Xu Cigang was truly fierce; in a split second, his explosive strength sent three Police Officers tumbling.
Even with handcuffs on, those two legs of his, honed from chasing criminals, moved as fast as lightning.
He even used a diversion, sprinting toward the main gate, then making a sharp turn straight for the latrine.
This was the place he knew best; he knew exactly how to run to escape.
Now Xiao Li finally understood why Chen Mianmian had reminded him again and again.
Thankfully, Xu Cigang hadn’t managed to steal the handcuff key, and thankfully, the latrine cover was open—he fell right in.
Otherwise, if a case involving the Baomi Budui slipped past him, the criminal would’ve escaped right under his nose.
Everyone was still friends, yet Xu Cigang had to set him up like this?
Snatching the dung ladle from Jing Jing Wu’s hand, Xiao Li saw Xu Cigang trying to climb out, and immediately shoved him back in with a scoop.
Whenever Xu Cigang tried to climb, he’d push him back down—like playing whack-a-mole—forcing Xu Cigang to swallow a bellyful of yellow sludge.
Then he finally shouted, “Where’s the watch, damn it, give me the watch!”
When her nephew married a local girl—a complete illiterate—
Zhao Hui was not pleased at all.
Zhao Lingcheng had lived abroad until he was fifteen, highly educated; pairing him with a village girl was such a waste.
Sure enough, after their wedding, all she heard were tales of chaos and quarrels.
Later, when the woman herself asked for a divorce, Zhao Hui breathed a huge sigh of relief, glad her nephew was finally free.
Yesterday, when she received the telegram, her first reaction was disbelief—she thought the woman was just after money.
But the moment she saw Chen Mianmian’s prominent pregnant belly, Zhao Hui’s heart skipped a beat.
And after hearing her calmly and clearly analyze the drowning case, Zhao Hui realized she’d been completely wrong.
Thinking about how stubborn Zhao Lingcheng could be, she figured he must have caused Chen Mianmian plenty of pain, and her guilt grew even deeper.
Most of all, seeing the child gave her hope, and she felt invigorated.
Her heart was full of regret; all she wanted now was to wrap up Xu Cigang’s case quickly and discuss the child.
The Zhao family had waited too long for a child.
But as she tried to head back, Zhao Hui found herself in trouble—the crowd was too large and too enthusiastic, she simply couldn’t squeeze in.
Chen Mianmian was currently basking in the care and offerings of the crowd.
A big sister held a piece of Egg Cake with a handkerchief and brought it to her mouth.
“Eat up, it’s good for your health.”
The Old Lady unwrapped an oiled paper package.
“This Cheese may be sour, but it’s especially appetizing—best for the child.”
Chen Mianmian wanted to refuse, but the Old Lady had already stuffed the Cheese into her mouth.
“Eat up.”
Chen Mianmian had no choice but to chew, and immediately discovered it was truly sour—so sour her teeth ached.
She wanted to spit it out, but the Old Lady was watching her eagerly, so she had to grit her teeth and chew.
But once she got past the sourness, she realized the Cheese actually became more flavorful the more she chewed—delicious!
The woman holding the Egg Cake took a moment to ask, “Girl, are you still planning to go to the army to find your ex-husband?”
The Old Lady said, “It’s always best for husband and wife to stay together—go find him.”
Looking at her pregnant belly again, she added, “For the child’s sake, if a man hits or scolds you, just bear with it and get by.”
But the woman countered, “Auntie, she’s only in her early twenties, her life has just begun. Should she really endure beatings from her husband for decades just for the child? What’s left for her in this life?”
She patted her chest.
“I work at the Quancheng Steel Factory. We have plenty of retired army officers—good tempers, great character, and I guarantee, not a single one would hit their wife.”
Quancheng had many military factories, but most people couldn’t get in.
Among regular workplaces, the Steel Factory offered the best benefits.
And unlike the military factories hidden deep in the desert, the Steel Factory was in the city—a true iron rice bowl.
The Old Lady sighed, “There are plenty of good men in the world, but this girl just had to pick the worst one.”
The woman laughed, “She’s divorced now, isn’t she? She can just find another.”
Everyone got more and more excited, surrounding Chen Mianmian, while Zhao Hui tried several times to interject but couldn’t break through.
It was Xiao Li who finally shouted, “Casework! Make way!”
He looked at Chen Mianmian.
“The suspect’s under control, but we haven’t found the watch. We’re thinking of fishing it out of the latrine.”
But then, seeing Zhao Hui holding up the watch, he yelled, “No need! The watch is here!”
The other Police Officers, pinching their noses and preparing to jump into the pit, collapsed on the spot when they heard the evidence was found.
At least they didn’t have to jump into that stinking latrine.
Xiao Li praised Zhao Hui, “Big Sis, you really move fast.”
She not only accurately predicted the suspect’s escape route, but also snatched up the evidence—truly impressive.
But there was a problem.
That was just a Seagull Watch, the same model issued to the Public Security Bureau—every Police Officer had one.
How could it prove Xu Cigang had tailed Officer Zhao and pushed him into the water?
Zhao Hui looked at Chen Mianmian and gently said, “Comrade, it’s your turn. Tell us your thoughts.”
Truth be told, the supporting female lead had never met Zhao Hui.
People from the Baomi Budui rarely left photos behind, so she didn’t recognize her.
But when Chen Mianmian stepped forward to chase Xu Cigang, she guessed Zhao Hui’s identity.
She was surprised the woman had arrived so quickly.
She also noticed Zhao Hui didn’t want to reveal her identity, so she pretended not to know.
Earlier, she’d been dropping hints to remind the Police Officers, and to give Jing Jing Wu time to prepare the scene.
Now, she stopped beating around the bush and answered directly, “This is actually a Longines.”
She continued, “At the time, my ex-husband and I struggled for a long while, and then he realized his watch was missing. He reasoned that someone else must have been by the shore, so he reported it to the Quancheng Public Security Bureau and noted the missing watch.”
Officer Xiao Liu said, “There really is a missing Longines listed in the Municipal Public Security Bureau’s records.”
He took off his own watch and compared them under the sunlight.
“Sure enough, the crowns are made of different metals.”
The Seagull is a domestic watch, while Longines is an imported luxury brand.
But several Seagull models were made to mimic Longines, with nearly identical parts and dimensions.
Though the colors were close, the Longines’ metal was visibly superior.
Xiao Li twisted off the watch crown and said, “This really is a Longines—just fitted with a Seagull casing.”
A bystander marveled, “Xu Cigang is really cunning—putting a cheap case on a luxury watch.”
Someone else praised Chen Mianmian, “You’ve got sharp eyes to spot that!”
It wasn’t some miracle—
Chen Mianmian simply liked luxury goods and understood Xu Cigang’s obsession with brands.
Seeing him always flaunting the watch, she’d guessed it must be something valuable.
Xiao Li concluded, “Xu Cigang was definitely at the scene, otherwise he couldn’t have stolen Officer Zhao’s watch.”
He started writing the report.
“Pushed someone into the water, framed an officer—he’ll be sent directly to the municipal bureau for attempted murder.”
Zhao Hui added, “Stalking a soldier is considered espionage. You’ll need to send a letter inviting the military to supervise the case.”
Officer Xiao Liu nodded, “Understood, we’ll send the letter when we get back.”
Xu Cigang was now tightly bound, lying on the ground reeking of filth, like a dead pig.
Oddly, no one knew when Xu Xiaomei had disappeared.
Xiao Li needed to add to the record.
After searching everywhere with no luck, he had to ask Chen Mianmian to sign, and the case entered the review stage.
The woman from the Steel Factory had been present the whole time.
She was relentless, constantly offering Chen Mianmian Egg Cake.
As soon as Chen Mianmian finished signing, the woman introduced herself:
“I’m the women’s director at the Steel Factory, just call me Sister Qiu.”
Chen Mianmian shook her hand.
“Qiu Director, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jing Jing Wu added, “The Steel Factory is a great workplace, too bad we can’t get in.”
Qiu Director patted her.
“Don’t rush into dating. Wait for me to organize a matchmaking event.”
Then she announced loudly, “Comrades, I’m officially accepting this comrade, who was driven out by her ex-husband, into the Steel Factory!”
The Police Officers led Xu Cigang away, but no one cared—everyone was applauding Qiu Director.
“Great!”
A homeless woman being accepted by the Steel Factory—everyone thought it was a wonderful thing.
Qiu Director continued, “Our Steel Factory has plenty of retired soldiers in their thirties and forties—some injured and unable to have children!”
The Old Lady, who’d been watching the whole time, immediately understood and pointed at Chen Mianmian, “Isn’t there a ready-made child right here?”
Someone else asked, “Retired soldiers—don’t they earn good wages?”
Qiu Director was about to say something, but Chen Mianmian quickly interjected, “Director, is the Steel Factory still hiring workers?”
She realized—the women’s director was trying to play matchmaker for her.
For a pregnant woman, the match would surely be with a man who couldn’t have children—a buy one, get one deal.
But plans never keep up with changes.
Right now, her whole plan revolved around Niuniu’s birth.
Zhao Hui was here but hadn’t revealed her identity, which meant she still had doubts about the child.
Zhao Lingcheng was nowhere to be found, and children don’t wait.
If she could get a job now, it’d be a lifeline.
So she decided to go for it and asked for work.
Qiu Director smiled and asked, “Are you literate? What can you do?”
She squeezed Chen Mianmian’s hand.
“If you’re willing to find a partner at the Steel Factory, I can get you any job you want.”
Chen Mianmian wanted a job, not a partner, but she couldn’t qualify for a technical position.
Even regular jobs at the Steel Factory were prioritized for family members—she had no advantage.
What to do?
After thinking it over, she decided to take a gamble.
Leaning in close to Qiu Director, she whispered, “I know a foreign language—English.”
Then added quickly, “But my family’s been poor for three generations—we’re a Red Five Category.”
Upon hearing that, Qiu Director’s face darkened.
At this time, knowing English was often equated with being a spy.
But just as Chen Mianmian thought she’d lost her chance, Qiu Director grabbed her bedding.
“Let’s talk back at the factory.”
Chen Mianmian had gambled—and won.
She had a job!
But just as she was about to leave, someone grabbed her wrist.
“You can’t go.”
Qiu Director turned around and saw it was another middle-aged woman, assuming she was another matchmaker, here to steal her candidate, and grew angry.
She said, “This girl’s already mine. You’re too late!”
The one grabbing her was Zhao Hui, who’d just gone out to find her driver and give instructions.
Coming back to find her own daughter-in-law being taken away, how could she not be anxious?
She pulled Chen Mianmian again.
“She’s with my family.”
Oh, so domineering.
Qiu Director put her hands on her hips.
“Just because you say she’s yours, she’s yours? Based on what?”
She looked at Chen Mianmian.
“Do you even know her? Look at that fierce face—she doesn’t look like a good person.”
Everyone present had seen Chen Mianmian’s bruised body.
As fellow women, who wouldn’t feel for her?
All the women glared, some even rolling up their sleeves.
Jing Jing Wu raised her fist.
“Touch Mianmian and I’ll fight you!”
Zhao Hui had so much to say, but what slipped out was, “Lingcheng is our only heir—he needs this child.”
Seeing her cry, Qiu Director was startled.
“Let’s talk this out, why are you crying?”
Zhao Hui couldn’t control her tears, sobbing, “Our family has been waiting for this child for so long!”
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