After becoming a widow, I became the apple of a rough man's eye.

When the gate was banged on, Xiao Yong was squatting by the well, scraping the hair off the dead wild boar.

The voice was urgent, sounding more like someone seeking revenge than someone visiting.

"Who is it! Trying to call back the soul?" Xiao Yong stuck the knife into the pig's buttocks, shook the water off his hands, and went to open the door.

As soon as the door bolt was pulled open, two people in olive green uniforms blocked the doorway.

He wore a peaked cap, red collar tabs, and a black military belt around his waist, followed by the old village chief with a worried face.

"Is Qin Lie home?" The leader was a middle-aged man with a dark face and surnamed Zhang. His gaze swept around the yard and finally landed on Jiang He, who was sitting obediently on a small stool peeling garlic.

Xiao Yong paused for a moment, then stepped aside, blocking the road: "What do you want with my older brother?"

"Someone reported that what happened between Lai Laoyao and Li Ergou last night wasn't so simple." He didn't waste any words, holding a tattered wine jar in his hand. "Someone recognized this wine jar as belonging to your Qin family. And this—"

With his other hand, he unfurled a torn floral jacket.

Lin Qingqing was carrying a basin out of the kitchen when she saw the clothes. She slammed the aluminum basin on the ground with a loud crash.

Those were the clothes she gave Jiang He last night.

Qin Lie walked out of the main room, glanced at the clothes on the ground, and then at Jiang He, who was still peeling garlic with his head down, as if he hadn't heard anything. His face was frighteningly dark.

"I'm Qin Lie." Qin Lie casually tossed the rag onto the table, took out a cigarette case, shook it out, and handed it over. "What's this all about?"

The leader refused the cigarette and proceeded officially: "Lai Laoyao has sobered up and said that someone brought him alcohol and women's clothing last night. It was medicinal wine; the doctor at the clinic tested it and found herbs added. This is poisoning, a crime of hooliganism, and also intentional assault."

These days, the crackdown hasn't completely subsided, and if this charge is proven true, it could mean being shot.

The air froze instantly.

Xiao Yong stopped being arrogant and looked back at Jiang He, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"This wine jar is indeed mine," Qin Lie said without changing his expression, even striking a match to light a cigarette. "But all my brothers were home last night. My second brother went into the mountains with me, and my fifth brother..."

He paused, then exhaled a smoke ring: "Fifth brother has been sleeping at home the whole time."

"Someone saw him go out last night." The old village chief interjected, looking somewhat troubled. "Qin Lie, don't cover for him. This matter has blown up too much. Li Ergou's reputation is ruined. If we can't find out the truth, it will be hard to explain to the higher-ups."

All eyes were on Jiang He.

Jiang He finally finished peeling the last clove of garlic. He patted the peel off his hands, looked up, and his clean eyes were full of confusion: "Uncle Village Chief, you said I went out? Who saw me?"

"Li Ergou said he saw you." The man surnamed Zhang stared at him.

"Li Ergou?" Jiang He smiled, revealing two sharp little tiger teeth. "Uncle, Li Ergou has his eye on my cousin and has harassed her several times. He already holds a grudge against us. Can we believe what he says? He even said that Lai Laoyao is his wife. Do you believe that?"

The man surnamed Zhang choked for a moment.

"And what about this dress?" The man surnamed Zhang pointed to the floral-patterned jacket. "This must be from your family, right? Someone has seen Lin Qingqing wear it."

Lin Qingqing's heart leaped into her throat.

If they admit Jiang He took the clothes now, that would be irrefutable evidence. But if they lie, what if they get caught...?

She glanced at Jiang He. He was there to help her vent her anger.

Lin Qingqing took a deep breath and took a step forward.

"The clothes are mine."

Qin Lie's fingers tightened suddenly as he held the cigarette.

"But I left it hanging in the yard a couple of days ago, and it got stolen." Lin Qingqing clenched her fists, trying to keep her voice steady. "I even cursed it at the village entrance. If you don't believe me, go ask Aunt Wang next door; she heard me."

Wang Dazui had previously gossiped about Lai Laoyao, and now that things have blown up, Lin Qingqing felt that someone as shrewd as Wang Dazui would definitely not want to get dirty water on her and would speak up for her.

The man surnamed Zhang frowned: "Stolen?"

"Hmm." Lin Qingqing bit her lip, her eyes reddening at the opportune moment. "Losing such intimate clothing is already shameful, and I didn't dare to look for it openly. Who knew... it would be used in such a dirty place."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face; she looked utterly aggrieved.

Qin Lie strode over, grabbed her and pulled her behind him, his tall figure blocking all probing gazes like a wall.

"Did you hear that?" Qin Lie's voice was cold and hard. "Something went missing from my house, and before I even contacted you, you came knocking on my door. Lai Laoyao and Li Ergou are acting horny, what does that have to do with us? If you have evidence that my brother drugged them, take them away now. If not..."

He threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stubbed it out with the tip of his foot.

"The Qin family is not one to be easily manipulated."

The man surnamed Zhang hesitated.

Lai Laoyao is indeed a drunkard who loves to steal chickens and dogs. Li Ergou is no better.

Everyone found it strange that this happened between the two of them, but they were also quite pleased.

Since there are no direct witnesses and no names are written on the wine jars, this matter will remain an unsolved case if we really investigate it thoroughly.

Most importantly, Qin Lie is not someone to be trifled with.

This man had served in the army, earned merits, and was well-known in the county's armed forces department. I don't know why he didn't take the job that was assigned to him, but instead insisted on going back to the village to hunt wild boars every day.

"Alright, since you say you didn't do it, we'll investigate further." The man surnamed Zhang picked up the wine jar and gave Jiang He a meaningful look. "Young man, try to stay home at night. It's dark, and you might slip and fall."

Jiang He nodded obediently: "Thank you for reminding me, Uncle."

After seeing the police and the village chief off, the gate was closed again.

As soon as the door closed, Xiao Yong plopped down on the whetstone, panting heavily: "You scared the hell out of me... Fifth Brother, you little rascal, you've got some nerve! What were you doing?!"

Jiang He ignored him, stood up, dusted off his pants, walked up to Lin Qingqing, and grinned as he reached for her hand: "Sister was so clever just now, you cooperated so well."

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

Before Lin Qingqing could even touch him, Qin Lie had already slapped Jiang He across the face.

The slap was extremely heavy, and Jiang He's head was turned to the side. Five red finger marks instantly appeared on his fair face, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Lin Qingqing was so frightened that she covered her mouth.

Jiang He was stunned by the blow. It took him two seconds to react. He touched his cheek with the tip of his tongue and tasted the sweet and metallic flavor.

He turned his head, the smile on his face vanished, and he stared at Qin Lie with a sinister look in his eyes.

"Kneel down." Qin Lie's face was stern, but his words carried an undeniable air of authority.

Jiang He stood still.

"I'll make you kneel down!" Qin Lie suddenly roared and kicked Jiang He in the back of the knee.

With a thud, Jiang He knelt heavily on the ground, his knees hitting the hard yellow earth, which sounded painful.

"Big Brother!" Xiao Yong jumped up in fright, trying to stop him. "Let's talk this out. Fifth Brother hasn't explained yet..."

"You don't know what he's thinking, but I know it perfectly well!" Qin Lie pointed at Xiao Yong. "Go lock the door and don't let anyone in!"

Xiao Yong had never seen his older brother so angry before. He shrank back and ran to lock the door.