Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2731 - 2667: Dismissed Over an Incident

~3 minute read · 658 words
Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...
Jiang Xiao learns that a devastating fire occurred at an institute about two and a half years ago, claiming the lives of several children and staff members, mostly women. She questions the elders, hoping to find someone named Qingshuang or Shi Xiaoching, but no one recognizes the name. They suggest she speak with the former town mayor, who was deeply involved with the institute and might know who Qingshuang is.

Aunt saw Jiang Xiao’s deep disappointment, felt a bit empathetic, and couldn’t help but quietly speak to her.

It’s just that when she mentioned the former mayor, she lowered her voice, as if afraid to be overheard.

Former mayor?

Or Mayor Qian?

Jiang Xiao was about to ask further when that aunt gestured for her to come to a quieter place to talk.

Jiang Xiao retrieved the portrait, thanked the townspeople, and followed her to a street corner.

"Auntie, is your mayor’s surname Qian?"

"Not Qian, I mean the former mayor, the previous mayor." Auntie lowered her voice and said, "I only told you because I saw how upset you were not finding the person. The former mayor was dismissed because of that fire!"

Ah?

Jiang Xiao was shocked, "Wasn’t he very concerned about that welfare institution? If it was just the children playing with fire, he shouldn’t have been dismissed."

"Who knows? That’s the story anyway. After the former mayor was dismissed, he didn’t seem to have face to stay in town, so he moved away. You can go find him. I believe you ask him about Luofeng Institute, he would know everything."

"Then may I ask, Auntie, what is his full name? Do you know where he moved to?"

"His name is Gao Shan. I don’t know where he moved, but you can ask his nephew; his nephew’s name is Gao Shusheng, still living in town. I will point the way for you."

This Auntie was quite enthusiastic.

Jiang Xiao asked Guan Tiezhu to guard the car while she, accompanied by Luo Yongsheng, followed the direction pointed by the aunt, walked into a long alley, and at the deep end of the alley found a home with a new hand-pressed pump outside, which was Gao Shusheng’s home.

Two seven or eight-year-old children were playing with stones at the doorway, seated on the ground, not far from some chicken manure, but they played happily as if they hadn’t seen it.

A few chickens clucked leisurely around, looking quite relaxed.

Seeing them, the two children raised their heads and asked in unison, "Who are you looking for?"

"I’m looking for Gao Shusheng; is this his home?" Jiang Xiao, though feeling low and heavy-hearted, tried to appear more approachable.

"What are you looking for my dad for?"

Jiang Xiao fumbled in her pocket, took out a small handful of candies, and handed them over.

"Just want to ask some questions; is he home?"

Seeing the candies in her hand, the two children’s eyes brightened, and they immediately grabbed them.

With the handful of candies, the two children quickly said to Jiang Xiao enthusiastically, "My dad is out in the field cutting chives; I’ll go call him!"

They jumped up and ran into the alley to shout, "Dad, someone is looking for you!"

Soon, a man holding a basket of chives and a sickle in another hand returned with the two children.

His eyes brightened at the sight of Jiang Xiao.

Luo Yongsheng felt a little uncomfortable seeing that glint in his eyes, his face turned somber, and he whispered to Jiang Xiao, "Xiao Chiang, I’ll question him later."

Could Jiang Xiao not see the look in Gao Shusheng’s eyes?

A lecherous person.

But she just wanted to ask an address.

"Alright."

"Miss, I’m Gao Shusheng, are you looking for me?" Gao Shusheng placed the chives and sickle by the door, glanced Jiang Xiao up and down, and laughed, "Let’s talk inside, let’s talk inside."

As he spoke, he walked over and pressed the pump handle, and crystal-clear well water immediately flowed from the spout; he reached over with both hands to scrub them, turning to Jiang Xiao and said, "This is our newly dug well, pretty good, isn’t it? Water flows well, right?"