Lin Zhenzhen had shown her a little kindness, and Wen Wan had given her all the money and tickets her grandmother had left her.
Tears clouded Lin Zhenzhen’s eyes, her body trembling slightly. “Sister, I just couldn’t believe Dad would do something like this. I wanted to confirm the truth, not let there be misunderstandings between you.”
Wen Wan let out a cold laugh. “You brought me the water from the enamel jug. What innocence are you pretending now? If evidence needs to be checked, Officer Xu is here—no need for your fake kindness.”
Xu Chengan had already shown his badge, his cold eyes sweeping over everyone. “This is a police investigation. No one is allowed to interfere.”
Wen Xiaojun’s eyes darted, a scheme forming in his mind. He planted himself firmly at the doorway. “You can’t go in! This is my home!”
Xu Chengan looked down at him, expression stern. “Step aside. Interfering with police duties is a serious offense, punishable by up to three years in prison.”
“I—I’m still a kid!” Wen Xiaojun stammered. He was scared, but his mind raced, and he decided to throw a tantrum on the ground.
“Sixteen is old enough to be held accountable!” Xu Chengan grabbed Wen Xiaojun by the collar and lifted him like a small chick, moving him aside.
Arranged marriages could be criticized or corrected, but giving someone medicine was already attempted murder.
As a public officer, he had to investigate thoroughly.
Seeing Xu Chengan enter the room, Wen Xiaojun rolled onto the ground. “The police are hitting people! The police are hitting people!”
“Wen Xiaojun, everyone’s eyes are sharp and watching. If you continue this tantrum and interfere with a police investigation, you’ll really end up in jail,” Wen Wan snapped, refusing to indulge him.
The neighbors rolled their eyes. The couple had spoiled Wen Xiaojun terribly; he spent all day with second-rate kids, stealing and sneaking around.
Whenever caught, Zhao Yan would say, “My little Xiaojun is still a child, doesn’t understand; we’ll teach him at home.”
Sixteen and still a child? Some would think he was three.
Zhao Yan quickly helped her son up, her tone dripping with false sweetness: “Xiaojun, Mom knows you’re filial and care about Dad, but Officer Xu will enforce the law fairly. No one can accuse your father of something he didn’t do.”
She cast a meaningful glance at Wen Wan, which Wen Wan saw as sharp and cruel.
With Zhao Yan’s words, Wen Qingfeng immediately felt reassured—yes, as long as he denied it, it was fine.
The medicine was veterinary medicine, not for humans.
Sure enough, Xu Chengan found a packet of powder in the room. He ground his teeth, feeling even more sympathy for Wen Wan. No wonder she said she wouldn’t survive three days at home; no wonder she wanted to sever ties and divide the family.
“Wen Qingfeng, do you have anything else to say?” Xu Chengan’s gaze bore into him.
If not for his position, he might have killed him on the spot.
Wen Qingfeng dared not meet Xu Chengan’s eyes, but recalling Zhao Yan’s earlier hint, he steadied himself.
“This is veterinary medicine my cousin in the countryside asked me to buy for his old cow. Officer, this is not illegal,” Wen Qingfeng said, confident in his perfect excuse.
Wen Wan coldly laughed; she had known it wouldn’t be that easy.
Earlier, she had retrieved her chipped, pitted enamel jug from under the kitchen bed.
She didn’t have many belongings, and most were under her little bed. She ate and used the worst of everything. Luckily, this meant no one touched her things.
The original Wen Wan had poured out the water, but residue remained in the jug—evidence.
The kitchen was hot and stuffy, and the area under the bed was damp—also evidence.
Most importantly, she had witnesses.
Xu Chengan’s expression grew darker. “Wen Qingfeng, you will be held accountable for every word you say.”
Wen Qingfeng suddenly felt a tightening in his chest—a bad premonition.
Zhao Yan laughed. “Officer, my husband is timid; please don’t scare him. He wouldn’t even catch a mouse. This veterinary medicine was really for my cousin in the countryside—you know how hard it is to buy things out there.”
“Is that so? Then why was the breeding medicine in my water cup?” Wen Wan held up the broken enamel jug.
Wen Qingfeng, afraid of Xu Chengan but not Wen Wan, rushed forward to grab the cup.
Xu Chengan stepped in first, blocking Wen Wan and grabbing his arm. “Wen Qingfeng, are you trying to destroy evidence?”
Wen Qingfeng grimaced in pain, glaring at Wen Wan. “I’m her father! I’m teaching her a lesson!”
He struggled toward Wen Wan, wanting to scold her again, but let out a painful scream.
Xu Chengan used force to disarm him, cuffed him, and threw him to the ground.
Wen Qingfeng yelled in agony; Wen Wan felt exhilarated.
“Officer Xu, can the residue in the cup be tested?”
Xu Chengan nodded. Experienced detectives at the bureau could identify it by smell.
“I also dug up a bit of soil and poured the cup water under the bed,” Wen Wan said.
“You did very well,” Xu Chengan praised.
The girl was rough and bold, but smart.
Wen Qingfeng and Zhao Yan were still crying foul.
Lin Zhenzhen didn’t dare speak now, amazed at how suddenly clever Wen Wan had become.
Wen Xiaojun was a paper tiger; seeing Wen Qingfeng’s arm disarmed, he dared not approach, hiding behind Lin Zhenzhen.
“Officer, the person has arrived,” Wu Hongbing ran up, out of breath, worried about delaying things.
Wen Wan’s eyes lit up. Finally, this was it—this time she would absolutely make Wen Qingfeng pay.
Early in the morning, Sun Quezi had a bad feeling when he saw the police; now seeing Wen Qingfeng, he understood everything.
Sun Quezi confessed: “Officer, when he bought the veterinary medicine, he asked me if it would work for humans. I told him it’s for livestock breeding. Humans taking it is dangerous; it’s not my fault—it was his own idea to give it to a person…”
As soon as Sun Quezi spoke, the crowd erupted, scolding: “An animal! He actually gave his daughter this kind of medicine!”
“Heartless! Why didn’t he keep it for himself?”
…
Wen Qingfeng hadn’t expected the police to be serious. Crawling and stumbling, he reached Wen Wan. “Wanwan, Dad was wrong. Luckily you didn’t drink that medicine. I’ll treat you well from now on—please forgive me this time.”
Zhao Yan also knelt, reaching for Wen Wan’s feet. “Yes, Wanwan, he is still your father. He’s not well—do you really want to watch him go to prison?”
Wen Wan stepped back firmly. “Officer Xu, Wen Qingfeng doesn’t see me as his daughter. From today, he’s no longer my father. I will sever ties and divide the family. I want my grandmother’s passbook back—the one he has.”
The money in the passbook was the government reward when the Lu family handed over the factory—not to be given to Wen Qingfeng.
“No, this family can’t be divided! It can’t be!” Zhao Yan shrieked, starting to throw a tantrum again.
That money was her son’s; she couldn’t let this shameless girl take it.
Xu Chengan stood calmly by Wen Wan’s side; she gave him a grateful look.
Officer Xu had already helped her a lot. His presence here gave her confidence.
Some things had to be said by herself.
She wouldn’t be weak or compromise.