"This..."
As one of them hesitated, about to speak, another interrupted, "There's still another family. Let's go check that one out." With that, she turned to look at Zhang Changhe.
Zhang Changhe and Gu Shoufou exchanged glances, seeing a trace of worry in each other's eyes.
The Gu family's matter could be smoothed over, but the Chen family's could absolutely not.
...
"Mom, I just went to take a look. The investigators have already arrived and are heading from the Gu family's place to my uncle's house."
Chen Baozhu slipped in from outside the door, looking at Zhang Chunhua and Old Mrs. Chen with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.
This time, let's see if that bitch Chen Lishu can still be so arrogant.
"They went to the Gu family's? What did the higher-ups say?" Zhang Chunhua's spirits immediately lifted.
"I really don't know, but it's a done deal. I think this time none of them can escape; they'll all end up in jail."
Hearing her beloved grandson say this, Old Mrs. Chen scrambled off the kang. "Baozhu's mother, hurry, let's go take a look too."
The second son's family all listened to that little brat and didn't pay her any mind. It was her eldest grandson who was smart and came up with this idea to help her vent her anger, so she couldn't miss it.
Zhang Chunhua also wanted to see the fate of Chen Mantun's family. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, along with Chen Baozhu, headed towards Chen Mantun's house.
...
"You are Chen Mantun?" The investigator opened his notebook and looked at Chen Mantun with a stern expression.
Chen Mantun flinched and nodded. "I, I am."
Although he tried his best to stay calm, his throat was still dry, and his legs trembled.
"Where are your pigs?"
"Pigs, pigs..." Chen Mantun had never lied in his life, especially when being questioned by the other party. He instinctively looked to Gu Xingye for help.
Gu Xingye smiled and stepped forward, taking out cigarettes from his pocket and offering them to the two investigators. "Comrades, it's really tough for you to make a trip out in this cold weather. Have a smoke first."
Seeing that the cigarettes offered had filters, the two investigators reached out to take them. Gu Xingye quickly took out a lighter and lit them.
After smoking, the two investigators' expressions eased considerably; they were no longer as stern as before.
"This is my uncle's house. My uncle is an honest man. Ask me whatever questions you have," Gu Xingye said with a smile.
"The family did raise a pig. It was sold to the purchasing station a couple of days ago. The neighbors around can all testify."
As Gu Xingye spoke, his gaze swept over the neighbors who had come to the yard upon hearing the commotion. They were all old neighbors of decades. Regardless of where Chen's pig was sold, they were willing to speak a good word for them.
"The couple has been honest and simple all their lives; they wouldn't do such a thing."
"Yes, if it wasn't sold to the purchasing station, where else could it have been sold?"
"You're talking nonsense!"
Old Mrs. Chen, who had just arrived and saw the situation, immediately became agitated. Her small feet quickly carried her into the yard. "Did you see him sell it to the purchasing station? Don't spout nonsense if you don't know anything. If you babble on, I'll have all of you arrested and thrown in jail!"
Seeing Old Mrs. Chen approach, everyone fell silent, some even taking a small step back.
This old woman was unreasonable when she was young, and now that she was older, no one dared to provoke her.
"Since it was sold to the purchasing station, please show us the receipt." The investigator threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stomped it out with his foot, and looked up at Chen Mantun.
Chen Mantun's heart skipped a beat, and his body trembled involuntarily.
"Comrade, it's such a cold day. Let's go inside to talk," Gu Xingye said, seeing the situation was not right, and pulled the investigator towards the house.
"Yes, you've traveled so far. You haven't even had a sip of hot water," Zhang Changhe also chimed in, urging them into the house.
"The investigators have things to do. Second brother, hurry up and get the receipt to show them," Old Mrs. Chen interjected from the side.
"Yes, second brother. You said the family's pigs were all sold. The purchasing station must have a receipt, right? Otherwise, we can't even find a way to speak up for you."
Zhang Chunhua said this seemingly kindly, but in her heart, she was blooming with joy. This time, let's see if these two are still so smug. It wasn't so easy to take advantage of them.
"I..." Chen Mantun had never been stared at by so many eyes. Sweat began to pour from his forehead. He mumbled with his lips, not knowing what to say.
When Gu Xingye arrived, he had told them that no matter what, they could not admit to selling the pig privately. But facing the investigator's questioning, he didn't know how to answer.
Chen Mantun was filled with regret at that moment. He wished he had sold the pig to the purchasing station with Chen Mancang and the others. Although he would have earned less, there wouldn't be so much trouble.
"Your father..." Wu Chunmei was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. If her husband were really going to jail, what would happen to them, the mother and children?
"Uncle, please think carefully about where you put the receipt. Let's search slowly. It's understandable if you forgot in your haste. The investigators will understand."
Gu Xingye sidestepped the investigator's gaze and winked at Chen Mantun, signaling him to find an excuse to say the receipt was lost. Without proof, it would be difficult to determine the matter.
Unfortunately, Gu Xingye's efforts were like trying to wink at a blind person. Chen Mantun was already so scared that he had no ability to think. Looking at the investigator's questioning gaze, he let out a heavy sigh of annoyance. "What receipt? I..."
"Uncle!"
"In-laws!!"
Gu Xingye and Gu Shoufou's expressions suddenly changed when they saw him about to confess.
If the matter of selling the pig was admitted, it would surely lead to more revelations. If Chen Lishu was implicated, who knew what they might find out.
They both reprimanded him simultaneously. Chen Mantun seemed to finally realize what he had said, looking at them blankly, his mouth slightly open, not knowing what to say.
"If you cannot produce the receipt, then it can only be classified as speculation and profiteering." One investigator glanced indifferently at Chen Mantun, then turned his gaze to Zhang Changhe. "Secretary Zhang, I'll have to trouble you to send two militiamen to escort the person to the town public security bureau."
Upon hearing that he was to be taken to the public security bureau, Wu Chunmei's legs went weak, and she sat down on the ground.
"Mom." Chen Liyuan and her sisters, seeing Wu Chunmei sit down, quickly came to help her.
"Mom, what's wrong? Lijuan is scared." Chen Lijuan fearfully reached out her hands to hug Wu Chunmei's neck and pressed her small face against hers.
"Good girl, Mom is fine," Wu Chunmei said with difficulty, but tears, like a bursting dam, poured out as she hugged Chen Lijuan's small body and sobbed.
"Sister-in-law, don't be too sad. Second brother made a mistake and must accept the organization's punishment," Zhang Chunhua said gently. "As the saying goes, a fall into the pit is a gain in your wit. Live honestly in the future and don't be foolish again."
"How could I have given birth to such a disappointing son like you!"
Upon hearing that someone was to be taken away, Old Mrs. Chen's eyes darted, and she turned to hit Chen Mantun hard on the back, saying hatefully, "Where did you sell the pig? Did that dead girl Chen Lishu help you?"