The punishment came quickly; Lai Zi was fined fifty yuan and sentenced to three years in detention for beating Dezi. Given it was a domestic issue, his own child, and the poor living conditions at home, with him being the sole breadwinner, his sentence was reduced by one year after considering the circumstances.
Mother Xu and Mr. Xu were at a loss, having cried and begged everywhere, but to no avail as nobody took notice of them. The village chief and the Secretary drove them out with a broom.
During this time, attending meetings in the county felt shameful; she always felt as though villagers from other places, especially the two village officials from Shenji, were giving them side-eye, which was incredibly embarrassing.
