Chapter 148: Testifying

October 17, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Just as Widow Niu arrived for work, Chu Xuan gave her a few instructions and then rode her bicycle out with Wei Qiang.

On the way, Wei Qiang didn’t ride fast, so Chu Xuan was able to keep up.

She could tell that Wei Qiang wanted to say something but was holding back.

“Comrade Wei, if you have something to say, just say it!”

Wei Qiang quickly waved his hand. “I can’t say anything now. You’ll find out when we get there.”

When they arrived at the county security team, Chu Xuan finally learned what was going on.

The injury on Feng Jun’s forehead before he died had been caused by a young woman.

That woman was named Guo Hailian.

She insisted that it was Mu Chenze who had encouraged her to hurt Feng Jun.

The security team had sent Wei Qiang to bring Chu Xuan over for a confrontation.

Guo Hailian insisted that she was with Mu Chenze at 8 p.m. the night before last, and that was when he incited her.

Mu Chenze, on the other hand, insisted that he was with his family that night, and then went out for a walk—Chu Xuan could vouch for him.

The night before last, Mu Chenze had just been discharged from the hospital and didn’t need to go to Chu Xuan’s house to help with grilled fish.

He went out for a walk, circling the village, and happened to pass by Chu Xuan’s house at exactly 8 p.m. He even lingered for a while under the tree outside her house, but he wasn’t sure if Chu Xuan had seen him.

They had to bring Chu Xuan in as a witness because there was no one else.

Chu Xuan was questioned alone.

“Chu Xuan, did you see Mu Chenze at 8 p.m. the night before last?”

Chu Xuan replied crisply, “Yes.”

“Where did you see him?”

“Outside my house.”

“Did you two speak?”

“No. It was late, and it wouldn’t have been appropriate for a man and woman to talk alone. He was standing under the tree outside my house, either admiring the moon or deep in thought. I saw him from my bedroom window. He left about half an hour later.”

...

Wei Qiang wasn’t responsible for the questioning, but he was in charge of taking notes.

Hearing this, he suddenly realized that Mu Chenze might like Chu Xuan.

He glanced at Chu Xuan out of the corner of his eye—she was pretty chubby and looked ordinary. Mu Chenze was such a handsome young man; could he really like a plump girl?

Guo Hailian was questioned again.

Wei Qiang didn’t take notes this time and instead brought Chu Xuan to his office.

“Sorry! Because of work, I couldn’t tell you anything on the way here.”

Chu Xuan was very understanding. “It’s fine. You did the right thing. Can you tell me what’s going on now?”

Wei Qiang looked troubled. “All I can tell you is that Guo Hailian claims Mu Chenze incited her to attack Feng Jun.”

The moment she heard Guo Hailian’s name, Chu Xuan didn’t even need to ask—she could guess that Guo Hailian liked Mu Chenze, and since she couldn’t have him, she wanted to destroy him.

She’d heard the name in her previous life too.

But Chu Xuan didn’t remember Guo Hailian ever attacking Feng Jun.

Maybe she really did, but at the time Feng Jun was fine, and the Feng family didn’t pursue it.

Fortunately, Chu Xuan knew a bit of Guo Hailian’s secret.

“I heard Guo Hailian has some mental health issues. Maybe you should take her to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.”

Wei Qiang immediately reported this to his superiors.

The security team sent someone to escort Guo Hailian to the hospital for assessment.

Chu Xuan didn’t leave; she waited in Wei Qiang’s office for the results.

Wei Qiang told her that Mu Chenze was in the office next door, accompanied by his friend Min Yi, and that he was fine.

At that moment, Min Yi handed Mu Chenze a cup of water. “I read Chu Xuan’s testimony. Honestly, I have to ask—do you like her?”

Mu Chenze quickly waved his hands, not even taking the cup. “She’s so chubby, how could I possibly like her? I like skinny girls.”

Min Yi could see right through him and set the cup on the table next to him. “Have some water and calm down.”

What a guy—saying one thing and meaning another.

He didn’t call him out on it.

Mu Chenze picked up the cup and took a sip, nearly burning his mouth.

Min Yi looked at him speechlessly. “Chenze, what’s going on? You stayed calm when Guo Hailian slandered you, but as soon as Chu Xuan is mentioned, you lose your composure. The thing you asked me to look into last time, that was about her, wasn’t it?”

Mu Chenze tried to stay calm. “Yeah, it was about her. We’re just buddies. The reason I’m acting differently is because once, she and I accidentally kissed, and people in the village saw it. It’s not that I like her, I just feel embarrassed. Don’t get the wrong idea. Especially don’t mention anything about liking her in front of her.”

He was worried that if Chu Xuan found out, she’d avoid him even more.

Min Yi acted like he suddenly understood. “Got it. I have to head back to the city, so I won’t keep you company. Once Guo Hailian’s evaluation comes out, you should be able to go home.”

“Thanks!”

“No need to thank me! If you want to thank someone, thank Chu Xuan.”

Min Yi left.

Mu Chenze glanced outside—there were security staff on duty, so there was no way he could leave yet.

He waited patiently for Guo Hailian’s psychiatric evaluation.

At noon, the security team provided a free meal: scrambled eggs with tomatoes and coarse grain steamed buns.

Mu Chenze wasn’t picky and ate everything.

Chu Xuan wasn’t used to the food.

Around 3 p.m., Guo Hailian’s evaluation came back: delusional disorder, schizophrenia.

Mu Chenze was finally allowed to leave.

Chu Xuan could have left at any time, but she waited for Mu Chenze.

The two exchanged a smile and walked out of the security team together.

Wei Qiang watched their figures—one plump, one slim—they looked like a perfect match.

The Mu family was waiting outside the security team. As soon as they saw Mu Chenze, they rushed over to surround him and Chu Xuan.

They would have liked to testify for Mu Chenze like Chu Xuan did, but unfortunately, their statements wouldn’t have helped.

Every time the Mu family got through a crisis or made a fortune, it was always thanks to Chu Xuan.

The way they looked at Chu Xuan was full of gratitude, affection, and hope...

That evening, Qin Mahua hosted a dinner at home, inviting Chu Xuan and her brother over to celebrate Mu Chenze’s safe return.

After dinner, Mu Chenze walked the siblings home.

Once they arrived, Chu Feng tactfully went straight to his room, leaving his sister and Brother Chenze some space to talk.

Chu Xuan quietly asked, “Mu Chenze, when did that Guo Hailian start clinging to you?”

Mu Chenze looked like he’d been caught doing something wrong. “When I was in the hospital. Her brother was my roommate. She heard from my brother that it was Feng Jun who incited his younger brother to hurt me, and she immediately said she wanted to get revenge on Feng Jun. I stopped her. She promised not to, but I didn’t expect she’d go anyway. Yesterday she came to my house and confessed her feelings, but I turned her down. She got angry and said if she couldn’t have me, she’d destroy me. Unless I agreed to be her boyfriend, she’d turn herself in and drag me down with her. You know the rest.”

“When you were in the hospital, you didn’t notice she had mental problems?”

“No. I was just blind this time. Not only did I get tangled up with her, but I dragged you into it too. I’m really sorry!”

“If you’re really sorry, then teach me to swim again tomorrow.”

“No problem.”

“You should head home now!”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow.”

Only after his figure disappeared did Chu Xuan look away.

She went to take down the laundry from the line. After she finished, just as she was about to lock up and go to bed, there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?”

Mu Chenze’s voice came from outside. “It’s me. I forgot to ask you something just now.”

Chu Xuan opened the door. “What is it?”

In the light from the courtyard, Chu Xuan caught a glimpse of shyness on Mu Chenze’s face.

Is this guy about to confess?

Even if he did, she couldn’t say yes."