After a long day of work, Qin Jianzhong dragged his exhausted body home.
The light in the room was dim, making the woman under it appear even more gentle.
His gaze fell on her swollen belly, and a pang of sadness suddenly rose in his heart.
The woman, who had been dozing, sensed his presence and opened her eyes.
"You're back. Why didn't you call me?"
Qin Jianzhong supported her hand. "If you're tired, go lie down. Don't wait for me next time."
The woman smiled. "I'm not tired. You are. You haven't eaten, have you? I'll warm up the food."
Qin Jianzhong grabbed her hand and pulled her down to sit.
"You rest. I'll do it myself."
With that, he took the food and went into the kitchen.
The woman's gaze followed his figure. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "That person you mentioned last time, did you find out? Is it him?"
Qin Jianzhong nodded. "I heard he's a sent-down youth from Yancheng. The name and background are the same, so it should be him."
The woman frowned, her expression troubled.
"Why don't we just leave?"
"He doesn't recognize me, and you don't go out often, so you likely won't run into him. We'll just be careful. There's no need to hide. We don't have enough money yet. Once I save enough, I'll take you to the provincial city for treatment, and then you'll really not see him."
The woman fell silent, her hand resting on her belly.
Her stomach, four to five months along, was already showing.
"Jianzhong, do you think... is this my retribution? I framed him, so the retribution is falling on my child."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Qin Jianzhong's voice was sharp.
Wang Fang looked worried. "I ruined a soldier."
Qin Jianzhong felt guilty and defended her. "You had no choice. If there's retribution, let it fall on me, not you."
If it weren't for him, Wang Fang wouldn't have accepted that money against her conscience and framed Qi Chengyan.
She wouldn't have been so afraid of exposure that she rushed to have the child, and then fled Yancheng with him before her body had even recovered.
Qin Jianzhong felt a suffocating pressure in his chest, almost ready to explode.
It was his fault. Why should the retribution fall on the child?
"Jianzhong, let's go. I feel very uneasy."
Qin Jianzhong vigorously wiped his eyes and turned to embrace her.
"After I finish this trip and get the money, I'll take you away."
Wang Fang felt even more uneasy. She didn't know what she was afraid of.
The next day, Qin Jianzhong sought out Cheng Tao again.
"Did you get the goods? Once the batch of medicine for Director Ying is ready, I'll be leaving Yongcheng. If you miss this opportunity, you won't have another."
Cheng Tao quickly replied, "Soon! I'll get the goods in hand soon. But three-seventy is too little. It should be at least four-six, and you have to bring my husband back with the goods."
"We agreed on three-seven. It can't change! If you don't do it, I'll find someone else," Qin Jianzhong said decisively.
Cheng Tao's expression soured, but she had no choice but to agree.
Once Cheng You's medicine was sold, they would have the capital to buy dried seafood. It was a win-win situation.
Cheng Tao impatiently urged Jiang Wanrou to hurry.
As soon as she finished urging, Jiang Wanrou produced a set of keys.
"This is the key to their pharmacy. This is all I can do to help. Don't forget that I get a share of the money from selling the medicine."
Cheng Tao clutched the keys tightly, success was within reach.
"Don't worry, leave the rest to us."
As long as they got Cheng You's medicine, it would be the first step.
What Cheng Tao didn't know was that after taking this step, she would almost be beaten half to death.
Since Cheng You had been prepared, she wouldn't have let them steal her things. It was a trap.
She had specifically instructed San Leng to blindfold Cheng Tao and Zhao Yunlin before beating them.
If Wang Hongxia hadn't known about their affair and rushed over, they would still be getting beaten with their heads covered.
"Are you trying to beat my son to death!"
San Leng thrust a flashlight into her face. "We're beating a thief, not your son!"
Wang Hongxia shielded Zhao Yunlin. "It's just a few cans of medicine. We'll pay for it, alright?"
Initially, everyone wasn't sure if they were there to steal. Wang Hongxia's words made it clear.
"Oh~ just a few cans of medicine~"
Wang Hongxia's heart leaped, and she quickly covered her mouth.
Cheng You's original intention wasn't to deal with these two, but to expose Jiang Wanrou through them.
However, she was just a cousin, and it wasn't her place to discipline Jiang Wanrou. She could only send her back to Qili Village to be dealt with by the old Jiang family.
It was at this time that everyone found out that Jiang Wanrou and Yuan He were not divorced.
Everyone thought this woman was hopeless, having lied to her own family for a man.
The old Jiang family members disciplined Jiang Wanrou and declared that they were severing ties with her and would never allow her home again.
As for Qin Jianzhong, Cheng You had heard about him from Cheng Tao.
However, she didn't make a fuss. Instead, she went to see him privately.
Qin Jianzhong knew that his scheme had been exposed. He wasn't panicked, but his face was somewhat ashen.
The sins he and Wang Fang had committed could never be repaid in this lifetime.
He knew his actions were illegal, and he knew he and Wang Fang had wronged Cheng You and her husband.
But he had no other way. He needed money, a lot of money.
"Whether you report me to the police or not, it's up to you. This was my mistake."
Cheng You stared at him. "Since you know it was wrong, why did you still do it?"
Qin Jianzhong sneered. "For money, of course. What else?"
"And your wife?" Cheng You guessed.
But looking at Qin Jianzhong's expression, Qi Chengyan was right. The woman with habitual miscarriages was his wife.
Perhaps it was to treat her illness that he took such a risk.
"Captain Qin, I think you're a good person. I won't pursue this matter this time, but I have conditions."
This was the result of Cheng You and Qi Chengyan's discussion.
Qin Jianzhong's character was good; there was no doubt about that.
During the road construction, he was the most diligent.
When it came to meals, he was always the last one to eat.
He never hesitated to lend a hand where he could help.
If it weren't for his wife, Cheng You felt he wouldn't have done such a thing.
"Comrade Cheng You..." He trembled.
Qin Jianzhong had prepared for the worst.
Cheng You waved her hand dismissively and turned away, not watching him wipe his tears.
"What did Cheng Tao and Zhao Yunlin want you to do?"
Qin Jianzhong sniffled and replied, "Zhao Yunlin wants to go to another province to get goods and wants to travel with my transport team for safety."
Cheng You's eyes flickered. "Get what kind of goods?"
"Dried seafood."
Cheng You understood.
She vaguely recalled that in her dream, Zhao Yunlin became very wealthy.
Was it related to this dried seafood business?
"Now that your deal is off, are you interested in cooperating with me?" Cheng You asked with a smile.