As the rolling mill's end-of-work bell rang, the third cafeteria's back kitchen gradually emptied.
Aside from Ma Hua, Fatty, and Liu Lan—whom He Jin had kept behind to help with the evening banquet—everyone else bid him goodbye and headed home.
All the ingredients for the private banquet had already been prepared. They were simply waiting for Director Liu's notice.
Seated in his usual spot, He Jin glanced at the three apprentices waiting expectantly, then let his gaze drift out the window.
His thoughts had already returned to Courtyard No. 95.
It wouldn't be long now.
He was certain the courtyard would soon erupt into chaos. There was no way the thefts would remain hidden past today. Tonight would be lively.
Unfortunately, he likely wouldn't witness Yi Zhonghai and the others' initial reactions.
Still, staying for overtime was the safer option. It strengthened his alibi and reduced the risk of accidentally revealing something through poor acting.
He wasn't a professional performer. If even a flicker of inappropriate emotion crossed his face, someone as shrewd as Yi Zhonghai might catch it.
By the time he returned home, it would be dark. Even if his reaction wasn't perfectly controlled, no one would clearly see his expression.
Suspicion would be harder to form.
—
Meanwhile, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and the others were strolling home as usual, unaware their houses had already been emptied.
Qin Huairu, however, walked faster than usual.
Earlier that day, she had once again maneuvered ten yuan out of Xu Damao. Eager to stash it away safely, she hurried back.
She arrived ahead of the others.
After exchanging a few routine words with Third Uncle Yan at the front courtyard, she quickly returned to the Jia household.
Her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, was lying on the bed as always.
A flash of annoyance crossed Qin Huairu's eyes, but she said nothing. After casually speaking to her two daughters, she began preparing dinner.
She couldn't hide money in front of her mother-in-law.
If Jia Zhangshi saw it, there would be endless scolding—and worse, the money she had painstakingly saved would never remain hers. Her mother-in-law only knew how to demand "retirement money," never to give.
When dinner was nearly ready, Jia Zhangshi finally got up to use the toilet outside.
Seizing the opportunity, Qin Huairu sent her daughters out on an errand, then hurried to the wardrobe.
She carefully pulled out the old garment at the bottom of the stack—the one she used to hide her savings.
But just as she prepared to slip the new ten yuan into the pocket, her fingers paused.
The pocket felt… thinner.
A chill ran through her.
Hands trembling, she dug into the pocket and pulled out the stack.
It was noticeably thinner.
For a moment, her mind went blank. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.
After several long breaths, she forced herself to count.
Six hundred… and some change.
One thousand five hundred yuan was gone.
Gone.
She frantically checked the wardrobe, hoping the money had fallen somewhere.
Nothing.
Her world seemed to collapse.
But she didn't dare cry out.
If Jia Zhangshi or the neighbors heard, how would she explain having hidden so much money?
Suppressing her panic, she quickly stuffed the remaining six hundred-plus yuan into the most concealed place on her body, rearranged the wardrobe, and shakily returned to the stove.
She would never hide money in that spot again.
Staring blankly at the steaming pot, she tried to think.
Her first instinct was her mother-in-law.
Regret flooded her. She had assumed Jia Zhangshi was too lazy to rummage through clothes. That was why she'd hidden the money deep in the pile.
But then she reconsidered.
If her mother-in-law had discovered such a large sum, she would never have left six hundred behind. Nor would she remain so quiet.
There would have been a storm.
Then… was it Bang Geng?
But even if her son dared to steal, he wouldn't take that much.
If it wasn't her mother-in-law or her son, then who?
Her mother-in-law and daughters had been home all day. How could someone else have entered and found money hidden so carefully?
After circling through possibilities, she could only cling to one hope:
Perhaps Bang Geng had taken it impulsively and hidden it somewhere.
At least then, the money would still be within reach.
When Jia Zhangshi returned, Qin Huairu served dinner. After giving portions to her daughters, she casually asked why Bang Geng wasn't back yet.
"I'll go check," she said lightly, stepping outside.
Her mother-in-law didn't suspect anything and focused on devouring a cornbread bun.
Outside, Bang Geng was just entering the courtyard with his schoolbag.
Qin Huairu intercepted him.
"You've been playing again, haven't you? Look at you—dusty as ever."
"I didn't!" he protested, a hint of guilt flickering.
"Alright, alright," she said gently, patting his head.
Then she glanced back toward the house and lowered her voice.
"Bang Geng… tell Mama honestly. Did you take any money from the wardrobe today?"
"Money? There's money in the wardrobe?" he asked, genuinely confused.
Her heart sank.
It wasn't him either.
If not her mother-in-law… not her son…
Then how?
Could it be a thief?
But that made no sense. A thief wouldn't leave money behind.
Swallowing her turmoil, she forced a smile.
"Oh, nothing. Mama thought I left two mao in a pocket after buying groceries. It's gone. Just asking."
Bang Geng perked up. "I didn't take it! But I can help you look. If I find it, buy me candy!"
She nearly sighed.
The last thing she wanted was her son rummaging through the wardrobe and accidentally exposing her hidden savings to Jia Zhangshi.
"No need. Mama probably remembered wrong. Go eat."
He looked disappointed for a second, then brightened. "I'm hungry!"
Without waiting, he dashed inside and sat at the table.
Outside, Qin Huairu remained standing for a moment.
The evening air felt heavy.
Somewhere deep down, an unease she couldn't name began to spread.