Actually, after getting the divorce certificate, Zhou Xueqin's last visit to her parents' home was to bring two pairs of Victory brand spiked shoes.
Yan Xiaowang thought they were bought for him and Little Lang, and tried them on, but Zhou Xueqin snatched the shoes away, kicked Xiaowang's old rubber shoes in front of him, and left without looking back, carrying the two brand new pairs.
Xiaowang had been saving money, just wanting to buy a pair of Victory brand rubber shoes for himself and Little Lang.
The child dreamed that his money was stolen, and cried out in distress, which also woke him up.
When he woke up, he saw Little Lang sitting on the edge of the kang bed, wearing a brand new pair of Victory brand spiked shoes.
Was he dreaming?
"Shoes, mine!" Little Lang was trying on his shoes, putting his chubby little feet in and slowly stepping onto the ground. The rubber spikes bounced his fat feet back, and he immediately cried out: "The shoes are moving."
These shoes were strange - if you tried to press down, they would bounce your feet back up.
The little one bounced with each step, the flesh on his round bottom jiggling, his little mouth forming an O shape, making an "oh" sound with each step.
These new shoes were really fun.
In the height of summer, Zhaodi preferred to wear sandals, but next door Ningning had been wearing a pair of spiked shoes recently. Now that she suddenly had a new pair of shoes too, of course she wanted to go out for a run wearing them. She went out the courtyard gate calling: "Ningning, are you there? Come out and play!"
The little girl wanted to show off and be a bit vain.
Qin Yu was coaxing Ningning to get up, and called over the wall: "Zhaodi, your mom wants you to come over for voice lessons. Come quick, Auntie has some free time now to teach you and Ningning to sing."
Zhaodi bounced over, with Little Lang following behind, as they rushed next door.
Chen Meilan handed the biggest, newest pair to Xiaowang: "Here, these are yours. Put them on."
This woman actually bought him a pair of spiked shoes too?
A pair of Victory brand spiked shoes that he had been desperately saving for, dreaming of owning?
Yan Xiaowang was a bit suspicious, and he was also being stubborn.
This huge surprise hadn't gone to his head.
Aren't all women the same?
His dad wasn't some nouveau riche who could earn big money, and nowadays, being in law enforcement wasn't a respected profession - it was the nouveau riche who were respected.
Sooner or later this woman would look down on his dad too, and once she looked down on his dad, wouldn't she look down on him and his brother as well?
Sooner or later, she would leave his dad just like Zhou Xueqin did.
The pessimistic Yan Xiaowang didn't say anything outwardly, but he was determined not to wear these shoes. He was still planning to save money to buy shoes for himself.
So he stepped into his old shoes with the cloth insoles worn away, only the mesh remaining, looking like they were about to fall apart. Though they hurt his feet, Yan Xiaowang didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
He flew out the door as well.
Yan Zhao had gone to Yanguan Police Station to file a report, and probably wouldn't be back until very late.
Actually, from when she first arrived until today, Chen Meilan had only been home for four days total.
The rice and flour had gotten bugs, so she needed to buy new ones. The oil had also gone rancid, so it was best to throw out the old oil and replace it with a new container to eat. If she asked her husband for money for these things, she wouldn't feel comfortable bringing it up, but if she bought them herself it was justifiable.
So she still needed to go out to buy oil, rice and flour.
But just as she reached the village entrance, she saw Yan Xiaowang standing with his arms crossed, lower lip slightly pouting, eyes red, intently staring at the Bank of China across the street.
She looked over too, and to her surprise, Zhou Xueqin and Lu Jingyu were standing in front of the Bank of China. Lu Jingyu was holding several large banknotes, facing Zhou Xueqin and smiling.
Could this be the same old routine from her past life?
Buying 500 yuan of government bonds on the day of getting the marriage certificate, and now with bond prices soaring, they had earned several dozen yuan. Lu Jingyu was probably praising Zhou Xueqin for bringing him good fortune.
Zhou Xueqin was laughing heartily, linking arms with Lu Jingyu as they walked away smiling.
But wasn't Zhou Xueqin the birth mother that Xiaowang longed for day and night?
Why didn't the child run over to hug his mom when he saw her?
Looking closely, Chen Meilan realized that Zhou Xueqin had also noticed Xiaowang.
But after noticing Xiaowang, she immediately lowered her head, pretending not to recognize him, and hurriedly walked away pulling Lu Jingyu along.
Even though everyone has their own reasons for divorce, and marital breakups are never solely one party's fault.
But in this moment, Chen Meilan, who had lived an extra lifetime, couldn't help but feel angry. Even if Zhou Xueqin had suffered greatly in her past life, even if she wanted to enjoy life in this lifetime, how could the child be so innocent? Since she had seen him, why pretend not to recognize him?
Thinking of this, Chen Meilan felt even more sorry for Xiaowang. She didn't disturb him, but turned and entered the grain shop.
She had to choose the best Mizhi fine rice and buy a bag, and select a bag of Tianshan flour from Xinjiang for its chewiness and elasticity, especially good for pulled noodles.
For oil, she needed to buy the most fragrant cold-pressed rapeseed oil from the state-run store.
After buying everything, she didn't carry it herself, but spent an extra yuan to have the shop staff deliver it home.
In her past life, she always liked to do everything herself, wearing out her body. The only one who cared for her was Zhaodi. Looking back now, it really wasn't worth it.
Now, Chen Meilan didn't plan to expend effort on anything money could solve.
Leaving the grain and oil shop, she still needed to go to the vegetable market.
She had to buy a big watermelon, and pears were only 0.2 yuan per jin, so 5 jin for just 1 yuan - she had to get 5 jin.
Chen Meilan had just weighed a watermelon and was selecting pears when she saw two little black paws reach out and take the big watermelon from her hands, hugging it.
"You're actually buying so much fruit?" It was Yan Xiaowang, who had taken the watermelon and was hugging it. He added languidly: "My grandmother used to say eating too much watermelon makes you wet the bed, especially children. We shouldn't eat watermelon."
"My Zhaodi often eats watermelon, and I've never seen her wet the bed?" Chen Meilan countered.
Yan Xiaowang pouted: "Well I rarely eat it anyway."
Though he said this, the little one was hugging the five-jin watermelon, and even pressed his face against it to sniff, sighing.
When he thought Chen Meilan wasn't looking, he even lightly licked the watermelon rind.
It was clear this child hadn't eaten many good things at his grandmother's house.
Just like Zhaodi in her past life, for any food he liked, even just smelling it brought out a greedy look.
If this greedy look wasn't properly addressed, it would develop into the bad habit of secretly eating and hoarding food.
Most people don't understand and would say the child has an innate poor and miserly air.
But it's actually because the child is living under someone else's roof, lonely and afraid, without a sense of security. Over time this induces not an illness, but a bad habit - once developed, it's a vice that can't be changed for life.
"Actually, when I was little, my grandmother also told me eating watermelon would make me wet the bed. But I didn't believe it. One day, I secretly ate more than half a watermelon. I just had to pee a bit more at night, getting up to go a few extra times. I didn't wet the bed at all," Chen Meilan couldn't help saying.
She was actually lying, but Yan Xiaowang immediately believed her, his ears perking up: "Really?"
"Of course it's true. Why don't you eat half of one today and we'll test it out?"
"What if I do wet the bed?" Yan Xiaowang hesitated.
Chen Meilan had already weighed the meat, and gave Xiaowang's bottom a pat: "Then you'll wash it yourself."
Right, if he really did wet the bed, he could wash the sheets himself. Since there was watermelon, why not eat it?
"Little Lang, Zhaodi, she bought a whole watermelon! We're eating watermelon!" Yan Xiaowang ran off quickly.
Zhaodi had spent half the day learning to sing next door. When she finished, she came back with Little Lang, the two of them humming and singing.
Seeing the whole watermelon, they were even more excited than Xiaowang, and immediately clamored to cut it open.
Chen Meilan didn't wait for Yan Zhao, but cut the watermelon to give to the three parched children.
In her spare moments, she also kept an eye on the house across the street.
Every workplace talks about having connections on the inside. Last time Chen Meilan reported the incident, the police just looked at the footprint and sent her away.
But this time with Yan Zhao reporting in person, three policemen came rushing over and immediately handcuffed Hu Xiaohua.
The leader was Yan Zhao's second older brother, Deputy Station Chief Yan Bin.
"You bastard, behave yourself and don't move," Yan Bin said as he twisted Hu Xiaohua's arms behind his back and cuffed him.
"Officer, this is unjust! What are you doing? I really didn't steal anything," Hu Xiaohua called out, looking at Chen Meilan across the way. "Sister Meilan, tell them! I didn't steal anything from you, did I?"
The fallen melon rinds from the hands of the children eating melons were not the only surprise; even the neighbors were shocked and ran out of their homes.
"What's going on?" someone asked.
Yan Bin explained, "That bastard Hu Xiaohua is suspected of stealing 5,000 yuan from Meilan, along with her jewelry and stocks."
Sister-in-law Mao was furious upon hearing this: "Xiaomei steals people, Xiaohua steals money, do these siblings have any shame left?"
Qin Yu sneered, "Isn't Hu Xiaohua's mother a habitual thief? And a frequent adulterer too."
"You're all talking nonsense. I did go into Sister Meilan's house, but Xishan gave me the key, and he told me to take the money," Hu Xiaohua, who was used to being in police custody, said nonchalantly and loudly, "If you don't believe me, go ask Yan Xishan, he can vouch for me."
The crowd of onlookers, all from the same village, had never seen Hu Xiaohua being so shameless.
But Yan Xishan and Hu Xiaohua were thick as thieves, and after all, that used to be Yan Xishan's home too. If Yan Xishan really vouched for Hu Xiaohua, what could be done?
At this moment, everyone was looking at Yan Zhao. Sister-in-law Mao asked, "Yan Zhao, you have to seek justice for Meilan, right?"
"Take him in for questioning!" Yan Zhao said.
"What good will questioning do? Yan Xishan will definitely vouch for me. I didn't steal, I took!" Hu Xiaohua shouted.
Yan Zhao was from the inspection team, while theft cases were handled by the police station.
Yan Bin slapped Hu Xiaohua on the head and said, "Take him to the police station!"
Chen Meilan was still smiling as she watched. After Hu Xiaohua was taken away, Yan Bin came back.
Right outside her house, Yan Bin said in a low voice, "Third Brother, actually, Meilan had already reported Hu Xiaohua stealing her money, and we've known about it for a while."
"Then why didn't you arrest him?" Yan Zhao asked.
Yan Bin sighed, "Last time we investigated, Yan Xishan vouched for Hu Xiaohua, saying he wasn't stealing but taking money on his instructions."
Spreading his hands, Yan Bin continued, "You probably don't understand the relationship between Yan Xishan and Hu Xiaohua. Hu Xiaohua is Yan Xishan's henchman. Whenever something happens, Yan Xishan will definitely collude with Hu Xiaohua on their statements."
"So what's your suggestion?" Yan Zhao asked.
Yan Bin said in a low voice, "How about I negotiate with Hu Xiaohua, get him to return Meilan's money, and we settle this privately?"
"Your police station seems to like settling cases privately?" Yan Zhao said meaningfully.
Yan Bin smiled, "What deep grudges can neighbors have? Isn't it better if both sides take a step back?"
Yan Zhao let out a cold laugh, "Detain Hu Xiaohua for 48 hours. Don't release him without my order."
Yan Bin nodded in agreement but also said, "Third Brother, you want to interrogate him yourself, don't you?"
"Call me Captain Yan!"
"Captain Yan, Yan Xishan will definitely come to bail out Hu Xiaohua," Yan Bin added.
Yan Zhao asked in return, "Are you afraid I can't interrogate him?"
"I'm worried that if you use force, Hu Xiaohua will definitely confess, but Xishan will go to the city bureau and accuse you of abuse of power and extracting a confession under torture!" Yan Bin said.
...
Chen Meilan, hearing this, turned and went to the bathroom.
She remembered leaving a pair of Hu Xiaomei's underwear, which she had asked Yan Zhao to put in the bathroom.
After searching everywhere and not finding it, just as Yan Zhao came in, she asked, "Little Wang's dad, where's the underwear I left in the bathroom?"
Yan Zhao acted quickly.
He immediately went into the bathroom: "I'll find it."
There was a pair of underwear, red in color. Yan Zhao had thought it was Chen Meilan's and wanted to wash it or throw it away, but she wouldn't let him and told him to put it back.
Chen Meilan couldn't find it earlier because he had placed it very high. He went in, stood on tiptoe, and brought it down.
From what Yan Bin had just said, Chen Meilan now understood the situation.
Yan Zhao was probably very good at interrogating cases, but that guy Yan Xishan was well-versed in legal clauses and was most adept at breaking the law without committing a crime.
Although breaking the law and committing a crime sound similar, breaking the law only requires criticism and education, while committing a crime faces legal sanctions.
The money was certainly stolen by Hu Xiaohua, but Yan Xishan, knowing this, not only didn't blame him but also covered for him.
After all, Yan Xishan relied on Qi Dongmei to make money, and Hu Xiaohua was his henchman. They shared glory and shame, truly a family, brothers in arms.
In her previous life, Chen Meilan had chosen to ignore Yan Xishan's infidelity and didn't even ask for the house.
Even now, Chen Meilan couldn't be bothered with that scumbag Yan Xishan. She should have fought for some money for Zhaodi, but she didn't want to anymore.
Because it was all blood money from coal miners.
Yan Xishan was using it now, but he would face retribution in the future. She didn't want Zhaodi to be tainted by that kind of dirty money.
But Hu Xiaohua stealing her money was theft, and if Yan Xishan wanted to protect his henchman, the police indeed couldn't do anything about it.
After all, thugs could be unreasonable, but the police couldn't extract confessions by torture.
But as it happened, she had a way to deal with Yan Xishan. When she found Hu Xiaomei's underwear, she had already thought of how to handle Yan Xishan.
Taking the underwear out of the bathroom, Yan Zhao asked, "Your underwear, do you want to wash it or throw it away?"
"This isn't my underwear, it's Hu Xiaomei's, it's the green hat she put on my head," Chen Meilan, already angry and a bit impulsive, said without thinking.
Suddenly, Yan Zhao frowned, his face darkening.
Chen Meilan looked up and realized, oh no, wasn't Yan Zhao wearing a green hat on his head?
She kept saying "green hat" over and over.
And Yan Zhao had to go to work, wearing a green hat every day?
Not only did he have to wear a green hat at the police station, but he had also been in the army for over a decade, wearing a green hat every day.
This was terrible, she seemed to have unintentionally hurt him.
This man was to become the future police chief of Capital City. When Lu Jingyu and Yan Xishan mentioned him, they couldn't help but tremble in fear. There were even rumors that his interrogations could scare criminals to death.
This was not a man to joke with.
"I didn't mean you," Chen Meilan quickly said.
Yan Zhao's face grew even darker, so she hastily added, "It has nothing to do with you, I was talking about my own green hat."
Yan Zhao silently took off his hat, holding the red underwear in one hand and the green hat in the other, expressionless.
Chen Meilan was truly scared, but she couldn't help but laugh, and it was an explosive laugh.
