Chapter 5: Growing Numb

Ho Zheng’s ears flushed red—what was this man thinking? Shouldn’t he be worried about his own safety in this situation? He hurriedly helped her up, awkwardly rubbing his fingers, yet secretly, her words stirred a hidden hope within him.

“This is the Public Security Bureau, not a marketplace. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

The squad captain stepped out and reprimanded sharply, instantly silencing Meng Mancang and his wife.

“Officer, don’t laugh at me. My daughter has been unruly since childhood. It would be one thing if she only flirted with other men, but now she won’t even spare her own brother-in-law. She must be framing Xiaoling.”

Hearing Meng Mancang’s words, Lu Mingyue couldn’t help but laugh in anger. She felt sorry for the original owner and her mother—how could they be so blind as to be with someone like him?

“Did Tian Xiaojü tell you that? She didn’t say her own daughter drugged both me and Huo Zheng, trying to stir up nonsense? And you still call yourself my real father?”

“You can’t even tell right from wrong. Calling you stupid insults pigs—that’s slandering pigs’ good names!”

Lu Mingyue, usually silent, suddenly unleashed this tirade, leaving Meng Mancang stunned as if slapped across the face multiple times, burning with embarrassment.

The officers listened to Meng Mancang with disapproval; what kind of father would accuse his own daughter like that? They were not fools—neighbors all said Lu Mingyue was timid like a rabbit, fearful of everyone. How could she be the flirtatious type he described?

Huo Zheng frowned at Meng Mancang. “Xiaoling and I have no relationship, at most we've met twice. It’s inappropriate to link me with her like that, isn’t it?”

His eyes were cold, his tone flat and emotionless.

But to Meng Mancang’s ears, it was like a jolt through his entire body.

Huo Zheng had been introduced by the factory director as a young and promising man, ready to settle down. The Meng family had two daughters, so they arranged a meeting.

Hu Sanbao had taken a liking to the younger daughter, so naturally, Meng Xiaoling was the only one left for Huo Zheng.

Meng Xiaoling was brought in by the wife when she was only eight. Meng Mancang and Lu Mingyue lived together as a couple who met midway through life.

In their second year of marriage, they had a younger son, Meng Jun. Suddenly, Meng Mancang straightened his back, finding Meng Xiaoling more agreeable. When registering their son’s household, he even changed her surname to match.

Otherwise, how could he have introduced such a good man to her?

He knew about Huo Zheng’s two children, but to him, that was no problem.

What mattered was that Huo Zheng came from a good family. Xiaoling would have no worries about food or clothing after marriage. And if Meng Jun ever needed help, Huo Zheng could lend a hand—a wonderful situation.

Thinking about both daughters catching such good husbands, Meng Mancang had been beaming these past few days.

Who would have thought misfortune would strike so quickly?

One moment he was boasting about their good matches; the next, his wife came to say the stepdaughter had been reported and arrested by her own biological daughter.

---

Facing the curious stares of the onlookers, Meng Mancang was anxious and furious, almost wanting to strike Lu Mingyue.

Why stir up such trouble when life was going well?

“Comrade Huo, you and my daughter were just considering each other. Aren’t you essentially her fiancé?”

Tian Xiaojü defended her husband.

Huo Zheng snorted coldly, “From the moment Meng Xiaoling committed the offense, that was no longer the case.”

Tian Xiaojü opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted by the police.

“Save your words for later. You two come inside first to give your statements.”

Meng Mancang and Tian Xiaojü exchanged a glance, then hunched their shoulders and followed inside.

“Let’s go back,” Lu Mingyue said, showing no intention to wait. Huo Zheng didn’t ask further, and they left one after the other.

“Will you be okay going home later?” Huo Zheng worried she might be stopped and questioned by the aunts in the neighborhood.

Lu Mingyue patted her chest confidently and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry. They won’t say anything reckless.”

[If they dare to gossip, maybe I can take the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle.]

System: [Enjoying gossip is great—I love it.]

Listening to the voices—one big, one small—full of youthful boldness, Huo Zheng twitched the corner of his mouth.

Well, that worry was for nothing.

As soon as Lu Mingyue returned to the neighborhood, the aunts swarmed around her.

“Mingyue, what’s going on with Xiaoling? Can she come back?”

“What did your parents say?”

“I just saw Meng Jun come back—does he know about this yet?”

Their tones dripped with disdain for Meng Xiaoling—the little girl had learned such dirty tricks; they would have to warn their own children to keep away from her.

“Thank you all for your concern. I don’t know the details either. The officers told me to come back first.”

Lu Mingyue feigned weakness appropriately, her almond-shaped eyes moist, the rims red as if frightened.

The aunts felt a pang of sympathy—such a good child, but her real mother died young; otherwise, she wouldn’t be bullied by Tian Xiaojü and her daughter.

Everyone knew the earlier commotion was largely tied to Tian Xiaojü.

Like mother, like daughter.

---

Lu Mingyue hurried home to pack, chatting briefly with the aunts to excuse herself.

Once home, Meng Jun was indeed there. Seeing Lu Mingyue, he bawled loudly that he was hungry, bossily demanding she cook.

In the past, Lu Mingyue had been treated like a servant at home, trampled on by everyone.

Every day after work, she still cooked for the family.

Her culinary skills were excellent, but she lacked recognition deeply inside. Even a casual compliment could brighten her mood for a long time.

Meng Jun knew his second sister loved praise. He pursed his lips and said, “Second sister, your sweet and sour pork is the best, and those crispy flatbreads—I’ve been craving them for a long time.”

Usually, such words would prompt her to immediately put on an apron and start cooking.

But today was different. She didn’t speak a word upon entering, nor did she even glance at him, instead retreating to her room.

Her stomach growled loudly. Spoiled Meng Jun had never experienced such treatment. He pounded on her door, demanding she cook for him.

Lu Mingyue suddenly opened the door. Meng Jun stumbled backward, falling to the floor, his palms scraped and bleeding.

Tears welled up immediately. “I’m going to tell Mom and Dad you’re bullying me.”

Leaning against the doorframe, Lu Mingyue looked at the troublesome child and said lightly, “Go ahead. Mom and Dad are at the police station right now. If you have the guts, go tell them.”

Children naturally feared the police station, believing only bad people ended up there.

Meng Jun’s tears stopped abruptly.

“Don’t bother me, or I’ll have the officers arrest you.”

Lu Mingyue made a threatening gesture, then closed the door and continued packing.

Her gaze swept slowly across the room, and she sighed.

The original owner’s room had nothing but a bed, a nightstand, and a wardrobe.

No wonder Huo Zheng didn’t notice anything unusual when he came in.

It was stark and bare—not a girl’s room.

The wardrobe held only black, white, and gray clothes—four or five pieces, all patched at the cuffs.

In the original owner’s memories, when her birth mother was alive, her wardrobe was filled with little dresses.

Since the stepmother arrived, everything changed. Her clothes were taken by Meng Xiaoling.

Telling Meng Mancang was useless; he only tried to smooth things over. Over time, the original owner became numb to this environment.