Chapter 68.2

If we look at Lu Nong and Zhao Xin, both were clever foxes. Zhao Xin’s little speech might fool someone clueless like Huo Xiaoling, but Sister Zheng, nearing fifty, could easily see that Zhao Xin’s seemingly apologetic tone was actually a thinly veiled jab at Lu Nong’s small-mindedness.

Not to mention that as soon as Zhao Xin finished speaking, others chimed in, placing all the blame on Lu Nong.

As for Lu Nong, she appeared delicate and gentle but was not one to be trifled with. She cleverly mocked Zhao Xin and Huo Xiaoling for their ulterior motives, while Li Lingyi openly criticized Zhao Xin for being “ill.”

She was nothing more than a pawn in this game!

Understanding the dynamics of the situation, Sister Zheng felt she had been used as a pawn. Furious at Zhao Xin’s underhanded tactics, she kept a neutral expression and chose not to speak.

The calmest one was Zhao Xin. It was as if she didn’t hear Lu Nong and Li Lingyi’s pointed remarks. She maintained her composure and said, “Sister Lu and Sister Li are joking. I know my illness well. It has nothing to do with others.”

“I came today to clear up the misunderstanding. Since Sister Lu isn’t upset with me, I feel relieved. Let’s reconcile, and perhaps we can become close sisters. What do you think, SisterLu?”

With that, she even flashed a friendly smile at Lu Nong.

What a talent! Sister Qin looked at Zhao Xin in disbelief. How could she act like nothing happened and still want to mend her relationship with Lu Nong?

Coincidentally, Huo Xiaoling tugged at Zhao Xin’s hand, expressing her concern. “Xiao Zhao, you are too kind. If this continues, others will see you as an easy target.”

Zhao Xin smiled softly.

Sister Qin/Lu Nong/Li Lingyi: “…”

Sister Zheng: “…” I see, the real fool is here.

“By the way, where’s Pei Zheng? I was planning to personally thank you and him,” Zhao Xin said, glancing upstairs.

Lu Nong chuckled. After going around in circles, they finally got to the main topic.

She didn’t believe Zhao Xin was unaware that Pei Zheng had left, so she patiently replied, “Pei Zheng has gone to school.”

“Really? He’s not home so early? Pei Zheng is quite diligent. You have a good son, Sister Lu,” Zhao Xin said regretfully. “It’s a pity I can’t thank him in person. I’ll have to do it another day. I remember Pei Zheng is good friends with our Xiao Xi. They’re inseparable. Sister Lu and I should get closer from now on.”

Lu Nong smiled and remained silent. According to Pei Zheng’s schedule, he had indeed left home two hours earlier. If Zhao Xin had paid attention to his daily routine, she would have noticed something was off.

But so what? If Lu Nong wasn’t mistaken, Zhao Xin must have sensed their suspicions about her. She was just uncertain about the content of the letter Pei Zheng had received.

This was also the reason Zhao Xin insisted on coming to the Pei household to see Lu Nong.

“Did you get it wrong?” Sister Qin spoke up. “Laixi is five or six years older than Pei Zheng and has no relationship with him. The boy from our family, Lingyi’s family, and Wang Hongmian’s family were all friends since they were young. I remember this clearly. Song Laixi was not involved.”

“I must have remembered incorrectly,” Zhao Xin said, shaking her lips. She casually patted the arm of the person beside her, who suddenly asked, “Comrade Lu Nong, may I use your bathroom?”

Pei Zheng had not ridden far out of the compound when he felt someone following him, more than one person. He hugged his school bag to his chest and ran away.

After running several hundred meters, he jumped onto a bus. The people chasing him also boarded, circling around but daring not to act recklessly.

Pei Zheng took the opportunity to memorize the faces of those pursuing him. He didn’t see anyone resembling the man from Song Laixi’s picture. When he reached the next bus stop, he quickly blended into the crowd and got off with everyone, breaking through their encirclement.

As soon as he got off, Pei Zheng started running again.

He didn’t stop until he reached the area near the police station. Gasping for breath, he waved at the men behind him and said, “Come on, weren’t you chasing me? Here’s your chance to confront me all together.”

The men exchanged glances, and one, clearly the leader, said, “Grab his bag, and if you get it, just run. Don’t worry about the others.”

The others nodded. In the next moment, they charged at him, two of them brandishing knives to flank him from the sides.

Pei Zheng quickly dealt with a few minor thugs, leaving just the leader and one other man with a knife. These two were a bit more skilled, and together they were able to hold their own against Pei Zheng.

However, since both of them had knives, Pei Zheng had to protect his bag, putting him at a disadvantage. He furrowed his brow, gritted his teeth, and decided to focus on the weaker of the two first.

Before he could act, Pei Zheng kicked one guy into the wall. Just then, the other one lunged for his bag.

At that moment, a police officer hurried over, asking, “What are you doing?”

The man trying to grab Pei Zheng’s bag yanked it away and ran, leaving his companions behind.

Pei Zheng didn’t chase after them. He seemed completely unbothered and instead said to the officers, “Comrades, can I make a phone call?”

The police officer scrutinized him. “Kid, you’ve got some nerve, fighting right in front of the police station and making demands. Behave yourself!”

Pei Zheng raised his hands to show he meant no harm. “Comrades, they are the bad guys. You saw it, right? Their accomplices stole my bag. I’m not a bad person.”

The officer hesitated, considering this. It was true, but he had never seen an ordinary person take down seven or eight thugs before. He finally said, “First, come with me to the station to make a statement.”

That was exactly what Pei Zheng wanted. He wanted to call the old man.

There was nothing in the bag that had been stolen. The person who took the bag would return to the main culprit, and they wouldn’t be satisfied. It was highly likely they would come back to the police station to get the letter back.

Pei Zheng had already thought this through. The police station had limited personnel, and by working together, they could not only retrieve the letter but also rescue their accomplice.