Chapter 23: She Never Proves Herself

Xu Jingya subconsciously leaned closer to Gu Jingyao, acting intimately.

Lin Moran coldly glanced at them, answering Wu Kairui, “I’m going to Liuli Factory.”

Her sister-in-law was calm, not angry at all?

“I heard Moran wanted to work at Liuli Factory, almost got in, but the old antiques there suspected her of being dishonest, so she missed the opportunity.  Is Moran going to Liuli Factory to clear things up?”

Xu Jingya asked with a concerned smile.

Lin Moran’s cold face broke into a faint smile. She said calmly, “Comrade Xu knows a lot.  Liuli Factory and I have our own versions of events. The police have already cleared my name regarding my honesty.”

“But Comrade Xu’s job acquisition was quite dishonorable. First, you fawned over Zhao Feiping, the son of the food factory director. Then, Zhao Feiping ignored you. Finding that path difficult, you used a matchmaker to arrange a marriage with the Song family. After the Song family son died, you went back to Zhao Feiping, still unable to get the job. Finally, you cried and pleaded with the Song family, wanting to work at the food factory.”

“I can at least strive for the job I want, but Comrade Xu is different. Of course, I’m not as persistent as Comrade Xu, nor am I as skilled at using connections. But Comrade Xu, wasn’t your heart set on Director Zhao’s son? Why the sudden change of heart?”

“First, Martyr Song Zesheng of the Song family, and then… Comrade Xu is quite romantic!”

Xu Jingya’s smile froze on her face, her expression shifting between pale and green.

Lin Moran’s smile was faint, innocently asking, “Oh, did I accidentally hit a nerve, Comrade Xu? I’m so talkative.”

“You two, chat. I’ll go first.”

After speaking, Lin Moran strode away.

Xu Jingya knew nothing, yet she accused her of being dishonest. Fine!

Who’s afraid of who?

Between the two of them, who was truly dishonest and scheming?

“Jingyao, I didn’t. I just wanted to be self-reliant. My family doesn’t have extra job quotas. I wanted a good job for myself. Was I wrong?”

“I’ve never been fickle; I never liked Zhao Feiping. I’m not that kind of person, Jingyao, believe me.”

Xu Jingya cried and explained.

“Jingya, don’t cry.”

“But I can’t explain myself.”

Xu Jingya became even more aggrieved.

Watching Lin Moran walk away, Gu Jingyao suddenly realized something: Lin Moran never had to prove herself.

“Those things are in the past; we all hope you’re doing well.”

Xu Jingya stared at him, her eyes full of disbelief, “Jingyao, you don’t believe me?”

“Moran has always been hostile towards me. You and Zesheng both served in the army; we should have had a good relationship, but she felt uncomfortable when she saw how well the Song family treated me.  She targeted me every time she saw me after that.”

“Comrade Xu, you’re saying my sister-in-law is jealous of you. Why beat around the bush?”

Wu Kairui said directly.

He exposed the sarcasm in her words.

“No, I didn’t! Why do you think that way about me? Jingyao, do you think that way too?”

“Why don’t you believe me? I… I’ll go find Zesheng.”

Xu Jingya angrily rushed forward, running to the moat not far from Liuli Street.

“Jingya, what are you doing?”

Gu Jingyao quickly rushed over.

Wu Kairui rolled his eyes at Xu Jingya. This woman was just like his country aunt.

If a word didn’t suit her, she would make a fuss.

Suddenly, he saw someone stopping Lin Moran. Lin Moran seemed to be in trouble, and he quickly rushed over.

“Comrade, do you know where I can sell these things?”

Lin Moran was stopped by a man with a white headscarf, dark skin, wrinkles around his eyes, a dirty white cloth bag on his back, and worn clothes.

The man slightly opened the white cloth bag, showing her the contents.

Lin Moran immediately saw a bronze mirror, several nails beside it, and a lamp.

These things made Lin Moran frown.

“Also, I have this. This Yuan blue-and-white porcelain is from my great-grandfather. I found it in the cellar a few days ago. Miss, take a look, is this valuable?”

The man eagerly handed a blue-and-white porcelain piece to Lin Moran.

Lin Moran took a step back, but the blue-and-white porcelain fell to the ground with a “clatter” as it neared her hand.

The man’s face changed drastically, “Miss, if you don’t like my things, don’t break them! This is my family heirloom!”

“I heard there’s going to be an exchange here, so I came from Hebei Province. I heard this Yuan blue-and-white teacup can sell for one hundred yuan. You broke mine like this; how will my wife get money for her treatment?”

A con artist.

Lin Moran was annoyed but didn’t lose her temper. Seeing Wu Kairui approaching, she called out to him, “Officer Wu, this comrade is accusing me of breaking his porcelain. I want to call the police.”

Wu Kairui was surprised. His sister-in-law really had a problem, but she was too calm.

“Comrade, why call the police? Pay me fifty yuan, and let’s forget about it.”

The man said anxiously.

Lin Moran sneered, “Officer Wu, take both of us to the police station.”

The man’s face changed drastically. He just wanted to get some money from a seemingly weak woman, but he met someone even tougher. He didn’t say a word before wanting to go to the police station, “Forget it, I’m unlucky!”

“City people are so uncouth! They don’t compensate for breaking things. You’re clearly in cahoots.”

The man turned and left.

“Officer, did you hear that? He said we’re in cahoots. Do you believe he’ll go and complain to your superiors? To avoid unnecessary trouble, I think we should take him to the police station.”

The man ran faster.

Wu Kairui rushed over like a flash of lightning.

Half an hour later.

At the police station.

“These things?”

Wu Kairui spread out the contents of the man’s bag.

A pile of junk a disc, nails, a lamp.

And other miscellaneous things he recognized but couldn’t name.

“Pointed tip, crooked body, flat head, straight then curved these are coffin nails.”

“Coffin nails and a bronze mirror, sealed and immobile.”

“The mirror is thin, the surface is flat.  It’s likely from a Qing Dynasty tomb. Based on the soil on the mirror, it was likely unearthed within the last three months.”

“He said he’s from Hebei Province. Comrade Wu, you can check for unearthed cultural relics from that area recently.”

Lin Moran looked at these things, her voice cold.

Wu Kairui immediately threw the nails on the table, “Damn it! What bad luck!”

“Hmm? Just bad luck?”

Lin Moran looked calmly at Wu Kairui.

These words enlightened Wu Kairui. Then he saw two words: Merit.