Siheyuan came through and sent Jia Zhang to prison

Chapter 619 Qin Huairu's Disgusting Discovery

He Feng couldn't help but smile after hearing this. He raised his hand and gently patted He Yuzhu's shoulder, the pressure light but carrying a hint of elder's advice: "You still haven't been thorough enough in your actions." He paused, looking at He Yuzhu's slightly annoyed face, and continued, "If you had accompanied Jingru to the hospital for her checkup and stayed by her side every step of the way, would Qin Huairu have had a chance to approach you and start a conversation? Ultimately, this is because you didn't consider things carefully enough, understand?"

His gaze deepened, becoming more serious: "Jingru is pregnant, her body is heavy, and she's also more thoughtful, prone to overthinking. As her husband, you have to protect her at all times, think of everything that needs to be thought of, and block everything that needs to be blocked, so that those with ulterior motives don't take advantage of her. That's the important thing."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu's brows gradually relaxed, and the irritation in his heart seemed to be washed away by clear water, leaving him feeling refreshed. He nodded thoughtfully, his tone tinged with guilt: "Uncle, you're right, it was my oversight. I was so focused on telling her to avoid the Jia family that I didn't think to spend more time with her myself. From now on, I'll definitely pay attention, I'll follow Jingru wherever she goes, spend more time with her, and never let her have anything to do with those people from the Jia family again."

Seeing that he had taken it to heart, He Feng's smile deepened: "Alright, it's good that you understand. Young people are bound to have moments when they don't think things through. Just correct it."

As he turned to leave, He Yuzhu quickly asked, "Uncle, have you had dinner? If not, I'll have Jingru heat up some food for you. There's still some leftover braised pork at home."

He Feng waved his hand and said with a smile, "I've already eaten. I just grabbed a bite at the company cafeteria. I'm heading back now; I still have some things to take care of there." He picked up the criminal investigation case collection he had left behind in the corner and turned back to remind him, "If you encounter any difficulties or have any unresolved issues in the future, don't hesitate to come to me. Don't try to handle things on your own, understand?"

"Okay, Uncle!" He Yuzhu replied quickly, and only after watching He Feng's figure disappear into the night at the alley entrance did he gently close the door.

The streetlights in the courtyard were on, their dim yellow light streaming through the window and falling on He Yuzhu's face. He scratched the back of his head, thinking to himself—he'd ask for leave from the factory first thing tomorrow morning, then accompany Jingru to her prenatal checkup the day after, and while he was there, he'd also go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy her two jin of her favorite steamed rice cake. From now on, he really needed to protect Jingru more closely; he couldn't let her suffer any more grievances.

Inside the Jia family's house, the dim light from the bulb flickered weakly. Qin Huairu clung to the doorframe, her eyes fixed on He Feng's retreating figure as he entered He Yuzhu's house. Her nails dug deep into her palms, leaving several crescent-shaped red marks. The anger within her surged like dry tinder, rushing to the top of her head—ever since He Yuzhu listened to He Feng's words, he had shown no mercy to the Jia family whatsoever!

Back then, He Yuzhu delivered vegetables to the Jia family almost every day, and Bang Geng could eat meat with a bit of oil on it every meal. Jia Zhangshi could also get a piece of bone to eat. But what about now? Bang Geng and Jia Zhangshi are still in prison, Jia Dongxu has become a useless person who can't carry anything, one of his legs is crippled, and the pillar of the family has collapsed halfway.

She worked herself to the bone at the steel mill, her hands blistered from operating the lathe, earning just enough to feed two people. A while ago, she came back wanting to borrow some grain coupons from He Yuzhu, but he didn't even look at her, only saying, "We don't even have enough to eat for ourselves." She had thought that Qin Jingru, having married into the family, would at least offer some help out out of consideration for their shared hometown, but it seems that girl has been bewitched, completely indifferent to the Jia family's affairs. The last time they met at the market, she didn't even exchange a warm word before turning and leaving.

Life was bitter, like being soaked in bitter herbs. Especially for Jia Dongxu, who was constantly on his medication; those bottles and jars of pills were more precious than grain, and almost all the family's money was being used to pay off this debt. The stove was empty, the rice jar was nearly empty, and at noon they had only cooked a thin porridge so watery you could see your reflection in it. Now, smelling the aroma of braised pork wafting from next door, Qin Huairu felt a pang of acid reflux and was starving.

"What are you standing there for? Go cook! Do you want me to starve to death?" Jia Dongxu shouted from the kang (a heated brick bed), his voice full of impatience. Ever since he injured his leg, his temper had become increasingly volatile. He would beat and scold Qin Huairu at the slightest provocation, throwing whatever was at hand. A few days ago, he even smashed a rough porcelain bowl at her feet.

From the inner room came the voice of Jia Dongxu's aunt, which carried a deliberately feigned weakness: "Dongxu, my stomach is suddenly hurting terribly. I'm going out to find a toilet and I'll be right back." As soon as she finished speaking, she walked out, leaning against the wall. Her hair at her temples was a little messy, and her face was flushed. Her eyes were darting around.

Qin Huairu didn't think much of it at first. The public toilet in the courtyard was far away at the entrance of the alley, so it was normal to make a trip there. But just as she turned to go to the kitchen, she caught a glimpse of the courtyard gate out of the corner of her eye—Yi Zhonghai was walking out with his hands behind his back, his steps hurried, unlike his usual leisurely stroll. It was as if he had something urgent to attend to, and there were even some grass clippings on his cuffs.

A thought suddenly flashed into Qin Huairu's mind: Why were these two walking out together? A chill ran down her spine, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Ever since Jia Dongxu's aunt moved into the Jia family home, she had been talking to Yi Zhonghai quite often, bringing him freshly picked vegetables one day and borrowing some vinegar the next. At the time, she thought it was just neighbors visiting each other, but now she realized it might not be that simple!

She quickly changed her mind, clutching her stomach as well, and said to Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, I also have a bit of a stomachache. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be right back."

Jia Dongxu glared at her and cursed, "Lazy donkeys are full of shit and piss! Hurry up and come back, and clean up the house for me, do you hear me? You haven't even swept up the cigarette ash on the floor!"

Qin Huairu was seething with anger, but could only reply in a low voice, "I know." She knew that she had been hoping that Jia Dongxu's aunt would lend a hand, but she hadn't expected that the woman was just like Jia Zhangshi. She wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle, but she was sweet-talking and good at flattering people. She kept calling Jia Dongxu "Dongxu" and had him completely under her thumb. She wouldn't let him do any work and had instead become a burden to her.

Stepping out of the courtyard gate, Qin Huairu walked along the wall towards the alley entrance, her eyes glancing diagonally ahead. Sure enough, she saw Jia Dongxu's aunt loitering a short distance ahead, turning back every few steps as if waiting for someone, clutching a crumpled handkerchief in her hand. A moment later, Yi Zhonghai emerged from another side road. The two met but didn't speak, only exchanging a glance before walking one after the other into the depths of the alley—there was no toilet in that direction, only an abandoned, dilapidated courtyard!

Qin Huairu followed quietly behind, her heart pounding like a drum. The two of them turned and twisted their way into an abandoned courtyard, which used to be a place where the factory stored miscellaneous items. Half of the courtyard wall had collapsed, and the courtyard was overgrown with weeds. It was rarely visited by anyone.