Font Size:
After discussing the matter, Jiang Huaijing and Liu Chuanzhi decided to seek help from their superior. Upon hearing their story, the superior was also furious and immediately ordered Jiang Huaijing and Liu Chuanzhi to find the real Li Pandi. The two men gathered some people and drove to Li Pandi’s house.
“Mother, will Second Sister really send the money?”
Lying on the bed, Li Bao’er looked aggrieved. Without the money, he wouldn’t be able to get married.
“Don’t worry, son. If she dares not to send the money, I’ll tell Liu Chuanzhi the truth.”
“That’s right, Mother. Second Sister was only able to marry Liu Chuanzhi because of you.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As they were chatting, a noise came from outside. Li Bao’er frowned impatiently.
“Mother, is that lunatic knocking on the door again?”
“Don’t open it. She’s been locked in the basement for three years and will soon be married off to the Northwest. Just endure it a little longer.”
The so-called “lunatic” was actually the real Li Pandi. She had been locked in the basement by her mother for three years. Aside from mealtime, they always kept her locked up.
Ignoring the noise, the two continued their conversation.
“Mother, we have the dowry money now, but where do we get the ‘three rounds and a sound’?” (Referring to the three must-have wedding items: a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a wristwatch, along with a radio.)
“Don’t worry. I have it all planned out. You won’t be missing anything.”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The old woman was furious. This lunatic was being relentless! Today, she was determined to teach her a lesson so she would never make another sound.
Just as she stepped outside, she was startled to see Liu Chuanzhi and Jiang Huaijing standing in the courtyard, accompanied by a group of people.
“Son-in-law, what brings you here with so many people?”
“Where is Pandi?”
“Isn’t Pandi at the military district? Why are you asking me? Isn’t she with you?”
Liu Chuanzhi knew there was no use arguing, so he ordered a search.
“Brother-in-law, what are you doing?”
Li Bao’er looked confused, but Liu Chuanzhi ignored him. As the search turned the house upside down, the old woman and Li Bao’er started panicking. They couldn’t let Liu Chuanzhi discover the real Li Pandi!
“Son-in-law, Pandi really isn’t here. Stop searching, you’re tearing my house apart!”
Liu Chuanzhi remained unmoved. He personally searched the house until someone reported hearing noises from the basement.
He had the door pried open, only to find a tortured and unrecognizable Li Pandi inside. He immediately rushed forward and carried her out.
Seeing him carry her out, the old woman and Li Bao’er were completely terrified.
“Huaijing, take care of things here. I need to take her to the hospital.”
“Got it. Leave it to me.”
Jiang Huaijing took the old woman and Li Bao’er back to the military district, handing them over to their superiors.
—-
Meanwhile, in the family courtyard, the residents were gathered and chatting when they saw a convoy of cars arrive. Several leaders stepped out, including Commander Chen.
“What’s going on? Even Commander Chen is here. This must be serious.”
“She must have brought this upon herself. Li Pandi always bullied children. Commander Chen must be here to settle accounts with her.”
“Let’s go watch the drama unfold.”
A woman named Xu pulled Gu Nian along while taking out a handful of roasted sunflower seeds.
After spending some time with her, Gu Nian had come to understand Xu well. Her real name was Xiuhua, she was 33 years old, warm-hearted, and friendly, but had a strong passion for gossip.
“A life without gossip is meaningless.”—This was her life motto.
Inside the house, Li Pandi was still sleeping soundly, unaware of what was happening outside.
“Li Pandi, open the door and come out immediately!”
“Li Pandi, we know you’re in there! If you don’t come out, we’ll go in!”
Woken up by the noise, Li Pandi unwillingly got up and opened the door. Upon seeing Commander Chen, she immediately put on a smile.
“Commander Chen, what brings you here? I was sleeping and didn’t hear anything.”
“Li Pandi, you are suspected of marriage fraud. We are taking you in for interrogation.”
Li Pandi looked confused at first but then quickly reassured herself. Only her family knew the truth. There was no way anyone else could have found out.
“Commander, I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Enough pretending. Your mother and brother have already confessed. There’s no hiding the truth now. Take her away!”
Li Pandi was arrested, and soon, the entire family courtyard was abuzz with the news.
No one had expected this outcome. It turned out that Li Pandi and Li Zhaodi were identical twins.
On the day of the wedding, the old woman had switched the brides, and since the two looked exactly alike, Liu Chuanzhi never suspected anything—until now.
In the end, the fake Li Pandi was sent to a remote area for reeducation, while her mother, father, and brother were all taken away for reform.
The real Li Pandi was finally reunited with Liu Chuanzhi at the family courtyard. Liu Chuanzhi blamed himself for not recognizing her, causing her to suffer for years.
However, despite everything, the real Li Pandi remained kind-hearted. She didn’t blame Liu Chuanzhi but rather her cruel family. Now that it was all over, the two decided to move forward together and raise their child.
The news spread, and the entire family courtyard was genuinely happy for them.
—-
Since arriving at the military district, Gu Nian had plenty of free time. She had heard that winters here were harsh, so she bought some cotton to make boots for Jiang Huaijing.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Hearing the door, Gu Nian put down her sewing and opened it. Standing outside was Li Pandi.
She wore a plaid shirt and black pants, with two braids resting on her chest. Though her face still bore old scars, they couldn’t hide her beauty.
It was the same face, yet Li Pandi now radiated warmth and resilience.
Gu Nian invited her in and poured her some tea.
“Thank you, Sister Gu. I heard from Chuanzhi what you did for me. You are my lifesaver now.”
“Don’t mention it. It was nothing.”
“No, I must thank you. My family doesn’t have much, but please accept these 20 eggs as a token of my gratitude.”
Seeing Li Pandi’s sincerity, Gu Nian accepted the gift. The two women hit it off and talked for a long time.
Gu Nian found Li Pandi to be a positive and inspiring person. Just as they were deep in conversation, Xu came in excitedly.
“What are you two chatting about? Gu Nian, I have good news for you!”
“What good news?”
“The teacher at the military district’s elementary school is pregnant, and they need a substitute Chinese teacher. Among all the military wives, you’re the most qualified. Why don’t you give it a try?”
Ding!
“Host, your eighth transmigration mission has arrived. Please successfully become a teacher.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Nian sighed. It had been a while since the system appeared.
“System, where have you been?”
“Host, I had to report back due to an influx of transmigration tasks caused by the nuclear wastewater crisis in Japan. Please confirm whether you accept the mission.”
“Confirm.”
Turning to Xu, Gu Nian smiled.
“Thank you, Sister Xu. I’ll go check it out later. By the way, what’s that in your hand?”
“Oh, this? It’s something good.”