“This man is suspected of kidnapping and attempted assault.” Chu Yunli stepped forward and handed Wang Popi over to the police. He gave a detailed account of what had happened and also shared his suspicions with them.
The police took Wang Popi, Li Hongxia, and Shen Fangfang away together. Shen Yong followed behind them in a daze, repeatedly muttering, “What a sin… what a sin…”
The neighbors gradually dispersed as well, each of them casting Shen Zhouzhou one last look filled with sympathy and a hint of admiration before leaving.
At last, the room fell silent, leaving only Shen Zhouzhou and Chu Yunli behind.
Shen Zhouzhou let out a long sigh as the tension that had gripped her finally eased. She walked to the window and looked up at the gloomy sky outside, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
At long last, she had avenged part of the original owner’s suffering.
“Zhouzhou, what are you planning to do next?” Chu Yunli asked gently as he walked over to her side.
Turning to meet his deep gaze, Shen Zhouzhou smiled faintly.
“First, I’ll go to the police station and give my statement so everything is properly explained. After that, I want to go back to that so-called home and pack up my belongings.”
“Since I’ll be following the army soon, I’ll also sell my job while I’m at it. I still have quite a few things to take care of.”
“I’ll go to the police station with you,” Chu Yunli said without the slightest hesitation.
He had only just won over the woman he wanted. There was no way Chu Yunli was going to let his future wife slip away, so he quickly caught up with her in a few strides.
“Alright.” Shen Zhouzhou did not refuse. Having such a dependable man by her side truly gave her a great sense of security.
After tidying up briefly, the two of them headed to the police station together.
The process of giving their statements went smoothly. With Deputy Regiment Commander Chu Yunli serving as a witness, along with Wang Popi’s confession, the evidence was overwhelming. Li Hongxia admitted to everything, and Shen Fangfang was released. The police informed them that once the verdict was issued, Li Hongxia would be sent to a labor reform camp.
Shen Zhouzhou had already expected Li Hongxia to shoulder all the blame. After all, blood was thicker than water. Shen Fangfang was still young and had endless possibilities ahead of her. This incident could serve as a lesson for her, and Shen Zhouzhou had plenty of ways to deal with her later.
“Brother Chu, do you have any way to make sure she’s assigned to a labor camp in the Great Northwest?”
“My uncle by marriage is the director of the Revolutionary Committee. When the time comes, we’ll pay him a visit together and ask for his help.”
“Do you think I’m too ruthless?” Shen Zhouzhou looked at him with a serious expression.
“Zhouzhou, there’s a saying that goes, ‘Never urge others to be kind unless you’ve suffered what they have.’ Seeing all those fresh and old scars covering your body, my heart aches for you. How could I possibly blame you? Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll protect you. I give you my word as a military officer.”
His solemn promise was filled with sincerity. He wanted to pat her on the head to comfort her, but remembering they were out in public and worried about appearances, he withdrew his hand.
He had a clear head.
Shen Zhouzhou’s opinion of him rose another notch.
By the time they left the police station, it was already afternoon.
As soon as she looked up, she saw the sign for the State Owned Restaurant.
This was the first time Shen Zhouzhou had seen a state owned restaurant since transmigrating into the body.
It had bright red double doors with glass on the upper half and wood on the lower half. Above the entrance hung four large red characters reading “State Owned Restaurant,” with a five pointed star above them that was nearly as large as the characters themselves.
Written on the walls flanking the entrance were the slogans:
“Struggle Through Hardship.”
“Be Self Reliant.”
“Come on, let’s eat.”
Before she even realized it, Chu Yunli had already led her to the ordering window.
Pointing at the small black menu board hanging above, he asked, “What would you like to eat?”
Shen Zhouzhou looked over the menu and ordered braised pork, stir fried pork kidneys, one serving of greens, ten meat buns, and a few liang of rice.
Chu Yunli paid for everything with both money and ration coupons. Since they were about to get married anyway, Shen Zhouzhou did not feel embarrassed accepting it.
At the moment, all she had was the six yuan the original owner had painstakingly saved by living frugally. She was practically broke, so making money had to become a top priority as soon as possible.
The dishes arrived quickly.
Shen Zhouzhou was already starving. The original owner had been abused for years, often going hungry with no guarantee of her next meal. Faced with such delicious looking dishes now, she could not resist any longer and eagerly started eating.
She had to admit that the meat and vegetables from this era were all naturally raised.
They tasted absolutely amazing.
Unfortunately, years of frequent hunger had shrunk her stomach. After only a few bites, she was already full. Looking at the untouched dishes, she could not help feeling regretful.
Right now, both her mouth and her heart wanted to keep eating.
The problem was that her body simply would not cooperate.
Seeing her suddenly stop eating, Chu Yunli thought the food did not suit her taste.
“Isn’t it good? Is it not to your liking?”
Shen Zhouzhou shook her head.
“No, it’s not that. I just can’t eat anymore.”
Looking at the tiny amount of rice she had eaten, then at her frail body that was little more than skin and bones, Chu Yunli sighed.
“Take it slowly. We’ll nurse your health back little by little.”
Shen Zhouzhou completely agreed.
She had already planned to take proper care of this body.
“Give me the rest of your food. Don’t let it go to waste.”
“Brother Chu, I’ve already eaten from it.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
With that, he took her plate and calmly finished the remaining food himself.
This man really knows how to flirt.
…
After lunch, Chu Yunli escorted Shen Zhouzhou back to the home that felt both familiar and unfamiliar to her.
She did not let him come inside.
“Zhouzhou, I really can’t go in?” Chu Yunli wished he could settle everything today. He was afraid something unexpected might happen.
“No.”
Shen Zhouzhou knew there was still a fierce battle waiting for her at home. This was not the right time. She would deal with those people first.
“Zhouzhou, I’ll submit the marriage application and request for family housing tomorrow. Unless something unusual happens, everything should be approved within two or three days. I have something to take care of tomorrow, but the day after that, I’ll officially come to your house to propose. Once we get our marriage certificate, we’ll leave together to join the army. Does that sound alright?”
After thinking it over, Shen Zhouzhou felt that two days should be enough to settle matters at home, so she nodded.
Seeing that no one was downstairs, she suddenly threw her arms around Chu Yunli in a big hug, buried her face against his chest, and rubbed against him.
So solid…
“Goodbye.”
The moment she finished speaking, Shen Zhouzhou ran upstairs without giving Chu Yunli any time to react.
Chu Yunli stood there frozen.
His heart was overflowing with joy.
His future wife was so bold.
And he loved it. He absolutely had to bring her home as soon as possible.
Returning home, Shen Zhouzhou pushed open the weathered wooden door.
The moment she stepped inside, a teacup came flying straight at her.
She swiftly dodged it.
The cup smashed onto the floor and shattered into pieces.
“You unfilial daughter! You still have the nerve to come back? Go to the police station right now and tell them it was all a misunderstanding. Get your aunt released, or you’ll regret it!”
Shen Yong glared at Shen Zhouzhou as he barked at her. When he saw her standing there silently, simply looking at him without moving, his anger flared even more. Furious, he grabbed a stick and charged toward her.
Oh? Everyone’s here.
She knew it.
Tonight was bound to end in a fierce fight.
At the very least, someone was getting beaten.
As for who would be doing the beating and who would be taking it…
The one getting beaten certainly would not be her.