When Han Xinrui heard what Huo Hongtao said, she didn’t question him. Instead, she replied sternly, “If the things are missing, how could they not have been stolen?”

At that moment, the public security officers had already finished checking Han Xinrui’s home.

“Comrade Han Xinrui, we’ve inspected your home. There are no signs that the lock was forced open. The rest of the items in the drawers are untouched. Based on the situation, we suspect it was someone from inside.”

Hearing this, Han Xinrui gasped and covered her mouth. “That’s impossible! The aunts in the compound watched me grow up. We’re all like family!”

As soon as the officer said this, the onlookers in the compound grew agitated.

That kind of accusation was too much.

“Exactly! We’ve all lived in this compound for years. There’s never been any conflict, let alone theft. People here don’t even lock their doors, and no one would take anything.”

Off to the side, Bai Qingqing guiltily tucked the bracelet on her wrist into her sleeve and nudged Huo Hongtao gently.

Only then did Huo Hongtao speak again. “Comrades, nothing was stolen. I put the items away. Sorry for troubling you to come out.”

As he spoke, he tugged on Han Xinrui’s arm. “Xinrui, why didn’t you just ask me for these things? Tell the officers to leave. I’ve already put everything away.”

Han Xinrui heard him and sneered silently in her heart.

Of course she knew where the items had gone.

She took a deep breath and looked at Huo Hongtao. “Where exactly did you put them? It’s only our second day as husband and wife, and you’ve already taken my wages and dowry?”

Huo Hongtao faltered at her words. “Just tell them to go. It’s a small matter, no need to make such a big fuss and become the talk of the neighborhood.”

Han Xinrui turned to the onlookers with a look of grievance. “That was my salary before the wedding, and the dowry was a gift from my parents. Now it’s all missing—how could I not panic?”

Then she looked to the public security officers. “I’m sorry, comrades. My husband and I just got married yesterday. When I couldn’t find my things, I thought they’d been stolen. My parents gave me that money before they passed. They were worried I’d be looked down on after marriage, so they left it to protect me.”

Her words were carefully chosen.

She had said that she’d just married Huo Hongtao, and now her money and dowry had already been taken. Then she added that the money was from her late parents, who had worried she’d suffer after marriage.

One of the female officers immediately caught the implication and turned to Huo Hongtao. 

“Since you say you took it, then bring it out for Comrade Han. This is her dowry. Even if you kept it safe, it should’ve been with her knowledge and consent. Just show us the items and we’ll close the case.”

Han Xinrui gave the female officer a grateful look.

The officer returned a reassuring glance.

Standing beside them, Huo Hongtao hesitated even more at those words. “I gave the items to my parents to hold on to. This is a family matter. Since nothing was stolen, you can all head back.”

The nearby neighbors could no longer stay silent when they heard that.

“Director Huo, you and Xinrui just got married yesterday, and you’ve already handed her dowry and wedding money to your parents? Back then, her parents’ death compensation was also taken by your parents. And now the dowry too? Just yesterday at the wedding, your parents swore they’d treat her like their own daughter.”

“That’s right! Xinrui lost her parents young. She just got married, and now her things are gone. And she wasn’t even told—it made her think she was robbed. Your family is really overstepping!” the neighbors chimed in.

Everyone had seen him enter Bai Qingqing’s house for the bridal night yesterday.

Now he’d also taken Han Xinrui’s dowry and money? That was pure bullying.

Everyone had watched Han Xinrui grow up. They couldn’t bear to see her treated this way.

The female officer spoke again. “It doesn’t matter who you gave it to. Since Comrade Han filed a report, you need to bring out the items for verification so we can close the case.”

Truthfully, the situation didn’t need to go this far.

But as a fellow woman, the officer understood how difficult things could be in a husband’s household, which is why she pressed the issue.

“Director Huo, your parents live in the next building. Just hop on your bike and go over. Even if you don’t bring the things back, have them speak to the officers and confirm that nothing was stolen,” the neighbors urged.

Huo Hongtao stood frozen, face pale, completely at a loss.

He had already given everything to Bai Qingqing. His parents hadn’t taken a thing.

His parents were extremely prideful. If they found out he said this to save face and discovered what had really happened—they’d tear Bai Qingqing apart.

“Hongtao, is it hard for you to ask your parents? I can call and confirm. Once it’s verified, the officers can leave,” Han Xinrui said gently, acting thoughtful and considerate. “I’m your wife now. If your parents really wanted the money, I wouldn’t mind.”

She turned to go make the call.

Seeing that his excuse wasn’t working anymore, Huo Hongtao shut his eyes and blurted out, “I used the money and the dowry!”

The words fell, and silence followed.

Han Xinrui had been waiting for this and sneered inwardly.

She grabbed Huo Hongtao’s arm. “You used it? What did you use it for, Hongtao? Are you in trouble?”

All he wanted now was to end this embarrassment, so he said irritably, “Just consider it a loan from you. Tell the officers to leave. This is between us, don’t make a public scene.”

Before he could finish, Han Xinrui turned to the officers and cried out, “Comrades, my husband must’ve been scammed! Five small gold bars and two thousand yuan—even without the certificates, that’s a lot of money. No normal purchase would cost that much. Please, you have to help me!”

She collapsed in tears, clutching the officer’s hand.

Then she sat on the floor, wailing loudly.

“All of it was from my parents. They worried about me until the day they died. And now it’s all gone—tricked away! What am I supposed to do? I’ve failed my parents, I really deserve to die!”

Her sobs grew louder and more anguished as she poured out all the pain and resentment from two lifetimes.

Huo Hongtao was completely thrown off by her outburst.

Han Xinrui had always been proud and strong-willed. Even when facing hardship, she would grit her teeth and bear it to save face.

But today, she had thrown herself on the floor and cried in front of everyone.

With everyone staring at him, Huo Hongtao felt as if he were stripped bare, exposed for all to see.

“Xinrui, stop this. Get up. It’s just some money. Don’t embarrass yourself like this,” he said, trying to pull her up.

Han Xinrui violently pushed his hand away. “What am I supposed to do? All the money is gone! How am I going to live? I’ve let my parents down!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Huo Hongtao.

The female officer, seeing how devastated Han Xinrui was, barked sternly, “Comrade Huo, since you claim you spent the money, then tell us what you spent it on. If you can’t explain, we’ll have to take you in.”

Huo Hongtao’s face turned red and white, struggling over whether to tell the truth.

At last, he clenched his jaw and said, “I… I lost it.”