Chapter 75: So Many Treasures in the Cellar

Blackstone Village, the Han family courtyard.

All day, Chu Ling had been distracted while working. She would drift off while cooking, lost in thought. When Han Guoqiang returned from work in the evening and sat down for dinner, he discovered the potatoes hadn’t been fully cooked.

“Wife, what’s going on with you today? Did something happen?” Han Guoqiang asked.

Chu Ling forced a smile. “Nothing’s wrong. Eat up and get some rest after.”

Han Guoqiang lifted a potato, hesitated, then said, “Wife… these potatoes are raw.”

“Really? I didn’t cook them through?” Chu Ling took a bite, realized they were indeed raw, and quickly spat it out. “Sorry, Guoqiang, I was careless.”

“It’s fine. I just hope that if anything’s bothering you, you won’t keep it to yourself. You should tell me right away,” Han Guoqiang replied gently.

Chu Ling was momentarily stunned by his words. She opened her mouth, but didn’t know where to begin.

After the communal dinner at the youth compound last night, she had followed Lin Xiaodou, wanting to have a word with her. But Lin Xiaodou walked too fast, and Chu Ling couldn’t catch up. Passing the path by the river, she heard an argument. Curiosity got the better of her, so she went to take a look.

She arrived just in time to see Three Scabs smashing a brick against Zhang Lian’s head from behind. Zhang Lian collapsed, and Three Scabs ran off.

Chu Ling had planned to leave as well, but after a few steps, she turned back. Ever since her rebirth, she’d been busy nurturing her relationship with Guoqiang and caring for his family, with no time to deal with the scoundrel and the woman who’d caused her death in her previous life.

Now that the opportunity was before her, she didn’t want to let it slip away. Seeing Zhang Lian’s face on the ground, Chu Ling was flooded with memories of her past life’s tragedies. Rage filled her heart. She kicked Zhang Lian several times with all her might.

When she’d finished venting, Chu Ling glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, she dragged Zhang Lian’s body to the river and tossed it in.

With a splash, Zhang Lian’s body sank instantly beneath the water. Staring at the calm river’s surface, Chu Ling smiled—truly smiled, brimming with happiness.

At last, she had avenged herself! Next, it would be Chen Guang’s turn!

That night, Chu Ling slept soundly, without dreams. Early the next morning, she heard from the neighbors that Lin Xiaodou had been taken away by the Public Security Bureau.

Chu Ling wasn’t surprised in the least. When she’d decided to throw Zhang Lian into the river yesterday, she’d already anticipated this outcome.

Whether it was Lin Xiaodou or Three Scabs, they were now the prime suspects. Being summoned for investigation was only natural. If Lin Xiaodou were wrongly convicted, all the better—it would remove another thorn from Chu Ling’s side.

Her plan was perfect. What she hadn’t expected was how seriously the police would take the case. Investigators came once in the morning and again in the afternoon, thoroughly examining the scene.

Now, Chu Ling was growing anxious. She worried they might discover she was the one who’d killed Zhang Lian. The riverbank was all grass, and she didn’t know if she’d left any traces while dragging the body.

Because of this, she’d been absentminded all day. Now that Guoqiang had noticed something was off, she still didn’t want to tell him. In his eyes, she’d always been the gentle, virtuous wife. Chu Ling couldn’t bear for him to see her uglier side.

Yet she yearned to know how he would react, so she couldn’t help but ask, “Guoqiang, if… I mean, if I did something illegal, would you leave me?”

“Of course not.” Han Guoqiang gently ruffled her hair, his voice deep and steady. “You are my wife, the one I’ve vowed to protect for life. No matter what you do, I’ll never leave you.”

Meeting his unwavering gaze, Chu Ling felt a surge of comfort. That’s right—she had come back to life; what was there to fear? Even if she had killed Zhang Lian, without witnesses, no one would ever know. And she had Guoqiang to rely on—a solid rock of safety.

“Thank you, Guoqiang,” she murmured, throwing herself into his arms, her face blossoming with happiness.

How lucky she was, to have found the best husband in the world.

“There’s no need to thank me. We’re husband and wife. There’s no need for formalities,” Han Guoqiang replied, patting her gently on the back, his eyes flickering.

Last night, when dusk was falling, he’d gone out to fetch his wife. Unexpectedly, he’d witnessed the scene by the riverbank with his own eyes. He saw his wife kicking the woman on the ground in a fit of rage. He recognized that woman too—Zhang Lian, a young intellectual from the city.

Sometimes, his wife would have nightmares at night, cursing the names Chen Guang and Zhang Lian in her sleep. He hadn’t asked about the past grudges between them, but he’d long since memorized the names and faces, thinking that one day, he’d deal with them himself.

Who could have guessed his wife would act first? Hidden among the reeds by the river, he saw her drag the body into the water.

Han Guoqiang hadn’t stopped her. If that was his wife’s enemy, then she was his enemy too. Better dead than alive.

He hadn’t expected Zhang Lian’s tenacity, though. After sinking to the riverbed, she suddenly regained consciousness and desperately called for help toward the shore.

By then, his wife had already gone, unaware of what happened next. Han Guoqiang resolved to step in and finish the matter for her. He jumped into the river and held Zhang Lian under the water, ignoring her frantic struggles. Only when she finally stopped moving did he let go.

Before leaving, Han Guoqiang meticulously erased every trace. He was an experienced hunter—he knew how to cover his tracks so no one would suspect a thing.

He had no intention of telling Chu Ling about what he’d done. As long as she behaved and stayed by his side, caring for his family, this secret would remain buried forever. But if she ever turned against him, this secret would become the perfect weapon to use.

Wife, I hope you never let me down…

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Meanwhile, with Lin Xiaodou—

Three Scabs, caught off guard by Lin Xiaodou’s bluff, ended up confessing. For now, he was the prime suspect, still under interrogation at the police station. Lin Xiaodou, as an innocent bystander, was immediately released.

When she returned to the cabin on the hillside, the little golden monkey held a piece of letter paper in its hands, crying as it looked at her.

Only then did Lin Xiaodou discover that Zhou Qinglang had left!

Reading the letter, she learned that Zhou Qinglang’s true identity was an equipment researcher. He had been forced by circumstances to hide in the mountains for a while, but now that his superiors had found him, he had to leave in a hurry. With no time for a proper farewell, he left only a letter, hoping Lin Xiaodou would forgive his sudden departure.

Even understanding his reasons, Lin Xiaodou still felt a bit dejected.

“That ungrateful scoundrel, to just leave without a word and not leave anything behind…”

Her luminous pearl was gone—she would never see it again.

“Ooo, ooo, ooo!” The little golden monkey, hearing her complaints, grew excited and pulled her toward the kitchen of the cabin.

Puzzled, Lin Xiaodou followed. When they arrived, she discovered a hidden door that led underground.

She opened the secret door and followed the little monkey down the steps. The moment she reached the cellar, she was stunned by what she saw.

My goodness!

So many! So many treasures!

…