Volume One, Chapter 19: Such a Sudden Reversal

“Chen Yang got locked up, Chen Yang got locked up!”

At the same time, someone from the village had already run to the sent-down youth station, shouting loudly so that everyone present could hear clearly.

“What? Li Erhu, what did you say?” Song Qian hurriedly stepped forward after hearing the news.

“Haven’t you heard? That Chen kid got thrown in jail. No wonder he hasn’t shown up for so long. Hmph, all that bragging, and now he’s caught red-handed!”

At this moment, Ma Junkai felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction deep in his heart.

Heaven above!

Earth below!

Which divine spirit had finally answered his prayers?

The last time Chen Yang kicked him in the groin, his pain still lingered. But upon hearing this news, the pain seemed to vanish completely.

If Chen Yang really got locked up, there was no chance he’d be out anytime soon.

That wretched Huang Zhiyao, who couldn’t even marry well, would be his for the taking.

“Li Erhu, why aren’t you saying anything?” Song Qian ignored Ma Junkai and turned to Li Erhu, who had delivered the news.

“I don’t know the exact details, but the commune people came over and said Chen Yang got into trouble. He’s currently stuck in the county’s detention center and probably won’t be out anytime soon,” Li Erhu panted as he recounted what he had seen at the Chen family’s house.

“Hmph, that Chen kid was always a good-for-nothing. Jail is his true destiny.”

“Serves him right. Look at how cocky he was these past few days. This time, his arrogance has caught up with him.”

“Scum like him belong behind bars. Freeing him would only bring more trouble.”

“Poor Huang Zhiyao, still waiting here, hoping Chen Yang would come to propose.”

...

At this moment, Huang Zhiyao seemed to shut out all these words from the outside world. In her mind, there was only one question: What should she do?

Having already compromised herself with Chen Yang and ruined her reputation, the only option was to grit her teeth and marry him. That way, no one would gossip anymore.

But fate was cruel. On the very night she was about to be proposed to, Chen Yang stood her up again.

Is there any dignity left to live in this world? Huang Zhiyao’s heart was filled with suicidal thoughts.

She was initially dazed, but her eyes gradually hardened with resolve.

Song Qian, her best friend, noticed this small change. Ignoring Li Erhu, she hurried over and said, “Zhiyao, maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. Let’s wait a little longer. Please don’t do anything drastic.”

“Misunderstanding? Song Qian, do you really dare say that? He’s locked up by the police. How could that be a misunderstanding? Besides, don’t you know Chen Yang’s true nature? Scamming, cheating, stealing—there’s nothing he wouldn’t do. Even if he’s not behind bars now, it’s only a matter of time. Zhiyao, if you marry a man like that, your life will be doomed.”

“We still have a chance to return to the city. Why don’t you come back with me? Forget all that’s happened as if it were a dream and start anew. What do you say?”

Ma Junkai knew Huang Zhiyao was at her most vulnerable. A few words of sympathy would surely win her over. Then, at the right moment, he could take advantage of her and fulfill his own desires.

He had no intention of marrying her. A worn-out secondhand woman like her was not worthy of him.

To put it bluntly, he simply lusted after her body.

Huang Zhiyao turned her head, looking coldly at Ma Junkai, who was not far away.

“Ma Junkai, I know what you’re thinking. Trying to take advantage of me while I’m vulnerable? Impossible. I belong to Chen Yang in life, and I will belong to him in death. Whether he’s locked up or not, if he can wait for me, he will. If not, I will find another way to resolve this.”

Her gaze was unwavering as she spoke.

Ma Junkai, that fool, didn’t even have the courage to meet her eyes. He lowered his head obediently like a schoolboy caught misbehaving.

“Hahaha, how could I let my wife wait?”

Suddenly, the sound of screeching brakes came from outside.

Chen Yang jumped down from a police jeep, followed closely by Li Chengping carrying a banner.

Seeing this, Huang Zhiyao, who had almost given up hope, suddenly felt her hope rekindle.

It was him!

He had come!

He hadn’t broken his promise!

“Y-you weren’t locked up? Detained by the police?” Ma Junkai stared at Chen Yang in disbelief, never imagining such a quick reversal.

“Detained, my ass, idiot!”

“Bang!”

Chen Yang was instantly annoyed by Ma Junkai’s stupidity and, after cursing him, kicked him squarely in the groin again.

The miserable Ma Junkai clutched his already bruised groin and collapsed to the ground, wailing in pain.

Li, the squad leader, following behind Chen Yang, felt a chill in his own pants.

He immediately recalled Zheng Wuyang, who had also been clutching his groin and groaning for a good while in the interrogation room.

It seemed Chen Yang was particularly adept at striking below the belt.

“Why did you come so late?”

Huang Zhiyao didn’t bother with the writhing Ma Junkai on the ground. Her eyes fixed on Chen Yang, filled with tears.

Seeing her expression, Chen Yang’s heart nearly broke.

He silently cursed the fool Zheng Wuyang’s entire lineage. If not for him, how could such a mess have happened?

“I ran into some trouble. Zhiyao, let me introduce you—this is Li Chengping, captain of the county criminal police. He’ll explain exactly what happened.”

Chen Yang quickly gave Li Chengping a meaningful look; given his status, he was the best person in the village to provide a convincing explanation.

When Li Chengping saw Huang Zhiyao, he was struck by her beauty but quickly relaxed.

After all, Chen Yang was such an outstanding young man. How could his wife be anything less?

How could an ordinary girl possibly be worthy of him?

Li Chengping handed the banner, a gift from Director Lin, to Huang Zhiyao:

“Sister-in-law, our brother-in-law Chen here single-handedly captured a dangerous fugitive who fled into the county, making an outstanding contribution to our community. This banner is from our director, representing all the people of the county in honor of Chen’s deed. Marrying such an excellent young man is truly a blessing!”

A dramatic reversal!

An enormous twist!

Huang Zhiyao, who had held back her tears for so long, could no longer contain them.

She took the banner and burst into tears.

Chen Yang stepped forward and placed a thick stack of solidarity funds along with some loose change into her hands.

“Zhiyao, this is my betrothal gift, one thousand eight hundred eighty-eight yuan!”

The crowd erupted in excitement at the amount...