Zhao Siming slept dizzily for a while. When he woke up, the sky was faintly lit. He tiptoed out of the room and left.
Seeing Jun Jiuli come out of the room alone, Wu Guihua felt a little sad. She opened her mouth a few times but couldn't bring herself to ask.
As Jun Jiuli brushed her teeth, Zhao Siming, along with three police officers, walked into the courtyard and headed straight for the Zhao family's house.
The courtyard was large, and many families rented rooms there. Soon, everyone came out to watch the commotion.
The police uniforms were very conspicuous. As Zhao Siming and his companions walked, they attracted a large crowd of onlookers.
As soon as people entered, they started looking for familiar households, pretending to chat while secretly glancing at the Zhao family's home, their ears practically perked up.
When Wu Guihua saw the police officers enter, the basin she was holding crashed to the ground with a clatter. She forced a smile that was uglier than a cry.
"Officers, what brings you here? Please sit down and have a cup of water."
Wu Guihua hurriedly placed the basin against the wall and asked San Hua to bring some water.
A police officer showed his badge. "No need for water. We need Mr. Zhao Daming to assist with an investigation."
Wu Guihua's legs went weak. She held onto the table to steady herself, looking like a lost soul.
It was then that she noticed Zhao Siming, hiding behind the three police officers. Her anger surged to its peak in an instant.
She lunged to hit Zhao Siming but was stopped by the police. She then sat on the ground and started to curse.
"Did a dog eat your conscience? That's your own elder brother! Our family is in hardship, I'm busy with work, and you were raised by him! Wuwuwu~"
Wu Guihua began to throw a tantrum. Zhao Siming dared not say a word, his mind calculating his future options.
An older woman leaned closer to Jun Jiuli. "Child, what happened in your house? Why don't you go in and see?"
Jun Jiuli spit out the toothpaste foam, rinsed her mouth, and then turned to smile at the woman.
"Auntie, I don't know either. We should find out soon."
The auntie pouted. "Under the same roof, I don't believe you don't know. Is it related to that son of the Tang family?"
"I really don't know."
"You are a tight-lipped child. Auntie won't keep you any longer. Hurry back inside."
Upon seeing the police, Zhao Daming became very distraught and clung to the doorframe, refusing to come out.
It took two police officers considerable effort to escort him out, one on each side. Zhao Daming kept leaning backward, shouting his innocence.
"Officers, I really don't know anything. I'm just an ordinary worker. Why are you arresting me?"
He spoke with a runny nose and tears streaming down his face, his body trembling uncontrollably. Anyone could tell he had something to hide, let alone the professional police officers.
"Cooperate with the investigation. We won't wrong anyone, nor will we let any lawbreakers go."
"Mom, save me! Fourth brother, fourth brother, I'm begging you, please have mercy!"
Seeing Zhao Siming's expressionless face, Zhao Daming knew that avenue was closed. At that moment, Jun Jiuli came in with her toothbrush cup. Zhao Daming saw her as his last hope.
"Third brother, save me! You grew up with me on my back. Whatever good food there was, I always gave it to you first. If anyone dared to bully you, I would fight them back for you.
You can't just stand by and watch! Brother has finally made it this far, got a good job, and is about to get married. I can't be ruined here!"
Jun Jiuli responded with a cold "Oh" and ignored him, returning directly to her small room.
"Have you forgotten everything? How could you do this? You heartless wretch, I am your own brother!"
The police officers were speechless. Did he really think they couldn't see his blatant intentions? He wouldn't shut up, and they couldn't exactly cover his mouth.
The police told him to behave and prepared to escort him to the police station. Zhao Siming, as the informant and witness, was to accompany them.
The police station only had one patrol car; officers mostly used bicycles for their work.
Now that they had to arrest someone, and the Zhao family's house wasn't far from the station, they all walked back together.
As the police officers led the people out of the courtyard, the onlookers swarmed in. Several older women helped up the sobbing Wu Guihua.
"Oh dear, Guihua, don't cry. What did your eldest son do wrong? Why aren't you going to see?"
"Yes, yes, crying is useless!"
"What about the other people in the house? Why aren't they coming out to help? Alas, in times of crisis, no one can be relied upon."
"You say less."
Amidst this chattering noise, Wu Guihua finally came to her senses. She told herself she couldn't fall apart; her eldest son still needed her.
Wiping her tears, she ran out without looking back, shouting as she went, "Third child, go to the factory and ask for leave for me and your eldest brother."
When Jun Jiuli came out, she immediately became the "sweet spot" in the eyes of the gossiping aunties. She claimed ignorance to all their questions. Being busy asking for leave, they didn't linger to detain her.
"What is all this about? It's making us so curious."
"Besides the Tang family, we haven't heard of any trouble elsewhere. I think it's highly likely that the Zhao family's eldest son did it."
The aunties sighed. "That kid is only in his second year of high school. They don't interact much, so it's unlikely."
Another auntie whispered, "Who says they don't interact? Don't they have two second-year high school students in their family? Maybe they're classmates."
"My goodness, how deep is the grudge? That's murder! Do you think the Zhao family's eldest son will have to eat bullets?"
"A life for a life is only natural. Even if he doesn't eat bullets, it's unlikely he'll get out for the rest of his life."
"If that's the case, then he deserves it."
"Yes, he's usually such a decent and honest young man. How could he do such a thing?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, the police officers are so efficient. Good thing I found out in advance. I was thinking of introducing my niece to that boy."
"Alas, people truly show their faces but not their hearts."
"Who can say otherwise?"
"Guihua is truly unlucky. She struggled for so many years, and finally nurtured one successful son, only for him to be ruined like this."
"Indeed, how painful must her heart be?"
"Hmph, that's still because he made such a big mistake. A murderer deserves no good end."
"Sisters, my pot is still on the stove at home. I won't chat with you any longer. If any of you find out the reason, come and tell me."
"Alright, alright, you go back quickly. My house is nearby, I'll come and tell you later."
The aunties began to discuss the most likely reasons for Zhao Daming's murderous intent. Listening to their analysis, Zhao Er Hua felt her entire world crumble.
She hid under her quilt, afraid to come out. The onlookers had all dispersed. Wuming closed the door and started cooking with San Hua.
"Second sister, come out and eat quickly. We still have to go to school later."
"I'm not going today."
"Okay then."
Neither the brother nor the sister knew how to comfort her. They ate their meal silently, tidied up the house, and kept their presence as minimal as possible.