"My grand-niece, you're married and out of touch, so don't meddle. Besides, just let everyone take a look at your house. If your parents truly haven't done anything wrong, everyone will give up."
Zhang Chunhua was ostensibly speaking up for Chen Mantun and his family, but she knew in her heart that if they searched, they would definitely find something. Then they would see if the family learned their lesson.
"Auntie, even though I'm married, I'm still a Chen. I have a say in this household. I'm putting my words out there today. I have a thousand yuan at home. Anyone who wants to search can come, but if the money goes missing, you'll have to compensate every cent!"
"This is clearly extortion. Who would dare to search now? What if you stir up trouble for yourselves?" murmurs began to spread through the crowd.
Zhang Chunhua forced a smile, "My grand-niece, why are you trying so hard to put up a front? Everyone knows your family's situation. So many eyes are watching; it's not as simple as you trying to extort them!"
"Don't listen to this money-losing brat trying to scare us. I'll go with you all. Blame me for anything that happens! Today, I refuse to believe I can't deal with them!" Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand, ready to lead the charge.
Chen Lishu's peripheral vision caught sight of Chen Liwan, who had returned. The latter nodded at her, a smile playing on her lips.
"If you all want to go to my house, that's fine. But you can't just go searching every time someone says something, can you? Is there any law left?"
"Grand-niece, what do you want?" Zhang Changhe, seeing her concede, couldn't help but ask.
Chen Lishu scanned Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang's family before speaking slowly, "Searching just one family isn't enough. What if they're the ones crying wolf?"
"You mother's rotten fart! You..." Old Mrs. Chen, enraged, leaped up.
"Auntie, calm down," Zhang Changhe immediately intervened. He truly didn't want to get involved in this mess. But since the issue had been brought up in front of so many people, as the branch secretary, he couldn't just ignore it.
Chen Lishu, too lazy to argue with Old Mrs. Chen, her gaze fell upon the onlookers, Widow Liu. Seeing the latter look over, she gave her a brilliant smile.
Although it was already summer, Widow Liu shivered involuntarily from the smile.
"Aunt Liu, since you were so vocal earlier, I assume you have nothing to hide. Perhaps everyone could also search your home," Chen Lishu said, turning to Zhang Changhe and the other villagers. "If you all agree to search these two families I mentioned, then I agree to let you search my home. If anything is found, I'm willing to donate all my savings to the team to show my sincerity."
"Lishu..." Chen Mantun and his wife, hearing her concession and talk of donating money, felt their hearts jump into their throats.
"Dad, Mom, trust me." Chen Lishu turned back and gave them a reassuring look.
Chen Mantun and his wife were at a loss. They could only place their hopes on Chen Lishu.
"Dad, Mom, Grandma, you absolutely must not fall for Chen Lishu's tricks. She's always been cunning. I think this is just her guilt showing; she has no other choice and wants to drag someone down with her to scare others! Don't we know your second uncle's family's situation?" Chen Baozhu whispered to a few people.
After conferring, they realized it made sense.
Old Mrs. Chen was no longer afraid and spoke directly, "Everyone, don't be fooled by this brat. We've always been honest and upright. We're not afraid of her threats, nor are we afraid of being searched."
She wasn't afraid, but Widow Liu was.
Her house was filled with items gifted by her lovers. Although she was older, she was inexpensive and uninhibited. A few ears of corn were never too little, and ten or eight yuan was never too much; she accepted all comers. If everyone saw them, how could she explain?
"Lishu is right. Widow Liu, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Aunt Chen has already agreed. Weren't you the one making all the noise earlier? What happened, have you gone mute now?" A woman who had long disliked her, always suspecting her own husband of having an affair with Widow Liu, seized the opportunity to cause trouble.
One led to another, and soon more women spoke up. Widow Liu found herself in a difficult position. However, looking at Chen Lishu's smug expression, her hatred intensified.
Chen Baozhu was right; she was just trying to bluff them. Old Mrs. Chen had said there was something, and they were family, so there must be something.
If Chen Lishu wouldn't let her have an easy time, then she wouldn't either. As long as she had Da Bao and his brother hide the items secretly on their way home, they wouldn't find anything when they searched, which would also prove her innocence.
Having figured this out, Widow Liu readily agreed to Chen Lishu's proposal.
"Liu Da Bao, where are you brothers going? Aren't you planning to go home and hide things?" Chen Lishu called out loudly as she saw the Liu brothers trying to slip away while everyone headed towards the Chen family's house.
Everyone's gaze turned towards them.
Now, with Chen Lishu's shout and so many eyes watching, neither brother could leave. Widow Liu hated it, her heart also in turmoil.
When they arrived at the Chen family's house, Chen Mantun and his wife trembled as they opened the door, as if facing a humiliating struggle session. The couple dared not even look into the room. If Chen Mantun hadn't been supporting her, Wu Chunmei's legs would have given out.
Rabbits and pheasants were considered large game, and the searchers wouldn't really rummage through cabinets. After a brief search of the room, they came out and shook their heads at Zhang Changhe, having found nothing suspicious.
"Impossible! How could there be nothing? Are you all in cahoots with them?" Old Mrs. Chen was relentless, pointing and berating the searchers, even wanting to search the room herself.
"They must have hidden it. Get up, I'll search myself." She would find the items even if she had to dig three feet deep.
"Grandma, if you go in, the nature of this matter will change." Chen Lishu stepped forward, blocking the doorway, and looked down at Old Mrs. Chen. "If you go in, it's trespassing. Do you believe me if I say I can call the police and have you arrested right now?"
"I'm going into my own son's house, and that's illegal? You conniving brat, stop trying to fool me."
Chen Lishu sneered, "What kind of mother would slander her own son? I've already been generous by not suing you for defamation."
After speaking, Chen Lishu ignored her and turned to Zhang Changhe. "Uncle Changhe, should we go to my eldest uncle's house next, or Widow Liu's?"
Zhang Changhe hesitated, but since the agreement had been made, he could only say, "Then let's go to Mancang's house."
Regardless of whether Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang were willing, the words had been spoken, so they had no choice but to lead the group to their home.
"What is this?"
Soon, someone found two rabbits and two pheasants from a basket that had been overturned in the kitchen.
"Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, I never thought you would be this kind of people! It's one thing to dislike my parents, but you're trying to frame them for your own wrongdoings. Don't your consciences hurt?" Chen Lishu pinched her thigh hard, tears streaming down her face from the pain. To outsiders, it looked like genuine grief.