In this era, many leaders had lived through years of war. Most of them held firm ideals and genuinely believed in serving the people.
It wasn't that they didn't care about small matters—it was simply that they were too busy to manage every detail.
If the original Sha Zhu hadn't been so stubborn—if he had quietly gone to the neighborhood committee for help finding a wife instead of relying solely on the courtyard elders—Director Wang and the others likely would have helped.
As long as the news was kept discreet, marriage wouldn't have been such a problem.
He Jin couldn't help cursing the original owner inwardly again.
On the surface, however, he looked aggrieved.
"Director Wang, it's not that I don't want to get married. I've gone on many blind dates. They just never worked out."
He had briefly considered hinting that someone in the courtyard had deliberately sabotaged his matches.
But when he noticed Chief Li standing nearby with a stern, thoughtful expression, he decided against stirring trouble.
Even if Director Wang realized Yi Zhonghai's true character—what then?
Without evidence, nothing could be done.
Worse, saying too much might draw suspicion toward himself.
Better to keep things simple.
Unexpectedly, Director Wang shot him a look.
"I've heard your standards are quite high. You want someone pretty, educated, and a city resident.
With conditions like that, I don't know what to say. You should lower your expectations."
Chief Li's gaze toward He Jin shifted slightly.
At that moment, He Jin truly wanted to protest—
Those were the original owner's demands, not his.
For him, as long as she was kind and attractive, he didn't care about education or hometown.
But he couldn't say that.
Instead, he forced a bitter smile.
"Director Wang, I've just lost the little savings I had. What right do I have to lower standards now? Who would marry a poor man like me?"
Then he looked at them earnestly.
"Director Wang, Chief Li, please catch the thief. If that money's gone for good, I'll never be able to afford marriage."
The two exchanged an awkward glance.
Director Wang cleared her throat.
"Rest assured. We'll do our best to recover everyone's losses."
With that, she cited the need to continue investigations and left with Chief Li.
—
As the two walked away, He Jin finally relaxed inwardly.
Outwardly, however, he maintained a devastated expression.
He lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Anyone walking in would see a man crushed by misfortune.
In reality, he simply didn't know what else to do.
He had already eaten at the factory during cooking, so there was no need to prepare dinner.
The quiet room suddenly felt unbearably empty.
Once again, he felt the loneliness of living alone.
When he reached Hong Kong, he resolved, he would find a wife quickly—someone to talk to, someone to share life with.
—
Outside, Director Wang spoke solemnly to Chief Li.
"This is serious. You must solve it quickly. Otherwise, we won't be able to answer to the authorities or the people."
Chief Li nodded seriously.
"I understand. I'll do my best."
But then his expression changed.
"To be honest, Director Wang, I've inspected every affected house. I won't hide it—I found absolutely no clues.
I've caught countless thieves in my career. But I cannot understand how someone could steal so thoroughly, from houses with people inside, without leaving a single trace.
Everyone even knows roughly when the money disappeared.
If I didn't firmly believe there are no ghosts in this world, I might suspect this wasn't done by a human."
Director Wang's heart sank.
If even a seasoned officer like Chief Li had no leads, the situation was grave.
Without clues, there would be no culprit.
Without a culprit, the money would likely never be recovered.
For those families, that would be devastating.
"Then we must report to higher authorities immediately," she said gravely. "Request more experienced investigators."
Chief Li sighed.
"That's the only option. I have no confidence in solving this alone."
Director Wang was dissatisfied with his defeatist tone but had no authority over him.
Instead, she changed the subject.
"Yi Zhonghai should be awake soon. I'll go to the hospital. Perhaps he can provide additional details. Send someone with me?"
Chief Li nodded.
"I'll send Officer Xiao Wang."
After Director Wang left, Chief Li continued investigating briefly before returning to the station to report upward.
—
Not long after the police departed, Xu Damao finally returned—completely drunk.
He failed to notice anything unusual.
Stumbling home, he collapsed onto the bed and passed out.
Qin Jingru tried shaking him repeatedly, but he wouldn't wake.
She could only sit nearby, anxious and troubled.
—
Soon, once it was confirmed that the neighborhood committee and police had truly left, the courtyard residents slowly emerged again.
Except for the families who had lost money, others gathered quietly in the central and front courtyards.
Whispers filled the night air.
Speculation.
Fear.
And unease.
No one knew—
The calm surface of No. 95 Courtyard had already been permanently broken.
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