Chapter 146. Confrontation

The trio first met with Lin Cheng and Lin Hun but had little time to explain. Gu Zi and Mrs. Lin proceeded to the Public Security Bureau while Li Hua and the two men returned to the village.

Before the mother and daughter could enter the police station, they encountered a middle-aged man who warmly greeted Gu Zi.

"Little Zi, here for business? Why aren't you with Su Shen?" he inquired.

Gu Zi recognized the familiar Mediterranean-style haircut and recalled he was the male leader who had assisted in teaching Aunte Wang a lesson last time. She had heard people referring to him as Deputy Chief He.

"Yes, Deputy Chief He, I'm here for some business!" she replied with a smile.

Deputy Chief He thought Su Shen's wife was very polite and smart but felt she was overly courteous.

He expressed, "Given my relationship with Su Shen, you should call me Uncle.

If Uncle has met you here for something, there's no reason I shouldn't help. What brings you here?"

Declaring he had no plans to go out, Deputy Chief He personally escorted Gu Zi and Mrs. Lin into the Public Security Bureau.

Gu Zi couldn't refuse his offer. With his support, tasks became notably more convenient. Also, considering Su Shen's rapport with him, addressing him as Uncle He didn't seem out of place.

Following Uncle He's lead, Gu Zi and her mother entered the bureau.

Mrs. Lin was quietly amazed. She hadn't anticipated her future son-in-law's influence—having an acquaintance who was not only within the Public Security Bureau but also held the position of deputy director!

She realized the saying that having more connections makes tasks easier held true.

Deputy Director He arranged for them to sit in a specific department downstairs, where someone promptly served them tea and snacks.

Gu Zi felt their visit to the Public Security Bureau seemed less like reporting a case and more akin to being entertained at a teahouse. It was all too comfortable.

Of course, Deputy Chief He couldn't just let them sit there and do nothing. He quickly called the person in charge of investigating the Lin family's dowry gift money theft case.

Gu Zi and Mother Lin provided details about Lin Miao's unusual behavior. Mrs. Lin collaborated, adding further explanations, while the investigator earnestly took notes.

"Miss Gu," he said respectfully, "the clue you provided is very important. We will investigate in this direction."

Gu Zi expressed her gratitude and continued, "Regarding the follow-up investigation, I have some ideas that I'd like to discuss with you privately."

Downstairs in the pavilion of the military compound, the Gu and Gong families had arranged to meet before proceeding to the Golden Sun Hotel for lunch. Their agenda was to discuss Lin Miao and Gong Zhan's marriage certificate and wedding-related matters.

Upon seeing the Gong couple, the Gu couple extended profuse thanks. "Chief, Madam Chen, we're immensely grateful for your help with the household register transfer. Lin Miao, you should also express your gratitude to the elders!"

Gong Zhan stood silently to the side, offering no words. The Gong couple appeared puzzled.

Confused, they glanced at their son, wondering when they had aided in the transfer. The Gu family hadn't mentioned anything about it.

Lin Miao had already bowed in gratitude, expressing, "Thank you so much. I thought I'd never be able to return to the Gu family's household register in this lifetime. I didn't expect your assistance."

This time, she wasn't lying. After all, she had transferred her rural household registration to a city household registration. She didn't have to be a farmer anymore!

As they spoke, the group had already walked out of the courtyard. However, they encountered Lin Cheng and Li Hua waiting outside the door.

They were supposed to go back, but after parting ways with Gu Zi and the others, Lin Cheng asked Li Hua why she wanted to go to the Public Security Bureau.

Li Hua felt that there was nothing to hide, so she told Lin Cheng about Lin Miao's previous lies.

Everyone had seen how Lin Cheng had loved Lin Miao since he was young, even Lin Hun had always called him a sister slave.

Lin Cheng couldn't help but cry when he heard this. Even Lin Hun was stunned by Lin Miao's shamelessness.

Unable to believe Lin Miao's actions, Lin Cheng insisted on confronting Lin Miao about her accusations against the Lin family regarding Su Shen's 3,000 yuan dowry. Li Hua accompanied him.

Lin Miao felt an inexplicable unease upon seeing the pair. She tried to ignore them, but Lin Cheng halted her and asked in a quivering voice, "Sister Lin Miao, why did you accuse the Lin family of taking Su Shen's 3,000 yuan wedding gift?"

Lin Miao's body trembled, feigning ignorance. "Brother, what... what are you talking about?"

Gu Shan and Zhang Mei swiftly shielded their daughter, scolding the pair, "This is the city. Why are you causing a scene? How could Lin Miao falsely accuse you? Don't create unnecessary trouble!"

The Gong family remained silent, considering it a personal issue that needed resolution between the parties involved..

...

Chapter 147. Postponing the Wedding Date

If it had been anyone else disparaging the Lin family, Lin Cheng wouldn't have bothered to confront them. But it had to be Lin Miao.

He couldn't fathom why. The Lin family had consistently shielded her, yet upon leaving, she could turn around and strike back like a venomous serpent.

Just because they weren't her blood relatives anymore, did all the bonds they once shared become null and void?

This time, he wasn't willing to compromise or cower. Addressing Gu Shan and his wife, he said, "Mr. and Mrs. Gu, I just want to clarify this once. The Su family's gift money was indeed stolen, but the Lin family never proposed that Gu Zi replace Lin Miao to marry Su Shen."

"Yes, while Gu Zi is willing to marry Su Shen, the Lin family absolutely didn't pocket the gift money and scheme for their daughter to marry in Lin Miao's place, as she claimed," Li Hua affirmed in a hushed tone.

Li Hua almost revealed her encounter with MO Li but halted herself, recollecting Gu Zi's plea to keep the matter confidential.

Gu Shan and his wife were taken aback by this revelation. They recollected that indeed, Lin Miao had accused the Lin family of accepting the gift money and pressuring Gu Zi to marry in her place.

However, now the Lin family refuted this claim. This could only mean Lin Miao fabricated the accusation.

Yet, they couldn't bring themselves to believe their innocent and kind-hearted daughter would harbor such thoughts. A moment of silence ensued.

The Gong couple beside them furrowed their brows. If the Lin family's claims were accurate, then wasn't Lin Miao orchestrating a ploy to persuade Gu Zi to assist in her marriage? Their thoughts grew darker.

Observing this, they were more inclined to believe the Lin family's account. If they truly accepted the gift money and agreed for their biological daughter to marry instead, there would be no need for them to confront Lin Miao here.

Furthermore, witnessing the honesty of these two Lin family members, it seemed evident they were furious and had hurried over.

Gong Zhan's countenance darkened upon hearing the phrase, "Gu Zi is willing to marry Su Shen." His heart chilled. How could that villager charm her so? Gu Zi truly had poor taste!

Lin Miao felt flustered under everyone's scrutinizing gazes but being someone who had been reborn, she didn't let her guilty conscience show.

Lowering her gaze, she bit back at Lin Cheng innocently, "You can defame me as you wish just because you're Gu Zi's brother now? I only mentioned it because I heard you say so. Now that you're getting along well, do you want to pin all the blame on me?"

With that said, tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to enact her crying act once again.

Lin Cheng and Li Hua recognized that mask all too well. In the past, Lin Miao had worn it within the Lin family. Whatever she desired, tears became the tool to achieve it.

Regrettably, today they saw through the charade.

"Lin Miao, how can you lie so blatantly?" Lin Cheng expressed in anguish. 'Who is actually slandering whom?"

Li Hua observed her husband's distress and was no longer reserved. Standing up, she addressed Lin Miao, "Lin Miao, have you forgotten how Lin Cheng used to shield you? He didn't fear getting hurt to protect you. How could such a person slander you?"

Li Hua's final question struck deep. Lin Miao had no defense against it. She could only fault the Lin family for being exceedingly kind to her in the past. But even though the Lin family was kind, what did it matter considering their poverty?

The timing was too coincidental for Lin Cheng and Li Hua's families to be present alongside the Gong Family. This discomforted Lin Miao further, especially since this occurred right before her marriage to Gong Zhan. Her animosity towards Gu Zi deepened.

Gu Zi must have told the Lin family these things! Gritting her teeth, Lin Miao's lips turned pale.

Upon finishing their words, Li Hua and Lin Cheng departed together. The atmosphere between the families became tense.

Before the Gu family could respond, Mr. Gong intervened, "Gu Shan, I believe we can skip the meal today. Let's delay the wedding for now. We'll discuss it later when we have the time."

He held a higher status, and the Gu family was subordinate. There was no need to beat around the bush.

The Gong Family only wanted to find a simple daughter-in-law. That's how the Gu family even got this opportunity in the first place.

However, today indicated that this Lin Miao wasn't a simple person at all. Further investigation was imperative.

Mr. Gong led his wife and son back to the courtyard. Gu Shan's expression soured. He had lost all dignity at the courtyard entrance!

Back home, Gu Shan erupted in anger. He paced the living room and suddenly fixed Lin Miao with a gloomy stare.

"Why did you do that back then? If someone has something on you, it'll haunt you forever!"

Gu Shan was also unwilling to believe that Lin Miao would tell such a lie, but even a fool could see that the Lin family was furious.

This was the first time he felt disappointed and angry at his biological daughter. She was really too foolish!

...