Chapter 42: Riding a Minibus to a Fight
Director Luo gave Su He a few words of encouragement, then said, “Xiao Su, you can ride my bicycle back to the village later. And let your team leader know there’s a meeting tomorrow—he needs to attend, and so do you.”
“Oh, and tell him to bring the team’s ox cart too, so we can haul the fabric scraps back.”
Su He had been hoping to borrow a bike to return anyway—Director Luo’s words were exactly what she needed.
She had just turned off onto the road to Huangxi Village when she saw another bicycle coming from a side path—it was Su Yongguo and Old Su.
Su Yongguo’s face was bruised and swollen, with one eye puffed up like a walnut.
“Dad, what happened? Who hit you?”
Trying not to worry Su He, Su Yongguo forced a smile—but the pain made him suck in a sharp breath instead.
Old Su explained what had happened.
Yesterday afternoon, the Lü family came by ox cart. Old Su and Yongguo were working in the fields, so only Old Madam Su and Su Yufen and her child were home.
Old Madam Lü arrived with her six sons, aggressive and threatening.
As soon as she entered the house, she started berating Su Yufen:
“Dear in-law, it’s not that I’m unreasonable, but who smears their own husband’s name like that?
Your precious daughter is unbelievable—she wants nothing more than to ruin Xingwang and drag the whole Lü family’s name through the mud!
Xingwang argued with her a bit, and she ran back home crying!
I’m not here for anything else today—I’m taking her and my grandson back with me.”
Old Madam Su was a typical paper tiger—tough at home but scared of outsiders. Faced with the menacing Lü brothers, she faltered and was quickly shut down by Madam Lü.
Then Madam Lü turned to Su Yufen:
“Yufen, what do you say? I’m not threatening you, but whether you want to or not, you’re going back today!
You’re our family’s daughter-in-law—you can’t just live with your parents!”
Seeing that her mother wouldn’t stand up for her and her father and brother were away, Su Yufen had no choice but to go back with the Lü family, swallowing her grievances.
As soon as the Lü family left, Old Madam Su rushed to the fields to inform Old Su.
He wanted to chase after them, but clearly couldn’t catch up.
So this morning, Su Yongguo rode his bike with Old Su to the Lü house to demand an explanation.
When they got there, they saw Su Yufen in even worse shape—her face more bruised and she was limping. Clearly, she’d been beaten.
Old Su and Yongguo were furious.
But they were outnumbered. Not only could they not teach Lü Xingwang a lesson—they ended up getting beaten by the Lü brothers instead.
If they hadn’t been worried about Old Su’s age, they probably would’ve beaten him too.
Su He was furious and anxious:
“Grandpa, didn’t it occur to you to bring more people?”
Old Su hung his head:
“This is our family’s business… wouldn’t be right to trouble others.”
Su He let out a breathless laugh.
“Grandpa, why do you think I invited the team leader to dinner? I wanted him to stand behind our Su family! To put it bluntly, you’re just too proud for your own good! Go home for now, I have something to handle before I return.”
Yongguo worriedly asked, “Big girl, what are you going to do? Don’t act rashly!”
Su He snapped back, “You think I’m like you and Grandpa? I never do anything stupid like an egg smashing against a rock!”
The two men wilted.
Despite being her elders, both were a little scared of Su He at this point and slunk back to the village.
Su He took a deep breath and rode back to the commune.
First, she returned the bicycle to Director Luo, saying her dad had come to pick her up.
Then she headed to Gao Hong’s house.
Gao Hong had previously given her the address, and since the commune was small, it was easy to find.
Gao Hong had just returned home and was surprised to see Su He.
“Girl, what brings you here?”
Su He’s eyes were red.
“Sister Gao, my dad got beaten up. No matter what, I have to get justice!
Can you ask Uncle Yu if he could take the car out for me?
Don’t worry—I won’t let you run for nothing. Besides fuel costs, I’ll give each of you ten extra yuan.”
Gao Hong scolded her lightly:
“What kind of talk is that? Are we sisters or not? You don’t need to be so formal. Taking the car is no problem. Come on, I’ll take you to find Uncle Yu!”
Yu Changjiang was just as straightforward—he drove the minibus straight to Huangxi Village.
Su He told them to wait in the car, then went directly to the back field where the villagers were working.
Team Leader Chen Youde looked a bit uneasy seeing her—he had heard about the Su family incident, but since Old Su hadn’t said anything, he felt it wasn’t his place to step in.
Su He calmed herself and said, “Team Leader, I’ve secured three orders for our commune. Because I begged hard, Director Luo agreed to allocate more work to our village. That’ll mean extra income for the villagers.”
Chen Youde’s eyes lit up.
“Really? Su He, you’ve done great for the village!”
“Team Leader, I’m here not only to tell you that—but I also need a favor.
The Lü family not only dragged my aunt back, they beat my father too. I can’t let that slide.
Can you lend me the village’s strong men? I want to bring them to the Lü house and demand justice.”
Chen Youde didn’t even blink.
“Even if you didn’t ask, I was planning to gather folks. They think our Huangxi Village has no one to stand up? I’ll get the ox cart ready!”
“No need,” Su He replied. “I borrowed a minibus. We’ll ride straight there!”
Chen Youde: …Ride a minibus to fight? The Su family really knows how to make an entrance.
Su He added, “Tell everyone to bring tools—no knives needed. Wooden sticks, hoes, that sort of thing will do.”
The moment villagers heard there was a fight, and that they’d be riding a minibus to it, they didn’t even need much convincing.
Soon, the minibus was packed.
Su He’s face was cold and resolute—
Today, she was going to teach the Lü family a lesson. Let’s see if they’d ever dare touch anyone from the Su family again.
