Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Reluctant Compromise
Liu Yutong and Liu Zheng both looked at Liu Baishun at the same time, their eyes filled with provocation and disdain.
The atmosphere outside the room suddenly became tense, as if a heavy pressure was permeating the air.
Liu Baishun took a deep breath, realizing that his current situation was not good, since Liu Zheng had already exposed his lies, now he had no ground to continue defending himself.
He looked at Liu Zheng, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily, but he dared not make a sound.
And Liu Zheng, at this moment, stood up straight, his gaze firm and profound.
He took a deep breath, staring intently at Liu Baishun, his heart filled with the joy of victory.
This former village tyrant, even with such sneaky tactics, couldn’t get the better of him.
"Since this is the case, let’s just forget about it, but I have a condition, I wonder if you would agree?"
Liu Zheng said slowly, his voice carrying a hint of coldness.
Liu Baishun actually trembled as he spoke, "I am the village chief, how could I possibly compromise so easily."
In this peaceful and ancient village, Zhang Cuihua, a farmer’s wife with a liberated mind living in the mountainside, was unremarkable in her day-to-day life, living simply, yet she yearned for liberation.
Liu Baishun glared at Zhang Cuihua, his voice filled with an arrogant tone: "Your elbow is turning outwards, simply disrespecting me, disrespecting the family head! Who do you think you are?"
Zhang Cuihua lifted her head, her gaze firm: "Liu Baishun, I am an independent individual with my own thoughts and right to choose. I will not give up my dignity and freedom to appease your desires."
Liu Baishun’s face grew even angrier: "Your attitude is simply nonsensical! I am the elder of the family, I have the right to decide family matters, you must obey my arrangements!"
Zhang Cuihua’s voice revealed determination: "Liu Baishun, respect is not based on the oppression of authority but on mutual understanding and equality. I respect you, but please respect my rights as an independent individual."
Liu Baishun’s face showed increasing anger; he began to consider Zhang Cuihua’s words, but as the family head he still spoke, "Perhaps you make some sense, but as the family elder, I still hope you will heed my advice."
Zhang Cuihua smiled slightly: "Liu Baishun, I will listen to your advice, but the final decision is in my hands. We are a family; we should support each other and respect each other’s decisions."
A flicker of understanding crossed Liu Baishun’s eyes: "Alright, since you have your own opinions, I will try to respect your choices."
In this conversation, both expressed their stances and perseverance.
Liu Baishun’s domineering side was gradually broken by Zhang Cuihua’s resolve.
But Zhang Cuihua, by standing firm on her rights, had earned a bit of respect from Liu Baishun.
He knew what Liu Baishun would do afterward, she was likely to be imprisoned by Liu Baishun at some point.
Thus, a tinge of fear welled up inside her.
She understood that this would pose a severe obstacle for her secret rendezvous with Liu Zheng.
Therefore, she decided to resolve the issue in her own way.
She didn’t hesitate to ask Liu Yutong.
Zhang Cuihua knew that as an elder of the village, Liu Yutong must be well-versed in the village rules.
She quietly walked up to Liu Yutong and asked, "What should be done according to village rules if someone is imprisoned?"
However, Liu Baishun got angry at her behavior.
"What are you doing? You’re our daughter-in-law, how can you bend the elbow outwards?"
He angrily reprimanded his daughter-in-law as if her actions were a personal affront to his dignity.
However, Zhang Cuihua had already made up her mind, even considering divorcing Liu Baishun’s son, Liu Lixing, but now was not the best time. She decided to wait, to bide her time and look for the right moment.
Liu Yutong didn’t even think before he started telling a story about their village. A long time ago, an appalling event had occurred in his village. This story spread throughout the entire village and became an indelible memory.
This incident involved a young couple in the village, named Liu Jianxin and Ma Weihong.
Li Ming was a man with a broad back and big shoulders, brave and upright, while Ma Weihong was a gentle and kind-hearted girl.
Not long after they married, their happy life caused quite a stir in the village.
However, one of the village chiefs, Zhang Shengyang, had developed an affection for Ma Weihong.
He was deep and calculating, often seeking ways to ruin other people’s happiness.
Zhang Shengyang’s jealousy towards Ma Weihong gradually turned into a sick obsession.
He decided to resort to the most despicable means to have Ma Weihong rely on him.
Ma Weihong was in good health and was capable of working the fields.
One day, Zhang Shengyang set a trap, actually bagging Ma Weihong in a sack in the hallway.
Eventually, she was locked in a narrow cell, unable to escape.
Ma Weihong’s pleas and cries for help echoed throughout the village, but no one could hear her.
Fortunately, at the time, the young Liu Yutong happened to be passing by and witnessed everything.
After Ma Weihong was tied up, Liu Yutong hurried to inform Liu Jianxin.
He and Liu Jianxin immediately led a group of villagers to Zhang Shengyang’s home, where, under their questioning, Zhang Shengyang caved in and eventually handed over Ma Weihong.
The villagers publicly punished Zhang Shengyang, removed him from his position, and brought him to justice. The tyrant Zhang Shengyang paid a painful price and was ultimately executed by firing squad.
Not long afterward, the entire village learned of this outrageous event.
The villagers also elected Liu Yutong as the village chief, and from then on, the village set a rule: anyone who imprisoned others would be dismissed from their position, and such actions are now against the law.
After finishing the story, Liu Baishun suddenly felt targeted; although he did not want to admit it, his daughter-in-law knew him all too well.
Furthermore, with Liu Yutong vouching for her, Zhang Cuihua felt even more certain of her freedom.
In the evening, as the sunset’s afterglow spilled on the village’s cobblestone alleys, it cast a very discordant vibe.
Liu Baishun stared unblinkingly at Liu Zheng, his eyes flickering with sparks of anger.
He felt his dignity was under threat. This was his family’s affair; how could he allow outsiders to meddle? He waved his arms in defiance, his voice thick with anger, "Liu Yutong, you’re overstepping! We don’t need you to worry about the Liu Family’s business!"
At that moment, Liu Zheng stood in front of Liu Baishun, faced with his fury, showing no hint of backing down.
He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, "Liu Baishun, I understand your standpoint, but we are all villagers, and I have the right to be concerned about the affairs of the village. This matter involves the interests of the entire village, and we need to take some measures to resolve the problem."
