Chapter 40

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.

In the few days since Meng Xuan came to the Nanjiao Brigade, no one had ever considered that, besides visiting his biological sister, he might have another purpose.

Especially since this purpose was to investigate the military’s compensation money given to Lu Tian back then!

Any matter related to the military was enough to make people cautious, let alone the serious and sharp expression on Meng Xuan’s face at this moment.

He looked at Lu Dashan and sternly said,

“Lu Dashan, Lu ChenLu Chen is the son of a martyr. You not only failed to help him but also privately embezzled the compensation money meant for the martyr’s family. Just this alone is enough for you to spend the rest of your life in prison!”

Most people in the countryside weren’t particularly brave. They would tremble just at the sight of the police, let alone being involved with anything related to the military. Hearing Meng Xuan’s determined words about Lu Dashan ending up in prison for a long time made everyone extremely anxious.

Naturally, Lu Dashan, the person in question, was even more terrified.

He knew that if this matter was exposed, he would definitely be affected, but he hadn’t expected that the consequences would be so severe that he could end up in prison for the rest of his life!

Being in prison alone was frightening enough, but to be sentenced to such a long time?

Lu Dashan’s face turned pale, and in desperation and fear, he looked at Meng Xuan. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, kneeling before him.

“Comrade Meng, I was wrong! I really was wrong. I shouldn’t have been so foolish as to take the money. I know I made a mistake! Please, forgive me. I beg you…”

“I’m already this old! If I end up in prison, my life will be ruined. Please, look at my age and let me go!”

Although Lu Dashan had never been to prison, he had heard others talk about how harsh the conditions were. Some people were even sent to work as laborers, toiling endlessly with insufficient food and poor rest. Many had died from exhaustion or starvation!

He didn’t want to die; he truly didn’t want to!

So even though he knew at this moment that his actions had completely disgraced him, he had no other choice.

He could only hope that Meng Xuan would show mercy because of his older age.

Lu Dashan was already in his late forties, and now, kneeling on the ground, crying uncontrollably, he seemed to evoke sympathy from several onlookers.

Unfortunately for him, Meng Xuan’s heart was colder than the ice in the middle of winter. He remained unmoved by Lu Dashan’s pleas and even looked slightly impatient.

Turning to the brigade leader, Meng Xuan said, “Brigade leader, you are more familiar with this area than I am. Could you please inform the commune to send someone over?”

Although he had an official identity, there were still things he couldn’t do alone. For example, sentencing was something that had to be handled by professionals.

The brigade leader hesitated for a moment, looking slightly sympathetic because of Lu Dashan’s state. But in the end, he steeled himself and nodded.

“Alright, I’ll go now!”

Although Lu Dashan had grown up with the brigade leader, and there was some affection between them, there were things that could not be overlooked. If Lu Dashan wasn’t punished appropriately, how could they face Lu Chen and his late father?

So, in the end, the brigade leader chose to inform the commune.

When Lu Dashan saw the brigade leader turn to leave, he could no longer hold it in. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

The scene ended temporarily with Lu Dashan’s fainting, but everyone knew that when he woke up, a punishment he could never accept would be waiting for him.

After Lu Dashan fainted, everyone else left. As they did, they spread the news about how he had embezzled the compensation money that was meant for Lu Chen’s father throughout the entire Nanjiao Brigade.

After everyone left, Lu Xiujuan finally dared to come out from her hiding spot. She looked at her unconscious father, Lu Dashan, and at the scene where her mother, Jiang Guihua, had collapsed in tears beside the bed.

But in the end, she gritted her teeth and made a hard decision to leave the Lu family. She went over to Wang Chengwu’s side and said, “Chengwu, I’ve done what you asked. After today, I have no ties with the Lu family. From now on, I am completely a member of the Wang family. Don’t forget your promise to me.”

Previously, Wang Chengwu had approached her directly and revealed certain things. He knew what her parents had done to Lu Chen’s family. If she wanted to remain in the Wang family as the daughter-in-law, she had to sever ties with the Lu family. If she didn’t agree, the Wang family would never allow her, a “time bomb,” to stay with them, which implied that she would have to divorce Wang Chengwen.

At that time, Lu Xiujuan hadn’t hesitated for a moment. She chose the former option and promised to cooperate with Wang Chengwu and cut off all ties with the Lu family.

Wang Chengwu had naturally been relieved at the time, but now, seeing Lu Xiujuan show no attachment to her own parents, a chill crept into his heart.

However, he didn’t say anything because he was a man of his word.

But when it came to Lu Xiujuan, he doubted he would ever truly regard her as family again. In fact, he would be wary of her from now on.

After all, she had no hesitation in betraying her own biological parents. If one day she encountered a situation where she needed to do something harmful to the Wang family, she would probably not hesitate at all.

This person’s ruthlessness was even more than he had imagined.

Wang Chengwu glanced at Lu Xiujuan, suppressed his thoughts, nodded at her, and then turned to look at Lu Chen and Meng Xuan.

“Comrade Lu Chen, Comrade Meng Xuan, if there’s nothing else, we’ll head back now. If you need help with anything later, you can come to the town to find me.”

This time, it was indeed thanks to Wang Chengwu’s help. Without him pressing Lu Xiujuan, Meng Xuan would have had to spend a lot more time and effort.

Hearing this, Meng Xuan nodded at Wang Chengwu.

“Alright, thanks for today. Once this matter is settled in a couple of days, I’ll thank you properly.”

Wang Chengwu immediately said there was no need for that, but seeing that Meng Xuan was determined to thank him, he didn’t say more. He simply replied with a “Good,” and then left with Lu Xiujuan.

Once they left, only Meng Xuan, Meng Yinyin, and Lu Chen were left in the Lu family courtyard.

While Meng Xuan was talking to Wang Chengwu, Meng Yinyin stood by Lu Chen’s side, looking up at him.

After exposing Lu Dashan’s wrongdoings, it was mainly the brigade leader and Meng Xuan who discussed the final handling of the matter. Lu Chen did not speak; he only stood silently by the side.

His habitual silence led the others to naturally overlook him, but Meng Yinyin could clearly sense the intense frustration and pain emanating from him.

She thought seriously for a moment. If it were her in Lu Chen’s situation, having cleared her name and avenged a great wrong, she would probably have already cried, tears of relief and liberation. Even if she didn’t cry, her expression would not be as calm as Lu Chen’s was now.

The calmer he seemed, the more uneasy Meng Yinyin felt.

“Lu Chen, you…”

But Meng Yinyin really didn’t know how to comfort him. After holding back for a long time, she finally managed to say, “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

After everything that happened, it was almost noon. Thinking back to how Lu Chen had worked in the field earlier and only just returned, his breakfast should have been digested by now, so she asked if he was hungry.

Of course, the main reason was that she didn’t know how to comfort him emotionally.

Since she couldn’t tend to his heart, she would take care of his stomach.

When Lu Chen heard Meng Yinyin’s voice, he finally snapped out of his thoughts.

He looked down and saw Meng Yinyin staring at him with concern. Suddenly, all his negative emotions seemed to dissipate a little.

With Meng Yinyin caring for him and worrying about him, he suddenly felt that the world wasn’t so bad after all.

In the end, he shook his head and softly said, “I’m not hungry. Are you?”

His voice still sounded normal.

Meng Yinyin let out a big sigh of relief, then quickly shook her head.

She was about to say she wasn’t hungry but quickly stopped herself. If she said that, Lu Chen would likely remain standing there doing nothing, and he might think too much.

So, halfway through shaking her head, she stopped herself and lied, “I think I’m a little hungry.”

Lu Chen didn’t overthink it. Hearing that she was hungry, he immediately said he would go and cook for her.

Meng Yinyin agreed, and just as she was about to follow Lu Chen to the old house, she finally remembered there was still someone else.

She paused, slowly turned around, and looked at Meng Xuan, who was standing by and smiling at her.

“Hehe, brother, shall we go over?” she asked.

Meng Xuan maintained a stiff, forced smile. “I’m so moved. You still remember your brother.”

Meng Yinyin: “…”

Although she had accidentally forgotten him just now, there was no need for him to be so sarcastic. Who knows who would be able to tolerate his bad temper in the future!

After mentally complaining for a moment, Meng Yinyin could only obediently call out to Meng Xuan and head back to the next house with him.

After they returned to the next house, it wasn’t long before Lu Chen finished cooking. At the dinner table, Meng Xuan didn’t throw any more tantrums and instead asked seriously about Lu Chen’s thoughts on the punishment for Lu Dashan. He asked if Lu Chen had anything he wanted to say or wanted.

Lu Chen remained silent for a long time, so much so that Meng Xuan was starting to lose patience. Finally, Lu Chen raised his head to look at Meng Xuan and said, “If he can return everything he took from me, I won’t pursue anything else.”

Meng Xuan was taken aback but quickly understood what Lu Chen meant.

He wanted to settle it once and for all. What Lu Dashan owed him, he wanted it returned.

Although Lu Dashan had treated him poorly and shamelessly taken his parents’ things, he had still provided him with food and raised him.

Exchanging the small kindness Lu Dashan showed for him not having to go to prison, that could be considered enough mercy.

Of course, the premise was that Lu Dashan would return everything he took from Lu Chen’s parents.

Meng Xuan didn’t comment much on this idea but felt it was a good solution, not too merciful or excessively cold-hearted.

“Alright, I’ll talk to the brigade leader and have him speak to Lu Dashan.”

Without further delay, after finishing lunch, Meng Xuan went to find the brigade leader. Coincidentally, the brigade leader had called over the commune leaders, and together, they all went to Lu Dashan’s house to discuss the result of this negotiation.