Ultimate Village Doctor

"This..." Su Wu's face showed a hint of hesitation.

Father Su also interjected, "Xiaoshan, this matter has nothing to do with you. You should just go home and rest for the night, and tomorrow you can peacefully go back to work with little Wan."

Long Xiaoshan frowned slightly.

Why was even Father Su speaking like this? Su Wu had almost been beaten to death. Normally, Father Su should not be speaking like this; how could he not stand up for his own son? Could it be that Su Wu had brought this trouble upon himself?

"Dad, what exactly happened? Little Wu shouldn't just be beaten for no reason," Su Wan said. Although she spoke harshly, she was very fond of her brother and naturally didn't want him to be beaten without cause.

"Little Wan, let's just let this matter go. It's your brother's fault anyway. Since your brother is fine now, it's better to do less than to do more..." Father Su said.

"Where did I go wrong? Little Qin and I are in a relationship out of free will, why should..." Su Wu said indignantly.

"Shut your mouth; do you think you haven't caused enough trouble for your sister?" Father Su interrupted Su Wu.

Su Wu pursed his lips and angrily turned his head, clenching his fists.

Seeing Su Wu like this, Long Xiaoshan thought that the young man must feel resentful. If they didn't clarify and resolve the matter, it would probably lead to more trouble.

He said, "Uncle, I think you are in the wrong here. Little Wan is little Wu's sister, and we are all family. There should be no talk of inconvenience or trouble—we should share the burden together, right? There's no need for any hesitation."

"Right, Dad, why are you beating around the bush? If little Wu did something wrong, I wouldn't indulge him," said Su Wan.

"Ah," Father Su sighed, "Alright, since you really want to know, I'll tell you."

"You know little Qin from Aunt Hui's family at the east end of the village, right?"

"I know her. She's little Wu's classmate. She's quite pretty and used to come over to our place to play with little Wu."

"I don't know what got into your brother, refusing to meet any of the matches I introduced. Later, I found out he was sneaking around with little Qin," said Father Su, looking quite annoyed.

"But that's good news, isn't it? Little Qin is about the same age as our brother, and neither of them are married. What's wrong with them being together?" Su Wan said.

"What's good about it?" Father Su said angrily. "You don't know that little Qin has already been promised to someone else. It's the second son of the village secretary Su Songwang, and the betrothal gifts have been received. She's supposed to be their daughter-in-law. Not only did your brother sneak around with little Qin, but he also got caught by Su Songwang's second son, Su Youqian. Your brother fought with him and injured him. How could their family let that slide? Today, when your brother went out, he was ambushed and ended up hurt like this."

Su Wu exclaimed, "Dad, little Qin didn't want it. Her parents, greedy for money, forced her to marry Su Youqian. And little Qin and I got together before their marriage was settled; we just didn't announce it, is that my fault? How could I let the woman I love marry that Su Youqian? That guy is no good—just like his father, both of them are bad."

"Shut your mouth. Once the betrothal gifts have been received, she belongs to someone else's family. You have no business butting in," Father Su said, slapping his thigh.

After hearing all this, Su Wan's expression became somber.

The situation was indeed difficult to untangle.

In the countryside, people take such betrothal agreements very seriously, especially once the betrothal gifts have been given—it's as good as an engagement. She's practically the bride-to-be. For Su Wu to have an affair with someone who's already promised to another, even being beaten to death would leave him without a leg to stand on.

Even if Su Wu claimed he was with little Qin first, it wouldn't matter. Without any official status, while the other party had formally presented the betrothal gifts, he was completely without justification.

Moreover, Su Songwang is the village party secretary; his family owns a mine and is the wealthiest in Baixi Village, with extensive connections.

In Baixi Village, the position of village party secretary has always been held by his family, starting with his father's generation. In terms of influence, they're far more powerful than Su Wan's family could ever match. If it really came down to a fight, Su Wan's family wouldn't stand a chance, whether in terms of authority or wealth, they're leagues apart.

That's why it's quite possible that her brother got beaten for nothing.

Calling the police would be useless, especially now that her brother's head injury has healed; it's even more pointless.

"Little Wu, are you and little Qin truly in love? Does little Qin genuinely not want to marry the son of the village party secretary?" Long Xiaoshan asked.

Su Wu said, "Yes, Sister... Brother Xiaoshan, little Qin and I have been in love since we graduated from junior high. We were just too young, and I was never successful at anything, so we kept it a secret and never dared to go public. Who knew her parents would betroth her to Su Youqian? I even went to little Qin's parents to talk about it, asking them not to promise her to Su Youqian, but they kicked me out, calling me a poor kid dreaming of punching above my weight."

Su Wu looked utterly frustrated and dejected.

It's likely that little Qin's parents' words were a big blow to him.

Long Xiaoshan tapped his hand lightly twice and said, "I understand. Since you two truly love each other, I will help you, and I'll bring little Qin back to your side."

"Really, brother-in-law! Ouch." Su Wu stood up excitedly and hit his head on the car roof.

Father Su quickly said, "Xiaoshan, you mustn't get involved in this matter, please heed my advice. Tomorrow, just take little Wan and go back home. I'm planning to send this youngster to work on the coast."

"Dad, I'm not going," Su Wu protested anxiously.

"You're going whether you want to or not," Father Su erupted in anger.

Su Wan said, "Xiaoshan, this is a difficult situation. People will talk, and though I know you're capable, little Qin has already been betrothed to someone else. Even if we do get her back, our family will be criticized."

Long Xiaoshan shook his head and said, "Sister Su Wan, that's where you're wrong. Suppose you and I were in love, and your parents promised you to someone else without your consent, would you be happy about it?"

"I... Of course, I wouldn't be happy," Su Wan said quickly.

"So, you see..."

"I understand," Su Wan exhaled deeply. "Okay, I support you. I back you in helping my brother bring little Qin back."

"Sister, I love you so much," Su Wu exclaimed excitedly.

"Enough," Su Wan glared at Su Wu and said, "Settle down. Let your brother-in-law... no, let your Brother Xiaoshan handle this. Whatever he says to do, we'll do."

"Yes, yes, I'll definitely listen to brother-in-law, if he says to go east, I won't even think of going west," Su Wu said emphatically.
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"Little Wan, you all, what are you doing? The Su Songwang family isn't just any family," both Father Su and Mother Su wore worried expressions. Deep down, as honest farmers, there was an innate fear of opposing the village party secretary.

"Mom, Dad, don't worry too much," Su Wan said. "Leave it to Xiaoshan, he can handle it."

"Indeed, uncle and auntie, please trust me. No matter what kind of background that Su Songwang has, we have to abide by the law. A marriage contract signed privately has no legal effect, and little Qin is an adult. Her marriage is her personal freedom, and nobody has the right to interfere," Long Xiaoshan asserted.