Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback

CHAPTER 86: The First Wife of a 1980s Big Shot Who Died Young (19)

　　Qin Huaijing applied pressure through the military, and the police station quickly stepped in to investigate.

　　By the very next day, there was already a response. Based on the information Huo Meilan provided, the officers successfully took down a trafficking den.

　　Meanwhile, they also found new leads on Wu Dajun. After being interrogated strictly for over a day and night without rest, he finally confessed that he had indeed once considered it, but had not managed to carry it out.

　　He also admitted that his uncle had previously been involved in similar trafficking and matchmaking schemes.

　　Following this lead, the police uncovered another trafficking network and rescued a number of women and children.

　　Wu Dajun was taken into custody.

　　Because Huo Meilan was a military spouse, her identity was protected by the state. Knowing full well she was a military wife yet still attempting to traffic her meant the crime was considered even more serious.

　　Maliciously replacing a military spouse and being suspected of leaking sensitive information added further charges on top of that.

　　In the end, the main culprit, Wu Dajun, was sentenced to thirty years in prison.

　　Liu Cuijuan, as an accomplice who knowingly covered up the crime, was also punished. As Huo Meilan’s biological mother, her actions were seen as even more morally corrupt and inhumane, and she was sentenced to twenty-eight years.

　　Wu Meifang, who did not know her parents had contacted traffickers and did not take part in the actual crime, but had attempted to impersonate a military spouse, was ultimately sentenced to fifteen years.

　　The Wu family of five ended up with three people arrested. The remaining twin sons were so frightened they ran a high fever for two days. When they finally woke up, their personalities had completely changed, and they spent their days hiding everywhere, terrified the police would come for them too.

　　The old couple from the Wu family cried all day long, cursing Liu Cuijuan for being a “jinxed woman” who had ruined their entire family.

　　Both the young and the old were pointed at and gossiped about whenever they stepped outside. Some villagers even threw stones at them, forcing them to hide at home and not dare to go out.

　　The village leaders also kept strict watch over the family. They were marked as a high-risk household, closely monitored in case they caused more trouble and brought shame to the village.

　　When Huo Meilan heard that three members of the Wu family had been sentenced, she felt it was still too light on them. But this was already the harshest outcome that could be achieved under the law.

　　By the time they were released after thirty years, both husband and wife would be in their seventies, old and frail, hardly capable of causing any more trouble.

　　In a way, it was considered justice for original Huo Meilan herself.

　　However, because of Wu Dajun’s disturbance, there were still some negative rumors circulating around the school.

　　The principal of First High School even posted an official notice on campus, stating that student Huo Meilan was an outstanding student with proper conduct, her grades were completely genuine, and all rumors were false. Anyone spreading false information would be reported to the police.

　　——

　　Huo Meilan once again boarded the train heading to the capital.

　　Qin Huaijing had arranged for two sleeper berths, so the journey was not too hard on her.

　　After more than half a year, she returned to the little Western-style house again. Her in-laws had hung up a celebratory banner, set off firecrackers, and even prepared gifts for her university admission.

　　The commotion was so big that the rest of the compound came over to take a look.

　　Huo Meilan only felt warmth in her heart. She could clearly feel how valued she was. Her in-laws truly treated her like their own daughter.

　　Qin Guozhong and Lai Suyun led their daughter-in-law around, greeting the neighbors.

　　Last time during New Year, they only stayed a few days in a rush, so she barely had time to get to know anyone. This time, she finally had the chance to be properly introduced.

　　Everyone in the compound held fairly high positions, and their families were naturally polite and well-mannered, so introductions went smoothly.

　　Soon after, Father Fang came over with his newly married wife to congratulate them. He even brought a gift box for Huo Meilan.

　　“Meilan, right? I’m your Uncle Fang. Brother Qin and his wife are truly blessed. Such a beautiful and smart girl, you and Huaijing are a perfect match. This is just a small gift from Uncle Fang. Please take it.”

　　His new wife looked to be in her early thirties, gentle and refined. She gave Huo Meilan a soft smile and said, “Meilan, nice to meet you. My name is Ma Zhen. You can just call me Aunt Zhen.”

　　You don’t hit a smiling face, and besides, that unpleasant Madam Fang was no longer around. Huo Meilan smiled and politely thanked them both.

　　Not far away, Fang Jiao watched as her father flattered and fawned over Huo Meilan with that “fox spirit” of a woman by his side. She bit her lip hard, almost drawing blood, her anger boiling over.    

　　Huo Meilan noticed the gaze and glanced over casually, spotting Fang Jiao standing at the entrance in a red plaid dress.

　　Compared to their first meeting before the New Year, she had changed quite a bit. Her hair was shorter, her style more mature, and her face was filled with resentment.

　　Huo Meilan lost interest almost immediately and looked away.

　　Fang Jiao had learned from her mother, but in the end, all that resentment would only bring suffering to herself.

　　After greeting the neighbors, the family returned home.

　　For Huo Meilan’s university gift, Lai Suyun had prepared a newly released portable cassette player. She believed that while studying was important, one also needed to relax, and listening to music was a good way to relieve stress.

　　Qin Guozhong, being a rough-and-simple man, was not good with these things. But after hearing his son once mention taking photos for Meilan, he prepared a camera for his daughter-in-law instead.

　　Since she was about to go to university, she could take more photos there. In the future, they would become beautiful memories of her youth.

　　Both gifts were electronic items, and Huo Meilan liked them very much. She sweetly thanked her in-laws, calling them “Mom” and “Dad.”

　　Lai Suyun only had one son and no daughter, which had always been a small regret. Seeing how adorable her daughter-in-law was, she couldn’t help but smile.

　　“I also asked a friend to order a television. You’ll be staying here often in the future anyway, so our family can sit together and watch TV.”

　　Nearby, Qin Huaijing who was peeling peanuts couldn’t help but interrupt, “Mom, when you say ‘our family,’ does that include me?”

　　Lai Suyun glanced at him. “Whether you come back or not doesn’t matter. Even if you’re not around, it makes no difference. Your father and I are fine with just Meilan.”

　　This brat barely came home once or twice a year anyway. After getting married, his whole heart was on his wife, and he cared about Meilan even more than he cared about them.

　　Qin Huaijing split the peeled peanuts into two halves, stuffed one half into his wife’s hand, and walked over to his mother with the other half.    

　　He draped an arm around her shoulder and bumped her lightly like a buddy, grinning as he said, “Aiyo, Comrade Lai Suyun, are you getting jealous now? Have some peanuts to cool off.”

　　Lai Suyun laughed and pushed him away, half amused, half exasperated. “You’re already this grown and still acting like a fool. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you? I’ve got your dad, I don’t need you peeling peanuts for me.”

　　Hearing that, Qin Guozhong chuckled and grabbed a handful of peanuts himself. “I’ll peel some for you, then.”

　　Qin Huaijing could only shake his head helplessly. “Alright then, looks like this son of yours is no longer needed.”

　　He went back to sit beside his wife and casually started popping peanuts into his mouth one by one.

　　Qin Guozhong saw it and let out a laugh. “Hey, you brat, so you’re eating them yourself now?”

　　Qin Huaijing rested both hands behind his head and replied in resignation, “Dad, I am your son.”

　　The implied meaning was clear. Please don’t be too biased.

　　Qin Guozhong immediately scoffed. “Peanuts for your wife, peanuts for your mom, but none for your old man. I don’t have a filial son like you.”

　　Qin Huaijing choked a little. He had thought his father meant his wife at first, only to realize he was talking about himself. That one really caught him off guard.

　　Huo Meilan and Lai Suyun couldn’t help but laugh.

　　Since there was still some time before school started, Lai Suyun figured that since her daughter-in-law had already been introduced to everyone, they might as well go ahead and hold the wedding too.

　　She found a master to pick an auspicious date and checked if they could make it before school began. It turned out they could.

　　So she brought it up to the couple.

　　Qin Huaijing naturally agreed without hesitation, and Huo Meilan thought about it and nodded as well.

　　They were free anyway during the break. Might as well get married, and then she could fully focus on her studies once school started.

  

  

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