Chapter 31 Child Husband: Do you get paid for working at the restaurant?
Jiang Ling felt a pang of sadness.
Although Chen Anping injured someone with a knife, he still had a kind heart. Because he was worried that the police negotiation experts would leave empty-handed, he put down the boning knife.
As an orphan herself, Jiang Ling knew all too well why Chen Anping was so willing to compromise.
Because of a lack of love, they crave care and affirmation.
Because of fear, fear of losing the only warmth in one's life.
However, Chen Anping's willingness to compromise did not earn him respect and love; instead, it led to even more severe bullying from the other party.
As disappointment accumulated, when he finally learned that the daughter he cherished was not his biological child, all his grievances instantly turned into anger, becoming a sharp knife aimed at the other person.
Hurting others also hurts yourself.
Chen Anping injured He Meina, but he also landed himself in prison.
In his monthly self-criticism report, Chen Anping repeatedly talked about his sacrifices for his family, his love for his daughter, and his tolerance of He Meina.
And then there's that line: "Why? Why are you bullying me?"
"Jiang Ling?" Li Zhenliang asked again, "Have you figured anything out? Should we step in and handle this?"
Jiang Ling shook her head: "No need."
Currently, He Meina and Chen Anping are in a romantic or marital relationship, and since no one has reported the incident to the police, it is inappropriate for the police to intervene.
Everyone else dispersed, but Jiang Ling and her three companions remained standing there. He Meina gave them a disgruntled look and said, "What are you still doing here? Buy the watch and leave. Don't block my business."
Jiang Ling glanced at He Meina, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Just as I stepped out of the mall, I ran into Chen Anping.
He was carrying a red mesh bag containing two aluminum lunchboxes, from which tantalizing aromas of food wafted.
If you look closely, the bottoms of those two aluminum lunch boxes are concave; they are the same lunch boxes that He Meina just smashed on the ground.
One can imagine what awaited Chen Anping if he delivered this lunchbox.
He Meina was selfish, vain, and concerned about her image and reputation. In her eyes, Chen Anping, who was plain-looking, dressed unfashionably, and seemed like an honest but submissive fool, did not deserve her respect at all.
She asked Chen Anping to buy food from a restaurant, naturally to show off.
—The Heshun Hotel is the most expensive restaurant in Dongcheng District. I can afford to eat there; I have money.
—I asked Chen Anping to buy it, and he obediently went. I'm so charming!
Unfortunately, Chen Anping didn't understand He Meina's purpose in ordering the food. Instead of using the takeout bags and lunch boxes provided by Heshun Hotel, he still used his own flattened aluminum lunch boxes to serve the food, showing no respect whatsoever.
It can be predicted that Chen Anping will be met with a fierce storm from He Meina.
Jiang Ling called out to Chen Anping: "Hey."
Chen Anping stopped, hugged the net to his chest, and stammered, "You, you called me?"
Jiang Ling pointed to the lunchbox in his hand: "She likes the packaging, not the contents."
Chen Anping was completely confused: "Wh-what do you mean?"
Jiang Ling sighed: "The reason your girlfriend wants to eat at Heshun Hotel is to show off. But you're still using this old lunchbox, she's definitely not happy about it."
Chen Anping hugged the lunchbox tighter and explained honestly. Because he was not used to talking to strangers, he stammered a little: "Um, she, she's pregnant, she can't, she can't use those styrofoam lunchboxes. This one is better, it won't hurt her body."
He Meina is pregnant.
Unfortunately, that child was not Chen Anping's.
Jiang Ling asked, "Are you married?"
As an orphan, Chen Anping's greatest desire is to build a home of his own. His eyes are filled with longing: "I must get married. Meina said she wants to test me again. Once I pass the test, we'll get married."
Jiang Ling said "Oh," and then congratulated her.
Chen Anping thanked him repeatedly as he walked into the mall.
Li Zhenliang stared at Chen Anping's back. He seemed like an ordinary person. Why did Jiang Ling talk to him so much?
Jiang Ling didn't move and remained standing at the mall entrance.
A short while later, the mall was filled with the sound of clanging again.
Immediately following was He Meina's cursing.
"Get lost! This lousy lunchbox gives me a headache just looking at it."
"What good is a man like you? You can't do anything right."
"I'm not eating! I'd rather starve to death!"
Jiang Ling shook her head and was about to leave when she suddenly heard a harsh remark.
"So your parents didn't want you, they threw you out at the gate of the orphanage like a rag. Who else but me would want someone like you?"
Jiang Ling suddenly turned around and walked back into the mall.
"Hey, wait for me—" Li Zhenliang noticed that Jiang Ling's expression was off and immediately followed.
Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei exchanged a glance and followed closely behind.
Chen Anping was pushed to the ground by He Meina and was turning over to try to get up. His body and hands were covered in rice and vegetable stains, and he had been slapped in the face. He looked disheveled.
Jiang Ling bent down and supported Chen Anping's elbow to help him stand up.
Chen Anping never expected that while He Meina stood by indifferently after he fell, a stranger would come to his aid. He clumsily removed the grains of rice stuck to his body, his face flushed red, but he dared not look up at anyone.
Jiang Ling said softly, "I am an orphan too."
Chen Anping suddenly looked up and stared blankly at Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling continued, "Being abandoned by our parents is not our fault."
Her voice was warm yet powerful, striking a chord with Chen Anping. His eyes reddened, and he almost burst into tears. He quickly raised his hand, awkwardly pressing the back of his hand to his eyes, not wanting anyone to see him cry.
Jiang Ling said, "I wasn't adopted and grew up on my own. I was able to study, work, and live like an ordinary person. Loneliness isn't actually that scary."
Chen Anping's hands began to tremble. He didn't really want to cry, because having grown up amidst scolding and suppression, he knew tears were useless. But hearing Jiang Ling's words today, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hold back the tears, which streamed down his face.
For the first time, someone communicated with him in such warm language.
For the first time, someone told him from their own experience that loneliness is not terrible.
For the first time, someone told him that being abandoned by his parents was not his fault.
She said she was an orphan too.
Chen Anping raised his tear-filled eyes and stared intently at Jiang Ling: "You, who are you?"
Jiang Ling said, "My surname is Jiang, and I work at the Jinwu Road Police Station. Come and find me when you have time."
After saying that, she turned to leave.
But He Meina wouldn't let her go. She came out from behind the counter and reached out to push Jiang Ling: "Flirting with men right in front of me, how shameless!"
Jiang Ling dodged, and He Meina lost her balance, screaming as she swayed towards the counter.
Chen Anping instinctively reached out to help.
As soon as He Meina regained her footing, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
Snap!
"Where have you been all this time? Tell me! What are you doing staring at other women like that? Have you taken a fancy to her?" He Meina had finally found something wrong with Chen Anping, so she naturally wouldn't let it go.
Despite the pain on his face, Chen Anping quickly tried to prove himself: "No, no, I didn't. Meina, you have to believe me, you're the only one for me."
He Meina raised her eyebrows triumphantly at Jiang Na, her tone full of provocation: "You bitch."
Before Jiang Ling could get angry, Li Zhenliang lost his temper first.
He flashed his police badge: "According to the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, publicly insulting others is punishable by up to five days of detention. Hey sales clerk, watch your mouth!"
Upon seeing the police ID, He Meina calmed down a bit. She put one arm around Chen Anping's shoulder and clutched her stomach with the other, muttering, "I'm disciplining my own man, why is she meddling?"
Upon receiving the news, the mall manager rushed over in a panic.
The manager, surnamed Wang, was only in his thirties, wore gold-rimmed glasses, was of medium height, and had a handsome appearance. After understanding the situation, he immediately apologized to Jiang Ling and the other three: "Officers, I'm sorry, it was our mall's service that was inadequate. I will definitely give Comrade He Meina a good talking-to."
Then Manager Wang smiled at the onlookers and said, "Everyone, everyone, I will handle the dispute in the mall properly, please rest assured. It's the weekend today, and the mall has many big promotional activities, so please hurry up and go shopping!"
Upon hearing Manager Wang's words, the onlookers abandoned their desire to watch the spectacle and dispersed.
Once the area in front of the watch counter was cleared, Manager Wang walked over to Chen Anping, took out a handkerchief to wipe the soup and oil stains off his clothes, and said gently, "I'm sorry, I've made you suffer."
Chen Anping immediately waved his hand: "It's nothing, it's nothing, I'm fine."
After calming everyone down, Manager Wang turned to He Meina and said sternly, "Comrade He Meina, I must seriously criticize you. First, you can't bring family conflicts to the workplace. Smashing pots and bowls in front of so many people is the behavior of a shrew and damages the image of the department store. Second, I have repeatedly emphasized service attitude. Is this how you provide service? I have received many complaints about you. If you don't correct your behavior, I will transfer you to another position."
He Meina pouted, clearly very dissatisfied, but she didn't dare say anything in front of the manager and could only nod and say, "I understand."
Manager Wang turned to Jiang Ling, who hadn't left, and asked, "Officer, are you satisfied with how I handled this?"
Jiang Ling shook her head: "Not satisfied."
Manager Wang's face stiffened: "Then, may I ask what you're dissatisfied with?"
Jiang Ling gestured with her chin toward He Meina: "As a sales clerk in the mall, not only is her service attitude terrible, but she also slandered me in front of everyone, accusing me of seducing her man, and even called me a filthy bitch. I'm calling the police!"
Upon hearing this, He Meina immediately jumped up like a cat with its fur standing on end: "Who called you a filthy bitch? Who did?"
Jiang Ling stood firm: "Everyone here is a witness."
He Meina, however, stood with her hands on her hips smugly and said, "Was I cursing you? I was cursing all those people who talked nonsense. You're so domineering. So what if you're a police officer? Does that mean you can bully people?"
Jiang Ling looked at Manager Wang and said, "I am the victim and I request that the police be called to handle this matter. Please come to the police station with Comrade He Meina."
Manager Wang had a headache. He turned to look at He Meina and forced out a voice through clenched teeth: "Apologize! Apologize to me! Otherwise... get out of here!"
He Meina's eyes widened, and she looked like she was about to cry: "You, you're being mean to me!"
Jiang Ling glanced at the two of them, and her intuition told her that there was something wrong between them, and it was definitely not just a relationship between an employee and a boss.
Manager Wang was so angry his temples throbbed; he wanted nothing more than to twist the head off He Meina, who was completely oblivious to the situation. What kind of time was this to be trying to act all coquettish?!
Manager Wang's face turned cold, and he raised his voice, saying, "He Meina! If you don't apologize on the spot, then go to the police station with them."
He Meina then realized the seriousness of the problem and reluctantly looked at Jiang Ling: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things."
Jiang Ling remained unmoved: "If all it takes to make a mistake is an apology, then what's the point of having us police officers?"
He Meina hadn't expected the policewoman in front of her to be so difficult, so she could only tug at Chen Anping's sleeve and say pitifully, "Brother Anping, please plead for me, I don't want to go to the police station."
Chen Anping was actually afraid of the police, but perhaps because Jiang Ling was an orphan like him, he felt a strange sense of closeness to her. Faced with He Meina's rare display of affection, he actually mustered up the courage to speak up: "Officer, Officer, Meina didn't mean it. She's always like this. Please, please don't blame her. She's pregnant. Could, could we not go to the police station?"
Jiang Ling's expression was cold, but she didn't say anything more.
Seeing that there was a chance, He Meina immediately gave Chen Anping another push.
Chen Anping walked forward hesitantly, scratching his head. "Um, um... officer." He suddenly remembered that Jiang Ling had introduced herself as Jiang earlier. "Officer Jiang, could you please make an exception?"
Jiang Ling was still thinking.
How can we help Chen Anping and change his fate of being imprisoned for stabbing someone?
Although he is now enslaved by He Meina, he is happy.
As a first-time father, about to start a new family, his heart and soul were completely devoted to He Meina. Even when she scolded or hit him, he still thought of He Meina with all his heart, afraid that she would suffer even the slightest hardship.
If he knew that everything in front of him was an illusion, would he break down?
If he knew that He Meina was not carrying his child, but had become pregnant by accident while having an affair with someone else, would he be plunged into extreme pain?
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling said to Chen Anping, "Then come with us."
Chen Anping's heart skipped a beat, and he looked nervously at He Meina.
He Meina didn't care about his life or death, and curled her lips: "Then go ahead."
When Chen Anping was summoned by the police for the first time, his legs felt weak. He looked at He Meina with pleading eyes: "Then... what about Aunt Zhao's restaurant? There's no one to cook."
He Meina replied irritably, "Will the earth stop turning without you? It's not even lunchtime yet, just hurry up and come back."
Chen Anping could only reluctantly say, "Then, then I'll go?"
Li Zhenliang, who couldn't stand it any longer, said irritably, "We're just asking you to go to the police station to explain things, not to arrest you and put you in jail. What are you afraid of?"
Jiang Ling glanced at Li Zhenliang.
Li Zhenliang saw the warning in her eyes and immediately shut his mouth. Okay, okay, Li Zhenliang understood. As soon as Chen Anping appeared, Jiang Ling's attitude changed from usual. Being orphans together, it probably aroused Jiang Ling's sympathy.
Chen Anping followed them out of the mall, carrying the two "worn-out" aluminum lunch boxes with him the whole time.
When the group arrived at the police station, Jiang Ling did not take Chen Anping to the interrogation room. Instead, she had him sit in the open and bright police hall, poured him a cup of hot water, and then began to ask him about his personal situation.
"Name?"
"Chen Anping."
"age?"
"I was born in March 1967, and I'll be 27 soon."
"Education?"
"Did not graduate from junior high school".
"Place of origin?"
Chen Anping lowered his head and sat on a bench in the police station, looking somewhat forlorn: "I don't know. I... I'm an orphan. I was abandoned at the gate of an orphanage when I was six or seven months old. I lived there for several years. When I was three, my adoptive parents took me in. Later, when I was ten, they had a son and left me with Aunt Zhao. If it weren't for Aunt Zhao's kind heart, I'm afraid I would have starved to death."
Jiang Ling asked, "Who is Aunt Zhao?"
Chen Anping: "Her name is Zhao Hongxia. She used to work as a caregiver at a welfare home. Later, she resigned and opened a small restaurant at home."
Zhao Hongxia, a caregiver at a welfare home?
Jiang Ling's eyes darkened.
The caregiver who brought her to the orphanage and was dismissed for abusing children was named Zhao Hongxia.
Jiang Ling didn't believe that Zhao Hongxia would be so kind as to take in a ten-year-old boy.
If it's not for profit, then it's because Chen Anping's adoptive parents have something on her.
Jiang Ling asked, "What are your adoptive parents' names? Where do they work?"
Chen Anping thought for a moment: "My adoptive father's name is Chen Changde, and he works in the Civil Affairs Department of Changning Subdistrict Office; my adoptive mother's name is Wu Ping, and she is a nurse in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Third Municipal Hospital."
Jiang Ling was a little puzzled: "They all have formal jobs and have completed the adoption procedures, so why are they unwilling to continue raising you?"
Chen Anping was reluctant to recall this past, but since the person questioning him was a policeman, he dared not hide anything: "My adoptive mother injured her body when she gave birth to my daughter, so my adoptive father wanted to adopt a boy. But later they had their own son and were unwilling to raise me anymore. And at that time, they were saying that the one-child policy was about to be implemented, so..."
Jiang Ling calculated the time: "They had their son in 1977, when the one-child policy wasn't so strict."
Chen Anping said, "Yes, but my adoptive father works in the neighborhood office. He said he should respond to the Party's call and that one son and one daughter are enough."
In reality, it's all just an excuse. To put it bluntly, they have a biological child and dislike the adopted one.
Jiang Ling noticed that Chen Anping kept referring to his adoptive father and adoptive mother, without even calling them "Mom" and "Dad," indicating that he was not close to the couple.
Jiang Ling asked again, "When your adoptive parents went to the welfare home to adopt you, did they go through the proper adoption procedures?"
Chen Anping thought for a moment and said, "I think I should have done it, otherwise I wouldn't be able to register my household."
Jiang Ling shook her head: "According to the regulations, those who already have children are not eligible to adopt."
Chen Anping exclaimed, "Ah, is that so? I didn't know."
According to the adoption regulations of the civil affairs department, only couples who are both over 30 years old, have stable incomes, and have no children are eligible to adopt. Since income and family certificates require the official seal of the subdistrict office, Jiang Ling can conclude that Chen Changde took advantage of his position at the subdistrict office to obtain false certificates.
Logically, the civil affairs department would investigate the adoptive parents' family situation and moral character through job vetting or neighborhood interviews. Additionally, welfare institutions would conduct interviews with the adoptive parents to assess their motivations for adoption. How did Chen Changde pass these checks?
Perhaps Zhao Hongxia was involved in this as well?
The thought of Zhao Hongxia and Chen Changde colluding to send children from the welfare home to irresponsible families for adoption made Jiang Ling's anger rise to the top of her head.
Chen Anping's cowardly and insecure state is inextricably linked to Chen Changde, Wu Ping, and Zhao Hongxia.
Even if he wasn't adopted, the orphanage would still send him to school. Even if his grades weren't good, after graduating from junior high school, they would arrange for him to attend a vocational school to learn skills until he could support himself.
Although living in an orphanage means missing out on the warmth of a family, at least survival is guaranteed. It's better than reliving the painful memories of being abandoned by parents and left all alone.
Jiang Ling looked at Chen Anping with a hint of pity in her eyes: "Yes, Chen Changde and his wife were not qualified to adopt. They must have fabricated the adoption when they adopted you. Zhao Hongxia was an insider and also an accomplice and the mastermind."
Chen Anping stood up abruptly: "Impossible! Aunt Zhao has been very good to me; she's my great benefactor."
Jiang Ling asked calmly, "How good is it?"
"..."
Chen Anping suddenly paused, and after thinking for a long time, he replied: "She, she took me in and scolded my adoptive parents for being ungrateful. She also gave me food, a bed to sleep in, and supported my studies."
Jiang Ling didn't give him a chance to catch his breath: "Zhao Hongxia's daughter is He Meina, right? Did He Meina have some kind of illness when she was young? Do you know what her real purpose was in taking you in?"
Chen Anping felt his head buzzing. It seemed that Jiang Ling had cracked open the thick shell that he had been trying so hard to maintain his self-esteem.
The crack caused him pain.
Chen Anping's hands trembled slightly: "Meina has a congenital heart disease and cannot engage in strenuous exercise. I have always been with her. I carry her to school, help her with her homework, and play games with her... I know that Aunt Zhao and the others initially wanted me to take care of Meina."
Child supporter.
Chen Anping was unwilling to utter this word.
But he knew that Aunt Zhao's support for him came with conditions.
The condition was that he had to become He Meina's follower and protector until He Meina no longer needed him.
He was two years older than He Meina, but they were always in the same class.
He had to put up with He Meina's bad temper and tolerate her domineering ways.
Jiang Ling could tell that her question was like a thorn, making Chen Anping uneasy, but... in order to prevent Chen Anping from going down a path of crime in the future, she had to take drastic measures.
"If that's the case, why haven't you gotten married yet?"
Chen Anping lowered his head, his hands clasped together on his knees: "Mina had surgery when she was eighteen. The surgery was very successful, and she is healthy now."
Jiang Ling said softly, "Because He Meina has become healthy, you are no longer useful?"
Chen Anping suddenly looked up, his thin body trembling: "No, no, no, I'm useful. I helped out in Aunt Zhao's restaurant kitchen before I even graduated from junior high school. I'm a good cook, and all the regular customers say my stir-fries taste great."
Jiang Ling asked again, "Do you get paid for working at the restaurant?"
Chen Anping nodded first, then shook his head: "Yes, yes. Aunt Zhao said she'll help me eat and stay at home, so I don't need that much money, and she's saving it for me. When I get married in the future, all this money will be given to me."
Li Zhenliang was taking notes when he exchanged a glance with Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei, who were sitting idly to the side.
All three of them felt terrible.
It's truly pitiful that Chen Anping has been exploited for so long without even realizing it.
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