Chapter Eleven: Lack of Evidence

Wang Binghuan’s face flushed instantly upon hearing this, and after stammering for a long while, he couldn’t utter a single word.

Ruan Tang’s expression remained impassive, her voice growing colder by a notch. “What? Are you absolutely sure you saw it with your own eyes? If you make baseless accusations without evidence, the police will take you away.”

Her presence was commanding, yet the other party was no pushover. Wearing a look of disdain, he sneered, “You framed Huo Shancheng, and you still have the nerve to accuse me?”

Huo Shancheng immediately nodded. “Exactly!”

Seeing how the situation was overwhelmingly against them, Ruan Tang rubbed her temples, slightly regretting having dragged Wang Binghuan over as a witness.

Now that Huo Shancheng denied everything, and with Chief Huo intent on protecting him, lacking concrete evidence, and Wang Binghuan holding them back, she had no choice but to leave for the time being and reconsider her approach.

Thinking this over, Ruan Tang cast a deep, penetrating glance at Huo Shancheng. “You’d better pray that watch really belongs to you.”

Huo Shancheng’s heart skipped a beat as he met her gaze. Before he could react, Chief Huo frowned and said, “You should mind your own business first.”

Greedy, petty, indifferent, ungrateful.

These were the impressions and judgments that filled his heart about Ruan Tang.

Without wasting any more time, regardless of Wang Binghuan’s state, Ruan Tang turned and left the Huo family compound.

Wang Binghuan hurriedly chased after her.

The crowd continued to murmur among themselves, but Chief Huo waved his hand. “Let’s all disperse.”

Shortly after his words, the crowd quickly scattered.

Relieved, Huo Shancheng smiled and thanked Chief Huo. “Uncle, thank you so much. I really didn’t know what to do.”

Chief Huo shook his head. “I knew trouble would come as soon as I saw her this morning. Just keep an eye on her from now on. Don’t let her ruin the Huo family’s reputation.”

Huo Shancheng quickly agreed. “Yes, yes. Village Chief, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?”

Chief Huo waved his hand. “No, Yumei is waiting for me at home. Maybe another day.”

Huo Shancheng was only making idle talk anyway, so he nodded. “Alright.”

Then Chief Huo left the Huo residence.

As soon as the village chief left, Huo’s parents hurriedly urged Huo Shancheng, “Cheng, why don’t you sell that watch? Get some money, and that wretched woman Ruan Tang will give up.”

Huo Shancheng, still wanting to show off the watch, shook his head immediately. “Maybe in a few days.”

Ignoring his parents, he pocketed the watch and left.

He had arranged to meet a few good brothers from the construction site for drinks—just the chance to flaunt the watch.

He was feeling elated, completely forgetting Ruan Tang’s parting words.

Huo’s mother sighed twice but couldn’t stop Huo Shancheng; she could only watch him leave helplessly.

Lin Hui sat silently with Huo Qian on her lap, saying nothing. She then stood and quietly approached Huo’s mother. “Mom, let’s eat. Qian’er’s stomach is growling because he’s hungry.”

Huo’s mother, initially holding back her anger to scold Lin Hui, immediately let go of her resentment upon hearing that Huo Qian was hungry. She turned with a tender smile and reached out to hold Huo Qian.

“Time to eat, Grandma will take you to eat, my good grandson—”

Holding Huo Qian with a bright smile, Lin Hui lowered her gaze upon seeing this and said nothing, quietly heading to the small kitchen to prepare the meal.

Watching everything unfold silently, Huo Jiaomai smirked but had already set her sights on the diamond watch in her brother Huo Shancheng’s hand.

That watch was so beautiful; it would look even better on her wrist!

Thinking this, Huo Jiaomai smiled broadly and turned back to the main room.

*

Ruan Tang strode away with a cold expression. Wang Binghuan chased after her for a long time but couldn’t catch up, panting like a draught horse. When he finally caught up, he saw Ruan Tang carrying a box, locking the door behind her, and riding off on her bicycle while he was left choking on dust, helplessly watching her leave.

Wang Binghuan felt frustrated. It seemed he had messed things up—

No wonder Ruan Tang was angry.

Yet, thinking this, he felt somewhat elated, as if Ruan Tang’s anger was because of him.

After a while, feeling much better, Wang Binghuan hummed a tune and went home to eat.

He had earned fifty yuan, which would surely please his mother!

On the other side, Ruan Tang returned to the hospital. On the way, she stopped at some stalls to buy small trinkets and snacks. Before long, she was upstairs back in Room 4001.

Huo Qingqing was already eating under the nurse’s care, who was now applying medicine.

Ruan Tang opened the door and saw this. Her anger and coldness softened, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

“Qingqing, Auntie is back. Look, Auntie brought you some gifts.” Ruan Tang’s face was warm as she placed the small trinkets and snacks in front of Huo Qingqing.

Huo Qingqing glanced at the gifts, her face still troubled, but she politely thanked her, the distance between them clear as day.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Children seldom speak with gravity, their voices tinged with innocence, but Ruan Tang sensed a detachment in her words.

At six years old, still at the age to cling to others, Huo Qingqing had already learned to say thank you and be polite. A pang struck Ruan Tang’s heart, awakening a sudden curiosity about Huo Qingqing’s past.

After applying the medicine, the nurse glanced at both Ruan Tang and Huo Qingqing. The atmosphere between the two was tense, and after hesitating, she stepped out and closed the door behind her.

Sitting beside the bed, Ruan Tang sighed deeply. “I know I haven’t treated you well before, but I never abused you. This time, because of my negligence, you’ve suffered twice. I apologize. But please believe me—I will never let you down again, okay?”

This time, Ruan Tang elevated herself to the same level as Huo Qingqing, addressing her as an equal.

Her eyes were sincere as she looked straight into Huo Qingqing’s, stirring gentle ripples in the child’s heart.

Huo Qingqing pursed her lips and didn’t immediately agree. Instead, her small face tightened as she said, “Don’t use absolutes. Qingqing hates absolutes.”

Once, two people had spoken to her with such certainty—but both had broken their promises.

She couldn’t remember who they were, but their images were deeply etched in her mind and heart.

Thinking of those two vivid shadows, Huo Qingqing’s eyes darkened.

They left, and only then did her father adopt her. She understood that, although her father was taciturn, she could feel his care and concern.

Though she didn’t understand why he adopted her, she felt like crying deep inside but held it back. The feeling was unbearable and lingered in her heart, making her hurt.

Just like when those two people disappeared.

That was why she hated absolutes.

A trace of indulgence softened Ruan Tang’s eyes. “Alright, then I won’t use absolutes. I’ll strive for the future and won’t let you down.”

Huo Qingqing’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly. She reached out and took hold of Ruan Tang’s index and middle fingers, her voice low. “Okay.”

In that moment, the two—a grown woman and a small child—seemed to reach an unspoken understanding, and the atmosphere gradually eased.

At night, the two lay on the bed. Huo Qingqing soon fell into a deep sleep. Ruan Tang held her close, tucked the blanket in, and her eyes shone with tenderness.

Truly, such a heart-wrenching child.

Kissing the center of Huo Qingqing’s forehead, Ruan Tang slowly closed her eyes.

The next morning, Ruan Tang left early, leaving a note with pinyin on the bedside table for Huo Qingqing.

The very first thing she did was go to the police station to report the theft.

After all, the stolen property was worth over a hundred yuan; the police had no reason to ignore it.

At the police station, Ruan Tang stood at the reception desk with a calm face. “I want to report a theft.”