Chapter 639: Just Trying to Make a Living

Chapter 639: Just Trying to Get By

Jiang Yu rode her bicycle for a few times around the block before returning to her aunt’s house.

When she arrived, Old Lady Zhao was sitting downstairs wailing like at a funeral.

A few cops surrounded her, watching coldly as she made a scene and rolled on the ground.

Officer Chang said helplessly, "Old lady, you stole someone else’s things. You're coming with us unless the other party is willing to settle. Otherwise, you’ll have to do time."

He hadn’t expected Jiang Yu to have such powerful connections—even Zeng Anping had met his match.

The higher-ups had directly summoned Zeng Anping, and it was said he would face punishment.

They had also specifically emphasized that Old Lady Zhao’s case must be properly resolved.

Officer Chang was nervous, worried that Zeng Anping’s situation might affect him.

At the same time, he was secretly delighted—it was rare to see Zeng Anping put in his place.

Old Lady Zhao spotted Jiang Yu and hurried over.

"Jiang Yu! Please, tell them not to arrest me! I’ll return everything to you, just let me go! I only took a few pieces of clothing—was calling the cops really necessary?!"

She tightly gripped Jiang Yu’s clothes, forgetting she was still wearing a gold bracelet.

Jiang Yu gave a cold laugh and grabbed her wrist.

"This thing on your hand—it’s my aunt’s, isn’t it?"

Old Lady Zhao was startled but still couldn’t overcome her greed.

She lied straight-faced, "No, this is mine!"

Jiang Yu shot her an icy glare and ignored her, turning instead to Officer Chang.

"Can we handle this by the book now?"

Officer Chang quickly replied, "We’re here to take her to the station, but she’s refusing to cooperate."

Jiang Yu scoffed, "Her lack of cooperation is your problem to handle, not mine."

Officer Chang looked embarrassed and nodded hastily.

"Right. Old lady, if you keep resisting arrest, don’t blame us for using force."

Old Lady Zhao tried her usual tantrum tactics, but this time Officer Chang wasn’t having it—he had her handcuffed and taken straight to the station.

"If she won’t behave now, a few days in custody will straighten her out."

The station needed to notify Yao Xiangling personally, as only she knew exactly what had been stolen.

"And what about this old woman? How will she be handled?" Jiang Yu asked.

Officer Chang answered, "She’ll be detained for a couple of days first. If the value of the stolen goods is significant, she’ll definitely be charged. But given her age, I’d recommend settling privately."

Jiang Yu smirked. "You’re not going to release her the moment I leave, are you?"

"Comrade Jiang, we were under pressure before. Please understand."

They all depended on Director Ceng for their livelihoods—how could they dare oppose Ceng Anping?

He lowered his voice, "If you'd revealed your position earlier, even Director Ceng wouldn’t have dared shield Ceng Anping."

Jiang Yu's expression remained indifferent. "So those without connections deserve to be treated like this by you?"

Chang was left speechless, unsure how to respond.

He sighed. "Jiang Yu, we’re just trying to make a living. The world isn't so clear-cut."

Everyone knew Ceng Anping’s actions were wrong, but he had powerful connections.

Even if they didn’t want to admit it, they had to acknowledge that those with high-level protection could navigate life more smoothly.

Jiang Yu lowered her gaze and didn’t reply.

"I’ll go home and get my aunt so she can assist with the investigation."

When Jiang Yu returned home, Yao Xiangling was worried sick.

"What happened? I sent you to fetch some things, and you've taken forever."

Jiang Yu had been out in the cold wind for so long that her face was numb with cold.

Aunt Lan quickly poured her a cup of hot water. "Your aunt was about to go out looking for you."

Warming her hands on the teacup, Jiang Yu recounted the incident with Old Lady Zhao.

If it hadn’t been for Ceng Anping’s interference, the matter would’ve been resolved much sooner.

Yao Xiangling snorted. "That’s exactly the kind of thing she’d do—utterly shameless. Let’s go. I know exactly what should be there in my house."

If she even stole the gold bracelet, the thousand yuan in her drawer was surely stolen too.

With Yao Xiangling’s cooperation, the police realized Old Lady Zhao had stolen far more than they’d imagined.

Perhaps because of Ceng Anping’s earlier protection, Old Lady Zhao had got bold and only returned some clothes.

The malt extract and other valuables she’d taken, she didn't even mention.

The food items were minor, but the real losses were the solid gold bracelet and the thousand yuan.

Yao Xiangling laid out her case clearly, leaving Old Lady Zhao no way to weasel out of it.

"Jiang Yu, the old lady’s family has come to ask to settle things. What do you think…?"

Jiang Yu replied coldly, "If they want to settle, they can come back in exactly three days."

Why three days?

Naturally, to teach Old Lady Zhao a lesson and let her sweat it out in custody.

But Jiang Yu knew that at Old Lady Zhao’s age, she wouldn’t actually do any real jail time.

Still, as they left the police station, Old Lady Zhao’s husband caught up with them.

The old man pleaded desperately, almost fell to his knees before Yao Xiangling.

Yao Xiangling turned her face away coldly, refusing to even look at him.

"Don't try to butter me up. If you truly valued our decades of neighborly ties, you wouldn’t have pulled such a low move. If you want to settle, come find me again in three days. I can't be bothered with you right now."

Back home, Yao Xiangling was still steaming, muttering about Old Lady Zhao.

"What kind of people are they? Stealing from neighbors they’ve known for decades—how shameless!"

Aunt Lan jumped in, furious, "Exactly! How wicked! We can't let 'em off easy."

Yao Xiangling calmed down a little and took out the items she had brought back.

"This fabric is nice, isn’t it? It'd make a real pretty dress for Ning Ning."

She had picked out a pink fabric with little flower patterns.

This kind of material was hard to come by—you needed connections to score this.

Aunt Lan nodded. "It’s beautiful. Ning Ning’s got that fair skin—pink suits her best."

Jiang Yu gave a helpless smile. "Auntie, Ning Ning’s only two months old. Why bother with a dress now?"

She’s still in diapers.

"What do you know? In another two months, she’ll fit into it. I’ll make it first, then wash it, then sun it—time'll fly right by."

Aunt Lan didn’t object to her words, nodding along.

"Kids grow up fast. I'm handy with a needle—just tell me what style you want."

Since coming to Jiang Yu’s home, Aunt Lan had even filled out some.

Easy work, nutritious meals—of course she’d gain weight.

Back at her nephew’s place in the countryside, the chores were far heavier.

Even eating an extra cornbread would get her nasty comments and scoldings.

At Jiang Yu’s, she had it better than she'd ever known.

So whenever there was work at home, she jumped at the chance.

Yao Xiangling smiled. "No rush, I’ll ask you later. Now, take a look at this padded jacket—it’s so soft. It’ll look lovely on you."

Aunt Lan was overwhelmed by the kindness, rubbing her hands nervously as she eyed the good as new-looking jacket.

"This… this is too much! It’s such a fine piece—you must’ve barely worn it. Keep it for yourself."

Yao Xiangling shoved the jacket into her hands, chiding, "I’ve got plenty. Just the ones Jiang Yu made for me are more than I can wear. As long as you don’t mind that it’s been worn before."

Aunt Lan stroked the jacket reverently, tears welling in her eyes.

"Mind? I'm honored."