Chapter 44

The policeman also heard something wrong in Jiang Nian's voice and said, "Deputy Commander Lu has not been in the army these days."

He knew that the person on the other side was Deputy Commander Lu's sister-in-law. In the past month or so, Deputy Commander Lu often called his sister-in-law, so he asked again, "What happened to you?"

Hearing that Lu Yu had not been in the army these days, Jiang Nian felt that he was trapped in a cold ice cellar. Zhang Xiao next to him said, "It seems that they have left."

Jiang Nian swallowed nervously, and after Zhang Xiao carefully walked over to take another look, he confirmed that they had left, and finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to the policeman, "No, it's okay, thank you for your help."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao felt like they had survived a disaster. The two of them sat on a bench and looked out the window at night. Zhang Xiao said, "Sister Jiang, shall we call the police?"

Jiang Nian also thought about calling the police, but even if she did, when the police came, Feng Ren and Yang Jun would say that they were just strolling on the street and that they were suffering from paranoia. Feng Ren and the others would at most be scolded by the police.

She said, "We'll go to the Public Security Bureau tomorrow."

Regardless of whether calling the police would work or not, it should have a shocking effect on Feng Ren and Yang Jun.

Jiang Nian was wondering where Lu Yu had gone.

The police said that he had not been in the army for the past few days. Did he go out on another mission?

"Sister Jiang, let's go? If we come later, there will be no food in the canteen."

"Okay."

Jiang Nian put away her thoughts and left the embroidery house with Zhang Xiao. The two of them were like frightened birds. They looked around in fear at the slightest movement, fearing that Feng Ren and Yang Jun would pop out from some corner.

It was completely dark now. Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao ran to the cotton mill. There were not many people in the canteen. They got their food and ran out of the canteen. The guard room of the cotton mill was dark. Zhang Xiao was a little surprised: "Sister Jiang, why did the master leave so early today?"

Because usually, he would leave after the people in the cotton mill left.

Jiang Nian said, "There must be something wrong."

There were only a few people outside the cotton mill. Jiang Nian almost subconsciously looked at the dark alley across the street. It was night and the alley was dark. She didn't know if Yang Jun and Feng Ren were hiding there.

Zhang Xiao hugged Jiang Nian's arm. The wind made people's ears cold. There were faint footsteps in the whistling wind. Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao turned their heads suddenly and saw Yang Jun and Feng Ren running towards them.

Yes, they were running!

From the cotton mill to the dormitory, you have to pass through a small alley. There was no one else around except the two of them.

Zhang Xiao was so scared that her face turned pale. Jiang Nian grabbed her hand and said in panic, "Go back to the dormitory!"

"Why are you running?"

"We lost our jobs. Shouldn't you compensate us?"

The man was faster than the woman. When Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao were about to run out of the alley, they were blocked by Yang Jun. Feng Ren stood behind them and blocked them in the middle.

"We called the police!"

Zhang Xiao shivered.

Yang Jun sneered: "What are you talking about? I don't have a job now and I'm despised at home. You've been eating and drinking well for the past two days. I can't bear it if I don't kill you two!"

Feng Ren also said: "Little widow, isn't your friend very powerful? I wonder if he can come in time tonight and save the beauty again, or will he not be able to come after we two brothers have solved the problem?"

Jiang Nian held the handle of the aluminum lunch box tightly and pursed her lips tightly.

Yang Jun and Feng Ren were going to go all out.

She glanced at Zhang Xiao, swallowed her saliva, and whispered: "I'll hold them back later, you go back to the dormitory and call Sister Zhai, and call the people around the dormitory to come together, there is strength in numbers."

"No."

Zhang Xiao burst into tears.

Jiang Nian didn't have time to talk to her any more. The cause of this incident was still her. After all, Zhang Xiao was still implicated by her. Seeing Feng Ren and Yang Jun approaching from both sides, Jiang Nian raised the aluminum lunch box and smashed it at Yang Jun who was blocking the way ahead. Then she used her body to push Yang Jun away and shouted to Zhang Xiao, "Go and call for help!"

"Damn it! You stinky bitch!"

Yang Jun was hit on the head and staggered back a few steps by Jiang Nian's sudden attack. When Feng Ren wanted to pull Zhang Xiao, Jiang Nian used her body to hit Feng Ren again. Feng Ren had been on guard against her since early on and kicked Jiang Nian. Who knew that as soon as his foot stretched out, he was kicked forward by a strong force and his body hit the wall hard.

Jiang Nian bumped into someone and hit nothing. Before he could react, he saw a military green figure in front of him. So he didn't stop and jumped into the other person's arms.

Lu Yu hugged Jiang Nian and noticed that the person in his arms was shaking. He tightened his arms a little: "It's okay."

Jiang Nian didn't expect Lu Yu to appear suddenly. He was stunned in his arms, smelling the clear and crisp breath that belonged to Lu Yu. His mind was still a little dazed. There were footsteps in the alley, and several people's cold voices: "Don't move!"

He ran to a Zhang Xiao, who was half asleep, heard the movement behind her. She turned her head quickly, took a quick look and stopped. There were several flashlight beams in the dark alley. Six police officers in uniforms caught Yang Jun and Feng Ren. As the flashlights flickered, Zhang Xiao saw Deputy Commander Lu holding Jiang Nian. The man's tall figure almost buried Jiang Nian in his arms.

Zhang Xiao's breath suddenly leaked out. She sat on the ground crying, feeling very lucky.

Yang Jun and Feng Ren were taken to the Public Security Bureau. Lu Yu brought Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao to take their statements. On the way, Jiang Nian frequently looked up at Lu Yu beside her. Lu Yu looked down at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Nian smiled and asked, "When did you come?"

Zhang Xiao also looked over curiously. Lu

Yu said, "I came here three days ago."

"Ah?"

Jiang Nian was stunned for a moment, remembering that the police soldier said Lu Yu was not in the army these days: "You have been in the city these three days?"

Lu Yu said: "Before I went back, I asked the security guard of the cotton textile factory to keep an eye on the gate of the cotton textile factory. If he often saw Yang Jun and Feng Ren, he should call me. The next night after I went back, the security guard called and said that Yang Jun and Feng Ren were both staying in the alley opposite the cotton textile factory. I guessed that they might want to retaliate against you, so I hid in the dark first, discussed with the public security comrades, and waited for them to take action against you, and then I would strike them down with one blow."

Only in this way can the danger lurking around Jiang Nian be completely eliminated.

Jiang Nian didn't expect Lu Yu to do so many things. She couldn't hide her admiration for Lu Yu: "You have been following me and Zhang Xiao in the dark for the past three days?"

This sentence obviously didn't mean anything, but Lu Yu's ears were a little red. He looked at the people in front of him and nodded: "Yes, I have been watching you in the dark."

He would also send Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao back to the dormitory in the dark every night, and follow them in a secret place in the morning. Feng Ren and Yang Jun didn't find him from beginning to end. He also knew the whereabouts of these two people very well, and intuitively guessed that they might take action tonight.

He really guessed right.

Zhang Xiao was also full of admiration: "Deputy Colonel Lu, you are so amazing!"

Jiang Nian echoed: "Yes."

Lu Yu was a little unnatural to be praised, and coughed lightly, and then heard Jiang Nian ask: "When Zhang Xiao and I came out of the cotton mill, the master of the guard room was not there. Did you call him away in advance?"

Just after Lu Yu and the public security comrades appeared, she gradually came to her senses and thought of the abnormality here.

Lu Yu said: "I and several public security comrades are hiding inside."

He did not inform Jiang Nian in advance because he was afraid that she and Zhang Xiao would be exposed and noticed by Feng Ren and Yang Jun.

This was Jiang Nian's second visit to the Public Security Bureau. The police asked her and Zhang Xiao to take notes. They recounted everything they had done with Yang Jun and Feng Ren during this period. Feng Ren and Yang Jun were also taking notes next door.

During this period, Lu Yu was also called over and told about what happened in the canteen of the cotton mill. The police sent people to call the director of the cotton mill and the director of the state-owned embroidery house, as well as several eyewitnesses that day. In the middle of the night, there were many people standing in the Public Security Bureau.

Ge Mei then knew what Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao had experienced in the past few days, and said something to them with guilt.

Yang Jun and Feng Ren were involved in the crimes of intentional retaliation, intimidation, beating, and attempted rape. They had this mentality at the beginning, but when this moment really came, they were so scared that they cried and told every detail of when they approached Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao, just to take the initiative to admit their mistakes and reduce their crimes.

They even told about Hu Zhongming's previous instigation of Lu Xiaojing to trick Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao to come to the state-owned hotel, and also said that this matter was also Hu Zhongming's idea, so the public security comrades went to Hu's house overnight and brought Hu Zhongming, who was still asleep, over.

At the same time, the accomplice Lu Xiaojing was also called over.

Because Lu Xiaojing became an accomplice without knowing it, she was only severely criticized and educated by the public security comrades. Ge Mei was so angry that she asked Lu Xiaojing to write a profound self-criticism and handed it in, and gave her one last chance. If it happened again, she would be fired.

Hu Zhongming was the instigator in both incidents and should be identified as the main culprit. Not only was he fired from the cotton mill, but he also had to go to jail like Feng Ren and Yang Jun.

There were eyewitnesses in this case and the evidence was conclusive. The trial of the three of them was held in the next few days. When they came out of the public security bureau, it was dawn. The director of the cotton mill left in anger, and several people from Group 2 followed him.

Zhai Peipei came over alone to show concern for Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao. Finally, Ge Mei took a few people to the state-owned hotel for breakfast. It was also because of her negligence that she almost caused a big accident to her employees.

Ge Mei drank water instead of wine on the table, stood up and said to Lu Yu: "Deputy Colonel Lu, you handed your sister-in-law to me, but I didn't take good care of her. She was almost injured by Hu Zhongming and his men. I apologize to you."

After that, she raised her head and drank a glass of water.

Lu Yu only said two sentences, glanced at Jiang Nian who was having breakfast, and had other ideas in his mind. After breakfast, when several people went out, Lu Yu called Jiang Nian: "Sister-in-law, I want to discuss something with you."

Jiang Nian looked up at him: "What is it?"

Lu Yu said: "In the future, if there are large-scale embroidery and embroidery with a long construction period, I will help you move the embroidery frame back to the family courtyard, and you can embroider in the family courtyard in the future, okay?"

After these two incidents, he was really worried about his sister-in-law staying in the city alone.

If he hadn't been more careful this time, he didn't dare to think about how his sister-in-law would be bullied by Feng Ren and Yang Jun.

Jiang Nian hesitated and didn't dare to agree to Lu Yu directly.

Although she was frightened by these two incidents, she couldn't keep relying on Lu Yu. She couldn't go back to this era. When Lu Yu got married in the future, she would have to move out and be independent. She might encounter various troubles in the future, and she would have to solve them by herself.

She couldn't trouble Lu Yu all her life.

And she also dragged Lu Yu down this time. She knew that the army had to apply for leave and it would be approved by many levels. Since she followed Lu Yu, Lu Yu had frequently asked for leave for her. If it continued like this, she wondered if it would affect his future promotion?

Lu Yu saw the hesitation in Jiang Nian's eyes, and also saw the struggle in her eyes when she raised her head.

When Jiang Nian was about to speak, Lu Yu stopped her and said, "It's decided. I'll go talk to Sister Ge later."

This was the first time he made a decision for his sister-in-law.

After saying that, he took a step forward.

Jiang Nian: ???

She hasn't said anything yet! Jiang Nian didn't know what Lu Yu said to Ge Mei

.

After Lu Yu finished dealing with the things here and left, Ge Mei asked her to sit on the bench by the window and talked to her about some embroidery. Finally, she said, "Boss Gangcheng will come to pick up the embroidery at the end of this month. I look at the embroidery you made every day. I believe that Boss Gangcheng will be very satisfied with this embroidery. Boss Gangcheng sent me a letter yesterday, saying that he will bring three embroidery pictures at the end of the month, two of which are large and one is small. I plan to give Sister Zhai a large embroidery picture, and you will be responsible for both the large and small embroidery pictures. What do you think?"

Jiang Nian nodded, "Okay."

Ge Mei looked at Jiang Nian, thinking about what Lu Yu said to her.

He said: Jiang Nian can only feel at ease when he is by his side.

Ge Mei took a sip of water and said with a smile, "After this embroidery is finished, ask Deputy Colonel Lu to come over at the end of the month to take the embroidery frame back. It's still the old rules. If you can deliver it by the deadline for picking up the embroidery, you can deliver it to the embroidery shop. If I have time, I will go to the army to find you."

Jiang Nian understood instantly.

Lu Yu had already talked to Ge Mei.

She understood that Lu Yu was worried about her and made the decision for her privately.

Lu Xiaojing came to Xiuzhuang in the afternoon. She brought a bag of apples and oranges for the first time. She first looked at Ge Mei and saw that Ge Mei had a cold face. Then she looked at Zhang Xiao and Jiang Nian who were sitting by the window. She put the oranges and apples on the table and said to them, "I'm sorry."

Jiang Nian pursed her lips and said nothing. Zhang Xiao was shocked and widened his eyes. He looked at Lu Xiaojing in surprise.

Lu Xiaojing said, "I was obsessed with marrying a city girl and got into a dead end. I was deceived by Hu Zhongming and almost caused you and Zhang Xiao to get into trouble. I didn't have much money and couldn't buy anything too expensive. I bought apples and oranges. Don't dislike them."

After saying that, her eyes turned red and she almost cried.

At dawn, when she was at the Public Security Bureau, she heard the confessions of Hu Zhongming, Feng Ren and Yang Jun, and realized that Hu Zhongming had been playing with her for the past six months, and had never thought of taking her to meet his parents, let alone marrying her.

Thinking of the fact that she had given her body and soul to Hu Zhongming for the past six months, Lu Xiaojing not only felt frustrated, but also felt disgusted.

She thought every day about marrying a city person, getting a city hukou, and eating public food for the rest of her life. Her conscience was blackened, and she almost helped Hu Zhongming harm Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao. Although she was jealous of Jiang Nian, she didn't dare to do anything illegal, especially what Hu Zhongming and his men did.

Zhang Xiao stood up and walked over to comfort Lu Xiaojing: "Sister Lu, don't cry."

Jiang Nian said: "It's not too late for you to see Hu Zhongming's true character. In fact, you don't have to always think about marrying a city girl." She wanted to say that Qu Hua was an example, but she didn't say it. Instead, she changed her mind and said: "You have the skill of embroidery. If you calm down and practice your embroidery skills, you can also embroider the best embroidery."

Lu Xiaojing nodded. After this incident, she understood. It's

better to rely on yourself than on anyone else. Hasn't she been able to live in the city all these years by relying on her embroidery skills? Although the monthly salary is not much, it is still no problem to make a living.

Just like Jiang Nian said, as long as she practices embroidery well, after a long time, maybe she can also be like Zhai Peipei and Jiang Nian, and get more money for each embroidery.

Ge Mei came over and patted Lu Xiaojing on the shoulder: "It's best if you can figure it out. Calm down and learn embroidery from Sister Zhai."

Lu Xiaojing nodded: "I understand."

Jiang Nian didn't know whether Lu Xiaojing had really calmed down or was just doing it temporarily, but in the afternoon when embroidering, Lu Xiaojing embroidered quietly, and sometimes she would come over to see how she and Sister Zhai embroidered with other needles. When she didn't embroider well, she would ask her and Sister Zhai in a friendly voice.

Jiang Nian patiently taught her again. Although Sister Zhai's face was still cold, she also gave some advice.

At the end of the night, when it was almost time to get off work, the director of the cotton mill came over with a bunch of things in large and small bags. He came over specifically to apologize to the people from the state-owned embroidery shop. He first said a few words to Ge Mei, and then talked to Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao.

Ge Mei sent the director of the cotton mill away, and when she came back, she opened the bag on the table. There were two packs of green bean cakes, two kilograms of brown sugar and milk candy, two packs of biscuits and two bottles of milk.

These things are worth a lot of money. Not to mention biscuits and milk, Zhang Xiao couldn't bear to buy even a pound of brown sugar, which cost several cents. That bag of milk candy was the same as the one Jiang Nian brought back last time. When she went to the supply and marketing cooperative later, she asked and found that a pound of milk candy cost 1.5 yuan. These two pounds cost 3 yuan, which was enough for her to eat corn cakes for a month.

Ge Mei smiled and said, "Old bald man, you have invested a lot this time."

Jiang Nian almost laughed out loud.

Zhang Xiao couldn't help laughing, and after she laughed, several people couldn't help laughing.

Ge Mei said, "You and Zhang Xiao can take them back to the dormitory. These are given to you by the director of the cotton weaving factory. Don't be polite, take them and eat them."

As soon as she finished speaking, the phone rang.

Ge Mei went to answer the phone. After saying "Hello", she looked at Jiang Nian and said, "Looking for you."

Ge Mei had a smile in her eyes. After calculating the time, Deputy Regiment Commander Lu should have just arrived at the unit not long ago. He called Jiang Nian only a few hours after they separated. Jiang Nian always felt that Ge Mei looked at her with an indescribable feeling. She picked up the phone and heard Lu Yu's voice from the other end.

"Sister-in-law."

"I'll pick you up at the end of the month."

Jiang Nian didn't expect that he called to talk about this, so she said, "Yeah."

The two were silent for a while, and Lu Yu said again, "I have something else."

Jiang Nian held the receiver tightly and whispered, "You talk, I'm listening."