Chapter 44: Accepting Apologies

Lu Jin’an smiled without saying anything, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he watched Bai An think through the situation on her own.

Bai An was startled and exclaimed, “You knew this all along? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Lu Jin’an pulled his hand back and propped his head with it, speaking softly, “I knew, but there was no evidence. At that time, our family was under so much scrutiny, what could we do?”

“We had to wait for them to admit their mistake themselves.”

“What if they don’t admit it?” Bai An looked at Lu Jin’an seriously and asked, “Are you just going to wait forever?”

Lu Jin’an shook his head, glancing at his busy parents outside and quietly said, “I have my ways.”

Bai An didn’t understand what he meant, so she didn’t ask further.

As the night grew late and Lu Demin and Wang Qing were getting ready for bed, there was a knock at the gate. They exchanged looks, both knowing who it was without needing to think.

Wang Qing turned to Lu Demin and asked, “Is it them? Should we open the door?”

Lu Demin sighed, got up, and put on a coat, saying, “Let’s go. They’ve come all this way; since they’re here, let’s clear things up.”

Wang Qing nodded and also put on a coat and got out of bed.

When they reached the gate, they saw Lu Jin’an already waiting, just standing there, waiting for them to decide whether to open the door.

Lu Demin wasn’t surprised by Lu Jin’an’s presence. He quietly asked, “Is Bai An asleep?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the answer, Lu Demin nodded and opened the door. As expected, standing outside were Cui Ju’s parents and their son, Lin Zhixia.

“Isn’t Cui Ju coming?” Wang Qing asked.

Cui Ju’s mother, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, “Cui Ju doesn’t know about this, so we didn’t call her.”

Wang Qing nodded and was about to invite them inside for tea.

“No need for tea.” Cui Ju’s father waved his hand, his weathered face reddening slightly. He quietly said, “Let’s just speak here.”

Wang Qing thought this wasn’t the best way to treat guests and turned to ask Lu Demin what he thought. Lu Demin nodded, signaling that he would handle the matter.

Lu Demin said to Cui Ju’s father, “Since Bai An is asleep, we’ll just clarify things here in a few simple words.”

Lin Zhixia wasn’t very interested in this entire situation. He quietly leaned against the door, watching them speak. He had already tried to warn them that their actions would eventually be exposed, and that day had come—today.

Lu Jin’an, standing beside him, also found the situation boring. He didn’t care about the process, only the outcome. He glanced coldly at Lin Zhixia, who smiled faintly in response.

As the parents discussed matters, Lin Zhixia leaned closer to Lu Jin’an and quietly asked, “Is Bai An really asleep? She’s the one who found out about this. Don’t you want to call her out?”

“This has nothing to do with you. It’s best if you ask less,” Lu Jin’an replied coldly.

Lin Zhixia wasn’t upset by Lu Jin’an’s indifference. He just stood there, still wearing a fake smile as he watched the conversation unfold.

“I know the villagers came to your house and took a lot of things. We don’t have the ability to repay you,” Cui Ju’s mother said apologetically. “But if you have any other requests, as long as we can do it, we will certainly try to fulfill them.”

Cui Ju’s parents nervously clasped their hands in front of their chests, looking at Lu Demin and Wang Qing with pleading eyes.

Wang Qing felt a bit reluctant and turned to her husband, softly asking, “Do you have anything you want to say?”

“Let’s do this.” Lu Demin looked at the two in front of him, no, it should be three people, and said, “I don’t want to create conflict, and there’s no need for you to compensate. All we ask is that you clear our name in front of everyone.”

Cui Ju’s father quickly nodded and said, “Yes, yes, of course.”

Cui Ju’s mother hurriedly took out the last bit of grain she had brought from home and placed it into Wang Qing’s hands, anxiously saying, “We don’t have much left at home, but please take this for now. When we have more, we’ll return it to you.”

Wang Qing couldn’t refuse and accepted the bag of grain. She opened it and saw that there was only a small amount of millet inside. She felt a bit embarrassed and said, “Has it been only a few days, and this is all that’s left? Didn’t you take more at the time?”

Cui Ju’s parents didn’t quite understand whether Wang Qing was asking this seriously or sarcastically. On the other hand, Lin Zhixia could tell that Wang Qing was just genuinely asking.

So kind-hearted.

“At the time, we didn’t have much grain left, so my mother had no choice but to take a little. We didn’t take much, just a small bag of rice, and this is all that’s left.”

Wang Qing looked at the rice in the bag, then glanced at Lu Demin. Lu Demin furrowed his brows, thinking about how their house had been nearly emptied at the time. He hadn’t expected that the culprits had only taken a small bag of rice.

Lu Demin said to them, “It’s getting late. You should go back for now. Just make sure you clarify things in front of everyone, and this matter will be settled.”

Cui Ju’s parents and their family expressed their gratitude and, after thanking them, pulled Lin Zhixia by the hand and turned to leave.

Lu Demin watched their retreating figures and sighed to himself. He could understand some of the reasons behind their actions. Who would resort to such things unless they had no other choice?

“Let’s go to sleep.”

As Lu Demin reached to close the gate with Wang Qing, Lu Jin’an, in a helpless tone, leaned against the door and said to Lu Demin, “Dad, didn’t you forget your son is still outside?”

Lu Demin, surprised, looked outside. Upon seeing Lu Jin’an’s face, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, I didn’t notice you were still outside. You hid quite well, son.”

Lu Jin’an gave a helpless smile and said to Lu Demin, “Let’s talk inside.”

On the way back, Wang Qing lightly tapped Lu Demin’s shoulder, saying, “What were you thinking earlier? How could you leave our son outside?”

Lu Demin laughed and said, “I didn’t see him.”

“Don’t do that again next time.”

The next morning, Lu Jin’an saw Da Zhuang and Cui Ju standing at the door, both of them staring at him with wide eyes. He furrowed his brow slightly, then turned and called out to Bai An inside the house.

“Bai An, your two little friends are here to see you.”

“They’re here, they’re here!” Bai An hurriedly grabbed her small bag and ran outside, excitedly saying, “Did Cui Ju come too?”

“Bai An!”

“Cui Ju!”

The two little girls hugged each other and happily jumped around. Da Zhuang, seeing this, quickly joined in, saying he wanted to join the fun too.

Lu Jin’an just watched them, the three of them gathered together, not even knowing what they were so happy about.