The Yao family had just returned home from their midday work when they saw Xie Jingyue, both surprised and delighted.
Miao Cuilan quickly greeted him: “Comrade Xie is here? Please come in, please come in.”
“You’re too kind, Auntie,” Xie Jingyue smiled nervously, feeling quite tense.
He knew this was Comrade Zhenzhen’s mother.
Miao Cuilan was extremely enthusiastic: “Please sit for a while, I’ll make you some tea.”
Yao Daqiang and Tan Guihua also hurriedly stood up to welcome him: “Yes, please sit, don’t just stand there.”
Yao Yunzhen came out of her room upon hearing the commotion. When she saw Xie Jingyue, her eyes lit up and she eagerly asked:
“You’re here? What happened after you took them away that day?”
The others were equally concerned, immediately looking at Xie Jingyue with tension. Miao Cuilan even put down the teapot and pressed urgently: “What happened to the Lu family?”
They had expected retaliation from the Lu family to come quickly, but surprisingly, several days had passed without any movement.
Now that Xie Jingyue had appeared, they realized this military comrade must have done something.
Xie Jingyue had felt slightly disappointed when he didn’t see Yao Yunzhen upon entering, but when she emerged, his heart lifted and his smile became much more genuine.
He said gently: “I came specifically to update you about the Lu family situation.”
“You can rest assured – the Lu family can no longer cause any major trouble. Lu Yongguo abused his position to suppress dissent, extorted public funds, and even caused commoners to lose their families and livelihoods. After a thorough investigation, he has been formally detained. Zhang Li, as deputy director of the Women’s Federation, neglected her duties and colluded with Lu Yongguo – she has now been removed from her position. As for Lu Yikang, he engaged not only in speculation but also participated in smuggling activities, and has been arrested as well.”
Xie Jingyue briefly summarized the Lu family’s fate without mentioning how much effort he had personally invested in the matter.
The Yao family found it hard to believe: “Really? Is this true?”
The colossal Lu family had collapsed just like that?
“It’s true.”
Xie Jingyue nodded with a smile, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward Yao Yunzhen.
“You’re lying! You’re lying!”
Amid the general rejoicing, a shrill scream pierced through.
Everyone turned to look.
Yao Meimei was staring fixedly at Xie Jingyue, her eyes wide with fury.
Yao Daqiang said: “Meimei, what are you saying? How could Comrade Xie, as a soldier, possibly lie?”
Miao Cuilan shot her a sharp look: “This matter can be verified with simple inquiries – it must be true.”
“You crazy girl, what nonsense are you spouting again? Get out of here immediately.”
Yang Erni’s face darkened. If Xie Jingyue hadn’t been present, she would have already slapped Yao Meimei.
“No, this isn’t right, it shouldn’t be like this.”
Yao Meimei tugged at her hair, her mind in disarray.
The Lu family wasn’t supposed to collapse until the 1980s – how could it happen a full ten years earlier?
Why? Why?
Had she remembered wrong? Or were her memories false?
No, that wasn’t it – this lifetime was different.
In her previous life, Lu Yikang didn’t meet Yao Yunzhen until three years later, when he began pestering her – three years later than in this current life.
Could this have created a butterfly effect?
So… was it because of her?
Yao Meimei remained lost in her thoughts, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
What madness has possessed this wretched girl?
The Lu family has done so many heinous deeds—everyone is celebrating their downfall, yet she’s putting on this pathetic act.
Yang Erni felt this debt-collecting brat had completely shamed her. Fearing the elderly couple would vent their anger on her, she immediately stood up and pushed Yao Meimei out.
Once shoved outside, Yao Meimei jolted awake, then turned and sprinted away.
She needed to go to the city—she had to verify for herself whether what that man said was true.
Had she truly altered the course of events?
Yang Erni forced an awkward smile: “Heh, sorry for the embarrassment, Comrade Xie.”
Xie Jingyue’s smile faded slightly. “Actually, I came here for another matter as well.”
Yao Yunzhen asked curiously: “What is it?”
Looking at Yao Yunzhen, Xie Jingyue’s eyes held pity. Hesitating briefly, he finally said:
“The police investigation revealed that Lu Yikang came to harass Comrade Zhenzhen because Comrade Yao Meimei instigated it. She deliberately exposed Comrade Zhenzhen to Lu Yikang, and moreover, she participated in speculation and profiteering.”
Since it concerned Yao Yunzhen, Xie Jingyue had investigated with extra diligence. Lu Yikang wouldn’t specifically keep secrets for Yao Meimei either, so she was quickly exposed—including the batch of goods she sold.
The value of those goods was very high. Who would believe Lu Yikang just gave them to her for free?
Naturally, Yao Meimei was also classified as Lu Yikang’s accomplice.
Xie Jingyue paused, then added: “I’ve temporarily suppressed this at the police station. If you want to protect her, I could pull some strings.”
Of course he wouldn’t actually do it—he just wanted to see how many people here genuinely cared about Comrade Zhenzhen.
If even a sister living under the same roof could harbor such malicious intentions toward Comrade Zhenzhen, Xie Jingyue found it hard to trust anyone else in this family.
Upon hearing this, Miao Cuilan exploded.
She originally thought Yao Meimei just held a grudge but hadn’t acted on it yet. Who knew she’d already struck?
She was the one who brought the Lu family here!
How could Miao Cuilan tolerate this?
“We won’t protect her! Let the police arrest her—she must be arrested!”
“My poor Zhenzhen! What did she ever do to deserve such harm from that wretched girl? Comrade Xie, you must not pull strings for her. She must be arrested!”
Xie Jingyue didn’t respond. He looked at Yao Daqiang and the others, pretending to be conflicted.
Miao Cuilan followed his gaze: “Dad, Mom, if she could attack her own sister who grew up with her, what feelings would she have for anyone else? No one is allowed to plead for her today!”
A mother’s protectiveness made her fierce. Even if her in-laws held it against her from now on, she’d accept it.
That little wretch must not be let off!
The elderly couple was stunned. Tan Guihua stammered: “This… has it been thoroughly investigated?”
Xie Jingyue nodded firmly: “It’s confirmed. The evidence is irrefutable.”
“But… but…”
The old couple couldn’t make a decision.
Although the child had a bad temper, she was still their own granddaughter. How could they just abandon her?
Yao Yunzhen watched them too, quietly waiting for their decision.
She wasn’t someone with a forgiving nature. If her grandparents chose Yao Meimei this time, then their grandparent-grandchild bond would mean nothing.
Besides, she wouldn’t let Xie Jingyue intervene.
She would stop him!
Yang Erni’s face darkened, and she couldn’t help cursing: “What? That wretched girl committed crimes? Then what about her marriage arrangement?”
Her words briefly diverted everyone’s attention. Tan Guihua breathed a sigh of relief and smoothly changed her tone to ask, “What marriage arrangement?”