Yang Cui and Cen Xiao first took the two children to the Star Gazing Tower for dinner. The four of them ordered five dishes and a soup, all of which were the children's favorites.
Since they were arrested, the two children have only had a cup of water and a dry, hard bun; they are starving.
"Eat slowly, eat slowly," Yang Cui said softly as she served soup. "Here, drink some soup, don't choke."
Cen Xiao also served Yang Cui a bowl of chicken soup, saying, "You should drink some too. You've been worried and scared since yesterday, and haven't been eating or sleeping well."
"Thanks."
Seeing Cen Xiao serving soup to Yang Cui, Er Ya and San Ya also thoughtfully served Yang Cui some food: "Mom, you eat meat."
Thinking that it wouldn't be right not to serve food to Cen Xiao after serving food to her mother, Er Ya and San Ya immediately served food to Cen Xiao: "Uncle Cen, have some food."
"Thanks."
——
After the meal, Wu Lie arrived with the interrogation results.
"Miss Yang, Master Xiao."
Yang Cui quickly stood up: "Brother Wu, did Lin Chunmei confess? Has she been sentenced?"
Cen Xiao frowned slightly, his mood instantly soured. Why was everyone acting like "Big Brother"?
"Miss Yang, you flatter me." Hearing Yang Cui call him "elder brother," Wu Lie broke out in a cold sweat. This Miss Yang was no ordinary village woman, and Wu Lie dared not be presumptuous.
Wu Lie respectfully said, "Lin Chunmei has already confessed that Pu Xiangjuan was indeed an accomplice, but she was unaware of Lin Chunmei's scheme. Lin Chunmei gave her a silver bracelet, and she tricked the two girls into going to the back mountain. Lin Chunmei never intended to do anything to Pu Xiangjuan. The kidnapping and selling of Pu Xiangjuan was all done by Granny Wang and her daughter."
"Has Pu Xiangjuan been found?"
Wu Lie shook his head: "I'm afraid it will be difficult to find."
"What's the matter?"
"The villagers in Weishan are tough and united; once a woman goes in, she can't get out."
Yang Cui immediately understood. This kind of situation was common in the 1980s and 90s. Many women were sold into the mountains, and if they tried to escape, their legs would be broken or they would be chained up. Even if the police went, it wouldn't be of much use because the village would hide them early on, making them impossible to find.
Yang Cui was extremely relieved that Er Ya and San Ya had not been sold.
Yang Cui then asked, "How did Lin Chunmei know that Wang Po was involved in child trafficking? Could she really be in cahoots with the traffickers?"
"No, someone told her about this, and Lin Chunmei wasn't the mastermind!"
"She's not the mastermind?" Yang Cui was shocked again. "That guy surnamed Qin is lying? The mastermind is surnamed Qin?"
"He wasn't lying. He wasn't the mastermind. The person he met with was indeed Lin Chunmei, but someone else gave Lin Chunmei this idea."
"who?"
"Lin Chunmei said she didn't know her either, only that she was a woman. That woman knew she hated you and knew about the grudges between you, so she told her about this idea and instigated her to deal with you. After that, that woman never appeared again."
"But I have no other enemies besides the Lin family! Could Lin Chunmei be lying?"
"Well... I don't think she's lying."
At this moment, Cen Xiao said, "If it was someone from the Lin family who instigated this, she wouldn't need to mention the clue of another mastermind. However, she didn't name names. Even if she said there was a mastermind, she couldn't give a clear explanation. If the authorities can't catch the person, her punishment won't be reduced."
Yang Cui thought Cen Xiao's words made a lot of sense. At this time, Lin Chunmei really had no need to lie, but she really couldn't think of anyone else who wanted to harm her!
The original owner was an honest and traditional rural woman from ancient times, and it was impossible for her to offend anyone, let alone offend someone so badly. After Yang Cui came here, the only people she offended were the Lin family.
So who could it be?
"The enemy is in the dark, while we are in the light. From now on, you must all be extra careful and not be alone. I will find you two female guards."
"Oh? Then we don't need guards."
"Of course!" Cen Xiao said in a tone that brooked no refusal.
"My house is too small to accommodate everyone now."
"Then let's build a house."
"I have no money."
"I'll give it to you!"
Yang Cui: "..."
Cen Xiao added, "It's settled then. Nobody knows when the person behind the scenes will make their move again. They might be observing from the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike."
Yang Cui was also a little scared after hearing this.
She said, "Then I'll pay you back when I earn money in the future."
Cen Xiao remained silent. He had never intended for her to repay the money, nor did he want to settle accounts with her so meticulously.
——
Lin Lizhi inquired about the address of Weishan Village as she traveled.
"You want to go to Weishan Village? That's very far! You won't get there before dark."
"So far!"
"Are you going to visit relatives or something? Young lady, you shouldn't go alone, you might not come back."
"Wh...what do you mean?"
"It means there's a shortage of women there, and the men are short of wives, do you understand?"
Lin Lizhi was startled, then tears streamed down her face as she murmured, "My poor daughter..."
Upon seeing Lin Lizhi's condition, the people immediately guessed what had happened: "Was your daughter taken away or sold in Weishan Village? Let me tell you, you should give up. Once you're in, you won't get out. If you go, you and your daughter will both be left there. They won't mind that you're old, as long as you're a woman and can still have children."
Lin Lizhi was also frightened. With tears in her eyes, she walked back to call for help.
...
At this moment, Pu Xiangjuan was being carried on someone's shoulders, and the thought of never seeing her family again brought tears to her eyes.
"Don't cry anymore. Just stay with me and live a good life from now on. We'll have lots of kids, and I won't hit you." The man's eyes were full of smiles as he thought about having a wife.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
