Once Ye Nian'an had walked away, Zhao Zhaodi dared to speak timidly, her voice trembling with tears: "How is he now? Can...can I see him?"
Jiang Tiancai's face instantly darkened, and his tone became icy.
"Zhao Shikai is currently a criminal suspect and is being held in a detention center. His personal safety is guaranteed, but visits are not possible. Let's wait until the verdict is handed down."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhaodi's last hope vanished, and tears streamed down her face. "Then... will he be severely punished?"
"The evidence is conclusive, and now is the time for a crackdown, don't you think?"
Jiang Tiancai retorted irritably, then turned and walked out: "Don't waste time, hurry up and take us to your house."
Zhao Jiadi quickly supported the swaying Zhao Zhaodi, wanting to take out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but fearing that they would be too intimate in front of the police, he could only lower his voice to persuade her.
"Madam, don't cry. It's important to go to the scene first and find the diary."
Zhao Zhaodi stopped sobbing and, half-supported and half-carried by Zhao Jiadi, followed Jiang Tiancai toward the Zhao family's old residence.
Upon arriving at the Zhao family's residence, Jiang Tiancai led the police officers to search the entire place, inside and out.
The room was empty, the locks on the storeroom were intact, and there wasn't even a grain of wheat left inside.
Have you asked all the neighbors?
Jiang Tiancai squatted at the warehouse door, his fingers brushing against the white marks on the ground, his fingertips getting a little flour on them.
"I've already asked,"
The young policeman handed over the notebook: "Butcher Zhang said he didn't hear any noise that day, and when Aunt Li was airing out her quilts at noon, she didn't see anyone moving anything."
“Even Gu Dadong next door said that apart from the trip to pick up Comrade Ye, he has never seen anyone come or go.”
Jiang Tiancai frowned, inwardly cursing, "This is weird!"
With so much stuff, even if you used a truck to haul it, it would take half an hour. How could no one have seen it?
This situation is exactly the same as when the Zhang family was emptied a few years ago; it's simply unbelievable!
Zhao Zhaodi watched from the side, her heart pounding like a rabbit's.
Seeing that Jiang Tiancai couldn't find a clue, she gritted her teeth, as if she had made up her mind: "Captain Jiang, I... I have a lead, but I don't know if I should tell you..."
Jiang Tiancai was already having a headache over this theft case, which was similar to the Zhang family's theft a few years ago, and immediately spoke up upon hearing this.
"At this critical juncture, what is there that can't be said? Speak up!"
Zhao Zhaodi was startled by him, shrank back, and lowered her voice to a whisper: "That day... that day the house was emptied out. Besides our own family, only Ye Nian'an came..."
She glanced at Jiang Tiancai's expression and quickly added, "I was wondering if this has anything to do with her? When we hosted a banquet for her, it took her two hours to get her driver to pick her up..."
After much deliberation, Zhao Zhaodi couldn't help but tell Jiang Tiancai about it.
There was absolutely no clue to be found, and that diary was too deadly!
We must find it!
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Tiancai coldly interrupted him.
“She sent someone to inform me that you wanted to discuss something with her. She guessed it was about Zhao Shikai and was afraid of something bad happening to her, so she only had two hours to prepare.”
“I personally led a group to pick her up that day. From the moment she left the Zhao family until she returned to her own residence, she was followed the entire time. She didn’t even bring a single package, let alone move anything!”
"There's so much stuff, it would take a truck to move it out! How could a woman do it all without anyone noticing? Besides, if she really wanted to steal, why would she need to call the police to pick her up? Wouldn't that be like walking right into a trap?"
Zhao Zhaodi was speechless when asked the question. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Yes, Jiang Tiancai is right, but apart from Ye Nian'an, she really can't think of a second candidate.
Could it really be a ghost?
The moment the thought crossed Zhao Zhaodi's mind, she shuddered, and her back instantly became covered in cold sweat.
But then I thought, if the diary was stolen by a ghost, it would be better than it falling into the hands of a living person.
At least it won't be used against her, causing her to lose face and have nowhere to be buried after she dies.
Jiang Tiancai didn't notice her strange behavior. He only felt that the case was getting more and more difficult, and he scratched his head in frustration: "Keep investigating! Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we have to find some clues!"
A cold wind blew in through the open door, swirling up scraps of paper on the floor and making a whooshing sound, like someone sneering in the shadows.
Zhao Zhaodi shivered from the wind and suddenly felt that the old house was eerie, as if countless eyes were watching her...
A few more days have passed in the blink of an eye.
The festive atmosphere of the 1978 New Year quietly drifted into the courtyard.
Every household began sweeping dust and cutting cloth, and even the air was filled with the faint scent of soap and the warmth of new cotton.
Ye Nian'an took out the floral fabric patterns from her spatial storage, intending to make new clothes for her whole family and seven children.
Chi Xinyao was given a dark blue cotton-padded jacket with a diagonal front, and an orchid embroidered on the collar, which made her look gentle and graceful.
Chu Xin'er was given a red work jacket with neatly gathered cuffs, which suited her fiery personality.
...
We use a unique design perspective to cater to each person's personality and preferences.
Chi Xinyao and the others crowded around to look, pointing at the patterns on the drawing and praising, "Niannian's craftsmanship is even better than that of the masters in the state-owned clothing factory!"
"Mom, don't praise me like that, I'll get arrogant."
Ye Nian'an smiled warmly and asked again, "If you have any requests, please let me know, and I will make changes."
Everyone shook their heads in unison: "No, no! We'll do everything according to Nian Nian's wishes, and we'll fully cooperate!"
"Okay, then I'll design it according to my own ideas."
The seven newborn babies were still small, so Ye Nian'an made them all festive red cotton-padded jackets with white velvet trim on the collar and embroidered chubby babies holding carp on the back.
Her delicate, exquisite features, paired with this outfit, make her look so adorable and sweet; just thinking about it makes one's heart melt.
Three-year-old San San, however, lingered by the table for a long time before suddenly speaking in a childish voice, "Mommy, San San wants a white cotton-padded jacket."
Ye Nian'an paused, then smiled and pinched her little cheek: "You should wear red for the New Year to bring good luck."
"It has to be white, and there should be a rabbit eating a carrot on it."
San San stood on tiptoe, her little hands gripping the edge of the table, her bright, black grape-like eyes sparkling: "I want colorful carrots and pink rabbit ears!"
As she spoke, she picked up the crayons from the table and began to draw in the corner of the draft paper—
A crooked white rabbit squats next to a carrot, the carrot leaves painted green, while the rabbit's ears are painted pink. Although the lines are childish, it exudes a childlike cuteness.
Ye Nian'an looked at the small painting, a thought struck her, and she stroked San San's soft hair: "Our San San might become a fashion designer in the future."
To have such design concepts at such a young age, the future is definitely limitless!
"Fashion designer?"
San San tilted her head, pointed her little finger at her lips, slurped a mouthful of saliva, and looked at her with innocent, loving eyes: "What's that? Can I eat it?"
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