With a heavy heart, Zhang Qiming went to the police station to pick up Xuanxuan and to retrieve Huang Xiaojuan’s personal belongings, mainly the new keys to the house. Thanks to Gao Yongfeng’s intervention, the police in charge of this matter were Officer Ding. He was quite cordial and informed Zhang Qiming of some updates on the case, “The police have contacted the owner of the passbook.”
“According to the statement, the owner has indeed reported the lost passbook as soon as she found it missing, but when she arrived at the bank, she discovered 6,000 had been taken out of the account. She was panicked and didn’t know what to do. The bank staff, feeling sorry for her, said they would help by calling the police if someone tried to withdraw money again.”
“So your wife was caught red-handed.”
Zhang Qiming argued, “That’s impossible, my sister-in-law gave her the passbook so we can help her find a school. How could 6,000 yuan be missing?”
Officer Ding replied, “You didn’t know? It was probably lent to Huang Xiaojuan’s brother, Huang Xiaojun.”
“She went to the bank this time to give him the money.”
“But Huang Xiaojun merely borrowed the money and wasn’t involved in this case, so he wasn’t detained.”
At this point, Officer Ding couldn’t help but grumble, “That brother-in-law of yours didn’t even care about his nephew and ran off at first chance, leaving the child behind. He really is something.”
Hearing this, Zhang Qiming felt a deep urge to tear the Huang family apart. Even if Huang Xiaojun had just left Xuanxuan at their doorstep, it would have been better than having the police station call his workplace and make everyone aware of Huang Xiaojuan’s arrest!
As for Huang Xiaojuan…
Zhang Qiming handed a box of cigarettes to Officer Ding, saying, “This is just a misunderstanding. You should know, my wife and my former sister-in-law don’t get along, this must be their rivalry playing out…”
Officer Ding accepted the cigarettes and added a bit more, “Whether it’s a rivalry or not, Huang Xiaojuan’s theft is confirmed. Unless the passbook’s owner admits it wasn’t stolen, your wife is looking at a minimum of three years in prison… oh!”
Officer Ding glanced sideways and seemed to catch on to something. He suddenly left Zhang Qiming and hurried towards the stairs, warmly greeting a handsome man coming down, “Dr. Ning, leaving already?”
Ning Shaobai nodded at him, “Thank you for your hard work.”
“No, not at all,” responded Officer Ding, flattered.
Someone also came out from the office next door, “Dr. Ning, are you done?” This person was the deputy chief of the police station.
Ning Shaobai stopped to speak with him for a few moments.
Zhang Qiming watched as these usually stern-faced police officers suddenly became so friendly, then directed his gaze toward Officer Ding.
However, the usually talkative Officer Ding showed no intention of divulging anything to him, instead urging, “You better take your child home quickly. Your wife’s evidence is conclusive, and she might be transferred to the detention center tomorrow. You should hurry.”
…
When Xia Mian received Zhang Qiming’s call, she had just finished dealing with the Second Uncle Xia. She had hoped to solve the problem once and for all, but unfortunately, things weren’t so easy. It was because Second Uncle Xia, unlike truly malicious individuals like Zhang Qiming or Huang Xiaojuan, didn’t have the courage to commit any serious wrongdoings. He did many petty things that vexed everyone around him, but he always wore a smile and kept a facade, which was disgusting but not enough to take drastic actions against.
And so, Xia Mian, lacking a justification to use her iron fist, instead resorted to employing ‘a daily dose of good deed’ tactic to handle this family of pests.
The grievance of having their windows smashed the day before had not yet subsided, but Second Uncle Xia had quickly reverted to his old ways, repeatedly dropping by several times a day because Xia Mian was organizing the things she brought back from the city.
“After a trip to the city, Mianmian really has grown sensible, knowing to bring gifts for your eldest uncle and aunt. We don’t need yours, but isn’t your grandmother closer to you than your eldest uncle? Why don’t you think of her too?” he said, his eyes darting greedily towards the cabinet behind Xia Mian.
Irritated, Xia Mian forcefully pushed him out and locked the door to keep him from coming in. But then there was Qiangqiang, who couldn’t stay quiet and kept coming to find Xiao Feng.
Children naturally enjoy playing with other kids, so Xiao Feng didn’t reject Qiangqiang’s company. As for Qiangqiang, he kept seeking out Xiao Feng because he realized that as long as he was with Xiao Feng and could make him laugh, he could do anything and his father and uncles wouldn’t even scold him, let alone beat him.
Suddenly, Xiao Feng became his ‘get out of jail free’ card, and Qiangqiang was eager to take this new little brother everywhere.
Influenced by Qiangqiang’s outgoing nature, Xiao Feng gradually relaxed and occasionally even ran around with him, much to Xia Mian’s delight.
The downside was that it didn’t stop the shameless Uncle Xia.
At that time, Xia Mian was organizing her textbooks. She had studied at Yan City Normal University in her previous life and still planned to take the entrance exam for her alma mater again in this life. However, the era was different, and the curriculum was not the same. She needed to learn some things again, so she planned to take the high school materials and revisit them all.
Suddenly, Second Uncle Xia barged in through the door, fuming, “Mianmian, our Xiao Bao is in terrible pain; didn’t you go a bit too far that day?”
Xia Mian glanced up at him and responded coolly, “I could have been even more ruthless. Would you like him to try it again?”
Second Uncle Xia was taken aback, “What’s gotten into you, child? I need to speak with Zhang Qiming; he’s ruined a good kid.”
“Sure,” Xia Mian was nonchalant, “Round trip fare’s about sixty yuan, and while you’re at it, could you pay for my meal expenses too? After all, you are my uncle.”
Second Uncle Xia paused, “Let’s talk about this when you start school.” He then proceeded to craftily advise Xia Mian, “Zhang Qiming’s making you pay for meals? He should take care of you when he takes you in. Besides, how much can a young girl eat? He’s a factory worker; can he not afford your meals? Don’t foolishly pay up. Your mother didn’t leave you that much money, right?”
Xia Mian was annoyed, but she listened as he continued rambling, “Save that money to honor your elders instead. Your parents are gone, shouldn’t you be picking up these social obligations?”
He was obviously remembering the gifts she had sent to Eldest Uncle Xia’s family. Ultimately, he was just beating around the bush to ask for her stuff.
Seeing that Xia Mian still ignored him, Second Uncle Xia said directly, “Xiao Bao went to the doctor today because he was in so much pain. The doctor said his body is a bit weak, but he should be okay after taking more nutritional supplements. I saw you brought back some milk powder from the city. That’s good stuff; we can’t buy it here. Give me a can and I will pay you back the money later.”
As if he would pay it. Second Uncle Xia would rather be killed than allow money to flow out of his pocket.
“Only one can left. Xiao Feng still needs it.” Xia Mian’s answer was succinct.
Second Uncle Xia immediately retorted, “Xiao Feng is almost five, why is he still on milk powder? He needs to eat more solid food to grow properly, look how thin he is; it’s all because he’s just drinking milk powder…”
Xia Mian was fed up with him. Just then, Qiangqiang ran into the house with Xiao Feng, shouting, “Aunt Mian, Xiao Feng wants a banana!”
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Translator’s note:
This is not a bonus chapter…. Apparently, this past month my releases did not appear in NU… which is why my view count tanked T_T. I didn’t notice it until someone informed me today. Unfortunately, I still didn’t know what caused this problem, so for the time being I am uploading a chapter to check if RSS feed (which NU use to fetch release info) works correctly on my site.
Anyway, enjoy the unexpected chapter! I have stockpiled a lot of chapters these last few weeks, enough to last me two months, so if you find no releases on NU, just check directly on the site 😉
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