Chapter 9: Trapping the Zhang Family

“I don’t have to call the police. If anyone saw someone sneaking around my house, now’s the time to provide clues. When we get the stuff back, each villager who gave useful info will get one yuan.” Since I didn’t lose any money myself, and to punish the Zhang family, it’s better to scatter this ‘ill-gotten wealth.’

When the villagers heard about the one yuan reward, they started discussing excitedly. Even the Zhang family members wanted the money.

“I-I know. This morning I saw Iron Egg’s father and Big ya Aunt acting suspiciously at your door.” The power of money is strong; someone immediately raised their hand.

“I-I saw too. I saw them carrying radishes out.” Those who saw it boasted proudly.

“You’re talking nonsense! Our two families have long cut ties. Why would I go to her house?” Zhang Daya angrily shouted.

“You guys are all petty, only see money. For just one yuan, you’re really heartless.” Iron Egg’s father also went on the attack. He had seen the ‘losing goods’ taking the child outside and encouraged his mother to steal, but they didn’t find any money.

“Quiet! When did you two see this?” The squad leader, seeing the noisy crowd, quickly came out to take charge, though he already suspected who the thief was.

“Squad leader, I never lie. The Liang family just left, then they came. I saw it with my own eyes,” Villager No. 1 said righteously.

“Yeah, squad leader. Our family has no feud with the Zhangs. No need to wrongly accuse them.” Villager No. 2 looked disdainfully at Zhang Daya’s group, knowing they bullied women and children.

“I know too. Iron Bull and Iron Egg said after their grandma took food from the ‘losing goods’ family, they shared some with us.” Iron Bull’s good friend, the loafer, said casually.

Now even the kids spoke up. The squad leader was furious.

“Zhang Fugui family, do you have anything to say?”

“Squad leader, if they still deny it, just call the police.” He Jingshu said casually.

“Squad leader, we really didn’t steal any money. I just miss my daughter. We raised her for so long; now that we’ve cut ties, my heart aches. I just sent my wife to check on her.” Zhang Fugui pretended to wipe away tears.

But the villagers had zero trust in his family. Seeing no sympathy, his tear-wiping froze.

“Cut it out, Zhang Fugui. You say you miss your daughter? Aren’t you afraid people will laugh?” Someone laughed. Zhang Fugui had once drunkenly said this daughter was his cash cow. Saying this now was ridiculous.

“Enough! Did you take the stuff out yourselves, or should I send people to search?” The squad leader barked.

“It’s injustice! We only stole two radishes. That damn girl hid everything; we couldn’t find any money.” Zhang Daya was frantic, regretting stealing.

“You damn girl, your mother is being framed, and you just stand there laughing?” Iron Bull’s father angrily pointed at He Jingshu.

“Squad leader, judging by their looks, they won’t confess. Let’s send people to search.” He Jingshu didn’t take the clowns seriously.

Zhang Fugui stared at his foster daughter. Seeing the squad leader already gathered people to go to his house, he panicked.

“Squad leader, we—we will return it. We were just afraid that Jingshu was too careless, so we tried to help her store it.” Zhang Fugui bit the bullet to protect the family treasure.

Seeing his family’s disbelief, Zhang Fugui ignored it, watching the squad leader take things from the kitchen. Zhang Daya and her two daughters-in-law were already crying and shouting.

Zhang Fugui looked sadly at the dwindling grain but still trembled as he took out twenty yuan to give He Jingshu.

He Jingshu pocketed the grain and money and generously gave the three witnesses one yuan each. The squad leader warned the Zhang family and then dismissed the crowd.