Chapter 138: Interrogation
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Soon, the group of people arrived at the village committee.
The village committee was a three-story gray brick house with a white wall outside. The wall was painted with red slogans like “Unite the Masses, Encourage Production, Be Proactive, and Strive for the Best.”
As soon as Ye Ling and Sun Li entered the courtyard, Ma Kang had someone open a room.
“You can lock me up, but Auntie Sun has nothing to do with this. You have to let her go,” Ye Ling said immediately.
Ma Kang wasn’t planning to do anything to Sun Li, but Ye Ling’s tone made him uncomfortable. He said coldly, “You should worry about yourself first!”
One of the village cadres attempted to push Ye Ling into the room, but when he thought of the consequences that befell the last person who pushed her, he nervously glanced at Sun Li. Eventually, he withdrew his hand and shouted, “Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and go in!”
Sun Li was frustrated but had no choice. The village committee was Ma Kang’s territory. If she continued opposing Ma Kang, he might lock her up in the end.
Ye Ling looked at Sun Li and reassured her, “Auntie Sun, you should go back. Wan Xue is still at home. Don’t let him worry and be scared at home alone. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Sun Li’s eyes were red. “You’ve suffered again, good child.”
Although Min Nan had assured Sun Li that Ye Ling would be fine and Sun Li believed that Min Nan had everything under control, she couldn’t help but feel heartbroken and angry seeing Ye Ling being mistreated by Ma Kang.
After Ma Kang locked Ye Ling in the room, he pretended to arrange for two village cadres to bring in paper and pens for the interrogation. Sun Li stood in front of the tightly closed window, trying to peer inside, but she couldn’t see anything.
Inside the room, two village cadres sat across from Ye Ling and began questioning her.
They began by asking about Ye Ling’s family situation and eventually inquired about her relationship with Min Nan. They even vaguely tried to find out if the two of them had sex.
Ye Ling’s hand under the table slowly clenched into a fist.
They repeatedly asked the same questions, and if Ye Ling’s answers showed the slightest inconsistency, the two would harshly reprimand her.
After more than two hours, Ye Ling’s voice was hoarse, and the interrogators were also growing tired. They left the room. Soon, another two people entered.
This was followed by another round of grueling interrogations. If Ye Ling answered a question too slowly, the interrogators would slam the table and scold her.
By the afternoon, Ye Ling’s mental state had deteriorated. Her lips were parched, and her vocal cords ached.
Over an hour ago, she heard Sun Li bring her food, but after Sun Li was chased away, no one offered her anything to eat.
Ye Ling understood that this was Ma Kang’s initial retaliation.
Next, he might forge the interrogation records and frame her with false charges. Eventually, he would strip her of her title as an educated youth and have her sent away.
Ye Ling took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes. She leaned back in her chair, hoping to take a short break.
However, someone noticed her small movement. The interrogator slammed the table hard and scolded her, “Sit up straight! This isn’t your home!” Ye Ling frowned and looked coldly at the two people in front of her.
“What’s the matter? Not convinced?” One of them stood up and approached Ye Ling, rudely reaching for her hair as if to pull her up.
At that moment, a commotion at the door interrupted the interrogation.
The interrogators exchanged glances, and one of them said, “Go out and see what’s happening.”
At the entrance, Chen Si and a group of workers with bandages stood angrily.
Ma Kang came out and, upon seeing Chen Si and the workers, was momentarily stunned before his face darkened. “Are you here to cause trouble?”
Chen Si had a crutch under one arm, and his trousers were covered in semi-dried mud. He was undeterred by Ma Kang’s aggressive demeanor. With determination, he took a step forward, crutch in hand, and stared at Ma Kang coldly. “Did you lock up Comrade Ye?”
Finally, Ma Kang understood why Chen Si and the others had come to the village committee. He was furious, and his facial muscles trembled.. “I get it, Min Nan sent you, right? That b*stard had planned everything!”