The Public Security searched the Jia for over half an hour, finding nothing.
However, they did find a few loose bills, possibly where Jia Dongxu had hidden money before.
Jia Zhangshi naturally collected them without a word, not even asking Qin Huairu.
If it was Qin Huairu's hidden money, Jia Zhangshi would have taken it anyway.
She had lost all her own hidden money, and now her eyes turned red at the sight of cash; not a single cent could pass her by.
"Jia Family Sister-in-law, we understand your situation very well, and we will continue to follow up on the case's status."
"Three Great Masters, you've also worked hard, go home and get some good rest."
The Old Public Security Officer said finally.
"No, what do you mean? Are you leaving?"
Jia Zhangshi felt something was wrong when she heard this.
The Public Security was about to run away.
"We have finished collecting the information; staying longer will not yield any further results."
"When we return to the bureau, we will show the information to other colleagues, and perhaps they can provide guidance."
The Old Public Security Officer said very amiably.
"Then, then, why don't you call more people over to help search?"
"And we haven't searched other people's homes yet; maybe someone else in the Courtyard stole my money, you can't let them off."
Jia Zhangshi was both anxious and angry.
She wasn't a child; she knew in her heart that once the Public Security left this time, her case was definitely going to be a bust.
Only children would take talk of 'follow-up' seriously.
"Jia Family Sister-in-law, it's not that I'm not helping you."
"The Jia has been searched thoroughly, and there's really nothing. If you're still worried, you can mobilize the residents of the Courtyard to help you search."
"As for searching other people's homes, there's no reason for that. They haven't even entered your house, so there's no suspicion at all."
The Old Public Security Officer explained amiably.
"No, you can't leave."
"If you don't find my lost money today, why are you leaving?"
Jia Zhangshi got angry.
The Old Public Security Officer didn't get angry with Jia Zhangshi, after all, she had lost over nine hundred yuan, so it was understandable for her to be upset.
He gave the Three Great Masters a look.
"Old Woman Jia, don't make it difficult for Comrade Police; they've already done their best."
"That's right, the Public Security didn't say they wouldn't investigate anymore; you have to give them some time."
"Old Woman Jia, being unreasonable won't do; there's no such logic."
The Three Great Masters spoke up one after another, trying to persuade her.
The Old Public Security Officer seized the moment of Jia Zhangshi's daze and quickly led the Young Police Officer away.
By the time Jia Zhangshi recovered, the Public Security had vanished without a trace.
"You scoundrels, my money, where did my money go?"
Jia Zhangshi cursed, then collapsed onto the ground, sighing repeatedly.
The Three Great Masters tried to persuade her for a while longer, but seeing no sign of Jia Zhangshi calming down, they all returned to their homes.
Before leaving, the three specifically instructed Qin Huairu that if Jia Zhangshi went mad, Qin Huairu should run outside and shout loudly.
They were all worried that Jia Zhangshi, unable to recover her money, would vent her anger on Qin Huairu.
If Qin Huairu hadn't been pregnant, she would have simply endured the beating.
Now that she was pregnant, the Three Great Masters wanted to take care of her.
"Qin Jie, I'll stand guard for you tonight."
Before Qin Huairu could answer, Sha Zhu volunteered.
Qin Huairu's face showed an expression of disdain.
Sha Zhu didn't care about his reputation, but she still wanted a good one.
"Sha Zhu, you beast, I'll fight you!"
Jia Zhangshi sprang up, her five fingers slightly bent, aiming to scratch Sha Zhu's face.
The Three Great Masters didn't help.
They let Jia Zhangshi freely display her unique skill.
Guarding a widow's door, what was he thinking?
Every day, he's just pondering about unreliable things.
Serves him right if Granny Jia scratches him to death.
It just so happens to let Granny Jia vent some anger.
Sha Zhu couldn't fend her off and fled in disarray.
"Jia Family Sister-in-law, what's done is done. Some things, once they happen, are over. Look forward."
Yi Zhonghai advised solemnly.
"That's right, money can be earned again. As long as the family is healthy, that's better than anything."
Liu Haizhong also advised.
"Jia Family Sister-in-law, the Jia's continuation of the family line is more important than money. For anything, let's keep a broad mind."
Yan Fugui advised.
"Each of you speaks better than you sing, but it's not your money that's lost, so it's easy to talk."
"If you have time to talk, each of you give me two hundred, and I'll even kowtow twice for you."
Jia Zhangshi's nose was crooked, and her eyes were askew.
She felt that the three old men in front of her were enjoying the show and didn't care about the trouble.
What good was sweet talk?
Yi Zhonghai and the two others were rebutted, unable to speak, and each returned to their homes.
"There isn't a single good person in our Courtyard; they're all just waiting to see me make a fool of myself."
Jia Zhangshi said indignantly.
Only Qin Huairu was beside her.
She didn't know how to respond.
"You tell Mom, did you really not steal my money?"
Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu again.
"Mom, I really didn't take your money."
Qin Huairu was helpless.
She deeply regretted not having thought of taking Jia Zhangshi's money before.
If she had known this would happen, she should have acted earlier and stolen Jia Zhangshi's money.
Now, she hadn't taken the money, but the reputation of stealing money was pinned on her, and she couldn't shake it off.
"Hmph!"
"Come inside with me."
Jia Zhangshi snorted heavily and walked into the house with her hands behind her back.
The Jia's front door closed.
Soon.
Clap clap clap!
Loud slaps, quiet sobs, and Jia Zhangshi's suppressed angry voice came from inside the house.
Sha Zhu stood at his own doorway, his fists clenched, tears in his tiger-like eyes.
I couldn't protect Qin Jie!
I'm so useless!
Chen Family.
Chen Jianye finished his breakfast contentedly, put the dishes and chopsticks into an enamel basin, and carried it out the door, walking towards the front Courtyard.
He naturally heard the sounds from inside the Jia's house.
To be honest, he did feel a bit sorry for Qin Huairu.
But thinking about what the Jia had done to the Chen Family, Chen Jianye's heart hardened.
Arriving at the front Courtyard, Chen Jianye drew water to wash the dishes.
"Jianye, you just finished eating."
Yu Li, who was washing clothes, initiated the conversation.
"Yes, the Rolling Mill paid salaries today, so I got off work late."
Chen Jianye replied with a smile.
"Oh, how much money did you get?"
Yu Li asked curiously.
"Not much, thirty yuan."
Chen Jianye hesitated slightly, then told the truth.
Many people in the Courtyard knew that he had successfully become a First-Level Fitter.
How much a First-Level Fitter at the Rolling Mill could earn was no secret either.
"Hiss, thirty yuan, you're good."
Yu Li said, very shocked, "My dad only makes a few yuan more than you, and he's thirty years older than you."
"And there are seven people in our Yan Family, but only one in your family... Oh dear, I misspoke, I didn't mean to imply your family is small."
"Later, when you find a partner and have two children, your family will be bigger."
Yu Li rambled on, quickly trying to correct herself.
"It's fine, Li Jie, it's just me in my family, and you weren't mocking me or anything."
"As for finding a partner, it probably won't happen anytime soon."
Chen Jianye said casually.
He could feel that Yu Li's words had no ill intent.
Since the other party had no ill intent, Chen Jianye naturally wouldn't get upset.
"Hey, actually, your conditions are pretty good; it shouldn't be hard to find a suitable partner."
"My mom even told me it's all Granny Jia's fault; she really can't stand to see others do well."
Yu Li praised him for a bit, then turned to curse Jia Zhangshi.