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It’s worth noting that Zhou Tao’s grandfather was the director of the Grain Bureau, but was later reported for corruption. As a result, the whole family was sent to a remote, resource-scarce island.
Zhou Tao’s eldest brother’s daughter even starved to death during that time.
Lin Ting hoped that her reminder could help the Zhou family take early action and minimize the damage.
Zhou Tao’s gaze darkened as he said bitterly, “Those people are always scheming one way or another—aren’t they afraid their descendants will be cursed?”
Lin Ting’s eyes flashed. “Who exactly are you talking about?”
Zhou Tao paused, then shook his head. “I only know that someone is targeting your family from behind the scenes. But my grandfather won’t say who it is.”
“He did try to find someone to help your family, but it doesn’t seem to be working.”
“Lin Ting, I’ve thought it through. At the very least, I want to protect you. Will you marry me?”
“It’s okay if you don’t like me—I promise I won’t touch you. Once your family’s situation is resolved, we can divorce.”
Lin Ting wasn’t someone who was easily moved, but she was genuinely touched by Zhou Tao’s words.
“Marrying you… let’s forget that. But I do have a favor to ask.”
“Two workers at the meat factory—Yu Bai and Huang Qi—helped me out a little. If you ever have a chance, please lend them a hand. Consider it me owing you a debt.”
“And also, please remind your grandfather to be cautious. Make sure no one can catch him for corruption. He should clean up the accounts as thoroughly as possible.”
After saying this, Lin Ting turned and left, leaving behind a stunned Zhou Tao.
Yu Bai? Huang Qi? He had heard of these names before but couldn’t remember what they looked like.
Never mind—he’d deal with it when he went to work tomorrow.
For now, the most important thing was to relay her warning to his grandfather.
Zhou Tao’s heart grew anxious, and he quickened his pace as he rushed home.
As soon as he got home, he sensed something was wrong.
He quickly asked, “Grandma, did something happen?”
Grandma Zhou shut the door and whispered, “Earlier today, someone left a box of cash at our doorstep. Your grandfather hasn’t returned from work, and I didn’t know what to do, so I brought it inside.”
“What if someone saw it? Wouldn’t we be in serious trouble?”
As the wife of the Grain Bureau director, she had received many private gifts in the past—but those were from known sources and always delivered discreetly. This time, someone had left an entire box of cash at their door without even a name.
She didn’t know whether to accept it or not.
Zhou Tao remembered Lin Ting’s warning and asked urgently, “Where’s the box of cash?”
“In your grandfather’s study.”
As soon as she spoke, Zhou Tao dashed upstairs. When he came back down, he was holding the box.
Grandma Zhou cried out in fear, “What are you doing with that money?”
Zhou Tao replied, “We can’t keep it. I’m taking it to the police station.”
“Grandma, come with me and explain everything clearly. We can’t let anyone get hold of evidence against Grandpa.”
The moment Grandma Zhou heard the word “corruption,” her face changed. She didn’t hesitate anymore.
“Hurry then—let’s go to the police!”
Zhou Tao rode his bike with Grandma Zhou on the back and rushed to the police station.
On the way, he told her, “Later, just say you’re an old lady who didn’t dare deliver so much cash on your own. You were waiting for family to come home before bringing it in. Got it?”
“I got it! I was so muddle-headed—I almost ruined your grandfather!”
Taking a little here and there was one thing, but a whole box of cash—whether discovered or not—meant participating in something shady.
When they arrived at the station, they explained everything in full detail.
It took nearly an hour to finish the statement before they were allowed to leave.
Grandma Zhou was still shaken. “Your grandfather is going to scold me to death when he hears this!”
Zhou Tao seized the moment: “Grandma, how could you just take that much cash into the house in broad daylight? If someone wanted to report us, how would we even defend ourselves?”
“You know how unstable things are right now!”
Grandma Zhou deeply regretted it. She had truly been out of her mind to bring so much cash home!
Before they even got close to their house, they heard loud commotion coming from the yard.
A crowd had gathered outside, craning their necks to look in.
Grandma Zhou was alarmed. “What’s happening?”
Zhou Tao rushed ahead. “I’ll go check!”
He pushed through the dense crowd and saw several men in uniforms ransacking their home.
Even the iron lock on the front gate showed signs of being broken open.
He exploded with anger, yelling, “What are you doing?!”
A middle-aged man adjusted the glasses on his nose and said coldly, “We received a tip that Old Man Zhou is involved in corruption and bribery. Someone saw your family accepting a box of cash.”
Zhou Tao’s eyes widened in fear. His spine went cold, and sweat drenched his palms.
If he hadn’t rushed home to pass on Lin Ting’s message…
If he hadn’t sensed something was wrong with his grandma…
If he hadn’t already handed the cash to the police…
He couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened.
Lin Ting was now their family’s savior.
With that thought, he looked up at the man and asked,
“Do you have a search warrant?”
The man said righteously, “We’re acting in the name of justice!”
Zhou Tao repeated coldly, “I asked—do you have a search warrant?”
“We’re the Revolutionary Committee’s Law Enforcement Team. We’re investigating a report…”
Zhou Tao gritted his teeth. “I’ll ask one more time—do you have a search warrant?”
He glanced at their hands, which were full of seized items, and said icily:
“Illegal search, breaking and entering, destruction and theft—you can’t afford the consequences of any of these crimes.”
The man pointed at him furiously. “You brat! What nonsense are you spouting?”
“We’re the law enforcement team! We have the right to search your home for evidence!”
At that moment, Grandpa Zhou returned. His face was like a thundercloud, utterly terrifying.
His first words were a sharp question:
“Where is the evidence you’re talking about?”
“Did you find anything?”
The team leader rolled his eyes and shouted,
“Brothers, search thoroughly!”
“Don’t miss a single nook or cranny!”
“If a cabinet won’t open—smash it with a hammer!”
“If the door’s locked—kick it down!”
Grandma Zhou’s nose flared with rage. “Stop right there!”
But the enforcers ignored her and continued ransacking the house.
“I’m going to report this to the Public Security Bureau!”
“I’m filing a complaint!” she shouted, stomping her foot in frustration.
The leader sneered, “Go ahead!”
“We’re acting lawfully—what do we have to be afraid of?”
Just then, someone knocked over two antique vases, which shattered with a crisp crash.
Grandma Zhou’s heart nearly broke.
“Stop this right now!”