It was quite a distance from the train station to the Song residence. Before heading home, Song Jinyue first went to the bank and withdrew all the money from her bankbook.
In this era, bankbooks were restricted to the region where the account was opened. Money deposited in Shanghai could only be withdrawn from a bank in Shanghai.
After withdrawing the money, she took the letter of introduction issued by Factory Director Liu to the relevant department for verification and an official stamp, making all the necessary preparations to leave Shanghai in a few days.
Only after finishing everything she needed to do did she head toward the Song residence.
Meanwhile, Lu Weiguo and his family of four had already arrived in Shanghai. The moment they stepped off the train, Lu Guangzong spotted the blond-haired man and his companions.
His heart jumped.
Afraid that his family would discover his gambling debts, he quickly clutched his stomach and pretended to be in pain.
Shen Yurou was startled and immediately asked with concern, “Guangzong, are you all right? Why does your stomach suddenly hurt?”
“Mom, I’m fine. I probably ate something bad. I’ll find a restroom somewhere. You guys can head home first.”
After saying that, he hurried away while clutching his stomach.
The blond-haired man and the others, who had been waiting for him at the train station, immediately followed.
“Let’s head home first.”
Lu Weiguo didn’t suspect anything and returned home with Shen Yurou and Lu Manman.
Once Lu Guangzong found a secluded place, he angrily confronted the blond-haired man and his group.
“Why did you come all the way here? Didn’t we agree that we’d talk after I got back? If my dad finds out I’m involved with you people, he’ll break my legs!”
“What are you yelling about? Who knows if you brat might try to run away? Brother Biao said you have until tonight at the latest to deliver the woman to him. You know that abandoned factory on the east side of the city, right? Just bring her there.”
The blond-haired man smacked Lu Guangzong on the back of the head, instantly silencing him.
Lu Guangzong immediately put on a flattering smile.
“Brother Huang, calm down. Look, I just got back and haven’t had time to prepare anything. It’ll be difficult to bring Song Jinyue over today. Could you talk to Brother Biao and ask him to give me another two days?”
“I don’t care about any of that. Brother Biao said tonight at the latest. Otherwise, you know the consequences. You know the abandoned factory in the eastern part of the city, right? Bring her there.”
“Here, take this packet of drugs. Even if you have to knock her unconscious, you must bring her to Brother Biao today.”
The blond-haired man couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on Lu Guangzong. After delivering Brother Biao’s message, he turned and left.
Brother Biao had already learned that several of those hooligans had been arrested. Afraid that the police might trace them back to him, he planned to leave Shanghai as soon as Lu Guangzong delivered Song Jinyue, taking her with him.
After learning that Brother Biao wanted Song Jinyue today, Lu Guangzong gritted his teeth, clenched the packet of drugs in his hand, and strode out of the train station.
“Dad, Mom, this is great! We’ve already gotten the ferry tickets. In just a few days, our whole family will be able to go to Hong Kong together.”
“I heard that the clothes, shoes, handbags, and jewelry in Hong Kong are all incredibly fashionable. Once we get there, I’m going to go shopping and buy lots of beautiful clothes. Then I’ll wear them for Brother Wenzhu to see.”
After getting out of the taxi, Lu Manman excitedly imagined the wonderful life their family of four would soon enjoy in Hong Kong.
Lu Weiguo and Shen Yurou both wore broad smiles as they looked at her indulgently.
“Once we get to Hong Kong, we’ll be able to eat and drink whatever we want every day. We won’t have to live in fear anymore.”
Lu Weiguo let out a long breath, feeling incredibly pleased.
After spending so many years as a live-in son-in-law of the Song family, he could finally rid himself of the identity that had brought him endless humiliation.
Once they arrived in Hong Kong, he could establish his own household and finally become the true head of the family.
The three of them each had their own plans, but they were all equally delighted.
“Dad, you’re finally back!”
Just as Lu Weiguo, Shen Yurou, and Lu Manman were chatting and laughing, Song Jinyue’s voice came from ahead.
All three simultaneously turned toward the sound.
The moment they saw Song Jinyue, the smiles on their faces faded slightly.
They were just about to speak when—
“Dad, you’re finally back! Hurry home and take a look. Our house… our house…”
Song Jinyue deliberately left them hanging. Halfway through her sentence, she lowered her head and pretended to wipe away tears.
Lu Weiguo’s heart skipped a beat.
Without another word, he strode quickly toward the house. Shen Yurou and Lu Manman hurried after him.
Once they had passed her, Song Jinyue, who had been pretending to wipe away tears, raised her head.
A mischievous smile curled at the corners of her lips.
She followed them leisurely, eager to watch the show.
Lu Weiguo froze at the entrance to the living room, staring dumbfounded at the completely empty space before him.
“W-What’s going on? Where is everything? Where did all our things go? The sofa, the table, the radio… Why is everything gone?!”
The bag in Shen Yurou’s hand dropped to the floor with a thud.
Her expression was identical to Lu Weiguo’s.
“Dad, Mom… don’t tell me we’ve been robbed!”
Lu Manman cried out in alarm before sprinting upstairs.
“AHHH!!”
“My clothes! My shoes! And my jewelry! They’re gone! Everything’s gone!”
A moment later, Lu Manman’s piercing screams echoed from the second floor.
Lu Weiguo and Shen Yurou looked as though they had been struck by lightning. They stumbled upstairs in a panic.
The beds, wardrobes, dressing tables…
Every single piece of furniture in the rooms had vanished!
The only things left on the floor were a few pairs of underwear!!
“AHHH! Who did this?! Who the hell did this?!”
Shen Yurou screamed like a crazed shrew.
Lu Weiguo was still reeling from the shock when something suddenly occurred to him.
Like a madman, he rushed toward the study.
Sure enough, the lock on the study door had been smashed open.
Everything inside had been completely cleaned out.
Even the hidden room behind the bookshelf had been discovered and opened, its entrance standing wide open right before his eyes.
Lu Weiguo’s breath caught.
Like a rabid dog, he charged into the hidden room.
The moment he saw that it was completely empty, his legs gave out.
With a thud, he collapsed to the floor.
Gone.
Everything was gone.
Every single valuable thing in the house had vanished without a trace!!
“AHHH! My money! My treasures! Who?! Who stole my money and my treasures?!”
Lu Weiguo sat on the floor, roaring in despair as though a bomb had just exploded in front of him.
His eyes were covered in blood-red veins, making his appearance terrifying.
“Waaah… It’s gone! Everything’s gone! Which heartless bastard stole all our things?!”
Shen Yurou and Lu Manman clung to each other and sobbed bitterly.
The happier they had been just moments ago, the more miserable they were now.
“The police! That’s right, I’m going to the police station right now! That damned thief! I’ll find whoever did this and tear them to pieces!!”
Lu Weiguo’s shoulders heaved violently. His face twisted with rage, and he looked like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.
“Dad, I’m coming too!”
“Weiguo, wait for me!”
The three of them raced toward the police station, chasing after one another like a pack of mad dogs.
All the calm and happiness they’d shown earlier had completely disappeared.
Song Jinyue stood leisurely by the staircase with her arms crossed, watching everything unfold.
This was already too much for them to handle?
Then what would happen when they discovered they were about to be sent to the countryside, where they’d have to live a miserable life and might never return?
Wouldn’t they be so furious that they’d faint on the spot?