The place where Yan Xiaomai stayed this ti was quiet. The mother and son set up a table outside, gluing paper boxes while basking in the sun, creating a slightly warm scene from afar.
Seeing Tian Xiang approaching, Yan Xiaomai was very pleased and even poured her so hot water.
Tian Xiang: "The Second Neighborhood Committee is forming a new handicraft group, mainly focused on making paper bags. It doesn’t take up much space. It starts on the first of next month. You can go over and pick up so work then."
Yan Xiaomai nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Tian."
Tian Xiang chuckled twice.
Thanking without sincerity just sounds insincere.
Yan Xiaomai felt a bit awkward, thought for a mont, and said again, "Thank you for helping Zhiqiang switch shifts."
There was no need to think; she knew it was Tian Xiang who helped.
Tian Xiang: "It’s a small matter, no need to ntion it. I just feel a bit sorry for Du Zhiqiang, coming here with you without any outco. I don’t know how long he can hold on."
Yan Xiaomai squeezed the glue brush in her hand and smiled reluctantly.
Tian Xiang also knew these words were unpleasant to hear, but she had to say them. She needed Yan Xiaomai to support her performance.
Tian Xiang: "I heard from Chairman Jiang that your late husband was twelve years older than you. You married him at eighteen when he was already thirty."
Yan Xiaomai nodded, "Back then, he went to the town’s cable factory as a master bringing along apprentices. We t through a matchmaker’s introduction."
Yan Xiaomai’s late husband, Huang Wenhua, was an engineer and held a special position at the chanical Factory during his lifeti.
Tian Xiang: "What was his situation? Why was he still single at thirty?"
Being unmarried at thirty would typically an a lifeti of bachelorhood.
Yan Xiaomai lowered her head, "He didn’t like to talk and was quite introverted."
In those years, with the units taking the lead, there were many blind marriages. As long as soone was normal, there was no reason not to have a wife.
Tian Xiang sighed and looked at the little boy, Huang Qidong, sitting beside her.
The five-year-old’s face was flushed red by the sun, revealing his teeth as he smiled at Tian Xiang.
Tian Xiang also smiled and asked the little guy, "Do you want candy?"
The little guy smiled a little shyly, twisting his fingers, "Yes."
Tian Xiang patted his head, "I’ll take you to the snack store up front. I don’t have tickets, so I can only buy two pieces."
At the snack store next to Lixin Primary School, you could buy loose glass candies, but there was a limit.
Last ti, the piece of tofu Tian Xiang gave completely won over little Huang Qidong’s heart. This ti, Tian Xiang wanted to take him out, and he stood up to go without seeking Yan Xiaomai’s opinion.
Yan Xiaomai obviously didn’t want her son to get too close to Tian Xiang, watching the two with sothing left unsaid.
Tian Xiang: "I’m just taking him to buy candy to make him happy. I’ll bring him back soon."
Since Tian Xiang put it this way, if Yan Xiaomai refused, it would be too impolite.
Yan Xiaomai clutched her clothes, watching the two figures head into the distance, then started to pack up, preparing to move back ho.
From afar, a gray-blue figure slowly approached from the other end of the alley, arriving soon at the Yan family’s door.
Yan Xiaomai was busy with the table and didn’t notice. As she held a bamboo basket ready to go back, she turned around and ca face to face with the person.
Yan Xiaomai scread, "Ah!" dropping the bamboo basket to the ground, spilling the matchboxes inside everywhere.
"Huang Wenbiao, what, what are you doing here?"
Yan Xiaomai stared in horror at the person a few steps away, hunching defensively, retreating step by step.
This person was Huang Wenbiao, Yan Xiaomai’s brother-in-law.
Huang Hongyun persistently pressured Yan Xiaomai, wanting her to marry this person.
Huang Wenbiao, carrying the label of a small thug, looked to be in his early twenties, thin, with a seedy gaze that appeared vulgar.
He smiled at Yan Xiaomai, "Done with work, just ca to see you."
Done with work?
Right, the chanical Factory had a three-shift system.
But this person had never worked an early shift before.
Yan Xiaomai: "There’s no need for that. You should leave now."
Huang Wenbiao chuckled and asked Yan Xiaomai, "Do you think just because Du is here every night guarding you, I won’t have a chance? Xiaomai, the two of us..."
"Ah!!!"
Huang Wenbiao’s words were abruptly cut off by Yan Xiaomai’s scream.
She pointed at him, "Get out, get out, or I’ll call for help!!"
Huang Wenbiao got angry too, "Call if you aren’t afraid of losing face! Anyhow, I’ve made up my mind, and I’m not scared of jail. But you, if people find out, can you still hold your head up? Xiaomai, this life you can only marry , don’t think of going anywhere else!"
Being bullied and brazenly shouted at, Yan Xiaomai was overwheld with grief. She picked up a piece of broken brick and rushed over.
At the snack store beside the school, Tian Xiang bought two pieces of glass candy for Huang Qidong and brought him back.
On the way ho, Tian Xiang asked him, "Are you scared living here?"
The little guy had candy in his mouth, originally sweet and pleasant, but hearing this, his smile faded, and he nodded, "Scared."
Tian Xiang: "Scared of who?"
The little guy, not knowing Tian Xiang was coaxing him, simply expressed his inner fears, "Scared of Uncle."
Huang Qidong had only one uncle, and that was Huang Wenbiao.
Tian Xiang: "Scared of what about him?"
The little guy pressed his lips, staying silent.
Tian Xiang smiled, "Didn’t you just say we would be friends, and now you don’t an it. Qidong, friends share secrets with each other."
The little guy was very reluctant, "Mommy won’t let tell anyone."
"I see. Then you don’t have to tell , just answer my questions."
The little guy nodded.
Tian Xiang: "Did Huang Wenbiao ever bully your mommy?"
"Yes. That day when Uncle Zhiqiang wasn’t there, Uncle fought with mommy. Mommy bit his hand and used a knife to strike him. Then, Uncle left."
Tian Xiang stirred the conversation, and the little guy forgot his mother’s warning and told Tian Xiang everything.
Tian Xiang’s expression grew serious, "Was it day or night then?"
"Night."
Tian Xiang confird, the knife by Yan Xiaomai’s bedside was to protect against none other than her brother-in-law, Huang Wenbiao.
Tian Xiang anticipated that man would co to pester them, but did not expect his audacity.
With things like this, why didn’t Yan Xiaomai report it to the police? If even a charge was laid, it would have been easier for Yan Xiaomai to marry Du Zhiqiang with the child.
So, could there be other matters involved?
Tian Xiang decided to thoroughly investigate this aspect.
Just then, the two returned to the alleyway.
Yan Xiaomai wasn’t there, with paper boxes from the bamboo basket scattered everywhere and signs of soone stepping on them.
Tian Xiang frowned, "Sister-in-law Yan, Sister-in-law Yan?"
Huang Qidong, sucking on his candy, also called out, "Mommy..."
Tian Xiang reached out to lift the grass mat hanging outside the wooden door, and soone bent down and suddenly ca out from inside—it was Yan Xiaomai.
"Sister-in-law Yan, these paper boxes..."
Tian Xiang was about to ask how these paper boxes got stepped on, but seeing Yan Xiaomai, she noticed sothing was wrong, with her eyes red and a red mark on her neck, resembling a scratch.
"Sister-in-law, what’s happened to you?"
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