If Tang Youru was subjectively unwilling to search for her family, the reasons behind it would be intriguing.

Tang Youru’s “getting lost” might need to be elevated to abandonment or intentional trafficking.

Of course, these were just Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s speculations, based on their preexisting dislike of Tang Hongen’s brother and sister-in-law. After all, these two could report to Tang Hongen during the Cultural Revolution and even lead his criticism sessions… Xia Xiaolan found it hard to overestimate how low they could go.

Old Comrade Tang had only told Liu Fen about the reporting and disassociation, not about leading the criticism sessions.

Xia Xiaolan had found this out herself.

The incident had caused quite a stir back then. When Xia Xiaolan asked, Guan Hue’e naturally had to inform her.

“Though such situations weren’t rare then, the extent one went to was still a personal choice.”

Guan Hue’e’s words were quite subtle, saying just enough because her daughter-in-law Xiaolan was clever and didn’t need everything spelled out. At that time, many people disassociated themselves, genuinely or falsely – not everyone could withstand the environmental pressure. Disassociation was common, but turning around to kick someone when they’re down wasn’t. If they weren’t going to be in-laws with Tang Hongen, Guan Hue’e wouldn’t have investigated so thoroughly.

Xia Xiaolan was utterly disgusted.

No wonder Old Tang hadn’t contacted his hometown for so many years. There was no need to maintain contact with such relatives. It was miraculous that Old Tang hadn’t been destroyed by his so-called family halfway through…

After Xia Xiaolan learned the truth, Liu Fen naturally knew too.

Liu Fen was so angry she couldn’t speak. After a while, she finally managed:

“If I had known this earlier, we wouldn’t have even gone through the motions of attending the funeral!”

Knocking the incense from Tang Hongen’s hands?

Who did they think they were?

Liu Fen felt for her man. She originally had a personality that avoided making enemies, being tolerant of both people and situations. Xia Xiaolan was her first protective trigger, and Tang Hongen became her second… After learning about this, even when Tang Chunlei enthusiastically approached Liu Fen, calling her “Aunt” eagerly, Liu Fen’s attitude grew cold.

She felt accepting Tang Chunlei’s favor-currying would truly be foolish!

On the other hand, Liu Fen became even more caring toward Tang Hongen.

She even actively encouraged Old Tang to return to work, offering to accompany him to Pengcheng.

Tang Hongen: ??

Though unsure why his wife had become more considerate, this wasn’t a bad thing. He happily accepted Comrade Fen’s thoughtfulness, no longer having to endure long-distance separation, immediately packing to return to Pengcheng.

Tang Chunlei was dumbfounded.

He couldn’t follow Pengcheng to curry favor with Liu Fen – his work unit was in Beijing.

Tang Chunlei could only turn to dealing with Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng, who were waiting for him to come to them.

When Tang Chunlei came looking, this time he invited the couple to dinner.

In front of Tang Chunlei, Xia Xiaolan pretended to be spoiled: “Zhou Cheng, nowadays foreigners go on honeymoons after marriage. Since you can’t go abroad, doesn’t that mean my honeymoon is ruined?”

She just didn’t want to move around – while going abroad was troublesome, they could still visit the beautiful landscapes within the country… With his wife suddenly acting without warning, Zhou Cheng had to play along:

“Stop being childish. You volunteered to help find someone, are you giving up halfway? If you can say that to Uncle Tang, I’ll take you on a honeymoon!”

Zhou Cheng darkened his face.

Xia Xiaolan acted hurt.

The newlyweds seemed to quarrel, ignoring Tang Chunlei’s presence.

Tang Chunlei found it amusing – young people these days, are all so stubborn.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Finding a little aunt can wait. You two should go wherever you want to play, it won’t interfere.”

Tang Chunlei tried to mediate kindly, but Xia Xiaolan wasn’t easily consoled.

She argued more with Zhou Cheng, perfectly playing the role of a self-important university student: “Just because others couldn’t find her doesn’t mean I can’t! It’s unfortunate that the police officer in charge back then has retired and has dementia, otherwise, I’m sure I could find clues, right, Brother Chunlei?”

“Right, little Xia, you’re much smarter than ordinary people!”

Seeing Zhou Cheng’s face turning green with anger, Tang Chunlei held back his laughter and went along with Xia Xiaolan. Xia Xiaolan was just impetuous, pretty, well-educated, with a mayor for a stepfather – how could she not be difficult? Women weren’t suited for important matters… Tang Chunlei secretly criticized, while Zhou Cheng also got angry:

“To investigate leads, we can only question those involved back then. Where am I supposed to conjure them from?”

“You—”

They kept arguing non-stop. No one touched the dishes Tang Chunlei ordered. Xia Xiaolan’s face turned red with anger as she wanted to leave, declaring she wouldn’t search anymore since Tang Hongen didn’t know about this yet.

This dinner was a complete failure. Besides, how could they give up so soon?

As Xia Xiaolan wanted to leave, Zhou Cheng’s temper also flared, sitting there with a dark face, not even trying to console her.

Tang Chunlei grew anxious, “Who says there are no witnesses?! The police officer may be retired, but there’s still my mother! If you want to know the detailed situation back then, you can ask her!”

Xia Xiaolan hesitated.

Zhou Cheng was also surprised, “Brother Chunlei, is that appropriate?”

“Why not? Are you worried about the Second Uncle getting angry? My mother might not be able to face my Second Uncle, but she’ll surely tell you everything. She had a quick temper when young, but after my father passed, she’s become much mellow. However, she lives in the countryside and won’t come to the city, so you’ll have to make the trip. Come on, don’t fight over this. You just got married, focus on your relationship!”

Xia Xiaolan reluctantly agreed to visit Tang Chunlei’s hometown on Saturday. She appeared like someone who had spoken too boldly and now couldn’t back down, grudgingly continuing the search for Tang Youru, while her thoughts had already drifted to the honeymoon, just wanting to make a perfunctory trip to the countryside to get it over with.

Tang Chunlei secretly shook his head – so much for Huaqing University, just a girl with high opinions of herself but lacking ability.

Maybe even her admission to Huaqing University was arranged by her Second Uncle.

This possibility made Tang Chunlei quite envious!

After Tang Chunlei left, Xia Xiaolan fell into Zhou Cheng’s arms, laughing heartily:

“Alright, stop frowning, your acting wasn’t bad either!”

Zhou Cheng couldn’t help but smile at Xia Xiaolan, “Couldn’t you have rehearsed before starting to act? Your theatrical urge came so suddenly – what if I hadn’t caught on?”

“I don’t believe my husband and I lack even this much chemistry!”

Xia Xiaolan was quite proud, and Zhou Cheng also laughed.

They were thinking the same thing – better not appear too clever, acting a bit foolish would make the Tang family less guarded. To please his father-in-law, Zhou Cheng decided to meet Tang Hongen’s sister-in-law in the countryside.

Xia Xiaolan became serious:

“Let’s not underestimate her. Harsh environments breed crafty people – I think Uncle Tang’s sister-in-law will be quite difficult to handle!”

Tang Youru might not have gotten lost but was trafficked – who knows if Old Tang had suspected this possibility… Perhaps he suspected but could do nothing? If this were true, Old Tang’s brother and sister-in-law would take this secret to their graves.