Chapter 13

Many students came from modest backgrounds, so donations typically ranged from a few cents to a couple of dollars. But 95 yuan was a significant sum, enough for the school to step in and investigate.

Han Qingqing confidently stated that before P.E. class, she and her friend Mu Xuehui had checked the money. After just one class, the money was gone, and she was sure it had been stolen.

During P.E., only Qin Yan and his nanny stayed behind in Class Three. If the money was stolen, they were the prime suspects. Given Qin Yan’s wealthy background, it was unlikely, or rather, beneath him to steal.

Qin Yan sneered, “You’re quick to clear me of suspicion, which means you’re accusing my nanny of stealing? In the eyes of the teachers and students, I’ve never been a good student. Maybe I’m twisted enough to have stolen it out of spite?”

“Qin Yan stealing money? Impossible. His family’s loaded. Before his accident, he even co-owned an antique shop. He makes plenty of money. Why would he need to steal?”

“He’s really defending his nanny, but someone from the next class said they saw the nanny counting a wad of cash during P.E. It wasn’t a small amount either. Could she really have stolen it?”

“Didn’t you see the maid in new clothes for the past three days? Suddenly living large—maybe she’s been stealing from the family for a while.”

“Stop talking nonsense. I saw those clothes at the department store. Three outfits cost 100 yuan, and she just won a 100-yuan bonus. Why can’t she use it to buy herself something nice?”

“But I heard she had a huge argument with her family and has been living with neighbors ever since. No way her family gave her any money. She spent her bonus on clothes, but where did that huge wad of cash come from?”

Jiang Ruan had indeed been counting money, but it was because Qin Yan had asked her to. Qin Yan had told her not to let anyone know he bought the clothes. However, the money she was counting was, in fact, her own.

“I can’t believe it. Just because I was counting money, you think I stole it? If I were the thief, I wouldn’t be dumb enough to count it openly at school.”

“She’s a fool, trying to claim she isn’t. Let’s wait for the teacher to decide.”

The student who saw Jiang Ruan counting the money was from Class One, where Qin Yan used to study. Since transferring to Class Three, the Class One teacher’s impression of Qin Yan and his nanny had only worsened.

The teacher went to the principal. “What’s there to investigate? Call the police. 95 yuan isn’t a trivial amount. If she won’t admit it, let the police take her to the station.”

…

It was Han Changfeng who showed up, along with local police officers, as he was already at the precinct handling another case. When he heard his sister Han Qingqing’s money had been stolen, he decided to go along.

Back when criminals had been arrested with large sums of money, Jiang Ruan hadn’t taken a cent. It was hard to believe she’d steal from students now.

Han Qingqing explained that she had exchanged her loose change for nine 10-yuan bills and one 5-yuan bill in preparation for the donation. All they needed to do was ask the nanny to count her money and check if the denominations matched.

It just so happened that Jiang Ruan’s 95 yuan was exactly nine 10-yuan bills and one 5-yuan bill.

But Jiang Ruan refused, “Why should I show you my money? It’s mine!”

“She’s guilty! Even with the police here, she’s still being stubborn. If my mom knew I stole money, she’d kill me.”

Jiang Ruan retorted, “You haven’t searched anyone else. Why accuse me of stealing?”

Han Qingqing’s deskmate opened her bag willingly. “Go ahead, search.”

She glared at Jiang Ruan, “Thanks to you, our school is a mess. We’re in our final year, and you’re wasting our time.”

“Who’s really wasting time? The thief. And why blame me? Have you read yourself stupid?” Jiang Ruan shot back.

Han Qingqing, seeing how big the situation had grown, got scared when her brother arrived. “Teacher, let’s drop it. I won’t pursue the missing money anymore.”

But the police had already come, and the students were still angry.

Han Changfeng intervened, “We don’t need to search everyone. Just those who left the P.E. field during class.”

Six students had left the field. Class monitors checked their desks, bags, and even pockets, but nothing was found.

Jiang Ruan became the target of everyone’s suspicion.

“Now what? It has to be her.”

Qin Yan’s bag was searched by a Class One student, left in disarray. Qin Yan glanced toward Mu Xuehui, standing at the back of the crowd, and said calmly, “P.E. was a joint class between Class One and Class Three. Don’t just search our class; Class One should be checked too.”

“Class One wouldn’t have come to our classroom to steal. They wouldn’t know Han Qingqing had that much money. It’s absurd.”

“Exactly, why drag another class into this? Qin Yan’s lost all rationality, defending his nanny.”

Class One’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Qian, was adamant. “Qin Yan has always been a problem student. I bet he stole the money and stashed it somewhere.”

Qin Yan told Ms. Qi, “If you search the Class One students who left the field and still don’t find anything, I’ll take the blame. The school can expel me. After all, to certain teachers, I’m already a lost cause.”

Ms. Qi didn’t believe Qin Yan would steal.

She turned to the police, “What should we do next?”

Han Changfeng observed the boy in the wheelchair, sitting straight-backed, unshaken by the situation. For an 18-year-old, his composure rivaled that of a veteran.

Someone with that level of control wouldn’t get caught doing bad deeds. This entire mess had turned everyone into pawns in his game.

“Search them,” Han Changfeng said, eager to see who had the money.

…

The 95 yuan was found in Mu Xuehui’s bag.

Mu Xuehui was one of the students who had left the field, and witnesses had seen her enter Class Three’s room.

Shocked, she cried, “No, this can’t be! I only had a few coins in my bag. Where did all this money come from? It must be a setup. Someone must have framed me!”

Mu Xuehui explained that she had gone back to the classroom to get her water bottle and had also fetched chocolate for Han Qingqing. She admitted opening Han Qingqing’s bag but denied taking any money.

Han Qingqing vouched for her, saying Mu Xuehui was her good friend, someone with excellent character who couldn’t possibly steal.

Then everyone turned to look at Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan was confused. “Why are you looking at me? Are you accusing me of stealing the money and then framing Mu? First, you accuse me of theft, and now you think I’m planting evidence? Am I, as a nanny, automatically guilty just because I’m not as ‘noble’ as you students?”

She took out her purse, placing her money on the teacher’s desk one bill at a time. “This is the 100-yuan bonus I won. My mom used 60 of it for my sister’s health supplements, and then covered it with her own money. My mom has a habit of marking her savings with tiny date stamps. Check it yourselves—is this the money Han Qingqing lost, or is it mine?”

In the sunlight, six of the ten-yuan notes showed tiny date markings.

Since the beginning, Jiang Ruan had this proof of her innocence but hadn’t revealed it.

Jiang Ruan was far too simple to have devised such a meticulous plan. Han Changfeng shifted his gaze to the boy in the wheelchair, searching for any clues in his expression.

Qin Yan ignored Han Changfeng’s scrutiny and turned to Ms. Qi. “Ms. Qi, it’s clear that my nanny’s presence is disrupting the school. I’d like to go home and study for my exams. If the school can’t accommodate someone like me, I’ll drop out.”

The school administration eventually agreed.

The evidence was irrefutable, and though Han Qingqing chose not to press charges, Mu Xuehui received a formal warning and public reprimand from the school.

Mu Xuehui was devastated and pleaded with Ms. Qian, “I swear I didn’t steal the money! Someone framed me!”

Ms. Qian, deeply disappointed, scolded her, “Even if it’s a setup, why would someone target you? Reflect on that!”

…

Qin Yan received special permission from the principal to study at home and take the exams.

Jiang Ruan cleared her name and packed her things to leave the school, no longer having to deal with the unpleasantness.

When they were finally alone, Jiang Ruan praised him, “Qin Yan, you’re amazing. I saw Mu Xuehui put the money in the lunch bag I bring for you. I was so angry.”

Qin Yan was too proud to steal, but no one would have doubted his nanny.

Mu Xuehui’s plan was simple: get Jiang Ruan expelled so Qin Yan would have no choice but to replace her.

Jiang Ruan wanted to report the matter to the school, but Qin Yan stopped her, saying, “Neither of us has a good reputation. No one will believe you; they’ll just think you’re framing her.”

No one would ever doubt someone as academically excellent as Mu Xuehui. But in Qin Yan’s mind, Mu Xuehui wasn’t just an eighteen-year-old student—she was someone who had lived over forty years and had been reincarnated once. Even after that, she still chose to frame others. Such a person no longer deserved a second chance at redemption.

Qin Yan instructed Jiang Ruan to put the money back into Mu Xuehui’s bag. After that, they just had to watch the show unfold.

Before they could board the bus, Han Changfeng caught up with them. The police car pulled over to the side, and Han Changfeng, smiling, said, “Hold on, Jiang Ruan, Qin Yan. I want to have a quick chat with you both. Let me give you a ride home.”

Qin Yan knew what he wanted to talk about. Han Qingqing’s brother wasn’t someone to be trifled with. He had already seen through everything. But so what? He had no evidence. Besides, all Qin Yan had done was let Mu Xuehui face the consequences of her own actions.

Qin Yan responded, “You have a good sister. Perhaps it was she and Mu Xuehui who conspired to frame my nanny. Instead of questioning me, you might want to teach your sister not to be used as a tool by others.”