Hearing this, Jiang Hua silently said “sorry” to her in her heart. Gratitude showed on her face, and the words she spoke aloud were sincere.
“Thank you,” she said.
Song Jin rolled her eyes at her in annoyance, then turned around, waved, and said, “Save those words for when Xu Chenghuai comes back. When that time comes, I’m going to eat a really big meal at your place.”
Jiang Hua laughed and shouted to her from afar, “No problem. I’ll treat you to chicken, duck, fish, anything you want!”
When Song Jin’s figure disappeared at the entrance of the alley, Jiang Hua gradually withdrew the smile from her face and returned to the courtyard.
Perhaps because of the rumors outside, the two children hadn’t gone out to play these past two days. Seeing her come in now, the little girl hurried over and looked at her expectantly.
“Mommy, is Daddy coming back?”
Yunkai didn’t speak, but his step-for-step closeness showed that he was also anxious to know the answer.
Jiang Hua pressed her lips together, sat down on a chair nearby, and said truthfully, “No. But you don’t need to worry. Comrade Xu Chenghuai will be back very soon.”
Yunkai clearly didn’t believe it, and his eyes dimmed a little.
Yunshu’s eyes, however, lit up. She asked uncertainly but with anticipation, “Really?”
Jiang Hua nodded patiently. “Really.”
These things had happened in her previous life. She had originally thought that after reminding Xu Chenghuai, things would take a different turn. She hadn’t expected that Xu Chenghuai would still be taken away.
She didn’t know whether he hadn’t taken it seriously, or whether some major things simply couldn’t be changed.
But no matter which it was, Xu Chenghuai would indeed return in a few days, only with his work affected.
Thinking of Director Chen, Jiang Hua couldn’t help thinking of Auntie Chen. Recalling carefully, it seemed that ever since this incident happened, Auntie Chen hadn’t appeared again. Jiang Hua’s heart sank slightly.
Her expression turned uneasy. She suddenly stood up from the chair and instructed the two children, “I’m going to check on Grandma Chen.”
The two children could see that she looked serious.
Yunshu said obediently, “Okay. Brother and I will watch the house.”
Yunkai didn’t speak, but he took his sister’s small hand and looked up at Jiang Hua.
Jiang Hua didn’t delay and hurried out to the Chen residence.
However, Auntie Chen wasn’t in the situation Jiang Hua feared. After she knocked, the courtyard gate was quickly opened, though it was obvious that the other woman’s mental state was very poor.
Auntie Chen’s face looked extremely haggard. Her lips were pale and bloodless. Her hair, which was usually meticulously kept, now had several strands hanging loose.
“Xiao Jiang, why did you come?” Auntie Chen’s voice was very hoarse.
Jiang Hua smiled slightly and didn’t hide her reason. She said frankly, “I haven’t seen you for several days, so I was a bit worried.”
Auntie Chen stared at Jiang Hua for two seconds. Her eyes suddenly reddened, and tears rushed out at once. She then seemed to realize her own loss of composure and lowered her head, wiping her tears repeatedly. “I’m fine. No need to worry.”
That short sentence choked in her throat until she could barely speak, coming out only as breathy sounds.
Jiang Hua stepped forward, took her hand, and for a moment couldn’t think of any comforting words. She could only stay with her silently.
But thinking of Auntie Chen’s ending in her previous life, Jiang Hua couldn’t truly remain silent.
After some thought, she said, “No matter what, being alive means there’s hope.”
The fingers at Auntie Chen’s side curled slightly. After a long while, she softly responded, “Mm.”
“I’m fine. You should go back. Yunkai and Yunshu need you,” Auntie Chen said. It was clear she was trying hard to force a smile, but she overestimated herself, and the expression on her face looked especially awkward.
“The two children are very well-behaved now,” Jiang Hua’s heart felt heavy as well. She cooperated and spoke lightly on purpose. “You’ll see in a couple of days. I’ve already agreed with Song Jin to eat together. When the time comes, you and Director Chen can come too.”
The smile on Auntie Chen’s face finally looked a bit more genuine. “Alright.”
No one mentioned Director Chen and Xu Chenghuai being taken away.
Although Jiang Hua felt that Director Chen and Auntie Chen wouldn’t sell information, there was no evidence, only conjecture. Avoiding the topic was the best choice.
She stayed and chatted with Auntie Chen for a while, and the other woman’s mental state gradually improved a little.
On the other side.
Because of what had happened at the research institute, Wen Bo hadn’t gone there for the time being. When Song Jin returned home, he was clearing weeds by the courtyard wall.
The courtyard gate opened. Hearing the sound, he turned his head and glanced at her, then said, “Why do you look like you’re constipated? What did Comrade Jiang Hua say to you?”
Song Jin quickly closed the gate, pulled him up from the ground, and looked at him seriously. “I have something very important I need you to handle.”
Wen Bo: ?
A question mark slowly popped up over his head. He then raised his eyebrows slightly, pushed away the hand she was gripping him with, unconsciously puffed out his chest, and put on an act as he lightly cleared his throat. “That depends on what it is.”
The way he struck that pose was extremely punchable.
Song Jin’s gaze darkened. She clenched her back teeth and slapped his arm, warning him, “I’m talking about something serious!”
Wen Bo shrank back, baring his teeth exaggeratedly. Still unconvinced yet cautious, he defended himself, “I’m being serious too.”
Song Jin shot him a sharp look.
Wen Bo froze and didn’t dare say another word.
“My fault, my fault, ancestor. Go on, say it,” Wen Bo quickly raised his hands in surrender. He then nimbly dragged over a chair and pressed Song Jin down by the shoulders to make her sit.
Song Jin snorted and sat down along with his movement.
She complained unhappily, “Every time I want to talk to you about something serious, you act like this. Just looking at you makes me mad.”
Wen Bo sincerely admitted his mistake. “Yes, yes, it’s all my fault.”
Song Jin: ……
She couldn’t continue on this topic. She was afraid she’d be angered to death.
“I’m talking seriously. It’s about Xu Chenghuai,” Song Jin said.
Hearing this, Wen Bo immediately put away his playful expression and became solemn and serious.
Song Jin briefly told him Jiang Hua’s analysis. Her brows furrowed tighter and tighter as she looked at his face. “I don’t know much about the situation at your research institute, but if Xu Chenghuai really is being framed, Jiang Hua’s analysis makes a lot of sense.”
Wen Bo cut straight to the heart of the issue. “According to what you’re saying, the one blocking the road isn’t only Xu Chenghuai. There’s also Director Chen.”
Song Jin said, “Right.”
No emotion showed on Wen Bo’s face as he asked again, “Then who do you think is the most likely person?”
Song Jin blurted out, “How would we know?”
She then paused and finally realized something. Her gaze landed on Wen Bo with uncertainty, carrying a questioning look.
Wen Bo smiled, his expression full of implication, and said to her, “Your new friend is really impressive.”
Song Jin’s expression was complicated, then she laughed in exasperation. “Who on earth is spreading rumors? With Jiang Hua’s depth, there are still people saying she’s some ignorant country bumpkin. Who could ever outplay her?”
Only now did she realize that Jiang Hua had never explicitly named a suspect from beginning to end, yet Song Jin herself had already formed a candidate in her mind.
She had been led around by the nose without realizing it. The more Song Jin thought about it, the more annoyed she became.
No matter what the outcome was, it had nothing to do with Jiang Hua. If they found the right person, it was their own ability. If they found the wrong person, that was also their own problem.
And Jiang Hua remained completely clean.
What was most frightening was that even knowing she had been subtly maneuvered by Jiang Hua, Song Jin couldn’t truly get angry. Instead, she became even more eager to uncover the truth.
Wen Bo saw through her thoughts at a glance and couldn’t help mocking her mercilessly. “That’s why people say you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Don’t underestimate others so easily.”
Song Jin wasn’t the type to admit defeat. Even if she was wrong, she would still argue three points. “Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and investigate.”
Thinking of all those people in the compound who were still being fooled by Jiang Hua, her mood instantly became excellent. She was looking forward to the day she could watch a big show unfold.
Wen Bo said, “Actually, even if you hadn’t said anything, I was going to investigate anyway. Your thinking just happens to align with mine.”
Song Jin was startled. “Then you already have a suspect?”
“Of course,” Wen Bo said. He raised his eyebrows at her and lowered his voice slightly. “There aren’t many people who pose a threat to Director Chen and Xu Chenghuai. Exclude a few, and there’s only one person left with the greatest suspicion.”
Song Jin hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly. A trace of delight appeared in her eyes. “Then wouldn’t there be results very soon?”
Wen Bo gave a low “Mm.”
Song Jin didn’t ask who he suspected. The two of them understood each other without words.
In the afternoon.
Wen Bo hadn’t planned to go to the research institute, but Ma Yuanhang unexpectedly came looking for him, saying he had something to discuss.
Song Jin said, “Go on.”
Wen Bo showed an expression of “I don’t want to work,” his face full of world-weary despair, as he followed Ma Yuanhang away.
Xu Chenghuai still hadn’t been released, and the rumors in the compound grew increasingly intense.
Because the alleged acts attributed to Xu Chenghuai were extremely vile, Jiang Hua was affected as well. Li Qingran, in particular, became completely unrestrained.
The clothing shop had already been renovated and was just waiting to stock new goods before opening. However, Jiang Hua was still confirming supply sources.
She calculated the time when the fabric would be released at the supply and marketing cooperative. She didn’t even eat breakfast, simply washed up after getting out of bed and hurried over.
Unexpectedly, her luck wasn’t bad. There weren’t many people buying fabric this time.
Jiang Hua didn’t plan to be picky and intended to take whatever was available. So as soon as the fabric was brought out, she quickly raised her hand.
However, unexpectedly, even though they raised their hands at the same time, the salesperson gave the fabric to Li Qingran and not to her.
Li Qingran immediately wore a smug expression and even deliberately shot a provocative glance at Jiang Hua.
Jiang Hua was so angry she laughed. Coldness gradually replaced the warmth in her eyes. If it were her previous life, she would have swallowed this injustice. But not this time.
“What do you mean by this?” Jiang Hua looked at the salesperson. A smile still hung on her lips, but there was not a shred of warmth in her eyes. “I raised my hand first, yet you gave it to her.”
She pointed at Li Qingran.
The salesperson hadn’t expected her to call it out in public. A trace of panic flashed across her face, but she quickly steadied herself and said calmly, “What I saw was this comrade raising her hand first.”
Li Qingran also said, “Yeah, it was clearly me who raised my hand first. Don’t make things difficult for this young comrade.”
Jiang Hua let out a soft laugh and asked in return, “Is that so?”
At this point, the salesperson was no longer flustered. Her expression was calm, as if what she said was the truth. “Of course it’s true. Comrade, if you insist on making trouble, please leave and don’t affect other comrades.”
Li Qingran hugged the fabric and fanned the flames from the side. “That’s right. This isn’t your home. If you don’t want to buy anything, get out and don’t waste everyone else’s time.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the way people around looked at Jiang Hua changed.
Jiang Hua acted as if she hadn’t noticed. She glanced at the salesperson, ignored Li Qingran, then looked around and said, “Everyone saw it, right? I clearly raised my hand first, but the supply and marketing cooperative pretended not to see and gave what I wanted to someone else.”
The onlookers were silent. Many showed sympathetic expressions.
She directly defined the issue, elevating it from the salesperson to the supply and marketing cooperative. The salesperson immediately panicked and hurriedly tried to refute it. “Don’t you—”
Jiang Hua didn’t give her a chance to speak. “Everyone should be careful in the future. Otherwise, one day when you go out, because you stepped out with your left foot first, you might offend our salesperson comrade…”
Although she didn’t finish her sentence, everyone present understood the implication. Instantly, everyone’s expressions changed.
An auntie standing behind Jiang Hua spoke up. “Actually, I saw it too. This female comrade was the one who raised her hand first.”
A man beside her rubbed his nose. “That’s indeed the case.”
With two people suddenly stepping forward, the earlier delicate calm was broken. The salesperson’s expression finally collapsed, revealing panic and helplessness.
Seeing this, Li Qingran hurriedly shrank back, trying to sneak away.
Jiang Hua grabbed her in one motion.
Li Qingran became anxious and struggled as she shouted, “It’s not like I told her to give me the fabric. Why are you stopping me?”
Jiang Hua curved her lips slightly. “Because you’re one of the parties involved.”
Her tone was gentle, devoid of emotion, as if what lay before her was a trivial matter. In contrast to Li Qingran’s frantic state, it easily won the crowd’s goodwill.
Li Qingran grew even more furious. Her mind heated up, and she spoke without thinking. “You’re really something, still having the nerve to come out. If I had a man who sold information to the enemy, I’d probably kill myself.”
The surrounding crowd clearly hadn’t known about this. Hearing it, all their expressions changed. Only the salesperson remained relatively calm, which showed she had known beforehand.
That explained it. The fabric incident had been deliberate.
Jiang Hua widened her eyes slightly and pretended to be surprised. “Comrade Li Qingran, you’re really well-informed. The comrades investigating haven’t even found anything yet, and you already know? Then shouldn’t you hurry and tell them, to save time and effort?”
Li Qingran was left speechless, her face contorting with frustration.
The Jiang Hua who used to cower like a quail was irritating. The sharp-tongued Jiang Hua now was even more irritating. Truly born to be incompatible with her.
Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to see this annoying woman for much longer. As long as Xu Chenghuai didn’t come back…
However, just as that thought formed, a low, pleasant voice sounded.
“What are you doing?”