Reborn As Lucky Star

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Time for Popularizing Law

A moment later, the police had persuaded the Yue family to disperse.

After all, they couldn’t really beat someone to death, as that would cost them their own lives.

Ma Jinbao and Li Zhaodi could hardly stand up anymore, their appearances too miserable for words.

Yet thinking about what they had done, it was impossible to feel any sympathy for them.

Ma Shulin asked Lin Chunju, “How is Xiaofang doing?”

Lin Chunju’s eyes were slightly red, “Not good, she’s still lying in bed.”

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Not speaking, not uttering a word, just staring blankly.

Ma Shulin also felt terrible, “It’s my fault, I should have paid more attention back then.”

“How can this be blamed on you? They were intent on taking my daughter’s life, being more cautious wouldn’t have made a difference.”

While they were talking, Ma Qiang announced the investigation results in front of the whole village.

Upon hearing that it was another newborn girl who had been killed by her family, the villagers showed mixed emotions.

Some felt the family was too cruel, as despite being a girl, she was still their own child.

Others felt indifferent; these days a girl was not valued much, dead was just dead.

But no matter their position, everyone felt that the family’s attempt to kill the daughter-in-law as well was too much.

Especially since the Yue Family had given a considerable dowry, which Ma Jinbao’s family had used to lease the Fruit Orchard. Being ungrateful, Li Zhaodi was truly repaying kindness with enmity.

Ma Qiang once again struck the bronze bell, then slowly began to speak.

“Everyone, please quiet down, I have something to say.”

Immediately, everyone hushed, as most people in Jinshan Village knew Ma Qiang.

Ma Qiang had roots in Jinshan Village, but he had been educated outside before, so he was considered an intellectual in the eyes of the villagers.

It was said that because of his education and abilities, despite his young age, there were rumors that he would be the next chief of the local police station.

Thus, he was highly respected in the village.

Having spoken, everyone was eager to hear what Ma Qiang had to say.

“Now each household is only allowed one child, but whether a boy or a girl, they are your own treasure.”

Some people snorted under their breath; of course, a boy was a treasure, but a girl? Hmph!

Ma Qiang struck the bronze bell hard again; the sound made everyone’s eardrums tremble.

“Today, I’m going to educate everyone—killing infants is illegal, even if it’s your own child, and if caught, you will go to jail.”

At this statement, there was an uproar.

“What kind of reasoning is that? Our own children, shouldn’t we have the final say over how they’re treated?”

“What’s one child? The wife at home can be pregnant again in ten months; can’t she just have another?”

“How can the state imprison someone over this?”

Hearing these reactions, Ma Qiang scoffed, “Whether or not you should go to jail for this isn’t up to you, nor is it up to me, it’s up to the law.”

The villagers didn’t understand much about the law, but they naturally held Ma Qiang’s words in awe.

A couple of years ago during the crackdown, they had heard about some people in other places being shot just for stealing a few dollars.

Now that Ma Qiang said killing your own child was against the law, although they didn’t understand, they prudently gave up any malicious thoughts.

Village Chief Ma concluded, “From now on, every family must register with me before a daughter-in-law is due to give birth. The midwife must report to me the day after the birth. If the numbers don’t match up, or if a child dies inexplicably, the family must take responsibility.”

With Ma Qiang’s words as the foundation, the villagers could only nod in agreement, while secretly complaining.

Heavenly Master, what if it’s really a girl? Please bless our family to have a son.

After using Ma Jinbao’s family as a vivid example in legal education, Ma Qiang and Fang Ming took out handcuffs, shackled Ma Jinbao and his family, and locked them onto the back seat of a bicycle.

Ma Zhuzi stiffened his neck, “Officer Comrade, by what right do you treat us like this? The child Yue Xiaofang bore wasn’t killed by us, she died of illness on her own.”

Ma Qiang responded coldly, “Whether it was or wasn’t is still unknown, but you are suspect in her killing; come with me to the station for an investigation.”

Ma Qiang then instructed Fang Ming, “I’ll take the suspects back for interrogation first. You bring a couple of brothers here, and follow the soil on that shovel to find where the body is buried.”

Fang Ming picked up the shovel and acknowledged with a grunt.

The police leisurely pushed the bicycle, like the parade of prisoners in ancient times, and took them back to the station.

Li Zhaodi watched her own and her son’s wrists shackled, feeling both enraged and anxious, and she fainted outright.