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

CHAPTER 85: The First Wife of a 1980s Big Shot Who Died Young (18)

　　The next day, the interview was held. On the third day, the morning newspaper in Qing Province featured both the male top scorer and Huo Meilan’s names. The two of them had only a one-point difference, while the third place lagged behind by nearly twenty to thirty points.

　　The Qin family in the capital was overjoyed when they heard the news.

　　Qin Guozhong was absolutely delighted and went around showing off to all his old comrades in the compound.

　　Lai Suyun was just as happy. Having such a capable daughter-in-law made the family proud, and even when she chatted with others, she could not help but stand a little straighter.

　　There were still two empty rooms at home, so she specifically cleared one out for her daughter-in-law to use as a study. She even hired a carpenter to custom-make a desk and bookshelf that a young girl would like.    

　　……

　　At the same time.

　　Wu family, Wu Dajun and Liu Cuijuan had both been dismissed from their jobs the previous year. On top of that, they were implicated in bullying an orphan girl and trying to change a marriage arrangement involving the stepdaughter. The army even got involved, and both of them were taken in by the neighborhood office and the women’s federation for a serious round of “education.”

　　Their reputation in the entire street was completely ruined.

　　Their twin sons even avoided going to school. The whole family had lost their jobs, the housing assigned by their work unit was taken back, and even their savings had been taken away by Huo Meilan.

　　In the end, they had no choice but to return to Wu Dajun’s hometown.

　　Even Wu family’s old parents were unwilling to take in such a large burden. Liu Cuijuan stayed in the countryside to take care of the elders and children, while Wu Dajun followed villagers around doing odd jobs to earn a bit of pocket money.

　　By coincidence, Wu Dajun went to a neighboring city in Qing Province. While passing a newspaper stand, he immediately saw Huo Meilan’s name.

　　He paid for a copy and learned that Huo Meilan was actually studying at a nearby First High School.

　　Without hesitation, he went straight to ask around and headed for the school.

　　If it weren’t for that little wretch, he would not have ended up in such a miserable state.

　　And now she even got into university.

　　Dreaming about a good life, huh?

　　When he reached the entrance of the school, he immediately started shouting loudly:

　　“This First High School has a student named Huo Meilan! Her character is terrible. Back in school, she was unclear with male classmates, and later even hooked up with a wealthy man. She didn’t even pass the university exam at first, but after getting married she suddenly got in. She must have bought her way in!”    

　　Because First High School had produced the province’s second top scorer, there had been a lot of people coming and going lately. When they heard such a big piece of gossip, a crowd quickly gathered to ask questions.

　　“Is that true? How do you even know?”

　　“I’m her father. Of course I know! That unfilial daughter took all our money and ran. Now our family of four can’t even afford meals…”

　　By the end, Wu Dajun was even choking up, breaking into tears as he spoke, sounding so emotional that quite a few people around him started to feel sympathetic.

　　“So he’s her father. He probably wouldn’t lie, right? These days young girls really are something…”

　　A woman carrying a basket frowned. “Could he be a scammer? Second place in the whole province, how could money just buy that? Anyone with a brain knows that’s impossible.”

　　Someone else chimed in, “Exactly. Who would dare tamper with exam papers? And the reporters wouldn’t be fools either. They must have already checked the student’s background.”

　　Wu Dajun gritted his teeth and cursed, “Why would I lie to you people? That’s the truth! Her husband is a military officer, they’ve got connections in the capital. Getting into university was easy for them. Our whole family got dragged down because of them. We lost our jobs and can’t even afford food now!”

　　At that moment, the principal of First High School and a security guard hurried over.

　　The guard immediately stepped forward to disperse the crowd.

　　“Everyone, move along! And you, stop causing trouble at the school. I’ll call the police on you!”

　　Meanwhile, Huo Meilan was packing her luggage. Her admission letter had already arrived.

　　Qin Huaijing just so happened to be heading to the capital the day after tomorrow for a meeting, so she would be going with him.

　　Right after she finished packing, a young soldier rushed in hurriedly.

　　“Sister-in-law, there’s a phone call for you. It’s from the principal of First High School.”

　　After thanking him, Huo Meilan followed the soldier out to take the call.

　　As she listened to the principal’s hurried explanation and the description of the man involved, her face darkened.

　　Wu Dajun?

　　She hadn’t even finished dealing with them, and he still had the nerve to come causing trouble?

　　Two hours later, Huo Meilan arrived in the county town and went straight to the police station.

　　Because Wu Dajun had caused a scene at First High School, the principal had already reported it and he had been taken away by the police.

　　When Huo Meilan arrived at the police station and saw Wu Dajun, he almost didn’t recognize her at first.

　　Was this really Huo Meilan?

　　Compared to before, she looked completely different now. More refined, dressed like the wife of a wealthy city family. Just one glance made it clear she was living well, without any worries about food or clothes.

　　On the other hand, his whole family of four wore patched clothes and were even struggling to get enough to eat.

　　Humiliated and furious, Wu Dajun pointed at her and shouted, “Huo Meilan, you little wretch! Did you say something to that big official? That’s why we got fired! You’ve got such a vicious heart!”

　　Huo Meilan stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.

　　“Shut your filthy mouth! What are you pretending to be? You dare impersonate my father? You shameless thing!”

　　Seeing the two of them about to fight, the police officers behind quickly stepped in and pulled them apart.

　　“Calm down! This is the police station. What do you think this place is?”    

　　Huo Meilan immediately changed her tone and said earnestly, “Comrade officer, I came here today to report a crime. This man not only spread false rumors and caused trouble, he also contacted human traffickers and almost had me abducted. People like this who endanger society should be dealt with according to the law!”

　　Rumors and disturbances could still be mediated, but the moment human trafficking and abduction were mentioned, the police immediately took it seriously.

　　They brought Huo Meilan in for a detailed statement and even took written notes.

　　Although she didn’t know the traffickers’ names, Huo Meilan recalled her own experience and carefully retraced what had happened. She remembered the transit points along the train route, how people were passed along several times before reaching the final buyer, and concluded that Wu Dajun must have been working with someone familiar.

　　After all, it would be difficult for the Wu family to suddenly connect with human traffickers. There had to be someone close to them acting as a middleman, likely someone they trusted. Ordinary people would not take such risks.

　　The police immediately detained Wu Dajun for strict questioning and, based on the information Huo Meilan provided, contacted the relevant local branch to verify the case.

　　By the time Qin Huaijing drove over, Huo Meilan was just walking out of the police station.

　　He stepped forward and asked, a little helplessly, “You came here and didn’t even tell me?”

　　Huo Meilan scratched his palm lightly and said, “You were busy on your side. Besides, I could handle it on my own.”

　　Qin Huaijing sighed and tapped her lightly on the head. “So what exactly happened?”

　　Holding his hand, Huo Meilan walked as she explained everything about Wu Dajun, including the fact that she had already filed a police report.

　　After hearing that the Wu family had even contacted human traffickers, trying to sell off his wife, Qin Huaijing really got angry.

　　Impersonation was one thing, but trying to get rid of her completely like that was beyond disgusting. They were worse than animals.

　　And what made it even more unbearable was that her own biological mother had been involved too. Just how much must that have hurt her? What kind of trash people were they?

　　Qin Huaijing held Huo Meilan’s hand and turned back into the police station. He made a phone call to his superior in the army, then went straight to the director’s office.