Chapter 35 The Culprit

Grandma Sheng's words caused everyone in the room to change their expressions.

“Those thugs know that our wonton business is booming, and they also know that you have won Master Ding’s favor with your cooking skills.”

Grandma Sheng was breathing heavily and couldn't help but raise her hand to cover her chest, which was throbbing with pain: "These are not secrets. Maybe she just heard them from some neighbor in the neighborhood."

Sheng An hurriedly stepped forward to comfort Grandma Sheng, saying, "Grandma, all you need to do is take good care of your injuries. We will definitely find a way to catch those people."

Grandma Sheng took a slow, deep breath, and her pale face looked a little better: "Grandma knows, Grandma will listen to you."

After managing to say a few words, Grandma Sheng ate a small bowl of porridge and drank the medicine fed to her by Grandpa Sheng before drifting off to sleep again.

Grandpa Sheng stayed behind to watch over Grandma Sheng, while the others tiptoed out of the room and went to the study across the street.

Sheng An spoke first: "Could those thugs be acting under someone's orders?"

Grandma has been living here for almost a month and is quite familiar with the neighbors. She has never seen these hooligans before, so they probably came from somewhere else.

It's not impossible that he would have considered robbery if he had heard from some neighbors that her wonton business was thriving and that she had gained Mr. Ding's favor.

It's one thing for ordinary thugs to do petty theft, but to dare to make a move in broad daylight just to rob an ordinary old lady seems utterly incongruous.

"That is indeed possible."

Xu Jinnian's expression was gloomy. Anyone who knew that their family members were being targeted and facing danger at any time would not have a pleasant look: "Leave this matter to me. Before those people are found out, you should also be careful when you go out alone."

Sheng An asked, "Qingzhou is so big, is it possible to find them?"

Xu Jinnian replied decisively, "Yes!"

Sheng An was still not entirely at ease. If these people weren't brought to justice, she feared her family would face an even greater crisis.

Xu Chenglin noticed his daughter-in-law's anxiety and comforted her, "An'an, don't worry about Jin Nian's work. Those scoundrels won't get away."

Xu Jinnian disregarded the fact that his elderly father was still there, walked over and gently took Sheng An's hand: "I will make those who hurt Grandma pay the price they deserve."

Sheng An said sullenly, "Master Ding sent someone over just now, saying he would help find the person. There are less than two months until the provincial examination, you should focus all your energy on studying."

Xu Jinnian reassured her, "I know what I'm doing, it won't interfere with your studies."

Just as the couple were discussing how to find the thug who had injured the man, an impatient voice came from a grove of trees outside the city, a place rarely visited by anyone:

"Hey Tong, you're already engaged to another woman, what are you doing here looking for me? Are you trying to two-time me and make me your mistress? Keep dreaming!"

If Sheng An were here, he would definitely recognize that it was Liu Huazhi's voice.

"Zhizhi, I didn't. You know I only have you in my heart! Just you wait, I will definitely break off this engagement and marry you in a grand and lively ceremony."

Tong Baogen looked at Liu Huazhi with deep affection, his lingering gaze sweeping over her high breasts and slender waist, as if he wanted to pounce on her, hug her tightly, and press her against the tree to kiss her.

Liu Huazhi was extremely disgusted. She slightly turned her body to avoid Tong Baogen's lecherous gaze and urged him impatiently, "Get to the point. I have to go back right away!"

She's been going out a lot lately, and her mother thought she'd gotten involved with some shady characters. She's been keeping a close eye on her lately, and matchmakers are coming to her door every day. It's so annoying!

Seeing that Liu Huazhi was angry, Tong Baogen quickly humbled himself and tried his best to please her. Only when Liu Huazhi's expression softened did he proudly ask her for credit:

"Zhizhi, you have no idea what I did today! I injured the grandmother of the person you hate the most, and we don't even know if that old woman is dead or alive right now!"

What?

Liu Huazhi stared wide-eyed at Tong Baogen: "You...you said you injured that old hag from the Sheng family?"

Tong Baogen's smile grew even more smug: "That's right, I got revenge for you. Aren't you happy, Zhizhi?"

Liu Huazhi was absolutely overjoyed!

Looking at Tong Baogen's face again at this moment, one can't help but find his bulging-eyed toad-like appearance somewhat pleasing to the eye.

After her initial excitement subsided, Liu Huazhi hurriedly asked, "How badly was that old woman hurt? You didn't really kill her, did you?"

If someone dies, Sheng An, that jinx, will certainly be heartbroken, but the government will also investigate the murderer.

If the investigation leads to Tong Baogen, will it implicate her?

No, her good days haven't even begun yet, and they absolutely cannot be ruined by what that Tong did!

At this point, Liu Huazhi's smile vanished, and she coldly rebuked Tong Baogen:

"Did I ask you to stand up for me? You took it upon yourself to injure that old woman, but I didn't ask you to do it. Don't use me as an excuse to do bad things."

Tong Baogen was startled when his beloved suddenly changed her expression.

In the past, Zhizhi would always cry in front of him, saying that the woman surnamed Sheng bullied her. This time, he injured that old woman, so why is Zhizhi still unhappy?

He spent all the money he had saved over the years to find out about that woman's situation in the city, and even risked being arrested by injuring someone. Why doesn't Zhizhi appreciate it?

Tong Baogen was indignant, but being used to being a sycophant, he not only dared not show his dissatisfaction, but also hurriedly went along with Liu Huazhi's words, coaxing her, "Yes, yes, I did it myself, it has nothing to do with Zhizhi, Zhizhi, don't be angry..."

Looking at the ugly man who was acting like a sycophant, Liu Huazhi felt a wave of nausea: "Did you do this all by yourself? If someone else can't control their mouth, you'll be in big trouble."

Tong Baogen thought his sweetheart was concerned about him, so he patted his chest confidently and said, "Don't worry, those are all my cousins. We've been inseparable since we were kids. They would never betray me!"

Liu Huazhi rolled her eyes; she wouldn't worry about a toad.

In the afternoon, Sheng An carefully prepared three thank-you gifts.

The thank-you gifts for the two neighbors were the same: two packets of pastries and a pound of wine.

He personally delivered the thank-you gift to the two neighbors, who repeatedly declined. Only after Sheng An's repeated persuasion did their family accept it.

The thank-you gift Sheng An prepared for Miao Ya'er was something she could use—a piece of fine cotton cloth.

This piece of fabric is more than enough to make a set of underwear, and the remaining scraps can be used to make two pairs of shoe uppers.

Sheng An knew what kind of people Granny Sun and her son were. If they found out that Miao Ya'er had received her gift, they would most likely take action against Miao Ya'er and even take the fine cotton cloth for themselves.

Therefore, instead of blatantly offering herself up, she waited for Miao Ya'er on her way to fetch water from the river to water the vegetables.

Seeing Sheng An blocking her way, Miao Ya'er felt uneasy. Her rough hands gripped the carrying pole on her shoulder tightly, and her voice was as timid as a mosquito's buzz: "Xu... Xu family, is there something you need?"