A while later, Trần Tiêu Tử followed behind Hoắc Lữ Mậu and shouted into the crowd in the yard:
"Everyone, disperse! Nothing’s going on here. My wife ran off by herself—her mental illness flared up again. If anyone sees her, bring her back. If not, just let it go."
Everyone froze. Damn, things changed fast. Just a moment ago it was a full-blown scandal, now it had turned on a dime.
"What are you all staring at? Go home, go do whatever you need to do. Waiting for lunch or something?" Hoắc Lữ Mậu barked.
The crowd gradually scattered. Hoắc Lữ Mậu let out a sigh of relief, turned to glare at Đinh Trường Sinh, and headed back toward the village committee office.
"Đinh Trường Sinh, I know who’s behind this, but I don’t want to get involved anymore. Starting today, you’re staying here in Lô Gia Lĩnh until the election is over. Only then can you return. During this time, nothing can happen. Got it?" Hoắc Lữ Mậu said sternly.
"Captain, don’t look at me like that. Even if I don’t eat or sleep, I couldn’t handle everything in a village this size—let alone prevent stuff from happening."
"Hmph. I don’t care. If anything goes down, I’ll get to the bottom of how Trần Tiêu Tử’s wife was kidnapped. Got it?"
"Nope."
"Still playing dumb? Then figure it out yourself. I’m not spelling it out for you."
With that, Hoắc Lữ Mậu gave his instructions and drove off. As the car disappeared at the end of the village road, Đinh Trường Sinh actually felt a bit relieved. If he went back, he’d have to face his superior’s wife. Just thinking about Điền Ngạc Như’s dreamy eyes after their collision sent a shiver through him. He looked around cautiously, then headed for the toilet. That was his first time—his first time making love with his superior’s wife. The more he thought about it, the more thrilling it felt.
Since then, his mind had been filled with images of Điền Ngạc Như and Trần Mỹ Lệ. They were the only two women he had seen naked, and he couldn’t help but start comparing.
Điền Ngạc Như was young, had a great figure, and pale skin. But Trần Mỹ Lệ wasn’t bad either—just a bit more full-bodied. But that kind of woman felt better to hold. During the day, Đinh Trường Sinh often daydreamed—what if one day he could also bring Trần Mỹ Lệ to climax? That would be amazing.
Lý Kiến Thiết was a widower. His oldest daughter had taken over managing the household. She was married to Vương Lão Hổ, a notorious gambler in the village. Because of her husband’s gambling addiction, she often stayed at her parents’ house. As a result, Vương Lão Hổ’s home had basically become a local gambling den.
"Are you Officer Đinh?" A woman’s voice suddenly called out from behind, pulling Đinh Trường Sinh out of his fantasy.
"Yeah, that’s me. And you are?"
"My father is the village chief. He asked me to invite you over for dinner."
"Ah, alright. Should I call you Sister Lý then? Sorry to trouble you these days."
"It’s fine. Let’s go."
With that, the woman turned and walked out of the committee office, and Đinh Trường Sinh followed. He noticed her family didn’t seem well-off, which struck him as odd. After all, she was the daughter of the village chief. Why was she dressed like that? Her floral pants were clearly old, and she wasn’t wearing a bra. When she stood facing Đinh Trường Sinh earlier, he could clearly see the points showing through her shirt.
"Uncle Lý, you’re being too generous. I could’ve just eaten something simple at the office. No need to trouble you."
"You brat, working a few days and already learning to be polite? What about my dog, huh? When are you going to return it? That black mutt’s been with me for five, six years! You think you can just say it’s gone and that’s it?" Lý Kiến Thiết snapped.
"Haha, Uncle Lý, I was immature back then. That black dog of yours? It’s probably fertilizer by now. But don’t worry—I’ll bring you a wolfdog in a few days. My uncle’s dog is about to give birth."
"Your uncle? Who’s your uncle?"
"Khấu Đại Bằng," Đinh Trường Sinh said casually.
"Chairman Khấu? Don’t lie to me, Đinh Trường Sinh. You expect me to believe Chairman Khấu is your uncle?"
"Don’t believe me? He’s the one who got me this security patrol gig. Otherwise, why would Hoắc Captain always drag me to meet with him?"
He sounded so serious that even Lý’s eldest daughter turned to look back at this seemingly ordinary young man.
"Really? Phượng Ni, go get a bottle of wine. I need to drink a few rounds with Officer Đinh!" Lý Kiến Thiết looked skeptical but seemed willing to warm up to him. Maybe losing that dog wasn’t worth staying angry over.
Turns out, the woman’s name was Lý Phượng Ni.
"Uncle, is Sister Phượng Ni married?" Đinh Trường Sinh asked in a low voice, peeking into the kitchen.
"You little rascal, you interested in my daughter? Aren’t you too young to be having thoughts like that? Don’t even think about it—she’s already married, been wed for years."
"That’s a shame. I’m always too late. All the good ones are taken. Guess I’m destined to be single forever," Đinh Trường Sinh said with mock sorrow.
"Kid, you’re already thinking about wives and kids?"
"I’m 18! I’m a full-grown adult!" he declared seriously.
"Haha, still young. But not too early, I guess. Back in the day, folks your age were already fathers."
"Uncle, help me find a girl, and I’ll give you a pair of koi fish."
"Hahaha, alright, tell me—what kind of girl do you want?"
Đinh Trường Sinh pointed at Phượng Ni and said, "Someone like Sister Phượng Ni—virtuous and beautiful."
Lý Phượng Ni blushed and spat, "You’re just a kid, and already so bold and pervy. If I married someone like you, I’d probably go insane."
Everyone laughed.
"For a man, the most important thing is to care for the family. Whether he’s capable or not is secondary. Live well if you can. If you’re poor, then be poor. Phượng Ni, I’ve told you this many times. I won’t say more. If you really can’t keep living with him, just get a divorce. I don’t care about losing face." Lý Kiến Thiết said, raising his glass before downing nearly half a cup of strong liquor.
"Father, don’t drink like that! You’ll get drunk," Phượng Ni tried to grab his glass, but he pulled it back.
"Uncle, is something wrong? Her husband isn’t treating her well?"
"He’s great, the best. Vương Lão Hổ—everyone knows his name! You know him?"
"Ah, Vương Lão Hổ... Sister Phượng Ni, he’s your husband?"
Đinh Trường Sinh was stunned. That guy was a known thief. He had no idea Lý Kiến Thiết’s daughter was married to him.
Phượng Ni didn’t respond, just lowered her head and continued eating. Most of the bottle ended up in Lý Kiến Thiết’s stomach, while Đinh Trường Sinh only had a glass or two.
Halfway through, Lý Kiến Thiết was thoroughly drunk—he was clearly upset about his daughter’s marriage. Back then, to secure the Vương family’s support and become village chief, he had no choice but to marry off his eldest daughter to Vương Lão Hổ. But now, it seemed like a mistake, and the regret weighed heavily on him.
"Tiểu Đinh, help my father to bed before he falls."
Together, they supported the drunken Lý Kiến Thiết to his room. As they were about to leave, they accidentally bumped into each other. Đinh Trường Sinh was strong, while Phượng Ni stumbled and fell.
"Oh, sorry, Sister Phượng Ni. I didn’t mean to."
"It’s fine. Help me up."
She reached out her hands. Đinh Trường Sinh grabbed her rough palms, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Let go!" she said.
"Ah, sorry. Your hands… they’re just like my mother’s. Callused since I was little. She used to cut the thick skin off with scissors."
"What about her?"
"She passed last year. Along with my dad. But forget it—I won’t talk about it anymore." Tears welled in his eyes.
"Don’t cry, don’t cry. The living must live well, so the dead can rest easy." Moved by his pain, Phượng Ni gently wiped his tears. Shared hardship made their hearts resonate.
"Sister Phượng Ni, you’re so beautiful. One day, I’ll marry someone like you."
"Nonsense! I’m old and ugly. What’s so handsome about me?" she said, blushing.
"I’m serious. You’re still a beauty. And you don’t even look your age."
Ever since he tasted a woman—Điền Ngạc Như—he’d been thirsting for more. A married woman gave him a strange sense of conquest...
"I’m serious, Sister Phượng Ni. Are you going home tonight?"
As he spoke, Đinh Trường Sinh leaned in, cornering Phượng Ni. His hand slid toward her waist…
His heart thumped like crazy…
Phượng Ni didn’t move away, which only made his body itch even more…
His hand reached her waist with no more hesitation!
Phượng Ni lowered her head, blushing.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
"Of course, back to your place."
"No, my father’s drunk. I have to stay and look after him."
"Oh… alright. Then I’ll go back to the committee office to sleep." He stood up, clearly disappointed—nothing was going to happen tonight.
Still, part of him hoped she’d ask him to stay—just to talk. But as he walked out of the house, she didn’t say a word.
"Hey, wait!" she suddenly called out, her voice sounding like heaven to his ears.
"Yes, Sister Phượng Ni?"
"The committee office doesn’t have water. Let me get you a jug. You drank liquor—better have some water tonight." She stood up and went to fetch it.
His heart sank… then bounced back. At least she cared. That alone made him secretly happy.
Shanghai. A villa in a private estate.
That afternoon, the doorbell rang. The housemaid went to open it and let out a startled scream.
"Madam! Madam! The eldest—eldest young miss is back!"
Xuân Hương forgot all the etiquette her mistress had taught her and dashed to the ancestral hall to report to Dương Kim Thoa’s mother.
"Xuân Hương, what’s with the panic?"
"Madam, the eldest young miss has returned!"
"The eldest? You mean Kim Thoa? She’s back?"
"Mother! Mother, it’s me—Kim Thoa! I’ve come home!"
Just as Lý Ngô Đồng stood there stunned, Dương Kim Thoa threw herself at her mother’s feet, hugging her tightly.
"You foolish girl! Where have you been? How could you be so heartless? Didn’t you care about me anymore?" Lý Ngô Đồng burst into tears, unable to speak clearly.
"Mother! I was wrong! I won’t leave again. I’ll never leave you again!"
She clung to her mother’s legs as if afraid she’d lose her again.
"Alright, alright! As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters! Xuân Hương, call the Master right away—tell him his precious daughter has come home!"
"Yes, Madam! I’ll call him right now!"
Xuân Hương, who had worked for the Dương family her whole life, cared deeply for Kim Thoa. She, too, was crying tears of joy.