r18novel Chapter 15 Youthful Loyalty
Chapter 15 Youthful Loyalty
When they learned that Sun Changlin was actually the township head's son, Hong Liguo and his companions were instantly stunned, exchanging bewildered glances, their hearts filled with fear and unease. Images of imprisonment involuntarily flashed through their minds, as if the cold iron bars and gloomy cells were already close at hand. They knew that assaulting the township head's son was undoubtedly a grave offense, and their fate was likely grim.
At this moment, Wang Daba Zhang gave Township Head Sun a serious look, signaling him to go inside for a detailed discussion.
Township Chief Sun understood immediately and followed Wang Dabazhang into the inner room with heavy steps.
Their conversation, sometimes low and indistinct, sometimes high and clear, reached Hong Liguo and his companions intermittently. Although most of the content was difficult to understand, a few sentences were thunderous: Township Chief Sun demanded that they, including Yi Jianping and his group, be sent to the detention center, saying that they would be given a severe dressing-down and made to deeply reflect on their mistakes.
Wang Dabazhang clearly didn't want to escalate the situation and advised Township Head Sun to reconsider. "After all, they're just some ignorant kids who are bound to act recklessly for a moment. A little persuasion and education will suffice. Everyone has been young and impetuous before." Wang Dabazhang obviously still remembered how reckless he was when he was young.
Upon hearing Township Head Sun's words, the group of them immediately wilted like frostbitten eggplants, their heads drooping with remorse. They clearly realized that they had made a huge mistake this time, and that the one thing they shouldn't have done was lay a hand on Township Head Sun's son.
Wang Laoba and Liu Laohai couldn't help but sob softly. Their trembling shoulders and suppressed cries revealed their deep fear and despair.
Jay was probably in utter despair, so he didn't react much. He just hung his head blankly, staring at his feet, as if waiting for the law to punish him.
Just then, Sun Changlin suddenly stood up and shouted at Wang Laoba and Liu Laohaizi, "What are you crying for! It's such a small thing, and you're all so scared! It's just going to jail, if you really go, I'll go with you! What are you crying for! Will crying solve anything? You cowards."
His voice was firm and powerful, standing out starkly in the oppressive atmosphere. His flushed face and clenched fists seemed to demonstrate his fearlessness and sense of responsibility. For a moment, Hong Liguo felt that Sun Changlin's figure had grown much taller, not because of his burly physique, but because his words, full of righteousness, had deeply touched Hong Liguo's heart.
Before anyone could respond, Sun Changlin pushed open another door without permission and strode inside. Immediately afterward, his father, the township head, launched into a stern reprimand, which poured out like a torrential downpour.
"Don't you know what rules are? Do you think this is your home? You barged in without even knocking. I think you're just like them, none of you are good people. What kind of good kid gets arrested by the police? What are you standing there for? Get out!" Mayor Sun shouted angrily.
Then came Wang Dabazhang's authoritative rebuke, ordering Sun Changlin to go outside and await the outcome. However, Sun Changlin did not back down; he immediately began to argue, his words fierce and unyielding. Gradually, the argument grew more intense, with the township head's roars and Sun Changlin's rebuttals mingling together, while Wang Dabazhang tried to mediate and quell the escalating conflict.
After a long silence, the room fell silent. Finally, Wang Da's voice broke the calm: "Changlin is now insisting they were just playing around, and that they went too far. What am I supposed to do? I can't report this to my superiors!" His words were filled with helplessness and distress. Township Head Sun was so angry he couldn't speak, only breathing heavily, his chest heaving violently.
Sun Changlin showed no fear and continued loudly, "If you're going to release them, then release them. If you're not going to release them, I won't leave! Wherever you take them, I'll follow! I'm too lazy to go to school anymore!" His resolute tone seemed to be declaring his determination to the whole world.
"Shut up!" Mayor Sun roared, his voice hoarse with anger. If Wang Dazhang hadn't been there, he would have slapped him twice.
Sun Changlin ignored his father's reprimand and continued, "You decide what to do! If I go to the detention center, I won't be able to visit Grandpa on weekends. Don't blame me if Grandpa gets angry." His words carried a hint of threat, yet also seemed to have a deeper meaning.
Speaking of this Township Head Sun, he was an educated man. In his youth, he was sent to the countryside during the Down to the Countryside Movement, missing his chance to take the middle school and college entrance exams. During his time there, he met Sun Changlin's maternal grandfather. At that time, the grandfather was a leader in the township, and seeing that Township Head Sun was handsome and educated, he arranged for his daughter to marry him. Township Head Sun, hoping to change his fate and escape the hardships of farm work through this marriage, readily agreed.
At this moment, the door slowly opened, and Wang Dabazhang walked out from the inner room. He sat behind his desk with a serious expression, his eyes fixed on the group of people, and said, "Mayor Sun took Sun Changlin to the city for a checkup. If the results are fine, this matter might be over; but if there are any problems, you'll all be going to jail. I've already sent Xiao Li to the school to find your principal, and the school will send someone to pick you up in a bit. You little brats, all you do is fight and brawl all day long. Can that feed you or make you rich? When you get back this time, you all need to reflect on your actions. You absolutely cannot act so recklessly again, understand?" His eyes revealed severity and expectation, making it difficult for anyone to look him in the eye.
They answered in unison, "Yes, we heard you." Their voices were weak and listless, filled with exhaustion and helplessness.
Wang Daba frowned, clearly dissatisfied with their answer, and raised his voice, saying, "Too soft, and not in tune, do it again! Did you hear me?"
"I heard you clearly." This time they raised their voices, but they still seemed somewhat unsure of themselves.
Wang Dabazhang suddenly stood up and shouted, "No, do it again! Louder! Did you hear me?"
"Listen carefully!" This time they all used all their strength to shout out these three words at the top of their lungs, and the sound echoed in the room.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Wang Dabazhang's face. He walked up to Hongbo and gently slapped him, pretending to be stern as he said, "Still wondering where your soul is! You think you're so great? If you dare to cause trouble again, I'll let you know where your soul is." In his seemingly stern actions and words, however, a hint of care and protection from an elder for a younger generation was subtly revealed.