Chapter 12: Forced Confession

Jing Xi looked at the young Officer Li and was just about to speak when Wu Jun suddenly interrupted her.

“Officer, Comrade Xiao Jing has her own reasons for not reporting this to the police. After all, this isn’t a matter she’d want to make public—it’s not exactly something to be proud of. She’s a young woman, and if word gets out, won’t it damage her reputation?”

“Besides, there was no real harm done in this case, and we’ve already resolved the issue. Both parties have agreed to go their separate ways. Isn’t that right, Xiao Jing?”

Wu Jun cast a warning glance at Jing Xi.

The two police officers standing nearby caught the threatening look in his eyes.

Jing Xi could feel the intimidation as if he were silently telling her, If you dare to say anything, you’ll suffer the consequences.

From the memories of her original self, she had never had any personal grievances with Wu Jun—nor with Wu Dazhuang, for that matter.

However, ever since Wu Jun had taken the land that was supposedly given to her as “compensation,” she now considered them adversaries.

Officer Li was beginning to lose patience. “Don’t interrupt. We’re asking this comrade a question, not you.”

Unwilling to give up, Wu Jun tried again. “Officers, I know a lot about this situation. You can ask me instead.”

Officer Li stood up abruptly. “What’s your problem? Why won’t you let her speak? Both of you, get out!”

Wu Jun immediately sat down. “Alright, alright, I’ll shut up.” But his eyes still bore into Jing Xi, silently warning her not to say anything she shouldn’t.

Jing Xi sneered internally. As expected, these people were all cut from the same cloth as the Zhang family.

But she wasn’t afraid.

“You two, out!”

Officer Yu also spoke up, and only then did Wu Jun and Wu Dazhuang reluctantly leave the room.

As soon as the door opened, they saw the Zhang family lurking not far away, eavesdropping.

Officer Li narrowed his eyes. Something about this didn’t feel right.

Once the room was cleared, leaving only the three of them inside, Officer Li spoke again. “Comrade, go ahead. We are the people’s police—you can trust us.”

He was already somewhat sympathetic toward Jing Xi. She was such a frail young woman, being bullied by those people, and even in front of them, they had the audacity to try intimidating her.

Jing Xi hesitantly glanced outside, knowing that those people were still listening in. She nervously fidgeted with her fingers and said, “They wouldn’t let me call the police… They said they’d compensate me, but I never received anything…”

“What kind of compensation did they promise you?”

“They said they’d give me a piece of land—the one just down there. But in the end, they gave it to Wu Jun instead. Wu Jun is the man from earlier…”

Upon hearing this, the two officers instantly understood the situation.

If the girl had truly done something wrong, why would the village insist on compensating her?

“Alright then, the Zhang family claims you stole their money. Do you have any evidence to prove you didn’t?” Officer Yu asked.

Jing Xi looked up, puzzled by his question. “Shouldn’t the burden of proof be on them? If they believe I stole their money, shouldn’t they provide evidence to support their claim? Why do I have to prove my innocence?”

She added, “The Zhang family is just guilty and trying to cover it up. They bullied me, so now they assume I must have stolen from them? Then let them bring out the evidence.”

“My home is simple—there’s nothing to hide. If the two of you want to search, you’re welcome to do so at any time. If you can find any stolen money here, you can lock me up for twenty or even thirty years, and I won’t even bat an eye!”

Jing Xi even stood up and retrieved her ledger, handing it to Officer Yu.

“Every penny I have is clean—it’s all earned through my own labor. Not only did the Zhang family bully me, but now, just because they lost money, they want to frame me? Do they think I’m an easy target just because I’m quiet and well-behaved?”

Her words were so firm and convincing that Officer Yu regretted even asking the question.

“Alright, next question. On the night of the Zhang family’s fire, where were you?”

“I was at home cooking. When I went outside to gather firewood, I smelled smoke. Then I saw the fire and rushed over to see what was happening, to see if I could help. When I got there, I ran into Aunt Liu. Since the fire was already under control and there wasn’t much I could do, I walked home with her. Oh, by the way, Aunt Liu’s house isn’t far from mine.”

Officer Yu nodded and made a note of it.

They would have to visit the Liu family later as well.

“Comrade, we apologize for disturbing you. Our investigation is just part of maintaining law and order, and sometimes cooperation between the police and the public is necessary. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.”

Jing Xi nodded. “No problem. It’s my duty to cooperate.”

The two officers left the house. Wu Jun and Wu Dazhuang were still standing outside, smoking.

The Zhang family, however, was nowhere to be seen. Earlier, Jing Xi had overheard Wu Jun whispering to Zhang Qiang, and they hadn’t been saying anything good about her.

She figured they’d be coming to threaten her again soon.

Officer Li walked a few steps, then turned back to glance at her. He walked a few more steps and looked back again, which surprised Jing Xi.

After seeing the officers off, Wu Jun and Wu Dazhuang remained outside. Before long, Wu Dazhuang returned to find Jing Xi.

Jing Xi continued drinking her porridge, not even sparing him a glance.

“You’re something else—lying without even blinking. And you still have the appetite to eat? Aren’t you afraid the Zhang family will make things difficult for you? I wouldn’t be surprised if Zhang Qiang shows up tonight to teach you a lesson.”

Jing Xi let out a cold laugh. “Lying? What did I lie about?”

Wu Dazhuang had been leaning against the doorframe. Since Jing Xi hadn’t closed the door when he arrived, he simply kicked it open.

Now, he sat down on a stool and stared at her as she drank her porridge. Suddenly, he reached out, trying to grab her chin.

To his surprise, Jing Xi reacted swiftly—not only dodging his grasp but also picking up a piece of firewood and smacking his hand with it.

She was incredibly fast.

“Damn it! You—!”

Wu Dazhuang jumped up, ready to strike.

Jing Xi stepped back and spoke coldly, “Wu Dazhuang, have you forgotten who helped you?”

“Helped me? You stole over a thousand and only gave me five hundred! Listen up—you’d better hand over the other half. We split it fifty-fifty. If you don’t, I’ll tell the Zhang family it was you who stole the money! And that you set the fire!”

Jing Xi chuckled. “Go ahead. Go right now. Want me to escort you there?”

Wu Dazhuang was momentarily at a loss for words. “Wait, what? You’ve got some nerve! You’re actually provoking me? Aren’t you afraid of what I might do?”

Jing Xi heard rustling noises outside—it sounded like someone approaching. From the sound of it, it was probably Officer Li again. She quickly took another sip of porridge and then raised her voice.

“Wu Dazhuang, no matter how much you threaten me, it won’t work. I didn’t take that money! If you can find any stolen money in my house, I’ll go to the station and turn myself in right now! If I didn’t take it, then I didn’t take it! No amount of coercion will change that!”

Wu Dazhuang looked even more confused. “What the hell are you talking about? How am I coercing you?”

Jing Xi ignored him and continued, “Just because I have a grudge against the Zhang family doesn’t mean I would steal from them!”

Wu Dazhuang frowned, sensing that something was off. He glanced toward the window and finally noticed a faint shadow outside—it was the officer from earlier.

“Damn,” he cursed under his breath and quickly sat back down.

Less than ten seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

Wu Dazhuang remained seated, unmoving. Despite being a thug, he was still somewhat afraid of the police—especially since he had a criminal record. He had been arrested before and hadn’t had an easy time in custody, leaving him with lingering trauma.

Jing Xi got up to open the door and saw Officer Li standing there. “You’re back? Do you need something?”

Officer Li glanced inside at Wu Dazhuang before flashing a small smile at Jing Xi. “I left my pen behind. Could you help me find it?”

Jing Xi turned around and spotted a fountain pen on the stool. She quickly picked it up and handed it to him.

Wu Dazhuang immediately stood up. “Uh, I won’t disturb you any longer—I’ll get going!”

He bolted out of there in an instant.

Officer Li watched him disappear into the distance and then turned back to Jing Xi. “I overheard your conversation just now. He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Jing Xi shook her head. “No, no, I’m used to it.”

Officer Li frowned. “Used to it? So, people in your village threaten you like this often?”

Jing Xi shook her head again and smiled faintly, though with a hint of helplessness. “Not really. Life was normal before. It only started after that scandal with the Zhang family. It’s fine—it’ll blow over with time.”