Chapter 61: What Exactly Do You Want?

“So? Why should I help you? I still remember that day when Li Fenghua came to my house—you helped her plenty!”

Chen Xiaowen lowered her head. “I had no choice. If I didn’t help her, she would have beaten me even worse. I’ve been obedient all these years, and only now have they allowed me to do things on my own. Otherwise, do you really think they would have let me go report to the police alone? They know I wouldn’t dare!”

“I did give up on the idea of escaping for many years, but after seeing you—watching you fearlessly beat up Li Fenghua and scold Zhou Wenwu and Zhou Shu—I felt like maybe I still had a chance!”

As she spoke, Chen Xiaowen suddenly dropped to her knees before Jing Xi.

Jing Xi was startled and quickly took a step back.

“You are single and young. I’ve been observing this village for years, and you’re the only one I trust.”

Jing Xi let out a cold chuckle. “What makes me so worthy of your trust? My matters with the Zhou family are between me and them. Sure, your situation is pitiful, but do you think I’m not? How would I have the ability to help you escape? And if they actually let you go to the police alone, why didn’t you just take the chance and run? Why come back to find me instead?”

“And stand up before you speak!”

This made no sense at all.

Jing Xi wasn’t stupid.

Chen Xiaowen stood up, looking at Jing Xi’s cold expression, sighed, and then took out a yellowed piece of paper from her pocket.

She handed it to Jing Xi.

“Look at this! Then you’ll understand why I came to you!”

Jing Xi noticed that the paper seemed old, and her curiosity got the best of her. She took it and unfolded it.

[Private Agreement for the Lease of Three Acres of Yuzhu’s Land and Partial Residential Land by Zhou Wenwu]

The document contained dates, terms, and locations—all clearly written.

Most importantly, the rental prices were listed.

Farmland: 120 yuan per year.

Residential land: 50 yuan per year.

Jing Xi’s eyes widened in shock. There was residential land involved too?!

She knew something was off!

She quickly did the math in her head. For five years after Yuzhu passed away, the Zhou family hadn’t paid a single cent.

That meant they owed her 850 yuan!

And soon, it would be the sixth anniversary of Yuzhu’s passing, which meant they were about to owe her nearly 950 yuan!

She looked up at Chen Xiaowen.

But the real question was—how did Chen Xiaowen know she was investigating this?

“I found this by chance. I can’t read much, but I happened to recognize some of the words. Coincidentally, those days, Zhou Wenwu was at home, furious because of you. I had a feeling this document was important, so I secretly kept it.”

Jing Xi had to admit—Chen Xiaowen wasn’t as foolish as she seemed.

She thought for a moment and then gestured for Chen Xiaowen to come inside.

April nights were still quite chilly.

Seeing that Jing Xi was slightly relenting, Chen Xiaowen quickly stood up.

“I knew you wouldn’t ignore my situation!”

Jing Xi raised an eyebrow. “I never said I agreed to help you. Besides, you’ve been out for so long, traveling from the city to here—it’s been hours. Won’t they come looking for you?”

Chen Xiaowen shook her head. “They’re too busy dealing with Zhou Shu right now. They don’t have time. And I actually came back to warn you first. I’ll only leave after you agree to help me. I can’t go yet.”

Jing Xi stared at her. “What if I say Zhou Shu’s situation has nothing to do with me? Would you believe me?”

Chen Xiaowen’s head snapped up. “Really?”

“I don’t believe it. If that were true, then why was Zhou Wenwu so certain it was you? He was furious enough to tear you apart! If the hospital didn’t need him there, he would have come back to deal with you already.”

Jing Xi shrugged. “It really wasn’t me. But since you brought me this document, I can help you—on the condition that you’re telling me the truth.”

A mix of shock and excitement flashed through Chen Xiaowen’s eyes.

If Jing Xi agreed to help her, that meant the Long family might step in too.

And if that happened, she might actually have a chance at a better future.

Jing Xi still couldn’t fully figure out this person, but if her story was real, then helping her might as well be a good deed.

After Chen Xiaowen left, Jing Xi lay on the heated brick bed, unable to fall asleep.

In the end, she entered her personal space, enjoying her own little hidden paradise.

If the Zhou family really sent Chen Xiaowen to report to the police, then given how the local station operated, they would probably show up at her doorstep by tomorrow morning.

She had to admit—she was becoming quite the regular at the police station.

But at least she managed to get the agreement. That in itself was a small victory.

Paying compensation? Fine.

Spending money to vent her frustration? That wasn’t a problem either.

She didn’t sleep well that night, though.

The Next Morning

She was woken up by the crowing of a rooster from god-knows-which household—before the sun had even fully risen.

She hadn’t slept well.

She was in a bad mood after waking up.

Just as she was crawling off the heated brick bed, she heard urgent footsteps rushing toward her door. When she opened it, she was surprised to find Xie Aiguo standing there.

The moment the door opened, Xie Aiguo spoke hurriedly, “Xiao Jing, the police station just called. They want you to come over for an investigation. Seems urgent, so you should get ready and head over quickly.”

Jing Xi nodded. “Got it. Thanks for making the trip. Oh, by the way, I have something for you.”

She turned back inside and handed him the documents Chen Xiaowen had given her.

Xie Aiguo glanced at them, and a look of realization flashed across his face.

Then, anger followed.

“I see now. I’ll verify the name list immediately.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Jing Xi could tell from his expression—someone had definitely tampered with the records.

Who had the audacity to go into the village office and alter the name list so brazenly?

That was a gutsy move.

Xie Aiguo shook his head. “This was my oversight. Someone must have secretly changed the records, removing your aunt’s name and replacing it with their own. I’ll arrange a full village inspection soon to get to the bottom of this.”

Jing Xi was a little surprised.

She used to think Xie Aiguo was just someone who avoided trouble, always trying to smooth things over. But ever since that food poisoning incident, he had completely changed.

Little did she know—Xie Aiguo changing was one thing, but there were also people working behind the scenes, pushing for that change.

At the Beizhen Police Station

This time, her case wasn’t handled by Li Tao. Instead, it was a different officer—one with the surname Zhou.

Young. Handsome.

The moment she heard his surname, Jing Xi instinctively raised an eyebrow.

Officer Zhou clearly noticed her reaction. “Don’t worry. I’m not related to the people involved in your case, and I don’t know them. If you’re from around here, you should know that in our city, Zhou, Meng, and Kong are all common surnames.”

Jing Xi chuckled. “I wasn’t thinking too much about it. It’s just that I’ve been annoyed by the Zhou Wenwu family lately. I have no issues with you personally.”

Zhou Jiwen grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. “That’s good to hear. Let me introduce myself—I’m a newly assigned officer. I’ve only been here for a month, and your case is the second one I’ve been assigned. I need you to give me a detailed account of everything that happened between you and the Zhou family.”

“No problem.”

“Follow me to make a statement.”