When Lu Ming’an arrived at the Lin residence carrying breakfast he had bought, he found the main gate open and the inside in complete chaos. Voices overlapped noisily. Taking long strides inside, Lu Ming’an immediately spotted Lin Zhitang sitting on the sofa surrounded by several people.
“Zhitang, what happened?” Seeing her swollen eyes, reddened nose, and the tears constantly falling down her cheeks made Lu Ming’an’s heart ache.
“M-Ming’an-ge, why… why are you here?” Lin Zhitang asked between sobs.
“I came to bring you breakfast. What happened at home?” Lu Ming’an suppressed his emotions and spoke gently to her.
“Tang girl, he is…”
Lu Ming’an had come yesterday without anyone seeing him, and none of the neighbors had ever seen this unfamiliar face before.
“Grandma, this is Lu Ming’an, my fiancé,” Lin Zhitang introduced his identity to everyone, a faint blush appearing on her face.
After hearing he was Lin Zhitang’s fiancé, the crowd immediately explained everything that had happened to him.
Lu Ming’an already had an indifferent expression to begin with, but after learning what had occurred, his gaze turned icy cold, intimidating everyone into silence.
The police were also puzzled and took the matter very seriously. After all, such a major burglary had occurred within their jurisdiction. They questioned everyone present and even interrogated the surrounding neighbors. Naturally, they found nothing. They thoroughly searched the Lin residence from top to bottom, yet discovered no useful clues. Somehow, everything in the Lin family home had vanished without a trace.
The Revolutionary Committee members, growing impatient, ordered someone to bring Su Ya, Song Zhiqiang, Su Yun, and Wu Jianguo downstairs.
The living room, which had quieted somewhat after Lu Ming’an’s arrival, instantly erupted again as everyone’s urge to gossip took over.
“Su Ya really is shameless. Chen’nian hasn’t even been dead that long, and she’s already seducing another man and bringing him home. She’s disgracing all women.”
“That man isn’t even half as good as Chen’nian. She really has no standards.”
“And the younger one too. The smell in that room was overwhelming. Looks like they had a great time last night. Must’ve gone at it plenty.”
“At her age, still fooling around like that. Playing so wildly too. That waist and those hips, tsk tsk…”
“I always thought she acted improper. The way she swayed her waist was downright flirtatious.”
“And the way she talked all sweet and coquettish every day.”
“She looked so pure and innocent. Who knew she was so slutty.”
“She can’t even walk properly once she sees a man. If that’s not shameless, what is?”
“Women who fool around should be dragged away, paraded through the streets, and exiled.”
“In the old days, women like this would’ve been drowned in a pig cage.”
…
Listening to everyone mock Su Ya and Su Yun, Lin Zhitang lowered her head and let tears fall like rain. Yet in the unseen corners, the corners of her lips curled slightly upward.
The gazes from the neighbors made Su Ya and Su Yun feel as though they were sitting on needles.
When Su Yun saw Lu Ming’an, she even wanted to flee, unwilling for him to see or hear any of this.
“Brother Lu, don’t listen to them! None of this is true! They’re slandering me…” As soon as Su Yun spoke, the neighbors scolded her even more fiercely.
Unfortunately for her, Lu Ming’an did not even glance at her. His eyes remained fixed solely on Lin Zhitang.
When Su Ya saw Su Yun and Wu Jianguo come downstairs together and heard the neighbors’ comments, she pieced together the truth of what had happened. She genuinely loved Su Yun as her daughter, but even now Su Yun still couldn’t see the situation clearly.
However, thinking about her original plan—and how events had strayed completely from it—she looked at Lin Zhitang with suspicion. Could this dead girl really have turned the tables on them?
Still, now was not the time to pursue the matter. She had endured for over ten years. The duck that was practically in her mouth could not be allowed to fly away now.
Su Ya had assumed only the valuables in the living room had been stolen. Though distressed, what she truly wanted was the Lin residence itself, the bankbooks in Lin Zhitang’s hands, and the hidden Lin family fortune.
“So you people were caught fooling around?”
“No, no. We’re dating and getting married soon, right, Yun’er?”
“Y-Yes.” Su Yun knew perfectly well what being taken away by the Revolutionary Committee meant. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only agree with Wu Jianguo’s words at this moment.
The blatant contradiction only earned her more mocking looks and laughter from the neighbors. Lu Ming’an’s total indifference made Su Yun tremble with rage.
Su Yun and Wu Jianguo insisted the two were in a relationship and about to marry. Since they were both unmarried, the Revolutionary Committee had no choice but to let them go.
“Isn’t this Brother Song?” The leader of the Revolutionary Committee, Li Zheng, recognized Song Zhiqiang and grinned mockingly. “How come a guy who catches people fooling around ended up getting caught fooling around himself?”
Song Zhiqiang did not dare get angry after hearing this. He knew he had to provide an explanation today, and it was inevitable he would have to spend some money.
“Brother, I couldn’t help it.” Song Zhiqiang stepped forward and handed Li Zheng a pack of cigarettes. “We’ve known each other for years, from the same hometown. She got married, I got married too. A few days ago we ran into each other on the street. I found out she’d lost her husband, and I no longer have a wife either, so… well…” Song Zhiqiang smiled awkwardly.
The two being caught together was an undeniable fact. Nobody present was stupid. Some even suspected Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang had long been having an affair already. After all, Lin Chen’nian’s health had been poor for the last two years before his death. Fortunately, they were both widowed now.
“We just felt embarrassed to tell the children, so we delayed it. Who knew such a thing would happen?”
“Let’s drink together another day. My treat, little brother. So today…”
“Yes, Comrade. I believe my mother and Uncle Song.”
Li Zheng and his men were essentially just a bunch of hooligans. Having received Song Zhiqiang’s verbal promise—and since they all knew each other—they were not worried he would renege. Besides, Lin Zhitang herself had spoken up, and without orders from above, the Lin family was not someone they could casually offend. Thus, the group left.
Watching the Revolutionary Committee leave, Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang finally relaxed. The neighbors did too. After all, the Revolutionary Committee was notorious for refusing to let go once they targeted someone.
The police left as well, saying they would continue investigating the truth and apprehending the thief. Everyone understood, however, that with zero clues, it was like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Looking at Su Ya’s expression, Lin Zhitang spoke.
“Mom, Father hasn’t been gone for long. I thought you would remain faithful for a few years, but I forgot that as a woman, you have the right to pursue your own love and rely on someone too. Now that you’ve found the person you love and are so affectionate with Uncle Song, I’m happy for you.”
A trace of amusement flashed through Lu Ming’an’s eyes. As expected, she truly was a little fox.
Someone among the neighbors could not hold back their laughter. Pursuing love and finding support? This was clearly adultery.
On the surface, Lin Zhitang’s words sounded harmless. But to those who knew the full story, they felt incredibly sarcastic.
Lin Zhitang continued, “Mom, I know you were embarrassed and worried about me, so you hadn’t married Uncle Song yet. But it’s okay. I’m grown up now, and I’ll soon be going to the capital with Ming’an-ge. You can get married without worrying about me.”
After speaking to Su Ya, Lin Zhitang seemed to make up her mind and turned to Song Zhiqiang.
“Uncle Song, I hope you’ll treat my mother well from now on. Otherwise, I won’t let you off.”
Song Zhiqiang immediately promised that he would take good care of Su Ya and treat Lin Zhitang like his own daughter.
The neighbors all looked at Lin Zhitang with pity. What a sensible and obedient child. Su Ya truly was sinful—her husband had only just died, yet she was already eager to remarry.
Su Ya also wore the expression of a loving mother.
“Tangtang, don’t worry. Mother will still be the same as before, and Uncle Song will treat you very well too.”
Lin Zhitang smiled sweetly at Su Ya.
“Mom, I believe you. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be happy after marrying into the Song family.”
Someone among the neighbors snickered and jeered, “This is such a joyous occasion! You’d better invite us all to the wedding!”
Song Zhiqiang immediately said he would treat everyone to wedding candy when the time came.
Hearing Lin Zhitang’s words, Su Ya’s smile stiffened. She had never planned to leave the Lin residence. Marrying Song Zhiqiang was one thing, but she had no intention of living with his family.
Still, Su Ya quickly forced her smile back into place, intending to coax Lin Zhitang properly once everyone left.
Then Lin Zhitang added:
“Mom, you can go register your marriage today to avoid future trouble. After all, Uncle Song already guaranteed it to the Revolutionary Committee comrades. Sister and brother-in-law should also hurry and hold their wedding. After today, the matter definitely can’t be hidden anymore. If possible, both couples should go get your marriage certificates today. That would truly be a double celebration. But…”
Su Yun’s already ugly expression darkened further.
Lin Zhitang hesitated as though reluctant to continue. Su Ya’s smile had almost become impossible to maintain after hearing the earlier part. Who would consider a mother and daughter getting married on the same day a “double celebration”?
Still, she forced herself to ask, “But what?”
“But the family probably can’t prepare dowries for you and Sister anymore. You’ve seen it yourself—the house has been completely robbed. Everything’s gone.”
“Everything’s gone?!” Su Ya’s shrill scream startled everyone present.
As though realizing her reaction was too extreme, Su Ya hurriedly lowered her voice, though the panic in it was unmistakable.
“What do you mean everything’s gone? The bankbooks? The jewelry? Everything? Weren’t only the visible valuables stolen?”
“No, Mom. Everything was really stolen, and even the police couldn’t find any clues.” Lin Zhitang’s serious tone made it clear that the Lin family had truly been stripped clean.
Su Ya’s face turned deathly pale with disbelief. Suddenly remembering something, she rushed upstairs. Moments later, a piercing scream rang out from above.
Seeing the excitement had mostly ended, the neighbors finally began dispersing to go about their day. Before leaving, Old Madam Feng and the other aunties comforted Lin Zhitang and told her to seek them out if she ever needed help, urging her not to be too upset.