Chapter 177: Clear the Air

Translator: Lonelytree

The Zhou family, Zhou Guojian, Zhou Huaming, and Zhou Tanxiong had been waiting for news at home.

Zhou Guojian looked at the time and asked with some doubt, “What’s going on? Why hasn’t there been any news yet? Third son, are you sure that the person you hired is reliable?”

Zhou Tanxiong frowned and said, “I’ve worked with that person a few times, and nothing has gone wrong. There shouldn’t be any problems now.” However, he didn’t sound confident when he said that. Theoretically speaking, he should hear the latest news by now.

Zhou Huaming thought for a moment and asked, “Third brother, why don’t you ask your people at the police station to see if there have been any recorded cases in the past two days?”

Zhou Tanxiong took out his phone. Just as he was about to make a call, he heard the doorbell ring.

His heart jumped.

The three of them looked at each other. Their hearts were beating a little.

Zhou Guojian thought for a moment and said, “Maybe it’s that person! Eldest son, go and open the door!”

“Okay!” Zhou Huaming stood up and opened the door.

Unexpectedly, the moment the door was opened, a few police officers barged in. They pointed their guns at them and said, “Don’t move!”

Zhou Huaming’s expression changed drastically. Then, he raised his hand and said in confusion as if he was frightened, “Police officers, what’s going on? We are good citizens. We haven’t done anything illegal!”

At this moment, Jiang Tao, who was standing outside, placed an arrest warrant in front of him and said, “Zhou Guojian, Zhou Huaming, Zhou Tanxiong, you are suspected of buying for a person’s murder. This is an arrest warrant. Please cooperate with the investigation!” Then, he ordered his people, “Search the place!”

Zhou Guojian and Zhou Tanxiong were brought out.

When Zhou Tanxiong saw Jiang Tao, his expression was abnormally agitated. He shouted, “Jiang Tao, what do you mean by this? What right do you have to arrest me? I’m the Deputy Director of the Police Station!”

Jiang Tao said very sternly, “Everyone is equal before the law. Zhou Tanxiang, you are not above the law because you are a police officer. Whether you can be arrested or not, that is not decided by you or me, but the law! Since you’ve violated the law, then I have the right to arrest you! Take all of them away!”

When Zhou Tanxiong heard that, he was very flustered. He said loudly, “Jiang Tao, you can’t arrest me!”

Zhou Guojian understood that the matter might be exposed. He panicked for a moment, then said sternly, “Jiang Tao, how can you accuse us of hiring people to murder someone? Do you have evidence?”

A cold smile appeared on Jiang Tao’s face. He didn’t answer Zhou Jianguo. If he didn’t have evidence, would he be there? If he didn’t have evidence, would he have an arrest? They were not in feudal China, where people could be arrested at will.

“Take him away!” Jiang Tao gave the order and left immediately.

“Jiang Tao!” Zhou Guojian’s angry shout could be heard for miles.

…

Xiao Lingyu sent Xiao Jun’s family to the hospital. The doctor suggested Xiao Jun stay in the hospital for two more days in case of an accident.

Xiao Jun was about 15 years old. His family had never been to the hospital before, so they were not very clear about how to handle the hospitalization procedures.

Xiao Lingyu helped with the procedures after Xiao Jun’s family requested it.

However, when they reached the part where they had to pay the hospitalization fee and deposit, Auntie Chen said, “Lingyu, we didn’t bring much money with us. Why don’t you help us pay for it first?”

Her choice of words was interesting because she said ‘help pay’ and not ‘borrow’. The two-day hospitalization required a deposit of 300 RMB.

Xiao Lingyu thought for a moment. “Auntie Chen, of course! However, this happened too suddenly, so I didn’t carry that much money with me either. I’ll call my parents to send some money over.” Xiao Lingyu’s meaning was clear. She didn’t carry that much money. Therefore, she had to ask her parents to bring her some. Xiao Lingyu wouldn’t be able to demand the money back from Auntie Xiao because Xiao Lingyu was the junior. However, things were different if it was Father Xiao or Mother Xiao who lent Auntie Xiao the money.

Xiao Lingyu could guess from Auntie Chen’s words that Auntie Chen didn’t plan to pay her back the money loaned. Xiao Lingyu was not dumb. She was already very kind to drive them to the hospital. But, the woman wanted her to pay the hospital bills on top of that? That was too much.

300 was not that much for Xiao Lingyu, but it was a big number for most farmers. However, Xiao Jun’s family had many lands. Auntie Chen was not poor. She just wanted to take advantage of Xiao Lingyu.

Furthermore, if Xiao Lingyu relented this time, the other villagers would ask her to drive their injured family members to the county hospital and ask her to pay the bills too in the future!

Auntie Chen’s expression changed. Then, she smiled embarrassedly and said, “Lingyu, don’t you have many friends in the county? Can’t you borrow some money from your friends first?”

Xiao Lingyu guessed correctly. Auntie Chen did intend to get Xiao Lingyu to pay and then deny the debt. However, if Xiao Zhengyang and Chen Qiuying were clued in, they would ask her to return them the money in the future.

Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “Auntie Chen, I can’t just go around asking money from my friends. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I won’t borrow money from my friends.”

“But it’s only 300 RMB!” Auntie Chen exclaimed, “That is a small number for you rich people!”

Xiao Lingyu’s face darkened, and she became very unhappy. She asked sharply, “Oh, Auntie Chen, 300 RMB is a small number for you? In that case, Auntie Chen can pay the deposit yourself. It shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Auntie Chen’s face immediately turned ugly. She said, “Lingyu, can’t you help me?”

At this moment, a nurse came over and said, “Xiao Jun’s patient’s family member in Room 303, bed 2, pay the deposit as soon as possible!”

“Okay, okay. Nurse, we’ll pay it right away!” Auntie Chen immediately replied. Then, she turned around and said, “Lingyu, the nurse is rushing us. You need to give me the money!”

Xiao Lingyu didn’t want to waste time anymore. She said directly, “Auntie Chen, I will pay this money for now. However, let’s make it clear. I’m only lending this money to you. After we return to the village, I hope that Auntie will return the money!”

Auntie Chen was a little angry when she heard that. She said in a bad tone, “Alright, I’ll return you the money when we return!”

Xiao Lingyu nodded and said, “Then Auntie Chen, wait here for a while. I’m going to borrow money from a friend.”

Xiao Lingyu did not care whether Auntie Chen was angry or not. She sent Xiao Jun to the county hospital early in the morning, and she didn’t even charge them the petrol money. And now Auntie Chen wanted to take advantage of her!

She might have money, but she worked hard for them.

Auntie Chen saw Xiao Lingyu walk away, and her eyes darkened. She said fiercely, “What a miser. You are so rich, but you care about a measly 300 RMB!” Auntie Chen didn’t plan to return the money at all.

Her family went up the mountains to dig for flowers in the middle of the night. They did not find any flowers, but they were bitten by a poisonous snake. It was a huge loss. This was all due to Xiao Lingyu’s family. If not for the news about the expensive flowers at the Xiao Family yard, Auntie Chen’s family wouldn’t have gone to the mountains!

This was why Auntie Chen wanted Xiao Lingyu to pay the hospital bills. She promised to return the money, but that was a lie.

Xiao Lingyu was also lying when she said she was going to find a friend to borrow the money. She often came to the county town to do business, so she would leave some money in her rental.

Not long after, Xiao Lingyu returned to the hospital. After settling the hospitalization procedures for Xiao Jun, she said, “Auntie Chen, I still have something to do, so I’ll leave first!”

“Oh, okay!” After Auntie Chen saw Xiao Lingyu really paid the bills, she sighed.

After Xiao Lingyu left the hospital, she went straight to the police station.

When she went to retrieve the money, Jiang Tao called her to tell her that the assassination case had a breakthrough. He wanted her to go to the station because he had some questions for her.

When she arrived at the police station, Jiang Tao waited at the door.

Jiang Tao brought Xiao Lingyu to the office.

“Lingyu, the case is wrapping up. There is evidence to prove that the Zhou Family has paid the beggar to murder you.”

“The Zhou Family?” Xiao Lingyu was shocked. She did suspect the Zhou Family, but she didn’t think the Zhou Family would be so ruthless in wanting her dead!

“That’s right!” Jiang Tao nodded. “You sent Zhou Hongwei to jail. His family decided to take revenge on you.” He paused. “Interestingly enough, the Zhou Family’s assassination case has brought out the sinister sponsors behind Zhou Tanxiong.

“We have punished Zhou Tanxiong by having him stay at home so that he couldn’t intervene. However, the old fox made use of his sponsors and tried to come after you.

“In the past, we were privy to the existence of this group of background sponsors, but we do not have enough evidence to identify them. However, this time, we managed to find more leads because he had used them to exact revenge on you!”

Xiao Lingyu was dumbfounded.

She also didn’t expect the Zhou family to think so highly of her. The deputy chief of the police station actually utilized the mysterious forces behind him just to harm her.

Xiao Lingyu combed her mind. In her previous life, when her grandfather came to lodge a case against the Lan Family, the chief was Chief Zhou. However, she was not sure if that person was Zhou Tanxiong.

But something confused Xiao Lingyu. Shouldn’t Jiang Tao be the police chief? So, where was Jiang Tao in her previous life? Had he transferred away?

Xiao Lingyu thought about it. It was very possible. Jiang Tao had been the police chief for three years already. His excellent service meant that he could have been promoted. If Jiang Tao were still the police chief at the time, her family wouldn’t be bullied so hard.

Xiao Lingyu felt a pang of hatred towards Zhou Tanxiong. At the same time, she was sad because she would have to part with Jiang Tao soon. She would miss him as a friend. After all, she had no idea if they would meet again after this separation.

With that thought, Xiao Lingyu kept glancing at Jiang Tao.

This made Jiang Tao a little puzzled. He could not help but ask, “Lingyu, is there something dirty on my face?”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and shook her head. “No! I just feel that I’m very lucky to have a friend like you!”

Jiang Tao sighed in relief. Then, he said, “I feel the same way!” Then, he thought for a moment and added, “Lingyu, I don’t think I explained myself clearly last time, and it might have caused a misunderstanding. Actually… I don’t mind… it as long as you agree to be my girlfriend!”

This was the first time in history that Jiang Tao had used his official time to deal with personal matters. Jiang Tao had always been a man of business. But he made an exception for Xiao Lingyu. This went to show how much he cared for Xiao Lingyu.

Xiao Lingyu could not help but be stunned.

She didn’t expect Jiang Tao to confess to her suddenly!

Xiao Lingyu felt trapped and uneasy. Ever since she decided to give birth to Xiao Tong, she never thought about having a boyfriend or marrying. But now, this handsome and outstanding man didn’t mind her history and wanted to be her!

If she didn’t have Xiao Tong, she might have accepted him… Alas.

Moreover, Xiao Tong’s father was this man’s best friend. If she said yes, how was Jiang Tao going to face his friend in the future? How could she face Jiang Tao?

Lastly, she owed Xiao Tong too much. She would do everything to give Xiao Tong the world. Once Xiao Tong had a stepfather, he might have step-siblings. However, Xiao Lingyu didn’t plan to have any other children.

Therefore, she could not accept Jiang Tao’s confession.

Xiao Lingyu’s expression was very flustered. She smiled and said, “Brother Jiang, please don’t joke with me. I will take it seriously. I know I am not worthy of you.”

Jiang Tao said very seriously, “Lingyu, I am not joking!”

At this moment, Xiao Lingyu’s expression slowly calmed down. Then, she sighed and said with a heavy tone, “Brother Jiang, I’m really not worth it. To tell you the truth, I’m already pregnant. I plan to raise this child on my own.

“Can you really marry a woman who has a child who you did not father? Even if you can, what will your family say? They will be mocked and ridiculed. You will suffer too. They will say that you’ve brought back an unclean woman and a bastard grandson. So, Brother Jiang, I’m really not worthy of you.

“So, please don’t bring this up again. We are still friends, okay?”