"Why are you calling me today, you kid?" Wan Liansheng asked with a smile over the phone.
"I need your help with something now."
As Li Zhiwei roughly explained the situation, Wan Liansheng, who had been sitting casually, gradually straightened up.
...
In a blink of an eye, Lin Xiaohui had been living at the Wu family's for almost two months. Apart from the first two times Lu Chengming came looking for her and she didn't give him a good look, Lu Chengming had no further contact.
As time went by, Lin Xiaohui started to panic. If Lu Chengming really abandoned her and their child, what would she do in the future?
Therefore, when Lin Xiaoyue suggested that Wu Zheng go to the Lu family to check on the situation, Lin Xiaohui no longer put up a front.
As it happened, Wu Zheng was off duty today. He took a bus to the Lu family's residence. Lu Chengming was not there, but he met Lu's mother, who looked particularly cold.
"Your sister-in-law is quite something. When she's unhappy, she doesn't spare even me, her mother-in-law."
"Our Chengming is good-looking and has a formal city hukou and works for rationed supply. Marrying her, a country girl, is already a blessing. She's always nitpicking, eating my food, living in my house, and not even paying for meals. If she had the guts to leave back then, why is she sending you as a mediator now?"
Although Wu Zheng was in military uniform, Lu's mother didn't think much of him. He was just a stinking soldier in her eyes.
Wu Zheng said obsequiously, "Couples naturally have disagreements. Xiaohui does have a bit of a temper and has caused you trouble, but after all, you have to consider the child, don't you think?"
Mentioning the child, Lu's mother paused, then straightened her back and glanced at Wu Zheng.
"Don't try to threaten us with the child. If she had the ability to take the child and leave, she must have thought about the consequences. Our Lu family isn't a place you can just leave and come back to as you please."
"If you want to come back, you must agree to three conditions. You must pay for living expenses. And I have worked hard to look after the child, so you should buy me something during festivals. If you throw a tantrum and leave again like this, we won't want such a daughter-in-law in our Lu family."
Wu Zheng's smile faded a little. He said nothing more, but stood up and looked down at Lu's mother.
"Xiaohui's hometown is far away, but she still has me and her sister. Xiaohui's temper isn't great, but your son-in-law did go too far this time. If he can apologize with a good attitude, I can persuade Xiaohui to come back. If he doesn't realize his mistake, Xiaohui can earn wages, and our family doesn't lack food for two people. After all, she's still young and can raise the child somehow. Auntie, you carry on. I have things to do at my unit, so I'll be leaving now."
Lu's mother watched his retreating back and blinked. What did he mean? Wasn't he here to beg for Chengming to take her back? Why was he speaking so assertively?
Wu Zheng didn't care what Lu's mother thought. In his opinion, no matter what, it was wrong for the man to resort to violence in a couple's quarrel. And now, there wasn't even an apology. Did they really think his wife's family had no one?
As he got on the bus, not even two stops later, Wu Zheng's gaze suddenly fell upon two people pushing a bicycle, or more precisely, he fixed his gaze on the woman on the bicycle.
Why was Chen Lishu here? And looking at her with her eyes closed and head tilted, her condition seemed very bad.
"Stop, driver, I need to get off!" Wu Zheng walked quickly to the front of the driver's seat and said solemnly to the driver.
"Comrade, the bus has already started. How can you stop on the main road? The next stop isn't far, just wait a little longer."
The driver patiently persuaded him. If it weren't for his military uniform, he would have been impatient.
What was he thinking? Wanting to get off halfway. Doesn't he know that one sudden brake wastes so much fuel money?
"I have an urgent matter, stop the bus quickly." Wu Zheng took out his work permit from his pocket. "Otherwise, if anything happens..."
Before he could finish speaking, the driver slammed on the brakes and stopped the bus in the middle of the road. He couldn't afford to take responsibility.
As the door opened, Wu Zheng dashed towards the direction where he had just seen Chen Lishu.
As a result, when he arrived, the person was long gone. Wu Zheng looked around, spotted a direction, and quickly pursued.
Wang Er Biao and Gouzi took the person to the home of Gouzi's friend. The door was opened by a man with a scruffy beard whose face was unclear. He wore messy clothes, and up close, one could faintly smell a sour odor. Such a person on the street would never be suspected of being involved in this line of work.
"Brother Peng, this is the new merchandise. What do you think?"
The man called Brother Peng's eyes lit up when he saw Chen Lishu's face. He stepped aside and invited her into the house.
"Come in." He spoke with a strong local accent.
"Gouzi, is this person reliable?" Wang Er Biao asked quietly, unsure. Looking at Brother Peng's demeanor, he probably couldn't even support himself, so how could he pay them?
Gouzi replied softly, "Don't worry, Brother Peng has been in this business for years. He has wide connections and can get the best price."
"Brother Peng, how much can you give for this one?"
"This quality is good. Sending her to the mountains might not fetch a good price. Transporting her south should sell for a good profit."
The man called Brother Peng's gaze remained on Chen Lishu's face, clearly very satisfied with her.
"Five hundred, how about it?"
Upon hearing that he could offer five hundred, Gouzi and Wang Er Biao exchanged glances, seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
"Brother Peng, how about eight hundred?" Gouzi hesitantly bargained.
Brother Peng hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, wait here, I'll get the money."
...
Wu Zheng chased the figure through two streets. Seeing the person disappear again in an instant, he carefully looked around the area and suddenly saw a familiar bicycle parked at the entrance of a bungalow. His eyes flashed sharply, and he rushed forward.
Wang Er Biao and Gouzi were waiting to collect the money when the door was suddenly kicked open from the outside with a 'bang'. The two were startled, and when they saw a military green figure appear before them, they nearly wet themselves with fear. They turned and ran behind them.
Catching sight of the昏睡 figure on a nearby stool, Wu Zheng's eyes instantly filled with fury. He kicked Gouzi and, using the momentum from Gouzi's back, swept his other leg towards Wang Er Biao's head. Because Wu Zheng's force was too great, the two grunted and fell to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
The man called Brother Peng, hearing the commotion from inside the room, knew that things were not good. He grabbed the money hidden under the bed and, without even looking back to check, rushed towards the back window.
When Wu Zheng entered to check, he could only see the open window and a retreating figure. Concerned about Chen Lishu, Wu Zheng did not pursue her but turned back to the outer room.