Chapter 4: Catching a Thief Uncovers a Secret Affair

Su Xiaoyun was not someone to be easily bullied. She stepped forward to reason, “Since I haven’t made any mistakes, the team’s regulations must be followed. The minimum labor points for women per day is seven!”

“Su Xiaoyun, am I the team leader or are you? I say five points, then it’s five points!”

Yang Hongfu was known as the local tyrant of Shigang Village. Relying on his large family and his position as production team leader, he often abused his power and bullied others. Generally, no one in the village dared to offend him.

Su Xiaoyun was the only one who dared to stand up to him.

Just as the recorder was about to write down five points in the labor book, someone came in from outside.

“Team Leader Yang, why bother arguing with a young girl? If it should be seven points, then it’s seven points. I have an important matter to discuss with you.”

It was Li Bingcheng, the village secretary, smiling on the surface but speaking with weighty authority.

“Alright, the secretary has spoken. Seven points it is,” Yang Hongfu gritted his teeth and forced the words out, shooting a fierce glare at Su Xiaoyun.

The recorder hurriedly noted seven points for Su Xiaoyun in the labor book.

Su Xiaoyun nodded in thanks to Li Bingcheng, then turned and left without giving Yang Hongfu so much as a glance.

She knew this grudge was now sealed.

On the way back, darkness had fully fallen.

The strong stench of the pigsty clung to her, so she deliberately took a small path, hurrying back anxiously to avoid being seen and mocked.

Halfway there, the village loudspeaker crackled to life.

“All villagers, please be informed. The Northwest Military District troops will be stationed in our village for a few days. Every household must actively cooperate…”

Su Xiaoyun paused, puzzled. Troops stationed here?

A flicker of suspicion passed through her mind, but the original story provided scant details, revealing no key information.

She walked a few more steps and, passing by a field, suddenly heard a familiar voice, tinged with slyness.

Her heart skipped a beat. She immediately crouched down, hiding behind a nearby haystack.

In the moonlight, she squinted to see two figures standing in the field: Zhou Xuejun and Yang Jinyue.

Anger surged within Su Xiaoyun. Those two scoundrels, what were they whispering about now?

“Jinyue, return the bracelet to me first. If Su Xiaoyun makes a fuss, I have to deal with her first,” Zhou Xuejun muttered, nervously brushing his pants leg.

Yang Jinyue sneered, glancing sideways at him. “Return it? Return what? It was a gift. Why would I take it back? Zhou Xuejun, are you getting interested in her?”

“Of course not! My dear aunt! Su Xiaoyun’s been acting strangely lately. If this blows up, it won’t look good...”

Lowering his voice, Zhou Xuejun tugged at Yang Jinyue’s sleeve. “Give it to me now. I’ll fool her, then figure out a plan later.”

Yang Jinyue rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue. “Fool her? She’s a nobody—why are you scared of her? Just find any excuse to get rid of her.”

Hidden behind the haystack, Su Xiaoyun felt her fury almost explode.

These two really treated her like a helpless victim to be trampled on.

The original girl was easy prey, but Su Xiaoyun was no pushover.

She quietly stepped back a few paces, then suddenly stood up and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Help! Thief! There’s a thief in the field! Catch him!”

Several villagers returning late poked their heads out, looking around.

Su Xiaoyun ran to the main road, feigning panic.

However, when the villagers recognized her voice, disbelief showed on their faces.

“What's wrong with Su Xiaoyun this time? Who believes her, probably lying again!” someone muttered.

“Yeah, what serious matter could she have? Always causing trouble!” another woman turned away without even looking back.

Su Xiaoyun’s voice grew hoarse from shouting, but few paid her any attention.

At that moment, two figures appeared on the road: Li Bingcheng, steady and purposeful, and a tall, imposing man who looked like a soldier.

Li Bingcheng called out from afar, “Xiaoyun, what’s going on? What thief?”

Su Xiaoyun quickly pointed into the field. “I really saw him. The thief ran that way, sneaking around!”

“All right, the village's safety is important. Let’s go check it out!” Li Bingcheng frowned and turned to the soldier. “Captain Huo, please come along. You soldiers are quick on your feet.”

The man named Huo nodded, his gaze sweeping over Su Xiaoyun’s dirty face and worn clothes, a subtle frown crossing his brow.

He spoke in a low, powerful voice, “Let’s go. I’ll help you catch him.”

Su Xiaoyun looked up and felt an inexplicable jolt.

This man looked familiar, but she couldn’t place where she had seen him before.

She shook her head, dismissing it as her imagination.

However, Huo Congjing did not look away. His gaze remained fixed on Su Xiaoyun’s grimy face and tattered clothes, his brows furrowing ever so slightly.

It was her!

Suppressing the surge of emotions within him, he kept his expression calm and strode toward the field.

Half of the wheat had been harvested; the straw was stacked high.

Su Xiaoyun pointed ahead. “It’s just over there.”

Li Bingcheng called a few villagers to light kerosene lamps, and they followed, stumbling along behind.

From behind a haystack in the field came faint, restless noises.

Huo Congjing suddenly stopped and raised his hand, signaling everyone to be silent.

“Who’s there? Come out!” he whispered sharply, straining to listen.

Su Xiaoyun’s heart tightened. She stepped forward and shouted loudly, “Stop hiding! I saw everything! Come out quickly!”

Behind the haystack, Zhou Xuejun and Yang Jinyue exchanged glances, their faces pale, calves trembling.

“It's all your fault. Why did you pick such a lousy spot? We're done for!” Yang Jinyue hissed, pinching Zhou Xuejun hard and cursing under her breath.

“Shut up!” Zhou Xuejun gritted his teeth and tried to slip into the grass to escape, but the moment he moved, Huo Congjing grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out.

“Running away? Feeling guilty?” Huo’s grip was firm, pulling Zhou Xuejun down to the ground in a clumsy heap.

Yang Jinyue screamed in fright, shrinking back behind the haystack, her face as white as paper.

Su Xiaoyun rushed over and immediately noticed the bracelet on her wrist. “So that’s why my bracelet went missing! You two thieves stole it!”

Yang Jinyue trembled, fumbling to take off the bracelet, stammering, “I—I just wanted to have a look, so what?!”

Li Bingcheng, clearly skeptical, spoke sternly, “What’s going on? Xiaoyun, explain clearly!”

Su Xiaoyun sneered, staring at Yang Jinyue and speaking deliberately, “Secretary, this bracelet was my grandmother’s keepsake! Zhou Xuejun stole it and gave it to someone else. When I tried to get it back, they hid here scheming how to deceive me!”

Huo Congjing stood nearby, his gaze falling on Su Xiaoyun’s trembling shoulders, tightened with anger, his heart suddenly constricted.