The dilapidated temple at the east end of the village had been abandoned for many years. The roof was leaking holes, and the courtyard was overgrown with weeds. The cold wind blew in through the broken windows, making a "whooshing" sound, like the wailing of ghosts and wolves.
Shen Tingzhou led the villagers to the entrance of the dilapidated temple and peeked through the crack in the door—the fake Li clerk was sitting on a pile of hay, holding a wine jug in his hand, drinking and cursing: "Damn it, why haven't these two good-for-nothings brought their children yet? Once we get the money, I'll definitely teach them a lesson!"
Lin Moli stood to the side, a smug smile on her face: "Brother Li, don't worry, those two brothers are always reliable. They'll probably be back soon. As long as we catch Shen Nian'an, Lin Wanqiu will definitely hand over her assets obediently. Then you can have whatever you want!"
“You’re so smart,” the fake Li officer said, grabbing Lin Moli’s waist with a lewd look in his eyes. “Once this is done, I’ll take you to the county town to enjoy life, so you’ll never have to stay in this poor village again!”
Lin Moli leaned against him with a coquettish smile, completely unaware that danger was quietly approaching.
Shen Tingzhou's eyes turned cold. He gestured to the villagers behind him, then kicked open the temple door and shouted, "Don't move! The police are here!"
The fake Li and Lin Moli were startled and quickly turned around. They saw Shen Tingzhou leading a group of people rushing in, carrying wooden sticks and farm tools. They were terrified.
The fake Li shoved Lin Moli aside and turned to run out the back door, but was stopped by the villagers who had been lying in wait. He drew the dagger from his waist, trying to fight back, but Shen Tingzhou kicked him in the stomach, and the dagger fell to the ground. Shen Tingzhou stepped forward, stomped on his hand, and the fake Li screamed in pain.
Seeing the situation was turning bad, Lin Moli tried to run out of the temple, but Aunt Li grabbed her arm. Aunt Li was furious, her face flushed red: "Lin Moli, you heartless thing! You actually colluded with thugs to kidnap Nian'an! Today I'm going to teach you a lesson!"
Lin Moli struggled to break free, but Aunt Li held her tightly, preventing her from moving. Looking at the angry villagers around her, and then at the fake Li cadre groaning on the ground, she knew she was completely finished this time, and her face turned deathly pale.
Shen Tingzhou walked up to the fake Li officer, squatted down, and said with icy eyes, "Are you the leader of this gang of thugs? How many children have you trafficked? Tell us the truth!"
The fake Li, sweating profusely from the pain, still tried to argue: "I didn't kidnap any children. I was just working with Lin Moli to scam some money..."
"Still lying!" Shen Tingzhou pressed his foot harder. "I've found out that you're responsible for the recent disappearances of several children in the neighboring village! If you don't confess honestly today, don't even think about leaving here alive!"
The fake Li clerk trembled with fear and dared not deny it any longer. He had no choice but to confess the truth: "It was...it was us! We trafficked a total of five children and sold them to other places...We were also instigated by Lin Moli to kidnap Shen Nian'an..."
Upon hearing this, Lin Moli immediately screamed, "It wasn't me! He forced me! He made me kidnap Nian'an! I was forced!"
"You still dare to argue!" Lin Wanqiu, holding Nian'an, walked up to Lin Moli, her eyes icy cold. "Do you think you can get away with it by saying you were forced? I heard everything you said when you were discussing it with them! You'd even harm your own nephew for money, what else wouldn't you do?"
Looking into Lin Wanqiu's cold eyes and then at the angry expressions of the villagers around her, Lin Moli knew that she could no longer argue. Her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face, not from regret, but from fear.
Shen Tingzhou took out a rope and tied up the fake Li cadre as well. Then he said to the villagers, "Alright, we've caught them. Now we'll take them to the commune police station and let the police handle it."
Everyone agreed in unison, and escorted the fake Li cadre, Lin Moli, and the two thugs towards the commune. Along the way, villagers who had heard the news gathered around, pointing and gesturing at the criminals, hurling insults.
Lin Wanqiu carried Nian'an through the crowd, looking at Shen Tingzhou beside her, then at her son in her arms, her heart filled with emotion. Fortunately, they had been prepared, allowing them to successfully rescue Nian'an and apprehend the criminals. From now on, their little family could finally return to peace.
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