Free Web NovelChapter 467: Chapter 467: "Fishing
"Zhongyi, Roujing has already gotten married and had children. She’s not in the same circle as us," Yu Jianfeng said to ease the situation.
"Married?" Zheng Zhongyi was quite surprised, as he couldn’t tell—Yi Roujing looked even younger than Shao Meijuan. "So what if she’s married? Being married doesn’t mean she can’t eat barbecue, does it, Jianfeng?"
"Oh, what a coincidence, we’re having a barbecue at home today as well, so there’s no need to join in unnecessarily," Yi Roujing said as she walked past the crowd.
"Hey, meeting today is fate, yet this classmate gives me no face at all?" Zheng Zhongyi released Shao Meijuan and stepped forward to block Yi Roujing’s path.
"The Zheng Family, being one of the top three official families, really cares about face," Yi Roujing curled her lips into a smile as she looked at Zheng Zhongyi. "It seems the human trafficking incident in Dai City hasn’t affected the Zheng Family at all. Truly fitting for one of the top families."
Everyone present, except for Zheng Zhongyi, didn’t understand Yi Roujing’s words, but they clearly saw his face turn pale at her comment.
"Who, who are you?" Zheng Zhongyi stepped back, distancing himself from Yi Roujing, as his heart began to beat faster. For the past while, his family had repeatedly emphasized keeping a low profile because Zheng Zhongyong had been exposed due to the events in Dai City. The Zheng Family had already abandoned him, and if anything else jeopardized the family, severe punishment would follow.
Zheng Zhongyi realized he might have overstepped. Yes, they were at Baiqian Village’s entrance, and seeing Yi Roujing holding a bottle of sesame oil suggested she probably lived there. It was all because of that foolish woman, who said Yi Roujing lived in Beiluo Lane, leading him to assume she wasn’t a Baiqian resident.
"Oh, now you’re curious about who I am?" Yi Roujing snorted, not even glancing up as she bypassed Zheng Zhongyi and headed into the entrance of Baiqian Village, slipping in as if it were an unguarded territory.
Zheng Zhongyi’s face grew increasingly grim, and he quickly followed her but was stopped at the gate by the guard. "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"
"Was that woman...the lady just now living inside?" Zheng Zhongyi inquired.
"We can’t disclose information about residents," the guard naturally replied.
Though unsure of Yi Roujing’s identity, it was clear she was a resident of Baiqian Village. Otherwise, why would they say she’s a resident? Zheng Zhongyi pressed his lips together, turning to glare viciously at Shao Meijuan.
"You misled me with your talk, are you trying to get me killed?" Zheng Zhongyi slapped Shao Meijuan, who was stunned by the unexpected blow, falling to the ground.
Xing Yazhong, Yu Jianfeng, and their sisters wrinkled their brows at this sight.
Shao Meijuan was left dazed, lying on the ground in shock.
"Still pretending to be dead, are you? I’ll show you," Zheng Zhongyi kicked Shao Meijuan, making her come to her senses. She immediately stood up, distancing herself two meters from him.
"Touch me again, and I’ll call the police on you," Shao Meijuan’s eyes were red with anger and embarrassment, regretting ever accepting Zheng Zhongyi’s invitation.
"Do you think I’d fear you, someone like you..."
"Yazhong, what are you all doing?" Chang Xiuqi arrived, bringing a sigh of relief to Xing Yazhong and the others, making Zheng Zhongyi halt his actions.
"Get back to school, useless," Zheng Zhongyi glowered at Shao Meijuan, then approached Chang Xiuqi. "Xiuqi, is there someone named..."
"Oh, right, Yi Roujing, do you know her?" Zheng Zhongyi asked softly.
"Why are you asking?" Chang Xiuqi, knowing Zheng Zhongyi’s nature, eyed him sideways. "Better not get any ideas on her—she’s the daughter-in-law of the Xu Family, and Ancheng is an ally to our Chang Family."
"The Xu Family? Minister Xu?" Zheng Zhongyi’s eyes widened.
"Yes," Chang Xiuqi nodded, "Mr. Xu painstakingly found their son and daughter-in-law. Although they didn’t grow up with the family, they’re exceptional, more so than many raised in prominent families. If you provoke them, you might end up at a disadvantage."
Zheng Zhongyi felt a wave of regret, having already caused an issue. "Is Yi Roujing the type to hold onto minor grudges?"
"Sis-in-law is quite generous," Chang Xiuqi replied, having a good impression of Xu Ancheng and Yi Roujing. "Did you offend her?"
"Not exactly, but I want to apologize in person. Could you..." Zheng Zhongyi thought about apologizing at the Xu House but recalled that Xu Zongyin and Xu Ancheng lived there. He held back, realizing even if Yi Roujing forgave him, Xu Ancheng might not. So he couldn’t apologize there.
"Never mind, perhaps another time. It’s a minor issue after all; if I approach her now, it might seem more serious," Zheng Zhongyi suppressed his impulse, reluctantly following Chang Xiuqi into Baiqian Village, knowing that the lunch ahead wouldn’t be pleasant.
Xing Yazhong and the others, who hadn’t known Yi Roujing’s identity before, quickly understood after hearing Chang Xiuqi. Who would’ve thought Yi Roujing was the Xu Family’s daughter-in-law? She was quite low-profile.
The incident outside wasn’t shared by Yi Roujing at home, preserving the barbecue mood, but Shao Meijuan, due to the incident, bore a grudge. Heeding Zheng Zhongyi’s words, she dared not confront Yi Roujing directly but resorted to tracking her. After all, everyone has weaknesses or secrets, so there must be something to find.
When Yi Roujing realized she was being followed, she swiftly found out the person behind it—a thug from the black market paid to snoop.
Yi Roujing discovered through a memorable way that Shao Meijuan was behind it all.
Ah, she asked for it, thus bears no blame.
Investigating postal staff’s identities and family situations was no challenge for Yi Roujing, yet she didn’t rely on Xu Ancheng this time. Instead, she used Shao Meijuan’s method, tracking the deputy director of the post office, Pu Jun, who lived in a post-assigned tenement. His wife worked in an art troupe, albeit in logistics, and was quite plain-looking.
After trailing Shao Meijuan for half a month, Yi Roujing noted she visited the post office each Sunday to either send or collect parcels. This was also the case on the day at Baiqian’s gate, which was a Sunday without Pu Jun, who was at his in-laws’—a gap in time.
Yi Roujing informed Pu Jun’s wife about his and Shao Meijuan’s activities through a letter, excluding overly detailed information for dramatic exposure later.
On November 12th, having spent over half a month fishing, it was time to reel in. Yi Roujing woke up early, leisurely had breakfast, and then went near the post office to witness the commotion.
