Chapter 12: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

Ever since her father left, Chu Linyu had been incredibly nervous. She didn’t cry anymore and kept her ears perked up, trying to listen for what was happening outside.

Right now, she was just a little baby. Even though she had a clever mind from her past life and some knowledge in her head, none of that was useful in her current situation.

She had read history books and knew that during this particular historical period, someone like her father—if maliciously accused—couldn’t clear his name no matter how hard he tried. He could even end up being tortured.

She couldn’t help her father at all, which made her feel terribly sad. Chu Linyu pouted, her little face all tense with frustration.

But soon enough, she heard her mother giving instructions to Third Brother and explaining things to her grandfather.

Her tiny mouth opened in shock, forming an “O” shape.

Oh my God, she thought, Mom is amazing—she’s a master at reading and manipulating people’s hearts!

Yesterday, she’d overheard her father helping her brother with his studies and had realized both her father and older brother were extremely intelligent—truly worthy of being her relatives.

And today, her mother showed her own brilliance too.

Having such capable parents gave her an incredible sense of security.

Now that her curiosity had been satisfied and she felt safe again, the drowsiness that had been fighting her eyelids finally won. Time to sleep peacefully. Babies needed plenty of rest to grow up strong and fast.

And just like that, as soon as her eyes closed, she started softly snoring.

Lin Shufen looked down at her daughter. Seeing her sleeping so soundly, she relaxed a little from the tension.

Her daughter hadn’t cried like she did yesterday—that was a good sign. Things probably wouldn’t go wrong. Her husband would definitely come back safe and sound.

Outside the house, the standoff between the two groups continued. Wu Yongfu was no longer in a rush; he casually grabbed a stool from the yard and sat down.

He wanted to see who the Lin family could actually call for help. If no one showed up and they were just stalling for time, then he would definitely make a scene and ridicule them without mercy.

Lin Feng, who had sprinted off earlier, was fast. With extra effort, he ran full speed and arrived at the county committee office in just over twenty minutes.

Panting heavily, he didn’t even stop to rest.

He was naturally outgoing and familiar with people, so it didn’t take him long to find Cheng Biaozi through the gatekeeper.

After Lin Feng explained the situation, Cheng Biaozi thought for a moment, then got up from his chair to go to the Lin household.

He had a bicycle. After Lin Feng gave him the location, Cheng pedaled off immediately.

Lin Feng was left to run behind on foot, sweating buckets in the freezing cold.

“Screech—” The sound of a bicycle braking rang out.

Wu Yongfu frowned. Someone actually dared to show up?

When he turned around and saw who it was, his frown deepened. Why him?!

Apparently, the Lin family had at least two smart people. He could mess with others, but if the Cheng family wanted to intervene, things wouldn’t be so easy.

The two families were equally matched in power. Although his own father had recently become the head of the forestry station and the director of the revolutionary committee, giving them the upper hand…

Even so, his father had warned him: the Cheng family was cunning and ruthless, and they should never be taken lightly.

After all, the Chengs still had considerable influence within the county committee.

With that in mind, Wu Yongfu plastered on a smile and greeted him: “Biaozi, what brings you here today? Aren’t you supposed to be working at the county committee?”

Cheng Biaozi was a straight shooter. He couldn’t stand people who put on fake airs.

Without giving Wu Yongfu any face, he bluntly replied, “Someone reported that the revolutionary committee at the forestry station made baseless accusations and smeared others. I’m here to investigate.”

Wu Yongfu’s attempt at friendliness was immediately shut down, and his face darkened.

He snapped back, “Oh? So you’re here to back Chu Minghai, huh? Do you even know what kind of background he has?

Do you know he’s suspected of deliberately sabotaging the forestry station’s tractor and obstructing production?

Your family’s been at the station a long time—surely you wouldn’t want to see someone destroy it, would you?”

Cheng Biaozi didn’t show much reaction after hearing Wu Yongfu’s accusations. Instead, he firmly and righteously countered:

“That’s just your one-sided claim. I’m here on behalf of the County Revolutionary Committee to investigate this matter.

Don’t worry, I’ll look into it thoroughly. I won’t let a single bad person get away, but I also won’t wrongly accuse a good one!

As for Chu Minghai’s background—that has nothing to do with me, nor does it have anything to do with this matter.

He’s a sent-down youth. His parents have already been sent to labor reform. The organization hasn’t said anything about him individually, so why are you making such a fuss here?”

“You—!” Wu Yongfu ground his teeth in anger. This Cheng Biaozi clearly came to stir things up. Clenching his molars, he spat:

“Fine. You insist on interfering? Then we’ll interrogate and investigate together. But right now, Chu Minghai is a suspect and must be taken away!”

Cheng Biaozi nodded, no longer arguing.

The Lin family had been quietly watching the verbal sparring from the sidelines.

Old Man Lin leaned on the windowsill and sighed in amazement. His daughter was truly something else—she’d actually managed to get a comrade from the County Revolutionary Committee to speak up for them!

Jia Chunhua finally relaxed—looked like her son-in-law wasn’t in serious trouble after all.

Wu Yongfu, on the other hand, was fuming. Things had clearly gone beyond his expectations.

Of course, he knew Chu Minghai wasn’t guilty. He just wanted an excuse to mess with him.

Why? Because Chu always acted so proud and aloof. A descendant of the “Five Black Categories” who still refused to bow his head, refused to be roped in, and never even greeted him when they crossed paths.

But the real reason—the most bitter grudge—was that Chu Minghai had stolen the woman his younger brother liked most.

Hmph. Even if Chu came groveling to him, he’d only be met with humiliation.

His gaze swept across the Lin family homes. He’d heard Lin Shufen had given birth to another daughter.

That wretched woman was truly lucky. She seduced his younger brother, then turned around and threw herself into another man’s arms. Meanwhile, his brother had never been able to move on and was still unmarried at 30!

Just thinking about it made him want to drag this whole family out for public denunciation!

He snapped at his subordinate, Sun Zhong, “Take him away!”

Then he turned and looked pointedly at Cheng Biaozi—You’re not going to stop me this time, right?

Cheng Biaozi simply made a “please go ahead” gesture.

Seeing this, the Lin family didn’t try to stop them anymore. Chu Minghai followed Sun Zhong out of the courtyard.

The two other goons trailed behind Chu, keeping a close eye to prevent escape.

Wu Yongfu cast a final scornful glance around the Lin household, spat viciously on the ground, and turned to leave.

Cheng Biaozi said nothing and followed after.

After a moment of thought, Lin Guodong called out to Cai Honglian, “Lianzi, help me request time off at the parts factory. I’ve got to go see what happens.”

He then rushed out after them.

No matter how fast Lin Feng ran, his skinny legs couldn’t compete with a bicycle.

By the time he had cut through back alleys and made it home, he only caught a glimpse of his dad rushing past him.

Dad’s in such a hurry—did Uncle still get taken away? Did the person Aunt asked for help not do anything?

He was about to follow when Jia Chunhua called him back, “Xiao San, don’t go. Your uncle’s going to be fine.”

This time, Lin Feng listened and went back into the house.

Inside the east room, except for Cai Honglian—who had gone to request time off for Lin Guodong—the entire family had gathered.

Little Lin Zhen’s face was tight with worry, clearly anxious about his father.

He was just a regular kid with a high IQ. Faced with something like this, he couldn’t be as composed as an adult.

Lin Shufen hugged and comforted him for a long time, but his little brows were still furrowed. Unless his father came back safe and sound, he wouldn’t be able to relax.