Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 213 True or False First Love 13_1

Chapter 213: Chapter 213 True or False First Love 13_1

It was about time for dinner, and since Zhou Dajiang hadn’t provided any living expenses, Zhang Shifen decided not to cook and instead went to the cafeteria to eat.

Although it was cafeteria food, which couldn’t compare to homemade meals, it had the advantage of not requiring any work, and was somewhat relaxing.

Unexpectedly, just by going downstairs, she would hear such explosive news, "I’m hiding my own stash of money?"

It was obvious that Zhou Juan was shifting the blame onto her, "Why would I need to hide any money?"

"After my dad passed away, the steel plant was paying me an allowance."

"My mom didn’t use mine; she saved it all for me." Otherwise, that girl wouldn’t be so brazen with money.

Zhang Shifen still had some money, which she had saved during her marriage to Zhou Lina’s father.

She had always planned to give it to Zhou Lina when she became sensible, or started working, got married, and had children.

This time, seeing that Zhou Lina had become sensible and was studying hard in hopes of passing the exam to work at the steel plant.

Zhang Shifen mentioned the saved money to Zhou Lina, actually worried about Zhou Dajiang causing trouble on his end.

Of course, there was no need to tell them about this sum of money, to avoid certain people fixating on it and making things very embarrassing.

Old Madam Zhou really found out for the first time that the steel plant was giving Zhou Lina money every month, and the problem was that Zhou Dajiang had never mentioned this money.

There might be a chance that Zhou Dajiang didn’t even know about this money, since Zhang Shifen never brought it up.

"So do I need to steal money?"

"Plus, every time I come over, I just stay in the living room, where Uncle Zhou’s family plays host, and there are many people around; how could I take money?"

"Could it be that the money is just carelessly left in the living room?"

"Of course, if Zhou Juan still insists on this, I can’t prove whether I am wronged, my only option is to turn to GWH and the police station."

"I think only they can prove my innocence." Zhou Lina knew about this issue, and she definitely couldn’t shrink back.

She had to confront it head-on, and of course, the best way was to turn to the relevant authorities.

Everyone already had doubts about believing Zhou Juan’s words, wondering who would just leave their money in the living room.

Especially since they were old neighbors, everyone knew that aside from Zhou Dahai hosting, Zhou Lina hardly ever visited them.

Nowadays, everyone’s life was hard, who would play host? Even during the Spring Festival, people would bring their own ingredients and gather together to eat.

Old Madam Zhou, of course, knew that so much money would absolutely not be stolen by Zhou Lina and kept here; theoretically, it didn’t make any sense.

But if it would tarnish Zhou Lina’s reputation, she was very happy; it was also a warning to Zhang Shifen.

Warning her not to cause trouble, as the Zhou family had plenty of ways to deal with her.

Even if Zhang Shifen found out later and proved Zhou Lina’s innocence, what then? After such a delay, the issue would have spread, and some might come to believe Zhou Lina was unclean with her hands.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Lina stood up for herself without needing Zhang Shifen to take action, "That’s really not necessary."

The old lady dared not let people from GWH or the police come; doing so would absolutely ruin their family’s reputation.

The old lady glared fiercely at Zhou Juan for a long time; she really was a bad omen, incapable at work and yet always ready to eat her fill.

No, she absolutely couldn’t stay here, she must not be allowed to remain here; the old lady decided to promptly arrange for her to go to the countryside as part of the Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside Movement.

She had to go to the countryside, she couldn’t be kept at home, as it was truly said, "A grown daughter can’t be kept at home; keeping her only brings resentment."

Zhou Juan shivered, feeling indignant inside; when she said the money was stolen by Zhou Lina, she hadn’t seen her standing up to speak.

She definitely concurred with the actions taken; now that the situation was dire, the blame was shifted onto her, treating her like a soft persimmon to squeeze.

As much as she felt aggrieved, what could Zhou Juan do? As the saying goes, you can’t help but bow your head when you live under someone’s roof, "Xiao Na, there’s no need for it to be like this."

"There’s no need to go to GWH and the like."

Just like that? Such vague talk makes people think that you simply don’t want to provoke certain individuals.

In fact, it’s still her who stole the money, but Zhou Juan and the others are sensible, not wanting to blow the situation out of proportion.

"How can you say it’s unnecessary like this?" Zhou Lina was, of course, absolutely not in agreement, "I know everyone will think I’m making a mountain out of a molehill."

Though the surrounding neighbors didn’t speak out, they certainly thought so in their hearts; neither of the two accused, after all, was someone easily trifled with.

"If possible, I wouldn’t want to either."

"But now that it’s implicating my character, I need to clarify the matter."

"Whether it’s Grandpa Zhou, Grandma Zhou, or Zhou Juan, in their hearts, they must think that I was the thief."

"Otherwise, why would Old Madam Zhou find the money exactly where I said Zhou Juan’s private stash was?"

"To be honest, I too was shocked to see Grandma Zhou finding so much money."

"I thought Zhou Juan would just hide a little bit of pocket money, like twenty or thirty, but this amount of money..."

Zhou Lina wore an expression of utter shock, "Really, it’s a lot of money, and this is just a part of it; there’s a lot more that hasn’t been found, Dad."

A quick scan of the area affirmed that the home was stuffed full of items; there were many possible places to hide private savings.

Upon hearing this, everyone thought it made sense; after all, secret savings would be hidden in a very secure place, so how would Zhou Lina know?

Unless she herself saw the money being placed there, how could she be so certain?

No one would hoard their secret savings in front of Zhou Lina, unless she was the one hiding the money.

"So, I need to prove my innocence even more now or my reputation will be ruined, and it could even affect my mother, not to mention my deceased father."

Zhou Lina began to sob, "I absolutely cannot tarnish my father’s name."

Everyone remembered Zhou Lina’s biological father; though they had never met him, they knew of his deeds.

Given her emotional state, no one thought anymore that she was making a fuss over nothing; after all, the reputation of one’s ancestors was absolutely sacred and mustn’t be tarnished.

Zhou Juan had actually thought it through; she’d bow her head for now, and when the opportunity arose, she’d stoke the flames and ruin Zhou Lina’s reputation, or else she would count it as her loss.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Lina reacted so swiftly, even invoking her deceased father, leading to a dramatic shift in the situation.

Zhou Juan was truly annoyed. Why couldn’t Zhou Dahai encounter such an opportunity? Besides bringing home a modest salary each month, he was of no other use.

Such a person really had no reason to be alive; he should have fought for sufficient benefits for the family, so that everyone would remember her fondly.

Zhou Juan let out a soft sigh when she felt someone pushing her. What now?

She looked around with displeasure and realized it was Old Madam Zhou who had pushed her, startling her considerably.

"Grandma, what’s the matter?" Zhou Juan sensed that Old Madam Zhou was quite upset and wondered what had happened.

Seeing Zhou Juan standing there dumbfounded, Old Madam Zhou’s face grew increasingly awkward, "What are you standing there for?"

"Chase after Zhou Lina."

In a whisper in Zhou Juan’s ear, she said, "If you can’t resolve this matter, then you see to it."

It was infuriating—she knew that they absolutely had to stop Zhou Lina from running outside.

Yet, unexpectedly, they had still let her slip away.

A few neighbors were still standing at the doorway, watching them intently.

Old Madam Zhou knew they were there to prevent any foul play, and it made her seethe with anger.

Zhou Juan acted like a dead person, not moving an inch. Humph, just like her mother—useless at work but always first in line when it comes to money and benefits.