Opening the envelope, inside was a stack of white papers.
Turning over one sheet, it read "Administrative Penalty Notice for Gambling." The next sheet said "Administrative Penalty Notice for Provocation and Disturbance." Another sheet stated "Administrative Penalty Notice for Truck Overloading." Without exception, the penalized person on all of them was Hu Xiaohua.
These were actually case files Yan Xishan had left at the police station. Since Hu Xiaohua was the manager of Yan Xishan's coal factory, Hu Xiaohua took the fall while Yan Xishan hid behind as the real boss.
Chen Meilan wasn't surprised. After all, Yan Xishan earned dirty money. In his own words, he was "dancing disco on the edge of breaking the law" - illegal but not criminal. He paid fines on one hand while raking in money with the other. The police could at most fine him, but never arrest him.
Turning to the last sheet, Chen Meilan was stunned. It was an "Administrative Penalty Notice for Prostitution."
The date: July 1986.
Incident recap: Yan Xishan and Hu Xiaomei were caught at XX Guest House during a police raid on prostitution. Upon investigation, the two had no marital relationship and were engaged in illegal sexual relations.
Holding this paper, Chen Meilan was dumbfounded.
The fact that Hu Xiaomei and Yan Xishan had an illicit affair was something Chen Meilan knew - she even had a pair of underwear as evidence.
But that proved nothing. She didn't have any real, effective evidence.
This kind of prostitution penalty notice should have been given to her by the police at the time. They should have notified her to bail them out. But Yan Xishan had connections. Even if caught by the police, he could get out by spending some money.
So Hu Xiaomei and Yan Xishan's affair had been caught by the police two years ago, but she, like a fool, only got this penalty notice now, after marrying Yan Zhao?
Chen Meilan understood Yan Zhao's intention in giving her these documents. Yan Xishan was rotten to the core, as the saying goes "sores on his head and pus on his feet."
He probably wanted to verify if she had been involved in Yan Xishan's gambling, provocation, or fighting incidents.
After all, among those businesspeople who had "gone to sea" (entered private business) nowadays, some would hire thugs to cause trouble for profit, fighting over stalls and businesses. Some women were even more vicious than men.
Chen Meilan would need to explain that she had nothing to do with Yan Xishan's business.
But just then, Sister-in-law Mao's voice suddenly came from outside: "Meilan, are you home?"
"Walk on the newspapers," said Yan Zhao, who was nailing window screens.
Chen Meilan walked over on the newspapers and opened the door. "Sister-in-law Mao, what's the matter?"
"Give me your house key, quick. I'll lock your door from the outside. Hu Xiaomei is coming. You don't need to see her," Sister-in-law Mao said.
Chen Meilan had been waiting for Yan Xishan to come. So Yan Xishan hadn't come, but Hu Xiaomei had shown up first?
"Why's that?" Chen Meilan asked again.
Sister-in-law Mao waved her hand. "Isn't she a private school teacher? I heard her official appointment is about to come through. But some other teachers have written letters to the Education Bureau reporting that her private life is depraved and she has an unclear relationship with the nouveau riche Yan Xishan. She just took a bucket of cooking oil to your Uncle Yan, saying she'll come to find you later. She wants you and your Uncle Yan to testify for her, to prove that she and Yan Xishan had a proper marriage arranged by a matchmaker. Just think about it, isn't she trying to frame you? Your Uncle Yan will pretend to be sick and won't come. You should lock your door too. We shouldn't bother with that kind of woman."
After all, Chen Meilan was the ex-wife and already divorced.
During her marriage to Yan Xishan, she had no direct evidence to prove Yan Xishan's infidelity, nor did the villagers. If Hu Xiaomei went to find the village secretary now, the secretary would know the truth but be unwilling to act, and could only pretend to be sick.
And if Hu Xiaomei came to Chen Meilan's door, they used to be good friends, and Zhaodi would have to attend Yanguan Primary School in the future. Would Chen Meilan give this testimony or not?
If she didn't, Yan Xishan had plenty of connections in the Education Bureau. With a little bribe, Hu Xiaomei wouldn't be fired, at most just missing this round of official appointments and waiting for the next.
But Zhaodi would still have to attend Yanguan Primary School. Hu Xiaomei had many teacher friends there. What if they united to make things difficult for Zhaodi?
If she did testify, everyone clearly knew about Hu Xiaomei and Yan Xishan's improper relationship. It was like a glob of thick snot - wouldn't Chen Meilan just be disgusting herself?
Seeing Sister-in-law Mao so flustered, Chen Meilan looked back at the stack of penalty notices on the window. Among them was an "Administrative Penalty Notice for Prostitution" - living proof.
Yan Zhao wasn't just her door god, he was her east wind.
If Hu Xiaomei was just a mistress, like a glob of spit on the roadside, Chen Meilan wouldn't even bother with her.
But now Hu Xiaomei wanted to use her to clear her name. That wouldn't do. Although the overall teaching staff at Yanguan Primary School wasn't great, she couldn't let Hu Xiaomei mislead the children.
As they spoke, Hu Xiaomei, unable to get Yan Xiong to testify for her, had already left Yan Xiong's house and was walking this way carrying a bucket of cooking oil.
Sister-in-law Mao looked back, quickly shut Chen Meilan's door, and hid.
Chen Meilan could understand why she was being so cautious.
Not to mention that Yan Xishan was now a local tyrant, he also had Hu Xiaohua under him. Hu Xiaohua was called a manager at the coal factory, but he was just a thug - the kind who liked to sneak up and hit people on the back of the head with bricks in the dead of night.
With the reform and opening up, old certificates were invalidated and land was equally distributed. Although they were still villagers, everyone had to earn their living by their own abilities.
Though Yan Xiong was the village secretary and managed big affairs, law enforcement wasn't as strict as before. Those scabby-headed thugs would get caught fighting, be sent to the police station for criticism and education, and be released after a couple of days. Then they'd fight again, get locked up again - going to the station was like going home for them.
People tried to avoid trouble with such individuals as much as possible. There was no need to bring trouble upon oneself for someone else's affairs.
In this regard, even though Yan Zhao was a policeman, it didn't help. After all, most of the police on Jindong Road were in cahoots with the local tyrants and nouveau riche. Yan Zhao had just arrived, and those local tyrants weren't afraid of one small-time cop.
It wasn't far, but there were still seven or eight houses between them. Hu Xiaomei was walking over, but halfway there she saw Third Sister-in-law Huang come out of her house and suddenly stopped. The two seemed to be talking about something.
Chen Meilan turned back to retrieve the envelope.
But just as she reached the window, Yan Zhao's rough, large hand caught hers.
What did he mean? This was evidence. He had given it to her, so why wouldn't he let her use it?
"No fighting," he said.
Seeing Chen Meilan's incredulous look, Yan Zhao continued, "Since I'm going to marry you, I've investigated everything Yan Xishan has done over the years. I know all his secrets."
So he not only knew that Yan Xishan had solicited prostitutes, but also knew all about the improprieties between Yan Xishan and Hu Xiaomei.
Did he think she was going out to fight Hu Xiaomei because he heard she was coming?
What kind of person did he take her for?
And he was hurting her hand.
This man, his hands were not only efficient at work but really strong when grabbing someone.
"Little Wang's dad, can you let go of me?" she asked.
"No fighting, even if the other party is wrong. The police can punish them, but you can't," Yan Zhao said again. "Arguing is fine, but not here. It would affect the children."
They weren't even married yet and barely knew each other. How could this man think she was going to go out and fight someone?
She hadn't even thought about arguing.
Someone like Hu Xiaomei wasn't worth the effort of opening her mouth to argue with.
Just then, Chen Meilan suddenly turned her head and saw three heads lined up at the glass window, all looking at them with terrified expressions.
The moment Chen Meilan turned around, Zhaodi dodged to the left, while Little Wang and Little Lang huddled together. In that instant, the children from the two families spontaneously divided into two camps, clearly demarcated. Little Wang and Little Lang stared at her, while Zhaodi, her face flushed red with anger, glared at Yan Zhao.
Children in remarried families have very sensitive relationships. In her previous life, Zhaodi never truly became siblings with the Lü children. In fact, Lü Dabao often bullied Zhaodi when she wasn't paying attention.
It was just that Zhaodi, afraid of causing her trouble, always remained silent and refused to speak up.
But now, Little Lang treated Zhaodi like a real sister. Although Little Wang was stubborn, at least he had never bullied Zhaodi. Whenever there was food, if Little Lang got a share, Zhaodi would get one too.
This newly established friendship and familial bond could vanish in an instant due to parents' quarrels or disputes between each other.
Yan Zhao's tone was hard as steel, and Chen Meilan was about to argue back. In the children's eyes, weren't their parents just fighting?
So while Chen Meilan was still struggling a moment ago, upon seeing the children, she immediately gave up her resistance and asked them with a smile, "Are you awake?"
Her tone was soft as she raised Yan Zhao's hand, pretending to shake it playfully, indicating that they were just fooling around.
Little Lang was the first to grin, saying, "Mommy, I'm thirsty."
This carefree little fellow would call whoever fed him "mom," and his "mommy" sounded so crisp and clear.
"There's cool boiled water on the table, one cup for each of you. Go drink quickly," Chen Meilan said.
Little Lang was so thirsty that he was the first to slide off the kang bed, but he was too short to reach the cups on the table.
At this time, Zhaodi and Little Wang were still in a state of alert, not moving from their spots. Fortunately, Yan Zhao had already released Chen Meilan's hand. She turned and went inside, bringing a cup to Little Lang.
Dad was watching from outside, and Mom was bending down with a smile. Little Lang took several big gulps and looked up at Chen Meilan, grinning contentedly, "It's sweet."
"Sweet? I want to drink too." Little Wang instantly became childish, also jumping off the kang bed, picking up a cup and drinking it all in one go. He let out a breath, "It really is sweet!"
Zhaodi, who was used to drinking her mother's cooled sugar water, slid off the bed and picked up her own cup, saying, "Isn't this normal? All mothers prepare cool boiled water for their children when they wake up from their naps."
However, her words didn't resonate with the other two.
Instead, Little Wang and Little Lang both pouted at the same time: this was the first time in their lives that they had cool boiled water prepared by a mother when they woke up from a nap.
They picked up their cups and drank again, feeling cool and refreshed.
As Little Wang put down his cup, a cry was heard from outside. It was Third Sister-in-law Huang's voice: "Xiaomei, may heaven strike me down, how could Teacher Huang possibly report you? He's been a volunteer teacher for twenty years, teaching children since the Cultural Revolution without earning a penny. He teaches until now purely out of love for teaching. He never even thought about getting a permanent position."
Hu Xiaomei's voice followed: "I don't believe Teacher Huang reported me either, but the education bureau leaders asked me to explain the situation to Teacher Huang. I think I should at least explain."
Third Sister-in-law Huang's husband, Huang Zhengde, was also a volunteer teacher who had been teaching for a full twenty years without getting a permanent position.
He was Hu Xiaomei's competitor.
Listen to how understanding Hu Xiaomei's words sound.
But how much content is actually in that one sentence?
The education bureau leaders personally asked her to explain the situation to Teacher Huang. Doesn't that nail Teacher Huang as the one who wrote the report?
"May heaven strike us down, if Teacher Huang really reported you, may my husband and I be struck by lightning or electrocuted," Sister-in-law Huang's voice was already choked with tears.
Hu Xiaomei's tone also sounded troubled: "Sister-in-law Huang, no one said it was Teacher Huang who reported me, but please just act as a witness for me. After all, Meilan is my good friend and also Xishan's ex-wife. She can help explain the situation for me, okay?"
At this moment, Chen Meilan grabbed the envelope in front of Yan Zhao and went out.
Yan Zhao, on the other hand, quickly closed all the windows and even the door with a few swift movements.
It was summer afternoon, and the house was facing west. Wasn't he afraid of suffocating the children inside?
"Meilan, Sister-in-law Mao just said you weren't home, but aren't you here?" As soon as Hu Xiaomei saw Chen Meilan, her eyes lit up with joy, and she reached out to grab Chen Meilan's hand. "You went back to the countryside for a while, and your skin looks even better. Tell me quickly, what cosmetics are you using?"
Don't think that all mistresses are arrogant and look down on others while putting themselves on a pedestal.
The mistresses who truly succeed are both gentle and understanding. As long as Hu Xiaomei wanted to curry favor with someone, a few words of conversation would make that person feel like a spring breeze.
The reason why Hu Xiaomei had a good relationship with Chen Meilan was quite peculiar. Whatever clothes Chen Meilan bought, she would buy the same. Whatever cosmetics Chen Meilan used, she would immediately buy a bottle. She always tried to act like Chen Meilan's soulmate, persistently clinging to her, which was how their relationship became good.
She not only wanted to dress exactly like Chen Meilan but also often liked to sigh and say, "Ah, the same clothes just look better on you than on me."
Taking a step back to move forward, belittling herself to praise others, praising and praising until she stabs you – this was Hu Xiaomei's style.
"Is my skin good? I'm using Yu Xi," Chen Meilan said.
Hu Xiaomei immediately blurted out, "Oh my goodness, you can afford Yu Xi? Your new man must be very rich!"
These words reeked of a mistress's mentality.
Why does buying cosmetics have to involve finding a man?
But in Hu Xiaomei's view of money, everything a woman has comes from men.
However, discussing this now was beside the point. Hu Xiaomei came with a purpose, and she had to achieve her goal.
"Meilan, many people at the education bureau are talking about me... but you know... a man like Xishan doesn't deserve a good woman like you. I was also forced by my mother, but now so many people are talking about me, you have to..." By now, many people had gathered at the door to watch, after all, the villagers had been waiting for so long, who wouldn't be curious about Meilan's attitude?
Hu Xiaomei wanted to force Meilan to say those words herself: "I was the one who didn't want Yan Xishan."
After all, Meilan was proud and arrogant, and ever since she married Yan Xishan, she had never looked up to him. She would definitely say something like that.
But Chen Meilan instead turned to ask Third Sister-in-law Huang a question: "Sister-in-law Huang, Teacher Huang still hasn't gotten a permanent position?"
"What permanent position? I keep telling him to go into business, but he won't. Those who went into business early have all made big money, but he insists on being a teacher. He deserves to never get a permanent position in his life," Third Sister-in-law Huang was fuming.
Yes, the report about Hu Xiaomei was indeed written by Huang Zhengde.
Because Hu Xiaomei herself had no knowledge or culture, and she liked to teach children incorrectly. She even taught children to pronounce "shoes" as "hoes" and "foot" as "joot."
Huang Zhengde, being a bookworm, felt that Hu Xiaomei was misleading the children.
He didn't consider that she had connections, and even if she was misleading children, so what? The education bureau leaders weren't concerned, so why was he worrying about it?
"Sister-in-law Huang, I also have a report here. I haven't opened it to look yet. I don't know if it's written by Teacher Huang. Would you like to look at it first?" Chen Meilan said, handing over the envelope.
Sister-in-law Huang was furious when she heard this: "What? Teacher Huang wrote you a letter too?" How could this man be so troublesome?
He even wrote a report to Meilan, probably reporting about Hu Xiaomei and Yan Xishan's affair. Why doesn't he just drop dead!
"Sister-in-law, take this letter home and give it to Teacher Huang. If there's anything, let's handle it calmly. Don't be impulsive," Chen Meilan added.
Not to mention that all the onlookers had now turned their attention to Sister-in-law Huang, even Hu Xiaomei had left Chen Meilan and was now clinging to Sister-in-law Huang.
She wanted to know more than anyone if this letter was written by Huang Zhengde.
If so, she would have cleared her name without Chen Meilan even having to open her mouth.
Chen Meilan closed the door with a bang, meeting Yan Zhao's dark, brooding eyes. His eyes were still as black as ever.
She clapped her hands and smiled, asking the children: "Do you want to watch TV?"
"We can watch TV too?" Little Wang could hardly believe it, after all, the TV at grandmother's house was always monopolized by grandfather, and they rarely got to watch.
Chen Meilan went in and turned on the TV: "Of course. I've seen the schedule, there's 'Black Cat Detective' this afternoon. You can watch however you like, you can watch all afternoon today."
Zhaodi felt this was quite normal and turned to switch on the TV.
Little Wang and Little Lang exchanged glances, stars twinkling in the little ones' eyes: Was there anything more wonderful in this world than being able to watch TV to their heart's content all afternoon?
Chen Meilan glanced at Yan Zhao again, seeing that he still had no expression, but he had quietly opened the windows and the door, and even hung up the curtains.
She lowered her head, smiled slightly, and prepared to go out to buy popsicles for the children.
This man was really ridiculous, always thinking about arguing.
Not to mention that she never intended to argue with Hu Xiaomei in the first place, she just wanted to give the public school teacher qualification to the person who deserved it more.
Sister-in-law Huang was also a clever person. After being bullied by Hu Xiaomei like that, if she made a big scene here, she would be at a disadvantage. She would certainly make the most of the value of that letter.
Moreover, even if Sister-in-law Huang acted impulsively and made a big fuss outside, publicly tearing into Hu Xiaomei, so what?
Yan Xishan's reputation was already in tatters. Zhaodi had been beaten so badly by Yan Xishan, the child must face the reality about her biological father. What Chen Meilan really wanted was for Zhaodi to understand all of Yan Xishan's filth and sordidness, and willingly cut ties with him.
Now, let the children immerse themselves in the joy of cartoons and enjoy a happy time.
"I'm going to buy popsicles. Dad, do you want one?" she asked the children with a grin, deliberately.
From Little Wang's dad, directly upgraded to dad?
Was she really calling him that?
Yan Zhao's face noticeably twitched, though he remained expressionless.
But for the children, the effect was significant, as Zhaodi put her arm around Little Lang's shoulder while tugging at Little Wang.
The bond between the three little ones seemed to be sealed with super glue, unbreakable in that instant.
Chen Meilan thought: If it weren't for the children's sake, that scumbag could go wherever he pleased...
