Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 161: Coming to the Door

Lou Wenjian and Yi Weiliang held back their impulses firmly. If they resorted to violence, the situation would become even more complicated.

"Youning, you have another uncle and an aunt. Do you want to live with them?" Lou Wenjian asked.

"Auntie, Auntie, good." Liu Youning seemed to recall something, a smile appearing on his face, "Candy, sweet."

"Brother, sister, good, candy, sweet, fragrant." Liu Youning said with a smile to Yi Weiliang.

"It seems Liu Guangmei and her children are kind to Youning." Lou Wenjian said.

"Brother, this brother." Liu Youning furrowed his little brows slightly and pointed at Yi Weiliang.

Yi Weiliang suddenly understood and explained to Lou Wenjian with a smile. At that time, he intended to care for Liu Youning while seeing Liu Molin, Yi Roujing was also there that day and gave Liu Youning candy.

"Pretty sister." Liu Youning said with wide, innocent eyes, prompting a good-natured laugh from the two. How could someone so young already recognize beauty?

"Weiliang, I’m heading back first. Once in the county town, I’ll go directly to find Youning’s aunt." Lou Wenjian couldn’t wait a moment longer.

"Lou, please convey to Youning’s aunt that I’m willing to forgo any military compensation and support him myself." Yi Weiliang said earnestly.

"Alright, I understand." Lou Wenjian nodded and then left.

Afterwards, Yi Weiliang continued talking to Liu Youning in a stream of chatter until the sun set. He didn’t leave until he saw Liu Youning enter his eldest uncle’s house before riding his bicycle back.

Meanwhile, by the time Lou Wenjian arrived in Huaixi County, it was just after four in the afternoon. He went straight to the textile factory, showed his work ID, and headed directly to the employee dormitory.

Liu Guangmei’s husband also worked as a worker in the factory workshop. Along with a son and a daughter, the four of them lived in a shared building.

Lou Wenjian knocked on the door, and it was opened by a girl around ten years old, who looked at Lou Wenjian with some curiosity. "Uncle, who are you looking for?"

"Is Liu Guangmei here?"

"Mom, there’s an uncle looking for you." As soon as the girl finished speaking, Liu Guangmei and her husband came out.

"Who is this, comrade?" Liu Guangmei asked in confusion, not recognizing him.

"Comrade Liu Guangmei, hello, I’m from the Huaixi County Public Security Bureau." Lou Wenjian presented his work ID, startling both Liu Guangmei and her husband, who nervously invited him inside.

"Officer, we are honest people. We’ve never done anything wrong." Liu Guangmei’s husband, Ma Baidao, said in a flustered tone.

"Mr. Ma, there’s no need to be nervous." Lou Wenjian reassured them with a smile, "I’m here today to discuss Liu Youning’s situation."

"Youning?" Liu Guangmei’s voice rose, "What happened to Youning?"

"Youning is a military dependent, yet we discovered he has been mistreated. We believe it is unsuitable for him to continue living with his eldest uncle’s family." Lou Wenjian said with a serious expression, "Comrade Liu Guangmei, you are Youning’s aunt. I’m here to ask if you can take good care of Youning."

"What? My brother and sister-in-law mistreat Youning? Officer, is there some misunderstanding?" Liu Guangmei was shocked.

After her parents passed, although Liu Guangmei seldom returned to the Wan Tang Production Team, she visited during holidays. Each time, her sister-in-law treated Youning well, showing concern and even giving him egg custard.

"There’s no misunderstanding. I saw it with my own eyes." Lou Wenjian stated gravely, "Liu Youning has numerous marks from beatings on his body and is very thin. Liu Guangmao’s family of five is full of energy, yet a five-year-old child doesn’t get enough to eat. If this isn’t mistreatment, what is it?"

"And they’re good at putting on a show." Lou Wenjian shared everything he had found, and Liu Guangmei’s face grew paler as she listened.

"Liu Youning is a military dependent, his daily expenses should be covered by the state. I called Liu Guangliang’s unit to inquire, and went to the post office. On the fifth of every month, a remittance slip is sent to the Wan Tang Production Team, twenty yuan. How much can a small child spend in a month? They take the money and still treat him this way."

"I didn’t have the unit intervene today, which is already considering the family ties, since they’re Comrade Liu Guangliang’s blood brother and sister-in-law. Otherwise, people who mistreat the dependents of soldiers might face imprisonment." Lou Wenjian spoke with gravity.

"Comrade Liu Guangmei, if you don’t believe me, go see for yourself tomorrow. Don’t tell any relatives you’re coming, see for yourself how they treat the child." Lou Wenjian said, looking directly at Liu Guangmei.

Liu Guangmei had already believed the police officer had done the investigation, it must be true. Thinking about her brother and sister-in-law’s behavior, she was so angry that she wanted to go to the Wan Tang Production Team immediately.

"I’ll go first thing tomorrow, I’ll bring Youning over directly." Liu Guangmei promised.

"Mm, I’ll go with you." Lou Wenjian replied.

Liu Guangmei was startled, she didn’t expect the officer to say this. If he accompanied her, her brother and sister-in-law might think she was after the compensation.

Lou Wenjian noticed Liu Guangmei’s concern and explained, "I was a soldier before I was reassigned, and a comrade reported Youning’s situation to the Public Security Bureau."

"That family had received kindness from Comrade Liu Guangliang and were grateful. They want to care for Youning and said they don’t even need the compensation." Lou Wenjian’s words dispelled Liu Guangmei’s suspicion. Not requiring compensation to care for a child, that was true gratitude.

"I also came here thinking about transferring Youning’s guardianship to you. If you agree, you may let the family raise him later." Lou Wenjian said, "But this isn’t urgent, getting Youning here is the priority."

"Yes, I understand."

Ma Baidao and Liu Guangmei personally saw him off at the factory gate before returning.

"What do you think?" Back at home, Ma Baidao asked his wife.

"Our family doesn’t have anyone to take care of the child regularly." Liu Guangmei sighed. The child needs to attend school, and both of them need to work, "But let’s get the child first, then I’ll ask the officer about that family. If they’re trustworthy, they can raise him, and we’ll give them the compensation."

Ma Baidao nodded. He had no interest in the compensation; it was earned by Liu Guangliang with his life. He couldn’t understand how Liu Guangmao and Lv Amei could spend the money and still mistreat Liu Youning. Weren’t they afraid of retribution?

On Monday, June 23rd, Liu Guangmei took leave from her boss and took a direct ride to Tongxian Commune, then walked to the Wan Tang Production Team.

She arrived just when everyone was busy with work. She deliberately chose a smaller path home to avoid being seen. When she saw her brother’s courtyard gate, her heart sank. The newly built wall hadn’t been there before. She understood whose money was used.

The courtyard wall was not very high. When Liu Guangmei walked closer and stood on tiptoe, she could see the situation inside. Liu Youning, dressed sloppily, was washing clothes in the yard, while her sister-in-law and Liu Mohe sat in the courtyard eating sunflower seeds.