Chapter 173 Running away

Zhou Juan, as expected of someone who has seen the world, demonstrated astonishing skill in handling the order cancellation crisis.

She used connections and favors, talking herself hoarse, and managed to persuade the vast majority of factories that wanted to cancel their orders to return. In the end, only one factory was determined to cancel.

The losses were minimized, and the Liu family narrowly escaped disaster.

In contrast, the Lu family's reputation has been completely ruined.

The whole story of the poisoning case was uncovered: He Shijie, envious of the Liu family's business, instructed the Lu family to poison them. The Lu family gave Aunt Yang the so-called "laxative," and Aunt Yang seized the opportunity to do so. As a result, Grandma Yang, being greedy, stole the jar of "poisoned pickled vegetables," ultimately sending herself to her death.

Although the official report stated that the Lu family had also been deceived, believing it to be just a laxative, the villagers knew perfectly well: those wicked children in the Lu family, how could they not know it was something harmful?

The only one truly kept in the dark was Aunt Yang, who was both greedy and foolish.

Although only Li Xuemei was arrested, the entire Lu family was already labeled as "murderers" in the eyes of the villagers.

Lu Xiaohui was naturally too ashamed to go to work at the Liu family's house anymore.

Fortunately, Xu Zhihong had already gotten the hang of it and would come to help after school. She was quick and efficient, no less so than Lu Xiaohui.

The Lu family is now in constant chaos.

He Shijie became a wanted criminal, and Gu Mansheng, who had been his powerful backer, collapsed, instantly turning from a "god of wealth" into a punching bag.

The Lu family father and son used to treat her like a precious gem, but now they trample her underfoot. Slaps and punches are commonplace, and if anything displeases them, they'll kick them.

Every time she was beaten, Gu Mansheng would stare at the father and son with a vicious look, wishing she could devour them alive, but she would quickly suppress her hatred and pretend to obey.

This kind of restraint sent chills down Lu Xiaohui's spine as she watched coldly from the sidelines.

This woman is definitely preparing something big.

Having also climbed out of the mud, Lu Xiaohui understood that look all too well.

If it were her, how would she retaliate in such a desperate situation?

Poisoning?

The thought sent chills down Lu Xiaohui's spine.

Gu Mansheng has been cooking all the meals for the Lu family lately!

She dared not think any further; she could not stay in this home for another moment.

Lu Xiaohui rushed back into the house and frantically packed her luggage.

Just as they were about to go to Liu Jiajie to collect their wages and run away, Gu Mansheng appeared like a ghost blocking the doorway.

"What's wrong?"

Looking at Gu Mansheng's cold expression, Lu Xiaohui's voice trembled.

Gu Mansheng raised her head, revealing a sinister smile: "Where do you want to go?"

Lu Xiaohui's heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, "I...I'll go for a walk in the village."

"You're not thinking of running away, are you?" Gu Mansheng stared intently at her.

Lu Xiaohui forced herself to remain calm and scoffed, "Why would I run away? Where can I run to? I'm not going back to that hellhole of my in-laws' house. At least my parents' house is a safe haven..."

"You'd better be." Gu Mansheng's tone was icy.

Looking at Gu Mansheng's inhuman and ghostly appearance, Lu Xiaohui felt a strange sense of sympathy.

“Sister-in-law… I know I wasn’t very good to you before. But we’re even now, right? You ruined the Lu family, and my mother got arrested. I haven’t laid a finger on you lately, and I’ve even helped with the housework. We… don’t need to be enemies, do we?”

Gu Mansheng suddenly laughed, a bright but cold laugh: "Sister, what are you thinking? I'm just concerned about you. We're family, how could we be enemies?"

Looking at that smiling face, Lu Xiaohui felt no warmth at all; instead, she felt a chill run down her neck, as if a knife would be pulled out from under that smiling face and stabbed into her stomach at any moment.

She swallowed hard, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Yes, we're family... I'll head out now. You... be careful and avoid those two men, or you'll get beaten up."

After saying that, she rushed out of the Lu family's gate as if her life depended on it.

Lu Xiaohui rushed all the way to the Liu family's house, but then she was stunned.

The Liu family has changed drastically.

The courtyard gate was moved and an additional security gate was added. A canopy was built over the open space between the two gates, dividing it into two changing rooms.

The villagers went into the changing room and soon changed into matching white work clothes. They chatted and laughed as they entered the inner courtyard.

Some villagers saw Lu Xiaohui peeking in from the doorway and alerted those inside.

Liu Zhixia came out upon hearing the sound: "Sister Xiaohui, is something the matter?"

Lu Xiaohui pointed at the villagers in work clothes, looking astonished: "What are those?"

"Those are our uniforms, made to order. From now on, everyone must change into them and be disinfected before entering the workshop. We will strictly manage this and prevent anyone from smuggling in any more personal goods."

Lu Xiaohui looked at the villagers dressed in clean and tidy work clothes, happily busy in the yard, and her eyes were full of envy.

That's what a regular worker looks like, and that's the life she had always dreamed of.

Unfortunately, that door has been closed to her forever.

Lu Xiaohui put on a pitiful look and grabbed Liu Zhixia's hand: "Xia, we agreed before that you would keep my wages for me. Now I want to leave, can you settle the payment?"

Without saying a word, Liu Zhixia readily nodded: "Okay, I'll go ask Mother to get the account book."

A short while later, Zhang Xiuying came out with the account book and abacus.

The three of them found a corner to sit down. Lu Xiaohui said anxiously, "Auntie, I warned you beforehand about the poisoning... I really didn't know it was poison! That bastard He Shijie even lied to my parents!"

Zhang Xiuying nodded: "I believe you. Although your parents are greedy, they don't have the guts to kill anyone. They only want to make money and dare not get involved in murder cases."

Lu Xiaohui breathed a sigh of relief, then became nervous again: "Then...you won't deduct my wages, will you?"

Zhang Xiuying handed over the ledger: "This is all your wages, not a penny less. In addition, I'll give you an extra twenty as a bonus. As for the poisoning incident, keep it to yourself and don't mention it to anyone."

Lu Xiaohui's eyes widened in surprise: "Really?! Twenty more?!"

Zhang Xiuying laughed: "When have I ever joked? Take it."

Lu Xiaohui nodded excitedly, "Thank you, Auntie! I promise I'll keep it a secret! Um... can I come back for the money after I get my luggage?"

"Okay, I'll go prepare the money. Go and come back quickly."

Lu Xiaohui ran off happily.

Back at the Lu family home, she grabbed her already packed luggage, intending to slip away through the back door.

As soon as the door bolt was pulled, Lu Jianping and Lu Huaiyuan were seen blocking the way like two gatekeepers.

Where are you going?

Lu Jianping's face was gloomy, and his eyes were fierce.

Lu Xiaohui's heart skipped a beat, and she was so frightened that her soul almost left her body.

Oh no! We've been exposed!

Gu Mansheng slowly emerged from the shadows, a strange smile playing on her lips: "Sister, you don't really think everyone in the family is blind, do you? The Liu family lost their pickled vegetables, and you've been working there every day. I just don't understand, knowing you're from the Lu family, why would they let you into the inner circle? Unless... you've already learned how to make pickled vegetables and made some kind of deal with them?"