Chapter 45: Reversal

Li Jixiang was determined to testify for Anning, to prove that Chen Yu’s injury was an accident and not caused by Anning. Anchen’s mother was half-convinced, half-doubtful; she also wanted to go to the principal’s house at once to demand an explanation for her son, but seeing that Li Jixiang’s foot was still not fully healed, she thought it better to wait until the next day to go to the school.

“I think that’s fine. The incident is still fresh, and the school just issued the disciplinary notice—they won’t take it back right away. Let’s wait until things die down tomorrow before we clarify the situation; maybe it’ll work out.”

Grandma Li’s mind was sharp and her expression shrewd, which made Anchen’s mother see her in a new light, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

“When Anchen’s father gets back, I’ll discuss it with him. No matter whether the mayor’s son was hurt by Anning or not, since they’ve named her directly, we’d better prepare some gifts to pay a visit and offer our regards. As for the principal, there’s no need—they’re just doing their job.”

Having decided on a plan, Anchen’s mother spoke with renewed vigor. Anning tried to object, but Li Jixiang tugged at her sleeve to stop her.

She had made up her mind to confront Chen Yu directly and persuade him to go to the school himself to ask for Anning’s punishment to be withdrawn. As for Anchen’s mother’s actions, she would simply consider it a backup plan.

She arranged with Anning to go to the mayor’s house on South Town Street after dinner to find Chen Yu.

As Li Jixiang sat in front of the stove, working the bellows, she listened to Grandma Li recount the love story of her mute father, Li Haiyang. She was so captivated that she completely forgot her appointment with Anning. It wasn’t until after dinner, when darkness had already fallen, that she remembered.

“Oh no!”

Anning surely wouldn’t wait for her and just go home. Li Jixiang slipped out of the small shop, clutching her collar, and spotted a figure standing by the grove across the street—her eyes lit up like twin stars.

Anning had become a silent figure by the woods, a part of the scenery, before she noticed Li Jixiang hurrying over from across the road.

“Anning, do you still remember my father?”

Ten years ago, Anning was six; she should remember something. Sitting on the back seat of a bicycle, Li Jixiang asked casually.

“Uncle Haiyang was very impressive. When I was little, I wanted to grow up to be an officer like him.”

“An officer? Are you saying my father was in the military?”

“Yes, at least that’s what my dad told me. When Uncle Haiyang was injured and discharged, he was a deputy regimental commander. He was supposed to work at the provincial military office, but I never knew why he insisted on coming back to Xingqiu Town.”

Anning didn’t know much about the past, but what she revealed was enough for Li Jixiang to piece the story together.

Because Wang Fang was in Xingqiu Town, Li Haiyang had given up a job in the provincial capital for love, determined to return and be reunited with his beloved. But Wang Fang’s family looked down on him for his speech difficulties caused by his injuries and his poor background, and they forcibly separated the two.

Wang Fang soon married a wealthy, thrice-widowed forty-eight-year-old man in the county seat.

Ten years ago, who knows how Wang Fang felt as she rode in her luxurious wedding car past the door of Li Haiyang’s house. Li Haiyang watched the wedding car disappear into the distance, and from that day on, never spoke another word.

“Wang Fang was dragged out of this house by her family…”

When Grandma Li said this, her voice trembled. She must have felt deeply remorseful! If only she had been more forceful back then, her son would not have been injured by Wang Fang’s family, nor would Wang Fang have been scorned by her third husband for being “impure” and beaten by him…

There is no such thing as fate in this world—everything is a matter of one’s resolve!

South Town Street lay just opposite the town government compound. The street was lined with green trees, and the asphalt road was even broader than the one at the town center. On either side of the street, red brick houses with courtyards stood in a neat row. Chen Yu’s family lived in the one farthest inside.