Chapter 381: Chapter 10: Child-Rearing Strategy (10)

The meaning behind Zhang Cheng’s words was clear to many present, as many of them had been through similar situations.

Even though Li Shuning has been raising her child alone, she’s an educated and sensible woman, so beautiful; would she choose someone like Zhang Cheng?

But then again, if she did choose someone from the village, it would likely be discovered. Choosing someone from outside the village would make it less noticeable.

Tao Hui, the leading officer, sternly shouted, “Zhang Cheng, cut the act. You brought tools to jimmy the door and sedatives; was it really her who invited you? Who are you trying to fool?”

As an experienced officer, he quickly exposed the flaws in Zhang Cheng’s words.

Many of the onlookers suddenly felt ashamed.

Yes, they had been suspicious because of his statement earlier — they really shouldn’t have been.

Li Shuning has always been kind to the children, gentle and caring, often giving them snacks. What were they thinking? How could someone like that be involved in anything improper?

Moreover, Li Shuning is a military wife.

Educated and refined, Li Shuning devoted all her attention to caring for her child, hardly moving about in public, so how could she be that kind of person?

However, Li Shuning laughed, “Officer Tao asked whether I’d prefer to go to the station or be interrogated here. I chose to be questioned here, which shows that I have a clear conscience; this person, I don’t even know him.”

Zhang Cheng’s face changed at Tao Hui’s direct accusation, and now with Li Shuning’s words, it was unlikely anyone would believe him. After all, he was an outsider. He initially hoped to arouse suspicion for his benefit. Now, his only tactic was to insist that Li Shuning had invited him, to cement this claim, so that he would have a chance in the future.

“It’s true that Li Shuning invited me. At the market yesterday, she gave me several flirtatious glances; otherwise, how would I know her name? And she has a child; a sensible person would consider that her husband is at home, wouldn’t they? How else would I know she was home alone and dare come to her house?”

“I brought those tools just in case, since we were sneaking around; getting caught would be bad.”

Tao Hui couldn’t believe that Zhang Cheng continued to insist. What kind of person would invite you?

Before he had a chance to respond, a blinding light suddenly shone in their direction.

The crowd turned to see a military green truck approaching. The two beams of light were its headlights. Moments later, twelve warriors jumped out of the vehicle.

The leading warrior ran over, saluted Li Shuning, and said, “Sister-in-law, sorry for the fright. Leave the rest to us.”

Li Shuning nodded, “Sorry to trouble you all, especially at this hour.”

“No trouble at all, Sister-in-law. Your concerns are our concerns, and your safety is vital. The Commander gave strict orders to ensure your safety.”

Li Shuning maintained a serious demeanor, “Please convey my gratitude to the Commander.”

Zhang Cheng was shocked, mouth agape. She’s just a woman, allegedly with a questionable lifestyle. How did she get involved with the military?

The military team promptly took over the work from the police. At this point, Zhang Cheng hesitated, but even with the military interrogating him, he stuck to his previous statement.

Meanwhile, Li Shuning went into the house and retrieved the marriage certificate of the original owner and her husband.

The certificate contained a photograph of the couple.

It’s undeniable that her original husband’s looks were exceptionally handsome.

Li Shuning placed the marriage certificate before Zhang Cheng, “Zhang Cheng, right? My husband is a soldier. Both my parents are military personnel. Can you compare yourself to my husband? As a lowlife, what exactly do you think I see in you? Don’t overestimate yourself. Remember, you can be careless about what you eat, but not about what you say. My marriage is protected under military law. You should think carefully about that. Don’t let vague gossip lead you into doing something you’ll regret.”

Zhang Cheng’s heart sank entirely; everything was going wrong. How could this be? Tao Xiaoxiao’s claims were totally inaccurate.

He thought this woman indeed had a child by someone else due to scandalous affairs. Why was the woman actually married, and to a soldier no less?

In this world, soldiers are deeply respected.

Zhang Cheng’s mind was a complete mess now. He had stumbled upon a formidable adversary. Seeing those soldiers standing fiercely or assertively, he knew they weren’t to be trifled with. Persisting in his claim would likely lead to an unfavorable outcome.

Li Shuning understood well — either in the story or reality, there was likely a mischief-maker behind the scenes in the form of Tao Xiaoxiao.

The leading military man suddenly said, “Sister-in-law, don’t waste more words on him. If he refuses to tell the truth, we have methods to make him truthful. Who knows, this man might be a spy. Otherwise, why would he know your name and carry those tools? The reputation of a soldier must not be sullied; this person’s presence is highly suspicious.”

These words struck fear into Zhang Cheng, as being accused of espionage could mean a lifelong prison sentence if the military truly wanted to deal with him harshly, especially since they had the power. Being convicted of espionage was far more severe than petty theft or hooliganism, even if he wasn’t successful in his attempt.

All his thoughts of resistance vanished.

In a frenzy, he confessed everything he planned.

“Officer, police officer, Sister… I truly didn’t dare to do these things otherwise. I don’t even know this lady here; it was Tao Xiaoxiao who misled me. Tao Xiaoxiao is a local of this village, my girlfriend. She told me that the lady was living in chaos, that the child wasn’t her husband’s, that there were no elders in her house, and she even said there was money around, which is why I got those ideas. Please, Sister, you have to believe me.”

Zhang Cheng was indeed thoroughly mad at Tao Xiaoxiao for trying to bring about his destruction so callously.

Looking back at Tao Xiaoxiao’s statements, they were fairly vague and ambiguous, yet he foolishly believed them.

The crowd was taken aback when Zhang Cheng spilled it out.

So it was Tao Xiaoxiao.

No wonder, since even Sister-in-law Li rarely stepped out than to go to the market or the military area. Why else would someone from another nearby village get involved?

Tao Xiaoxiao had pulled off several annoying stunts before, yet now she dared to harm Sister-in-law Li this way — it was truly despicable.

If not for Tao Tao sensing something was wrong and yelling out earlier, Zhang Cheng might have succeeded, having already brought sedatives with him.

If Sister-in-law Li had truly been humiliated, just imagining a Heavenly Immortal-like woman suffering such an ordeal, leading to her decline, washing her face with tears, or being threatened by Zhang Cheng, and possibly resorting to suicide — filled everyone’s hearts with heaviness.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep