Zhou Tingting’s mother-in-law, Mother Wang, was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. Before she could even respond, her daughter-in-law unleashed a torrent of accusations: "Didn’t I tell you that thing was my mother’s keepsake? What gives you the right to steal it? Are you out of your mind? Give it back to me now!"
Having already been frustrated at the Zhou Family, Zhou Tingting now directed all her pent-up rage at Mother Wang over the missing item.
That jade pendant—Mother Wang had once complimented how beautiful it was, even hinting that she wanted it.
Zhou Tingting hadn’t given it to her, and Mother Wang had sulked for a long time afterward.
Mother Wang was no pushover either. Furious, she snapped back, "Why would I take your jade pendant? You’re the one who’s lost it—how dare you raise your voice at me? Do you have a death wish?"
When Zhou Tingting first married into the family, she hadn’t been this bold. Coming from a rural background, she used to be meek and submissive.
But then her older brother started a factory, made a fortune, and suddenly, Zhou Tingting gained a foothold in the Li Family.
Her in-laws became less harsh, treating her better—even begging her to help get their younger son a job at her brother’s factory!
Thus, Zhou Tingting became the Li Family’s "great benefactor," growing more and more arrogant.
Though Mother Wang sometimes found her behavior unbearable, she bit her tongue, considering the family’s circumstances.
After all, Zhou Tingting was now the sister of a successful businessman.
The Li Family lived in the city, but their wages were meager.
Though they worked for state-owned enterprises, appearing well-off, their monthly income was a paltry thirty yuan.
Naturally, they had to stay on Zhou Tingting’s good side.
But never had Mother Wang imagined that Zhou Tingting would accuse her of theft over a lost item!
As an elementary school teacher, Mother Wang cherished her reputation—she would never stoop to stealing some worthless jade pendant!
She admitted she had admired it, but once Zhou Tingting said it was her late mother’s keepsake, Mother Wang dropped the idea.
Who would want a dead person’s belongings? She found it downright unlucky!
Zhou Tingting’s temper had worsened over the years. Back when she first married in, even if something had been stolen, she would’ve only dared to grumble quietly.
But now, with her accomplished brother as her backing, she refused to back down. "If it wasn’t you, then who? Who else in this house would steal from me?"
Besides, that pendant wasn’t even the most valuable item. If someone wanted to steal and sell something, they’d have taken more expensive jewelry.
Only Mother Wang had shown interest in the pendant—Zhou Tingting couldn’t think of anyone else.
"What do you mean ‘who else’? Just a few days ago, you brought some old woman into our home! She stayed in your room—why don’t you suspect her?"
Two days prior, Zhou Tingting had brought an elderly woman home, claiming she was an injured relative who needed a place to stay.
Seeing the woman was hurt, Mother Wang hadn’t objected.
But their home was small, with every room occupied.
For some inexplicable reason, Zhou Tingting had given up her own room for the old woman, forcing her husband to squeeze in with their son.
Mother Wang had been uncomfortable but figured sharing a room with the stranger was worse than staying with her daughter-in-law.
She hadn’t stepped foot in Zhou Tingting’s room since—so if anyone had stolen the pendant, it had to be that woman!
To Mother Wang, the old lady seemed shady, with shifty eyes and questionable manners.
But she’d kept her thoughts to herself.
Now, being falsely accused, Mother Wang was certain the old woman had sticky fingers and taken the pendant.
Zhou Tingting had invited a thief into their home, yet she had the nerve to blame her mother-in-law!
It was infuriating!
"Impossible!" Zhou Tingting flatly rejected the idea.
Yet an uneasy feeling crept into her heart.
If just one person said Aunt Liu was a thief, she wouldn’t believe it. But if everyone said so… she couldn’t help but doubt.
Still, she couldn’t bring herself to accept that Aunt Liu was that kind of person.
"I’m searching your room!" Whether to save face or prove herself right, Zhou Tingting declared.
Mother Wang was livid, her face turning purple with rage. How could Zhou Tingting still suspect her after everything?
She clutched her chest, struggling to calm herself. "Fine, go ahead and search! But if you don’t find it, I’ll beat you senseless!"
Zhou Tingting faltered at her mother-in-law’s confidence, but she stubbornly insisted, "Even if it’s not you, it couldn’t be Aunt Liu!"
With that, she stormed into Mother Wang’s room.
She ransacked the place—overturning the desk, checking under the bed—but the more she searched, the more panicked she became.
If Mother Wang had stolen the pendant, she would’ve hidden it carefully.
It wasn’t particularly valuable, and Mother Wang wasn’t desperate for money—why would she sell it?
A horrifying thought struck Zhou Tingting.
Could she have been wrong? Could Aunt Liu really have taken it?
Now that she was calmer, logic returned.
If Mother Wang had wanted the pendant, she would’ve taken it long ago—why wait until now?
Two days ago, when Zhou Tingting had bailed Aunt Liu out, she’d heard about how she’d been wronged by the Zhou Family—even attacked by Si Nian’s dog.
Feeling guilty, Zhou Tingting had personally brought her home.
Out of concern for her injuries, she’d even given up her own room.
No one else could’ve taken it but Aunt Liu!
Her brother had warned her. The villagers had warned her. Now even Mother Wang was saying the same.
Only Zhou Tingting had refused to believe it, blindly trusting Aunt Liu.
Had she been the one in the wrong all along?
Zhou Tingting’s face paled with disbelief.
Maybe she’d just misplaced it. That had to be it.
She couldn’t accept that she’d made a mistake.
Meanwhile, Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen arrived at the police station to deal with Aunt Liu’s case.
Had Aunt Liu simply apologized and shown remorse, the matter could’ve been resolved.
But not only had she bribed someone to bail her out, she’d arrogantly gone after Si Nian again.
She was truly beyond redemption!
This time, it wasn’t just about stealing from Si Nian—she’d also lied to the police and violated her parole.
On top of that, Zhou Yueshen had submitted evidence of her embezzling grocery money.
The situation had escalated far beyond a few days in jail—now she was facing actual prison time.
Si Nian stood behind Zhou Yueshen as he spoke with the officers.
Nearby, Aunt Liu wailed and begged, "I swear I’ll never steal again! Please let me go! May lightning strike me if I lie! May my children be born without—"
In her dramatic flailing, a murky jade pendant tumbled out of her pocket.
Every eye in the room locked onto it.
Si Nian arched a brow.
Aunt Liu froze, then scrambled to grab it—but the officers were faster.
