Did he go mad, harming his own son?
Regardless of what the police thought, the investigation proceeded, ultimately confirming that Zhang Datou was harmed by Zhang Liuhuo.
The outcome shattered the perceptions of everyone in Zhangjia Village. Poisoning one's own son was an act of utter madness.
"He's gone mad, truly mad. How could he harm his own son? What was he thinking?"
"You're right. If Liunian hadn't acted quickly, Datou would be dead by now."
"I never realized how ruthless their family was. Harming a brother and then a son, they are truly vicious."
"I'm so scared. Living in the same village as people like them, if you accidentally offend them, you never know when they might kill you."
"Now that you mention it, I'm scared too. My house is closest to theirs. If he wanted to harm my family, we wouldn't even know how we died."
"..."
The villagers grew increasingly fearful, wishing to banish Zhang Liuhuo's entire family from the village. Then, they remembered that they needn't worry too much, as Zhang Liuhuo, with irrefutable evidence of murdering his own son, would surely be taken away by the police.
But Zhang Liuhuo was unyielding. He had intended to trick his son into drinking pesticide and then frame Zhang Liunian. However, Zhang Liunian quickly detected the plot and called the police. Now, with no chance of salvating himself, he found it unbearable.
"Zhang Liunian, you just wait. I'll be back." Before being escorted into the police car, Zhang Liuhuo viciously threatened Zhang Liunian.
"..." Zhang Liunian was speechless. He thought Zhang Liuhuo was still dreaming. Deliberately harming someone, and moreover, his own son, would at least land him life imprisonment. Escaping would be as difficult as reaching heaven.
Shaking off his thoughts, Zhang Liunian no longer concerned himself with Zhang Liuhuo's family affairs.
However, he was unaware that because Zhang Liuhuo's family had only the young child Zhang Datou, the police, considering his age, had made an exception and released Tu Meili, who was due for release the following month, early.
Upon her release, Tu Meili expected to see Zhang Liunian in a sorry state. Instead, she heard that his entire family, including Zhang Liuhuo, had been sent to prison.
After hearing the fate of the entire family, Tu Meili became fearful. For the first time, she felt a deep dread towards Zhang Liunian.
During her confinement, she had suffered from lack of sleep and food, and had been bullied. This experience made her deeply appreciate how wonderful her previous life had been.
The more she recalled, the more she regretted provoking and envying Zhang Liunian, which ultimately led to her family's ruin.
Now that she finally had an opportunity to be free, she dared not provoke Zhang Liunian again. On her first day out, she went to the clinic to check on her son. After confirming he was fine, she took him back to her maiden home, intending to remarry and sever all ties with Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian, naturally unaware of this, returned to the educated youth dormitory and once again encountered Zhang Liuxing and Jiang Qingqing talking in the courtyard.
Their expressions were intriguing. Zhang Liuxing's gaze was gentle, while Jiang Qingqing appeared incredulous.
Zhang Liunian narrowed his eyes slightly, his demeanor suddenly shifting. He then strode towards them with his long legs.
Perhaps his footsteps were too loud, drawing their attention. They looked towards Zhang Liunian, instantly halting their conversation.
Just as Zhang Liunian was about to ask what they were doing, Zhang Liuxing spoke first, "Third brother, cherish Qingqing. She's a good woman. Second brother has to leave now."
His words implied that Jiang Qingqing was his woman, but now he couldn't be with her, so he was handing her over to Zhang Liunian. This truly disgusted Zhang Liunian.
So, when Zhang Liuxing truly turned to leave, Zhang Liunian directly extended his long leg to trip him. The next moment, Zhang Liuxing fell heavily to the ground.
Seeing him fall, Zhang Liunian intended to kick him again, warning him not to provoke his wife, Zhang Liunian, in the future. Not everyone could be embraced or provoked.
Jiang Qingqing was Zhang Liunian's woman. How could he look at her like that? She was his sister-in-law.
However, his intention towards Qingqing truly surprised him, as his second brother had never shown such feelings in their previous life.
So why was he showing them now? Was it just to annoy him?
Zhang Liunian's guess was almost accurate. Zhang Liuxing was simply unhappy, unwilling to see his third brother, who was inferior to him in every way, become the village's favorite.
In his two visits back to the village, he had chatted with everyone, and all they talked about was how much money Zhang Liunian had made, how many people he had recruited, how many floors his new house would have, and that his factory was also under construction. Everyone in the village only saw Zhang Liunian, something Zhang Liuxing could not tolerate.
This was why he had deliberately found Jiang Qingqing to say those words after knowing Zhang Liunian was returning.
However, Zhang Liuxing had not expected Zhang Liunian to be so ruthless, causing him to fall and humiliate himself, and then wanting to kick him. If he hadn't rolled with the momentum, he would have been kicked.
Having barely avoided the kick, Zhang Liuxing immediately got up and accused him furiously, "Third brother, what have I done to you? Why do you hate me so much, trying to harm me once and again?"
Zhang Liunian glanced at him coldly. "Heaven and earth know your intentions. I warn you, Zhang Liuxing, stay away from my Qingqing. She is your sister-in-law, and will always be your sister-in-law."
After speaking, Zhang Liunian helped Jiang Qingqing into the house, completely ignoring Zhang Liuxing, who was furious and wanted to lash out.
Jiang Qingqing wanted to speak but ultimately didn't. Only when they were inside and she realized there were no outsiders did she hold Zhang Liunian and say, "Liunian, have you misunderstood something? Second brother didn't bully me."
She had clearly seen Zhang Liunian's actions earlier, but she couldn't understand why her husband would do that.
From what she knew of her husband, he wouldn't treat his second brother like this without reason. Something must have angered him.
What could it be?
Seeing his beautiful and radiant wife, Zhang Liunian sighed inwardly. With such beauty, it was no wonder his second brother was smitten.
"I don't like the way he looks at you. Don't spend time alone with second brother in the future, okay?" Zhang Liunian certainly couldn't say that his second brother was also infatuated with her, so he had to find a way to keep her away from his second brother.
Jiang Qingqing was taken aback, then seemed to recall something and murmured, "Are you afraid second brother said something to me?"
"Said what?"
Zhang Liunian, full of questions, looked directly at his wife. After a brief contemplation, he remembered that his wife had looked shocked earlier. What could have shocked her? He embraced his wife and gently inquired, "What did second brother say to you just now?"
Jiang Qingqing stiffened slightly, then her eyes flickered, and she dared not look at Zhang Liunian. "He... he didn't say anything."
Her reaction only made Zhang Liunian more certain that Zhang Liuxing had said something. Just as he was about to press further, Zhang Qian's voice was heard from outside.