As soon as Shu Ning returned to the dormitory, she rummaged through her trunk and pulled out quite a lot of things.
There were all kinds of biscuits, fine flour, and dried goods like wood ear mushrooms and dried shiitake that she had bought from the town’s general store.
She packed a bag with a bucket of fine flour, a bag of white sugar, and some biscuits. After tidying everything up, she took advantage of everyone being out catching loaches and slipped out of the educated youth compound again.
Walking straight ahead, she stopped at the entrance of a courtyard.
“Is Captain Lei at home?” Shu Ning called out.
A faint light glowed inside. Hearing her voice, a slightly plump middle-aged woman came out. When she saw Shu Ning—and especially the things in her hands—she greeted her with a smile.
“My Old Lei just went out. He said the Zhao brothers from Group Twelve are arguing again about who should support their parents. Every day, he’s like a judge settling disputes.”
Shu Ning smiled.
“Educated Youth Shu, come sit for a while. He might be back soon. Is there something important you need from him?” the woman invited warmly, pouring her a cup of hot water.
Shu Ning placed her things on the table and got straight to the point.
“It’s nothing important. I just came to thank the captain. What happened last night—if he hadn’t arrived in time, I… I really didn’t expect it.”
“You don’t know how devastated I was when I learned the truth.” She sighed deeply, her face filled with disappointment and sorrow.
“But when the captain came, I felt like I had someone to rely on.”
Although Guan Chunhua hadn’t been there, Lei Zhenxing had already told her everything when he returned.
“Sigh,” Guan Chunhua echoed, then cursed angrily, “Who would’ve thought? That Zhu educated youth is so vicious—acting friendly on the surface but actually wanting to kill you.”
“Don’t be too upset. At least now she’s been brought to justice.”
“Mm. It still hurts, though. I really treated her like my own sister,” Shu Ning sighed again.
“In life, who hasn’t met a few scum? It’s not too late to see her true colors now. Today Sun Guofei came looking for Old Lei, asking him to write a statement proving Zhu Qiulan behaved well, to show she’s not the kind of person who would kill. I scolded him—these things are for the police to judge. If we shouldn’t issue something, we absolutely won’t.”
“Aunt Chunhua, you’re truly a righteous person. I’ve been able to study and work well here thanks to you and the captain. You’ve always treated me well, and I haven’t properly thanked you. Please accept these.”
Seeing the conversation had reached the right point, Shu Ning pushed the items toward her.
Guan Chunhua quickly pushed them back. “No, no, we can’t accept this! This is what we should do.”
“Aunt Chunhua… do you think it’s too little?” Shu Ning asked uneasily.
“How could that be?”
“Then please accept it. It’s nothing valuable—just some snacks for the children.”
After some back-and-forth, Guan Chunhua finally accepted.
After chatting a bit longer, Shu Ning left in a good mood.
If she wanted to live well in Hongqi Commune, she had to maintain a good relationship with Lei Zhenxing.
He had a bad temper and was blunt, but he was fair and just.
On the surface, he scolded Gu Zhao harshly, but in reality, he protected him—otherwise Old Madam Gu wouldn’t have behaved for so many years, and her recent arrest wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
Guan Chunhua had some vanity and small schemes, but overall she was a decent person.
At the very least, she had a sense of right and wrong.
Shu Ning’s purpose in coming today was clear—she would never forgive Zhu Qiulan.
And if anyone tried to use Lei Zhenxing as a breakthrough, they would fail completely.
More importantly, if she wanted to make money in Hongqi Commune in the future, she would also need Lei Zhenxing to turn a blind eye.
On her way back to the dormitory, before she even entered, she saw Xin Wenyue and Mao Kaiyuan standing outside her room, clearly waiting for her.
“Xin Wenyue, if you want to talk about Zhu Qiulan, forget it. I’m tired today and need to rest.”
Xin Wenyue’s words got stuck in her throat.
Mao Kaiyuan pulled her back and smiled at Shu Ning. “We’re not here for that. We just wanted to check on you. If you need anything, just tell us.”
“Alright.”
“Then you rest. We’ll head back.”
Mao Kaiyuan quickly dragged Xin Wenyue away.
“Wenyue, no matter who asks you to speak up, keep your mouth shut! Remember—Shu Ning is your cousin!”
Xin Wenyue nodded.
Zhu Qiulan’s family had called her, asking her to plead on Zhu Qiulan’s behalf.
But thinking about it now, Shu Ning was her cousin.
Luckily, she hadn’t spoken earlier—judging from Shu Ning’s cold expression, she might have turned on her too.
After Shu Ning left, Guan Chunhua opened the bag—and her breathing deepened.
There were so many things inside.
Not just fine flour, sugar, and biscuits, but also several cloth and meat coupons.
Altogether, they were worth nearly half a “big unity” note.
That was half a month’s worth of her work points.
People said Shu Ning was the most generous educated youth in the commune—and it wasn’t exaggerated at all.
With the New Year approaching and no new clothes yet for the children, these cloth coupons could be exchanged for fabric.
Just as she quietly put the coupons away, Lei Zhenxing returned.
“Since when did our family become so wealthy that we can eat fine flour?” he asked jokingly.
“These were brought by Educated Youth Shu. She insisted on thanking you—I couldn’t refuse,” Guan Chunhua sighed.
Hearing it was from Shu Ning, Lei Zhenxing frowned slightly.
“Should I return them now?” she asked cautiously.
“Forget it. Keep them. It’s not anything too valuable. If you return them, she’ll just send them back again—and then everyone in the commune will know.”
“Alright.” Guan Chunhua smiled immediately.
“Besides thanking me, did she say anything else?”
“It felt like she’s absolutely determined not to let Zhu Qiulan off. I think that was her real purpose.”
She recounted Shu Ning’s expressions and tone in detail.
“I see.” Lei Zhenxing nodded.
These educated youths might work in the commune, but none of them were simple.
Earlier that day, Sun Guofei had asked him to help Zhu Qiulan, and he brushed him off.
On his way back, Zhu Qiulan’s family had also called, asking him to intervene, saying no one had died and it could be settled with money.
Fortunately, he stayed cautious and pushed everything to the police—if they wanted to resolve it, they should speak to the authorities and Shu Ning themselves.
He was just a team leader, not someone all-powerful.
His father had taught him not to take unnecessary responsibility—and he always remembered that.
But thinking back to last night…
From Mao Kaiyuan mentioning trouble at Chen Daming’s house, to seeing Chen Daming kneeling before Shu Ning and confessing Zhu Qiulan had paid him—it all felt too coincidental.
This girl Shu Ning… was not simple.
But then he shook his head.
If she were truly so calculating, how could Zhu Qiulan have harmed her like that?
Without Zhu Qiulan in the dorm, Shu Ning slept soundly until morning.
Warm sunlight streamed through the paper window.
Seeing the bright sunlight, she suddenly smacked her forehead.
Yesterday afternoon, she had agreed that Gu Zhao would accompany her to visit her aunt in town early in the morning.
Judging by the time—it was already seven or eight.
Oh no.
Was Gu Zhao still waiting for her?
Was he angry?
She quickly got dressed, washed up, tied her hair, wrapped her scarf, and rushed out.
Good Gu Zhao, dear Gu Zhao—please still be waiting for me.
Shu Ning hurried toward the village.
Before she even reached his house, she saw a familiar figure standing under the camphor tree at his gate.