Reborn Cat Sheriff

Chapter 76 Chaos

The fact that Old Lady Wang didn't have her daughter-in-law's phone number surprised Hu Lijun, yet it also seemed somewhat inevitable.

When asked about her son, she simply remained silent and closed her eyes.

She insisted on not giving Hu Lijun her son's phone number, who worked in another city. It was only through a roundabout way that Yao Jinna managed to get Wang Zijian's contact information from several people. Then, he called his mother and asked Wang's daughter-in-law to come to the nursing home.

Grandma Wang's daughter-in-law is named Yang Chunmei. She is a slightly plump middle-aged woman who dresses quite fashionably.

It took her about half an hour to arrive.

She rushed in with a very unhappy expression, and as soon as she stepped in, she complained loudly, "Mom! Why are you bothering Xiaojian? His studies are so important right now, how can you let some trivial things affect him!"

Old Mrs. Wang trembled and quickly explained, "Oh, I..."

"What do you mean by 'trivial matters'? Aunt Yang, how is my grandma's matter a trivial matter!" Yao Jinna interrupted, stopping Yang Chunmei and accusing her, "Ha! Grandma had an accident and we couldn't find you for ages, and you still think you're right? We finally managed to get the police to call you over, and you didn't even say a word of concern, all you did was pick a fight? What's wrong, is Wang Zijian's study session really that much slower than a few minutes? Where were you doing?"

The young girl unleashed her full power, leaving Yang Chunmei speechless after just a few words.

Normally she could still cause a ruckus, but seeing the police standing in the room and the caregivers at the door, she didn't know what was going on and didn't dare to throw a tantrum.

"Hello, I am Hu Lijun, a police officer from Zhanghe Police Station."

Hu Lijun showed Yang Chunmei his identification before saying directly, "I called you here because of something. This Ms. Yao Jinna went to the police station to report that her grandmother, Wang Jinci, had 5,000 yuan stolen. As a family member of the victim, I've asked you to come and ask about the situation. First, were you aware of the 5,000 yuan that Ms. Wang Jinci had? Second, did you know that the old lady Wang admitted to giving part of it to your son, Wang Zijian?"

"Five thousand dollars?"

Yang Chunmei raised an eyebrow, about to explode, but quickly realized her mistake and said, "I didn't know anything about this! I've been busy these past few days and haven't been here. The stolen money has nothing to do with me. Oh my god, why did you keep so much money in your hands? Isn't that just inviting thieves? If you want to buy something, just tell me, right? The nursing home has food and drinks, and I'll get you clothes from home. You don't need to spend money there. Now look what happened, it got stolen!"

"..."

Grandma Wang remained silent, only turning her head to look at Lin Ge on the windowsill.

Hu Lijun didn't expose Yang Chunmei's words, but instead lowered his head to write in his notebook. Then he looked up and said, "So, you didn't know anything from beginning to end? Let me remind you, cash can't be hidden. These days, most transactions are done via mobile phone, and using large amounts of cash to buy things is very conspicuous. Whether it's used for playing mahjong or shopping, a little questioning will always clarify things. If it doesn't match what you said, we'll have to talk about it at the police station."

Yang Chunmei froze.

She didn't know if Hu Lijun's words were true or false, nor did she know if the police station really had that much power, or if the police would make a big fuss over such a trivial matter. But going to the police station... what good person would be summoned to the police station?

Seeing that her mother-in-law ignored her and that the girl next to her looked like she wished she were dead, Yang Chunmei's cheeks twitched violently twice.

Looking up at Hu Lijun and then at the few idle people outside the door, she took a breath and said, "I...I didn't steal anything, okay? Look at this nursing home, all sorts of people coming and going. It's really not safe for my mother-in-law to keep so much money. So when I was changing her sheets and blankets that day, I saw it and helped her put it away. It's not like I won't give it to her later; I'll keep track of it! Besides, look at what she eats, drinks, and wears every day—I pay for it all, don't I?"

A low gasp came from outside the door, and Yao Jinna next to her gave a disdainful snort, making Yang Chunmei's face even more unpleasant.

She knew she shouldn't confess honestly at this point—it would be too embarrassing! But… she was still terrified of the police! Besides, this was her own family matter, and she was only trying to help her mother-in-law. She hadn't done anything wrong, so who had the right to gossip behind her back?

Yang Chunmei became calmer the more she thought about it.

After Hu Lijun finished taking notes, his expression remained calm. He then asked, "How much money did you take from Old Lady Wang's bed? Ms. Yao gave you five thousand yuan in cash, which is a large sum. Did you take it all?"

"no!"

Yang Chunmei quickly shook her head, "I only took less than three thousand yuan! Hmm... let me think! I used it to buy groceries that day... to play cards... to go shopping in the evening... hmm... it really wasn't three thousand! It should be around two thousand five or six, it's all in my card, I'll transfer it to my mother-in-law in a bit! Mom! Please say something! It's inconvenient for you to carry cash, right? I've already transferred all of that two thousand yuan to your retirement pension card, not a single penny has been used!"

Yang Chunmei became increasingly flustered, her words even becoming incoherent. But Lin Ge and Hu Lijun both knew that as long as she actually transferred the money, even immediately, the matter could be settled. Even the most upright judge finds it difficult to settle family disputes; some things are taught to rookies by their seniors from day one.

The elderly cannot live without their children; at least until they close their eyes and are sent to the cemetery, there are still many things that their children need to take care of.

Therefore, some things cannot be pursued too rigidly.

Hu Lijun nodded, thus ending his 'intimidation' of Yang Chunmei.

Looking at Grandma Wang Jinci, whose face was calm and who seemed indifferent to everything, Hu Lijun sighed inwardly, stepped forward, bent down, and whispered, "Grandma Wang, can you tell me how much money you gave your grandson?"

Old Mrs. Wang remained silent.

"You gave Wang Zijian money? You really gave him money?"

Yang Chunmei, who had been tense, only realized now that the matter involved her son, and quickly complained, "How could you give him money? What does a high school student need so much money for? Isn't this just setting him on a bad path? Tell me how much you gave him, and I'll make him pay you back tonight! Look at this little thing, why is everyone in the family involved? It's just a little money, what's the big deal about causing such a commotion?"

Grandma Wang became even more reluctant to speak.

'Didi...'

Yao Jinna's phone rang. She opened it and looked up, saying, "Wang Zijian told me that Grandma gave him a thousand yuan. He bought her a massager and a coat online, and they've already been shipped and will arrive in a couple of days. He also said that he borrowed the money from Grandma and will pay her back when he gets a job during summer vacation. As for the gifts, they're a token of his affection for her. That's great. Wang is quite sensible. Grandma, you have a good grandson!"

Grandma Wang's eyebrows and eyes visibly relaxed.

Yang Chunmei's eyes widened in anger at Yao Jinna's words, but she immediately ducked back down after Hu Lijun glanced up at her.

As for what she will do after returning home, Hu Lijun has no way of controlling that. However, it seems that since Wang Zijian made such a decision, he must have the ability and patience to deal with his mother.

"Two thousand five or six, plus another thousand, that's three thousand five or six hundred yuan! In other words, one thousand five hundred is still missing! Tsk tsk... Today, one suspect after another has appeared! After our own people have made a scene, who's left?"

Lin Ge looked curiously at the few people from the nursing home standing outside the door from the windowsill.

Aside from them, there probably won't be any other new characters, right?

Such a small theft case has become so complicated.

Hu Lijun seemed to share the same thought. He stretched, put the notebook away, and muttered to himself, "Hmm! There's still 1,500 left! Tsk tsk... The amount is still quite large. If we investigate further, there might be more than just Old Lady Wang as a victim!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Tao and the two caregivers' expressions changed drastically.

It's true that some things involve small favors, and everyone in the world knows this. In nursing homes, caregivers often take advantage of the elderly. Taking a little fruit or nutritional supplements is fine, but taking money is going too far.
Hu Lijun took out his phone to check the details, then smiled at Shen Tao and said, "It's getting late, let's ask the rest at the police station. Ms. Shen, would you like to come with me? To be honest, this matter is a bit complicated, and it will take some more trouble for you to sort it out."

"Isn't that inconvenient? I'm very busy."

Shen Tao gave an awkward smile and 'secretly' nudged the caregiver next to her.

The woman's face was pale. She lowered her head and shuffled into the room. "I'm so sorry, I came to... to clean up a bit. Could you... Grandma Wang, when it's time, let me help you up so you can get some exercise?"

As she spoke, she quickly walked towards Old Lady Wang.

Lin Ge glanced at the woman's trembling right hand and, upon closer inspection, could see a corner of a red banknote tightly clenched in her palm.

Tsk!
(End of this chapter)