After seeing off Deputy Director Qian, the other two police officers taking statements also left, and the hospital room fell silent again.
Cheng You tugged at Qi Cheng'an's clothes, her brows furrowed.
"Is it just going to be let go like this?"
The thought that people like Qian Dazhi could still live peaceful lives made her resentful.
Qi Cheng'an said softly, "Don't worry."
It wouldn't be settled that easily.
With just a glance, Cheng You knew what he meant.
She had a blind confidence in Qi Cheng'an; if he said it could be done, she believed it could.
With his words, she felt somewhat relieved.
For the next few days, her life was a simple routine: home and the clinic.
Fortunately, with Zhang Fuhai's help, she was allowed to use the hospital cafeteria's kitchen to cook for Cheng Wenyu and Ruan Qingqing.
Seeing her meticulous and thoughtful care for Ruan Qingqing, Ruan's mother's anger subsided.
After all, if one were to be strict, it was her daughter's foolishness to step forward and take a knife for someone else.
Cheng You felt truly remorseful towards Ruan Qingqing, and her sincerity was evident. There was no reason for Ruan's mother not to appreciate it.
Within a few days, Qian Dazhi was also arrested.
Ruan's mother rejoiced inwardly, believing in retribution.
For some reason, Wen Jiahao's testimony changed, from the main perpetrator to an accomplice.
Qian Dazhi could not escape the charge of intentional injury.
Zhao Lifang feigned a few tears and then went to the hospital to talk to Cheng You about the matter, looking smug.
Cheng You scoffed, "If one didn't know, they'd think he wasn't your husband."
Zhao Lifang snorted, "I've already decided to divorce him."
He had gotten his money and a job; it was time to divorce.
Cheng You glanced at her, "What about the child?"
"Qian Dingzhong wants this grandson. Once the child is born, I'll give him to him. I don't want Qian Dazhi's offspring."
She was already disgusted by Qian Dazhi, so not aborting the child was a mercy.
Cheng You offered no comment, as it had nothing to do with her.
Zhao Lifang sat for a while before getting up to leave.
She was just happy to hear about Qian Dazhi's imprisonment and came to share the news.
Cheng Wenyu and Ruan Qingqing were finally discharged from the hospital after staying for about ten days to half a month.
Their entire summer vacation would be spent recuperating at home.
The villagers, upon hearing that both Qian Dazhi and Wen Jiahao were imprisoned, couldn't help but sigh.
Both were related to Zhao Lifang.
Wang Hongxia, who had been gloating about her connection to Deputy Director Qian not long ago, was almost furious to death upon hearing the news of Qian Dazhi's arrest for assault.
As soon as Cheng You brought Cheng Wenyu home, Wang Hongxia and Cheng Tianhua followed.
"Cheng You, Yun Lin's matter has passed for so long, why are you still holding onto our family and making things difficult for us everywhere! Lifang is pregnant, and Qian Dazhi is in prison, what will happen to her and the child!"
Wang Hongxia wasn't entirely concerned about Zhao Lifang; it was mostly about her own interests.
She certainly didn't want a son-in-law in prison.
Their home hadn't been tidied up in days.
Cheng You spoke to her while tidying up.
"Don't worry, even if Qian Dazhi is in prison, Zhao Lifang still has a child. Deputy Director Qian won't stand by and do nothing. Besides, Zhao Lifang plans to divorce Qian Dazhi. Didn't she tell you?"
Upon hearing her words, rage surged through Wang Hongxia, and her vision went black.
"What did you say!"
To divorce now would be to kick someone when they're down, how would Deputy Director Qian see her!
Wang Hongxia rushed out in a hurry, determined to stop Zhao Lifang.
Without her chattering in her ear, Cheng You finally felt a sense of peace.
"Cheng An, help me carry a bucket of water to the kitchen."
Qi Cheng'an took the rag from her hand, "You rest, I'll do it. After I'm done here, I'll go chop firewood."
She hadn't collected firewood from the mountain in days, and they were almost out.
Cheng You let out a sigh of relief and sat in the yard to rest.
Cheng Tianhua was still standing nearby.
Cheng You glanced at him, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Cheng Tianhua looked inside, "How is your brother's health?"
"If you truly cared, why haven't you visited him in the hospital these past few days?"
Cheng Tianhua said guiltily, "Cheng Tao wasn't feeling well and needed care, so Dad couldn't get away."
Cheng You chuckled; he truly was a good father.
"Dad, tell me the truth, Cheng Tao is actually your biological daughter, isn't she?"
Cheng Tianhua's heart skipped a beat, his eyes widened, and he loudly denied, "Of course not!"
Cheng You blinked innocently, "It can't be helped, you're too good to Cheng Tao, anyone would think she's your own daughter. Dad, you're not young anymore, if you don't treat me and my brother better, who will take care of you in your old age?"
Cheng Tianhua's face turned ashen with anger, but he couldn't do anything about this daughter.
"I don't favor Cheng Tao, it's just that she grew up without a father, so she's more pitiful."
Cheng You smiled sarcastically, "Then my brother and I are fatherless and motherless, why don't you pity us?"
"You! Cheng You, I didn't come here to argue with you."
"Then what did you come for? Let me guess, it's still about Qian Dazhi, right?"
Cheng Tianhua, his thoughts exposed, averted his gaze guiltily.
"I just think, since Wenyu is fine, it's better to let it go. Cheng You, you're still young and impatient, Dad can understand. But that's the son of the commune deputy director, if possible, we should avoid offending him."
Cheng You knew all along that's why he was here.
She asked directly, "Tell me, what benefits did Qian Dingzhong give you?"
Cheng Tianhua's face changed, flushing red.
"What are you talking about!"
Cheng You sneered, "You wouldn't do something for nothing, would you? Cheng Tianhua, I don't even want to expose your petty thoughts."
"I'm teaching you the principles of being a person!"
Cheng You rolled her eyes, "What principles of being a person? Your own son was stabbed, and the father is practically begging to lick their boots. Cheng Tianhua, if you were truly capable, you wouldn't still be a production team leader after all these decades."
Cheng Tianhua's dignity was stripped away; his face felt like it was burning.
This daughter was his natural opposite, yet she understood him best, hitting the nail on the head.
Cheng Tianhua didn't think he was wrong; people strive for wealth, birds die for food.
He had no grand ambitions in life, only the desire to climb upwards.
"Even if he didn't promise me benefits, you shouldn't offend him. Deputy Director Qian kindly advised, apologized, and offered compensation, showing great sincerity. What more do you want?"
Cheng You looked at him coldly, "I don't want anything more, I just want Qian Dazhi to go to jail, preferably for life. You don't have much influence with me anyway, so cherish what little you have."
Cheng Tianhua tried to persuade her further, but suddenly a cup flew out from inside, narrowly missing him.
Cheng Wenyu roared, "Get out!"