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

Just past noon that day, Qiao Yang and Li You received an urgent message from the township office—the leaders of the county civil affairs department were coming down in person to immediately cancel Li You's marriage to Hong Fei.

Li You had a quick lunch at Qiao Yang's house and was about to leave when Su Yue stepped forward, carefully draped a satchel over Qiao Yang's shoulders, and whispered:

Everything is packed. Be careful on the road.

Li You was puzzled. It was just a matter of going to the village to settle a marriage dispute, not a fortune-telling business. Why did his senior brother need to wear such a heavy satchel?

He was puzzled, but didn't ask any questions. He groped his way to the township office alongside Qiao Yang.

As soon as the two entered, they were met with a somber atmosphere. The leaders of the county's civil affairs department were already sitting and waiting, their faces solemn, clearly having come specifically for this matter.

A short while later, Hong Fei and his family were also led in.

The memory of Qiao Yang single-handedly crushing four strong men a few days ago was still fresh in Hong's mind.

Seeing Qiao Yang and Li You again now, she no longer dared to act as recklessly as before, but she couldn't suppress the greed in her heart.

After a moment of silence, Hong's mother finally spoke, her voice carrying a hint of fierceness but underlying weakness:

"Feifei is blind, how could she possibly choose her own man in this lifetime? I've raised her, so naturally her marriage is my decision!"

The words had barely left his mouth when the head of the Civil Affairs Department abruptly stood up and rang out a stern shout, instantly silencing the entire room:

"Marriage is a matter of freedom, and no one may arrange or interfere with it! The new marriage law clearly states this; are you openly defying the law?"

Overwhelmed by this imposing aura, Hong's mother's arrogance immediately diminished, and her tone softened instantly, becoming somewhat tearful:

"Sir, sir, I'm only doing this for my daughter's sake... She and Li You are both blind. How will two blind people survive together? At least the Zhang family is well-off; they can at least feed her!"

"Whether it's for her own good or not is none of your business to decide!"

The leader's gaze shifted, gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority, landing directly on Hong Fei standing to the side:

"Girl, don't be afraid, the government has your back. Just tell me, who do you want to marry?"

The air froze instantly.

Hong Fei took a deep breath, her hands gripping the hem of her clothes tightly. Her blind eyes, though empty, held a resolute intensity. Her voice wasn't loud, but each word was clear, sending a chill down the spines of everyone present:

"I am willing to marry Li You. We studied art together, relied on each other, and although we are blind, our hearts are bright. No matter how hard life gets in the future, we can support each other through it."

As for that cripple—I'd rather die than marry him!

His words were sincere, heartfelt, and resolute.

Everyone in the room, except for Hong's parents, nodded secretly upon hearing this.

The head of the Civil Affairs Department's face immediately darkened. He stared coldly at Hong's mother and said in a resolute tone:

"You heard that! Children have the right to choose their own marriages; forced marriages are illegal! If you continue to be obstinate and make unreasonable demands, the government will deal with you according to the law and will not tolerate it!"

Hong's mother's face turned pale and then red, her lips trembling as she tried to argue, but she was sternly rebuked by the township official beside her, and dared not say another word.

Qiao Yang, sensing the opportune moment, immediately stepped forward and called out loudly:

"Your Excellency is wise! Li You and Hong Fei are mutually in love and their marriage is entirely in accordance with the Marriage Law. Why not let the government preside over this matter today and finalize the marriage on the spot, thus completely extinguishing any ulterior motives from others!"

The head of the civil affairs department hesitated for a moment, exchanged a glance with the township cadre beside him, and immediately made a decision:

"good!

On behalf of the Civil Affairs Department of the County Government and the Township Office, I hereby formally state:

Li You and Hong Fei's marriage is voluntary, in accordance with the Marriage Law, and is legal and reasonable. From now on, no one may obstruct or interfere with it!

Anyone who dares to force a marriage or cause trouble again will be openly defying the law and will be severely punished!

One sentence was enough to make Hong's mother turn pale and Li You tremble all over.

The pent-up grievances, anxiety, and joy of the past few days surged into his heart, and two streams of tears welled up in his eyes. He groped his way forward and tightly embraced Hong Fei.

Hong Fei leaned on his shoulder, trembling slightly, tears silently streaming down his face. This time, however, it was tears of joy at the end of his suffering.

Just as everyone was moved, Qiao Yang raised his hand and slowly took out two square paper packets from his satchel, handing them to the leader of the Civil Affairs Department with both hands.

"Boss, this package is the betrothal gift from my junior brother Li You to the Hong family. It's a full eight hundred and eighty yuan, not a penny less, exactly the same as what the Zhang family gave."

This package contains wedding candy. Today is a joyous occasion, so let's all share in the happiness and congratulate my junior and senior classmates on their marriage!

Upon hearing this, Li You was stunned and shocked.

So this is what my senior brother was carrying in his satchel! He hadn't mentioned it to him once from beginning to end!

Unbeknownst to others, Qiao Yang had already made his plans.

A few days ago, after returning from the Hong family, he found out that the bride price given by the Zhang family was exactly 880 yuan. Hong's mother insisted on marrying Hong Fei to Zhang the Cripple, simply because she wanted to use this money to pay for her son's wedding.

Making a living is already difficult for ordinary families, and Hongfei's younger brother is getting old and his marriage is imminent. Without money, nothing can be accomplished. No matter how clearly the reasoning is explained, without this solid support, it will ultimately be difficult to convince people.

That evening, Qiao Yang discussed it with Su Yue and decided to pay the money himself.

Afterwards, he went to his father, Qiao Zezhong, and asked to borrow 880 yuan.

Qiao Zezhong was immediately shocked: "So much money? You worked so hard to earn it, don't let someone swindle you out of it!"

Qiao Yang simply said, "Dad, don't worry. I can't say more about the purpose, but I will definitely return every penny to you before the end of the first month."

At that moment, the leader of the Civil Affairs Department took the money, handed it to Hong's mother, and spoke with a hint of approval:

"Look at your blind son-in-law, how loyal and devoted he is! This 880 yuan is enough to accomplish some great things. From now on, with the couple working together, their lives will only get better and better. Once they earn money, they will certainly not treat you unfairly."

After that, the accompanying staff distributed wedding candies to everyone, and the sweet aroma filled the air, easing the previous tense atmosphere.

As Hong's mother clutched the thick paper package, the last bit of resentment in her heart finally dissipated, and a genuine smile gradually appeared on her face.

She had initially thought that two blind men together would only suffer, but she never expected that this itinerant fortune teller could come up with such a large sum of money. It seemed that her daughter might not necessarily have a bad life with Li You.

Seeing this, Qiao Yang added with a smile, "In Baodi, we have an old custom: we don't get married in the first month of the lunar calendar, and we don't get engaged in the twelfth month."

In fact, Li You and Hong Fei had already pledged their lives to each other on the day they graduated from their apprenticeship. Today is merely a formal government-sponsored marriage ceremony; after the Lunar New Year, they will choose an auspicious day to hold their formal wedding!

Upon hearing this, Li You and Hong Fei both blushed and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

The Hong family members had no further objections and repeatedly expressed their approval.

Upon seeing this, the leaders of the Civil Affairs Department and the township officials took the lead in applauding, and the enthusiastic applause resounded throughout the room.

With a smile, Qiao Yang announced loudly, "We will definitely hold a banquet and cordially invite all leaders and fellow villagers to attend. We also request that the leaders personally officiate at their wedding!"

As the group walked out of the township office, the cold winter wind still blew, but it couldn't dispel the joy on their faces.

Qiao Yang, Li You, and the Hong family, young and old, all had smiles on their faces and walked briskly.

Once February of the following year passed, a blind couple appeared in the storytelling and fortune-telling professions of Baodi and even eastern Hebei.

They walked side by side, relying on each other, becoming the most touching and praiseworthy sight.