Chapter 114: Turning the Table
Chapter 114: Turning the Table
Zhou Chenglei noticed the footprint and called out, "Captain Zhou."
He then pointed at the footprint on the wall.
The Militia Captain followed Zhou Chenglei's finger and saw the footprint, which was, strictly speaking, only half a footprint.
The Militia Captain said, "It looks like a man's footprint. It must have been left by the arsonist when he climbed over the wall."
Pan Daidi, upon hearing this, also spotted the footprint, and her face paled as fear flashed in her eyes.
Militia Captain: "I remember the house next to this wall belongs to..."
Zhou Mu immediately pointed at Pan Daidi, "It's her house! Pan Daidi's house!"
Militia Captain: "Let's go take a look at her place."
Pan Daidi shook her head, feeling utterly hopeless. She clenched her teeth and said, "No need, I started the fire. I wanted to find my pearl, so I thought of setting the fire to sneak in and steal it during the chaos."
Zhou Chenglei: "This footprint looks like a man's."
Pan Daidi immediately took off one of her shoes, "You can take it to compare."
Zhou Chenglei glanced at her dirty shoe and then looked at the Militia Captain.
Militia Captain: "..."
He resignedly picked up the worn-out shoe, which was so stinky that it could be smelled from several meters away. He then walked over to compare it with the partial footprint on the wall.
After the comparison, he turned to Zhou Chenglei, "It's a perfect match."
Zhou Chenglei remained silent, although he still had some doubts. For instance, how could a woman like her, with such a large build, manage to climb the wall with just one kick? But with both eyewitness and physical evidence, plus her confession, there was no other suspect.
Zhou Chenglei had seen many such people and situations; spoiling a child would only lead to regret, and eventually, one would end up in prison.
Zhou Chenglei spoke again, "Captain, let's go inside and check if anything else is missing."
Militia Captain: "Alright, let's go together!"
"Okay," Zhou Chenglei agreed, leading him into the house to inspect it.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Fu and Zhou Mu hurried inside as well.
Zhou Chenglei and the Militia Captain thoroughly examined the house, and aside from the package of sanitary napkins, nothing else seemed to be missing.
Zhou Chenglei had locked away all his valuables in the wardrobe before going fishing.
After the inspection, the Militia Captain left with Pan Daidi, who remained silent.
The villagers couldn't help but gossip, but with the excitement of the spectacle, they followed to watch. Many of them had just finished their meals and had nothing else to do.
Jiang Xia, remembering the over 200 catties of barracuda, called out to the three aunties who had helped with the fish slaughter before.
"Three aunties, I have over 200 catties of barracuda to slaughter. One yuan per person, are you interested?"
The three aunties immediately responded, "We'll do it!"
"I'll do it too!"
"Sure!"
Jiang Xia continued, "Alright, let's start at 7:30, but you'll need to bring your own knives. Come over later!"
Jiang Xia planned to invite five people, including Great-Grandmother and her daughter-in-law, He Xinghuan.
With five people slaughtering over 200 catties of fish, at a rate of 50 catties per person, they should finish in an hour. With additional time for drying, it would take half an hour.
The three aunties laughed and agreed, "Sure! We'll go home to get our knives and chopping boards."
With three people working together, each capable of slaughtering several fish in a minute, they should finish the entire task within an hour.
Earning one yuan in about an hour, who wouldn't want to do it? After everyone had left, Great-Grandmother smiled and said, "Alright, the fire was caused by humans, so we can't blame the child. Don't scold her, as she was scared too. Our meal is ready, come and eat! I saw Zhou Zhou, this little girl, trying to reach the stove to cook for you all. Let's eat together."
Great-Grandfather also said, "Yes, come and eat at our place. The food is ready. Don't scold her, as she was scared too. Our meal is ready, come and eat! I saw Zhou Zhou, this little girl, trying to reach the stove to cook for you all. Let's eat together."
Jiang Xia felt grateful, "How can we accept such hospitality?"
"It's too much trouble for you all."
Zhou Mu and Zhou Fu felt embarrassed, "This is really too much trouble for you!"
Great-Grandmother laughed and said, "What trouble? Do we not need to cook at home? It's just a matter of convenience, hurry up and put your things away, and come over to my house for dinner! Don't be so polite, you'll have to clean the kitchen and prepare the fish after eating anyway. Chengxin, you and your father should come as well!"
Zhou Chengxin, though harboring resentment in his heart, still smiled, "Great-Grandmother, it's fine. Wen Guang and I will eat at home, A Hua should have the meal ready by now!"
Great-Grandmother laughed, "Alright, as you wish. Hurry up and tidy up and come over for dinner!"
The family responded and quickly moved the things back to the courtyard.
Zhou Mu reminded her eldest son and grandson to hurry home for dinner and gave the bucket of fish to him.
Zhou Chengxin felt very embarrassed, his dark face turning red. He responded, took the bucket of fish, and led his son home.
Jiang Xia asked Zhou Chenglei to put away the silver and prepare a bag of snacks to bring to Great-Grandmother's house later.
The courtyard and kitchen were a mess, so she took three Red Gilt Fish to Great-Grandmother's house to process them. She originally planned to give two of them to Great-Grandmother's family, but since keeping them until tomorrow would make them less fresh, she decided to prepare them as sashimi. Altogether, the fish weighed over ten pounds, enough to fill two large plates.
Soon, Zhou Chenglei brought a bottle of wine and a bag of snacks, Zhou Mu carried a basket of eggs, and Zhou Fu carried a bag of oysters to Great-Grandmother's house.
Seeing them bring so many things, Great-Grandmother scolded them.
Jiang Xia laughed and patted Zhou Jie's head, "This is for you, Grandpa!"
Zhou Jie, holding the bag of snacks Zhou Chenglei gave him, said seriously, "Thank you, little nephew and niece-in-law!"
Zhou Chenglei: "..."
Zhou Yongguo pointed at the Maotai bottle in Zhou Chenglei's hand, "Grandson, this is for me, right?"
Zhou Chenglei's face turned dark.
Everyone laughed.
~
On the other side, Zhou Chengxin walked home with his son, his face dark.
He had been holding back, but he couldn't help it anymore. Just as they were about to reach the door, he asked his son, "Where did Zhou Zhou eat lunch today?"
Zhou Wenguang's heart sank. He remained silent for a moment before saying, "Probably at Great-Grandmother's house."
Ha! Zhou Zhou was the orphan of his third brother!
Tea Caihua, you really outdid yourself! "Was it your mother who asked you to come and cook today?"
Zhou Wenguang remained silent for a while, not daring to hide the truth, and said softly, "I came on my own."
Seeing that his mother wasn't coming and his father had instructed him, he had come to cook. He didn't expect this to happen.
Zhou Wenguang couldn't help but say, "Mom probably forgot, Dad, don't blame her."
Forgot! Zhou Chengxin was even angrier upon hearing this!
Could Tea Caihua be any more excessive?
Whenever they went fishing, his mother would always go over to help with the cooking, watering the vegetables, feeding the chickens and pigs, and doing all the housework. How could Tea Caihua be so excessive?
If she didn't want to do it, he could do it himself, but then she shouldn't have asked him to help her parents fix the roof!
He treated her parents and siblings like his own, so what did she treat his parents and siblings as?
"Don't get involved in this!" Zhou Chengxin, furious, carried the bucket of fish and stormed into the house.
He was usually very mild-tempered, but this time he couldn't hold back.
It was really getting out of hand!
As soon as he entered the house, he saw Tea Caihua eating with the three children. Seeing them return, she said irritably, "So late, I thought you two had already eaten! What's wrong? You were eager to help, but no one even offered you a meal?"
Zhou Chengxin walked up and overturned the dining table.
If she didn't want to live a good life, then they shouldn't live together!
(End of Chapter)
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