Shaanxi Lane.

Baishun Alley.

Qiao Jiuru hurried to these two places separately and, using the power of the Ink Bracelet space again, effortlessly brought the items inside.

Collect, collect, collect.

These two homes contained more things than the ones in Goldfish Alley — such as antiques, old paintings, calligraphy, books, even the items that had been confiscated from the Su and Qiao families in the past few days.

The things that had been taken away were now back in her hands, and she even had three times as much as before — a sudden fortune.

Qiao Jiuru looked at the room in the west courtyard of her space, specially used to store these recovered goods, where the floor was piled high and full.

She felt especially happy.

Those who had taken her belongings would have to spit them all back out.

Unfortunately, time was short.

She realized she thought of this method of emptying out things too late; had she thought of it earlier, she could have found more hidden places where items were stored.

After quickly collecting from these three places, more than three hours had passed.

It was just past six in the morning, and she had to hurry back.

However, when she returned to the residential compound, all the households were already up, washing, and making breakfast.

Qiao Jiuru carried her cloth bag, head down, quietly walking home.

The valuable goods and grains of the Su family had all been taken away.

Even if Qiao Jiuru returned with the things in her bag, those in the compound only thought she had gone out to find food.

Or maybe quietly borrowed grain or money from relatives or friends.

No one would have guessed that Qiao Jiuru had boldly and secretly done something earth-shaking.

Zhou Wanwan and Su Ze were also up.

After the couple got up, they noticed Qiao Jiuru was not at home and were very worried.

Suddenly, noise came from the courtyard, and they were startled, then saw Qiao Jiuru entering the house from outside.

“Mom.”

“Mom, where did you go?!”

The couple spoke in unison and immediately surrounded Qiao Jiuru.

“I originally wanted to pick up your dad, but then thought it was too early. I didn’t know if he would come back in the morning or afternoon. So I went to buy a few jin of sweet potatoes and one jin of rice first. When your dad comes back, there will be some warm food to eat.”

Qiao Jiuru answered her son and daughter-in-law’s doubts while pulling rice and sweet potatoes out of the cloth bag.

Seeing this, Su Ze hurried to close the door.

These past few days, his mother had come back before dawn every time, each time bringing meat buns and eggs — things that had to be eaten in secret and only available in the morning.

Sure enough, Qiao Jiuru took out two meat buns and gave them to Zhou Wanwan, quietly reminding her to eat quickly.

Zhou Wanwan was experienced enough and immediately grabbed one to eat, handing the other to her husband.

The couple quickly ate two or three meat buns in less than three minutes, then stopped eating and quickly drank water and rinsed their mouths, afraid someone would suddenly come in and smell it.

…

Tan Shuwei appeared punctually at the Displacement Committee.

As usual, he cleaned his desk, poured a glass of water, sipped leisurely for a few minutes, then got up and went to the next office.

“Xiao Zhang, go release that Su Huaiyuan later.”

“Xiao Li, bring me the schedule. The director told me after work yesterday to arrange the Su family’s relocation site today — a day earlier for reformation and to start anew.”

Tan Shuwei gave orders to a young man and woman in the office but was thinking that after filling in these files, he would buy train tickets for the Su family tomorrow — the sooner they left, the better.

“Brother Tan, why so fast?! I thought it would take several days before they could be sent for reformation.”

“Deputy director, did the director really say that?!”

The two young people were confused.

This was not their usual style.

“Don’t pry where you shouldn’t. What you need to know, you will. This is the director’s decision. Although it can’t be told to you now, you’ll know in a few days.”

Tan Shuwei was deliberately mysterious, refusing to answer their questions directly and teasing their curiosity — especially mentioning Lin Kesheng openly, so they wouldn’t suspect him.

Sure enough, as expected, Tan Shuwei successfully completed the relocation site paperwork for the Su family, stamped with Lin Kesheng’s and the committee’s seals, just waiting for the Su family to board the train tomorrow.

Tan Shuwei finished the paperwork, but Lin Kesheng hadn’t come to work.

He knew Lin Kesheng must be out investigating the matter and making connections.

When Su Huaiyuan was released, Tan Shuwei was just holding the processed relocation papers, about to go buy train tickets at the station.

They left the committee one after another.

The difference was Tan Shuwei rode a bicycle, while Su Huaiyuan walked slowly, head down and weak.

Soon, Tan Shuwei disappeared from Su Huaiyuan’s view.

When their eyes briefly met, Su Huaiyuan gave a subtle nod.

Su Huaiyuan had a premonition when released — this should be the end.

He felt extremely excited but dared not show it.

He walked haltingly, having barely eaten in days and feeling weak.

By the time he got back to the residential compound, more than an hour had passed.

“Professor Su, you’re back?!”

Before quitting time, people not working yet saw Su Huaiyuan and called out in shock.

Others also noticed Su Huaiyuan coming in looking disheveled, dusty, haggard, eyes full of sympathy.

Su Huaiyuan calmly glanced at them, then quickly lowered his head, stooped his back, held his stomach, expressionless, slowly walking home.

“Dad, what happened to you?!”

“Dad.”

“Old Su.”