"Yes, that's where the fire started, and it spread with the wind to your parents' room."
Jiang Wanqing remained silent after hearing this and walked silently toward the pile of firewood. Xiyang Village had experienced intermittent rainfall in the past few days, which, although not heavy, was not enough to cause dryness and fire.
Moreover, it was nighttime and the temperature wasn't high, so how could it suddenly catch fire?
She circled the charred pile of firewood, saw a few remaining pieces of firewood, and picked them up.
"What's wrong?" Uncle Shuan asked.
She simply noticed that the firewood was a bit oily, touched it with her hand, and smelled it. She was 100% sure it was oil!
"This is oil."
"What? Oil?"
“That’s right, Uncle Shuan, smell it.”
Jiang Wanqing handed over the half-firewood. Uncle Shuan was so old, he couldn't possibly not recognize oil. After examining it carefully, he realized it really was oil!
He stared wide-eyed and opened his mouth as if about to speak, but Jiang Wanqing gave him a wink and shook her head.
"Let's go outside and talk."
Uncle Shu reacted quickly, showing that he was wholeheartedly on her side, and took her to a secluded place to talk.
"You guessed from the start that the fire at your house was deliberately set?"
“Hmm.” Jiang Wanqing’s eyes darkened: “Not only that, I also have a guess as to who did it, but I have no evidence.”
"who?"
"Jiang Jianwei".
"It really was him!"
Shuan Shu replied naturally and angrily, but Jiang Wanqing took it to heart and immediately looked up.
"What do you know?"
"I don't really know. I just found a cigarette butt on the ground while I was helping you with the house renovations. But a lot of people in our village smoke, so this can't be used as evidence."
"But my dad doesn't smoke, that's for sure."
Both of them seemed to be deep in thought. Jiang Jianwei always acted logically. If he was really just crazy and wanted to kill someone, he should have done it when his family was in a mess. Why would he wait until now?
"Why don't you go to the brigade leader and report the situation to him, and ask him to take charge for you?"
Uncle Shuan meant well. In the whole village, there were either people who couldn't speak up and just wanted to watch the excitement, or people who could speak up but you had to go to their homes to find them. The brigade leader was the second type of person.
But Jiang Wanqing didn't intend to do that; she shook her head.
"No, I'll think of something myself."
The brigade leader wasn't a bad person, but given his position, he was destined not to offend anyone in the village, otherwise it would be difficult to carry out his work. Everyone was related to each other for generations, so even if he were in charge, he would only try to smooth things over.
Just then, a lively commotion came from not far away, and Uncle Shu looked over.
"Wow, who's that? Driving all the way here. Who in our village has made it big?"
Jiang Wanqing also turned her head curiously. It was a private car, which was indeed very rare in this era. A man got out of the car. He was a stranger and she had never seen him before.
She glanced at it twice and then turned away, intending to go back to the courtyard to take care of her business, when a voice called her from behind.
"Comrade Wanqing, wait a moment!"
"Wanqing, this young man is looking for you!"
She stopped, frowned, and turned around. Was he looking for her? She was certain she didn't know that person.
As the sound rang out, the people who had been watching the commotion around the car began to crowd towards her house.
A bad feeling crept into her heart, and Uncle Shu stepped in front of her to block her way.
"Hey, young man, where are you from?"
"Hello, Uncle. I'm looking for Comrade Wanqing. It doesn't matter if she doesn't know me, as long as she knows Director Zheng. I work for Director Zheng."
He's Zheng Yuan's man?! Jiang Wanqing's eyes flickered. Just then, she heard the villagers in the crowd starting to talk, pointing and whispering about her.
"This Director Zheng's name sounds strangely familiar."
"Doesn't that sound familiar? Jianwei said his daughter Xiuer works at this factory owned by Director Zheng. Wanqing introduced her to it, saying that if they weren't close, she wouldn't have been able to get a job there."
"Huh? What's the relationship between Wanqing and that Factory Director Zheng? I seem to remember that he used to deliver things to her house."
"Who knows..."
"No way, didn't Wanqing marry a soldier? She wouldn't be having affairs."
"It's hard to say. Only those of us who live in the village are conservative. Wanqing went to the city, who knows if things have changed?"
...
These words didn't sound pleasant to her. Jiang Wanqing glanced at the man, who still had a smile on his face. Even though he knew that his appearance and what he had just said had caused her trouble, he still showed no sign of backing down.
"I came to the nearby towns to investigate the market. I happened to learn that your family had been in a fire. After I told Director Zheng, he was very concerned about you. He just called the hospital to tell them to take good care of your uncle and aunt. He also sent me to see if there was anything else we could do to help with the reconstruction and repairs. Given your relationship with Director Zheng, we can provide manpower, resources, and money."
He spoke rapidly, as if afraid others wouldn't misunderstand. The villagers, who had been whispering just moments before, now seemed to have seized upon something crucial, and their voices rose involuntarily.
"Did you hear that? They're really close. They're contributing both money and effort. Tsk tsk."
"Wanqing looks so honest, but she's really something else. No wonder her husband didn't come back with her this time. If he had come and seen this scene, he would have been furious."
Jiang Wanqing gritted her teeth and clearly rejected his offer: "No need, my relationship with Director Zheng isn't that good."
"How could that be? He already helped you buy a house, he would definitely help with something this small."
Upon hearing about buying a house, the villagers erupted in anger, confronting Jiang Wanqing with a mixture of jealousy and mockery.
"Wow, Wanqing, you've really struck it rich! Will you be both rich and powerful in the future? Teach us how!"
"No wonder Xiuer wanted to go to the capital to seek refuge with you. After what happened, she still had the nerve to fawn over you. You're really something."
"What nonsense are you spouting! A bunch of gossipy old women!" Uncle Shuan pushed the gossiping people out: "Get out, get out, go home and cook! If you can't, go plow a couple of acres of land."
"Old Shuan, you've taken a fancy to Wanqing too? Pshaw, she probably wouldn't even look at you."
That's how villagers are. Their dwindling compassion makes them unable to bear seeing extreme poverty, but if you suddenly surpass their level, they will always find opportunities to spread rumors and fabricate stories.
Jiang Wanqing scoffed, "Yes, I have power and money. Everyone better watch yourselves and don't talk nonsense, or I'll send you all to jail! You don't believe me? Just try it!"
"you……"
"Let's go, let's go. If we can't afford to mess with them, we can at least avoid them."
It took a hard approach to finally drive away those gossipy women who loved to watch the drama unfold. Then, Jiang Wanqing spoke up to the man.
"You should go too. I don't need any help here. Go back and tell Zheng Yuan that he crossed the line. When I get back, I will explain everything to him thoroughly."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com