Chapter 45: Yet She Just Happened to Like Xie Beishen

For five consecutive days, Xie Beishen received little notes from Su Wanwan morning, noon, and night. They flustered him deeply, setting his heart racing and restless, caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

Each night, Su Heng would lurk in the backyard of the Su family’s old residence, eavesdropping on the family’s conversations. One evening, he finally overheard that the operation was set for midnight.

Hearing what he needed, Su Heng didn’t dare linger; he rushed to inform his father so that the comrades in the public security bureau could prepare accordingly.

Upon returning home, he relayed the information to Su Jianjun. Upon hearing this, Su Jianjun hurried up the mountain, intent on alerting everyone to be ready. He worried about what might go wrong.

At the Su family’s old residence, Su Jianwei instructed his parents, “Father, mother, as before, it will take over a week before I return. We’ll sell this batch of goods out of the province, to Jianjun’s place. I still have some concerns; they will surely threaten us again in the future.”

Yang Guixiang’s expression suddenly darkened; she smiled coldly, venom glinting in her eyes. “Son, I won’t let anything happen to you. I will handle Jianjun’s side. We’ll have this matter settled before you come back.”

Jinhua caught the cold look in her mother-in-law’s eyes, her hands trembling slightly as she stammered, “Mother, shall I go back to my own family’s home tomorrow?”

Yang Guixiang glared fiercely at Jinhua. “Don’t even think about it, you little tramp. I know exactly what you’re thinking. You think you can escape? Tomorrow you’re going mushroom picking with me. If not, don’t blame me for finding another wife for Jianwei.”

“And tomorrow, you’re going to your mother’s house to bring back a chicken and some vegetables. Our garden has been stripped bare by those little bastards.”

The thought of the family’s chickens being taken away pierced her heart with pain.

Jinhua’s eyes flickered with fear as she whispered, “Mother, I understand. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

She knew what her mother-in-law meant by “changing wives”—it was a death sentence for her. Even if she survived, she did not want to return home; she would surely be sold off again.

This place was better—there was meat to eat every day.

Su Mao took a deep drag of his cigarette, then tapped the butt against his shoe sole. “I’m feeling uneasy. After Jianwei finishes this job, you should quit. Our family has money. If not enough, we can always sell some gold.”

Su Jianwei agreed. If his mother had told him sooner that there was so much money at home, he would have quit long ago.

Fortune favors the bold, starvation kills the timid. This time, they could make a good profit. Afterward, he could find a pretty young wife to keep on the side and live a life of ease, like a god.

A crooked smile played on his lips as he puffed on his cigarette.

---

Late at night, Su Jianwei went up the mountain alone. Each time, he waited for his companions before moving the goods.

Upon arrival, Su Jianwei shone his flashlight around, checking the surroundings.

Su Jianjun and eight public security officers hid in the bushes. When the light swept over them, they froze instantly.

Seeing no immediate danger, Su Jianwei sat down to wait for the others, pulling out a cigarette.

Soon, footsteps echoed up the mountain. He dropped the cigarette and crushed it out with his foot.

Signaling the men below with three flashes from his flashlight, he waited for them to ascend.

When five men arrived, Su Jianwei said, “Brother Hu, you’re a few minutes late tonight.”

“I knew this batch was big, so I brought two extra brothers. That’s why we’re a bit late,” Brother Hu urged, “Hurry up, the car is still down there. Let’s move fast.”

Su Jianwei checked the surroundings once more, then cleared the vines and dry branches from the cave entrance. The men entered.

No sooner had they stepped inside than the public security officers launched their raid, quickly cornering them within the cave.

One officer brandishing a gun commanded, “Don’t move! We are the police!”

Su Jianwei collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably, his face as pale as paper. He knew he was done for.

It was certainly Su Jianjun who had reported them. His eyes were filled with panic and hatred.

Even if he was caught, he wouldn’t let Su Jianjun off easily. A plan to frame Su Jianjun immediately formed in his mind.

Su Jianjun waited until the officers had handcuffed the men and led them down before cautiously revealing himself.

To be safe, he remained unseen, fearing that if any of them received a light sentence, they might seek revenge on his family.

This had been agreed upon with the officers beforehand: he would fully cooperate with their actions, but not appear in person.

Su Jianjun took another path home.

Tomorrow, it would be time to deal with the two old fools.

---

Early the next morning, he informed his family of Su Jianwei’s arrest the previous night.

Su Heng asked, “Father, are we going to eat at Blackhearted Gan’s place today?”

Su Jianjun nodded, “We’ll go tonight. But don’t actually eat what they serve—you’ll surely be poisoned.”

At that moment, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

“It must be Li Yuanyuan,” Su Wanwan said, hurrying to the door.

Opening it, she found Li Yuanyuan holding pork.

“Wanwan, it’s been days. I really missed you.”

“Come in quickly,” Su Wanwan smiled, waving her inside.

After Li Yuanyuan explained the plan to capture the criminals that evening, Su Jianjun, Zhao Hefen, and Su Heng went off to work.

Li Yuanyuan laughed, “My brother was involved in the operation too. I’ll introduce him to you later.”

Su Wanwan nodded. “Alright. Is your brother in the police? Is he older than you?”

“Two years older. My father arranged for him to be a temporary worker.”

Su Wanwan thought about how difficult it was to find work in the city during these times; having even a temporary position was quite fortunate. Each job had its place; finding work in the city was no easy matter.

“I know temporary jobs in the city are very coveted.”

Li Yuanyuan nodded. “Wanwan, I feel like we get along well. I wish you were my sister-in-law. I’ll introduce you to my brother tonight. You can get to know him.”

“Meeting is fine, but getting to know him isn’t necessary. You know I have someone I like,” Su Wanwan smiled.

Back in the modern era, many quality men had confessed to her, but she had always liked Xie Beishen.

Her feelings for him had never changed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have strived to improve herself just to keep up with him.

“Alright, then let’s meet first,” Li Yuanyuan said.

She just thought Su Wanwan was wonderful.

She didn’t know which blind man had rejected her; with Su Wanwan’s looks, no one should refuse her.