Gu Yanzhou returned from the military district, his expression sharp and cold, and went straight to Shen Zhiwei, who was stirring porridge.
“Li Man and Chen Weidong have been temporarily released from investigation.”
Shen Zhiwei froze mid-stir, lifting her head sharply.
“Why? Lack of evidence?”
All the evidence she had painstakingly collected Li Man misappropriating public property, her improper lifestyle, Chen Weidong’s illicit dealings with her, even Chen Weidong selling military goods was it all for nothing?
“Li Man used some tricks,” Gu Yanzhou said, his voice low.
“She predicted a fire at the training grounds a year from now and reported some logistical problems as a merit contribution.”
Shen Zhiwei’s heart sank.
“How could she know?” That terrifying thought surfaced again.
Gu Yanzhou’s gaze was sharp.
“No matter how she knew, such a prophecy can’t be verified, but it became her excuse to get out of trouble.”
“But this is only the beginning.”
He looked at her, tone firm and decisive.
“Their release is conditional they are still under surveillance. Li Man’s abnormality itself is the biggest clue.”
“I’ve already assigned people to investigate the source of her information.”
Shen Zhiwei took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions.
Right. She couldn’t act recklessly! She had to confirm Li Man’s abnormality herself.
Using the excuse of going to the factory union to ask about her father’s future work, Shen Zhiwei left the courtyard. But she didn’t go to the factory; instead, she circled near the dormitory building of the arts troupe.
She knew that at this time, Li Man had probably just returned from being “re-educated.”
“Brother, thanks to your arrangements, don’t worry, you won’t lose out.” Li Man’s voice was low, but Shen Zhiwei, hiding behind the old Kui tree, heard everything clearly.
“Don’t worry about the current uproar. In a few years, the situation will change. By ’82, all these rules will be gone. Your position can rise, and we’re pooling money to buy that southern plot of land.”
“Once it becomes an open special zone, we’ll have plenty of money.”
[Expression] How could Li Man know about things so far in advance? And speak with such certainty.
“Then I’ll follow your lead.” Li Jianye’s voice was wary but he didn’t ask further.
“Stick with me, and I’ll make sure you rise step by step. As for Shen Guodong’s research seems insignificant now, but later… it could be worth hundreds of millions!”
“Must get it into our hands.”
Hundreds of millions?
Shen Zhiwei’s expression darkened. In this era, even a ten-thousand-yuan household was rare. What was Li Man talking about?
Li Jianye muttered, “Hundreds of millions? More than ten thousand? How much is that?”
“Enough to last you ten lifetimes!” Li Man sneered. “So we must get it. Once the heat dies down, you follow my orders.”
She continued, “Once we deal with that idiot Shen Zhiwei, then…”
Shen Zhiwei shivered, stepping back quietly, but accidentally snapped a dry branch underfoot.
“Who’s there?” Li Jianye turned his head.
Shen Zhiwei bolted, heart pounding. Only after rushing out of the arts troupe compound did she lean against a wall, gasping, her mind a whirlwind.
Li Man’s words were far beyond comprehension. She was almost certain Li Man had also been reborn.
“Zhiwei.” A familiar, nauseating voice came from behind.
Chen Weidong had just been released from the detention room. His face was haggard, and he forced what he thought was a heartfelt smile.
“I came to thank Comrade Li Man… listen to me, it’s really just a brother-sister thing between us…”
Listening to Chen Weidong’s explanation, Shen Zhiwei felt her stomach churn with disgust.
In her previous life, she had been blind.
How could she have given everything and destroyed her entire family for such a hypocritical, selfish man who lived off others?
“Chen Weidong, who are you trying to fool?” she sneered, pulling the account sheets from her bag and throwing them in front of him.
“Open your eyes wide and look over the years, you’ve eaten from my Shen family, worn from my Shen family.”
“You’ve used my parents’ hard-earned money to support your little sweetheart.
Every single penny on these sheets bears the mark of a freeloader!”
The black-and-white account sheets scattered across the ground, instantly drawing a crowd.
People passing by, including members of the arts troupe and military families, stopped, pointing and whispering.
“Good heavens! That’s so much money! This man is heartless!”
“This isn’t even human!” Some older women couldn’t hold back, pointing at Chen Weidong and yelling, “Ungrateful wretch! Bringing shame to all military families!”
“The Shen girl was so good to him! Worked tirelessly to care for his whole family, and that Li Man fox spirit isn’t any better!”
Accusations and scolding rained down on Chen Weidong like hail.
His carefully maintained image as a model soldier over the past few days had turned him into a rat in the street.
Exposed publicly, Chen Weidong’s face alternated between pale and dark. “Shen Zhiwei! I married you because the Shen family grave smokes green!
And now you dare to hold me accountable? Believe it or not, I’ll ruin your reputation so no one in the entire military district will want you!”
He had completely turned against her.
Ignoring Shen Zhiwei’s cold expression, he continued, “Shen Zhiwei, it’s all because of your deadpan face! You didn’t know how to serve me, so I went outside that’s all your fault!”
He hurled all his wrongdoings at her like filth.
Shen Zhiwei’s gaze turned icy. Without hesitation, she raised her hand.
Smack!
A resounding slap struck Chen Weidong’s face, sending him staggering backward. Half his face instantly swelled red.
“Well done!” the crowd erupted in cheers and laughter.
Shen Zhiwei shook her tingling hand. “Want me to ruin my reputation? First, cough up every cent you freeloaded over the years!
Two thousand in total less one penny, and I’ll post a big-character poster at the military district gate!”
“Let everyone see the real face of Deputy Battalion Commander Chen.”
Chen Weidong clutched his face, the searing pain and overwhelming shame making him lose all rationality.
“You’re talking nonsense!” he shouted, lunging at Shen Zhiwei.
“Ouch!”
He tripped, falling face-first onto the ground in a humiliating heap, howling miserably.
“Ouch! My teeth!” He curled up in pain, completely losing any semblance of dignity.
“This is karma! Fell flat on your face!”
“Look at him! Deputy Battalion Commander, and he can’t even stand straight! What a disgrace!”
“Good heavens, I can’t watch this!”
The surrounding crowd burst into laughter, and a few children even mimicked his fall.
“Chen Weidong,” Shen Zhiwei’s voice was calm, “remember: people see what you do, and heaven watches. Our reckoning has only just begun.”
She no longer looked at the muddy ground. Turning, she left, her suspicion about Li Man now fully confirmed.
She didn’t return home but went straight to the military district’s Discipline Inspection Office.
Gu Yanzhou seemed to have anticipated her visit and was waiting at the door.
“Did you hear everything?” he asked.
Shen Zhiwei nodded, her gaze more resolute than ever. “Gu Yanzhou, I’m certain Li Man is not normal. She knows far too much, not like an ordinary person.”
She took a deep breath. “I want to work with you to uproot her and all the secrets behind her completely.”
Gu Yanzhou looked into her eyes, seeing the burning determination, and nodded solemnly. “Alright.”
“From today on, any clues you discover, tell me directly. We’ll investigate together.”