He genuinely didn't know when it started, but his obedient and sensible younger sister from childhood had changed so much that he no longer recognized her.
Wang Wenfang, who already felt that her brother didn't care about her anymore since he had a girlfriend, exploded upon hearing this. She shook off Wang Wenqi, who was holding her, and cried, "Lingling, Lingling, now you only have Zhong Lingling in your heart. Do you have no place for your sister anymore? Have you forgotten how Mom and Dad asked you to take care of me before they passed away?"
Wang Wenfang was so angry that she forgot to lower her voice, and her shout immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Wang Wenfang, who was already feeling guilty, was so frightened by the gazes of the crowd that she hid behind Wang Wenqi.
Seeing his sister like this, Wang Wenqi was exasperated and cursed her in his heart, but on the surface he still explained with a helpless expression: "Lingling, the money you had was actually taken to another place by Wenfang. She watched over you all night yesterday and was busy cooking this morning, so she forgot about it for a while. She just remembered it now, but she didn't dare to tell you."
At this point, Wang Wenqi quickly reached out and pulled Wang Wenfang, who was hiding behind him, out. He whispered in her ear, "You idiot, don't you know what time it is? You still dare to act recklessly. Do you really not want your reputation anymore? Do as I say, or I can't help you."
Seeing that Wang Wenqi had already revealed the truth, and with everyone watching him, Wang Wenfang felt wronged, but for the sake of her reputation, she had no choice but to do as Wang Wenqi said.
Another reason was that she was genuinely afraid that Wang Wenqi would abandon her. So, under everyone's gaze, she reluctantly walked towards Zhong Lingling and sobbed, "Sister Lingling, your money wasn't lost. It's just that... I saw there were too many people at home yesterday, and your box wasn't locked. I just felt it wasn't safe to leave the money there, so I put it in the cabinet on the kang (heated brick bed) for you."
Wang Wenfang's words undoubtedly offended everyone who went to see Zhong Lingling yesterday. After all, they went out of kindness to help, but were suspected of stealing. No one would be happy to hear such a thing.
However, this was the only solution Wang Wenqi could think of at the moment. In order to protect his sister's and Zhong Lingling's reputations, he had no choice but to offend the educated youth who helped him last night, since his sister wasn't well-liked in the educated youth compound anyway.
At worst, he could find an opportunity to buy some meat and treat everyone to a meal after things calmed down, just as an apology on behalf of his sister. That way, the matter would be over.
Wang Wenqi's idea was quite good, but some people didn't want the matter to be let go so easily.
Before Wang Wenfang could finish speaking and before Zhong Lingling could reply, everyone heard Yang Wanqiu's cold voice: "Wang Wenfang, so this is how you see us? We all went there last night because we heard that Zhong Lingling was sick, hoping to help in some way. But in your eyes, we're just there to steal?"
At this moment, Zhong Lingling, who was standing to the side, also realized what was going on. Having played together since childhood, she naturally knew Wang Wenfang better than others. So, as soon as she heard it, she knew that this idea was probably her boyfriend's. Otherwise, given Wang Wenfang's timid and irresponsible nature, she would only think of having her take the lead and would never step forward herself.
Having figured all this out, Zhong Lingling glared at Wang Wenqi at the back of the crowd, then quickly echoed Wang Wenfang's words, saying, "Ah, so that's what happened. Wenfang, you really are something. If you had told me earlier, this misunderstanding wouldn't have happened."
"To be honest, it's all my fault. I forgot to ask you when I realized the money was missing, and I just ran out. I'm really sorry for causing this mess."
After saying this, Zhong Lingling bowed deeply to Yang Wanqiu and apologized: "Wanqiu, I was wrong about what happened today. I apologize to you. I'm sorry."
Seeing Zhong Lingling and Wang Wenfang's coordinated attack, Yang Wanqiu was furious. She wasn't stupid; she could naturally see what was going on.
She didn't have much of a relationship with Zhong Lingling, and she and Wang Wenfang were even more at odds. So, given the current situation, she naturally wouldn't give Wang Wenfang any face.
Furthermore, it's clear that we were at a disadvantage today. Regardless of who hit us, the whole thing was caused by Zhong Lingling.
Now you think you can just let it go with an apology? You wish! So he immediately lashed out, glaring at Zhong Lingling and sneering, "Zhong Lingling, do you really think we're all fools? You and I both know the ins and outs of this whole thing. The brigade leader is here right now, and so many villagers are here too. You'd better stop with your childish excuses and just tell me straight: did you and Chen Shuning conspire to frame me, or did Wang Wenfang steal the money all along?"
"Yang Wanqiu, you bitch, what do you mean by that? Didn't I already say that the money was only stored in a safer place yesterday because I was afraid someone would take it while there were too many people at home? After all, it's so much money, who knows if someone might be tempted by it?"
I'm not afraid to offend you today. Actually, I only moved the money to another place because I saw you looking around and touching things in Sister Lingling's room. I was worried you might steal something. Everyone in the educated youth settlement knows you're so poor that you have to go to Gu Xinyi's place for meals every day, and you've injured your leg and can't work. You don't even know if you'll have any food to eat this winter. Who knows if you might be desperate and steal money.
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