Chapter 186: Shitou Makes a Mistake

Shitou sat there listlessly. Luo Qiao whispered to Lu Yichen, “Shitou has been like this these days. Is something wrong?”

Lu Yichen nodded. “Indeed, something’s not right. He’s been hesitant to speak lately. I guess he’s thinking about pleading for Kong Yuru.”

Luo Qiao didn’t say anything more. If Shitou really spoke up about this matter, she would have to reconsider his future actions. She didn’t want to raise a troublemaker.

When the dishes were ready, Luo Qiao asked Lu Yichen to serve while she took the letter and went back inside.

She wondered why the newspaper had put the remittance slip in the envelope. What if it got lost? But then she thought about using a pseudonym next time she submitted an article to save trouble in the future.

When she came out of the room, Lu Yichen had already set the table. All the three of them seemed preoccupied today, so the meal was quieter than usual.

After dinner and while waiting for Lu Yichen cleaned up, Shitou hesitated for a while before saying, “Sister Luo Qiao, Brother Lu, I have something to tell you.”

Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen exchanged a glance, noticing how nervous Shitou seemed, unsure where to place his hands.

Luo Qiao walked to the front gate, glanced outside, then closed the courtyard door before allowing the two inside.

Lu Yichen looked at Shitou. “Just tell us what happened.”

Shitou, with a tearful voice, said, “I’ve done something wrong, but I don’t know what to do.”

Luo Qiao said, “Stop crying first. Explain clearly what happened. We’ll discuss how to resolve it.”

Shitou looked up and said, “Actually, Brother Lu’s 300 yuan wasn’t lost. I hid it.”

Luo Qiao exclaimed, “What? You hid it?”

Shitou nodded and continued, “At that time, my second aunt was rummaging through the house. I knew Brother Lu’s habits and where the money was kept.

I was afraid my second aunt would take it, so I quietly hid the money where my second aunt had already searched. I thought if she couldn’t find it, she would leave. But unexpectedly, the captain arrived later, and my second aunt ran away.

There were other people in the yard at that time. I was afraid the money would get lost if I left it in the house, so I took it out and hid it in the storeroom. Later, the police came and took my second aunt away to the Kongjia village.

Originally, I intended to tell Brother Lu that evening, but he happened to be away for the next two days. I wanted to scare my aunt, but I never expected her to be sentenced. Now I’m even more afraid to admit about the money.”

Lu Yichen said sternly, “Shitou, we can’t let this happen again. When you make a mistake, you must bravely admit it. Avoiding the issue won’t solve anything. Fortunately, I didn’t pursue the matter of the 300 yuan.

Kong Yuru also never admitted taking it, and during sentencing, the money wasn’t directly related. But have you thought about the consequences this incident could have caused?”

Luo Qiao agreed upon hearing this, Shitou had indeed made a mistake. Thankfully, Kong Yuru never admitted of taking the money, and Lu Yichen wasn’t overly harsh. The police based the sentencing on the value of the jade pendant.

Luo Qiao had to patiently explain to Shitou the reasoning and consequences of his actions, even though this incident hadn’t caused major problems this time. She acknowledged his good intentions but emphasized that a mistake was still a mistake.

Shitou cried, “Brother Lu, Sister Luo Qiao, I know I was wrong. Do you not want me anymore?”