Chapter 61.1

Jiang Ruan was just about to return to the city for the weekend when a police car from the township station arrived. The officer informed her that someone had accused her of plotting to murder for profit and asked her to come to the station for investigation.

Jiang Ruan had never committed such a crime, the accusation was false. She wasn’t afraid to cooperate with the investigation but couldn’t return to the city as planned. She told Qin Ao, “You should go back to the city and let everyone know not to worry. With my big brother around, he’ll get to the bottom of this.”

How could he not worry? Qin Ao was furious and refused to let the officers take Jiang Ruan away. “Do you have any evidence? If I accuse the village chief of murder, are you going to arrest him without investigation?” he shouted.

The officer reprimanded him, “Don’t interfere with the investigation, or we’ll take you in too.”

The villagers, who were nearby, weren’t happy about this situation. Some knew the officer, and one elder spoke up, “Old Chen, Boss Jiang is a good person. She makes a lot of money through her farming business; there’s no need for her to commit murder. This is definitely a false accusation.”

Old Chen replied, “The accuser is the nephew of the deceased. He claims that Jiang Ruan stole his uncle’s secret breeding formula and worries that she might flee. The township chief has ordered us to bring her in for questioning. If it turns out there’s nothing wrong, she will be released.”

Stealing a secret formula? The villagers whispered among themselves, “Boss Jiang doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would kill someone.”

“Why would the old doctor pass down such a valuable formula to an outsider instead of his own nephew? It doesn’t add up.”

“That nephew is definitely up to no good. I believe in Boss Jiang.”

Some elders from the Qin family in Xiahe Village came over and urged, “Young Jiang, you should just confess and hand over the secret formula. You can seek leniency, and I’ll make sure Qin Yan doesn’t call off the engagement while you’re away.”

Jiang Ruan was exasperated, “Xiahe Village is being held back by you old fools. As long as you’re on the village committee, Xiahe Village will never benefit from the seeds I’ve developed. Listen up, villagers! If you want to blame someone, blame your village committee for standing in the way of your prosperity!”

The elders were infuriated, nearly losing their breath.

Jiang Ruan turned to the officer and said, “Alright, let’s go. I want to meet the person who accused me and have a few words with him.”

…

At the township station, Jiang Ruan met Zhuang Chengdong. She could see some resemblance to Xun Li in him, but there was something colder about him.

Jiang Ruan had memories from her previous life and knew that the old doctor, Zhuang’s relative, had not been in touch with those distant family members for a long time. The cause of the old doctor’s death could also be proven unrelated to her.

She asked Zhuang Chengdong, “You know you can’t win this case, so why are you doing this?”

Zhuang Chengdong’s expression was stern. “The formula belonged to my uncle, and I should inherit it. If you hand it over, I won’t press charges.”

There was no actual formula. Jiang Ruan’s abilities were something that couldn’t be shared.

She responded, “Fine, go ahead and sue me. Once I’m cleared, I’ll file a lawsuit against you for false accusations.”

Zhuang Chengdong genuinely thought Jiang Ruan was an idiot. Did she even know how to negotiate?

His attempt at intimidation failing, he offered, “You were my uncle’s disciple. We could work together. Teach me the breeding techniques, and we can develop a farming business together.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head. “The moment a secret formula is shared, it’s no longer a secret. I’m not stupid. I won’t tell you anything. Now, get out.”

…

Zhuang Chengdong went back to report to Chang Linyan, “Godmother, we need to put more pressure on Jiang Ruan. She doesn’t seem to care about herself. Is there something else she values?”

Chang Linyan pondered for a moment, then said, “Her boyfriend Qin Yan is a university student. He’s the one she cares about the most.”

She called for Zhong Wenwen and instructed, “Since you and Qin Yan are at the same school, it’s convenient for you. Start spreading rumors among your classmates, saying that Qin Yan’s girlfriend only made so much money by plotting to murder. Even if the case is cleared in the future, people who like to add insult to injury will never believe that he and Jiang Ruan are innocent.”

Zhong Wenwen was horrified, her heart pounding. “Mom, isn’t this too much?”

Chang Linyan replied calmly, “Everything I do is for your benefit. If you want to enjoy the rewards, you have to be willing to pay the price.”

…

Zhong Wenwen was in agony. She returned to her dorm and confided in her friend, Lu Sijing, who had a strong sense of justice. Lu Sijing, known for standing up for what was right, was furious.

She stormed over to the boys’ dormitory, but Qin Yan wasn’t there. She asked Zu Zhongjin, “Where’s Qin Yan?”

“He’s at the auditorium. He has a speech today. I was just about to head over. Why don’t you join me and listen to what our department’s outstanding representative has to say about the individual economy?”

Han Huaiye from the Ministry of Education was present that day with several other officials to observe the students’ speeches.

Qin Yan was the last to speak. His speech was passionate, discussing how individual businesses could drive local economies, using the example of Dawang Village.

Dawang Village had been in extreme poverty since it was split up. In less than half a year, the average monthly income of each family had risen above forty yuan, but due to reckless actions by local officials, the village was now on the verge of reverting to its previous state.

Qin Yan said, “The main figure in this case is a farmer who happens to be my girlfriend. She is indeed a bit headstrong, and even if she is exonerated, she might not continue her breeding projects out of anger. The traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatism that she’s close to developing may also come to a halt. It’s truly a pity for the many people suffering from rheumatism. But who is to blame? I ask everyone to think carefully.”

Qin Yan openly addressed the matter during his speech. Being straightforward about it made the nature of the rumor very different. Many of his righteous classmates wanted to know more about the situation and were even willing to sign a petition with him.

Han Huaiye asked Qin Yan, “By choosing to make this public, aren’t you afraid it will impact your academic future?”

Qin Yan replied, “It doesn’t matter. If I have to, I’ll drop out and go into business. I might actually be able to make a bigger impact.”

Han Huaiye was impressed. “You are indeed worthy of the devotion Jiang Ruan shows you.”

…

Lu Sijing, who originally intended to stand up for what was right, found herself holding back after hearing Qin Yan’s speech. She complained, “Qin Yan’s silver tongue could probably convince anyone that black coal is actually white. You don’t actually believe him, do you?”

Zu Zhongjin frowned, “So, you really think his girlfriend committed murder for money? Couldn’t it have been a gift from the old doctor?”

“Even if it was given to her, now that his nephew is claiming it, shouldn’t they share?” Lu Sijing retorted.

Zu Zhongjin shook his head, “Our values really don’t align. I can’t agree with that viewpoint.”

Frustrated, Lu Sijing snapped, “Then let’s break up if we’re so different.”

Zu Zhongjin, unwilling to drag things out, replied, “Fine, if that’s what you want, then we’ll break up.”

Back at the dorm, Zu Zhongjin told his roommates about the disagreement and casually mentioned that he and Lu Sijing had broken up. Similarly, Lu Sijing told her roommates, “Zu Zhongjin has a problem with his views. He actually supports Qin Yan’s girlfriend, claiming she’s innocent. I can’t date someone with such skewed values, so we broke up.”

Zhong Wenwen felt deeply guilty. If she hadn’t meddled, Lu Sijing wouldn’t have broken up, even if they were headed that way eventually. But now it was because of her.

…

Shen Tianming also attended Qin Yan’s speech. Wanting to help Jiang Ruan, he approached his grandfather, hoping the family could use their connections.

Grandfather Shen laughed, “The Han family has their own plans and ideas. I visited Ruan Ruan myself. Her mindset is very stable. She even said that the first to suffer may not end up losing out. You should learn from her steadiness.”

While they were talking, Han Qingqing came to see Shen Tianming.

Shen Tianming wasn’t keen to meet her, but Grandfather Shen said, “Go on, see what your chosen partner has to say.”

With Jiang Ruan in custody, Han Qingqing took the initiative to explain to Shen Tianming that she wasn’t involved.

“The young man at the fried chicken shop, Zhuang Chengdong, is the nephew of the traditional doctor Jiang Ruan apprenticed under in the countryside,” she explained. “He’s accusing her of stealing his uncle’s secret formula. Auntie Chang approached me, but I didn’t agree to help her. I’m not involved, so please don’t blame me.”

Shen Tianming, already feeling guilty towards Jiang Ruan, questioned Han Qingqing, “You know what kind of person Chang Linyan is. Why would you go into business with her? She offered you a ten percent share, did you ever wonder why?”

Han Qingqing thought that being honest would help repair their relationship, but to her disappointment, Shen Tianming’s feelings still leaned toward Jiang Ruan.

With a bitter smile, she asked, “Shen Tianming, why can’t you be like Qin Yan, supporting everything his girlfriend does without question?”

“Do you really expect me to turn a blind eye even when it’s wrong?” he responded.

Han Qingqing retorted, “Qin Yan accepts everything about Jiang Ruan, right or wrong.”

Shen Tianming had no words, “You can stick to your beliefs, Han Qingqing, but don’t try to change mine.”

…

Han Qingqing cried all the way home, and by the time she arrived, her eyes were swollen and red. Her appearance evoked deep sympathy from Liu Jinyun.

“Why didn’t Shen Tianming bring you back? Did you have another fight?” she asked.

Han Qingqing choked out, “I told him Jiang Ruan being accused has nothing to do with me, but he changed the subject, blaming me for working with Chang Linyan. I’m thinking about pulling out my investment and focusing on our sour fish restaurant.”

Jiang Jianchun intervened, “No, you can’t just give in because a man says so. The income from the sour fish restaurant can’t compare to the fried chicken business. Qingqing, you mustn’t withdraw your investment.”

Liu Jinyun added, “Chang Linyan approached me to persuade Jiang Ruan to settle this peacefully. I’ll go visit her with Grandma Huang and try to talk some sense into her.”

“Do you really think that’ll work?” Han Qingqing scoffed.

She told them about Qin Yan’s speech, “My older brother is a criminal investigator. Eventually, he’ll get to the bottom of this. Jiang Ruan seems so calm, she probably didn’t commit murder. Mom, you shouldn’t bother trying to persuade her—it’ll just upset you. For the sake of our family, I’ll keep my stake in the fried chicken shop.”