When Zhang Yunmei found Cheng Tianhua, he was in the fields guiding people at work.
She didn't hesitate at all, rushing over without regard, and shouted, "Captain, hurry home and take a look! Your wife is prying open Cheng You's door, and it looks like she's trying to steal something!"
Cheng Tianhua felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him right on the head.
This Zhang Yunmei, why did she always have to meddle in other people's business!
What Song Yulian was doing was none of her concern.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
"I'm not talking nonsense, I saw it clearly, she's stealing in broad daylight with the door closed!"
Zhang Yunmei bent slightly, covering her mouth with her hand, as if whispering a secret, but her voice was so loud it could be heard throughout Wu Jing Village.
Cheng Tianhua's temples throbbed, "She's in her own home, what's wrong with closing the door? Stealing in your own home, is there such a thing?"
Zhang Yunmei snorted, her hands clasped together, "If she were prying open the lock to your own room, I wouldn't say anything. But she's prying open Cheng You's room lock, isn't that stealing? Don't tell me the lock is broken or something, that's impossible! Your Song Yulian even complained to me before that Cheng You put a lock on her room to guard against you."
Since Cheng You was guarding against them, even if the lock was broken, she wouldn't have Song Yulian come to pry it open.
Seeing Cheng Tianhua not moving, Zhang Yunmei became displeased.
"Captain, I'm doing a good deed, you don't want to cover for her, do you? You're the village head, if you cover for her, how will the villagers trust you in the future!"
Cheng Tianhua's face turned ashen, "When did I say I was going to cover for her!"
"Then if you're not, hurry and come with me to catch the thief! It's said that you catch a thief with evidence, and now is the perfect time to go."
Cheng Tianhua: ...
No matter how unwilling he was, he had to grit his teeth and follow.
As they got closer, Zhang Yunmei still reminded him to be quiet and not to alert Song Yulian.
Zhang Yunmei looked at her husband and said, "Old Ye, you climb up and take a look!"
The door was locked from the inside, so someone had to climb over the wall to get in.
Ye Changfu hesitated, looking at Cheng Tianhua's grim face, he felt a bit uneasy.
Zhang Yunmei urged, "Didn't you see the captain is angry? Hurry up!"
Ye Changfu was unsure; Cheng Tianhua didn't seem angry at Song Yulian.
However, with so many people urging him, he still climbed over the wall.
At this moment, Cheng You's door had already been opened, and the lock had fallen to the ground. Rustling sounds could be heard from inside.
He quietly climbed down from the wall and opened the door.
"Captain, you can come in now."
Cheng Tianhua's head was spinning, making him feel like he was truly there to catch a thief.
Before he could go in, Zhang Yunmei squeezed in first. Even though she knew what was happening, she now put on a show of extreme shock.
"Song Yulian, have you no shame, sneaking into Cheng You's room to steal!"
Song Yulian was startled, and her hand faltered, dropping a box. Inside were some scattered bills.
She looked at the people outside the door in astonishment, a wave of panic and shock washing over her.
She had locked the door, hadn't she? Why were there so many people!
"I... I wasn't stealing... I wasn't..."
Zhang Yunmei strode forward, picking up the money on the ground, "You weren't stealing, then what is this? You ransacked Cheng You's room like this, and you say you weren't stealing? You're shameless, a stepmother stealing from her stepdaughter, truly, you can guard against thieves outside, but not those within!"
Song Yulian's mind raced, trying to find an excuse for herself.
But after thinking about it, she felt that no reason would be useful, so she could only turn to Cheng Tianhua for help.
She had come to Cheng You's room with his consent.
But Cheng Tianhua was vain and selfish, how could he drag himself down to protect her.
It was foolish of Song Yulian to place her hope in him again and again.
But she was like a drowning person grasping at a life raft, with no other choice but to rely on Cheng Tianhua.
"How did you get into Cheng You's room? And touch her things! How many times have I told you, that money was already given to Cheng You and cannot be taken back. I know you did it for my own good, but you shouldn't have done such a thing!" Cheng Tianhua reprimanded sternly.
Song Yulian bit her lip, her head bowed in grievance.
"But Cheng You asked for eight hundred yuan from the family, and our savings are almost depleted. I really had no choice..."
"Aunt Lian, you need to have evidence when you speak. That eight hundred yuan, five hundred was for Cheng Tao's actions, my father's compensation to me, how the remaining three hundred came about, do you want me to tell everyone?"
Cheng You walked in from outside, watching the scene unfold.
Song Yulian and Cheng Tianhua both looked at her. They wouldn't believe this incident didn't have her hand in it!
If they had to blame someone, it was their own carelessness, falling for Cheng You's tricks time and time again.
Zhang Yunmei eagerly asked, "Cheng You, where did that three hundred yuan come from?"
With gossip, she certainly wouldn't miss it.
Seeing that Cheng You was really about to speak, Cheng Tianhua quickly said, "Cheng You, we're all family, forget it!"
"Why forget it? Father, you're too biased. She's done so many things, and you're still covering for her! That money was clearly compensation for me and my brother, not just for me! If you don't give me an explanation today, then I guess this home can't accommodate me and my brother anymore, and we'll break ties."
Cheng You's eyes were red, appearing wronged but also trying hard to endure.
She lowered her head and sobbed, her slender shoulders shaking, looking very pitiful.
Sun Xiaowan's protective instincts flared up at this moment. How could they bear to bully such a cute girl!
"How can you be a father like that! When your daughter is bullied, instead of supporting her, you tell her to forget it! You're going too far. In my opinion, you should call the police and have them take all of you away!"
Cheng You curved her lips, deciding to give her two more cans of cream.
Sun Xiaowan had a bad temper, but when it mattered, she was the most reliable.
She covered her face, seemingly crying, but in reality, she was barely containing her laughter.
"Father, since this home can't accommodate me and my brother, then please, give us a way out, let us move out. If it continues like this, my brother and I might not have a way to live."
Zhang Yunmei repeatedly shook her head, clicking her tongue.
"Captain, such a good daughter, what have you driven her to!"
Cheng You was now Uncle Li's apprentice, and for Uncle Li's sake, everyone had to give her some face.
Coupled with her ability to earn money, who wouldn't envy the old Cheng family for having such a woman.
Only Cheng Tianhua, it was truly strange, pushing her away.
Cheng Tianhua's face darkened, his voice hoarse, "You're not married yet, and Wenyu hasn't split from me, where are you going! Cheng You, we're all family, must you push things to this point!"
"Am I the one pushing things to this point? Father, are you trying to force me to my death! Cheng Tao and Zhao Yunlin, Song Yulian framed Wenyu, she broke into my room to steal my things, and all of this is my fault?"
Even though Cheng You had long given up hope for this father, a chill still ran through her heart.
This was her own father, her mother never knew what kind of person he truly was until the day she died.
Cheng Tianhua slowly closed his eyes, his fists clenched in rage.
If it weren't for so many people watching, he would have severely beaten this daughter.
"Fine! You move out, and I'll see what you're worth without my old Cheng family!"