The recent scandal caused such an uproar that Sister Hong came to speak with Lin Ning. Not wanting to trouble her, Lin Ning voluntarily resigned, settled her wages, packed her things, and left the public bathhouse.

Outside the bathhouse, Lin Ning counted her money—116 yuan in total. In 1982, this was a substantial amount. She found a guesthouse to stay in and began planning her next move.

Her priority was to retrieve the 200 yuan the Lin family extorted from the Feng family in her name. There was no way she was taking the fall for that money. She had to get it back.

The next morning, Lin Ning quietly returned to the Lin household. The place was a mess. No one was home, and the chaos inside reflected the family’s reliance on her. Dirty dishes from breakfast cluttered the table, soaking clothes in the basin had turned sour, and the floor was littered with trash. Without Lin Ning to manage the house, it had fallen into complete disarray.

Lin Ning knew exactly where Lin Mother kept the family’s money—in a jujube wood chest by their bedside. However, the lock posed a problem.

Prepared, Lin Ning pulled a thin wire from her pocket and fiddled with the lock. After a few moments, there was a click, and it opened.

Inside was a pile of clothes. Reaching deeper, she found an iron box containing 2,000 yuan—the money intended for Lin Yong’s house purchase. Without hesitation, Lin Ning took the entire amount.

She placed the 2,000 yuan into her Ruyi Space, restored everything to its original state, and swiftly left the house.

Later that day, when the Lin family prepared to buy the house from their neighbor, Old Liang, Lin Mother retrieved the iron box and screamed in shock.

“The money is gone!”

She frantically searched the house, but the 2,000 yuan was nowhere to be found.

“What’s going on? Did someone break in?” she wondered aloud.

However, the lock and box were intact, ruling out an outsider. The culprit had to be someone inside the house—a family member!

The Lin family immediately suspected Lin Ning. After all, if she could steal the household register, why wouldn’t she steal money?

Lin Yong was livid. To him, Lin Ning’s refusal to marry into the Feng family and her interference in his house purchase were unforgivable. He was ready to kill her.

The entire family stormed out in search of Lin Ning, first heading to the public bathhouse. Learning she had resigned, they combed through nearby guesthouses until they found her.

“Lin Ning! Did you steal our money? Hand it over right now!” Lin Yong roared.

Having anticipated this moment, Lin Ning feigned confusion.

“What money?”

“The 2,000 yuan for my house—every cent is gone! That includes the 200 yuan from the Feng family!”

“When did the Feng family give you 200 yuan? I’m not marrying into their family anymore, so why would they give you money?”

“Don’t change the subject! Return the money!”

Lin Ning put on a wronged expression. “I didn’t even know the Feng family gave you money. How could I have taken it? You’re barking up the wrong tree!”

Her innocent demeanor caused the Lin family to hesitate. Could it really not have been her? She didn’t even know about the Feng family’s payment.

“Then who took it if not you?” Lin Yong demanded.

“Anyone but me. Maybe Mom gave it to Grandma when she came asking for money. Or maybe Lin Qiao needed it for her dowry. Even you or your girlfriend could’ve taken it.”

Her words were like cold water hitting a hot pan, causing chaos to erupt.

“Stop pointing fingers!” Lin Mother snapped.

“I’m not. It’s entirely possible one of you lied, took the money, and pretended nothing happened,” Lin Ning replied coolly.

Her suggestion sowed seeds of doubt among the family members. Lin Mother had indeed fended off Grandma’s request for money before. Lin Qiao had also resented the unequal treatment between her and Lin Yong regarding marriage finances.

The family left the guesthouse empty-handed, muttering suspicions under their breath.

Back home, Lin Yong slammed his fists on the table.

“Alright, who took the money?”

Lin Qiao bristled. “Who are you accusing?”

“Whoever took it—that’s who!”

“You think I’d stoop to stealing? Unlike you, I don’t need the family’s help to buy a house!”

“Shut up!” Lin Yong shouted, shattering a teapot at her feet.

Terrified, Lin Qiao screamed, “Lin Yong! If you keep this up, I’ll make sure you can’t get medical treatment at the county hospital!”

She worked in the hospital pharmacy, and her threat hit its mark. Lin Yong quieted down but remained resentful.

“Swear you didn’t take it,” he challenged.

“Gladly! Whoever took the money will get hit by a car!”

The vicious oath convinced him she wasn’t the thief.

“Now you swear too,” Lin Qiao countered.

Just as Lin Yong was about to respond, Lin Mother intervened.

“Enough! This ends now!”

Frustrated, Lin Qiao slammed the door on her way out.

After she left, the remaining family members were at a loss. They all looked guilty, but no one confessed.

The pressing issue was the missing money. 2,000 yuan was no small sum. Lin Yong earned 30 yuan a month, Lin Father 45, and Lin Mother 42. Even if the entire family saved every penny, it would take years to recover.

While they scrambled to borrow money, their neighbor Old Liang sold his house.

Lin Yong watched in despair as the Liang family moved out, realizing he had just missed his best chance at homeownership.

In the coming years, Lin Yong’s prediction proved correct. Comparable houses became increasingly expensive and scarce. Though his workplace allocated housing, he lacked the seniority to qualify, leaving him waiting for over seven years.

It wasn’t until his forties, after his father’s death and forcing his mother to remarry, that Lin Yong finally secured a house.