"You didn't know? My sister said Director Li and Fu Chief used to be comrades-in-arms!" Zhang Cuimei looked at her husband in disbelief.
Unexpectedly, Si's Father snapped out of his daze and darkened his expression: "Nonsense! They were rivals back then—how could he possibly help?"
If anything, they’d be more likely to pick a fight.
Besides, Director Li despises people who rely on connections to cut corners.
He once personally expelled a group of people who got into the bureau through nepotism. Even when Si's Father had a relative who wanted in, he couldn’t make it happen!
So how could Director Li possibly help them transfer their household registration personally?
"Huh?" Zhang Cuimei was stunned, muttering, "Then aside from the Fu family, who else could get the director to step in like that?"
She considered another possibility but quickly shook her head. "No, it must be them. What you know is just surface-level. The Fu family is at the peak of their influence now—who wouldn’t want to curry favor? It’s only natural he’d help."
"You’re right. I’ll ask about it next time. If it’s true, we’ll have to properly thank the Fu family!" Though puzzled, this also indirectly showed how much the Fu family valued their connection with the Si family, didn’t it?
So Si's Father didn’t dwell on it further.
Not far away, the Fu couple walked in silence when Mrs. Zheng asked her husband,
"What do you make of today’s incident?"
Father Fu snorted. "It’s obvious the police already suspect her. Judging by her reaction, she’s definitely involved."
This was what displeased him most about their future daughter-in-law.
No one wants a daughter-in-law with sticky fingers.
Si's Father and Si's Mother might trust their biological daughter, but the Fu couple weren’t fools.
Lin Sisi had reacted quickly, but both of them saw right through her panic.
Still, exposing this would only bring shame to both families.
So they chose to stay silent.
Mrs. Zheng frowned. "She seems well-behaved, but her mind is anything but simple. Sigh, I just want to find a wife for my son—why is it so hard?"
Just then, a passerby greeted them.
"Isn’t this Fu Chief and Mrs. Fu? Were you at the Si family’s discussing the wedding?" The woman, another military wife from the compound, smiled ingratiatingly.
Mrs. Zheng nodded. "Yes, I’ve been worrying myself sick over my son’s marriage."
The woman chuckled. "With Fu Yang being so outstanding, why worry? I heard the Si family’s household registration was transferred back—thanks to your help. Now the wedding can happen anytime, right?"
The Fu couple froze. "Our help? What did we do?"
"Eh? Director Zhang said it was because of the chief’s good relationship with the police director that the transfer went so smoothly. You didn’t know?" The woman looked puzzled.
Father Fu’s expression darkened instantly.
Since when was he close with the police director?
The Fu family despised cutting corners—even their own daughter had to earn her way through hard work.
Yet the Si family was using their name for favors and spreading it around?
How would outsiders view the Fu family now?
Both wore strained smiles, though internally, they were fuming.
As the officers left the compound, one couldn’t help but exclaim, "Incredible! Everything that Si Nian predicted came true!"
The lead investigator scowled. "Don’t alert the suspect. If it’s as Si Nian said, she’ll definitely seek out this Liu Dongdong. Keep her under surveillance!"
Initially, they hadn’t understood why Si Nian insisted they question Lin Sisi’s classmates first. Now, it all made sense.
If Lin Sisi had truly been visiting friends, her closest ones would’ve been the first alibis.
But if she was guilty, she wouldn’t have had time to meet anyone.
Lin Sisi assumed the police wouldn’t bother with a rural case, and her family would never suspect her—so she acted without fear.
She never expected Si Nian to pursue it relentlessly.
Worse, Si Nian had anticipated that if Lin Sisi was guilty, she’d instinctively fabricate an alibi.
By having the police question all her close friends first, they cornered her into slipping up.
And slip up she did.
Knowing her friends had already been questioned, Lin Sisi avoided naming them. Instead, she picked an acquaintance the police couldn’t easily locate—buying herself time to cover her tracks.
Little did she know, the hunter had become the hunted...
Lin Family Village.
Early in the morning, Si Nian began packing to return home.
To avoid seeming too eager, she even took the initiative to prepare breakfast.
Her specialty was hand-pulled noodles. During a trip to Lanzhou, she’d fallen in love with their chewy texture and learned to make them herself.
With just flour on hand, she whipped up a batch—enough that even her usually picky stepchildren could devour a bowl each.
Though no one said it aloud, the family’s glances at mealtime betrayed their craving for her cooking.
A simple yet flavorful scallion-and-egg noodle soup, light yet appetite-whetting.
With so many mouths to feed, she kneaded a large portion, her arms aching by the time she started pulling the dough.
It was grueling work, leaving her sweaty by sunrise.
Just as she dropped the noodles into boiling water, footsteps approached.
Turning, she found Lin Yu, his hair sticking up in sleep-mussed tufts.
After a stunned pause, he whirled around and dashed off, calling in a hushed voice, "Second Brother! Mom’s not... cooking today."
Lin Feng, squatting as he washed his face with a small towel, ignored him. Wringing it out, he turned to wipe little Yaoyao’s face.
Lin Yu snatched the towel. "I’ll do it!"
Cradling Yaoyao’s chubby cheeks, he cooed, "Yaoyao, let big brother wash your face."
The toddler had plumped up adorably, her softness making Lin Yu wish he had a sister instead of an older sibling.
He’d pamper her endlessly!
As Si Nian prepared the broth, the family marveled at the deceptively simple yet rich-tasting noodles—nothing like their usual rolled dough.
The kids slurped noisily, broth and all, until the courtyard echoed with the sound of contented eating.
Too delicious!
After the meal, Lin's mother hurried to clean up, urging her daughter to leave soon. Staying too long at her parents’ might invite gossip.
Seizing the excuse, Si Nian gathered her things and prepared to head back with the children.
Hearing they were about to leave, Lin Yu held Yaoyao in his arms, his voice choked with reluctance as he said, "Yaoyao, you have to remember to miss me."
Yaoyao, too young to understand, babbled and reached out her chubby little hand to touch his face.
Lin's mother shot her son an exasperated glance before turning to Si Nian with a few parting words, urging her to visit often.
Just as Si Nian was about to turn and leave, the sound of a motorcycle engine roared from the front gate.
She paused, glancing back to see Zhou Yueshen striding in, dressed in sleek black attire, his long legs carrying him effortlessly forward.
Trailing behind him like tiny shadows were two anxious little figures, their eyes wide with both nervousness and a hint of grievance as they stared at her...
Si Nian: "......"
