Director Liu, hearing her explanation, set aside his doubts.
She reluctantly took out a thick stack of ten-yuan bills, counted them, and handed them over, along with some industrial and grain coupons.
She quickly processed the transfer procedures, afraid that Nan Jin might change her mind.
Nan Jin placed the money into her cross-body bag—actually storing it in her space—and lowered her head as she left, trying to conceal the barely suppressed excitement in her eyes.
Once outside, she found Yuan Zheng chatting animatedly with the gatekeeper.
Seeing her come out, Yuan Zheng bid farewell to the old man and walked over to her, glancing down as he asked, “All settled?”
Nan Jin nodded softly, “Yes, all done.”
“Where else do you need to go?”
“I still need to transfer my household registration. The problem is, I don’t have a place to stay right now.”
Nan Jin wanted to make a clean break from the Gu family and naturally didn’t want to leave her household registration with them.
But without a fixed address, transferring her registration wouldn’t be easy.
Yuan Zheng paused for a moment before looking at her, his gaze deep and thoughtful. “Did you bring your household register with you?”
Nan Jin nodded naturally, “Yes, I asked Dad for it before I left.”
“Give it to me. I’ll help you get it sorted and transfer it directly to the production brigade where you’ll be settling in the countryside.”
Few people were being sent to the countryside these days, with only the occasional individual being assigned there. The educated youth points were practically defunct.
With his connections and channels, sending her to the countryside would be relatively straightforward.
Hearing that this was possible, Nan Jin relaxed and handed him the household register.
“Once it’s done, just give it directly to Dad.”
Yuan Zheng studied her for another moment before taking the register and putting it away.
He was beginning to realize that, aside from still acknowledging her father, she genuinely wanted to sever all other ties.
“You’re willing to call him ‘Dad,’ but you refuse to call me ‘Uncle.’ Is it because I haven’t been good to you?”
He’d heard from the police that she had mailed 500 yuan to her father, saying he was the only one who had ever truly cared for her.
She had a clear sense of judgment, weighing everything carefully.
Nan Jin, now in a much better mood, looked up at the sunlight overhead. For the first time, she felt that the sun was truly beautiful.
Finally free from that mistaken marriage that was never meant to be, and about to leave this place behind, she would soon regain her freedom.
“You’ve been very good!” She smiled at him. “It’s precisely because you’re so good that I don’t dare to be greedy.”
Yuan Zheng’s heart trembled slightly. In that moment, the gloom that had seemed to hang over her appeared to have been washed away by the sunlight, leaving her looking much brighter and more vibrant.
Pursing his lips, he finally said, “Take good care of yourself from now on.”
She nodded firmly, “Yes, I will take good care of myself.” A woman living only for herself would surely thrive.
He asked again, “Is there anywhere else you need to go?”
“Not really. If you have things to do, go ahead. I’d like to find a place to rest properly.”
Yuan Zheng, noticing her pale complexion, knew she wasn’t in good health and suggested taking her back to the family compound.
She felt it wouldn’t be right to impose on someone else’s home, especially since Yuan Zheng was also a guest there.
“I’d rather stay at a guesthouse.”
“No, guesthouses are crowded and complicated—it’s not safe. And with the money you’re carrying, you’d be an easy target.”
After a moment’s thought, Nan Jin said, “Then I’ll go back to the family compound near the university for a couple of days. You must be busy, so just have the two police officers keep an eye on me.”
Yuan Zheng stared at her for a moment, but seeing her insistence, he had no choice but to turn back.
Soon, he returned with two police officers. They first escorted Nan Jin back to retrieve her luggage, then accompanied her to the family compound where she and Gu Shaoxuan had once lived.
Gu Shaoxuan had originally intended for her to move into this place after leaving the Gu family. Since she had nowhere else to go at the moment, it was just as well to stay here for a few days and recuperate properly.
On the way back, she casually bought some groceries. When the residents of the compound saw her return, they couldn’t help but point and whisper.
Although Gu Shaoxuan hadn’t taught that day, he had taken leave.
Moreover, news of their divorce had spread throughout the entire compound, thanks to some people deliberately spreading the word.
“She’s divorced now—how can she still have the nerve to come back and live here?”
“Look at her carrying that woven bag—she must have been kicked out, right?”
“She’s an orphan. Even if Old Gu kindly adopted her, she shouldn’t have really thought of herself as part of the Gu family.”
“Exactly. She should take a good look at herself and see if she’s even worthy.”
“I’ve seen Teacher Gu’s new partner—a gentle, fragile, and kind woman. I heard she’s also a teacher, though just an elementary school teacher.”
“Right, I’ve seen her too. She’s not bad-looking, and most importantly, she’s a teacher, so she’s a good match for Teacher Gu.”
“Hey, Nan Zhu, didn’t you get divorced? How can you still have the nerve to come and live here?”
Many of the residents in the compound were unemployed. Not only did they point and whisper when they saw her return, but some even raised their voices to question her.
Nan Jin cast a calm glance at the crowd. “I’m not living in your house—what business is it of yours?”
“You… shameless!”
“What? Did I seduce your man or sleep with your father?”
“You!” The woman flushed with anger, but Nan Jin had already ignored them and walked to the house she had shared with Gu Shaoxuan.
The Gu family had a decent background, and Gu Shaoxuan had always been a good student. Two years ago, before the college entrance exams were reinstated, he had managed to secure this place through connections.
Over the past two years, he had made significant progress through his own efforts and got along well with the teachers at the school.
Naturally, he was doing all this to prepare for future promotions.
As a result, their place was an independent small courtyard. Although it only had one living room and one bedroom, it was far better than what many others had.
She opened the door and went inside, telling the two officers to make themselves at home. Then she entered the bedroom, exhausted, and collapsed onto the bed.
While Nan Jin was settling into the compound, Yuan Zheng used his position to mobilize the local military unit to assist in investigating the theft at the Gu family’s home.
The case of the Gu family’s theft was truly bizarre. So far, no matter how much they searched or interviewed people, they hadn’t found any clues.
The entire house had been emptied in such a strange way, as if everything inside had vanished into thin air.
With the era of reform and opening up, superstitions about ghosts and gods were no longer believed.
But the incident at the Gu family was genuinely eerie.
They had carefully checked Nan Jin’s timeline, even locating the bus she had taken that day and interviewing some of the passengers. All confirmed that her story was true.
They also verified her visit to the post office and her stay at the guesthouse, proving that she hadn’t contacted any strangers after leaving.
Moreover, when she left, a neighbor had testified to seeing her, and the woven bag she carried had been inspected, with nothing suspicious found.
The theft at the Gu family had nothing to do with her.
Beyond that, there were no other discoveries.
Despite a large number of comrades conducting extensive investigations in the vicinity for two days, there was still no trace of any information.
The matter seemed to have turned into an unresolved case.
Yuan Zheng extended his leave for two more days, but still found no clues.