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Chapter 314: Chapter 304 Retribution for Evil
In June, Shen Yunfang suddenly received two letters from Gaijiatun, one written by Dashuan, the other by Uncle Shen.
Dashuan’s letter talked about family matters, discussing food and land, and included some village gossip. At the beginning of the month, the village accountant, Li Hongjun, was arrested, reportedly after someone tipped off the authorities about him embezzling the state’s collective grain. There was even a special investigative team sent down to look into the matter, saying the situation was very severe and the authorities intended to handle it strictly. It looked like the accountant, Li Hongjun, wasn’t getting out anytime soon, and now his wife and children go to the brigade every day crying, claiming his innocence.
The villagers felt sorry for her and her children but there were those who were secretly delighted. With Li Hongjun arrested, there was nobody to do the accountant’s job in the village; someone else would have to be chosen to take over the position, so behind the scenes, people were already eager and ready to take action.
After reading the letter, Shen Yunfang let out several snorts of cold laughter, squeezing out the word "Deserved" from her mouth. Allowing him to report her back then, it serves him right. Today, it was his turn to rot in prison.
She cursed the accountant to herself in silence, feeling much better after letting it out. Ever since she learned that someone had reported her, she had been repressing her anger. Thinking about the harm these people could bring to her and her children, she wished she could drag them in front of her and give them a good kicking, but reality wouldn’t allow her to act on these wishes.
Without evidence to accuse these people of their despicable actions, it was just heresy, and going to confront them based on that would be pointless. No one would admit to anything and she’d just end up irritating herself even more.
So, in the end, she decided to stop thinking about it. She firmly believed that evil people would eventually receive their just deserts. And now, it seemed her belief was correct; without her having to lift a finger, these people had one by one fallen into misfortune.
Hmm, hmm, hmm, Shen Yunfeng, Li Hongqi, just wait—your turn will come sooner or later.
Feeling cheerful, Shen Yunfang also opened the letter from Uncle Shen. After reading it from start to finish, she put down the letter and lay on the Kang bed, letting out three silent laughs (as Pangpang was sleeping). Sure enough, just as she had predicted, those who had wronged her were getting their comeuppance.
Although Uncle Shen wasn’t specific in the letter, the vague words were enough to suggest that Shen Yunxiu wasn’t having a very comfortable time since returning to the city, which was why Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen were planning to go to the Capital to see her. Knowing Yunxiu as she did, Shen Yunfang guessed that Yunxiu probably clashed with her in-laws not long after arriving in the city, and, unable to outmaneuver the Fang Family, now wanted Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen to come and support her.
"What are you doing, can you even breathe buried under the quilt like that?" Li Hongjun asked upon returning home to find his wife lying on the Kang bed with her face hidden under the quilt, genuinely puzzled. After ensuring their son was sleeping soundly beside her, he began undressing while inquiring.
"Oh, you’re back, huh? Early today, aren’t we?" Shen Yunfang raised her head when she heard Li Hongjun’s voice. Her cheeks were pink from laughing, making her exceptionally beautiful. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Li Hongjun’s gaze darkened upon seeing his wife like this, "It’s not early, it’s almost six o’clock." He took off his shoes getting ready to climb onto the Kang bed to discuss some important life matters with his wife.
However, when Shen Yunfang heard it was already six o’clock, she quickly got up from the Kang bed, put on her shoes, and dashed toward the main room, "Ah, it’s that late already? Wait for me, I’ll start cooking dinner right now. I’ve already prepared the dough; we can have boiled noodles tonight."
Watching his wife’s retreating figure, Li Hongjun shook his head helplessly, bent down, and planted a hard kiss on his son’s little hand. Unable to kiss his wife, he settled for his son instead.
Shen Yunfang had the dough ready in no time and made the braised dish by the afternoon; she carried two large bowls into the room where the couple slurped their meal contentedly.
The dish Shen Yunfang prepared today was green bean and diced pork braising, with a few eggs cracked on top. The flavor was simply irresistible.
After the meal, Shen Yunfang cleared the table and showed the letter to Li Hongjun.
"You really guessed it, Shen Yunxiu might have had a better time in Gaijiatun, but if she goes back to the city with Fang Chengjian, her good days are over," Shen Yunfang said while washing dishes in the living room, chatting with Li Hongjun inside.
With Shen Yunxiu’s foul temper, she’s annoying wherever she goes. Without the protection of Uncle Shen and Auntie Shen, who would put up with her? She’ll eventually drive everyone away.
"Also, Dashuan said that Li Chengji was reported and is now detained. Rumor has it that he might be convicted and locked up for a few years. Serves him right. I feel quite relieved that he’s finally getting what he deserves," Shen Yunfang remarked bitterly.
Li Hongjun didn’t say anything but read the letter carefully again before a faint smile appeared on his face, there’s one more thing.
"Hey, what do you think my uncle means by sending me this letter? Knowing that Shen Yunxiu and I don’t get along, why tell me all this? Isn’t Auntie afraid I’ll gloat behind her back?" Shen Yunfang walked into the room after drying her hands.
"I don’t know, probably just wants you to have a laugh," replied Li Hongjun indifferently.
Isn’t it obvious? Uncle Shen got scared. He might be influential in Gaijiatun, but outside, who knows who Shen Yeqing is? He says he’s going to the Fang Family to support his daughter, but the old couple must be feeling insecure. Thinking that Li Hongjun has many comrades, there might even be some in the Capital. Even if they don’t do anything, just having someone in uniform stand there could help support the scene.
He knew about the friction between Shen Yunfang and Shen Yunxiu. When Li Hongjun returned home, he made his stance on this issue and Shen Yunxiu clear, so Uncle Shen knew that Li Hongjun wouldn’t get involved if he directly addressed him. So, he thought of letting his niece relay the message to Li Hongjun. He believed that despite the conflicts between Yunfang and Yunxiu, these were just internal family disputes. Now given Yunxiu’s situation, Yunfang definitely couldn’t just ignore it; the girl was soft-hearted. If Yunfang heard Yunxiu was struggling, she would surely become anxious and speak on her behalf in front of Li Hongjun. That way, the matter would be settled.
Uncle Shen had a good plan, but he really didn’t understand Shen Yunfang thoroughly.
First, Shen Yunfang was indeed soft-hearted, but towards those who wanted to harm her and her child, she was implacably unforgiving. Knowing Shen Yunxiu was not doing well didn’t elicit her sympathy; instead, she reveled in schadenfreude, not knowing how many times she said "serves her right." Second, Shen Yunfang had made it clear to Uncle Shen and Auntie Shen, she and Shen Yunxiu were like fire and water, she utterly despised Shen Yunxiu, and there was no chance of a future reconciliation. Uncle Shen actually took it lightly, still believing that the sisters’ conflict was temporary and would resolve over time.
So even Shen Yunfang, with her clever mind, couldn’t immediately grasp her uncle’s convoluted thoughts.
However, having said that, even if she did understand, she wouldn’t follow through with Uncle Shen’s wishes. Not encouraging Li Hongjun to add fuel to the fire was already decent of her; expecting her to return evil with kindness was wishful thinking.
