Chapter 20: We Have Proof

Seeing Lu Cheng start frantically fastening his belt, Zhong Qingbao was startled for a moment.

"Yo, you didn't even have time to put your pants on!"

Lu Cheng chuckled, "Isn't it because you were pushing so hard? I was almost scared to death by you."

"Heh, so that means I disturbed your good business?"

Lu Cheng still wore a mischievous grin: "It's not too bad, but next time you come, please give me a heads‑up. Doing it so suddenly—if I get seriously scared, won't I end up a eunuch for the rest of my life?"

Zhong Qingbao glared, "Stop talking nonsense. Notify you in advance? If I told you beforehand, how could I catch you red‑handed?"

"Comrade Public Security, you all saw it, right? The pants weren't even on—this is evidence, evidence of illicit relations between a man and a woman."

"He must be taken for a public parade, harshly denounced, and after the denunciation sent to labor."

Finally, he caught the two of them in the mistake.

Yesterday, following Director Zhang's instructions, they prepared to continue the ideological attack on Lin Qingyan's status as an Educated Youth.

Unfortunately, Xu Erye was present in the morning, and Lin Qingyan was not at home in the afternoon.

He was worrying about this matter when, that night, someone reported that Lu Cheng had taken Lin Qingyan home and never came out again.

A solitary, unmarried woman in a courtyard—this must be illicit relations between a man and a woman.

If we just pin this hat on them, not only will Lin Qingyan obediently go to the countryside for labor, but that bastard Lu Cheng will also be affected.

These days, illicit relations between a man and a woman are a serious offense.

Caught red‑handed, let's see how Lu Cheng will try to argue this time.

Having received a report from the Street Office, Comrade Public Security is also very attentive to the matter.

Just as they were about to step forward and take the person away, Lu Cheng immediately said, "Comrade Public Security, listen to my argument… no, listen to my explanation!"

Comrade Public Security wore a grim face, pointed at his improperly worn pants, and asked, "What else is there to explain?"

Of course he must explain; otherwise, the belt wouldn't have been cut for nothing—he just wants to give Zhong Qingbao a proper beating.

"Comrade Public Security, I am being wronged; you can't just listen to one side of the story."

Zhong Qingbao, knowing he would argue, retorted, "Wronged? Nonsense. I guarded here all night yesterday, so don't tell me you just arrived."

Lu Cheng didn't deny: "I indeed stayed here for a night, but you can't say we were engaged in illicit relations; this courtyard has more than one room."

"I…" Zhong Qingbao was instantly speechless, then forced himself to say, "We all saw you two on the same bed; you still want to argue."

This hat must be pinned on them.

Lu Cheng burst out laughing: "What did you see? That you saw us doing that? Comrade Public Security, tell me where he is the one at fault. We were the ones handling business; he was leaning against the wall spying. He's the one being a scoundrel, you should arrest him."

The two comrades of Public Security exchanged glances, then looked at Zhong Qingbao, whose face was flushed red.

"Stop messing around here. I'm doing this for work; you are the one having illicit relations, you still think you're right…"

At that moment, Lin Qingyan came out, and Zhong Qingbao, realizing he couldn't outtalk Lu Cheng, simply turned to question Lin Qingyan.

"You, be honest: were you two on the same bed yesterday?"

Seeing Zhong Qingbao, Lin Qingyan's face was full of disgust.

This is because her father fell into trouble; when he was still in office, these people often flattered her family.

Yesterday, she hadn't slept on the same bed with Lu Cheng at all; just as she was about to tell the truth, she suddenly noticed Lu Cheng winking at her.

It seemed to imply an admission that they had shared a bed last night.

She was a bit confused, but thinking Lu Cheng must have his own reasoning, she went along and said as he suggested.

"Yes, we did sleep on the same bed."

Zhong Qingbao was instantly delighted: "Great, you really have no shame—having illicit relations and saying it so naturally."

"Comrade Public Security, this looks like a repeat offender, lacking even the slightest shame. As they say, a daughter reflects her father; if the beam is crooked, the rafters will be too. He must be harshly denounced."

Hearing Zhong Qingbao insult her father, Lin Qingyan couldn't hold back, glared and said, "You're the one without shame; who is having illicit relations?"

Seeing his wife genuinely angry, Lu Cheng hurriedly stepped in front, whispering, "Don't be angry, wife; it's not worth it for people like this."

Zhong Qingbao's ears perked up: "Hey, listen, this person is shameless, even dragging the wife into it. Comrade Public Security, he's really got no shame."

Lu Cheng immediately took over: "Comrade Public Security, he's the one calling you shameless."

As soon as the words fell, the still‑angry Lin Qingyan was teased into laughing out loud.

"What on earth is Lu Cheng up to?"

Zhong Qingbao hurried to explain: "No, no, I didn't insult you; he twisted my words."

Comrade Public Security inhaled, "Alright, alright, since you both admit it, please come with us for a walk."

Lu Cheng, having had enough fun, gave Lin Qingyan a signal.

Lin Qingyan returned to the house, and after a moment took out an item.

Zhong Qingbao didn't know what it was and was about to take it, but Lin Qingyan bypassed him and handed it to the two Public Security officers.

"Marriage Certificate? You two are married?" the Public Security officer asked, but the red seal of the Street Office was on it, so it couldn't be wrong.

Hearing the Public Security officer's words, Zhong Qingbao was stunned for a moment.

"What? Married? That's impossible—our Street Office didn't approve it; she couldn't have married."

The Public Security officer showed him the certificate: "It's not stamped with your Street Office's seal; it's fine for the groom's Street Office to issue it."

Zhong Qingbao still didn't believe it, snatched the certificate and examined it carefully.

Really married?

How could these two possibly be married?

He plopped onto the ground and muttered, "It's over; now there's no chance for the house."

Another Public Security officer's tone was less gentle.

"What's wrong with you? They're a married couple; the facts haven't been fully investigated, yet you filed a random report—you're wasting police resources."

"And you, comrade, why didn't you produce the Marriage Certificate earlier?"

Lu Cheng smiled, "You keep being so pushy; it's not like I didn't give you a chance. Besides, I just want to see him get a slap in the face."

Rebirth without a slap, like a silk‑clad night walk.

The higher Zhong Qingbao leapt before, the more dejected he is now.

If you take it out early, it loses that effect.

Lu Cheng's words choked the two Public Security officers as well; angry, they turned and left.

The remaining Zhong Qingbao, fearing a beating, hurriedly got up and ran.

Lin Qingyan returned to the room early; after Lu Cheng entered, she straightened the quilt while saying, "Why are you still acting like you never grew up? What's there to say with that kind of person?"

She meant that the Marriage Certificate should have been taken out in advance, yet Lu Cheng deliberately teased Zhong Qingbao; as soon as the words finished, her body was suddenly pulled onto the bed again.

"Who said anyone never grew up? How about trying it now?"

Lu Cheng's hands were braced there, his face just inches away, still looking the same reckless as before, yet his eyes held a depth, especially the hot breath on his face, making Lin Qingyan unable to look directly.

She turned her head, closed her eyes, and covered her chest with one hand: "You didn't want it last night; now there's no chance."

She waited a long time but never got a reply.

When she opened her eyes again, there were twenty coins on the pillow beside her.

And that wild man had already left the room.