I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 197 - 194: Failing to Find Them Is Like a Sword Hanging Over Your Head

Chapter 197: Chapter 194: Failing to Find Them Is Like a Sword Hanging Over Your Head

"Where is Liu Chu? Let me think, he used to be at the machinery factory, apprenticing under my uncle. My uncle treated him of course as a true master would, not just casually guiding him like some common mentor. My uncle felt sorry for Liu Chu because he had no parents and was mistreated by his brother and sister-in-law since childhood, so he took care of him like he was half his son and taught him without holding back, hand by hand.

In life too, he was looked after, whenever gifts were bought for my cousin and Xiao Ran, Liu Chu always got one too.

Tell me, why did Liu Chu still want to return kindness with resentment and kill my uncle?"

This question also puzzled Yan Jinzhi. He asked Qiao Mingtang to investigate this person, which matched the machinery factory’s records almost exactly. In the arson case, he became a wanted suspect. Qiao Mingtang also took Huo Ming and searched for him for a while, but this person seemed to have eyes at the back of his head—everywhere he went, traces were always meticulously cleaned up, which was quite absurd.

"Yan Jinzhi, could the Gong siblings have come here just like us?" After all, even their uncle Gong Qingge came here. And Wuyun Mountain is closely connected to those siblings. Jiang Mingyue felt they had come, but if that were the case, why haven’t they appeared? In her previous life, they were eager to tear her and her cousin apart, so if they really came this time, they would undoubtedly dispatch people to investigate, not remain silent as chickens. And once they made a move, her cousin’s side could hardly fail to notice.

She could feel that in this life, making money is no longer her cousin’s sole focus. He is broadening his network, likely also aiming to find those siblings.

"It’s hard to say. I have Li Huai investigating as well, but so far there hasn’t been even a hint of evidence. Of course, it could be they’re tied up with something. In any case, we should make preparations, they might appear when the time is right."

He too was worried, concerned about those two changing their tactics, lying in wait until the right moment to strike at their sibling bond. The heart-breaking pain of the last life is something he doesn’t want to go through again, so he’s also making the most of his time.

"What should we do next?"

"That Chen Dong under Xie Yunhai isn’t quite honest." Although he seems pretty honest.

With this reminder from Yan Jinzhi, Jiang Mingyue also sensed something amiss. She hadn’t met Chen Dong, all interactions were handled by Xie Yunhai’s side.

Afterwards, Xie Yunhai had someone follow Chen Dong. He did go back and forth between the hospital and home quite honestly, seemingly devoted to his family, returning to the family for lack of work now.

So...

"Gang Ya helped him cover things up. That matter wasn’t solved with a hundred bucks for a tip. Chen Dong likes a girl. Her father lost money gambling and wanted to use the daughter to pay off the debt. The girl sought help from Chen Dong."

Jiang Mingyue frowned, was it what she thought?

"It’s exactly what you think. It wasn’t those people coming to Chen Dong; Chen Dong took the initiative to join them. The other party didn’t just treat it as a one-off deal; they let Chen Dong continue under Xie Yunhai. That day, he leaked the information about your brother being at number 42 Magpie Street was Chen Dong’s ninth betrayal. Just this time, it involved your brother, so Xie Yunhai angrily ordered a thorough investigation. Prior incidents had been covered up by Gang Ya."

"Why would Gang Ya help Chen Dong like that?"

"Chen Dong saved Gang Ya."

"Still, there are boundaries to uphold, right?"

"How do they pay Chen Dong?"

"Depending on the usefulness of the information. Nine times giving tips, the least he received was ten bucks, the most was a hundred—the time he leaked your brother’s information."

Jiang Mingyue was somewhat amazed, not by anything else but Xie Yunhai. Although they hadn’t been together long, she somewhat understood Xie Yunhai’s temperament. He didn’t seem as easy-going as his appearance suggested; he was ruthless in action, and someone like him should have detected any tampering from his subordinates.

"Perhaps he trusted Gang Ya too much."

"Did you talk to him about it?"

"I’m not familiar with him, but I discussed it with your brother."

"Oh!" Then there’s no need to worry. If it were earlier, she might have been unsure, but after this incident, she perceives a change in her brother’s attitude towards Xie Yunhai.

Upon returning to Qingshan Village, Jiang Mingyue went out to greet Mrs. Jiang and the others, pretending she was tired from reading and wanted to rest her eyes a bit.

Mrs. Jiang, upon hearing, simply asked her to go to the village committee to call her brother back for dinner.

Usually, they wouldn’t call, as they would naturally return at mealtime, and if not, it means they’re caught up in something. There would always be warm food at home.

To put it simply, it seemed like they wanted to find something for her to do.

Jiang Mingyue took Xiao Ran along, who in turn brought Coal along, neatly arranged by height.

"Sister, when will you make red braised pork?"

Jiang Mingyue: "... When we have meat at home, I can make it."

"Then tonight... seems not possible, can you make it for me tomorrow? There’s meat at home."

Jiang Mingyue questioned with her eyes; she remembered there being no fresh meat in the kitchen!

"Since the day Aunt Fu gave it, there’s meat and canned food, so much meat, we haven’t finished yet."

Jiang Mingyue blinked: Three-day-old meat surely must be salted heavily to preserve, and that can’t be used for red braised pork.

"Want to eat red braised pork so much? How about I make pine scented roast meat instead?"

"Pine scented roast meat? I’ve never heard of it. Is it tasty?"

"Whether or not it’s tasty depends on experiencing it for yourself. You can’t just not eat because others say it’s not nice. So, want to try it out at least once?"

The little guy seemed to consider and weigh options before reluctantly agreeing: "Alright, I’ll try the pine scented roast meat."

Jiang Mingyue smiled: See, children need guidance.

"Xiao Ran, do you want to go to school and study with other kids? Like the one the teacher told you about, with neat desks, stools for students, a teacher standing at the podium teaching, using chalk on a big blackboard to write and explain things to you?"

The little friend’s eyes lit up instantly: "I want to! But sister, brother said all the schools are closed now; there’s no school to attend. You’re tricking me."

"Think about what your sister promised you before, which one didn’t get done?"

Xiao Ran thought for a moment, nodding with difficulty: "Seems so!"

"Remove ’seems’, it’s the truth. Also, admitting mistakes isn’t embarrassing."

"Okay. So, does sister mean I can really go to school?"

"Of course. I’ve already given the school planning regulations to your brother Jian Guo; now it depends on his negotiations. We’ll ask him shortly."

Although the little guy didn’t speak further, his short legs moved much faster than before.

Coal, left behind by its owner, getting confused, Jiang Mingyue pulled some thistle by the roadside to tickle its little bottom, but it had no effect. Instead of catching up with its little owner, Coal spun in circles on the spot.

Jiang Mingyue threw the thistle away disdainfully: "You’re not very smart, are you!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The village committee had only Fourth Aunt on duty, who was quite surprised to see Jiang Mingyue coming over.

"Ming Yue, you’re here to look for your brother, right?"