Chapter 35

“Yes, yes, everyone knows my mother and your family have a grudge. We all avoid your family.”

Li Cuifang scoffed, a hint of regret in her voice. She should have snuck over to their house last night. Maybe she could have found something.

“So, you came back and stole things while we were gone!”

Old Master Lu’s heart sank. They were convinced that Wang Dani had led a group of thieves.

But looking at their expressions, it didn’t seem like they had done it?

Who else could it be?

By now, the sun had risen. Villagers going to work saw the commotion and couldn’t help but gather around.

Wang Dani was afraid of ruining her son’s reputation. She said angrily, “Brigade leader, don’t let this delay everyone’s work.”

“No!”

Old Mrs. Lu adamantly refused. Even if it wasn’t them, she had to get something out of them.

“We’re not leaving until this is cleared up!”

“It seems you’re determined to pin this on our family. Report it to the police station then.”

Lu Huaijing shrugged. His words stunned everyone.

In the countryside, everyone would ask the brigade leader to settle disputes.

At worst, they would report it to the commune.

No one would go to the police station. It would be a bad reputation, affecting the marriage prospects of the village’s children.

“Huaijing, Uncle knows you’re innocent, but reporting it to the police station is a big deal. It will affect our brigade’s chances of being named an advanced brigade.”

The brigade leader was anxious. He glared at the two old people from the Lu family. They were the ones who caused this mess.

“If we report this to the police station, our Shi Ping Brigade will be famous throughout the surrounding brigades.”

“Maybe Old Mrs. Lu is deliberately framing her grandson. She wants to extort money.”

“That’s possible. Her son is dead, so she wants to get money from her grandson.”

“She’s a fool. She’s been raising her grandson for so many years, pampering and cherishing him, but she treats her own son like dirt.”

“…”

Words of condemnation rained down on Old Mrs. Lu, making her head spin.

“Report it! I want to see who stole from my house. If it wasn’t them, then it must have been you!”

She glared fiercely at those who were speaking out against her. Now, everyone in Shi Ping Brigade was under suspicion.

Her words angered the villagers. They said angrily:

“Brigade leader, let her report it. I’ve done nothing wrong, so I’m not afraid of ghosts knocking at my door.”

“Everyone knows she almost drove her own grandchildren to their deaths. Who is more vicious than her?”

“This heartless woman, is she bullying us honest people?”

“…”

Seeing that everyone was about to start fighting, the brigade leader roared, “Shut up!

None of this concerns you. Get back to work!”

“No, brigade leader, you have to help us get our money and coupons back.”

Old Master Lu glared fiercely at Old Mrs. Lu. “Old woman, you can’t speak.

Don’t be angry, everyone. We need that money. Liu Lanhua, that shameless woman, dared to cheat!

Jian She can’t live with them anymore. Even the children aren’t ours. Jian She needs money to get married!”

Lu Jian She was no longer young. It wasn’t easy to find a wife.

Tang Wan saw Old Master Lu’s tearful eyes. He was more cunning than Old Mrs. Lu.

Sure enough, many people in the crowd were moved. “Sigh, they’re so unlucky. That’s a lot of money.”

“Speaking of which, Jian She is so unfortunate. His wife and children aren’t his. He’s raised other people’s children for so many years.”

“But we didn’t take that money.”

“…”

The tension was thick in the air when Tang Wan caught sight of a group of people in the distance. She discreetly tugged on Lu Huaijing’s sleeve.

“Lu Huaijing, the police are here.”

Lu Huaijing’s eyes narrowed, and he whispered a comforting word, “It’s okay, they didn’t take it.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Wan nodded calmly, her composure masking any hint of panic, effectively putting Lu Huaijing’s worries to rest.

In reality, Tang Wan felt no fear because she had a spatial storage device, and all the missing items were safely tucked away within it. Even if the police arrived, they wouldn’t find a trace.

“Father, Mother, I’m back!”

Lu Jian she walked at the front of the group, looking ten years older than he had the previous day.

Betrayed by his wife and burdened with a secret child, it was understandable that any man would be devastated.

“Jian she, why did you report this matter to the police?”

The village chief was furious. He had spent the entire night trying to stop Lu Jian she, only to be greeted by this news in the morning.

“Chief, two thousand yuan is no small sum. The police officers volunteered to help me.”

Lu Jian she was filled with bitterness. What did the advanced village have to do with him?

All he wanted was for Liu Lanhua, that wicked woman, to face the consequences!

He also wanted to get back the money he had spent on his wife!

“Fine, I’m washing my hands of this matter!”

The village chief stormed off, leaving the old Lu family to face the consequences of their actions.

Two police officers, Zhao Bin and his senior, Yan Fusheng, accompanied Lu Jian she.

Yan Fusheng, an experienced officer, didn’t rush to speak. Instead, he carefully observed everyone present.

The family’s unwavering composure, with no one betraying any signs of guilt, made his job more difficult.

Upon seeing the police officers, Lu’s mother scrambled to her feet, pointing at Wang Dani and accusing her:

“Comrades, my family’s belongings were definitely stolen by them. They’re the ones who hate me the most in the entire village!”

“I do dislike her, but I didn’t steal anything!”

Wang Dani stood tall and proud, her voice filled with righteous indignation. “Maybe they’ve done so many bad things that they’re being held accountable for all of them.”

Lu’s father glanced at Wang Dani and then turned to Yan Fusheng with a conciliatory tone. “Comrades, we’ve been arguing all morning. It’s pointless. Why don’t we just search?”

He could tell that the older officer held the most authority.

“No, my youngest son needs to return to the army today.”

Wang Dani was exasperated by the old family’s accusations. This early morning drama was inauspicious and could affect her son’s journey.

Upon hearing the word “army,” Yan Fusheng’s gaze shifted to Lu Huaijing. “You’re in the military?”

Those who had served in the military had a distinct posture that was easily recognizable.

“Yes.”

Lu Huaijing nodded solemnly, then turned to Wang Dani and said, “Mother, I also want the police to clear our name. If we don’t let them search today, everyone in the village will think we did something wrong.”

“You sound so righteous, but you’ll be crying when they find something!”

Lu Jian she thought maliciously. Of everyone in the village, only Lu Huaijing had the ability to commit such a crime.

If it turned out to be him, he would report it to his unit and ruin his reputation!

“Rest assured, we’ll be careful and won’t damage any of your belongings.”

Zhao, the younger officer, was kind and considerate towards Lu Huaijing and his family.

Tang Wan paused for a moment, then pointed at the old Lu family and interjected, “Comrades, if it’s proven that my family is innocent, will they apologize?”