"That''s fine then. Third Uncle, Vige Chief, Party Secretary, I have an apartment in the Dongfang Group building. Yan Zhao can have this house - after all, he''s my big brother." At this point, Yan Xishan could only pat Yan Zhao''s shoulder, swallow his pride, and pretend to be generous.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As the Party Secretary, Yan Xiong had to conclude this matter: "As men, we should learn from Xishan and Yan Zhao. But let me say two things - while reform and opening up is good, young people being too casual about marriage afterwards is a big problem. It''s best to stick with your original spouse if possible. Try to make it work and stay together if you can. Let''s all try not to get divorced, okay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That''s right. If you get divorced, other people end up beating your kids and sleeping with your wife. Who could befortable with that?" someone immediately chimed in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Wasn''t this undermining things?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan''s handsome face, even more striking than Fei Xiang''s, was already as red as a pig''s liver. He was about to leave, but thisment stung him into turning back, nearly ready to hit someone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fortunately, a group of people pushed him, forcibly shoving him out the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing it was almost 8:30, Yan Zhao also left with everyone else, as he had to go to work.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His cousin Yan Yong was the vige chief, and he had another cousin called Yan Bin who worked as a police officer at the Yanguan Police Station. These two were Yan Zhao''s closest rtives in all of Yanguan Vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Yan Peiheng had been serving in the military away from home for a long time, taking his two older sons with him in the army. Only Yan Zhao had stayed home to keep his motherpany, growing up together with Yan Yong and Yan Bin. He was closer to them as brothers than to his two siblings in the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Regarding Zhou Xueqin secretly returning to the First Brigade a few days ago, he had discussed it with Yan Zhao, so this wasn''t news.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Furthermore, the reason Yan Zhao was transferred to the Jindong Road Police Station was, as Chen Men thought, for the security of Jindong District.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jindong District had the most factories in Xiping City. As they entered the 1990s, it was an era of frequent cases involving smuggling, trafficking of guns and babies, speeding trucks, gang fights over territory, and other such crimes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Jindong Road Police Station had a particrly high number of such cases. But oddly enough, the positions of police chief and head of the criminal investigation team at this station were also the hardest to fill. As the saying goes, "The camp is iron, but the soldiers flow like water" - most people would leave after just a few days, and even those who stayed would eventually run into trouble.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Police Chief Sun Nutao was Yan Zhao''s former superior in the army. It was he who had specially submitted a report to the department requesting Yan Zhao as the head of the criminal investigation team.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As they say, even a strong dragon can''t crush a local snake. This ce seemed calm on the surface, but the waters ran deep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Many capable and tough figures had been sent from the capital to rectify this ce, but most returned empty-handed. The reason was that there were too many local snakes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was both a strong dragon and a local snake.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The higher-ups'' goal was for him to investigate the long-standing cases at the Jindong Road Police Station, and hopefully, to be able to work there for a long time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, Yan Zhao had mentioned marrying Chen Men to Yan Yong right after returning from matchmaking in Chen Family Vige, so Yan Yong knew about it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was also why Yan Zhao was so confident, knowing that he could drive away Yan Xishan with just one word.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two brothers left home together, but since Yan Zhao had to go to work, they parted ways.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Back at home, Chen Men finished sweeping the courtyard and went out to dispose of the garbage. Just as she reached the garbage station, someone suddenly dumped half a basket of coal ash, nearly covering her if she hadn''t dodged quickly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She turned around to see Hu Xiaohua standing behind the garbage station with an iron shovel, smoking a cigarette.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Having just dumped the coal ash, he left ck footprints with each step, footprints that looked oddly familiar.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan had returned home dejected, which didn''t bother him much, but Hu Xiaohua was the most frustrated. After all, he had been eyeing this courtyard for a long time, always wanting to upy it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was venting his pent-up anger on Chen Men.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Isn''t this Xiaohua? Where''s your sister?" Chen Men asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hu Xiaohua came out from behind the garbage station: "Sister Men, my sister... ah, don''t mention it, she''s at home crying."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Couldn''t get the permanent position paperwork sorted out?" Chen Men asked, feigning nonchnce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was clearly a rhetorical question. Hu Xiaohua took a deep drag on his cigarette and threw the butt on the ground: "That shameless poor bookworm Huang Zhengde said he''s going to report my sister to the Education Department. I think he has a death wish..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Suddenly, with a ssh, Chen Men dumped a bucket of garbage directly onto Hu Xiaohua.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as Hu Xiaohua was about to lose his temper, Chen Men eximed, "Oh, Xiaohua, I was dumping garbage. Why didn''t you dodge?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He had deliberately covered her in ash, so she covered him in garbage. Wasn''t that fair?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hu Xiaohua stood there stunned, wanting to get angry but unable to.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It used to be that Chen Men was Yan Xishan''s wife, so no one dared to bully her. Now, damn it, she had found herself a policeman, so he couldn''t openly bully her anymore.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It was my carelessness, Sister Men. I''ll be going now." Gritting his teeth, Hu Xiaohua turned and entered the coal yard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men returned to the courtyard to see Xiaowang crouching in a corner, once again counting his change coin by coin. She asked, "Little miser, money should be hidden away. How can you always keep it in your pocket? Be careful not to let thieves steal it. I keep all my money hidden, never in my pockets."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"There are thieves in your vige?" Yan Xiaowang asked with a curious and excited expression. "So where do you hide your money?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men happened to have 21 crisp Renminbi notes in her pocket. She solemnly took out the money, waved it around, then stood on tiptoe, lifted a tile from the eaves of the toilet, and put the money inside. "Look, I hide it here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Even though I don''t steal money, I saw where you hid it," Yan Xiaowang snorted. "And you''ve hidden the money in such an obvious ce, it''ll definitely be stolen soon."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"This is where you don''t understand. The most dangerous ce is actually the safest ce. Who would think I''d put money here?" As Chen Men said this, in the blink of an eye, she took all the money out again and put it back in her pocket.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I might not have thought of it, but I saw it," Xiaowang immediately retorted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men stood on her tiptoes and asked, "But can you reach it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xiaowang thought to himself, is this stepmother stupid? I may not be able to reach it, but if I really wanted to steal her money, couldn''t I just use a stool?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As the two were bickering, suddenly someone knocked on the door. Seeing it was a man, Yan Xiaowang immediately became wary again: "Uncle, who are you? Why have youe to our house?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was Yan Dawei from the same vige, who worked in the Materials Department of Dongfang Group and was Chen Men''s neighbor to the right.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Men, how did everyone decide earlier? What''s the oue with your house?" Yan Dawei asked directly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Actually, half a year ago, before Chen Men had divorced, Yan Dawei had mentioned that he had some things to store but couldn''t find a ce. Since Chen Men''s family had many houses andrge ones at that, he wanted to rent two rooms from her to use as a warehouse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men guessed he hade for this and quickly said, "The house is of course mine. If you want to use it, we''re from the same vige, so we can negotiate a good price. I''ll rent it to you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright, I''lle find you when I want to rent," Yan Dawei said straightforwardly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing Yan Dawei leave, Yan Xiaowang, acting like a little adult, immediately stuck to Chen Men again: "Auntie, people who rent houses are no good. Can we not rent out our house?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Why is that?" Chen Men asked in return.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xiaowang was like a little shadow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"My grandmother''s family once had people renting. They liked to y mahjong and drink alcohol. They always invited my mom to drink with them, and when they got drunk, they would..." The little boy trailed off halfway, remembering how his mom would drink with others, and when drunk, she would get upset at others earning more and angry at his dad for noting back. His eyes reddened, and he refused to continue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even without him finishing, Chen Men could guess. This was a time when the movement of people between urban and rural areas was elerating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of those who rented houses, arge portion were doing small businesses. With a bit of money, they liked to drink and fight, so if you took in a few tenants, the house would never know peace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was also why Chen Men only wanted to rent out the house as a warehouse and didn''t want to take in tenants.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Logically, such small matters didn''t need to be discussed with a little kid. Chen Men''s house was beyond even his father''s control, let alone Yan Xiaowang''s.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, to give this polite little fellow a sense of ownership, Chen Men still said, "We definitely won''t rent our house to just anyone, but that uncle is different. He''s a university graduate and a minor leader at the Dongfang Factory. Oh, have you met Ning? That''s his daughter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
These past couple of days, there had been a pretty little girl who often came to y with Zhaodi. So she was that uncle''s daughter?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang didn''t know that Chen Men had already withdrawn the money, and he kept ncing up at the tiles above the toilet from time to time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, he wouldn''t steal the money, but he was worried someone else might steal it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
One meat sandwich was enough to fill them up. At noon, none of the children wanted to eat. They just boiled some rock sugar mung bean soup to drink. On such a hot day, they theny down for their afternoon nap.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men measured the shoe sizes of Little Wang and Little Wolf with her hand, then left the house with money in her pocket, hiring a motorized tricycle to head straight for the department store.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Originally, she wanted to buy a pair of Warrior brand shoes for each of the boys, but opposite the Warrior counter, a new counter had opened. The saleswoman was the same one who had sold cosmetics to Chen Men a few days ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Sister, are you buying shoes for the kids? Why not try the Victory brand spiked shoes? All the kids love wearing these now," the saleswoman greeted her enthusiastically.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Victory brand spiked shoes?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men remembered these all too well. They were a Korean brand with rubber spikes on the soles that made you bounce when you walked. Kids especially loved them. In her past life, Zhaodi had always wanted a pair, but because she didn''t have money, she never bought them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
These shoes cost 38 yuan a pair, making them the most expensive shoes at the time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What did these shoes mean to children of the 1980s? They were like the Warrior shoes of a few years ago. Many children who got a pair would strut out the door proudly, only to return home barefoot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Where were the shoes?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They had been snatched or stolen by other children.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But even so, every child of this era wanted a pair of Victory spiked shoes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Give me three pairs, please. Bring the shoes over and I''ll check the sizes," Chen Men said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The saleswoman, who had noticed Chen Men''s generosityst time, immediately brought out several pairs for her to check the sizes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men confidently measured for all three children''s feet and bought a pair for each of them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Two hundred-yuan notes slipped from her hand in a sh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Taking the motorized tricycle back, she didn''t go home but instead went next door, knocking and calling out, "Qin Yu, are you home?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Men, what brings you here?" A woman emerged from the house. Seeing it was Chen Men, shezily found ab and startedbing her hair.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was Yan Dawei''s wife, named Qin Yu, who taught at the Dongfang School as a vocal music teacher.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, she didn''t usuallye out to see what was happening, after all, she was a teacher with high standards.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Zhaodi''s household registration is in our Yanguan Vige, and she''ll be starting primary school this September. I want to transfer her to Dongfang School. Do we need to pay some temporary schooling fees?" Chen Men asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Yu frowned slightly, "We''re in the same district, so children from our vige can attend as temporary students, but the fees are very expensive. Can you afford it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"How much is it? Just tell me, I have money here. Should I give you two thousand as a deposit?" Chen Men said straightforwardly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men directly took out twenty hundred-yuan notes, but Qin Yu was puzzled: "Didn''t you just marry Yan Zhao? It''s your second marriage, right? Can you make decisions about the family''s money? Also, are you only transferring your child, or are you including Yan Zhao''s as well?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let''s transfer them both. It''s my own earned money, I can decide," Chen Men could barely hide her excitement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for how she earned the money, she''d lie to Yan Zhaoter if she could keep it a secret.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At home, as long as they didn''t argue, it would be fine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Well, Men, I didn''t realize you were so generous," Qin Yu couldn''t help but say.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In her past life, Qin Yuter resigned from Dongfang School and went into business, opening a chain of music schools. Because Lv Erniu studied there, Chen Men had quite a bit of interaction with Qin Yu, but Qin Yu always looked down on her and treated her very coldly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men could never understand why Qin Yu looked down on her, but now that she had been reborn, she understood.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as Lv Erniu said after they fell out, even if she was the wife of the richest man, she was still just a parasite by Lu Jingyu''s side. Qin Yu''s status and position were earned through her own efforts. She and Qin Yu had nothing inmon to talk about, so how could Qin Yu possibly respect her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"By the way, don''t you teach vocal music? My Zhaodi loves singing. How about letting her learn vocal music from you? I''ll pay for the lessons, what do you think?" Chen Men said, about to take out money again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Yu directly pressed down her hand: "If Zhaodi really wants to learn, just have here over every day. It''s the holiday season anyway, I''ll teach her along with Ning. No need for money, we''re neighbors after all, I won''t charge you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Since Qin Yu didn''t want to ept payment, Chen Men didn''t push it for now. But in her past life, when Lv Erniu learned to sing, the price for a private lesson went from 20 to 200, andter to 400 yuan. Add to that dance and piano, and by junior high school, interest sses alone cost over ten thousand a month. Whether Zhaodi wanted to learn music or not, Men had to set aside this money for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So she had to make money, and a lot of it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The children were locked in the house by Chen Men, and in the middle of the day, they were all sound asleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xiaowang''s belly looked bulging. When Chen Men came in and quietly lifted his shirt to check, she found that the little guy had all his saved money taped to his body - a bundle of small bills stuck to the child''s sunken belly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men gently covered Xiaowang''s belly and went straight to the toilet. Just as she stood by the toilet, she heard heavy footsteps - Yan Zhao hade home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Light green short-sleeved shirt, dark green trousers - the 1983 version of the police uniform looked like it was made for him, as if he were a model.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was strange, Chen Men didn''t feel this way about others, but one look at Yan Zhao always made her feel like a criminal, blushing and heart racing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Priorities first. Seeing him dripping with sweat, Chen Men brought out a bowl of cool water and handed it to Yan Zhao, then said in a low voice, "Before your divorce, did you discuss it with the children? Xiaowang has been saving money, probably wanting to go find his mom."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Impossible, he chose to stay with me himself," Yan Zhao retorted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"If he doesn''t want to run away from home, why is he saving money? He must be nning to run away. If the child runs off, where would we look for him?" Chen Men questioned again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After gulping down the cool water, Yan Zhao spat out, "I''ll handle it. A good beating will do the trick."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A beating - was that his so-called way of educating children?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men was dumbfounded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How could this man not protect his own child at all?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she were really an evil stepmother and said a few nasty things to provoke him, wouldn''t Yan Zhao beat his son to death?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Forget it, forget it. I''ll handle the children''s matters. I''ll talk to Xiaowang. I have something else I need your help with," Chen Men quickly changed the subject.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Earlier, when she was chatting and joking with Xiaowang, she had put the 2,100 yuan under the eaves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xiaowang really thought she had hidden the money under the eaves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But she was bluffing, actually trying to catch a thief, and she was certain that thief was Hu Xiaohua, Hu Xiaomei''s brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men hadn''t changed the front door key since she came back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And Hu Xiaohua often came to Yanguan Vige. Through Hu Xiaomei, he must have a key to her house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The coal yard was also nearby, so he could easilye in when no one was looking, which is why she hadn''t changed the lock yet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When she left earlier, she deliberately sprinkled some coal dust on the ground. Although it was broad daylight, no one was outside at noon. If Hu Xiaohua heard there was money under the tiles, he would definitely climb over the wall to check, and once inside, he would leave footprints.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Also, there would be fingerprints on the tiles.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although her husband was a police officer, Chen Men still needed to prepare sufficient counter-evidence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, the police force now wasn''t as clean as it was a few years ago. Yan Xishan was someone who could climb high and dig deep, able to bribe and corrupt both high officials and lowly clerks. If she wanted to get the money, she had to be prepared.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thest time she was robbed, she had found a ck footprint left on a newspaper.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
First taking the newspaper with the footprint, Chen Men then pulled Yan Zhao to the toilet door and exined the situation to him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After listening, Yan Zhao immediately said, "If you suspect it''s Hu Xiaohua, you should report it to the police right away!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Halfway through his speech, he added, "Comrade Men, although I''m just a police officer, I won''t give you any special favors due to my position. We should trust the country and the government in all matters and follow the proper procedures."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The way he said it made it sound as if she wanted to take advantage of his position to do something improper.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Then I''ll go file a report. I trust the country and the government. Sigh, thest procedure I started still isn''t finished. I guess I''ll finish that one first," Chen Men said with an intentional sigh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No wonder Zhou Xueqin disliked this rigid and old-fashioned man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was the 1990s now. Yan Xishan could use his connections to directly transfer her household registration out of Xiping City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Couldn''t he at least file a report without needing connections?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thest time she went to file a report, the police at the station nearly confiscated her newspaper after hearing her story. If she hadn''t realized those guys were in cahoots with Yan Xishan and snatched the paper back, she would have lost her evidence too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And now he wanted her to continue following procedures?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Apparently, this man had joined the army at 16 and had been serving for a full 12 years now. Had military service made him foolish?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But just then, Yan Zhao turned to leave: "It''s too hot. You rest here. The work at Yanguan Police Station has been getting worsetely. I''ll go file the report and take the opportunity to inspect their work."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This statement finally convinced Chen Men that she had married a man with some humanity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Come to think of it, the skin behind his ears was still pink.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And while the muscles on his body were hard, the texture of his ears looked particrly delicate, as if they were especially soft.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Especially that pink hue on the back, so different from the front, like a little rabbit''s ears. It made Chen Men want to give them a gentle squeeze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0