Chapter 82: Escaping Justice

"That's enough," Manager Chen interrupted them from continuing.

The leader of line four was a bit dissatisfied, "Manager Chen, at this point, with our lives on the line, are you still protecting Vice President Hu?"

"If it wasn't for him instigating us during the celebration party in the first month of the company's establishment, and urging more than ten of us to gamble online, how could we have lost so much money? Even now, we can't pay it back, no matter how hard we try!"

The leader of line five received debt collection calls every other day, to the point where he felt like jumping off the roof.

If it weren't for the thought of his young child and ailing wife, he would have ended it all a long time ago.

"Vice President Hu instigated you to gamble online?" Ou Yan raised an eyebrow. This was illegal, and no one dared to do it.

"Vice President Hu said that the website had a nine-out-of-ten winning rate. He even showed us the amount he withdrew, more than 600,000! At first, we didn't believe it. But after a few bets, everyone's luck was good, and the winnings could be withdrawn to our bank accounts."

"So, we kept increasing our bets, even calling our friends and family to join. Eventually, the website kept upgrading the withdrawal amount. It started with requiring 500,000, and after we pooled our resources to get that, it then said we needed one million to withdraw. We borrowed a lot of money from various online loan platforms, but even after investing millions, we couldn't get our money back!"

The leader of line five sighed. If it weren't for fearing the repercussions on his family, he would have taken his own life!

Because many production line workers were involved, they formed the fourth and fifth production lines together. They collaborated with the warehouse manager to take the clothes outside and sell them, sharing the earned money proportionally.

"Some relatives in my hometown trusted us, but they didn't understand online operations. They entrusted us with their life savings or the money from selling their houses, and all of it is gone now."

"Some used their coffin money, and some used money for relatives' surgeries. Because the surgery fees weren't enough, they wanted to win a large sum through gambling. But they never got that money, and some relatives couldn't get it even until their deaths."

"Most of the money we borrowed was from dozens of online loan platforms."

"We've been paying back for a whole year, several tens of thousands each month, and we still haven't paid it off!"

The leader of lines four and five couldn't help but burst into tears. The bitterness and helplessness among them were probably only understood by themselves.

"I also participated in the betting, and..." The warehouse manager bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. It took her a while to say, "At that celebration party, I drank too much. The next day, I woke up and found Vice President Hu lying next to me. He took many photos of me and forced me to do this..."

Everyone was shocked, looking at her with expressions of disbelief.

"At first, I was in great pain, especially when I learned that he had connections in the police station. Even if I reported it, it would be useless... Every month, there was a share for me, and I could even buy some designer bags. So, I just went along with it."

After hearing the warehouse manager's words, the head of the purchasing department was also surprised and angry, "I drank too much at that time, and Hu Linquan also touched me! He said that if I didn't cooperate, he would tell my husband and even put my photos at the door of my in-laws' workplace, letting them know I was an unfaithful daughter-in-law... I had just gotten married at that time and was very scared..."

The revelations in the office left the onlookers outside in stunned silence.

This Hu Linquan was really despicable, taking advantage of others' vulnerabilities and forcing them to collude with him!

"Miss Ou, please give us a way out..." The warehouse manager pleaded, "I really don't want to go to jail. I still have a long life ahead of me. I don't want to spend it in prison..."

"You caused the company a loss of over ten million. I have to report this to the police," Ou Yan's tone was calm. "If I let you go privately, then I become an accomplice in covering up. The guilt is the same."

"Miss Ou, please have mercy..." The head of the purchasing department cried, "My marriage is very happy, and my child has just been born... I really don't want this incident to ruin my entire family!"

"This matter needs to be explained to the headquarters. If an employee causes a loss of over ten million to the company, and by shedding a few tears and saying a few soft words they can safely get through it, then what kind of chaos will there be in the company and at the headquarters? How can managers still manage? How can they gain trust?"

"Miss Ou..." Everyone knew there was no room for negotiation in this matter. They had made a wrong turn, step by step, and now there was no turning back.

"All of you are adults." Ou Yan spoke with a heavy heart. "Since you've done it, you have to bear the consequences. If you feel wronged, you can tell the police and seek lenient treatment."

Although Hu Linquan was despicable, they had collaborated in their wrongdoing, causing the company significant losses. The company was also an innocent victim.

Ou Yan glanced at He Ning, who understood and took out his phone to report to the police.

Every word they said before had been recorded by Ou Yan. She planned to hand it over to the police later.

"What's the website address of that platform?"

Hearing this question, Manager Chen was puzzled. Tears were still stuck in his eyes. He took out his phone, "It's this one... Although it has been shut down for a long time, we still owe money to friends and family, as well as various online loan platforms. Miss Ou, why are you suddenly asking about this?"

The website had already been shut down, and they couldn't recover the original funds.

"Just asking." Ou Yan remembered the website address and planned to investigate it privately.

"Although everything was due to Hu Linquan's coercion, we don't have any evidence. The share he received from us every month was deposited into some untraceable cards or given in cash..."

Everyone felt unwilling. They were about to go to the police station, but Hu Linquan could still escape justice!

Ou Yan knew that the evidence pointing to Hu Linquan was mostly testimonial, and there was little physical evidence. Even if he was invited to the police station for a chat today

Because the evidence was insufficient.

"Going to jail is our own fault, but the main culprit is Hu Linquan! He took the most significant benefits, and he must be punished for us to be at peace!"

"On Hu Linquan's side, I will make him reveal his true colors." Ou Yan's words had just fallen, and several police officers arrived.

Watching the five people being taken away by the police, the onlookers outside couldn't express their sadness.

This incident caused a sensation throughout the entire company. Li Yuanfu was playing golf. When he received the call, his expression changed.

"What happened?" Song Qiaoying, who was next to him, heard him mention something happening to Yan Yan and hurriedly approached.

Li Yuanfu could hardly stand steady. After making the call, he staggered a few steps.

Li Yusha, who was nearby, hurriedly went forward to support him. "Sister, what happened? Dad, don't worry, take your time to explain!"

"It's not Yan Yan who had an accident..." Li Yuanfu, supported under the sunshade, sat on a leisure chair and took a deep breath. After drinking the tea brought by the caddy, his complexion finally improved a bit.

**Chapter 146: Possessed?** The time spent in the office and the medical room, along with the ongoing class, was almost over. Zhu Yang sat on the sofa in the head teacher's office, legs crossed, enjoying sliced fruits. However, one of his hands was suspended and fixed due to the injury. The parents of the other two girls soon arrived, scolded their children in coordination, and then took them home for reflection. Zhu Yang waited for his father to arrive. He wanted his father to know about expelling Jiang Chenchen on the spot and the outrageous school doctor! Jiang Chenchen stood by the window, seemingly indifferent to Zhu Yang's resentful gaze. "Do you have no parents, so you're desperate to seduce others? You climbed into Lu Su's bed, thinking that hooking up with Lu Su would give you an advantage? A vase like you, with just looks, is only fit for sleeping. Then, you'll be kicked away with one kick. Do you understand?" He finished eating an orange, threw the peel at her when she didn't react, and then said, "You should throw things in the trash can." The head teacher was at a loss. Was this child asking for a beating? What kind of words were these? He picked up the orange peel, suppressed his originally serious expression, and said with a friendly face, "Put things in the trash can." Zhu Yang ignored him and looked at Jiang Chenchen by the window. "Today, you injured me, just wait to be expelled. Finally got into school, and so quickly expelled. Aren't you regretful? If you don't want to be expelled, you still have a chance to save yourself, considering your looks." "How can I save it?" Zhu Yang sneered, showing disdain. "Come here, and I'll tell you." So, Jiang Chenchen walked towards him. The head teacher hurriedly and nervously intercepted, "What are you doing?" "Get lost." Zhu Yang glanced at him and cursed. The head teacher: !! I want to beat you to death! He endured this anger and stepped aside. The school director was about to come. He couldn't have any behavior that would leave a bad impression on the school director. Jiang Chenchen walked in front of Zhu Yang. Zhu Yang lifted his chin, looking at her arrogantly, and ordered, "Squat down! How can I talk to you when you're standing so high?" Jiang Chenchen, seeing this, understood the malicious intent in his eyes. She took a step back. If she didn't create some distance, she might not be able to resist taking action again. "What do you mean?" "Do you want to hear? Come closer, and I'll tell you." So, Jiang Chenchen approached him. The head teacher, with a cough, wanted to pick up the orange peel, but if he pretended not to hear, it would be impossible. Otherwise, the situation couldn't be controlled. "Zhu Yang, your father is coming soon. Rest for a while. Also, you!" He turned his gaze, staring at Jiang Chenchen. "You acted violently today. Do you realize your mistake? Your guardian was called, but they won't come. Besides, the section for your father and mother, did you deliberately leave it blank?" As he said this, Zhu Yang on the other side maliciously laughed, "Is it possible? Jiang Chenchen, do you really have no parents? Who is your guardian? Which wild man adopted you?" The head teacher heard this and thought for a moment. The man answering the phone did indeed sound young, but the voice had an aura of power and authority, not something a young person should possess. "He is not a wild man!" Jiang Chenchen retorted. Seeing that she finally reacted strongly, Zhu Yang, with a more malicious and lecherous tone, said, "Oh, really? Is he a sponsor or something?" At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Zhu Yang's words were heard by the person outside. The head teacher was startled, and seeing that it was Zhu Yang's father, he quickly approached. "Mr. Zhu, you've come! This matter is the responsibility of our school. That female student acted arrogantly and recklessly. Our school has already made a decision to expel her!" Hearing the word "expulsion," Jiang Chenchen's heart sank. It seemed that she had lost the chance to continue her studies. Zhu Yang, looking at her distressed expression, became even more arrogant. "What's the matter? Feeling sad about being expelled? Why doesn't your wild man come to help you navigate through this? Oh, blame yourself for offending me. Do you know who I am?" Before he could finish speaking, he was slapped hard. He wanted to scold, but the one who slapped him was his father, Zhu Deming! "Dad! What are you doing?" The slap was severe, and Zhu Yang's face immediately swelled. The head teacher was dumbfounded. What was going on?! Zhu Deming looked at his son with a stern and fierce expression. "Shut up! Is causing trouble not embarrassing enough for you today?" "Dad! But it was clearly her..." Zhu Yang, full of grievances, was cut off by his father again. "Breaking your hand is your own fault. If you didn't provoke others, would this have happened? Why don't you have half the understanding your sister has? If you say one more word, I'll beat you to death!" The sudden fierceness in his eyes made Zhu Yang not dare to say another word. He stood there, covering his face, looking pitiful and scared. Zhu Deming then turned to Jiang Chenchen and apologized, "I'm sorry. It's all because of my son causing trouble. Please forgive him. Look, he has learned a lesson with his hand. The cost is not small. He may not be able to take exams anymore. Can we let this matter go?" A person who was usually so authoritative that even the school principal had to bow down now showed an unusual attitude towards a student. This surprised everyone, especially Zhu Yang. He felt both wronged and shocked. Had his father been possessed?!

Special thanks to these patrons for their support ❤ : 【PROWESS of March 2024】

DreamTales Translations:

【jermira】 【Suliat Raheem】 【Michelle Graham】 【Gloriana Foster】 【CHAMPAKA R】 【DetectiveGeek421】 【Ha17eul】 【Lisa Pace】 【Tamara Vega】

Eternal Novel Hits:

【Hipployta】 【Esmeralda Linda】 【Something】 【Evzen Sichyokno】 【Nanashi D. Yurei】 【Sabrina Chase】 【Mani_C】 【onepiece】 【jumoke ajetunmobi】 【Jen】 【Hayuningtyas Hadiutami】 【Serenthia】 【Anna Cassano】【Joua Chang】

Bbing Translations:

[Kelloges]

Next Chapter ▶▶

  Chapter 81: Ironclad Evidence

Manager Chen couldn't figure it out. When he left the warehouse, he changed the password. If there was someone in the warehouse, how did they leave? It was impossible for them to crack such a high-end password system...

But, if there was no one, then how did the recording in the warehouse happen? Could there really be a bug in the warehouse?

Did the warehouse manager betray them?!

"He Ning, go and bring the warehouse manager here," Ou Yan's words made the three people present even more uneasy.

The onlookers outside the office were shocked. Could even the warehouse manager be involved? Oh God, how did the company's management become so chaotic?

No wonder the company had made no progress in a year! It turned out there were so many parasites, gnawing at the company's skin and drinking its blood...

The warehouse manager looked like she was in her twenties, wearing large black-framed glasses, appearing calm and quiet. She didn't look like someone colluding with others.

When He Ning brought her in, she knew the jig was up. With a hint of tears in her voice, she weakly called out, "Miss Ou..."

Even though she was older than Ou Yan, she was still intimidated by Ou Yan's aura and couldn't meet her gaze directly.

Ou Yan looked at the four people in front of her. Her slender fingers tapped on the table lightly, "Oh, by the way, we're still missing one person. Go and bring the head of the purchasing department."

The onlookers outside the office were stunned. Even the head of the purchasing department was involved...

Was there anyone trustworthy in the management?

When everyone was gathered, Ou Yan spoke nonchalantly, "Now that everyone is here, tell me how you all cooperated."

"Miss Ou..." Manager Chen was already bewildered.

The head of the purchasing department hastily said, "Miss Ou, this has nothing to do with me..."

"Miss Ou, I don't know anything," the warehouse manager also tried to explain, gritting her teeth.

The team leaders of lines four and five knew that it was too late to defend themselves. They remained silent with lowered heads.

"Since no one is talking..." Ou Yan didn't rush, her gaze lazily falling on the people in front of her. "Then, I'll have to make my own guesses."

The crowd remained silent and uneasy.

"I have reviewed the company's purchase orders. The purchase prices for each fabric are similar to the market prices, but anyone in this industry knows that with long-term cooperation, prices can be negotiated down."

"For example, a hundred meters of regular cotton fabric generally costs around 1300. With long-term cooperation, it can be obtained for around 800."

"But the head of the purchasing department purchases it boldly at 1500. Logically, for a hundred meters of fabric, if made into new products, there should be at least seventy to eighty pieces. But during inventory, only twenty or thirty pieces remain."

"Miss Ou, you don't know..." Before Ou Yan finished speaking, the head of the purchasing department hastily explained, "The design department consists of young people. The designs are complicated and troublesome, and making one piece wastes a lot of fabric... It's mainly due to the consumption during the manufacturing process, not a personal problem."

"If the piece count of seventy to eighty was done by the workers on the production line, and only twenty or thirty were recorded during inventory, how could they agree? Their wages are based on piecework."

The difference between seventy to eighty pieces and twenty to thirty pieces was about fifty pieces!

"But if the extra fifty pieces were sold by you to other places, and the money earned was shared among you?" Ou Yan casually said, "If you agreed with the fabric supplier on a price of 800 per hundred meters but recorded 1500 on the accounts?"

"Miss Ou! You can't make baseless accusations. My loyalty to the company is evident..." The head of the purchasing department quickly defended herself.

Ou Yan's slender fingers tapped lightly on the keyboard, then turned the screen towards her.

"I've restored the company's surveillance and checked the surveillance at nearby courier points."

The surveillance footage appeared on the computer screen, shocking everyone.

"It shows that you, over three hundred times, took the goods from the warehouse to the nearby courier point to send them out. You have several phone numbers, and the real-name authentication matches your name. You sent over three hundred courier packages."

"Miss Ou, I..." Faced with the irrefutable surveillance evidence, the warehouse manager's face lost all color, and she felt her body go cold.

"You took the packages from the courier point yesterday after work. The ones not sent out were checked. There were recipient details on them. He Ning called the recipients. One said they ordered from a shop called 'Dawn Clothing Genuine Purchase.'"

"I found this shop, and it showed that the shop has been around for eleven months. In other words, two months after the company started, you opened an online store and sold the company's goods on it."

"You didn't have the company's consent or authorization."

"If a customer wanted a specific design, you sent it after work, and for larger quantities, you shipped directly from the warehouse, having the courier pick it up. You've done this over two hundred times."

"Each design was cheaper by one or two hundred compared to the market prices..."

The warehouse manager was already scared out of her wits, unable to stand steadily, trembling all over.

Ou Yan's gaze turned towards the other three, her words firm and powerful. "You not only took the company's good products and sold them elsewhere, but you also produced inferior clothing with low-quality fabric, stuck the company's label on them, and sold them to other places, damaging the company's reputation! Am I right?"

The five people didn't expect her to uncover so much. It wasn't just her speculations anymore!

It was clearly ironclad evidence, laid out in front of them!

The five people were pale with fear, sweating on their foreheads, not knowing how to explain all of this.

"Speak up now while I haven't reported to the police. Do you have anything to say?" Ou Yan's gaze swept across them one by one, waiting for them to speak.

The leader of line four, Wang Bang, couldn't bear it first and broke down, "It's Vice President Hu who forced us to do this. Either join him or leave with our belongings. We had no choice!"

"Yeah!" The leader of line five also spoke up, "We owe too much money, and we were desperate for a while..."

 **Chapter 145: Call the Guardian? No time!?**

 Chapter 146: Sending Medical Books

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 145: Pickled Fish

 Chapter 23 Cooperation

Inside the refugee camp, a burly man stood in the middle of the road, intimidating a dozen or so people.

"Lin, are you determined to oppose me?" Zhang Hu glared at his nemesis with gritted teeth, itching to pounce on him and beat him to a pulp.

Behind Zhang Hu, a dozen or so men who were cheering him on also stared warily at the man named Lin.

A violent clash was imminent!

Lin Yong, expressionless, looked at the arrogant Zhang Hu and his men. Despite his calm demeanor, his words were sharp as a knife: "You bunch of cowards only dare to bully the elderly and weak. If you have the guts, fight me fair and square. Whoever loses is the loser!"

Zhang Hu and his men were furious upon hearing this, their faces flushed with anger.

"You, Lin, mind your own business! Just because you have a bit of skill, you think I'm afraid of you?"

In truth, Lin Yong was indeed "meddling."

In the refugee camp, where food and clothing were scarce, Zhang Hu had recruited this group specifically to target other refugees, robbing them of their food. Once, they tried to rob Lin Yong's people and were severely beaten by Lin Yong and his men. After that, they didn't dare to target Lin Yong's people again.

Later, when they targeted others, Lin Yong had seen it a few times but ignored it. However, this time, they went so far as to snatch food from a one-year-old child and beat the child's grandfather until he vomited blood. Lin Yong couldn't stand by and intervened.

With a cold snort, Lin Yong didn't bother wasting words with these scoundrels. Stepping forward with his left foot and lifting his right foot, he kicked fiercely.

Zhang Hu felt a gust of wind sweep by, and before he knew it, he was flying through the air, landing more than two meters away. Instantly, a piercing pain gripped his abdomen, causing him to involuntarily let out a scream of agony.

The other dozen or so men were dumbfounded, only coming to their senses when they heard their leader's painful cry. They glanced at Lin Yong in fear, involuntarily backing away.

Some of them quickly went to help Zhang Hu, but he angrily pushed them away, cursing, "You useless bunch of idiots, don't just stand there, give me a hand!"

The men hesitated, some unsure. Lin Yong's brutality was evident, and in the entire refugee camp, no one dared to provoke him.

The kick was too harsh, leaving Zhang Hu only able to sit on the ground and command. Seeing his subordinates looking hesitant, the pain in his chest intensified. "You cowardly bastards! Even if Lin Yong is tough, he's just one person. Are you afraid of him?"

After exchanging glances, the men gritted their teeth and, with a roar, rushed forward. If they could knock Lin Yong down this time, they could do whatever they wanted in this area in the future.

Lin Yong sneered. So What if there were more people? He didn't even care!

When Lin Yong's people heard the news and rushed over with a dozen or so men, Zhang Hu's men were already being beaten mercilessly, lying on the ground crying for their mothers.

Not far away, Mo Yan watched Lin Yong with shining eyes. He had kindness, a sense of justice, and formidable strength. Wasn't he the person she was looking for?

Lin Yong looked at the unfamiliar girl in front of him with some surprise, unable to understand why she had sought him out.

Seeing Lin Yong's clear and straightforward appearance, Mo Yan felt even more convinced that he would be a good partner. However, with people coming and going here, it was not a place for a conversation, so she said, "Can we find a quiet place to talk? I have something to discuss with you."

Lin Yong silently nodded. He had considered that the other party might have ulterior motives, but with her small stature, he could handle her with one hand.

Finding a quiet place, Mo Yan didn't waste any time and directly stated her purpose. Seeing Lin Yong's eyes light up more and more, she knew that this matter had potential.

Suddenly hearing such a pleasantly surprising opportunity was like a pie falling from the sky. However, Lin Yong was not a greedy person. After calming down, he said seriously, "It's not that I don't trust Miss Mo, but maintaining the food and drink for five hundred people every day is not a small matter. Can Miss Mo really make decisions?"

Mo Yan gave him a approving glance, looking him straight in the eye as she said, "Of course! Deceiving you and myself would serve no purpose!"

Lin Yong nodded. A group of people living from hand to mouth had nothing to deceive about!

"In that case, I thank Miss Mo here. If Miss Mo trusts me, the task of finding people is on me."

Mo Yan had the same intention. Lin Yong was someone she had coincidentally encountered, and she couldn't possibly investigate the character of every other person. He had been here for a long time, and it would be much easier for him to find suitable people than for her.

"Thank you for your trouble! Just be careful with the elderly, weak, and young. Try to find those who are unable to protect themselves."

According to her estimate, the space's production capacity could only support up to five hundred people per day. Moreover, this was under the circumstances of planting high-yield crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes. If she wanted to help more people, the space would need to upgrade.

Lin Yong understood and nodded. Five hundred people were already a lot in his opinion. As for the twenty young and strong people they needed to find, he already had candidates in mind, so there was no need to go to any trouble.

Hearing Lin Yong say that some people in the camp were no longer distributing porridge and even abandoned their cooking stoves, Mo Yan raised both hands in agreement. This way, she wouldn't have to spend money to buy big pots and hire people to build stoves. It wasn't that she couldn't bear to, but she was also poor now. She could save where she could.

The two discussed the specific details and agreed to start the day after tomorrow.

...

Entering through the north gate with a pass, Mo Yan saw Mr. Meng, who was grooming his donkey in the corner. When he saw her return, Mr. Meng smiled warmly and waved to her.

On the cart, when Mr. Meng learned that Mo Yan's plan had succeeded, he was also very happy. Rubbing his hands together, he smiled at Mo Yan and said, "You're just a girl from a family. If there's no one in your family to help, you can leave the vegetable transportation to me in the future. I won't charge you anything!"

Mo Yan exclaimed in surprise, "I was just about to discuss this with you. I didn't expect you to bring it up first, but I still have to give you the money." It wasn't easy for the old man to drive the cart every day, and besides, she didn't like taking advantage of others.

Mr. Meng's face turned stern when he heard this. "If I say I don't want money, then I don't want money! You want to help those poor people, so why can't I lend a hand? I'm not working for you, so you don't need to pay me!"

Mo Yan was speechless for a moment, unexpectedly unable to argue!

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 22 Cooperation

Inside the refugee camp, people were lying or sitting everywhere, their eyes empty and filled with sadness. The entire camp was permeated with a sense of desolation and despair.

A young woman, on the brink of death, was breastfeeding her child. Her shriveled breasts, like withered pears, were being suckled by her emaciated child. In reality, there was no milk left, but in order to comfort her child's hunger, the mother had to endure the painful sucking...

This scene deeply pierced Mo Yan's heart. The situation of these refugees was even worse than she had imagined. She could imagine how, day by day, the elderly and weak would gradually weaken under the pressure of the young and strong, until their last breath.

If it weren't for the space, they might have become part of this as well, a thought that sent shivers down her spine.

Dragging her heavy legs, Mo Yan left the refugee camp. Along the way, all she could think of were those pairs of eyes filled with longing, longing for food, longing for survival...

If, at first, her intention to help these people was to upgrade the space as soon as possible, then at this moment, she simply wanted to help them sincerely.

She vaguely understood why every time she did a good deed, red lines would appear on the pearl of the space. From the perspective of Buddhism, those red lines should represent merit. When the merit is complete, the space will upgrade, and then through the space, more people can be helped, forming a positive cycle.

She didn't quite believe in the concept of "good deeds bring good rewards, evil deeds bring retribution", but the existence of the space and the appearance of the red lines seemed to have a complex relationship with merit. For example, this strange rebirth, she had to treat it carefully.

Back at home, seeing her younger siblings' carefree smiles, Mo Yan's heart finally felt a little less oppressed. She forced herself to cheer up and, under the eager eyes of her siblings, began to cook.

With only three people at home, they couldn't eat much, so Mo Yan decided to make two dishes: tomato chicken and stir-fried green peppers with shredded pork.

She cleaned the large rooster and divided it into halves, using one half to make tomato chicken and the other half to stew soup for dinner.

As she cooked, Mo Yan pondered how to help those refugees. She had seen several porridge stalls distributing food, but almost every stall would erupt into violence. She didn't want the same thing to happen when she distributed porridge, but she couldn't think of a good solution until the food was ready. She picked at the rice in her bowl, not even finding the tomato chicken she put in her mouth particularly delicious.

Seeing her sister's downcast mood, Xin'er and Zhen'er didn't dare to say much. They just kept piling chicken into her bowl, hoping she would feel better after eating.

When Mo Yan came to her senses, seeing the bowl full of chicken, she couldn't help but smile wryly, feeling both amused and touched.

At night, Xin'er fell asleep with a flushed face, but Mo Yan, with something on her mind, couldn't sleep, her mind seemingly more active in the quiet of the night. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration came to her, and she actually came up with a good idea!

Why not ask the young men and women in the refugee camp for help?

This time, she wanted to help not just one or two people, but hundreds or even thousands. This was definitely not something she could do alone. Just figuring out how to transport the ingredients and cooking utensils over there was a challenge for her. Asking those young men and women for help would not only help others but also herself. She believed that some of them would be willing.

However, those people must have good character, at least not having bullied others before. As for how to choose, she would have to go there again tomorrow to observe secretly before deciding.

With the idea in mind, Mo Yan felt relieved. In no time, she drifted into a deep and sweet sleep.

Early the next morning, after seeing off Mo Qingze, Mo Yan was worried that she wouldn't make it back in time to cook for lunch, so she made pancakes and instructed Xin'er and Zhen'er to reheat the leftover chicken soup from last night to dip the pancakes in if they got hungry. After reminding them a few times, she locked the door and left with peace of mind.

Coincidentally, she met the old man who drove the cart yesterday again.

"Miss, why are you going there again?" Seeing Mo Yan, the old man was puzzled. If yesterday this girl was just curious and wanted to take a look there, today's visit made people wonder.

It was quite a coincidence to meet the same person two days in a row, which was fate. Mo Yan looked at the honest old man and suddenly had an idea, so she didn't hide anything and said, "I saw those people were so pitiful yesterday, I just wanted to see if there was any way to help them."

The old man was a little surprised to hear this, looking Mo Yan up and down. Obviously, she didn't come from a wealthy family, so...

Seeing his confusion, Mo Yan had to come up with another story: "I have a distant relative from afar who used to make a living by farming and selling vegetables. But not long ago, the elderly in the family suddenly passed away, and the whole family had to go back to the hometown to attend the funeral. Before they left, they asked our family to help deal with the vegetables in the field. My father was too busy to spare time, and there were no other laborers in our family. Originally, we planned to let the vegetables rot in the field, but thinking about the many hungry people in the northern suburbs, it's better to feed them."

The old man clapped his thigh when he heard this, "This is a good idea! Miss, you are a truly kind person. You will definitely be blessed in the future!"

Mo Yan felt embarrassed to hear this. She had the space and was reborn, which was already a great blessing. She didn't want more... 

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 21 Anxiety

For Mo Xin and Mo Zhen, the days in the capital were even better than in Moji Village. Here, no one would ridicule them for being motherless children, they wouldn't go hungry often, and they could even eat eggs and meat every day, better than the New Year meals they had in the past.

For Mo Yan, she had many things to do. After she tidied up the small vegetable garden in the yard, sowed seasonal vegetable seeds such as greens and celery, and finished making clothes for the family, seven or eight days had passed.

As the head of the household, Mo Qingze went out early and returned late every day. Each time he came back, his complexion was not too good. Mo Yan asked a few times without getting any results, so she let it be.

This day, Mo Qingze came back only at dinnertime again, but he seemed to be in a very good mood.

"Yan'er, I've arranged a job. I'll start working tomorrow. I'll support the family from now on, and you take care of the two little ones," Mo Qingze said to Mo Yan after putting down his chopsticks.

Mo Yan was startled, finally understanding why he went out early and returned late: "That's good news! But what job did you arrange?"

Mo Qingze smiled slightly, "As an accountant for a silver shop, with a monthly salary of two taels of silver, enough for our family to live on!"

Two taels of silver?

Mo Yan was surprised. After being in this world for so long, she had a deep understanding of the purchasing power of silver. With two taels of silver deducted for monthly rent, they would have one tael left. As long as they didn't eat extravagantly every day, this one tael of silver would be enough for their family to live on, and they would even have some surplus.

She vaguely felt something was wrong. It didn't make sense for her father, who had just arrived in the capital, with no experience as an accountant, to be hired by a silver shop, especially with such a high monthly salary. It seemed suspicious no matter how she looked at it.

Thinking like this in her heart, Mo Yan didn't directly express her concerns, so as not to undermine her father's confidence. Instead, she gently reminded, "Being an accountant is not easy. It's not as easy as when you managed the inn before."

Mo Qingze waved his hand, obviously not taking her concern seriously. "I know what I'm doing. The shopkeeper at the silver shop is good, he appreciates me. As long as I do my job well, there won't be any major problems."

Mo Yan's eyes twitched. She wasn't as confident as her father. If there really was a trap, with her father's straightforward nature, he wouldn't be able to see through it. She hoped that all of this was just her overthinking. Their family was poor, who would plot against them?

"Now that Dad has made up his mind, I won't say much. I just hope Dad doesn't overwork himself," Mo Yan said, seeing her daughter not opposing, and considering herself in every way, Mo Qingze felt greatly comforted. "Dad won't overwork himself, as long as you three siblings are well, Dad will be content."

Mo Yan's nose tingled. In her previous life, her father said this to their four siblings the most.

However, compared to her father in her previous life, her father in this life obviously lacked experience in worldly affairs. He had the demeanor of a scholar, but if there were really worldly troubles, he might find it difficult to handle.

...

Ignoring Mo Yan's various worries, the next morning, she still got up to prepare breakfast for the family.

Today, Mo Qingze changed into the new robe his daughter made for him. He looked even more gentle and elegant. After breakfast, he gave Mo Yan some earnest advice before hurriedly leaving the house.

After Mo Qingze left, Mo Yan didn't idle either. She washed the clothes and tidied up the house inside and out. Seeing the two little ones engrossed in fishing for "monks" in the yard, she returned to her room, closed the door, and entered the space. (Here, "monks" are bugs that can dig holes. When you insert thin grass into their holes, they climb up. When she was young, she used to play with them, haha.)

The spiritual energy in the space had already solidified into substance, like a faint mist enveloping everything. Upon entering, she felt refreshed.

Because the space was too small, she could only plant a small patch of the dozen or so kinds of seeds she bought in Longshi Town. Recently, they had been ripening one after another, and Mo Yan had stacked them beside the Biyu Platform. Fortunately, with the spiritual energy preserving them, they remained as fresh as if they were still growing in the ground.

With so many vegetables and fruits, Mo Yan's eyes hurt from looking at them. If she continued to stack them up, there would be no room left in the space to grow vegetables. There were only four people in the family, so they couldn't consume much. Therefore, she had to sell them.

There were also eggs. Of the twenty chicks she bought earlier, sixteen were hens. She could find at least one hundred and fifty eggs every day she came in, and in the past ten days, she had gathered nearly two thousand. If she didn't deal with them soon, she would be buried in eggs.

Mo Yan took dozens of eggs and picked a few vegetables to put in a basket. Just as she was about to go out, she saw two fat roosters standing on the Biyu Platform, spreading their wings and fighting. She found it amusing and grabbed one without hesitation.

"Today, I'll cook you!"

Having been in the capital for several days, she hadn't stewed chicken soup for her family yet. Roosters didn't lay eggs, so keeping them would only waste food.

After leaving the space, Mo Yan took a piece of cloth and tied the rooster in the yard.

When the two little ones saw the big rooster, they stopped fishing for "monks" and couldn't help but touch the shiny feathers on the rooster's body.

Mo Yan didn't stop them and went into the house to take the pass token, which she put in her sleeve pocket. Coming out, she said to the two little ones, "Sister will be out for a while. You two stay at home and don't go anywhere. When sister come back, we'll kill this chicken for you to eat."

"Yeah, we'll play at home, big sister, come back soon!"

The two little ones wanted to follow their big sister, but they knew their big sister must have something inconvenient to take them, so they answered loudly, promising not to run around.

Mo Yan touched their heads and locked the courtyard door after going out.

The West Market was adjacent to the North City Gate, but because Chudu was very big, it would take a long time to walk there. It would be too late to go home for lunch, so Mo Yan spent five wen to take a mule cart.

The carter was an old man who found it strange when Mo Yan said she was going to the refugee camp on the outskirts of the city

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 601: Letting Go of Obsession, Wishing You Well with Goodness and Love

Xiangxi Manor

Qin Ruan lay in bed, sleeping on her side.

In the dark night, a faint voice sounded, accompanied by a faint aura of death.

In an instant, she opened her eyes, her sharp and cold gaze piercing towards the direction of the bedroom balcony.

There was a figure swaying there, with a slender silhouette that gave people the impression of a woman.

Qin Ruan moved her arm from her waist and sat up slowly, glancing at the Hou Yunjiao lying beside her.

He was breathing evenly, sleeping soundly.

To avoid disturbing him, Qin Ruan got out of bed barefoot and walked slowly towards the balcony.

"Who's there?"

Her voice was low, but enough for the shadow standing on the balcony to hear clearly.

"Miss Qin, it's me."

A familiar voice reached Qin Ruan's ears.

Her vigilant and sinister aura dissipated instantly.

Qin Ruan opened the curtain and looked at the soul floating before her, asking in puzzlement, "Li Manning, why are you here?"

Li Manning's face showed a faint smile, surrounded by an aura of tranquility, as if she had seen through the mundane world.

She softly said to Qin Ruan, "I'm leaving, so I've come to bid you farewell."

Qin Ruan frowned, "Leaving? Didn't you already enter the Underworld?"

Li Manning stirred her fingertips, staring at Qin Ruan with gratitude in her eyes.

"The King of the Underworld allowed me to be reborn and join my child in liberation. He said it was all because of your face."

Qin Ruan leaned against the window frame and chuckled, "So, you're really lucky."

Was it because of her face? Qin Ruan didn't believe the crafty King of the Underworld would be so benevolent; he was probably using her as a scapegoat.

Since the moment Li Manning's hands were stained with blood, the gates of the Underworld had been open to her, and Qin Ruan had witnessed the different treatment she received there.

Li Manning didn't know all this; she was grateful to Qin Ruan, thinking that it was all thanks to her.

She spoke earnestly, "Thank you for your care before. I can't repay your kindness, but if there's a next life..."

"Stop!" Qin Ruan interrupted her quickly, "Don't mention the next life. When a person dies, it's like a candle being extinguished. This life's fate with you ends here, and there will be no more after this."

Li Manning looked shocked, frozen in place by Qin Ruan's coldness.

Qin Ruan glanced at her nonchalantly, her smile deepening.

She spoke slowly, "Li Manning, before you go, I'll give you some words. Life is fleeting, with scenes unfolding on and off the stage. Life revolves between yin and yang. When living in this world, one should live for oneself. When you cross the Naihe Bridge, engrave these words deep in your bones. May you not seek dazzling brilliance in your next life, but live the way you want."

Tears rolled down Li Manning's eyes.

She cried and smiled, saying, "Okay, I'll live the way I want. I'll take your words as a good omen."

Qin Ruan's lips lightly curved as she waved her hand, "Go now, everything in this life is no longer related to you."

Li Manning nodded heavily, "Qin Ruan, I sincerely Thank you."

"No need to thank me. It's your deserved fate. Let go of your obsession, and may goodness and love be with you."

Li Manning responded and expressed her gratitude to Qin Ruan.

Her plump soul gradually weakened, becoming transparent, and disappeared completely from Qin Ruan's sight.

Li Manning was once a dazzling film empress.

She had lived in the limelight, standing at a height that most people had never reached.

She had always lived in a position envied by others, but who knew the suffering she had once endured?

Reincarnation and forgetting the past would truly free her from all this.

Li Manning, I sincerely wish you well in your next life.

Qin Ruan stood up straight and walked to the balcony.

She tugged at her thin sleepwear, feeling the cold breeze of the night, but she was no longer tired.

The sky tonight was filled with bright stars, illuminating the vast land.

Qin Ruan looked up at the starry sky.

Among the countless stars, there was one star that caught her attention.

It was the Emperor's Star.

That star might not be the brightest, but it was the one that attracted her gaze.

"Ruan Ruan?"

A hoarse, somewhat sexy voice came from the room.

Qin Ruan turned around and saw the Hou Yunjiao sitting up on the bed.

"I'm here," she replied, retracting her hand from the railing and turning to enter the room.

Hou Yunjiao looked slightly stunned when he saw Qin Ruan walking from the balcony, his face displeased, "Why aren't you wearing more clothes? Be careful of catching a cold."

"It's alright, I just want some fresh air." Qin Ruan sat down by the bed.

She naturally had good resistance to the cold, and during her days in the West City when she couldn't afford to eat well and dress warmly, the cold nights were nothing compared to matters of life and death.

Now the season wasn't that cold, and the nighttime breeze was nothing for her; it even cleared her mind.

Hou Yunjiao pulled the blanket over Qin Ruan's body, his arm resting on her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

He noticed her bulging belly, touching his abdominal muscles, and at this moment, the Hou Yunjiao felt content as he held Qin Ruan close to him.

Sensing her breath through the fabric, he felt the warmth of her body against his waist.

If he were awake, he might have imagined other things.

Now, he really couldn't hold on any longer.

Exhaustion swept over him, and he just wanted to fall asleep again.

He pulled the blanket over Qin Ruan, his arm resting on her waist, drawing her closer to him, and fell asleep hugging her.

While Qin Ruan rested her eyes, the steady sound of the Hou Yunjiao's breathing sounded in her ears.

In the darkness, she faintly curved her lips.

Qin Ruan didn't know when she fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already nine in the morning.

The spacious room was empty, with only her inside.

She reached out to touch the side of the bed.

Unsurprisingly, there was no warmth there.

The Hou Yunjiao had already gotten up.

Qin Ruan remembered last night, when Li Manning came to say goodbye to her.

Thinking that the other party had already crossed the Naihe Bridge and drank from the Lethe River, she had embarked on a new life.

Special thanks to these patrons for their support ❤ : 【PROWESS of March 2024】

DreamTales Translations:

【jermira】 【Suliat Raheem】 【Michelle Graham】 【Gloriana Foster】 【CHAMPAKA R】 【DetectiveGeek421】 【Ha17eul】 【Lisa Pace】 【Tamara Vega】

Eternal Novel Hits:

【Hipployta】 【Esmeralda Linda】 【Something】 【Evzen Sichyokno】 【Nanashi D. Yurei】 【Sabrina Chase】 【Mani_C】 【onepiece】 【jumoke ajetunmobi】 【Jen】 【Hayuningtyas Hadiutami】 【Serenthia】 【Anna Cassano】【Joua Chang】

Bbing Translations:

[Kelloges]

Chapter 600: The First Auspicious Star of Ziwei, Doomed to Fall

Hou Yunjiao flipped through the files in his hand.

He paid particular attention to the ones marked with red circles.

After a while, he cast a sharp gaze at Hou Qiang.

He pointed to the names marked with red circles and said in a low voice, "Madam is not feeling well, so don't be too cruel. Communicate with these people and cooperate with Madam if they want to be released early."

Hou Qiang lowered his head. "I've already explained it, and three of them are willing to cooperate."

Hou Yunjiao's sharp gaze softened slightly. "After everything is over, you can let them go. Madam is still young and her temperament is unstable. Let her adapt slowly for now."

"Yes!"

Hou Qiang raised his head and cautiously asked, "Master, when do you think it's appropriate to start? Earlier, when we were at the Hou family, you called me up to the study to arrange for Madam to participate in the Punishment Hall."

Hou Yunjiao pondered for a moment and said, "Let's do it in a couple of days. Let her get used to it here first."

"Alright, I'll find a suitable opportunity to mention it."

"Don't let Madam know about this, and it should stay that way in the future."

"Yes, Master."

"You may leave now."

Hou Qiang took two steps back and left the study.

The large study was left with only Hou Yunjiao.

*Cough, cough...*

A weak cough sounded in the quiet room.

A trace of the smell of blood spread in the air, and Hou Yunjiao skillfully picked up a handkerchief from the nearby table to wipe the corner of his lips.

The brilliant red stained the handkerchief.

This touch of red reflected in Hou Yunjiao's eyes, and he furrowed his brows slightly. His deep eyes remained calm, as if he had long been accustomed to this sight.

He tossed the handkerchief aside and continued to browse through the information of the people detained in the Punishment Hall by Hou Qiang.

The fate of some of the people on the list would soon become Qin Ruan's experimental subjects.

...

Late at night.

In a high-rise residence in the capital.

A middle-aged man dressed in Daoist robes, wearing shoes from the Ten Directions, stood on the balcony, gazing at the stars in the sky.

Ling Xuzi's eyes slightly narrowed as he looked up at the Ziwei Star hanging high in the sky, searching for something.

A month ago, there was another star that was faintly visible beside the Ziwei Star, on the verge of extinction. It belonged to the Nangong family's fate.

For the past few years, the domain representing the Nangong family had been revolving around the Ziwei Star.

Every time the Nangong family crossed the boundary, it would consume the brightness of the domain, making it dark and murky.

The Nangong family had been depleting its own energy, and its demise was destined.

But now, the domain belonging to the Nangong family had completely disappeared.

A new star had taken its place.

Ling Xuzi lowered his eyes and calculated with his fingers, his expression becoming complex.

Before Nangong Yunlong died, he had told Ling Xuzi that perhaps there was hope for the Nangong family to make a comeback in a hundred years.

But now, even that glimmer of hope was gone.

The excessive pursuit of fame and fortune, resorting to all means to trample countless innocent lives, would ultimately harm oneself.

Ling Xuzi looked up again at the new star appearing beside the Ziwei Star.

This was the new aristocratic family, the Fu family, which would soon officially enter the Imperial Cabinet.

Its domain was bright enough to be comparable to the brightness of the Ziwei Star.

During this period, the Emperor's Star, which was Ziwei Star's subordinate, became somewhat dim.

The Emperor's Star descended into the Hou family, and the one who spoke of Ziwei descending to the mortal world was Third Young Master of the Hou family.

Born in a family, he was the master of a family; born in a country, he was the ruler of a country.

However, his weak body meant that the Emperor's Star would diminish with his lifespan, gradually overshadowed by the dazzling stars around him.

Ling Xuzi's hands were behind his back as he let out a deep sigh.

He had been observing the Emperor's Star for more than twenty years. This auspicious star, the first one of its kind, was destined to fall.

It was only a matter of time.

Ling Xuzi knew that Third Young Master's wife was quite formidable and had some connection with the Underworld.

But Ziwei didn't belong to the Underworld, and the Emperor's Star would fall. No one could stop it.

Ling Xuzi's expression turned solemn, and his well-maintained face showed infinite worry.

...

Su Family.

Main hall.

Over ten black-clothed bodyguards stood in the hall, and the servants were busy with caution.

Among them, one of the maids approached with trepidation, looking at Beijin Zhou, who was pacing back and forth in the large hall with a worried expression.

"Mr. Bei, the kitchen has prepared some porridge. Should I take it to Miss?"

Beijin Zhou stopped his restless steps. He fixed his deep gaze on the maid and saw her anxious look.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I'll go upstairs and ask."

During the day, after dealing with Nangong Chang and the child's affairs, Su Jingshu had been shut in her room.

From this afternoon until evening, she hadn't taken a single step out of her room.

Beijin Zhou had gone upstairs once before.

He brought the baby, who had been lying in an incubator for several months, back from the medical ward.

It was Su Jingshu who personally asked him to bring the baby back.

Seeing an object reminded her of a person, and Beijin Zhou understood.

He took heavy steps upstairs and stood in front of Su Jingshu's bedroom door, raising his hand to knock.

But he heard a slight movement from inside the room—the sound of crying.

The sound was so low that it was enough to show Su Jingshu's grief.

The door wasn't tightly closed, and the sound of sobbing seeped out through the crack.

Beijin Zhou slowly lowered his hand. He leaned wearily against the wall, his exhausted face showing a complex mix of emotions.

In all the time he had known her, he had never seen Su Jingshu cry.

Such a vulnerable situation was something he had never seen before.

She had always been the elegant and graceful Miss Su, even though she was ruthless and ruthless in private, no one could deny her identity as the first lady of the capital.

After breaking off the engagement with the Hou family, Su Jingshu was still considered the best wife choice by many men in the capital.

Who would have known that this woman would fall into despair and distress in just a few days?

Ten years of pursuing a goal turned into a ridiculous mistake in an instant.

What was even more heart-wrenching was that she had lost her only child today.

"Only" was such a precious word.

Su Jingshu would never have another child in her life.

At the moment when she desperately wanted to keep the child that belonged to Nangong Chang, she lost the chance to be a mother again.

Beijin Zhou covered his eyes with his hand, silently listening to the sobbing and crying coming from the room, his emotions complicated and indistinguishable.

In the room.

In the dim light, Su Jingshu knelt on the ground.

She gently caressed the cold incubator, her figure fragile and vulnerable.

Suddenly losing everything, she was unwilling, despondent, and sorrowful, but no one could save her.

Ten years of pursuing a goal had torn apart in one night, revealing the truth.

Fortunately, there was a child who comforted her, allowing her some consolation.

Now, even the child was gone, and her future was shrouded in darkness.

Tears had dried up in Su Jing Shu's eyes, and the pain in her heart made her cry tears of blood.

All she wanted was to release her grief freely tonight.

After dawn, she would still be the high and mighty Miss Su of the Su family.

Special thanks to these patrons for their support ❤ : 【PROWESS of March 2024】

DreamTales Translations:

【jermira】 【Suliat Raheem】 【Michelle Graham】 【Gloriana Foster】 【CHAMPAKA R】 【DetectiveGeek421】 【Ha17eul】 【Lisa Pace】 【Tamara Vega】

Eternal Novel Hits:

【Hipployta】 【Esmeralda Linda】 【Something】 【Evzen Sichyokno】 【Nanashi D. Yurei】 【Sabrina Chase】 【Mani_C】 【onepiece】 【jumoke ajetunmobi】 【Jen】 【Hayuningtyas Hadiutami】 【Serenthia】 【Anna Cassano】【Joua Chang】

Bbing Translations:

[Kelloges]