The knife was still embedded in Lu Xingzhou’s arm.
Blood streamed steadily down the blade, quickly soaking the sleeve of his green military uniform.
Yet he didn’t utter a single groan.
He stood firmly in front of Tong Layue, shielding her behind him, his eyes fixed on Song Dalong, who was writhing on the ground in pain. He remained completely vigilant.
Seeing the knife lodged in his flesh, Tong Layue’s heart tightened.
“That knife is still in your arm,” she said anxiously. “Pull it out quickly!”
“It’s fine.”
Lu Xingzhou’s voice remained calm and steady, carrying the composure of a soldier.
“It’s nothing serious.”
By now, quite a few villagers had gathered on the bridge. Someone had already rushed to the commune to report what had happened.
Many recognized Lu Xingzhou as the third son of the Lu family who had recently returned from military service. Quiet whispers spread through the crowd, praising him for being honest and upright.
Holding her basket tightly, Tong Layue said softly,
“Thank you… I truly owe you for today.”
Lu Xingzhou glanced back at her with an open, straightforward expression.
“Sister-in-law, it’s nothing.”
“Just a minor injury.”
After a brief pause, he added,
“When the commune officials arrive, just tell them exactly what happened.”
“Don’t be afraid.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps echoed in the distance.
Leading the group was Liu Changgui, the production team leader.
Around sixty years old, Liu Changgui was balding, with graying hair and a completely white beard. Dressed in a Zhongshan suit, he was well known for being fair and impartial.
As soon as he arrived, he glanced at Song Dalong curled up on the ground before noticing the knife still sticking out of Lu Xingzhou’s arm and the blood flowing freely.
His face immediately darkened.
Standing behind him was a man whose features bore an unmistakable resemblance to Song Dalong.
It was Accountant Xu.
Not far behind Accountant Xu, Old Madam Qian hid among the crowd.
The moment she saw her son in such a miserable state, her face became gloomy. She kept shooting venomous looks at Tong Layue, but with so many villagers present, she dared not throw one of her usual tantrums.
Lu Xingzhou stepped forward and calmly recounted everything that had happened.
He explained how Song Dalong had blocked Tong Layue’s path, harassed her, and ultimately attacked with a knife.
His words were concise, but every detail was clear.
The surrounding villagers immediately backed him up.
Everyone began talking at once, listing Song Dalong’s long history of bullying and misbehavior.
Not a single person spoke in his defense.
With Lu Xingzhou’s injury, Tong Layue’s testimony, and so many eyewitnesses…
There was no hiding the truth.
This was no ordinary dispute.
It involved assault with a deadly weapon and the attempted molestation of a woman.
The matter had gone far beyond what the commune could handle.
Accountant Xu’s face alternated between pale and flushed.
He wanted to shield Song Dalong, but faced with so many witnesses, he couldn’t utter a single word.
The more Liu Changgui listened, the angrier he became.
“This isn’t just a village quarrel anymore.”
“He attacked someone with a knife.”
“He’s broken the law.”
He immediately ordered several villagers to keep Song Dalong under guard and not allow anyone to move him.
Then he turned to another commune member.
“Hurry to the township police station and report this immediately.”
“Tell them someone in Dawa Commune attacked another person with a knife in broad daylight.”
“Have the officers come here at once!”
The moment Accountant Xu heard the words “police station,” his face turned deathly white.
He hurried forward, hoping to plead for leniency.
Liu Changgui shot him a cold glare.
“Accountant Xu.”
“There’s nothing more to discuss.”
“Not another word.”
Left with no choice, Accountant Xu lowered his head.
Still, he glared viciously at Tong Layue, silently cursing her.
The scene remained chaotic.
Liu Changgui busied himself assigning people to maintain order and guard Song Dalong.
Nearby, Lu Xingzhou stood tall despite his injury.
His expression remained calm, without the slightest trace of panic.
Tong Layue looked again at the knife still lodged in his arm.
Blood continued dripping steadily onto the ground.
Feeling increasingly guilty, she hesitated before stepping closer.
“You can’t leave this untreated.”
“The commune has already taken charge of the situation.”
“You should remove the knife now.”
“Come to my house first.”
“I’ll clean and bandage the wound as best I can.”
“Once the police arrive, the investigation will probably take quite a while.”
Lu Xingzhou looked at her but didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he turned to Liu Changgui.
“Captain.”
“I’ll go treat my wound first.”
“I’ll return shortly to cooperate with the investigation.”
Liu Changgui nodded.
“Go.”
The two of them left Magpie Bridge together.
Neither spoke much along the way.
Before long, they arrived at Tong Layue’s home.
Eight-year-old Zhao Daniu was standing outside with his little sister, Zhao Da’e, anxiously waiting for their mother.
The moment they saw her, both children ran over.
Zhao Daniu immediately noticed the knife protruding from Lu Xingzhou’s arm.
His face changed instantly.
Without thinking, he stepped protectively in front of Tong Layue.
Frightened, Zhao Da’e hid behind her brother, clutching his clothes tightly.
“Mom…”
“Who is he?”
Zhao Daniu asked quietly, watching Lu Xingzhou with obvious caution.
Tong Layue quickly reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“This is Uncle Lu.”
“He helped save your mother.”
She opened the courtyard gate and invited Lu Xingzhou to sit on the stone bench.
Then she hurried inside.
After searching for a moment, she found a packet of medicinal powder and half a bottle of iodine disinfectant.
She had bought them earlier that year after Zhao Daniu had cut his leg.
There wasn’t much left.
She also grabbed a clean white cloth before returning outside.
“The knife is still lodged inside.”
“We’ll have to remove it slowly.”
“Bear with it.”
Lu Xingzhou simply nodded.
Without saying a word.
Squatting beside him, Tong Layue worked with practiced steadiness.
One hand pressed firmly against the muscles around the wound while the other slowly gripped the knife handle.
Carefully…
She pulled.
As the blade slid free from his flesh, fresh blood immediately welled up.
She quickly disinfected the wound with iodine, packed it with medicinal powder, and wrapped it tightly with clean gauze.
Only after finishing did she finally let out a relieved breath.
“This should stop the bleeding for now.”
“After we’re done at the police station, we’ll clean and dress it properly again.”
Lu Xingzhou rotated his arm slightly.
“It isn’t serious.”
“The knife didn’t go in very deep.”
“Thank you for the trouble, Sister-in-law.”
Standing nearby, Zhao Daniu watched the man quietly.
Then he looked at his mother.
Little by little, his guard dropped.
Peeking out from behind her brother, Zhao Da’e whispered timidly,
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Lu Xingzhou looked at the two children.
His gaze was gentle.
He simply nodded.
Not long afterward, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Someone called through the gate.
“The officers from the police station have arrived at the commune!”
“They’re asking Tong Layue and Lu Xingzhou to come over.”
Tong Layue answered and then turned to Zhao Daniu.
“Take good care of your sister.”
“Don’t run around.”
Lu Xingzhou stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the gate.
Tong Layue followed close behind.
The two headed together toward the commune.
On the way, Tong Layue thanked him once again before asking,
“I don’t think I’ve seen you for many years.”
“Were you in the army all this time?”
Lu Xingzhou smiled.
“Yes.”
“I enlisted when I was sixteen.”
“I’ve spent all these years serving in the military.”
“I’ve only recently been discharged.”
“My job assignment hasn’t been finalized yet, so I came home to visit my family.”
“I had just entered the village when I happened to see Song Dalong attacking you.”
He looked at her and smiled warmly.
“Sister-in-law…”
“You’re still just as beautiful as you were back then.”
“Oh, right…”
“Where’s Brother Guoan?”
“I didn’t see him today.”
Lu Xingzhou was twenty-four years old.
During his years in the military, he had trained as a military physician.
With his experience and qualifications, he could have been assigned to a major hospital in the provincial capital after his discharge.
However, hospital positions were scarce, and appointments required waiting for available openings.
For the time being, he had no choice but to return home and wait for his official assignment.
Lu Xingzhou was the youngest son of Mrs. Ni and her husband, Lu Yuanting, Tong Layue’s neighbors.
The Lu family had three children.
Their eldest son, Lu Xingjin, stayed in the village to farm and had married early.
Their daughter, Lu Haixin, had also married within the same village.
Only the youngest son, Lu Xingzhou, had left home years ago to enlist in the military.