“Don’t search!” Qin Huairu said loudly.
Everyone turned to look at Qin Huairu.
At this moment, Qin Huairu jumped out, just like admitting she was the thief.
If she had nothing to hide, how could she be afraid of others searching her home?
Of course, in this era, there was no issue of not being able to search a home without evidence; as long as everyone in the courtyard agreed, they could search house by house.
Qin Huairu clearly realized that her earlier reaction was inappropriate and quickly explained, “What I meant was that searching house by house would create too much noise. If outsiders find out and it spreads to the street, how can our courtyard still be considered advanced this year? By then, the losses for our entire courtyard would be more than just what He Yuzhu lost.”
After hearing Qin Huairu’s words, most people began to hesitate and were not very supportive of the search anymore, as it now involved their own interests.
Yang Xuan laughed heartily, “You’re all just thinking about the small benefits of being recognized as advanced. But have you considered that there are thieves stealing food and money now? If we don’t catch the thief, how can our courtyard have a good future? Even if someone at home isn’t working, you can’t possibly stay home all day, right? Third Aunt, you have to go buy groceries every day and also take on some work; you can’t just stay home all day, can you?”
Third Aunt nodded, “Even if I don’t go out to work, I can’t just stay in the yard. People have their needs; even if I’m guarding the house, I still have to go to the public restroom. That takes several minutes back and forth. That’s enough time for a thief to steal everything.”
“Exactly! If we don’t catch this thief today, he’ll get a taste of success, and our courtyard won’t have peaceful days ahead.” Yang Xuan said.
Qin Huairu shot Yang Xuan a glare filled with hatred.
Yang Xuan could guess that the theft at He Yuzhu’s home was definitely related to the Jia family.
It was very likely that it was Bang Geng.
Today, He Yuzhu took his lunch box home to eat, and the Jia family, who had always regarded He Yuzhu’s lunch box as their own benefit, would surely resent him.
Especially that ungrateful Bang Geng, who would definitely seek revenge.
Xu Damao also jumped in, “Last time my family lost a chicken, I said there was a thief in the courtyard, but no one was willing to back me up. Now it’s good; they’ve started stealing food and money!”
Xu Damao had originally been gloating over He Yuzhu’s loss, but this time it was different; he was also a victim. After finally getting back two hens, he was reluctant to eat them, only for them to be stolen. Now Xu Damao hated the chicken thief even more.
Yi Zhonghai stood up and said, “Xu Damao, don’t stir up trouble. Your chicken might not have been stolen; it could have just run away. Our courtyard won’t take the blame for this.”
Xu Damao was not having it: “I’ve heard that someone in the courtyard saw someone catch a chicken from the backyard!”
Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened: “Then you should let that person come forward to identify who stole the chicken from your backyard!”
Xu Damao immediately wilted; he had only heard about it, who would be willing to offend someone for him? He even knew it was Bang Geng who stole his chicken, but now the chicken was long gone. No one would come forward to testify.
“No one is willing to testify for you, right? Without evidence, don’t speak carelessly.” Yi Zhonghai said.
“But the things from Shazhu’s house were definitely stolen, right? Are we just going to let this go?” Xu Damao said.
“Of course, we can’t just let it go. However, our courtyard is an advanced collective. If someone is stealing food and money, it seems they are really in trouble. We should give them a chance to turn over a new leaf. Everyone disperse. Let the person who took Shazhu’s things voluntarily return them.” Yi Zhonghai looked at Qin Huairu’s reaction and knew this matter must be related to her family.
Yang Xuan said, “Stealing money and food is no small matter. No matter how difficult it is at home, you can’t steal from others. This matter cannot be treated lightly. I think it’s best to report it, or at least inform the security department of the steel mill. If we don’t deal with this thief properly this time, our courtyard won’t have peaceful days ahead. How long has it been since Xu Damao’s chicken was stolen? Last time they got a taste of success, and now they’ve started stealing food!”
“Go to the security department! Let them send someone to search!” Xu Damao immediately echoed.
“No!” Qin Huairu panicked.
If this went to legal proceedings, Bang Geng would definitely be sent to a juvenile detention center. With a criminal record, Bang Geng’s life would be ruined.
Xu Damao immediately said, “Qin Huairu, why are you always jumping out to stop us? Is it that Bang Geng is the thief? I remember that on the day my chicken was stolen, your Bang Geng went to the cafeteria to steal soy sauce. Shazhu threw a rolling pin at him, and as a result, I ended up suffering. What did he use the soy sauce for that day? Was it to season something?”
“Are you talking nonsense? Xu Damao, what kind of man are you to bully us orphans and widows? Shazhu’s family lost something, and Shazhu didn’t even demand a full search or say to report it. What right do you have to do this? Shazhu, what do you say?” Qin Huairu looked at He Yuzhu with pleading eyes.
He Yuzhu had long suspected it was Bang Geng who visited his home. The house was turned upside down, clearly done on purpose.
“I’ve worked hard to save up a few dozen yuan, and all the food and oil at home have been stolen. I won’t make things too difficult. If you return my things tonight, we’ll let it go. Otherwise, I’ll report it!” He Yuzhu felt a bit aggrieved.
Qin Huairu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but she still felt troubled. Although the things were taken by Bang Geng, after he took them back, Jia Zhangshi steamed a large pot of white buns. The flour bag had a big character “He” written on it.
The oil in the oil can was also half used. The oil can was indeed easy to recognize. It was completely different from Qin Huairu’s family’s oil can. He Yuzhu’s father, He Daqing, used to be a well-known chef in the area. Their oil cans were all exquisite gifts from wealthy families, and you couldn’t find the same kind in the courtyard.
As for the money, it was also hidden away by Jia Zhangshi. Getting her to take it out would be harder than cutting her flesh.
But first, she had to stabilize He Yuzhu.
Yi Zhonghai also breathed a sigh of relief, looking at He Yuzhu with appreciation, saying, “Since Shazhu has said so, everyone disperse. Let’s be forgiving. Who doesn’t have a little difficulty? As long as they can turn over a new leaf, we should all be more forgiving.”
Yang Xuan shook his head, “Shazhu, think it over. If you do this, the evidence might just vanish like a dog chasing a bun. Do you believe that tonight, the thief will destroy all the evidence? By tomorrow, even if the police come to search, they won’t find any solid evidence.”
He Yuzhu sighed, “If that’s the case, I’ll just accept my bad luck. From now on, I’ll be completely disheartened.”