Chapter 29 He admitted this himself

A few young guys didn’t understand what their chief meant and didn’t dare to speak. They just fixed their gaze on the laid-back Cui Ying. Suddenly, Cui Ying casually raised his big hand and slammed it heavily on the table.

The impact startled Ming Shi so much he jumped up, and even the young men nearby shuddered.

“Ming Shi, you’ve got some nerve, huh? Breaking into someone’s home in the middle of the night with a knife. If I’m not mistaken, you were wielding that knife toward the old man, right?”

“I… I… I just thought… that old man might be easy to bully, so it would scare Ming Leyao.”

“Oh, so you admit you charged at the old man with a kitchen knife?”

“Yes…”

Hearing Ming Shi’s confession, Cui Ying’s fierce aura disappeared completely. He turned to the young men and smiled brightly.

“You heard that, he himself admits it. Bringing a kitchen knife to attack that old gentleman was premeditated.”

“Yes, yes, Chief, you’re right.”

“Hm, then the charge of premeditated attempted murder of the mayor of Nanxing City stands. We’ll follow judicial procedures and let the law decide the sentence.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Ming Shi’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe the charge had landed on him just like that. Mayor… mayor? That old man was actually the mayor??? Who the hell would leave a perfectly good job as mayor to hide out in some remote Shangjiaqiao team??? And more importantly… when did Ming Leyao get to know the mayor? If he had known earlier, why bother with all this trouble? Just suck up to that damned girl and get everything, right?

“N-no, I didn’t know he was the mayor, I…”

“You think saying you didn’t know will clear you? Even if that old man wasn’t the mayor, can you just stab anyone you want? Idiot.”

With that, Cui Ying stood up and left the interrogation room.

At the same time, the questioning of Ming Leyao ended, and Cui Ying led the two of them to his office.

The man who had just been acting all official as chief was now like a sycophant, bustling around for his own old father once the door was closed.

“Dad, are you tired? Thirsty? Hungry? Come home for lunch? I already called your daughter-in-law, and she’s probably finished cooking.”

“No, I can’t eat alone. Your mom’s waiting at home too.”

“Should I send someone to bring Mom over too?”

“That works.”

The old man really hadn’t visited his son’s home for a long time. Taking this opportunity, it wasn’t a bad idea to go see them.

Cui Ying acted fast. Within an hour, he brought Grandma Cui to his home, and the whole family happily shared a reunion meal.

After the meal, Cui Ying told everyone the results of Ming Shi’s interrogation.

Grandpa and Grandma Cui didn’t react much, and Ming Leyao even less so.

She wasn’t the original owner of this body and had little feeling for the people at the old house. Besides, Ming Shi had come to her house with bad intentions, whether or not he succeeded, he got what he deserved.

Time flew by.

Autumn of 1977 arrived as expected.

At the end of September, the weather carried a slight chill. Grandpa Cui switched from short sleeves to long sleeves. It was also the last day of his treatment.

Cui Ying had been waiting at Ming Leyao’s house early that morning. Watching Ming Leyao remove the last needle from Grandpa Cui, he hurriedly handed over a shirt for the old man to put on.

“Grandpa Cui, take good care of yourself, I guarantee you’ll live to a hundred.”

“Oh, girl, thanks for the good wishes.”

“I’m not just saying that. Grandpa Cui, if you take care and don’t overwork, your health won’t have any big problems.”

“Leyao, thank you for everything you’ve done these past days.”

Grandma Cui’s eyes showed reluctance. People are emotional, especially after living together for over half a month. Plus, Grandma Cui genuinely cared for Ming Leyao as if she were her own child, so the feeling of not wanting to part was even deeper.

“It’s what I should do.”

After all, Cui Ying had given so much money, she felt a bit embarrassed accepting it all.

“If you’re free in the future, come visit us in Nanxing City. We’ll be waiting at home.”

“Okay, Grandma Cui. And if you need anything, you can tell me.”

“Good, good… good child.”

No matter how reluctant, it was time to say goodbye. Watching Cui Ying’s car gradually disappear at the village entrance, Ming Leyao felt a little empty inside.

To avoid feeling too sad, she went back inside and started cleaning.

She took the bedding apart and threw everything into the washing machine inside her space. Taking advantage of the sunlight, she hung all the quilts out to dry.

Now, the grass hut school in Shangjiaqiao had moved next to the youth cadre compound, into a renovated adobe house. The room even had a stove to keep the kids warm in winter. The environment had improved, and the teaching schedule was getting on track.

Pang Jianyuan selected two youth cadres with good temperaments and reputations—one male and one female—to teach the children alongside Ming Leyao.

The male youth cadre was responsible for math as well as serving as the PE teacher and handling miscellaneous tasks. Although busy, it was better than going to the fields.

Ming Leyao got along well with the two teachers. Today she had afternoon classes. After seeing Grandpa Cui off, she had the whole morning to herself.

At noon, just as Ming Leyao was about to eat a bite and take a nap, the yard gate was pushed open from outside.

“Sis.”

Looking up, she saw Ming Xiaojiang, the eldest son of her fourth uncle’s family.

Seeing the much livelier little girl, a smile unconsciously appeared on Ming Leyao’s face.

“Xiao Jiang’s here? Have you eaten? I’m about to prepare lunch. Why don’t you stay and eat a bite with your sister?”

“Sure. Hey, did Grandpa and Grandma Cui already leave?”

“Yes, they left this morning.”

Ming Xiaojiang didn’t spend much time with the old couple, so it didn’t matter much to her whether they left or not.

“Sis, look what I brought!”

“Oh? Playing mysterious with your sister, huh?”

“Ah, sis, just go along with me.”

“You… did Fourth Aunt make you bring me some food again?”

“Yes! Mom made pickled vegetables herself. It just got opened today. She knew you like it, so she sent some over.”

“Thanks, Xiao Jiang. Come on in and sit.”

Ming Xiaojiang bounced happily into the yard, skillfully playing with the dog that had grown into a big dog.

Maybe it was Ming Leyao’s laziness or forgetfulness, but until now, she hadn’t named the dog. Everyone just called it “Doggy,” and the dog was used to it too.

“Doggy, did you miss me? Hey, have you gotten fat again?”

The dog glanced at Ming Xiaojiang, then quietly buried its head between its paws.

You’re the one who’s fat, your whole family is fat, hmph!!!