Chapter 24.1

From what she said, could Lin Yujiao have traveled through time or been reborn?

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t quite hear clearly. As she frowned and tried to listen again, she saw Lin Yujiao had already regained her composure, eyeing her warily. “What are you doing?”

She straightened up and brushed some stray hair from her ear.

“What were you just saying?”

“What? What?” Lin Yujiao looked at Ruan Mingfu, moving to the side to increase the distance between them. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Ruan Mingfu studied her for a while, to the point where Lin Yujiao was on edge, her entire body defensive.

She sneered. “Nothing.”

Seeing Lin Yujiao relax a bit after hearing this, Ruan Mingfu smiled. “Now it’s time for you to pay the price.”

Lin Yujiao’s pupils contracted. “What do you want to do?”

“You don’t think that framing us with false testimony for Zhou Dahu was without consequence, do you?”

Lin Yujiao’s eyes widened as she clearly realized the potential consequences. She began to tremble.

“Ruan Mingfu, don’t be too excessive!”

“You shouldn’t be so double-faced.” Ruan Mingfu considered herself not particularly magnanimous, but she believed in getting revenge for grievances!

Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s firm attitude, Lin Yujiao was frightened.

Lin Yujiao hurriedly pleaded, “Educated Youth Ruan, it’s all my fault. But I was forced. If it weren’t for Zhou Dahu’s threats, I wouldn’t have testified against you…”

Ruan Mingfu glanced at her. “Do you think I’m a fool?”

Lin Yujiao: “…”

The male officer who had brought Xie Yanzhao over also approached. “Comrade Lin, please come with us.”

“No!” Lin Yujiao’s eyes were wide with fear as she clung tightly to Ruan Mingfu’s hand. “Educated Youth Ruan, you must explain to them. It’s all a misunderstanding. Zhou Dahu threatened me, and I was forced…”

Ruan Mingfu was momentarily caught off guard by Lin Yujiao’s grip.

But she didn’t have enough strength to shake off Lin Yujiao.

Lin Yujiao was like a drowning person clutching at a piece of driftwood. In her desperation to survive, she clung to it with all her might.

At that moment, Lin Yujiao could think of nothing but avoiding prison.

If she went to jail, Mother Zhou would definitely not let her into the family. How could she then marry Zhou Peng and live a wealthy life?

Lin Yujiao had endured Mother Zhou’s difficulties for this reason.

She would not allow anyone to ruin her plans!

“Educated Youth Ruan, it’s all my fault. I accept any punishment, but don’t report me… I can’t go to jail!”

Her grip was so tight it left red marks on Ruan Mingfu’s arm.

Several police officers stepped forward to pull Lin Yujiao away.

Ruan Mingfu frowned and saw the red marks on her arm.

Xie Yanzhao came over. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Ruan Mingfu shook her head and then looked at Lin Yujiao. “Don’t worry about Zhou Peng. Even if you go to jail, he won’t marry you. Rest assured, he’ll be joining you soon.”

Lin Yujiao’s hopes were shattered, and she looked at Ruan Mingfu with rage.

“You damn bitch…”

Before she could finish, she met Xie Yanzhao’s eyes, which were cold and sharp, like a knife. His gaze was fierce, as if he would pounce on her and tear her throat out if she continued to curse.

Lin Yujiao swallowed all her insults, turning her face away, unable to look at him any longer.

“Let’s go. The fat guy will be back soon.”

Xu Zhu approached and looked at the two of them. Noticing the injuries on Ruan Mingfu’s neck, he said, “Educated Youth Ruan, how is the medicine? You wouldn’t believe it, that beast, Old Xie…”

Seeing Xie Yanzhao’s gaze, Xu Zhu’s remaining words got stuck in his throat.

Ruan Mingfu looked curious. “What happened to him?”

“Nothing,” Xu Zhu shrugged.

Tsk, Educated Youth Ruan was clearly anxious about her injuries, but this guy wasn’t being considerate. He made him go out to fetch medicine in the middle of the night. After working hard to get the medicine, he had him find someone else…

And now he wasn’t even allowed to claim any credit.

Old Xie was really getting worse!

…

After leaving the police station, Ruan Mingfu felt significantly relieved.

With Zhou Dahu’s imminent downfall, Zhou Peng would likely face consequences as well. Even if he hadn’t personally committed any crimes, Zhou Peng had handled many of Zhou Dahu’s dirty deeds.

In the end, he could be implicated as an accomplice.

Now that the person threatening her is gone, does she still need to marry Xie Yanzhao…?

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t help but glance subtly at Xie Yanzhao.

She had to admit her judgment was indeed good.

The man was handsome, with a straight nose and a face chiseled like a sculpture. He had a tall, fit build and eight-pack abs.

Wow, every feature of this man fits perfectly with her aesthetic.

As soon as Xie Yanzhao got into the car, he started the engine.

“Where are we going now?” Xu Zhu and Ruan Mingfu were in the back seat. It seemed he was talking to himself, “Educated Youth Ruan’s injury isn’t fully healed, so let’s head back to the hospital.”

Xie Yanzhao, in the front seat, responded briefly.

It was rare to see people driving in such a small place. People on the road would stop and stare as cars sped by.

The car ride was silent, and Ruan Mingfu appeared to be deep in thought, not inclined to speak.

Xie Yanzhao drove, glancing at the back seat through the rearview mirror, noticing her pensive expression, and frowned.

The car stopped in front of the hospital. After Xu Zhu got out, the car sped off like an arrow.

Xu Zhu suddenly turned his head, only to be met with a mouthful of exhaust fumes.

He could only stand at the hospital entrance, annoyed, cursing Xie Yanzhao for being inconsiderate.

In the car, Ruan Mingfu snapped out of her daze, watching Xu Zhu’s figure slowly disappear. She stared at Xie Yanzhao. “Why did you leave him there?”

Xie Yanzhao drove with one hand. “He said he was going back to the hospital, so I dropped him off.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Was that “back” really referring to this place?

She looked at the scenery retreating on both sides. “So where are we going now?”

“To the supply and marketing cooperative.”

Ruan Mingfu was puzzled. “What are we going there for?”

Hearing this, Xie Yanzhao’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and his gaze through the rearview mirror was sharp as an eagle’s.

After that, he said nothing more.

Ruan Mingfu waited for a long time but received no further explanation.

Annoyed, she pouted and rested her head on the car window, watching the passing scenery.

For a moment, the car was filled only with the sound of their breathing.

They soon arrived at their destination.

The supply and marketing cooperative was a two-story building, familiar to both the original and Ruan Mingfu, as they were frequent visitors.

The original owner had brought a lot of money when she moved to the countryside, but she was also known for spending it.

Xie Yanzhao got out of the car, and Ruan Mingfu followed suit.

“Go on in,” Xie Yanzhao said as he strode directly into the store.

Ruan Mingfu watched his retreating figure: “…”

Such a clueless man—he must be a lifelong single.

The supply and marketing cooperative indeed had a lot of items, but they required tickets to purchase. Ruan Mingfu walked over and saw Xie Yanzhao’s tall figure standing not far away, obviously waiting for her.

Ruan Mingfu approached and asked, “What do you want to buy?”

She already had plenty of things, and the large bundle Gu Yilin had brought earlier still had many items she hadn’t had a chance to look at.

Xie Yanzhao didn’t answer but instead said, “Buy whatever you like, and I’ll pay for it later.”

Ruan Mingfu: …What a generous guy.

The first floor had various kitchen utensils like pots and pans, which were not particularly interesting. Ruan Mingfu aimlessly wandered up to the second floor, where there were more items compared to the first floor.

Not far away, she also saw bicycles for sale.

Curious, Ruan Mingfu moved closer.

Bicycles these days were all the same 28-inch size, completely black and not very attractive, but they were durable.

Her family had one too, reportedly passed down from her great-grandfather. Despite being sixty years old, it was still in use.

As Ruan Mingfu reached out to touch one, a voice called out from the side.

“Don’t touch it if you’re not buying!”

Ruan Mingfu turned to see a curly-haired woman glaring at her.

Ruan Mingfu: “ …”

Forget it, she would look elsewhere.

In this era, working at a supply and marketing cooperative was a secure job, and the employees had a superior attitude, almost looking down on others.

Ruan Mingfu didn’t bother with such things.

She explored the second floor but found another place selling bicycles. They looked similar to the ones she had seen before, but with different brands. To her surprise, there were also bicycles for women.

The women’s bicycles were much smaller and had nicer colors.

The salesperson here was much friendlier than the previous one. “Comrade, are you interested in buying a bicycle?”

“I’m just browsing,” Ruan Mingfu smiled and asked, pointing to two bicycles, “How much are these?”

The salesperson quickly came over, speaking enthusiastically, “These are the latest models. The 28-inch bicycle is 200 yuan and requires a bicycle ticket, while the women’s bicycle is 30 yuan more expensive.”

Bicycles were indeed expensive and not affordable for ordinary people.

Ruan Mingfu wasn’t actually planning to buy it, she was just inquiring about the price.

No wonder people who owned bicycles walked with such confidence.

At 200 yuan, with the current wages, one would need to save up for a year without eating or drinking to afford it.

“No, I’m just taking a look.”

Hearing this, the salesperson’s expression didn’t change. They remained friendly, “Alright, if you decide to buy a bicycle, come to me.”