Chapter 26: I Have Waited So Long for This Day

Early on the 29th, Wei Yao rode her bicycle to the West District post office. After waiting outside for quite a while, she finally saw Song Liping emerge, grumbling as she swept the street in front of the building.

As a cleaner, she arrived earlier than the office staff. Her sweeping was half-hearted at best; she would give the ground a few lazy swipes and then just stand there. Few pedestrians were on the road, and even those who noticed her only gave her a passing glance.

"That damn Wu Ping! Does she really think I'm that easy to push around? A temporary downfall proves nothing. Once I return to my original position, I will make her pay for what she did today."

Wei Yao listened with a mocking smirk and rolled her eyes.

"Oh, look who it is. Isn't this the proud and noble treasure of the Song family? Why are you sweeping the streets? Could it be that office work was too difficult, so you specifically requested a transfer?"

"Wei Yao, what are you doing here?"

Wei Yao tugged at her newly purchased camel-colored coat, brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and slanted a look at her.

"What else? I came early in the morning, of course, because I heard about your misfortune and wanted to come see the joke for myself."

"Hmph, see me as a joke? Wei Yao, you truly are from a small-minded background, filled with nothing but petty schemes. So what if I’m sweeping the streets? It’s serving the people. There is no high or low in labor. Even if I am sweeping the streets, I am doing it with all my heart."

She tossed her long braid behind her shoulder and glared at Wei Yao with such utter contempt that it seemed as if Wei Yao were the narrow-minded, mean-spirited, and scheming villain.

That look—that exact look. Wei Yao couldn't help but shake her head. Had she not just witnessed the woman’s half-hearted display, she might have almost believed the accusation, seeing how clear and righteous the woman’s gaze appeared.

It was a pity, though; in this life, neither Song Liping’s twisted logic nor the plot itself could affect her anymore.

"If you were truly so diligent, you wouldn’t have spent half an hour failing to sweep such a tiny patch of ground in front of the post office. You are best at using morality to suppress others, yet you are the most immoral person I know. Song Liping, sometimes I really want to peel open your brain to see how you manage to say such shameless things with such confidence. I heard your own children don't even want to acknowledge you anymore—they call you a 'broken shoe' at home every day. Even the old man has been demoted. Oh my, I told you long ago: you’ve done so many wicked things, it was only a matter of time before karma caught up with you."

Song Liping’s face flushed a deep crimson. She threw down the broom, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at Wei Yao, her sharp nails nearly poking into Wei Yao’s eyes.

"You foul woman, dare to say one more word and see what happens! This is my workplace, not a place for you to throw a tantrum. Besides acting like a shrew, what else can you do? Hmph, it’s only because my eldest brother isn’t back yet. If he were here to see you bullying his parents and bullying me, you’d be in for it! You low-class, foul-mouthed trash, you deserve to be beaten by ten thousand people! Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning for cursing your own sister-in-law? The petty mind of a commoner is truly venomous. Bullying a widowed sister-in-law like this—you’re the one who will face retribution!"

She wasn't whispering; the crowd waiting for business inside the post office and the passersby on the street all witnessed her ferocious expression and heard her filthy insults.

Wei Yao’s lips curled, and she offered Song Liping a smile.

"I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time."

*Smack!*

Wei Yao rolled up her sleeves and struck Song Liping across the face. She then grabbed the woman’s hair with both hands, knocked her to the ground, mounted her, and began trading blows from left to right.

While she hit her, she wailed, "Heavens above! You heartless wretch, I, your sister-in-law, came here just to see you and ask if you needed help! Why are you insulting me like this? I am your sister-in-law, not your enemy! If you wanted money, I gave you money; if you wanted coupons, I gave you coupons! How can your heart be so cruel? You say I’m bullying you—when have I ever bullied you?"

Wei Yao cried with heartbreaking intensity, her strikes swift and decisive, leaving Song Liping no chance to speak.

Even after becoming a street sweeper, Song Liping had remained dressed to the nines, her long braid meticulously groomed, spending her days either flirting with this one or teasing that one. Ever since news of her illicit affairs broke, the filters the post office staff had for her shattered completely. They had once thought her straightforward and gentle, but looking back, most of the people she was close with in the office were men, and there were very few female colleagues she hadn't gossiped about.

Now that she was being repaid in the middle of the street, even her current boss, Wu Ping, just held a broom and looked at the sky.

Wei Yao grew winded from the exertion, stood up, and simply rode away on her bicycle.

By the time Song Liping managed to stand up, groaning in pain, Wei Yao was nowhere to be seen. By then, the morning rush had picked up. With her face swollen and red, Song Liping threw down her broom, covered her face, and ran home.

When Wei Yao arrived home on her bike, most of their belongings had already been loaded onto a truck.

Song Mingrui saw her return and waved her over.

"How was it? Did you say your goodbyes to your former colleagues?"

"Yes, I did. Their canteen starts work early, and the remaining pickled vegetables and such were all divided up. It’s about time, isn't it? Let’s get going!"

"Right. Zheng Li, move the bicycle onto the truck. Your sister-in-law and I are off to catch the train."

"Yes, Commander Song."

The military, considering the long distance and the fact that Song Mingrui was still recovering from injuries, had arranged a sleeper compartment. They traveled for a day and a night, transferred to another train for about three hours, and finally arrived in Yucheng.

Aside from Song Hui making a bit of a fuss, the journey went relatively smoothly.

The military had arranged a vehicle to pick them up early on. Song Yang peered out the window with curiosity.

"Dad, I’m riding in a big car! I’m riding in a big car! It’s going so fast, even faster than Mom’s bicycle!"

"Silly child, a bicycle can't keep up with a car. We’ll be home soon. Once we’re settled, Mom and Dad will take you and your sister to see your grandmother and grandfather. They haven't met you two yet!"

"Okay, Dad! I want to see Grandma and Grandpa, and Sister Taoye, Sister Taohua, and Little Brother Niuniu!"

Wei Yao looked at the scenery outside—at once familiar and strange—and felt a wave of emotion. This was her hometown! She had finally returned!

Song Mingrui sensed her mood and silently took her hand.

"Once we’re settled at home, we’ll go visit your parents together."

"Yes."

After Song Liping ran home, she rushed straight into her room, dove under the covers, and began to sob. Chang Yongqin saw this and hurried into the room. Their family was having a difficult time now, and they truly couldn't afford any more trouble.