Chapter Seventy-Four: Joy and Sorrow Intertwined

Tao Haiying’s eyes were brimming with tears; she wanted to cry, but had nowhere to go. Home was a mess—her married sister had returned and was sobbing with their mother, while her father merely frowned, smoking and sighing, helpless. Once, their family was considered strong in the village, with her grandfather serving as village chief for over a decade and earning much respect. But now, her brother had been taken away by the police, and their family’s reputation lay in ruins. What awaited her brother was uncertain.

Troubled at home, she went out for a walk, but even outside, people looked at her differently—like she carried some contagious disease. If they could avoid her, they did; if not, they greeted her quickly and moved on.

“Damn Sha Le’er, what grudge do I have with you from a past life? Did I ever eat your flesh or gnaw your bones? Why is it that every time I cross paths with you, misfortune follows?”

She heaped all her resentment onto Sha Le’er, but dared not provoke him now; she could only curse him in her heart.

Unconsciously, she wandered to the school. The students had already left, and Feng Shuya was strolling across the playground.

“Tao Haiying, you look lost. What’s the matter?”

“Teacher Feng…” Tao Haiying started, but tears streamed down her face and she couldn’t go on.

“Don’t cry, or you’ll swell your eyes,” Feng Shuya smiled. “Is it your brother’s troubles that are weighing on you?”

“Yes.” Tao Haiying nodded, filled with grievance. “It’s all Sha Le’er’s fault—if it weren’t for him, none of this would have happened!”

“Oh… so you’re blaming Sha Le’er again?” Feng Shuya laughed and shook her head. “But would your brother have gotten into trouble if he hadn’t gone after him? Your brother and his friends were truly out of line—they nearly assaulted Luo Yinxing. If they’re charged with attempted assault and injury, things could get very complicated.”

“How complicated?” Tao Haiying stared at Feng Shuya, astonished.

“I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t say for sure, but it’s a serious crime; they’ll certainly be sentenced.”

“What should we do? Oh…” Tao Haiying began to cry again, and Feng Shuya let her, continuing her walk. After a while, Tao Haiying stood up from where she’d been crouched, tears spent.

“Teacher Feng, can’t you help my brother somehow? My mother’s been crying nonstop at home—it’s driving us all mad.”

“What could I possibly do?” Feng Shuya shook her head. “This is a legal matter; even if I were the county party secretary or the mayor, I couldn’t interfere, and I’m just a primary school teacher.”

Disappointment was written in Tao Haiying’s eyes. Feng Shuya saw it, but paid her no mind, continuing to pace as she gazed at the dim sky. The wind stirred the clouds overhead.

“Teacher Feng, I don’t want to join the dance anymore.”

“Why not?” Feng Shuya wasn’t surprised, nor did she react urgently; she remained calm. “If you don’t join, we’ll be one person short.”

“With everything happening at home, my mother is miserable every day. If I go dancing, she’ll surely scold me.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to dance, but she knew doing so would invite her mother’s anger, and others would talk as well—her brother was in jail, yet she was out enjoying herself.

“It’s your decision,” Feng Shuya replied evenly, though her gaze lingered deeply on Tao Haiying. “But a person must make their own choices. Honestly, your brother and his friends are much worse than Sha Le’er—they brought this upon themselves. If they escape punishment this time, they’ll only become bolder. If you’re willing to sacrifice your youth and happiness for someone like your brother, nothing I say can persuade you.”

“But… but I…”

A few leaves fell in the wind, some landing on their heads and shoulders. Feng Shuya picked up one, examining it, then looked up at Tao Haiying, who followed closely, unwilling to leave.

“I’ve looked into Sha Le’er. He has many flaws, but he’s never done anything truly wicked,” Feng Shuya said, absentmindedly playing with the leaf. “But your brother and his friends have committed terrible acts. If Sha Le’er hadn’t been with Luo Yinxing this time, they would have surely assaulted her—and who knows what else they might have done afterward? To cover up their crime, perhaps even murder. Are such brothers really worth your sacrifice? Is it meaningful?”

Tao Haiying lowered her head.

“And I believe this isn’t the first time they’ve done such things—there must have been others.”

As she spoke, a cold light flashed in Feng Shuya’s eyes, though Tao Haiying didn’t see it, her head still bowed. She stopped crying, picked up a fallen leaf herself, and played with it, her face showing deep contemplation.

“Think carefully. Don’t let your prejudice against Sha Le’er cloud your judgment,” Feng Shuya continued, speaking more than she ever had to Tao Haiying. “A hundred like your brother can’t compare to one Sha Le’er. Sha Le’er is already showing his charm and talent. Why do Secretary Huang and Director Xie from the town favor him? It’s his charisma—he reads people well, uses small tricks to win hearts, unlike your brother, who delights in scheming and harming others. Within three years, Sha Le’er will make his mark in the village, town, or even the county. He already has the foundation.”

Tao Haiying looked at her admired teacher in surprise.

“Teacher Feng, you seem to really like Sha Le’er.”

“I do, but not in the way you think.” Feng Shuya smiled. “Our worlds and interests are different. If I were a village girl, I might like him as you all do—perhaps even want to marry him.”

Feng Shuya joked.

“I’ve never seen what’s so great about him… Is he really that good?” Tao Haiying pouted. Yet a hidden corner of her heart was stirred—she dared not let it see the light, avoiding it at all costs. In that corner was her own affection for Sha Le’er.

“Whether he’s good or not, you know in your heart, even if you won’t admit it. Your brother and his friends will face legal punishment—it’s inevitable. But there are ways to lessen their sentences.”

“Really?” Tao Haiying looked up, anxious and hopeful.

“I think so, but the person who truly has a way is Sha Le’er. It’s still early—your brother won’t be sentenced right away. Let’s wait and see.”

“Thank you, Teacher Feng…”

“No need to thank me yet. Wait until later.”

After talking, Tao Haiying felt much better and soon left the school for home.

Meanwhile, Sha Le’er’s house was jubilant. Uncle Sheng Tian, Old Man Sheng Yuan, and a crowd of elders laughed heartily. Luo Yinxing was there too, busy serving tea and water, bustling in and out.

“Ha ha… The Tao family finally got what was coming!” Uncle Sheng Tian laughed. “Le’er, you’ve helped our Sha family vent centuries of grievances!”

“Damn that Tao Wen. Not long ago, I asked him to do something for Qiang Zai, sent him gifts worth hundreds, and he still dragged his feet. Now he’s been uprooted by Le’er—how satisfying!” Old Man Sheng Yuan laughed. “His days as village chief are over. Le’er, will you be the next village chief?”

“How could I?” Le’er shook his head. “I’ve only been assistant for a few days, and I’m just seventeen. The policy doesn’t allow someone my age to be village chief.”

“True, you’re a bit young… But with Secretary Huang backing you, what’s there to fear? Maybe Secretary Huang will adjust your age, make you eighteen, and you can take the post.”

Le’er merely shook his head, thinking these elders were even more naïve than children. Of course, he’d like to be village chief—who wouldn’t want to rise higher?

Le’er had Luo Yinxing prepare food, leaving some elders to eat and drink—a small celebration, for uprooting Tao Wen felt like settling a long-held grievance.