Inside his dimly lit room, Li Jianhua lay awake through the entire night, his body stretched stiffly upon the bed, forced onto his stomach to avoid the agony of his wounded back. Sleep would not come.
Several times, he could not hold back the tears.
They slipped silently into the thin pillow beneath his cheek, carrying with them a bitterness he could no longer suppress.
How had things come to this?
The first time Li Guofu took him to the territory of the Hei Long Gang, he had thought it would be a one-time ordeal.
Just endure it, and it would be over. So when they asked him to act as a laquey, he agreed and endured. Even as fear clawed at his heart, even as every instinct screamed at him to run, he forced himself to stay.
It was his first time stepping into the world of gangs. That night Li Jianhua saw, for the first time, the cruel face of society.
He still remembered it vividly. The people in cloaths from bygone era. The sharp blade scraping against his back. The low laughter of men who had long abandoned any trace of decency. He had been pushed to the center like livestock, surrounded by hardened faces. Their eyes gleamed not with amusement.
"Endure well, boy," the gang leader had said lazily, his tone almost conversational, as if discussing the weather. "If you can bear it, you might earn yourself a few coins."
Then came a knife that scraped across his back again and again, raising thin lines of fire that quickly turned into unbearable agony. His body trembled violently.
People in the room clapped and urged the tormentor on, as though it were nothing more than a performance for their amusement.
"Endure a little more," someone had said mockingly. "If you cry, it won't be interesting anymore."
That moment something inside him had nearly broken.
But he held on, because in his mind, there was only one thought, if I don't endure this… what will happen to Shuying?
That evening, perhaps amused by his endurance, the gang leader tossed five yuan before him.
A reward for suffering. Li Jianhua had barely reacted. But Li Guofu's eyes had lit up with greed. He snatched the money immediately, his face flushed with excitement, as though he had just discovered a golden road.
Li Jianhua told himself, it finally over now and returned home. But the next day Li Guofu came again. And once again, he asked him to follow. Li Jianhua's anger flared instantly.
His wounds from the previous night had not even begun to heal. His back burned with every movement, yet this man was asking him to go again?
"No," Li Jianhua had said, his voice shaking with suppressed rage.
But Li Guofu only sneered and then he said something far worse. "If you won't go," he had said coldly, "then I'll bring the people from gang and will forcefully take Li Jianguo… Li Jianmin… or perhaps.." He paused deliberately. A cruel smile forming. "...Li Shuying."
It struck like a hammer and his heart clenched. He wanted to argue and resist. But when he saw the greed and cold determination in Li Guofu's eyes, he understood something clearly, this man was capable of it.
And so, for the sake of his younger siblings Li Jianhua lowered his head and submitted.
Than from that day onwards the torment continued. More than a week had passed and his endurance was reaching its limit. His back was no longer just wounded, it was ruined.
Bruises layered upon bruises, cuts overlapping old scars, the skin swollen and inflamed. Even the slightest touch sent waves of pain through his body.
He could not sit. He could not sleep properly. Even breathing felt heavy. And yet there was no medicine and care.
Lying there in the darkness, Li Jianhua bit his lip, his body trembling faintly. If this continues… He didn't know what would become of him.
Soon, the eastern sky began to pale. In another room, Li Shuying stepped out of her system space.
The cold air of early morning brushed against her face. The swelling on her cheeks had mostly subsided after rubbing the ice, yet a faint bruise still lingered at the corner of her lips, accompanied by a slight puffiness that could not be entirely concealed.
The exhaustion from the sleepless night had also weighed heavily on her earlier, dark shadows beneath her eyes, her body drained from the relentless tension.
But after eating an apple within her system space, a strange vitality had returned to her.
Her mind felt clear and body, though still injured, responded with renewed strength.
After washing up briefly, she took out a small bag of hawthorn fruits and walked toward Li Jianhua's room.
She paused at the door and knocked lightly.
Inside, Li Jianhua, still lost in his troubled thoughts, heard the sound and frowned slightly, "Who is it?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Elder Brother, it's me," Li Shuying replied softly.
The moment he heard her voice, the tension in his expression eased. Enduring the pain in his back, he slowly pushed himself up. He had returned late the previous night, and by then Li Shuying had already gone to sleep. He had not had the chance to see her. She must have come to check on me, he thought.
Suppressing the discomfort, he made his way to the door and opened it. There she stood smiling gently.
But the moment his eyes fell on her face, his expression changed. His brows knitted tightly, "Why is your face swollen?" he asked urgently. "And… that bruise on your lips, Little Shuying, what happened?"
The concern in his voice was immediate and genuine. Li Shuying's heart softened at once. But she shook her head lightly and replied with a casual tone, "I accidentally fell face-first while sleeping last night, Elder Brother." She then winced deliberately, placing a hand near her cheek, "It hurts quite a bit," she added. "I think I should see a doctor and get some medicine. What if it leaves a scar? That would be terrible."
The moment he heard this, Li Jianhua forgot all about his own pain, "Yes… yes, you're right," he said hurriedly. "Let's go to the barefoot doctor in the village. He should have something..."
He was about to step out immediately when Li Shuying caught his hand.
"Brother, wait," she said gently. "I didn't mean the barefoot doctor… I meant the county hospital."
Li Jianhua froze, "The county hospital?" he repeated, stunned. "But…"
Before he could finish, Li Shuying interrupted him, "Don't worry," she said calmly. "When we were in Baicheng, father gave me some money for expenses. We can afford it." Without giving him time to argue further, she tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go quickly," she urged. "Before Mother wakes up. If she sees me like this, she'll only worry."
Reluctantly, Li Jianhua nodded.
However, instead of heading directly toward the county road, Li Shuying led him toward the house of Brigade Leader Liu Zhenshen.
Li Shuying felt a slight twinge of guilt for disturbing them so early. But when she glanced at the bag of hawthorn fruits in her hand, she steadied herself. At least she had not come empty-handed.
It was Accountant Hu who opened the door. The moment she saw Li Shuying, her eyes widened slightly in concern, "Aiyo, Shuying," she said, leaning forward, "what happened to your face? Are you alright? Did your step-grandmother make things difficult for you again?"
Li Shuying quickly shook her head, "No, Aunt Hu, everything is fine," she reassured her.
She then explained her purpose, to obtain an introduction letter so she and her brother could go to the county hospital.
Accountant Hu listened and nodded, but then sighed, "father and mother went to mothers maternal village last evening," she said. "He's not at home right now."
Li Shuying's expression paused for a moment.
But before she could respond, Accountant Hu suddenly remembered something. "Oh, wait," she said. "There are still a few stamped introduction letters at home. I can write one for you."
Li Shuying's eyes brightened, "Thank you, Aunt Hu," she said sincerely. "I need two letters, one for me and one for my elder brother." As she spoke, she handed over the bag in her hand, "Aunt Hu, these are some hawthorn fruits I brought back from Baicheng. Please take them."
Accountant Hu was startled and immediately waved her hands, "No, no, child, keep them for yourself," she said. "Fruits like these are rare..."
But Li Shuying shook her head and pressed the bag firmly into her hands, "I have plenty at home," she insisted with a small smile. "You should have some too."
Accountant Hu hesitated for a moment, then accepted them, her heart both delighted and slightly guilty. Such a precious thing… and given so freely by a child.
She quickly prepared the introduction letters and handed them over.
Li Shuying thanked her once again before leaving. Outside, Li Jianhua was waiting quietly, his posture slightly stiff from the pain in his back. When he saw her return, he straightened a little.
Without wasting time, Li Shuying walked up to him, "Let's go," she said. And together, the two siblings set off toward the county.
By the time they reached the county, the early morning calm had already been broken.
Li Jianhua slowed his steps, his brows knitting together as he looked around.
The streets, which were usually quiet at this hour, were unusually lively. People had gathered in clusters, speaking in hushed yet urgent tones. There was a restless energy in the air, like the uneasy stirring before a storm.
More noticeably, public security officers could be seen moving through the streets, some on foot, others riding bicycles, their expressions stern and purposeful.
Li Jianhua frowned slightly, "What's going on?" he murmured under his breath.
Li Shuying did not answer. She already had a faint idea. And soon enough, her suspicion was confirmed.
From the street ahead, two public security officers rode past on bicycles, their voices carrying across the crowd as they made an announcement, "Attention, all county members," one of them called out in a firm, authoritative tone. "By directive of the County Public Security Bureau and in accordance with the current state policy on handling criminal elements, all residents are to proceed immediately to the execution ground."
The other officer continued, his voice even sharper, "No one is to remain behind without valid reason. This is a mandatory public assembly for political education and enforcement of law. All county households, and individuals present must attend without exception. Maintain order and proceed in an orderly manner."
The words spread through the crowd like a ripple.
Li Shuying turned her head slightly and glanced at Li Jianhua, "It seems the hospital visit will have to wait," she said calmly. "We should go there first."
Li Jianhua hesitated, a faint reluctance flickered across his face, but in this era, such orders were not something one could ignore, so after a brief pause, he nodded. "…Alright. Let's go."
They merged into the flow of people heading toward the execution ground. Around them, conversations buzzed endlessly. Fragments of voices drifted into Li Jianhua's ears...
"Aiya, why wake us up so early for this?" one man grumbled irritably. "It's barely eight in the morning."
"Lower your voice!" another hissed sharply. "Do you want to get into trouble speaking like that?"
"Still… what's happening?" a third person asked, confusion evident. "Why are we being called to the execution ground so early in the morning?"
A woman nearby leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I heard the Public Security Bureau raided an underground gang last night," she said. "Caught them red-handed with evidence."
"Really?" someone else asked quickly. "How do you know that?"
The woman lifted her chin slightly, "I live near the housing compound of the Public Security Bureau," she replied. "One of the officers' wives was talking about it with another. I heard it myself."
A murmur spread among those listening. "A gang…?"
"That must be it…"
The conversation continued, but Li Jianhua barely heard the rest. His thoughts had already begun to race.
A gang…?
In this county… there had only ever been one gang, Hei Long Gang. His heart skipped a beat. Could it be… them? He didn't dare be certain and yet a strange feeling began to rise within him, making him feel light and almost weightless. As if something that had been pressing down on his chest for days was beginning to loosen.
If it really was them, then didn't that mean he wouldn't have to go back? Wouldn't have to endure that hell again? He swallowed hard, his throat tightening as he followed the crowd, a fragile thread of hope taking root in his heart.
Beside him, Li Shuying watched his reaction from the corner of her eye and understood. And in her own heart, a quiet sense of relief blossomed as well, mixed with something sharper, colder.
At the same time, she was slightly surprised. She had expected justice to come, but not this quickly.
Then again this was the reality of the times. In this era, criminals were not processed through long, drawn-out procedures. There was no room for it. Resources were scarce, food was limited and even space was precious. Keeping criminals alive for extended periods was a burden the system could not afford.
So once guilt was established, judgment was swift and punishment... even swifter.
As soon as they stepped into the execution ground, Li Shuying's saw a barren field, red banners, their slogans and at the far end stood a raised platform, guarded by uniformed officers.
For a brief instant, her chest tightened. This place was the same ground where, in her previous life, her father had been executed. A faint discomfort stirred within her, but only for a moment. She exhaled slowly, suppressing the memory. That was the past, she reminded herself coldly.
Her gaze lifted, sweeping across the crowd.
She recognized many faces, classmates from school, familiar teachers, villagers from nearby production teams. Not far away, she even caught sight of the boys from the Dong Tian group, huddled together, their expressions a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Then her eyes met another pair, old and sharp. Li Shuying's breath hitched almost imperceptibly. It was Gu Zhenhua.
He stood among the uniformed men. When his gaze landed on her, he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
But then his eyes shifted and they lingered. The faint bruise at the corner of her lips and slight swelling that had yet to fully fade. His brows furrowed subtly.
For a fleeting second, a shadow from the previous night flickered in his mind. The silhouette of a young girl, moving like a ghost through darkness.
His gaze sharpened.
The resemblance was too precise, he thought. There was no way the quiet village girl before him could be the same person who had displayed such brutal decisiveness.
And yet for reasons he could not fully explain, his eyes kept drifting back toward her.
Li Shuying felt that gaze. Sharp as a blade resting on her. But she forced herself to remain calm. It had not been long since their encounter at the abandoned factory.
If he recognized her, things would become troublesome. So she did what she did best, ignored it.
"Hey... Li Shuying, Li Jianhua. You're here as well?" A familiar voice broke the tension.
Li Shuying turned and saw Zhang Junyi stood behind them, his expression casual, as though nothing unusual had happened the previous night.
Li Jianhua also turned, surprise evident on his face, "Zhang Junyi?" he said. Then, glancing at his sister, he asked, "You know each other?"
Li Shuying nodded calmly, "We met through Uncle Zhang," she said. "I mentioned him to you and Mother before."
Li Jianhua recalled vaguely and gave a small nod.
Zhang Junyi smiled lightly, "Yes, we're acquainted because of my father," he said smoothly. Then, casting a subtle glance at Li Shuying, he continued in a conversational tone, "But what brings you two to the county so early in the morning?"
"Nothing much," Li Shuying replied evenly. "We had some errands. Then the public security officers made the announcement, so we came here."
Zhang Junyi nodded, as though that explained everything. He shifted his gaze briefly toward Li Jianhua, then spoke again, his tone deliberately casual, as if making idle conversation, "Yes… This execution is something everyone should witness," he said. "It concerns the core members of the Hei Long Gang, the ones who've been operating in the shadows of this county for years."
Li Jianhua's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. But he remained silent.
Zhang Junyi continued, his voice carrying a faint edge now, "They were caught last night, trafficking women," he said. "And from what the authorities have uncovered, it seems this isn't the first time. They've been doing such things for a long while."
"They're remnants of the old society," Zhang Junyi added, his tone colder. "People who refuse to reform, clinging to their rotten ways. For such elements… this public execution is long overdue."
Li Shuying, sensing the subtle shift in her brother's emotions, spoke up, her voice calm but curious, "I didn't realize such people still existed," she said. "Then… does that mean their leader has also been caught?"
Zhang Junyi nodded, "He has," he replied. "Today, several of the core members will be executed publicly. The lesser ones will be sent for ideological reform."
He paused briefly, then added in a lower tone, "As for the leader…" A faint, almost grim expression crossed his face. "Someone got to him first. His hand was severed, and his vocal cord was destroyed. From what I heard… his condition is worse than that of an animal now."
For a moment, silence settled heavily between them.
Li Jianhua's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning pale. A thin line of tears slipped from the corners of his eyes, unnoticed at first even by himself. His mind struggled to grasp what he had just heard.
The man who had inflicted such torment upon him...
The one who had treated his pain as entertainment, while others laughed and urged for more...
Were now being executed?
So this was justice?
His breathing grew uneven.
Then, like a sudden bolt of clarity, another realization struck him. He wouldn't have to go back. He wouldn't have to step into that hell again. Wouldn't have to endure that humiliation… that pain… that fear.
His chest tightened sharply, and his fists clenched even harder as the image of Li Guofu flashed through his mind.
A storm of emotions surged within him... relief, anger, bitterness, even a faint, trembling sense of gratitude, but they tangled together so chaotically that he couldn't separate one from the other.
He stood there, motionless, and didn't even notice when Zhang Junyi quietly excused himself and slipped away into the crowd.
Li Shuying glanced at her brother but said nothing. She understood that after everything he had endured over the past week, no words could truly reach him right now.
Some wounds did not heal with comfort, they needed time. For most ordinary people, the world was simple, clear-cut, divided neatly into black and white.
But that was only the surface. Beneath it lay something far more dangerous, a gray world. A place where cruelty thrived in silence, where human nature revealed its most distorted form.
And her elder brother… had been dragged into that world without warning.
Soon, the proceedings began. A sharp command rang out, and the restless murmurs of the crowd gradually subsided.
From the far end of the ground, a group of prisoners was brought forward under heavy guard, their hands were bound, clothes disheveled and faces pale.
Among them were the core members of the Hei Long Gang and the man from the south who had come as a buyer.
Li Jianhua slowly lifted his head. The moment his eyes fell upon those men, something within him shifted. The hesitation vanished. In its place, a cold, burning fury rose. His eyes reddened, his jaw tightened, and his teeth clenched so hard it seemed they might crack.
An officer stepped forward and began to read out their crimes in a loud, authoritative voice.
A long list of sins that stained the air itself. For a brief moment the entire ground fell silent. Then rage erupted like a tidal wave. The crowd surged with fury.
"Beat them to death!"
"Execution! Execution!"
"Down with these beasts!"
Voices rose from every direction, filled with indignation and anger. People shouted, cursed, and raised their fists in the air, their emotions ignited beyond restraint.
Even Li Jianhua joined in. His voice, hoarse and trembling, rose among the crowd. He shouted until his breath hitched. Until his throat burned. Until the weight inside his chest seemed to burst outward.
Li Shuying watched quietly.
Only when his voice finally faltered and breathing grew ragged and uneven, did she step slightly closer.
Leaning in, she whispered softly near his ear, "Elder Brother… you won't have to suffer anymore. The justice has been served. For you… and for everyone who suffered under them."
Li Jianhua froze and his entire body stiffened. His eyes widened as he slowly turned his head to look at her. There was disbelief in his gaze, "You… knew?" he asked, his voice low and unsteady.