Chapter 56 Linlin, you have no idea.

Ma Zi lasted less than two minutes before surrendering. He confessed where he had hidden his property, one place after another.

But that wasn’t enough. Zhou Xuemei pressed him further, demanding information about Ma Zi’s brother-in-law, Wu Chengguang.

With no sense of loyalty, Ma Zi betrayed his brother-in-law without hesitation, detailing all the shady deeds Wu Chengguang had done after rising to power—how many families he had ruined, how much wealth he had stolen.

Some of the stolen goods were hidden in the backyard, ready for Wu Chengguang to dispose of. Another portion was stashed at his lover’s house, meant for his own use. The last part was hidden near the ancestral grave of the Wu family, intended as treasure for future generations.

Ma Zi confessed everything he knew, but it did not earn him Zhou Xuemei’s mercy. This sent Ma Zi into a panic. He begged the big man and his companions to let him go for the sake of their brotherhood, admitting his mistakes.

But the big man and the others dared not release him. Not only would Zhou Xuemei object, but they also feared Ma Zi would seek revenge.

After hearing the interrogation, Xu Lin considered her options. She decided not to deal with Zhou Xuemei just yet; she would keep her around as bait. Better Zhou Xuemei interact with Qin Fang than let others approach her—at least she knew Zhou Xuemei.

Having made her decision, Xu Lin quietly slipped out of the courtyard. She affixed the Swift Talisman to herself and left in a flash, moving so fast she was little more than a shadow.

Back in the county town, Xu Lin first went to retrieve Ma Zi’s hidden funds. There was little cash, just over two thousand yuan. But there were more than fifty gold bars, and Ma Zi, ignorant of antiques, had not collected a single relic.

Once finished, Xu Lin headed straight for Baihua Tower. It was already half past four; any further delay and everyone would leave work.

Xu Lin rushed to the bicycle shop and bought a women’s bicycle, then hurried to the Law Enforcement Bureau to have it officially stamped. Only after this could the bicycle be used normally without fear of inspection. If it were ever stolen, the stamp would serve as proof for recovery.

Riding her new bicycle, Xu Lin made a round at the supply cooperative, bought a good amount of seeds and snacks, and then hurried out of the county town.

Finding a secluded spot, Xu Lin strapped her supplies onto the bicycle. She then affixed the Swift Talisman and Windshield Talisman and headed for Wangzhuang Brigade.

Even so, by the time Xu Lin returned to Wangzhuang Brigade, it was past six o’clock and dusk was settling.

She rode straight to the Young Educators’ Courtyard. Seeing Xu Lin return, Han Hong and Zhang Qiang breathed a quiet sigh of relief and hurried to help unload her things.

“Educator Xu, why are you back so late?” Han Hong asked quietly.

“Oh, something came up and delayed me,” Xu Lin replied with a smile. “Have you eaten yet?”

“We got back early and have already eaten,” Han Hong said, eyeing the new pot Xu Lin had bought. “Why did you get another pot?”

“This one’s small, good for stir-frying,” Xu Lin's gaze fell on the big white goose. “I want to make iron-pot stewed goose. Do you want some?”

Han Hong and Zhang Qiang swallowed hard. That was meat—how could they not want it?

“Then help me kill and pluck the goose, and I’ll treat you to iron-pot stewed goose,” Xu Lin said with a smile.

She’d been out all day and hadn’t had a proper meal. She’d missed lunch while treating Granny Zheng, and missed dinner because she was rushing, so she had to cook for herself.

“No problem,” Han Hong replied, his eyes shining as he carried her things to Xu Lin’s door.

He was surprised to find a sack of coal briquettes but knew coal stoves weren’t good for stewing goose—they didn’t impart enough flavor.

So Han Hong and Zhang Qiang discussed the matter: one would kill the goose, the other would set up a simple stove—just a few stones stacked together.

Xu Lin saw the two had made arrangements and smiled as she put her purchases away.

Qin Fang, hearing the commotion, stepped out to see what was happening. She saw Xu Lin had brought back so many good things and even a bicycle, and her eyes reddened with envy. She slammed her door and went to chat with Su Liang across the way—out of sight, out of mind.

Qian Li, also hearing the activity, came out and saw Xu Lin busy, so she moved forward to help, quietly gossiping in the process.

“Linlin, you have no idea,” she began, her tone dripping with gossip.

Xu Lin perked up immediately. “What happened?”

“Those two,” Qian Li nodded toward Qin Fang’s retreating figure. “You three went to the commune early, but they slept until noon after we’d returned from work. Since we agreed last night to eat separately, Liu the Educator and his group didn’t prepare meals for them. They hadn’t contributed food, hadn’t brought any extra dishes, and even made faces at dinner—no one wanted to cater to such spoiled guests. So the two claimed the Young Educators’ Courtyard was ostracizing them, refusing to feed them.

They said they hadn’t been given any rations and accused us of trying to starve them, making a huge fuss.

In the end, Hu Changming took them to the brigade headquarters to collect their rations, but the two had no pot and didn’t know how to cook. Qin Fang nearly burned down the kitchen while trying to make a meal, then cried in Su Liang’s arms, blaming herself, saying she was too stupid and so on. Su Liang was beside himself with worry—they clung together, unbearably sticky. Tsk tsk, it’s unsightly.”

Qian Li was disgusted. She’d seen plenty of people who couldn’t cook—most were pampered at home, and no one arrived knowing how to cook. Everyone learned bit by bit after coming to the countryside.

The two couldn't cook, so eating separately wouldn’t work. They didn’t want to eat with Liu Pandie’s group, fearing they’d be taken advantage of.

So the clever pair set their sights on Qian Li and her two female companions, wanting to partner with one of them.

Naturally, they stated their terms: they’d contribute more grain but wouldn’t cook. As for firewood, Su Liang said he’d pay villagers to supply it.

Qian Li and her friends were infuriated—they were being treated like maids. Qian Li refused outright; she wasn’t short of money, so why should she serve others as if she needed their grain?

Wu Siyu declined, citing her existing partnership. Fu Yaqin refused as well, saying her tastes were light and she wouldn’t change them for anyone.

Their refusals angered Su Liang and Qin Fang, especially Qin Fang, who felt personally targeted.

She was indeed being targeted; no one wanted to interact much with a spy’s daughter.

Having no other options, they approached Huang Zishu’s group, hoping at least two would accept them so they wouldn’t have to eat communal meals.

But Huang Zishu and Lin Zihao refused, saying it was inconvenient. Hu Changming, as the team leader, couldn’t refuse directly, so Du Yong did so on his behalf.

Su Liang was so angry he gritted his teeth, convinced they were being singled out. With nowhere else to turn, they finally approached Liu Pandie’s group, proposing to partner up.

Liu Pandie’s group wanted to refuse, but Su Liang offered more—he volunteered to contribute an extra portion of grain for each person.