CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: THIEVES IN THE HOUSE

I thought Li Hongmei and the others wouldn’t just move out so easily, but He Chen never expected they would go as far as to pick the lock on his room.

Giving them a rabbit was no big deal. In the past, when he caught game, he mostly let them eat it. But today was his wedding day, and they actually broke into their new home just for a rabbit.

This is intolerable.

He Chen was suppressing a deep fury in his heart.

Relatives like these are no better than strangers; they have no gratitude, no respect for privacy, and completely disregard that his room is no longer his alone.

Today they dare to pick the lock for rabbit meat; tomorrow they’ll dare to steal other things, not to mention in the future. People’s greed only grows.

He originally wanted to give them some time to move out gradually, but now it seems completely unnecessary. If this continues, Ye Manman might be in danger living at home!

"Wuuu~ Captain, our home was robbed, someone even picked the lock on our room, you must get justice for us."

Ye Manman and He Chen went straight to the square and found the Captain hosting the hog distribution; she was crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, her soft voice choked with sobs, her small face flushed, and big eyes filled with tears, looking pitiful.

He Chen stood beside her with a stern face, like the most dedicated bodyguard.

The Captain was in a good mood; He Chen had secured benefits for the whole village again today. He was even considering applying for an award for He Chen, but here came his wife crying to file a complaint within moments.

The Captain’s joyful expression turned serious in an instant.

"What happened? Was there a break-in at home? What was stolen? Is everyone okay?"

Seeing that the Captain was so understanding, Ye Manman cried even harder.

She handed the broken lock to the Captain, whining.

"Here’s what happened, He Chen and I went up the mountain and caught a wild rabbit today. Then we thought there had been a lot of activity on the mountain recently, so I went with He Chen again, and he caught a wild boar for everyone to eat."

"But when I got home, I found our room’s lock had been picked. Not only did they steal our rabbit, but they also took my dowry and wedding gifts, wuuu~"

"Captain, you must get us justice. He Chen has done so much for the village, letting everyone enjoy free meat, but someone shamelessly came to steal from us, it’s so despicable."

"I think that thief did it intentionally to stop our brigade from being recognized as an advanced brigade. Just recently, you went door to door reminding us, and now someone has done this under your nose, clearly ignoring your words."

She cried and wiped her tears, her petite figure among the village men looking like a bullied neighbor girl, not to mention her soft voice, it softened everyone’s heart.

He Chen resisted the urge to crouch down to comfort her, keeping a stern face, and said deeply.

"The locks on our front door and other rooms are fine, only our room’s lock was picked. Captain, what do you make of this?"

He usually kept to himself, but these words directed everyone’s gaze toward Li Hongmei’s family in the square.

Li Hongmei’s family was still enjoying the praise from everyone, but when they felt all eyes on them, their faces changed immediately.

She rushed forward, angrily saying.

"What do you mean? Are you accusing us of stealing? We’re family, we often eat together, why would we bother to steal your rabbit meat?"

She lied without hesitation, convinced that no one would find out, speaking boldly.

The Captain was also in a difficult position, knowing generally about He Chen’s family situation; usually, the game he caught was eaten together by the family, so Li Hongmei had no reason to steal.

The villagers thought likewise; in their eyes, He Chen was the epitome of filial piety and gratitude.

He Chen sighed inwardly, realizing anew the kind of aunt he had. Yet faced with her righteous tone, he was at a loss for words to make her admit it.

The atmosphere became tense for a moment.

"But we didn’t eat together today?"

Ye Manman’s soft voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone’s attention back to her.

She continued.

"Also, there are unwashed dishes in the kitchen, a gnawed rabbit bone by the stove, and Aunt said today she wanted rabbit stew, and there’s still broth in the bowl."

Li Hongmei stiffened, "That was our own meat stew; we also went up the mountain for rabbits today. Do you think you’re the only ones who can catch rabbits? We caught one today especially to nourish Tiejun."

Her son Tiejun squeezed out from the crowd, proudly stating.

"That’s right, I saw my dad hunt the rabbit on the mountain with my own eyes."

They had already discussed their story, certain there were no witnesses.

Li Hongmei believed that the blame couldn’t be pinned on them, maintaining her defiance.

"I know you, as the new wife, want to run the household, but there’s no need to be so eager to drive us away. After all, we’ve lived with He Chen for so many years."

She held her head high without a trace of guilt for wrongdoing.

"Besides, we’ve always treated He Chen like our own; otherwise, how could he have grown so tall and considerate? Don’t try to smear us, we haven’t done such things."

He Chen’s face turned dark; he clenched his fists and leaned forward, but his clenched fists were gently touched by Ye Manman.

Ye Manman didn’t look at him but turned her red eyes to the Captain, looking extremely aggrieved.

"I’m not trying to drive them away; I just want justice. If it’s not them, so be it. But it hurts to think family could do such a thing, especially since we lost over 200 yuan, besides the rabbit meat."

"Captain, I want you to help investigate and find out who exactly is stealing from us at this juncture. If we can’t catch the thief, our family will have no sense of security."

She looked around at everyone in the square and then lowered her voice to sob.

"It’s disheartening that even in the same village there would be such people, stealing so much money from us. I won’t let He Chen’s hunted boar be shared with someone like that; I’d rather sell it in town."

Her words ignited an immediate reaction from the villagers who hadn’t yet received their share of pork, each shouting out.

"Right, right, Captain must get justice for He Chen, otherwise we can’t eat this pork with peace."

"Yes, the thief should come forward; He Chen shares his catch without charging a cent. Who is so vile to steal money, come forward!"

"A thief will meet a bad end!"

"I can’t believe there’s such a person in our village; truly, you never know someone’s heart. Everyone should warn their families to lock their doors well."

"..."

Seeing this, Ye Manman smiled, her tears not yet dry, and her face blooming with a smile like a refreshing sunshine after rain, bright and cute.

She said with a smile, "Thank you all, since everyone is so warm-hearted, I happen to have a way to swiftly find the thief because I also lost a jar of candy."

"I bought that candy a few days ago in town, and each piece has colorful wrapping paper, very pretty. The shopkeeper also said I was the only one in the village to buy it."

"So has anyone seen anyone eating that candy today?"