I emptied my family's possessions to join the army, and my abstinent superior doted on me.

Chapter 6 All the money is gone
Even more confused than Qiao Muting were Qian Jiangang and Qin Hongxiang.

In those days, news broadcasts weren't as fast. However, when the police arrived at the scrap yard to seize the stolen goods, Fatty Wang and Qin Hongxiang were doing exercises on the bed. They were caught red-handed by the police.

Fat Old Wang was arrested for helping to sell stolen goods, while Qin Hongxiang was detained for "corrupting social morals".

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire residential compound early in the morning.

Upon hearing the news, Qian Jiangang immediately called Qian Dong to the police station.

"If she has a good attitude, explains things clearly, and her family cooperates in paying the fine, then the crime of disturbing social morals will only result in a maximum detention of 15 days." The young policeman explained the regulations to Qian Jiangang and his son one by one with a serious face. "But if her attitude is not good, or if it is found that she also participated in the sale of stolen goods, then she won't be able to go back for a while."

"Oh! How could it be so serious? Officer, my mother has been a widow for many years, and Lao Wang is also single. Their relationship is mutual, isn't it a bit too much?"

Although he found it difficult to ask, Qian Dong had no choice but to ask for his mother's sake.

"What mutual affection? Wang Dahai has a wife back home, and two kids at home!" The young policeman slammed the regulations booklet on the table. "Let me tell you, they've been sneaking around like this for a while now. If things go wrong, they might charge her with indecent assault and she could be executed."

I advise you all to stop making excuses. Go and persuade them to confess honestly and try to get leniency; that's the best course of action.

Each word pierced Qian Jiangang's ears like a dagger.

The sister-in-law he had always protected had actually been having an affair, and it hadn't been a new relationship for just a day or two.

As Qian Dong passed by the cell where Fat Old Wang was being held, he glanced at him and his eyes met Fat Old Wang's, who was looking up at him.

With just one glance, Qian Dong was completely shattered.

All I can say is that Fatty Wang's genes are quite strong.

The origin of Qian Xiaozhen's round face and bulbous nose has finally been found.

He quickly blocked Qian Jiangang's left-side view with his body, secretly observing his second uncle. Seeing that he looked normal, he finally felt relieved.

Soon, they arrived at the cell where Qin Hongxiang was being held.

"Mom, are you alright?"

Qin Hongxiang's hair was disheveled like a bird's nest, and she was only wearing a sleeveless vest and shorts that she wore to bed.

Qian Dong couldn't bear to look. Just thinking about how his mother had been dragged from the bed along with Fatty Wang made him want to disappear into the ground.

"What kind of thing is this? How are you going to let your son and daughter hold their heads high in the future?" Qian Dong shouted shrilly.

Qin Hongxiang knew she was too ashamed to face her son, so when she saw Qian Jiangang, she vented all her anger on him.

"Uncle, are you here to laugh at me? Why did you bring the child? Do you think I'm not unlucky enough already?"

It's all your fault. If it weren't for saving you, his father wouldn't have died.

If he's not dead, why would I bother going to find Fatty Wang? What do I want from him? His good looks, or his sweet scent?
Now, are your two money-losing brats happy?
Seeing me fall on hard times, you think everything the Qian family owns will be yours from now on?
I'm telling you, no way! I'll be out of here soon.

"None of you are going to see me make a fool of myself..."

Qian Jiangang just let her curse him incessantly, only shaking his head and sighing with a bitter face.

If it were Qian Lai and her daughter, he would have slapped them long ago.

But this is his sister-in-law. His sister-in-law whom he respects, dotes on, and dares not offend!

"Mom, please stop scolding me. Quickly think of what else you can confess and try to get leniency!"

Qian Dong held his head in frustration and squatted down. He had completely humiliated his mother.

The woman could no longer maintain her arrogance. Thinking that she would probably have to rely on her brother-in-law to get out of there as soon as possible, her voice softened: "Jiangang, you can't just stand by and watch me die. I just wanted to find someone to rely on... but I never expected... Waaah, my life is so miserable!"

“Sister-in-law, for so many years, I’ve tried my best to make things easier for you three, just so you could have enough to eat and wear and have someone to rely on. Sigh! Why did I have to do this…”

Qian Jiangang had never disobeyed Qin Hongxiang's wishes before, and this was the first time he had tried to utter a word of complaint.

Just then, a sharp cry came from outside the door, growing louder as it approached: "Mom, something terrible has happened! The things are gone! Everything's gone..."

She couldn't wait for the police to lead her to her cell; she rushed in like a headless fly.

Without even glancing at Qian Jiangang and Qian Dong, she rushed to Qin Hongxiang and cried out, "Mom, the cellar... everything in the cellar is gone. There's only an empty box left."

"Ah!? Impossible! I put it in there myself yesterday! Which bastard stole it!?" Qin Hongxiang broke down in tears.

The police officer who had been chasing after Qian Xiaozhen quickly noticed something amiss: "What's missing? If it's intentional concealment of stolen goods or ill-gotten gains, that's an even more serious offense!"

"No, no. That was my hard-earned savings of twenty years! How could it be gone?... Oh my god, I can't live anymore! Did you look for it seriously?" Of course, Qian Xiaozhen had looked for it seriously; she almost tore down the cellar.

Qin Hongxiang had long ago instructed that if anything happened to her or she urgently needed money, she should go to Uncle Wang at the scrap metal recycling station. Uncle Wang's cellar contained her hard-earned savings.

Therefore, as soon as she received the news that Qin Hongxiang and Fatty Wang had been arrested, she rushed to the cellar of the scrap metal recycling station.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the wooden box intact inside the jar. But when she opened it, she found it completely empty. She frantically searched everywhere, turning the place upside down, but found nothing of value.

"Officer, I need to report a crime! Money has been stolen from my house!" Qin Hongxiang's mind was in complete chaos as she desperately cried out to the police through the iron bars.

"What kind of money is it? How much is it? Where is it located? Who can prove that it was money you saved up, and not stolen money that Wang Dahai embezzled? Who can prove that you put it there...?"

After a series of questions from the police, Qin Hongxiang was dumbfounded.

It's completely inexplicable! This money is probably gone forever.

Seeing Qin Hongxiang pounding her chest in frustration, Qian Jiangang advised, "Alright, sister-in-law. Let's think about how to get out as soon as possible. As for money, it's just an external thing. You're safe now, you can earn it back later."

"Pah! Qian Jiangang, this money isn't yours. Of course you'll say that. It's over a thousand yuan! And..." She suddenly stopped, wiping away her tears, "Unless you find a way to compensate me..."

"Where would I get that much money?" Qian Jiangang could hardly believe his ears.

"Yes, you have it. Lai Di has... betrothal money and dowry money, she has more than 1,300 yuan!"

"Sister-in-law!"

This time, he was genuinely angry.

Isn't Qin Hongxiang forcing herself to kick a steel plate?

Knowing full well that he had given all the money to Qian Lai in front of the leaders and the public, how could he get it back?
In an instant, I felt that no one in the world truly cared about me; they all treated me as a "tool" in the power struggles within the household.

snort!
He turned his head and left the police station with a dark expression.

Qian Dong followed his second uncle back to the family compound, and along the way, he was greeted by acquaintances.

"Old Qian, have you heard? Last night, some fugitives were caught by the police in the abandoned workshop behind us. I heard they had been living there for quite a while."

"Yes! You're saying those desperados are incredibly audacious. What decent person would dare go to that place?"

"I heard they seized a lot of treasures on the spot!"

Qian Jiangang felt something was wrong as he listened. Oh no!
He slapped his thigh and dashed towards the abandoned workshop behind him like a rocket.

On the other hand, Liu Huiru went straight to the hospital after getting off work, all smiles.

"Lai Lai, Lai Lai, guess what..." She finished telling the whole story she'd heard about Qin Hongxiang and Fatty Wang in one breath. She felt the pent-up anger she'd been holding in for years finally being released.

"It's true that evil people get their just desserts. The timing is perfect. Now, let's see if your foolish father will still favor the eldest son's family. Maybe all the money we've been tightening our belts for the past few years has gone to Qin Hongxiang and Fatty Wang."

Thinking of this, a cloud of worry appeared on her face again.

Qian Lai was secretly pleased. Today, she took stock of all her gains from yesterday.

A priceless gem.

Qin Hongxiang's box contained over 1,300 yuan in cash, plus ten jin of grain coupons, five jin of oil coupons, a Shanghai brand watch, and an emerald necklace. These were probably gifts from Fat Old Wang.

And the pair of silver bracelets that Liu Huiru couldn't find even after cursing and complaining for a couple of years ago were actually stolen by her.

The two packages that Qian Jiangang hid were even more impressive.

Three thousand five hundred yuan in cash, ten small yellow croakers, an old British pocket watch, and various gold and silver jewelry.

This was all ill-gotten gains that Qian Jiangang had plundered from the old factory director's home when he was chairman of the Reform Commission.

The old factory director and his wife, despite their illnesses, were sent to the countryside due to the impact of the major reforms. They passed away soon after.

Their only son has long since gone overseas and his whereabouts remain unknown.

"Mom, something good is going to happen in a couple of days." Qian Lai smiled and squeezed Liu Huiru's hand.

"Really? What good news is it?"

"Knock knock knock"... Before there was a reply, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

(End of this chapter)