116 They Got Scolded Instead
“God, open your eyes and look at this world that inverts right and wrong, where people are being eaten alive. Good people are being wiped out and eliminated! My son is innocent! Please save my son!”
Madam Qian lay on the ground and started rolling around hysterically.
County Magistrate Qiao’s face was dark with anger.
He slammed the gavel and said, “This is a court. It’s not a place for you to throw tantrums! Security, take down this woman who’s disturbing the court, and give her twenty strokes of the cane as a warning!”
Madam Qian immediately picked herself up from the ground when she heard that and tried to run away.
But this was an official court. How could she possibly run away?
The officials from the court caught her and forced her into a chair.
Madam Qian’s shrieks were so agonizing that no one else dared to look at her.
Zhao Chuchu wanted to cover Xie Jun’s eyes and not let him see it, but Xie Heng stopped her.
Xie Heng even turned Xie Jun to face Madam Qian’s direction so he could see more clearly.
Xie Jun was a little afraid, but Xie Heng didn’t let him back away.
“Junjun, look at this. The law exists to restrict and govern the morals of people. So in the future, if anyone tries to harm you, you cannot have any sympathy, alright?”
“But I have you, brother.”
“Brother can’t protect you forever, Junjun. Everyone has to grow up one day.”
Xie Heng had previously protected Xie Jun because Xie Jun was poisoned, and he couldn’t find an antidote. So all he could do was try his best to let Xie Jun enjoy his life every day.
But now, the situation has changed. Zhao Chuchu was able to detoxify Xie Jun. Xie Jun had to start learning how to face the cruel reality.
Xie Heng didn’t want to let Xie Jun remain an innocent, uncorrupted child.
Xie Jun trembled slightly, but he understood what Xie Heng was saying. So, although he was afraid, he decided to face it courageously instead of running away.
After 20 strokes of the cane, Madam Qian was barely breathing.
The people from the Niu family didn’t dare say anything. Regardless of how much they hated Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng, they didn’t dare show any of it.
They witnessed what happened to Madam Qian themselves, and no one dared to court death anymore.
County Magistrate Qiao made the security carry Madam Qian to Niu Ziming’s family.
The court officials were extremely ruthless in administering the punishment.
They didn’t spare any strength at all.
However, Madam Qian wasn’t in any mortal danger, but she would be in pain for a long time after this.
“Dismissed.”
County Magistrate Qiao exited the court.
Niu Ziming’s grandmother glared at Zhao Chuchu and said, “You caused my daughter-in-law to become like this. Hurry up and save her.”
Zhao Chuchu grabbed Xie Jun’s hand and started walking out as though she didn’t hear Niu Ziming’s grandmother. “Junjun survived such an ordeal, and we managed to seek justice for him. This is worth celebrating. How about a good meal?”
“I’ll listen to sis.” Xie Jun’s eyes lit up the moment Zhao Chuchu mentioned a good meal. Then, he asked, “Brother, what about you?”
“Yup, let’s go.” Xie Heng nodded in agreement.
“Zhao Chuchu, stop!” Niu Ziming’s grandmother yelled.
Zhao Chuchu ignored her and continued walking out.
The old woman sprinted forward and stood in front of Zhao Chuchu. “I told you to save her!”
Only then did Zhao Chuchu look at her. “Save her?” she asked.
“You ruined my entire family. If you don’t save her, you will be the murderer because you caused her to die. My grandson is already suffering such a terrible fate. Are you trying to force my daughter-in-law to die as well?”
The old woman said aggressively, “Guys, look at this. Does this woman think she can kill anyone she likes just because she solved the plague? Is there still law and order in this world?”
Zhao Chuchu laughed.
But before she could say anything, the bystanders spoke first.
“Ptui, what the hell is wrong with this old hag? No wonder she has a grandson like this and such a ridiculous daughter-in-law. It turns out it was passed down from the family!”
“Her grandson almost killed someone else. How could she be shameless and say they were forcing her to die? If it’s up to me, the county magistrate should have sentenced their entire family to death! Why leave them here to continue harming other people?”
“Take a look at what you did yourself. You want us to help you seek justice. Who do you think you are? Look at yourself in the mirror! Immoral, black-hearted scum, you’ll be punished by god!”
“Old lady, don’t overestimate how much power you have. If this weren’t the court, I would beat you up first. You’re disgusting and annoying. Doctor Zhao is unfortunate to be in the same village as you!”
“Scram, don’t try to gain our sympathy. I can’t wait for wicked scums like you to die!”
Madam Qian and the Niu family didn’t think that they would fail so miserably at riling up the crowd. The bystanders scolded them instead.
Niu Ziming’s uncle felt extremely ashamed. They carried Madam Qian and ran away miserably. No one dared tell Zhao Chuchu to save Madam Qian anymore.
“Thank you, everyone, for standing up for me. Fortunately, you guys know right from wrong and didn’t get used by them. Otherwise, I would have been wronged!” Zhao Chuchu thanked the bystanders.
“Doctor Zhao, don’t worry about it. We’re not blind, so we can tell who’s evil here. If that family dares to bully you again, don’t worry, we’ll support you!”
All of the bystanders expressed their opinion and supported Zhao Chuchu.
Niu Ziming’s family wasn’t far away yet. They quickly hastened their footsteps when they heard them, afraid that they might be verbally beaten up again if they were too slow.
Zhao Chuchu thanked the bystanders again and brought Xie Heng and Xie Jun to Visitor’s Aroma.
Unexpectedly, they ran into Qiao Heting at the entrance of Visitor’s Aroma.
“Miss Xie, what a coincidence,” Qiao Heting greeted them politely. He asked as his gaze landed on Xie Heng. “Is this Mr. Xie, Xie Heng?”
Xie Heng nodded and said, “Yes, I am. May I know who you are?”
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about you. I am Qiao Heting,” Qiao Heting greeted.
“Mr. Qiao, nice to meet you.”
For some reason, Zhao Chuchu felt like Xie Heng behaved really distant when interacting with Qiao Heting.
It’s not that Xie Heng gets close to people very easily, but Zhao Chuchu had never seen Xie Heng treat anyone else like that.
Xie Chuchu recalled when she first met Qiao Heting and told Xie Heng about it when she returned home. She felt like something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“What a coincidence. Shall we have a meal together? My treat. Please don’t reject me, Mr. Xie.”
“Thank you, but Chuchu said we’ll celebrate with Junjun as a family. It may be a little inconvenient with you present.”
Xie Heng’s rejection was rather blatant.
Of course, Qiao Heting understood what he was trying to say.
But he waited here to “run into” them, so he pressed on. “It’s okay. I’m not a picky eater.”
Xie Heng didn’t know what to say.
He didn’t know that Qiao Heting could be so shameless!
“How about tomorrow?” said Zhao Chuchu, trying to diffuse the situation. “It’s already getting quite late, so we’re staying the night in the county.”
“I need to head out for business tomorrow. Since we happened to meet here right now, let’s do it today.” Qiao Heting had already made up his mind. He would not let Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng reject him.
Zhao Chuchu looked toward Xie Heng helplessly.
Xiao Heng nodded and said, “Alright then.”
Qiao Heting smiled and said, “Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“You knew that you were being inconvenient, yet you insisted on following,” Zhao Chuchu couldn’t help but remark silently.
Xie Jun felt rather unhappy as well.
He was going to eat with his brother and sister-in-law!
Xie Heng looked toward Zhao Chuchu and said, “Chuchu, call Uncle Niu and the others here as well, so we don’t delay their mealtime. We can look for a hotel later.”
Qiao Heting frowned slightly. Why was Xie Heng hostile toward him for no apparent reason?