Tang Fujun didn’t come alone – he brought his wife and a rather honest-looking young man.

“This is my third son Shengli, he just turned 20 this year. Shengli, quickly say hello.”

In these times, names like “Shengli” and “Aiguo” were so common you could run into them anywhere.

Tang Shengli was very shy. Though his clothes were clean, his skin was dark, and his finger joints were large – someone who often did farm work at home. He addressed Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan as “Brother” and “Sister-in-law” with a red face. His father said this trip might secure an opportunity for a city job for their family.

Among the four brothers, only his eldest brother was married.

His second brother was already 25 and still unmarried. Logically, this job opportunity should have gone to his second brother – having a job would make it easier to find a wife.

But his second brother said he was already delayed anyway, so waiting a few more years wouldn’t matter. And since Shengli was exactly 20, it was the perfect age to enter a factory or work unit.

Tang Shengli kept his head down. This opportunity had fallen to him, leaving him both happy and guilty.

He wanted a job.

Once he earned money, he would save it all to help his second brother get married first!

The three members of Tang Fujun’s family entered the house, unsure where to step.

This courtyard house had been renovated by Liu Yong. While it was simply decorated to Xia Xiaolan, it seemed luxurious to Tang Fujun’s family. The warm interior made them feel uncomfortable.

“I’ll make some tea for you.”

After brewing hot tea, Xia Xiaolan brought out several plates of snacks. She didn’t usually eat these – they were leftovers from her wedding day… Tang Fujun didn’t touch the snacks but took a few sips of tea before urging his wife:

“Hurry and tell our niece everything. Don’t waste their time.”

This time, away from the village and in Xia Xiaolan’s territory, Tang Fujun’s wife naturally felt less afraid.

Besides, they had brought their son along – they had made up their minds at home.

“Then shall I continue?”

“Auntie, just focus on the key points I asked about earlier.”

“I said it was almost noon because when I arrived at my parents’ home, they were just about to eat. For all these years, without guests, my family never ate lunch before 3 PM! It takes over four hours to walk from the village to my parents’ house. That day I decided to go back suddenly because I had argued with Fujun…”

Tang Fujun was embarrassed:

“Why are you mentioning unnecessary things!”

Women were petty, remembering an argument from 29 years ago.

His wife also felt embarrassed.

“Anyway, I ran into Shi Surong and them at that time. Thinking about it now, they definitely couldn’t have made it to watch the military parade! I was upset, so I didn’t greet them – they probably didn’t see me. I stayed at my parents’ house for three days. When Fujun came to get me back, I learned that Little Ru was missing. I said I had seen Shi Surong and her husband with Little Ru on National Day, but Fujun insisted I must have seen wrong.”

Tang Fujun’s expression was awkward. “…I didn’t think much of it then. They were in chaos looking for Little Ru – wouldn’t mention this just cause more trouble?”

Mainly, they hadn’t considered the time discrepancy.

Shi Surong and Tang Xianzhong said the child went missing during the military parade. They weren’t as detailed about the exact time of disappearance when talking to villagers as they were with the police.

Later, when Tang Youru wasn’t found and Tang’s mother passed away from the shock, Tang Fujun’s wife buried these doubts even deeper in her heart.

She also wondered if she had seen wrong because she was angry at the time.

Additionally, Shi Surong’s formidable reputation in the village meant Tang Fujun’s wife couldn’t afford to cross her.

Tang Fujun’s wife kept her head down, looking guilty:

“If only I had spoken up earlier. I didn’t realize – I didn’t know it was so important. Later, when Grandmother Tang died, during her burial, I heard Shi Surong crying at the funeral, saying she shouldn’t have taken Little Ru to watch the parade, and that she got lost in the crowd… That’s when I remembered this detail… By then, I didn’t dare speak up anymore.”

Why didn’t she dare? There was no evidence.

The Tang family had already lost one person to this incident and another died from the shock. Without proof, speaking up would likely make Shi Surong and Tang Xianzhong turn on her violently.

Xia Xiaolan felt heavy-hearted.

Yes, if only they had spoken up earlier.

Tang Fujun’s wife returned from her parent’s home on October 4th, only then learning about Tang Youru’s disappearance.

If Officer Chen had known this detail then, he might have been able to follow the leads to find her. Even if she had been sold, the traffickers might not have gone far in three days!

Could they blame Tang Fujun’s wife?

Most people wouldn’t have thought that far.

By the time of Grandmother Tang’s burial, Tang Fujun’s wife finally realized something was wrong.

By then, she didn’t dare speak up, and could only keep her doubts buried deep inside.

If Tang Fujun hadn’t been invited for drinks, and if Zhou Cheng hadn’t said what he did, Tang Fujun’s wife probably would have never spoken about what she saw.

Times had changed – why dig up something from 29 years ago?

Who could keep thinking about it constantly?

Even now, Tang Fujun and his wife don’t know if this information is useful. They were driven by self-interest, hoping to gain some benefits.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know who to blame. Should she blame Tang Fujun and his wife?

No, while she wouldn’t be grateful to them, she also wouldn’t push all the blame onto this couple.

The real problem lay with Shi Surong and Tang Xianzhong!

Seeing his wife’s face red with anger, Zhou Cheng had to speak up:

“Auntie, do you recognize the man who was talking with Shi Surong and them that day?”

Tang Fujun’s wife nodded, “Yes, he’s from the neighboring township. Everyone called him Lu Datou. He had a big head but a small body. In recent years, he’s been buying and selling pigs in the surrounding area. I even saw him come to our village once or twice years ago!”

“That’s good that you recognize him! Thank you and Uncle Fujun for making this trip. If you both don’t have anything urgent these few days, please stay in Beijing a while longer. We might need Auntie to testify.”

The Tang Fujun couple looked at each other uncertainly.

Zhou Cheng meant for them to stand up and identify Shi Surong.

Tang Fujun stammered, “…Was she sold?”

Zhou Cheng stood up, “We’re not certain yet, but we’ll hand this over to the police to investigate, starting with finding this Lu Datou. Asking you to stay isn’t for anything else – I think Uncle Tang might want to talk with you.”

Zhou Cheng’s eyes swept over Tang Shengli.

“What I said at the Tang family’s dinner table stands – whoever can provide clues about finding Miss Tang will receive thanks!”

All three Tang family members’ faces turned red.

There was excitement, but perhaps also some shame – if not for wanting to exchange this information for benefits, they wouldn’t have spoken up about their suspicions.

They didn’t know that because of their desire to avoid trouble and maintain peace, they had missed so much… All these years, they had the chance to actively tell Tang Hongen their suspicions. If they had, Tang Hongen would likely have been truly grateful, and their family’s fate might have changed long ago!

Now, it was just an exchange of interests.

Tang Fujun mumbled:

“I just wanted to get Shengli a job, I…”

After hesitating for a long time, he still couldn’t come up with any self-justification.