Meng Xiaobao suddenly covered his mouth. He remembered that the person had also worked here last year, but at that time, this big guy hadn't arrived yet. They shouldn't know each other, right?
Moreover, his beads were stolen. A few days ago, his parents asked his second sister to take him to the market. When they got there, she locked him in the courtyard and went off to have fun with that scoundrel, only returning after a long time.
He quietly dug out this treasure by himself. There were other items in the box, but they were too big to carry, and there were even things like gold hairpins and silver bracelets, which he didn't dare to touch. In the end, he only took four small glass beads and put everything else back in its original place.
Shen Qingzhou had already obtained the information he wanted and, with a slight smile, praised, "Indeed impressive! Forget it, I'll buy it later when I have money. You wait, I'll go get you another piece of melon, a promise is a promise! But you can't tell anyone about what happened today; you know the relationship between our two families.”
"Yeah! I know.”
If he admits it, won't it be impossible to hide the fact that he stole something?
Meng Xiaobao felt a bit guilty, but the reason for his guilt was that he had stolen something. As for the fact that he could exchange a watermelon for just a few words today, he didn't mind at all, and even felt a bit smug about it.
After sending the person away and returning home, Meng Xiaoxi hurriedly came up to him: "How did it go?"
Shen Qingzhou nodded, "Got it! It shouldn't change locations so quickly; I'll go check it out tomorrow morning.”
Although Meng Xiaobao provided the location, it is uncertain whether the items are still there, so we can't directly report it to the authorities to arrest people. If there's no evidence, it would be considered a false accusation, which is also a crime.
The next day, before dawn, the two of them got up. They had already discussed it last night; today, only the father and son, Yao Daocheng, would be at home, taking care of the household and farm work.
The two of them then went to the town in the dark.
Accustomed to morning runs, these few miles were nothing at all, and they soon found the alley on West Street.
The two found a secluded spot near the end of the alley, enduring the mosquitoes at dawn. Shortly after daybreak, they saw Zhao Xin walking out from a small courtyard.
Unlike Li San, he showed no signs of decline after such a long time apart; he looked almost the same as before, and he had even gained a little weight.
He lingered in front of the street-side snack shop for a while, and after finishing his breakfast, he walked in the opposite direction, probably heading to work.
Shen Qingzhou told Meng Xiaoxi to stay in place while he went to the courtyard alone to investigate.
Meng Xiaoxi blinked and took a whistle out of his pocket, the same one he had given last time, and waved it in front of him. "If he suddenly comes back, I'll blow this."
Shen Qingzhou hesitated for a moment, "Maybe it's better not to. What if it brings you danger—"
"Then I'll wait for him to come into the yard before I blow the whistle, so you have a heads-up."
"Alright! If you get exposed, just run and don't confront anyone directly.”
Meng Xiaoxi is in good health now and runs quite fast, so he is somewhat reassured.
"Got it! Be careful.”
"Mm!" Also, if the item is really there, do you want to report it or just take it back directly?”
Meng Xiaoxi hesitated for a moment; quietly taking it back would be the easiest option, but he didn't know how much was left inside, and he couldn't swallow his pride.
For many years, they have been taking advantage of his kindness, attempting to violate him, stealing his treasures—every single incident has been unbearable for him.
"Don't bring it back! Report to the authorities and have him arrested!”
He must pay the price!
"Okay!"
The door was locked from the outside, but Shen Qingzhou didn't touch the main door; he simply climbed over the wall and entered the courtyard.
The door to the room was also locked. He could actually pry it open, but he wouldn't be able to restore it to its original state. After thinking for a moment, he simply lifted the door post and removed half of the door, propping it against the other half.
Fortunately, it's this kind of simple wooden door. If it were the kind from a wealthy household, it couldn't be taken apart at all, and we would have to break the lock.
Upon entering the room, he looked around. Since it was a rented place, the furnishings were quite simple. He searched every nook and cranny where something could be hidden, and finally, he actually found a locked box behind the wardrobe.
It seems that after Meng Xiaobao's last move, he noticed and became cautious.
Shen Qingzhou weighed it in his hand; it had some heft. He shook it slightly and felt something inside.
He put the box back in its original place, restored the room's furnishings, and after coming out, he also reinstalled the door.
Meng Xiaoxi saw him climbing out from the wall and hurriedly ran over, his face anxious as he asked, "How is it?"
"Is it a lacquered pear wood box with floral and bird patterns?" Shen Qingzhou asked him.
"Yes! That's the one! One and a half feet square in size.”
"Here." Shen Qingzhou nodded, "Let's go back first and talk later."
The two finished their breakfast by the street, hurried home, then went to fetch Meng Fengchun, and directly took his mule cart over, asking him to go find the village head.
It might be too late to go to the county office, but fortunately, there are five or six clerks stationed in the town. They can have them capture the people first and then send them to the county office.
When Zhao Xin returned home in the afternoon, he felt something was off, as if something had happened, but there was no change in the house. Hesitating, he unlocked the door, and just as he pushed it open, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside, and it wasn't just one person!
Oh no!
He turned to flee, only to hear a sharp shout, "Where do you think you're going?"
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