Chapter 35: Disappearance and Lost Contact

Thanks to the gossipy women in the Electric Factory's family compound, news spread quickly. Soon, everyone knew that Du Huacheng, once the son-in-law of the Zhong family, had sneaked back in the middle of the night to steal a Buddha statue and had unexpectedly discovered gold inside. The Zhong family, well-known in Yue City, became the subject of the city's laughter overnight.

Those who had schemed against Zhong Xiao in the previous life all got their comeuppance. Yang Yuehe was sentenced to five years of hard labor for concealing and transferring strategic military materials, assigned to the harshest cattle shed in Western Province. Zhou Yongxin received ten years for hooliganism, first paraded through the streets for public humiliation, then sent to Yunnan Province to transplant rice. Du Huacheng, for hoarding gold and engaging in underground black market dealings, was exiled to the cold, barren frontier to reclaim wasteland, with no specified end date.

Among them, Du Ying’er, claiming to have a recommendation letter for the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University, had not yet been sentenced. However, her reputation was tarnished after being caught privately meeting a man at night, and she was paraded through the streets by the Red Committee for public shaming.

This scene was witnessed by several women from the Electric Factory. One of them pointed at Du Ying’er and said, “Oh, isn’t that the girl who was caught meeting a man late at night? She looks so young… how could she do such shameless things?”

Du Ying’er, now utterly defiant, spat at the woman. “Shameless? What, have you never seen a man? You talk as if you’re some pure maiden!”

The woman clapped her hands, “Listen to what she’s saying! I’m with my man, that’s only natural—we have the certificate! What do you have with that man? You’ve been paraded for public shame and still dare to talk!”

Another chimed in, “Come to think of it, didn’t someone say this girl isn’t married, but has had a child?”

“Yes, yes, I remember—a young girl told us. She said this woman just had an abortion and is still recovering!”

Du Ying’er’s face went pale at this. The Red Committee members heard it too and immediately interrogated her.

“Did you have an abortion? Were you pregnant?”

Du Ying’er had suffered beatings from these women over the past days, most afraid of the bearded one. She dared not admit it, waving her hands frantically, “No, no, I never was pregnant, they’re making it up, they’re framing me…”

“Oh, heavens, I’ve never framed anyone in my life,” another woman declared. “I don’t spread rumors. If someone says it, there must be evidence!”

Yet another suggested, “If she had an abortion, a hospital check would reveal it. A woman who’s been pregnant, you can tell at a glance! She certainly looks the part.”

Du Ying’er resisted fiercely, “I won’t go! I won’t go to the hospital!”

The Red Committee members, seeing her reaction, felt certain they’d found the truth. One sneered, “So bold, we thought you just tried to meet a man, but you actually got pregnant. Wait and see—even with a recommendation letter, you won’t escape hardship now.”

Du Ying’er screamed as she was dragged away. The story spread rapidly through the Electric Factory compound.

It reached Zhong Xiao’s ears in no time.

Zhong Xiao had planned to take more drastic action, but unexpectedly, the Red Committee came knocking. The leading woman glanced at Zhong Xiao. They had always kept a close eye on the Zhong family—after all, they considered the Zhong family a fat target. But now, with almost everyone gone, only Zhong Xiao remained untouched. They couldn’t push too far, especially since Zhong Xiao hadn’t broken any rules.

Recently, she had donated all the gold Du Huacheng had hidden to the Electric Factory. Even the Public Security comrades praised her ideological awareness. Everyone spoke highly of Zhong Xiao, surprised that someone raised by Du Huacheng could be so upright.

Thus, the Red Committee had no intention of targeting her. They came only to retrieve Du Ying’er’s so-called recommendation letter. If Du Ying’er truly had a letter for the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University, they couldn’t simply exile her.

Zhong Xiao, understanding their purpose, said frankly, “Alright, come with me. I’ll look for it in Du Ying’er’s room.”

They entered Du Ying’er’s room and were startled by the luxurious decor: furniture of solid redwood, jewelry and ornaments everywhere, bolts of Shu brocade and Song brocade filling the wardrobe. Anger and envy seethed within them; they loathed these capitalists and silently vowed to ensure Du Ying’er would suffer.

Zhong Xiao observed their emotions and glances—all these things in Du Ying’er’s room had been deliberately arranged by Zhong Xiao, so that if anyone ever came for an ‘inspection,’ it would add to her offenses.

After the Red Committee had thoroughly examined the room, Zhong Xiao said, “I’ve found what you’re looking for. Let me accompany you, since it’s quite valuable.”

They nodded, exchanging glances as if struck by some idea, pursing their lips as they left.

Arriving at the destination, Zhong Xiao saw Du Ying’er at once and realized she had been tormented to the point of emaciation. Her already narrow face was now gaunt beyond recognition.

When she saw Zhong Xiao, Du Ying’er rushed forward like a rabid wolf. “Zhong Xiao! Why are you here! Why did you come back! Where’s my recommendation letter? Did you hide my recommendation letter?”

“Zhong Xiao, you planned all this, didn’t you? It’s all your fault…”

Zhong Xiao said nothing, simply took a yellow envelope from her bag and tossed it onto the floor.

Du Ying’er pounced like a dog, picking it up and muttering madly to herself, “Ha! I have the recommendation letter, you can’t do anything to me, I have… I…”

Suddenly her voice broke off.

For inside the envelope were only fragments of the recommendation letter.

Staring at the shattered red seal, her hands shook violently. She looked up, eyes red, only to meet Zhong Xiao’s radiant smile.

Zhong Xiao shrugged, “I don’t know, this is how it was when I found it.”

Du Ying’er went berserk, “You’re lying! You liar! You must have torn it up! It must have been you—”

She was forcefully subdued by the Red Committee woman, who snapped, “Shout again, and I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Du Ying’er pleaded, “Please, help me! She tore up my recommendation letter, please…”

The woman replied, “We didn’t see anything. We only saw Comrade Zhong Xiao take out the envelope.”

Du Ying’er was utterly hopeless.

Zhong Xiao knew these women would surely take her side, since they were waiting for Du Ying’er to be exiled so they could confiscate all those valuables.

With this, Zhong Xiao’s final task was complete. She needn’t exert herself further; Du Ying’er would certainly be sent to the most remote and arduous countryside, wasting away her life.

Zhong Xiao turned to leave.

Just then, she noticed a woman rushing over in a panic, whispering urgently into another’s ear, “It’s over—the fighting has started at West Sea. Commander Song led the navy and armored army to the battlefield; he’s been missing for two days!”

Zhong Xiao stopped in her tracks!