Zhao Chenguang lowered his head in fear. At this moment, even if there were rotten eggs, people wouldn't be willing to throw them. He was hit several times by pebbles.
What tormented him most was not the physical pain, but the mental suppression. The vulgar language of the onlookers was all-pervasive, and his future was shrouded in darkness.
Children are very sensitive and good at judging the situation.
They sensed the malice around them, shrinking themselves and not daring to make a sound, afraid that those fierce gazes would focus on them.
Four-year-old Zhao Xin Nuan followed closely behind Jun Jiu Li. The pampered her as before could not walk such a long distance. She was afraid of falling behind and being beaten.
Zhao Xin Nuan and her brother almost fell several times. Jun Jiu Li looked distressed but did not offer any practical help.
"Zhi Li, Xin Nuan, hold on for a little longer. We'll be there soon. Don't cry, no matter what, Mom and Dad will be with you."
Zhao Xin Nuan's mouth twitched, and tears streamed down her face. Her appearance naturally evoked sympathy.
Zhao Zhi Li said, "Mom, I'm a man, I'm fine. But my sister is too young. Mom, can you carry my sister?"
The siblings looked at Jun Jiu Li with expectant eyes.
"Alas, just hold on a bit longer. You are both good children. You have to start adapting now, and life will only be more difficult than today.
Besides, if I carry Xin Nuan, those uncles will definitely disagree, and it might even cause Xin Nuan to be beaten."
The siblings turned pale and lowered their heads, saying no more.
By the time they reached the square, Zhao Xin Nuan was almost sunburnt. She kept crying out in pain. Jun Jiu Li blocked the sun for her with her hand, speaking in a lukewarm tone.
They, the family members, stood aside. The attention of the crowd had shifted away from them.
Zhao Chenguang and his group stood straight despite the scolding. They were defending their dignity.
Some people had been through this situation several times and knelt down numbly at the command.
"Oh my, these people look so pathetic."
"Do you think there's some hidden reason behind this? Otherwise, why haven't they surrendered?"
"Hush, don't talk nonsense, be careful they hear you. These people are not to be trifled with."
"Alas, it's such a sin. That person's face is covered in blood, but aren't they going to bandage it?"
"Heh, who cares about these people's lives? They are not good people. Who knows how much they have swindled from us common folk."
They looked excitedly at the people standing straight. These were ordinary people before, while this group consisted mostly of people with status and education.
Now that they could stand on top of these people and act imperiously, it gave them a great sense of satisfaction.
The leader began to loudly read out the names of those on the square...
As if to demean these once-powerful individuals, who they could not reach, into the dust, they felt majestic and superior.
The people on the square had tears in their eyes, not understanding what their years of work had yielded.
Someone raised his foot to kick Zhao Chenguang, whose hands were bound. Although he was a failed husband, he should not have been insulted by such a person. As the person swung his leg, there was a cracking sound, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
Clutching his leg, he shouted, "It hurts, it hurts so much..."
Someone nearby immediately came to check, "What happened? Did you sprain your ankle?"
"Ahhh~"
He was in so much pain that he could not speak normally, only wanting to vent the pain, he screamed incessantly.
Those around could only comfort him and found another person to accompany him to send the injured person to the clinic.
Everyone thought he was just unlucky and didn't take the matter to heart. Subsequently, those who intended to act met the same fate.
The atmosphere instantly turned bizarre, and everyone felt a chill, no longer daring to lay a hand on Zhao Chenguang and his group.
If it weren't for the needs of their job, those people would have wanted to run away quickly and shout, "There's a ghost!"
Now, they could only continue trembling. The onlookers gradually fled.
The leader's lips trembled, and he looked at Zhao Chenguang and the others as if they were fierce beasts, monsters, and malevolent spirits.
He had led many such events before, but this was the first time he desperately wished for it to end quickly.
The onlookers left, saving them that part. This place was usually crowded, but now there was not even a passerby.
After the leader finished his lines, he arranged for a few subordinates to escort these people back. When they packed up, they planned to send them away the next day.
Back home, Zhao Zhi Li and his sister dared to cry out loud. Zhao Chenguang held them affectionately.
"Don't cry, it's all Dad's fault for implicating you."
Zhao Zhi Li cried intermittently, "Dad, those people today were so fierce."
"Wuwuwu, Dad, I'm so scared."
"Nuan Nuan, don't cry, Dad will always protect you."
"Dad is lying. My feet hurt so much, and my face hurts too. Dad, will we always be like this? Nuan Nuan doesn't want this."
Zhao Zhi Li said, "Dad, I miss Grandpa and Grandma. Can Dad send us to see Grandpa and Grandma? I don't want to see those people today anymore."
Zhao Chenguang felt heartbroken and his throat felt bitter, unable to utter a word. Zhao Chenguang's parents had gone to the countryside a few days ago. With some connections, the secretary there was an acquaintance, so life wouldn't be too difficult.
However, the ages of the two elders were advanced, and Zhao Chenguang, as their son, was filled with worry.
"Be good, Zhi Li. Grandpa and Grandma have gone to a very distant place. Our family cannot reunite for now, but things will get better in the future."
"Wow wow wow~ When is the future?"
Zhao Chenguang's eyes were lost, "Dad doesn't know when."
The siblings cried for a while and fell asleep. Jun Jiu Li returned home without saying a word.
In this situation, everyone's mood was complicated. Zhao Chenguang did not find Jun Jiu Li's attitude problematic.
After resting for a while, Jun Jiu Li took the initiative to pack. Zhao Chenguang went into the house to cook.
After cooking, he woke up the two children, and the family ate with a somber atmosphere. After clearing the dishes, Zhao Chenguang mixed the remaining white flour with grains and made them into flatbreads.
"Yang Yang, I've made you suffer with me. I shouldn't have been so selfish back then. I should have divorced you and let you leave with your sister-in-law.
The days ahead may be even more brutal than today. I don't know if there will be a chance for rehabilitation. Our family might stay in the countryside for a lifetime.
We'll have to do manual labor, endure disdain, and Zhi Li and the others will receive much less education than city children, and they might be bullied..."
"Silly, what nonsense are you talking about? The children are willing to follow you, and I am willing to follow you. As a family, there's nothing we can't overcome.
As for the two children, we can teach them together, and we will never let them fall too far behind. There's nothing wrong with the countryside.
It's very turbulent now, and going to the countryside might even be a way out. Staying here, we don't know what the future holds."
At this moment, Zhao Chenguang was in tears. He was usually not a sentimental person.
He knew that Jun Jiu Li's words were meant to comfort him. He vowed in his heart to work hard and take good care of his wife and children once they were in the countryside.