Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Outrageous Rumors

Liu Mianmian woke up at the sound, rubbing her eyes and looking up at the sky. The eastern sky was ablaze with orange-red morning glow. It was only a few hours ago. Come to think of it, this was the first time she had seen a morning glow since she had traveled through time. She yawned and said speechlessly, "You're really interested."

Jiang Hongmei was speechless: "Such a big thing, aren't you curious or excited at all?"

Liu Mianmian: "What are you curious about? Curious about the human traffickers, or curious about Liu Jinshi? Neither of them is a good person. Am I too idle? I'm curious about them?"

You know what, it actually makes sense.

Jiang Hongmei choked: "Just tell me whether you want to hear it or not."

Liu Mianmian smiled and said, "Listen, tell me quickly, tell me quickly."

Jiang Hongmei: “…”

She repeated what she had said to Aunt Liu, adding her own speculation: "Logically, this has nothing to do with you. The police are asking you why and investigating whether you have any conflicts. It must be Zhu Yongqi who confessed something. Oh, by the way, when I first got out, I stopped by Zhu Yongqi's house. The police were there too, and I heard from his neighbors that his sister, Zhu Meiqi, has also been found. She was also captured by human traffickers."

"Zhu Yongqi is such a scoundrel! He even betrayed his own sister." Jiang Hongmei sized up Liu Mianmian and couldn't help but say, "I don't think you're stupid. Why would you associate with someone like Zhu Yongqi?"

Liu Mianmian glanced at her and said, "Everyone in the family compound says I'm a country bumpkin and that I'm trying to imitate others. No one wants to talk to me, but he's the only one who's sweet-talking and says I'm pretty and capable every day."

Jiang Hongmei touched her nose guiltily. Although she had never called Liu Mianmian a country bumpkin, she had actually thought so in her heart.

Not only is he a bumpkin, he's also a fool.

When I looked up, I saw Shen Weizhuo walking from the east wing to the restaurant.

Jiang Hongmei winked and whispered, "He heard it."

Liu Mianmian turned her head to look at Shen Weizhou, thought about it, and felt that there was nothing wrong: "Zhu Yongqi is indeed very sweet-mouthed. This is the truth. There is nothing wrong with saying it. But this cannot change the fact that he is a scumbag."

Shen Weizhou paused for a moment, then walked into the restaurant as if nothing had happened.

After satisfying her curiosity, Liu Mianmian didn't want to mention those two people anymore, and instead discussed with Jiang Hongmei about going to the market to sell goods. Jiang Hongmei came over early in the morning, on the one hand, to pass on the news, and on the other hand, of course, because the human traffickers had been caught, and they could go to sell goods to make money.

Decades later, with online shopping prevalent and supermarkets and stores overflowing with goods, rural markets have become less interesting. In a previous life, Liu Mianmian had attended a market in a classmate's hometown. The market had a strong commercial atmosphere, but lacked a touch of rural charm; it felt just average.

She once heard her parents say that going to the market in the early years was very interesting. In the era when material things were not so abundant, every item in the market, even a red hairband or a string of candied haws, was something people longed for.

Liu Mianmian was quite interested. After discussing with Jiang Hongmei for a long time, they decided to go to the market this weekend.

The market days in several towns in the suburbs of Nancheng are different. This weekend happens to be the market day in Huaiping Township, and Jiang Hongmei's aunt is married in Huaiping Township, so it is always good to have a local to take care of her.

However, before that, Liu Mianmian planned to go to the military factory’s family compound first.

Ding Mingxia had never given Jiang Hongmei the two hundred yuan agreed upon at the police station that day. Liu Mianmian thought that it was better to do it today than today.

After breakfast, Liu Mianmian and Jiang Hongmei returned to the military factory’s family compound together.

The family compound is very lively today. In addition to those who go to work or school, the uncles and aunts who usually take their children out for a walk at home have all come out of their homes. They gather in groups of three or four downstairs of Building No. 5 to whisper, and from time to time they glance at the second floor where the Liu family lives.

Seeing Liu Mianmian coming over, neighbor Aunt Wen asked curiously, "Xiao Liu, did you hear that Jinshi was found and came back to check on her? Oh, hurry upstairs! Your mother has been crying every day for a while now, but now she's finally seeing the light."

Liu Mianmian didn't comment: "Well, come back and take a look."

"Oh my, Jinshi has suffered a lot this time. She has been detained by human traffickers for so many days, and no one knows what happened." An old lady said with a hint of meaning.

Liu Mianmian looked at her and said seriously, "She's being held captive by human traffickers, so what else could it be? Besides, in this case, how the victims were harmed isn't the point. The point is that they were harmed and the traffickers should be punished. After all, everyone has women and children in their families, so who can guarantee that their own family won't be targeted by human traffickers?"

Liu Jinshi was not the only one kidnapped by human traffickers, and she was not the last one.

Liu Mianmian didn't want to see the victim suffer secondary harm from the speculation and suspicion of people around him after being rescued and brought home.

She said this not for Liu Jinshi, but for the other victims.

The old lady felt a little guilty under Liu Mianmian's serious gaze. She muttered, "I didn't mean that," turned her head silently, and said no more.

As soon as Liu Mianmian and Jiang Hongmei walked into the corridor, the aunts started chirping crickets again, but the topic shifted from Liu Jinshi to Liu Mianmian.

"The daughter of the Liu family seems to be different since she got married. The way she speaks is even more powerful than her father, the workshop director. Oh my, my heart is pounding when I see her eyes."

"It's different now. Look at what she's wearing now. They're all high-end items from department stores. The old saying goes, 'Buddha relies on gold and people rely on clothes.' It's really true."

"Why is she with the daughter of the Chiang family? Oh my, they both have very hot tempers. Does this mean they have similar tastes?"

…

The two people with similar interests have already gone upstairs.

All the doors on the second floor were open. Aunt Zhao, Deputy Section Chief Li's mother, moved a small stool and sat at the door, picking vegetables. From time to time, she looked curiously at the next door. When she saw Liu Mianmian coming up, she said in surprise, "Mianmian, you got the news pretty quickly. Come home and take a look."

Jiang Hongmei winked at Liu Mianmian and went into her house. Almost at the same time she entered the house, Qian Aizhen's voice rang out: "Where the hell have you been so early in the morning? I asked you to make breakfast, but you went to hell, right?"

Jiang Hongmei immediately retorted: "I'm going to Xitian to cook. Do you dare to eat it when I bring it back?"

Liu Mianmian almost couldn't hold back her laughter.

Jiang Hongmei is such a wonderful person.

The atmosphere in the Liu family was solemn. Liu Zhigang and Liu Yongjie were sitting on the sofa chairs in the small living room, one with a sullen face and the other expressionless. Ding Mingxia and Ying Xiaofen were packing lunch boxes at the dining table.

When they saw Liu Mianmian come in, the family's expressions froze slightly, especially Ding Mingxia, who quickly looked away with a guilty look.

Liu Mianmian raised her eyebrows slightly: "Oh, are you all at home?"

As expected of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting role, Liu Mianmian even felt that her opening remarks did not sound like those of a good person.

Liu Zhigang cleared his throat and frowned as he said, "Why are you talking so strangely? Such a big thing happened at home, and you didn't even come back to see me. It just so happens that your mother and your sister-in-law are going to the hospital to see Jinshi, so you should come along. Jinshi has always had a smooth life and has always been excellent. Now that she's had such a big setback, she needs her family's support."

Liu Mianmian curled her lips when she saw Liu Yongjie.

Look, even his own son couldn’t stand Liu Zhigang’s official rhetoric.

Liu Mianmian was very patient. After Liu Zhigang finished speaking, she said, "I didn't come over a while ago because I was worried about the busy family. As soon as I heard that the matter had been resolved, I hurried over."

She turned to look at Ding Mingxia: "Mom, are you in the mood to give me the 200 yuan compensation now?"

Ding Mingxia looked at Liu Mianmian in disbelief: "On a day like today, you come in and ask about Jinshi's situation instead of asking for money?"

Tears streamed down her face as she spoke: "What sin did I, Ding Mingxia, commit to give birth to an ungrateful person like you? You're not willing to help find Jinshi, and yet you come asking for money at a time like this!"

Liu Mianmian said calmly: "What I said that day was not a joke."

After a pause, she continued, "Besides, the police should have told you how Liu Jinshi got involved in the trafficking case this morning, right? She tried to instigate Zhu Yongqi to smear me, but ended up losing more than she gained. So, should I really be thanking her?"

The crying stopped abruptly.

Ding Mingxia and Ying Xiaofen both looked up at Liu Mianmian instantly, their eyes filled with shock and guilt.

really.

It was just a guess before, but now seeing the reactions of Ding Mingxia and the others, Liu Mianmian knew that she was not wrong.

In order to protect himself, Zhu Yongqi bit Liu Jinshi.

Rather than saying that she came for the money, it would be more accurate to say that Liu Mianmian actually came just to confirm the matter.

Liu Yongjie repeated in surprise: "She wants to instigate Zhu Yongqi to throw dirty water on you?"

He sneered and looked at Liu Zhigang, his tone sharp and mocking: "Is this the smart and promising daughter you mentioned?"

Liu Mianmian was greatly surprised by Liu Yongjie's attitude. After all, Liu Jinshi was very good at dealing with people and usually made Liu Yongjie happy. Even in the original book, the two of them seemed to have a deep brother-sister relationship.

Liu Mianmian remembered that in the original book, Liu Jinshi was promoted all the way to the deputy director of a military factory. In the 1990s, she resigned and went into business. Later, when the military factory went bankrupt, she and the heroine of the original book confronted each other over the acquisition of the military factory.

And Liu Yongjie has always been her right-hand man in her career.

Thinking of this, Liu Mianmian couldn't help but glance at Liu Yongjie who was slumped in the chair. She always felt that this arm seemed a little disabled.

It seems that a lot of things have happened within the Liu family during this period.

The disabled right-hand men and left-hand men began to rebel.

Liu Zhigang's already sullen face turned even uglier. He glared at Liu Yongjie and said, "Are you still a brother? Your sister is in trouble, and you're still here making sarcastic remarks?"

Liu Yongjie stood up in a flash. "Are brothers supposed to stay in the workshop as workers forever?! I used to think you were too concerned about your reputation and refused to speak up for others, but I didn't know that was the case at all! Who is your biological child? You would rather go and 'intervene' for Liu Jinshi than for your own son?! Is her position as deputy section chief more important than my mother's position transfer? She's only been working for a short time, and you're already trying to get her a promotion? I've been doing this for years, have you ever thought about me?!"

Wow!

Liu Mianmian suddenly realized what was happening.

Recalling the original plot, Liu Mianmian finally understood that Liu Jinshi's rapid promotion in the original book was related to her versatile personality outside, and was probably more related to Liu Zhigang's early "activities" paving the way for her.

In fact, judging from the plot development of the original book, Liu Zhigang's choice was correct. His biological son was average in all aspects, and he could work as a worker in the workshop he was in charge of, and when he had enough experience, even if he lacked the ability, it would not be too difficult to get him the position of deputy director.

The adopted daughter has a good image and temperament, is capable enough, and has a good reputation. If she is promoted to a higher position, she will help her biological son in the future, and the future of her biological son and even grandson will not be bad.

Unfortunately, it now seems that Liu Yongjie cannot appreciate his father's good intentions. Instead, because of his father's "partiality", he has developed great hostility towards Liu Jinshi.

After all, Liu Yongjie just doesn't care about anything and only wants to shed his worker status and become an executive.

Liu Zhigang glanced at the open door and lowered his voice, "Are you crazy? You even dare to talk about running for office? What do you mean I ran for office for Jinshi? I didn't do that! Your sister is excellent and has caught the attention of the leaders. You should be happy. Once she gets promoted, maybe your problems will be solved as well."

Liu Yongjie, who had been promised too many promises, didn't believe it at all and chuckled coldly.

Liu Zhigang was so angry that he fell backwards.

Seeing that they seemed to have lost their quarrel, Liu Mianmian calmly said, "Compensation. You don't want to add insult to injury to your family's already bad reputation at this critical moment, do you?"

Liu Zhigang was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He covered his chest and shouted, "Give it to her, give it to her quickly!"

Ding Mingxia went out crying to get the money. Liu Mianmian stuffed the money into her pocket, turned around and left.

The Jiang family mother and daughter were still in a mess, so Liu Mianmian simply didn't say hello to Jiang Hongmei and went downstairs directly.

In the open space in front of the building, elderly men and women strolling their children were still chatting. These days, with so few entertainment options, people in the east could talk about a missing chicken in the west of town for hours. What about a human trafficking ring that had abducted a dozen people, and what about the accomplices and victims in their own yards? This matter could last for weeks at least.

"Xiao Liu came down so soon, how is things at home?" someone asked curiously.

Liu Mianmian stopped, sighed softly, and said, "Everyone is in a mess and needs to calm down." Then she left.

Everyone pondered her words, thinking that if something like this happened, it would definitely make the family feel messy. If this happened to anyone else's family, it would definitely be a mess!

Of course, not long after, when they learned that the reason why Liu Jinshi was targeted by the human trafficking gang was because she herself went to instigate Zhu Yongqi to throw dirty water on Liu Mianmian, they had a new understanding of what Liu Mianmian said today.

There is a person who has been taking things that should belong to him since he was a child, and when he grows up he wants to frame himself. Isn't his heart a mess? If anyone encounters such a thing, they will need time to calm down, otherwise they may really chop the person up with a kitchen knife.

After taking the bus back to Qiuzhi Lane, Liu Mianmian saw that the time was almost up, so she simply didn't go back to No. 9 Courtyard and went directly to Zhijiang West Restaurant.

It is said that communication was inconvenient in the 1970s and 1980s. When Liu Mianmian heard her colleagues in the Western restaurant discussing the news of the arrest of human traffickers, she couldn't help but doubt this statement.

This news spread quickly.

How did the police obtain clues through investigation, how did they rescue the people, how did they find another hideout on the outskirts of the city and rescue more people... In such a short time, everyone was able to explain everything clearly.

The people in the Western restaurant only knew that Liu Mianmian lived in Qiuzhi Lane and guessed that her family was well-off, but they didn't know that her parents' home was in the military factory staff compound.

Liu Mianmian was eating her staff meal when she heard the cashier, Arlin, say, "The two female comrades in the military factory's family compound are the most miserable. There's a human trafficker inside their compound, and that person is a coward. He has no other skills and can't fool anyone else, so he sold out his partner and sister!"

Liu Mianmian was drinking soup and almost choked.

She coughed and asked, "Partner, and sister?"

Arlene said immediately, "Yeah, a boyfriend and a sister, that sounds outrageous, right? This guy is such a scumbag, so we really have to be careful when choosing a partner. Scamming people out of money and relationships isn't even the worst. With someone like that, if you're not careful, you could even risk your life."

Liu Mianmian nodded repeatedly: "You are right, absolutely right."

But the rumor is too outrageous. Liu Jinshi has become Zhu Yongqi's girlfriend.

All I can say is, I hope the rumors come true and I wish them to be locked up.

Liu Mianmian had originally planned to go to the fertilizer factory after work, but on her way back to Qiuzhi Lane, she ran into Yu Guoliang. Yu Guoliang looked excited and said in a low voice, "We bought fertilizer!"