’ll go see for myself.”

That single sentence shattered all of Gao Qiming’s hopes.

He could already imagine the expression on the county magistrate’s face when he saw Zhang Dana.

How was he supposed to explain?

He had always prided himself on his cleverness, yet before he could devise a strategy, the county magistrate had already entered the room with three others and a small child cradled in his arms.

Upon entering, Gao Qiming barely had time to greet Zhang Dana before the county magistrate brusquely dismissed him.

“Xiao Gao, there’s nothing more for you here. You should go back.”

The kerosene lamp flickered, casting an obscure atmosphere in the room.

Liu Qiaohui’s body was tense, her chest rising and falling as she dared not breathe too deeply.

Ye Ling’s large eyes darted around, carefully observing everything and especially the man before her—a man of stern demeanor, clad in a Zhongshan suit, with a resolute face and perpetually furrowed brows.

“Brother Zhang! You wanted to see me!”

Old Zhang shifted slightly and pushed the trembling Liu Qiaohui forward.

“Yes, Magistrate, this is a villager from Yushan Village. She… she has something she wishes to ask for your help with.”

Many came to the magistrate seeking assistance.

But today, the county magistrate sensed that this matter was no ordinary petition.

“You want to see me?”

“Yes, Your Honor… no, Magistrate, I… I want to ask for your help!”

Standing with his back to Liu Qiaohui, the county magistrate remained silent. For the first time, under immense pressure, Liu Qiaohui recounted her story clearly and thoroughly. She spoke at length, so much so that Xu Gouzi, standing nearby, wondered if she was perhaps saying too much.

Yet, even after she finished, the county magistrate had not turned around, only flicking away several cigarette butts.

Silence.

An indescribable stillness.

So quiet that Zhang Dana dared not shift his feet, and Xu Gouzi suppressed even the urge to cough.

Liu Qiaohui was even more nervous; after finishing, she did not dare raise her head.

She did not know whether the county magistrate had understood, nor whether he would choose to help her.

One cigarette butt after another was discarded onto the floor.

No one dared utter a word.

Ten minutes later, the county magistrate finally dropped his cigarette and turned around.

He first uttered a simple apology, and those words struck Liu Qiaohui with such force that her face drained of color.

“County Magistrate Gao, you… you haven’t… you wouldn’t!”

“What haven’t I?” The county magistrate sighed deeply. “As the head of this county, managing orphan affairs is already a challenge for the people. Yet, in handling these matters, I failed to consider that such things could happen. I did not seek to understand the situation immediately and allowed you all to come to me late at night to explain everything. This is my dereliction of duty.”

His words stunned the three in the room—everyone except Ye Ling.

For the first time in her life, she truly understood what it meant to feel respect.

“County Magistrate Gao… you mustn’t say that… we…”

Even Xu Gouzi, usually quick with words, stammered, unsure how to respond.

“No need for further words. Your name is Liu Qiaohui, correct? Very well, you should return home for now. In a few days, I will personally visit Yushan Village to resolve your matter.”

“Thank you, County Magistrate Gao! Thank you, County Magistrate Gao! Thank you!”

Tears brimmed in Liu Qiaohui’s eyes—tears of gratitude, excitement, and a touch of hope.

This surge of emotion spread to Xu Gouzi, so that on the journey back to Yushan Village the next day, despite the biting wind and snow, a smile never left his face, nor did the vigorous flicking of his whip falter for a moment.

“Sister, you can rest easy now. The magistrate’s given his word—there’s no problem with your case!”

“Mm.”

Liu Qiaohui smiled, clutching Ye Ling tightly in her arms. The fierce cold seemed less biting now.

“Giddy-up! Wife, I’m back!”

Xu Gouzi shouted into the sky, the horse galloping swiftly, hooves kicking up layers of white snow. At last, Liu Qiaohui felt life had found new meaning. But what she did not know was that this hopeful feeling would last only half an hour.

At the doorstep of Liu Qiaohui’s home in Yushan Village, a commotion was unfolding like a grand drama.

“Oh! What’s going on here?”

“What’s going on? Didn’t you see? The Jia Zhang family is moving in!”

“Really? Liu Qiaohui hasn’t even come back yet! And didn’t I hear from the village chief that if Liu Qiaohui doesn’t return, the house will be confiscated?”

“Confiscated? Don’t make me laugh. You think the Jia Zhang family doesn’t have their schemes? I heard just after the village chief announced the confiscation, they were already pushing their old cart inside. That Jia Zhang family sure has guts, defying the village chief’s orders! This is going to be interesting!”

“Yeah! What a show! Hey, look, the village chief is coming!”

The gossiping women’s chatter drew everyone’s attention.

Everyone saw clearly.

The village chief approached with a scowl, turning his small steps into long strides. Reaching Liu Qiaohui’s doorstep, without a word, he delivered a solid kick to the Jia Zhang’s already rickety cart.

The cart shattered instantly, scattering its contents across the ground.

Jia Zhang was no easy foe.

Hearing that her second son’s house was to be confiscated had already filled her with anger. Now, seeing the village chief kick her cart, her fury boiled over. She spat words with no regard for his authority.

“Gao, are you out to get my Liu family or what?!”

“Get your Liu family? Hmph. Jia Zhang, do you want to defy me, the village chief? The committee just announced that Liu Qiaohui’s house will be confiscated, yet here you are moving in. What’s your game?”

“What game? This house belongs to my second son. His wife left, so it rightfully belongs to my Liu family. You want to confiscate it? On what grounds? I’m telling you, Gao, don’t even think about laying a hand on my Liu family. I know exactly what you’re up to. If you push me, Jia Zhang, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Jia Zhang ground her teeth, every hair on her body standing on end, like a mother hen ready to battle. Her eyes burned with deadly intent. She glanced at Shen Cuilan, who stood frozen nearby, and shouted fiercely:

“What are you standing there for? Move it inside, now!”