Jia Zhangshi wasn't a fool. She carried the bicycle wheel and dared not sell it near a repair shop in the neighborhood. She specifically went to a repair shop further away from the courtyard.
But as they say, man proposes, God disposes.
Recently, due to frequent bicycle theft cases, the Kyoto police had warned all repair shops. Anyone found selling bicycles or parts must report it.
Jia Zhangshi carrying a bicycle wheel was already suspicious.
The repair shop owner, without showing any emotion, bargained with Jia Zhangshi, then secretly asked someone to report the case to the police station.
“This wheel doesn't have much damage, but it's already worn out. I can only give you five yuan,” the repairman said.
Jia Zhangshi retorted, “I asked at the store, a brand new wheel costs dozens of yuan. You only offer five yuan, that's too little. At least fifteen yuan.”
“Fifteen yuan, I can't afford it. Can you compare old things with new ones? Besides, this wheel doesn't look right. You say your bicycle fell down, where's the frame? I don't want to get into trouble,” the repairman was testing Jia Zhangshi.
Jia Zhangshi insisted, “This is my family's bicycle, you can rest assured. I won't cheat you. The frame was crushed by a large truck from the factory, only the wheel is left.”
“I can't take it. If it turns out this thing is stolen, the police catch me, I'll also be in trouble,” the repairman shook his head.
“What are you afraid of? This is my family's bicycle.” Jia Zhangshi became anxious.
“If it's your family's bicycle, show me the registration certificate, and I'll pay a high price for it,” the repairman said.
“I didn't know I need a registration certificate to sell a wheel. At my age, going back and forth is difficult. If you want it, you buy it. If you don't, forget it,” Jia Zhangshi said.
“If you say that, I'll only pay seven yuan,” the repairman said.
Actually, Jia Zhangshi was quite happy with seven yuan for free, what could she be dissatisfied with? But she was greedy, wanting to earn more, “No, you have to give me ten yuan. Otherwise, my wife won't be happy when I go back.”
“Then I'm sorry. I can only offer seven yuan,” the repairman said.
Just as the repairman was about to count the money, two policemen walked over.
“Where did you get this wheel?” One policeman asked.
“My own. The factory truck crushed my bicycle, only the wheel is left,” Jia Zhangshi was a little nervous.
“Come on, let's go to your house and see your registration certificate,” the policeman said.
“It's really my bicycle. The registration certificate is lost,” Jia Zhangshi panicked. Where would her family have a registration certificate?
“It's okay if it's lost, just check the records at the police station. Whose name is registered, and where do you live?” The policeman asked a series of questions, leaving Jia Zhangshi speechless.
“Then I won't sell this wheel! I'll take it back,” Jia Zhangshi carried the wheel to leave.
“Sorry, you can't leave. You have to explain before leaving,” the policeman said.
Thus, Jia Zhangshi was taken to the police station.
After the police clarified Jia Zhangshi's situation, they sent someone to investigate the courtyard.
The first person they asked was Zeng Wenfang.
“Jia Zhangshi doesn't even have a bicycle, how can she have a wheel?” Zeng Wenfang exclaimed, “You said wheel? Jia Zhangshi went to sell a wheel?”
“Yes, she went to sell a wheel, suspected of stealing a bicycle,” the policeman said.
“I know who she stole it from,” Zeng Wenfang said.
“Who? Why didn't they report it?” The policeman asked.
“Our courtyard’s Third Master, Yan Bu Gui. Last night, his bicycle was moved outside the courtyard, missing a wheel. They discovered it this morning. They were about to go to work, not sure if they reported it,” Zeng Wenfang said.
Soon, the entire courtyard knew that Jia Zhangshi stole Third Master Yan's wheel.
“How could Jia Zhangshi do such a thing!” First Aunt sighed.
“Jia Zhangshi is that kind of person. There's no good person in the Jia family. Last time, Bang Geng stole First Brother's money and tickets,” Third Aunt said angrily.
“It's just a bit strange, how could Jia Zhangshi remove the wheel? I can't do it anyway,” Zeng Wenfang said.
Second Aunt nodded, “Yes, how can someone like Jia Zhangshi remove a wheel from a bicycle?”
Third Aunt said, “Yesterday afternoon, Bang Geng asked Third Master to borrow a bicycle, saying he wanted to learn to ride. Third Master naturally refused. Could it be Bang Geng's revenge? He stole the wheel?”
“Without evidence, don't speculate. If that's the case, one stole the wheel, and one sold it, two people from the Jia family will go in,” Lou Xiaoe said.
Qin Huai Ru was at work when the gatekeeper notified her, saying her neighbors from the courtyard came to find her, saying her mother-in-law was in trouble.
Qin Huai Ru hurried back home.
“Qin Huai Ru, go to the police station. The police came to investigate today, your mother-in-law stole Third Master's wheel and went to sell it at the repair shop. She was caught on the spot,” First Aunt said.
Qin Huai Ru rushed to the police station.
“No, your mother-in-law is guilty of theft, and it's theft of valuable items,” the policeman said.
Qin Huai Ru didn't dare to hand over her son, she could only let her mother-in-law take all the blame.
Yang Xuan returned home and heard about Jia Zhangshi being arrested for theft.
“Do you think Qin Huai Ru will hand over Bang Geng to save Jia Zhangshi?” Yang Xuan asked He Yu Zhu.
He Yu Zhu shook his head, “Definitely not, she values her son more than anyone. If she hands him over, he'll definitely be sent to a juvenile detention center.”
Yang Xuan also knew Qin Huai Ru wouldn't do that, but Jia Zhangshi might. Jia Zhangshi was not someone who could endure hardship. After suffering a little inside, she might expose Bang Geng.
That night, Qin Huai Ru told Bang Geng that he must never tell anyone he stole the bicycle. He must insist that Jia Zhangshi did it.
As expected, Jia Zhangshi stayed inside for a few days and changed her confession, saying Bang Geng stole the wheel, and she only sold it.
So, the police went to the Jia family.
Bang Geng insisted he didn't know anything. Qin Huai Ru also said they had no idea about this, it was Jia Zhangshi who did it alone.
Without concrete evidence, the police could only blame Jia Zhangshi entirely.
For stealing the bicycle wheel, Jia Zhangshi was sentenced to one year in prison. This was because the Yan family submitted a letter of understanding, and the wheel was also recovered, causing no loss to the Yan family.
Many people in the courtyard actually cheered. Jia Zhangshi was imprisoned, the courtyard would be peaceful for a while.