As soon as Wu Shih-ren finished speaking, everyone feigned surprise and echoed his words.
"I didn't realize that this kid, who's usually so quiet, is actually quite restless and dared to steal."
"Yes, this is called 'wilted radish that's spicy to death'. It looks honest on the surface, but it's actually wicked."
"That's right. As the saying goes, a dog that bites doesn't bark, and a wolf that eats sheep doesn't make a sound. The more honest someone seems, the more likely they are to stab you in the back."
"Chen Feng, we're not trying to criticize you, but the evidence of the silver has already been found. What else do you have to say for yourself?"
“That’s right. Listen to your brother’s advice and quickly take out the money and return it to Mr. Wang. This matter will be over. Considering that we have worked together for many years, Mr. Wang will definitely not hold it against you.”
Seeing them all talking at once and wrongly accusing him, Chen Feng was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
Although he was furious, he was also very clear-headed. He was convinced that someone was trying to frame him, and that person might be among these people.
Chen Feng looked at Wu Shiren with a sincere expression.
"Shopkeeper, I really didn't steal Mr. Wang's silver. Please believe me. Someone must have deliberately placed these clothes in my room. If you don't believe me, send someone to search other people's rooms. As long as you find the silver, you can clear my name."
Wu Shiren gave him a cold look. "Fine, since you keep saying that someone is framing you, then I'll believe you this once."
Then he turned to Zhao Tian and Wang Qi and said, "You and Chen Feng go and search your rooms. If you find the silver, you can clear his name."
"Alright, shopkeeper, we'll go right away."
Chen Feng was just a handyman, and he lived in a simple shed made of wooden planks, where he lived alone.
The master chefs' quarters were located to the side of the kitchen, in a proper, large house that was warm in winter and cool in summer.
Inside the room, there was a row of large kang beds, with each craftsman's bedding placed close together.
The group entered the room.
Chen Feng, Wang Qi, and the others began searching, and in no time they had turned the house upside down.
Apart from a few scattered copper coins, there was no trace of silver.
"Shopkeeper, I've searched inside and out, but I haven't found any silver."
"I don't have any here either." Wang Qi looked at Chen Feng with a dark face. "The clothes were found in your room, and you definitely stole the silver. Don't try to deny it."
"I told you, I didn't do it, don't make false accusations." Chen Feng broke out in a cold sweat, glaring at the group with his bloodshot eyes.
"Why are you glaring at me like that? You can't even be accused of stealing? If you didn't do it, then where did Mr. Wang get these clothes?"
"Yeah, still so stubborn, he deserves a beating!"
"That's right, we've given him too much credit. Let's beat him up and see if he behaves."
"Shopkeeper, this man is just being stubborn. Don't waste your breath on him. Tie him up and send him to the yamen. Give him a beating and see if he confesses."
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that it was common for people to be tortured into confessing in the yamen. If he were sent to the yamen, he would be skinned alive if he didn't die.
But now the money is missing, while the clothes have appeared in his room, leaving him speechless.
Just as he was pondering, he heard Wu Shiren's cold voice, "Chen Feng, what else do you have to say? Quickly hand over the money, or I can't protect you."
"Manager Wu, please believe me, I really didn't steal Mr. Wang's money."
"The evidence is right here, what are you still trying to argue about?"
"Boss, this kid is shameless. Let the brothers teach him a lesson and see if he dares to talk back again," Wang Qi said viciously.
Zhao Tian chimed in, "Let's loosen his skin first and let him know what happens when you're a thief."
Chen Feng turned pale with fright, and said in a trembling voice, "You, you dare!"
"You thief, let's see if we dare to do it."
As Wang Qi spoke, he swiftly kicked Chen Feng in the stomach.
Chen Feng was completely unprepared and was kicked more than ten feet away, clutching his stomach and unable to get up for a long time.
Just as he was about to speak in his defense, he was kicked to the ground again, followed by a barrage of punches that landed squarely and kicks that seemed to fly.
He screamed in pain, but was powerless to resist and could only endure the punches and kicks of these people.
Wu Shiren felt that the time was right, so he signaled everyone to stop and asked Chen Feng, whose face was bruised and swollen, "You'd better tell me where the money is, or you'll be in big trouble."
Wang Decai feigned concern, saying, "Brother Chen Feng, that hundred taels of silver was hard-earned money. If you need money, I can lend it to you, but you can't be a thief!"
Chen Feng shook his head weakly, "I told you, I didn't take it, I was framed."
Wang Decai's eyes grew increasingly sinister as he coldly said, "He really values money over life. Take him to the woodshed."
Wang Qi and the others dragged Chen Feng out.
Wu Shiren glanced around, took a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Wang Decai.
"Do everything you can to make him admit that he is the thief who stole the silver. As long as he signs this confession, we can not only send this unknown scoundrel to jail, but also get a hundred taels of silver for free. Then we can split it 50/50, wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Wang Decai took it and put it in his pocket, then sneered, "Don't worry, shopkeeper, even if he's a tough guy, I have ways to make him back down."
Upon arriving at the woodshed, Wang Decai saw Chen Feng curled up on the ground, hugging his knees. He bent down and feigned concern, saying, "Chen Feng, why are you doing this? Now that everyone knows you stole the silver, don't deny it. Hand over the silver, and I will not pursue this matter."
Chen Feng had already realized that this was no accident, but rather premeditated.
From the moment they invited him to drink yesterday, he fell into their trap. It was all part of their plan to frame him.
He closed his eyes helplessly, realizing he was still too young and too impetuous.
Not only was his theft of skills exposed, but he also easily trusted these people, and now he has truly become a fish on their chopping block.
He raised his head and spat a mouthful of bloody saliva in Wang Decai's face with all his might, "Pah, Wang Decai, you despicable scoundrel, you saw that I had learned cooking skills, so you played tricks on me behind my back and framed me, you will die a horrible death."
Wang Decai flew into a rage and kicked Chen Feng to the ground. "Shameless bastard! He stole the silver and still dares to talk back! Brothers, give him a good beating!"
After a flurry of punches and kicks, Chen Feng lay on the ground with a bruised and swollen face.
Wang Decai grinned maliciously as he squatted down, grabbing Chen Feng's chin tightly. "Brother, stop being so stubborn. Just tell me where the money is, or you'll suffer some more pain."
"Wang Decai, you despicable scoundrel! You know perfectly well whether I touched the money or not, so what do you want me to say!"
......
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