Street Stories: A True Account of a Group of Blind Men in the Underworld

As soon as Qiao Yang stepped into the house, he told Li You everything he had found out from Hong Fei's house.

Li You, who had been anxiously waiting, seemed to light up upon hearing this, and a blush suddenly appeared on his pale face, as if he could already see the scene of red candles burning brightly and the character for "double happiness" pasted on the door.

His heart warmed whenever he thought of Hong Fei.

The girl was extremely pretty and kind. Although she was blind, her every move was gentle and quiet. Even when she wasn't smiling, she had a gentle demeanor that made him unable to let go of her at first sight.

At this moment, Li You gripped Qiao Yang's arm tightly, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Brother Qiao, I knew Feifei had feelings for me! This way, we can get married soon!"

Seeing Li You's delighted expression, Qiao Yang's tone became even more serious:

"Don't be too happy yet. Just because Hong's parents are unwilling to give Feifei up to someone else doesn't mean they'll agree to let her marry you."

Su Yue, who was carrying in hot water, nodded in agreement, her brows furrowed with worry.

"I also feel that things won't go smoothly. The prejudice of the older generation in the countryside against blind people getting married, and their stubbornness about arranged marriages by parents, can't be resolved in just a few words."

Just moments ago, Li You was filled with joy, but in an instant, he was like a punctured balloon, all his strength drained away.

His face turned pale, and he panicked, clutching Qiao Yang's sleeve tightly.

"What...what should we do? Big brother, what should we do next? We can't just stand by and watch Feifei be taken away by someone else..."

Qiao Yang patted the back of his hand, without the usual pretentious and charlatan-like manner of a fortune teller:

"From now on, we won't consult fortune tellers or divination in this matter; we'll only follow one principle—the new Marriage Law. Anyone who tries to arrange a marriage or break up lovers will be dealt with by the authorities; we'll seek justice through the law!"

"No time to lose, things could get complicated if we wait any longer, let's go now!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Yang helped the unsettled Li You and, braving the cold winter wind, headed straight for the township office.

The township office was noisy with people and the constant clatter of pens and ink.

The staff didn't even bother to lift their eyelids at the two blind people who suddenly barged in, treating them as ordinary villagers who had come to ask for advice.

Qiao Yang steadied himself, straightened his back, and spoke in a clear and powerful voice:

"Comrade, we need to report a situation. Some people are arranging marriages, which violates the new Marriage Law..."

Before he could finish speaking, a staff member wearing an old cotton hat impatiently waved him away, speaking in a harsh tone:

"I'm busy! Can't you see this room full of official business? Ever since the Marriage Law was promulgated, it's been all about marriage-related matters every day. Go wait somewhere else, don't cause trouble here!"

Li You was already flustered, and after being scolded, he immediately shrank back and didn't dare to say another word. He subconsciously hid behind Qiao Yang.

The people around glanced at the two blind men, a sneer playing on their lips. They whispered amongst themselves, their expressions full of disdain.

Qiao Yang did not retreat an inch, his back ramrod straight, his voice still calm and steady:

"Comrade, our situation is special. My junior brother Li You and junior sister Hong Fei are in love, but their parents are forcibly preventing it and have even secretly betrothed the girl to someone else..."

"Blind man?"

The staff member finally slowly raised his head, looked the two of them up and down, and his contempt was almost overflowing. "I'm telling you two, you can't even take care of yourselves, what are you talking about getting married? Don't be delusional."

One sentence pierced Li You's heart like an ice pick. His body trembled violently, he stumbled and almost fell to the ground, and his eyes instantly turned red.

Qiao Yang's expression suddenly turned cold, his aura intensified, and his words were firm and resounding:

"Comrade, the Marriage Law clearly states that marriage is a matter of freedom, and everyone is equal, regardless of whether they are able-bodied or disabled! How can we be arbitrarily separated and humiliated just because we are blind?"

These words silenced the entire township office. An older staff member put down his pen, frowned, and scrutinized the two men, speaking in a perfunctory tone:

"Young man, it's not that we don't want to help. Two blind people living together, who's going to take care of whom? This is just a trivial family matter; we can mediate it back in the village. Why come all the way to the township to make a scene?"

"This is not a family matter; it is a blatant interference with freedom of marriage and a violation of the law. The government must uphold justice!" Qiao Yang's voice suddenly rose, filled with righteous indignation.

"I know, I know, everyone understands that!" the previous staff member interrupted impatiently, waving his hand as if shooing away mosquitoes. "I've noted the situation. Go back and wait for news! Don't block other people from doing their work, get out of here!"

After saying that, no one paid any more attention to the two of them.

Li You gripped Qiao Yang's arm tightly, her voice trembling uncontrollably, tears welling in her eyes:

"Brother Qiao...they...they don't care about us...In this world, is there no way for blind people like us to survive?"

Qiao Yang remained silent for a moment, a surge of anger and resentment stuck in his throat. He had thought that with the law in hand, he could get justice, but he never expected to be treated coldly as soon as he entered the door. All he heard was perfunctory and contemptuous talk, without even a single sincere word of advice.

After a long pause, he suddenly clenched his fist and shouted:

"If the township won't do anything, we'll go to the county! Junior brother, come with me. I refuse to believe there's no place in this world where justice is served!"

Throughout the journey, Li You was restless, filled with despair and unease.

Qiao Yang remained calm throughout, occasionally offering quiet words of comfort:

"Don't be afraid, we're in the right, and no one can defy the law. You and Hong Fei are truly in love, you haven't stolen or robbed anyone, and no one can forcibly separate you."

Once we entered the county town, the surroundings were bustling with noise and a constant stream of vehicles.

After asking around, the two finally found the entrance to the Civil Affairs Department of the county government.

Qiao Yang helped Li You to her feet, and faced the staff member who came forward to inquire, she remained neither humble nor arrogant:

"We have a grievance to appeal, concerning our freedom of marriage. We implore the leaders to uphold justice for us!"

Seeing that the two were simply dressed but looked sincere, and did not seem like unreasonable people, the staff led them into the office.

Upon seeing the head of the Civil Affairs Department, Qiao Yang stepped forward, shielding Li You to his side, and recounted the entire incident clearly, word by word:

"Comrade leader, my name is Qiao Yang, and next to me is my junior brother Li You. He and his junior sister Hong Fei studied art together and spent every day together. They fell in love and had already pledged their lives to each other."

However, the girl's parents, believing both of them to be blind to reason, obstructed the marriage in every way possible, even going so far as to disregard Hong Fei's wishes and secretly betroth her to someone else. They also verbally abused and humiliated my junior brother, trampling on his feelings!

Everyone in the room was taken aback. The staff who had been working with their heads down looked up, their expressions gradually changing from initial curiosity to seriousness.

Qiao Yang continued, "The new Marriage Law has long stipulated that marriage is a matter of personal choice, arranged marriages are prohibited, and parents are not allowed to interfere with their children's marriages!"

We are here today not for money or special treatment, but only to ask that the leaders stand up for the people and persuade both sets of parents to grant my junior brother and Miss Hong Fei their wish to be together.

Although they are both blind, their hearts yearn for light, and they support each other; they will surely be able to live a good life.

Qiao Yang's words were reasonable, well-founded, and sincere, supported by the law and filled with heartfelt sincerity.

Some nodded to themselves, some looked sympathetic, and even the slightly disdainful looks they had previously given were completely gone.

Li You could no longer suppress the grievances and expectations in her heart. Her eyes reddened, her voice choked with sobs, and she added in a trembling voice:

"Boss... Feifei and I are sincere... We may be blind, but our hearts are not. We can make a living together and take care of each other... Please, please help us..."

His voice choked with emotion, as if every word was uttered with blood, which sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present.

The official in charge of the Civil Affairs Department's face darkened completely after hearing this. He stood up, looked at the two blind people supporting each other, and spoke with a firm and resolute tone:

"We've taken note of everything you've said! Arranged marriages and interference with freedom of marriage are illegal acts explicitly prohibited by the state! Rest assured, our Civil Affairs Department will handle this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Li You trembled all over, and tears streamed down her face.

Qiao Yang had just breathed a sigh of relief when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, accompanied by a sharp voice, instantly changing the atmosphere inside the room—

"Sir, we can't listen to these two blind men's nonsense! Hong Fei's marriage is a matter for the Hong family to decide!"