The surroundings instantly fell into a deathly silence.
In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Lin Sisi.
Some were stunned, others suspicious...
Lin Sisi’s mind buzzed as if struck by lightning!
She never imagined that something she thought she could casually brush off would turn out to be a trap set by the police!
Were the police really this sharp nowadays, or was she overthinking it—just an unfortunate coincidence?
Having lived two lives, Lin Sisi wasn’t the type to panic easily. Unlike her past self, who would’ve crumbled under pressure, she only faltered for a moment before quickly regaining her composure. She smacked her forehead in feigned frustration and said, “Oh dear, so much has happened lately that my memory’s all jumbled. Actually, that day, it was Xiaoxue who came to see me. She heard about the money being stolen from my family and came to comfort me.”
After speaking, she lowered her head sorrowfully, masking her true emotions.
Her heart raced—these officers were far more perceptive than she’d anticipated.
In their remote rural village, theft was common. Even if the police got involved, they’d just go through the motions before dropping the matter.
After all, unlike in the future, there were no surveillance cameras now.
If something got stolen, you just had to accept your bad luck.
Yet these officers seemed to suspect her...
Otherwise, why would they ask such a question?
Lin Sisi was both furious and terrified.
Why did this have to happen now, right when the two families were discussing the wedding date?
The officer’s earlier words had thrown her into the spotlight.
And with the Fu Family present, her panic only grew.
The officer studied her again, his expression odd. “Then, may I ask, what’s the name of the classmate you went to see?”
Lin Sisi’s heart leaped into her throat, her voice trembling. “Uh… Liu Dongdong!”
Liu Dongdong wasn’t really her friend—in fact, she barely registered on Lin Sisi’s radar. But by sheer coincidence, she’d run into Liu Dongdong a few days ago while shopping in the city.
Liu Dongdong was working at a textile factory, and the way she’d looked at Lin Sisi—full of envy and deference—was still fresh in her mind.
Flattered by the attention, Lin Sisi had even gone out of her way to greet her.
Since the police had already questioned her friends, they must’ve known she hadn’t visited any of them.
Hiss! That was close—she’d almost slipped up again!
Lin Sisi felt like a taut wire, suspended over a bottomless abyss. One wrong move, and she’d plunge into ruin.
She’d worked so hard to return to this life of glory—she couldn’t let something so trivial destroy everything!
Liu Dongdong could be useful. The police would surely question her, but they wouldn’t know she wasn’t home. Lin Sisi could use this time to track her down and enlist her help.
There was another urgent matter—she needed to go back and find out why her family had suddenly reported the theft after nearly two months, and why the investigation had led to her.
A gut feeling told her this was Si Nian’s doing.
She must’ve said something to her parents, making them suspicious of her.
But the question remained—why would Si Nian suspect her in the first place?
Lin Sisi clenched her fists.
Sure enough, the officer glanced at his notebook, seemingly searching for the name.
After a brief pause, he frowned and asked, “Liu Dongdong is your classmate? You two are close?”
Lin Sisi studied his expression and relaxed slightly. “Yes, she’s also from my village. Didn’t you ask her?” she prodded deliberately.
The officers exchanged glances before turning back to her. After a moment, one nodded. “Alright, we’ll note that. We’ll contact you if there are any updates.”
Lin Sisi’s tension finally eased, and she nodded hastily.
The Si Family also breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, they’d almost believed their daughter was the thief who stole those three thousand yuan!
Thank goodness!
Si’s Mother hugged her daughter, then flared up in anger.
What were these officers implying? Weren’t they outright suspecting her daughter?
And with the Fu Family present—what would they think after hearing this?
The Fu Family, caught off guard by the incident, stood up. “Since you still have matters to settle, we’ll discuss this another time,” Mrs. Zheng said, pulling her husband along as they left.
With this disruption, the Si Family had no mood to continue the discussion either. They forced smiles as they saw the Fu couple out.
The moment the Fu Family left, the atmosphere turned icy.
Si’s Father, for the first time, glared at Lin Sisi and demanded sternly, “Sisi, what’s going on?”
He wasn’t a fool—the officers’ questions clearly pointed to his daughter.
Si’s Father valued his reputation above all. Having the police visit their home, witnessed by the neighbors, was bad enough.
But now they suspected her? The damage to their image would be irreparable.
If word got out, how could he show his face in public?
Lin Sisi hurriedly explained, “Dad, I don’t know! This has nothing to do with me! I never thought my foster parents would suddenly accuse me like this. They must resent me for leaving them, and because I made Si Nian marry that man, they’re blaming me now… sob… It’s all my fault…”
Hearing her husband blame their daughter, Zhang Cuimei looked appalled. “Husband, why are you accusing Sisi? What does this have to do with her? It’s obviously the Lin Family’s doing—they probably squandered the money themselves and now, seeing how well-off we are and how happy Sisi is, they’re jealous! They’re just looking for trouble! I know exactly how people like them think!”
Her last visit to the Lin Family had confirmed it—they were dirt-poor, living like strays!
Outwardly simple and honest, but who knew what they were really like?
And what perfect timing—right after their daughter’s household registration was transferred back! Anyone could see their ulterior motives.
Si’s Father frowned. Of course, he didn’t want to suspect his own flesh and blood. But the officers’ questioning today had humiliated him, sparking his outburst.
Now, hearing his wife’s words, he wavered.
Seizing the moment, Zhang Cuimei added fuel to the fire. “Didn’t I tell you about the household registration transfer the other day? Director Li himself handled it as a favor because of our ties to the Fu Family. Maybe the Lin Family saw that and decided to target our daughter! Who knew they’d stoop so low?”
Her tone dripped with disdain.
Si’s Father paused. “What? Which director?”
“Director Li from the Public Security Bureau! He personally oversaw our household registration transfer,” Zhang Cuimei boasted.
She’d been flaunting this achievement to everyone, basking in their envy.
But Si’s Father’s frown deepened. “Director Li has no connection to the Fu Family…” he muttered.
