Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Abusive Husband Beyond Defense

Su Jinxia said, "He’s not really hurt. He only hit his head with a brick to make it look like he was the victim when he saw someone coming to help us."

Her words came from her understanding of Song Jianping, a man who often twisted the truth. When faced with strong opposition, he played the victim; when confronted by the weak, he became brazen.

Ma Cheng slammed the table again. "This guy’s really a bastard! We’re going to the hospital right now!"

On one hand, he feared someone might die; on the other, he wanted to get the case on record. Song Jianping had wanted to settle this long ago, but since the incident had blown up today, it wouldn’t just be swept under the rug. Besides, the charge of sexual assault was clear-cut—he was going to jail.

Lin Yuanyuan hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. Standing at the hospital entrance, she finally believed that Song Jianping would soon be punished, and the bitterness in her heart was somewhat relieved.

After entering the hospital, Ma Cheng asked a nurse and quickly found the ward.

Inside, they first saw a man in a white military uniform stained conspicuously with blood. He nodded slightly, and the other responded in kind.

Song Jianping’s eyes brightened when he saw the chief of police. Then he spotted that wretched girl from the Su family and Lin Yuanyuan.

“Chief, you have to take my side. It was these two women who cornered me in the alley and tried to take advantage of me. When I resisted and failed, they hit me with a brick!”

Since he couldn’t deny the charges, he tried to confuse the issue—his only clear strategy after sobering up.

If convicted of sexual assault, he’d lose the secure government job he was about to get. He regretted his impatience; he should have offered a bigger bride price, and the Lin family would have agreed.

Ma Cheng’s lips twitched. This man lied without even thinking—who could believe such nonsense?

“Song Jianping, don’t spout nonsense. Explain exactly what happened.”

Lin Yuanyuan was so angry she was at a loss for words—what was this man even saying?

Su Jinxia snapped, “I’ve seen shameless people, but never one as shameless as you. Do you have gold on your face? Why would either of us want you?”

“You filthy woman, what are you saying!” Song Jianping, relying on his authority, refused to believe she would dare hit him, no matter how tough she was.

Zhao Yue squinted. This man was a master of deception. When they helped him out of the alley, a small tricycle happened to pass by. Once on board, he lay down pretending to be dead.

At the hospital, he remained silent, lying still—as if he had suddenly become obedient. But there was no good intention behind it.

“I saw everything that happened. It was nothing like you said,” Zhao Yue declared.

Song Jianping stared at the uniformed man. “Who do you think you are? I appreciate you taking me to the hospital, but don’t spread lies! These two women beat me to this state!”

Su Jinxia retorted, “Who would believe that two weak women beat up a grown man? Do you think we’d just stand there and let you hit us?”

“It was clearly you trying to be a pervert, and I caught you. Then you dragged both of us into the alley.”

“Your filthy words alone make me sick. If it weren’t for this gentleman here, who knows what would have happened!”

As she spoke, she deliberately squeezed out a few tears, her pitiful expression drawing sympathy from the crowd.

Gradually, a small crowd gathered. They saw the police and knew something serious had happened inside, so they came to watch.

Song Jianping grew furious. “You women are twisting the facts and turning black into white!”

Ma Cheng stepped forward, grabbing his collar. “This is an interrogation. You better be honest!”

Facing the chief’s gaze, Song Jianping’s bravado faltered.

“These injuries were really caused by these two women. I swear on my honor. Could I possibly have beaten myself?”

Ma Cheng said, “Song Jianping, we’ve dealt with each other long enough. I know how tough you are. These two girls are small and weak—how could they have hurt you?”

“I’m telling you, admit your mistake quickly. Luckily, this isn’t too serious, and if you confess, you might only spend a few days inside. But if you keep lying, it won’t be just a few days!”

Song Jianping retorted, “Why should I admit to something I didn’t do?”

He pointed at Su Jinxia. “This woman punched and kicked me.”

Then he pointed at Lin Yuanyuan. “She hit me with a brick!”

Ma Cheng cut him off. “Enough! Who could believe that? Are you made of paper, letting them hit you however they want?”

Song Jianping pointed again at Su Jinxia. “What do I have to say for you to believe me? She’s strong—she knocked me down and kicked me flying!”

Su Jinxia took a deep breath and burst into tears, overwhelmed with grievance.

Zhao Yue quickly took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

Seeing the white handkerchief, Su Jinxia’s crying intensified. She had once received this handkerchief in a past life, and all her pent-up sorrow surged forth. She looked up at the man before her.

She buried her head in his embrace, crying harder and harder until she was wailing.

Everyone present was deeply moved.

“This poor girl must have suffered so much to cry like this.”

“Song Jianping is lying through his teeth. How could a little girl like her have that kind of strength to hurt someone?”

“I say he just wanted to take advantage of them but failed, so he’s trying to play the victim.”

“But what about the injuries on him?”

“He probably hit himself with the brick. What else could it be?”

Outside, people were chattering noisily.

To avoid disrupting the investigation, Ma Cheng went to close the door. As he walked past, the onlookers left, only to return when the door was closed.

Lin Yuanyuan was a bit dazed but soon recovered and started crying too.

Her tears were quieter but no less heartfelt. She felt wronged, being entangled with such a man.

Her parents were honest, simple folk. Her brother was out of town and couldn’t come back. They had always tried to avoid escalating conflicts.

Yet now something had happened, and the thought of future gossip overwhelmed her. She cried bitterly.

Zhao Yue had never been hugged by a girl before, especially in such circumstances. He didn’t know where to put his hands. Up close, he noticed how sweetly she smelled.

The more nervous he became, the tenser his body grew. He felt as stiff as a wooden post.

To outsiders, his dark expression made him look very angry.

Song Jianping watched the scene unfold and wondered how things had turned around so quickly. One day, if these two wretched women fell into his hands, he would make sure they paid dearly.

For now, he feigned pity.

“You two sure know how to play the helpless victim. Do you think I won’t cry? Even if I did something wrong and wanted to hurt you, these injuries are really from you. I swear on the heavens!”

“If these wounds aren’t from you, then may I be hit by a car crossing the street, or fall into a cesspit while using the toilet!”