Main residence of the Nakagawa Tang family

"Master, what exactly is going on?"

"Yes! Our family has had so many misfortunes this year!"

"Master, are you hiding something from us?"

"Why is the police investigating again?"

“Master, my master has been reported. This is not a big deal. In the past, no one would have cared. But now, they show no mercy and say that the law is impartial.”

"My family is the same."

"My family is the same."

"My family is about the same."

......

"Patriarch, please say something! What are we going to do?"

"Yes! What should we do?"

The room was full of men and women, dozens of people, chattering away.

Tang Jun, the head of the Tang family, sat in the main seat, remaining silent for a long time. His cold and stern face made it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

Among the crowd were those who knew the truth and those who didn't. There were also some clever people who didn't know the truth but guessed it and asked, "Patriarch, your direct descendants didn't do anything heinous, and they came looking for revenge, did they? If so, aren't you being unfair? You took the benefits, and all the Tang family members bore the consequences. Aren't we, who did nothing and didn't get any benefits, being innocently implicated, a bit wronged!" He became more and more agitated as he spoke, as if he was ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

When the others heard what he said, they realized it made sense. Things hadn't calmed down for a few months, and now it was starting again. Who could stand it? The key point was that everything started after the police came to their door, which made everyone suspicious.

This reignited everyone's anger.

"Patriarch, last year, the people in our family who practiced martial arts were poisoned and could no longer practice. Is this related to that? Shortly after, we were all sent down to the countryside. Is that also related to that? What exactly did you do behind our backs? Why should we bear the consequences of your wrongdoings?"

"Yes, my second son had already found a job, but the educated youth office refused to give him a few more days, so he had no choice but to go to the countryside."

"Our eldest daughter was the same. She was almost certain to become a teacher, but it fell through in the end, and she had to go to the countryside."

At this time, the head of the Tang family was unaware that this round was just the beginning. There would be people watching them from now on. As long as they did something wrong, they would be discovered, reported, investigated, and sent to the countryside until everyone behaved themselves and did not break the rules or the law.

......

An Moxue stayed in the hospital for seven days and was finally able to be discharged. However, the doctor still advised her not to run or jump for three to four weeks after discharge and to walk as little as possible. She was to gradually increase her exercise after a month.

Today, Old Ma drove to pick her up from the hospital. First, he went to the police station to check the clothing fragments, and then he called Zhang Jing to let her know that she was safe and to learn about the Tang family's recent situation.

After leaving the police station, an old man and a young man, one rushing to catch a bus and the other riding in it, were walking on their way home.

"Uncle Ma, my aunt has gone home. How have you been these past few days?" An Moxue lay on her back on the mule cart with a quilt spread out beneath her, her legs crossed, and a straw dangling from her mouth. She looked as relaxed as could be.

"I'm fine! People get tired easily as they get older. Go home, eat well, sleep well, and you'll be fine soon. It's just that your accident can't be kept secret anymore. The police even investigated Tang Qi's whereabouts in the village those few days. I haven't seen you at work these past few days, and there have been some rumors. If you hear them when you get back, don't pay attention to them." After saying that, he cracked his whip.

"Uncle Ma, what's new with the educated youth in the educated youth compound?" An Moxue was curious about the efficacy of her medicine. Although the prescription had a record of the efficacy time, the efficacy could still be affected by the different raw materials and subtle differences in the preparation.

Speaking of this, Old Ma asked, "Was it you who did this? Those five people have been farting every day, and it's loud and smelly. The whole village knows about it, and everyone is staying far away from them. What are you doing all day? It's so strange."

"Oh dear! What do you care! As long as it works! If I hadn't prepared medicine in advance in the mountains, I really wouldn't have been able to beat that Tang Qi. Who cares if it's a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat." An Moxue laughed and joked.

Old Ma liked her quirky and clever nature, and warned her, "When we get back to the village, you can't admit it to anyone, understand?"

"Don't worry, sir!" An Moxue replied readily.

"Your aunt and I were thinking that you should go back and stay in the west room of my house. Your aunt has already packed it up. What do you think?"

"No, I'm more comfortable at home. Besides, if I go back now, there will definitely be some people coming to see me, and it would be too much trouble to go to your house. If you and Auntie are worried, you can just come to my house every day to check on me. I'd be happy to cook something nice for you." An Moxue thought to herself, "If another group of people comes to your house, it will really affect my performance. I'm not going!"

"Alright!" Old Ma knew that the boy was determined and it would be difficult to change his mind, so he stopped trying to persuade him.

The two arrived home at noon in a horse-drawn carriage. Old Ma said, "Your aunt cleaned the house for you this morning. I'll bring you lunch in a bit, so don't cook, just wait to eat."

An Moxue didn't expect that before Uncle Ma brought the food, Aunt Guo arrived first.

"Auntie, how did you know I was back?"

“I saw Old Ma drive back, he just finished eating, so I came over. You just got home, do you have anything to eat? I’ll make you something.” After saying that, Aunt Guo went to the kitchen.

An Moxue quickly called out to her, "Auntie, wait, no need, Uncle Ma went back to get me my food."

Now that she didn't have to cook, Aunt Guo looked at the bruises on her face and asked with concern, "Girl, does it still hurt? The doctor said it's okay to be discharged from the hospital for this leg injury?"

"Auntie, don't worry! Just make sure you tell my Uncle Guo when you get home that I probably won't be able to work for a while and will have to keep taking leave. Don't worry about me when the grain is distributed, so as not to make things difficult for him," An Moxue said apologetically.

"It's okay, getting better is the most important thing."

As the two were talking, Old Ma brought in the food, saying, "Don't cook dinner, just wait for it to be delivered! Is there anything you want to eat?"

An Moxue thought for a moment and said, "I want to eat the vegetable dumplings that Auntie makes."

Old Ma laughed and scolded, "You didn't even know you wanted something better, instead you wanted this coarse grain. Fine, I'll make it tonight. I'm going home for dinner." Then he left the house.

An Moxue opened the food box; inside was a large bowl of braised noodles and two small dishes of side dishes.

An Moxue looked at the noodles and her appetite was whetted. She ate them while blowing on them.

Aunt Guo said, "Eat it all, don't leave any. There's an old saying, 'Dumplings for going out, noodles for returning home.' I guess Sister Ma meant the same thing, hoping you'll have a smooth and healthy life from now on."

An Moxue lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes, and ate her noodles with gusto. Why did the noodles taste so delicious today?