CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 81: VICTIM BLAMING THEORY

Liu Tiejun being taken to town by the captain with his men turned into a hot topic in the village.

Everyone rushed out to see, as not long ago his father had gone to jail for theft, and now the son was in jail for hooliganism; it was too sensational.

The most discussed event was when Liu Tiejun bullied the educated youth Gao Zhiqing on the mountain a few days ago. Everyone was talking about it, during meals and work.

Recently, there had been no movement on this case; Li Hongmei was joyful every day, leading everyone to believe that Gao Zhiqing was really going to marry into their family, but it turned out there was more to the story.

Who would want to marry?

It’s simply that she couldn’t escape.

Li Hongmei followed behind Liu Tiejun, pleading continuously with Gao Huifang.

At this point, she couldn’t care less about face; she only hoped her son wouldn’t be taken to jail.

"Oh Gao Zhiqing, we were wrong! Our family’s Tiejun truly loves you; he acted wrongly because he cares too deeply. Please be compassionate and don’t report him, I beg you! I only have this one son!"

"Gao Zhiqing, say something! I beg you, spare our Tiejun. He’s just come of age; he promised he would marry you and not abandon you. Please don’t let him go to jail."

No matter how Li Hongmei pleaded, crying until she was a tearful mess, Gao Huifang remained unmoved, and the villagers stood by watching the spectacle.

Li Hongmei was terrified, fearing she would never see her son again, so she blamed everything on herself.

"I’m sorry, Gao Zhiqing, it’s my fault, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have locked you up, I shouldn’t have, I beg you, spare him."

She suddenly slapped her own face, shocking the onlookers, even Gao Huifang turned to look at her.

Seeing this, Li Hongmei assumed it was effective and quickly continued to slap herself while apologizing.

Each slap was harsh, not only producing a loud sound but quickly making her cheeks red and swollen.

Despite this, Gao Huifang’s eyes were filled with hatred.

She hated that family so deeply!

If it weren’t for them, she could have had a better future; even if not marrying He Chen, she could have still married into a good family and lived well.

Because of them, her life was ruined!

Everyone in the village appeared to pity her, cursing Li Hongmei’s family, but their disdain and schadenfreude were evident to her.

People knew she was violated and even imprisoned and tortured, and her future had already lost any possibility.

What does it matter how many times Li Hongmei slaps herself? Even if Li Hongmei were to drown herself, it couldn’t make her life start over.

But Gao Huifang wouldn’t argue with Li Hongmei in the village; she couldn’t allow her vulnerable position to be questioned, thus keeping her face pitiful and desperate until they reached the town police bureau.

Ultimately, Liu Tiejun was taken to jail.

As he had just turned eighteen, he was fully responsible legally, and due to actions including imprisonment and insulting women, no reduction was given, sentenced to fully seven years.

Li Hongmei fainted on the spot, and it was Liu Dongliang who carried her out.

Father and son consecutively going to jail became Qingshui Village’s hottest topic.

Every household was discussing it, and He Chen and Ye Manman naturally became thoroughly informed.

Although they didn’t go to join the spectacle, He Chen learned all about it just by passing by the village entrance a few times due to moving.

Returning home, he recapped the events to Ye Manman.

Ye Manman felt the female educated youth did the right thing; she did not yield, and even knowing her reputation was ruined, stood up to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Li Hongmei’s prior gamble was understandable, as secluded villages experience many similar, and even more terrifying incidents.

This is why Ye Manman rarely went out after encountering a ruffian; in such isolated villages, once victimized and pregnant, trapped to give birth, life becomes sealed.

If obedient it’s somewhat alright, but if defiant, continuous abuse, suffering, childbearing go unchecked, with weak legal awareness, and instead people treat it as gossip, no one stands for girls violated.

The victim-blaming exists deeply within some, believing girls violated shouldn’t appear certain places or wear certain clothes.

These perpetrators often boast about harassing girls, like Liu Tiejun.

Thankfully this educated youth had a strong spirit, bravely enduring and decisively seeking out the just village captain...

Ye Manman felt increasingly disdainful of such fearful villages.

"He Chen, let’s move out quickly!"

"Alright!"

He Chen had already finished moving things; now he was here to collect some small items and bring Ye Manman to town.

He feared leaving Ye Manman in the village could lead to her being bullied, and the educated youth’s case served as a warning, hearing villagers discuss it like a joke sent chills down He Chen’s spine.

Even though he wasn’t fond of the female educated youth, believing her unchaste, neither was really wrong, and shouldn’t face such malicious commentary.

Moving quickly was better, ensuring Ye Manman stayed by his side.

With windows closed, doors locked, Ye Manman seated on a bicycle with gloves, hat, and scarf, they set off, moving officially to town before night fell.

Coincidentally, shortly after leaving the village, they encountered Gao Huifang and others who had just undergone check-ups and treatment at the hospital.

A village captain and other staff warmly surrounded Gao Huifang, taking her for health checks, offering comfort, worried she might not cope well and do something drastic.

As Ye Manman and He Chen passed, the captain amiably greeted He Chen.

"He Chen, going to town?"

He Chen politely responded to the captain.

He uttered an "Mm."

"Yes, moving to town temporarily."

The captain obviously didn’t know about the move, surprised.

"Oh, found work in town? Nice, nice, life’s getting better, young lad has spirit, keep it up, aim to build a small western-style house next year."

He Chen nodded with a smile, brush passing the two groups.

But Ye Manman hadn’t done anything unusual, merely glanced at them, only to see the female educated youth fiercely glaring at her, seemingly wishing to strangle her.

"????"

Ye Manman was puzzled, she looked back but they were already far away.

"What the heck, why was she glaring at me?"

Ye Manman pouted, perplexed by the female educated youth’s animosity.

Being inexplicably glared at leaves anyone uneasy and uncomfortable, especially Ye Manman, who was petty and easily angry.

Then she pondered, recalling a story from He Chen about the educated youth falling into a trap and wanting him to carry her.

Ye Manman suddenly understood.

Evidently, the educated youth once tried to flirt with He Chen but was thwarted by Liu Tiejun, and now blamed her?

Was she upset Ye Manman married He Chen? And she couldn’t snag him?

Utterly absurd.

He Chen wasn’t aware of her thoughts, puzzled.

"What? Who’s glaring at you?"