Chapter 247: Criminal Record

In Lin Fang’s mind, the ideal candidate to be a nanny for Teacher Guo was Granny Gao. Despite being over seventy years old, Granny Gao was remarkably strong, her physical prowess rivaling that of a middle-aged man. As a widow with no children or attachments, she had no complications in taking up the role of a nanny. Her straightforward and cheerful personality also made her a good match for Teacher Wang. Moreover, since Teacher Wang had no family or close friends, the two of them could keep each other company.

When Lin Fang shared her idea with Granny Gao, the latter was immediately intrigued. Although Granny Gao was a “five-guarantee” household (a welfare system for the elderly without family support), meaning the village would take care of her needs, and she had two and a half acres of farmland to sustain herself, the income from the land was barely enough to keep her fed, especially during droughts. Her usual expenses were covered by occasional matchmaking or foraging for wild food to sell—both of which relied heavily on luck and weren’t always successful.

After meeting Teacher Wang, both parties were satisfied. Teacher Wang quickly decided that if Granny Gao had no reservations, she could return with her to the county town the next day and live with Guo Hongping.

“Actually, Teacher Wang, I do have one concern,” Granny Gao blurted out. “I’ve heard from others who’ve worked as nannies in the city that urban folks eat from small bowls with fixed portions, and they never get full. Many quit shortly after starting—either because the employers complained about rural people eating too much or because they couldn’t bear the hunger themselves.” She finished in one breath, watching Teacher Wang’s reaction intently.

Teacher Wang chuckled at Granny Gao’s bluntness. “Big strength comes with a big appetite—how else would you have the energy? Don’t worry, I won’t let you go hungry. If you’re not full, how can you take care of others? Let me tell you, my appetite isn’t small either—otherwise, I wouldn’t have the strength to care for a grown man. The bowls in my house are just as big as the ones in your village. We’re two of a kind, so don’t overthink it.”

Granny Gao was reassured. “Oh? Really? Then it’s settled. I’ll go home and pack my things so I won’t hold us up tomorrow.” With that, she disappeared swiftly. Impressed by her efficiency, Teacher Wang grew even more satisfied.

As expected, most customers who tried the savory glutinous rice balls at the restaurant found them delicious. Some who lived nearby even bought a few pounds to take home. A few, however, disliked the unconventional flavor, calling it neither here nor there. Lin Fang didn’t mind—tastes varied, and it was impossible to please everyone. Just as most people preferred traditional sweet rice balls, she herself had never been fond of sweets.

Lin Yong didn’t return until the afternoon. He confirmed that the apprehended man was indeed one of the robbers from that day, though he hadn’t known him before. Given Lin Yong’s background as a former armed police officer, the police shared a bit more information with him, hoping for his cooperation in solving the case. The four robbers weren’t just involved in theft—they had other criminal records. What exactly those records were, Lin Yong didn’t say.

After finishing his explanation, Lin Yong picked up the sprayer to water the mushroom shed. Lin Fang followed him inside and asked, “Big Brother, do you have something to tell me?” She had noticed him glancing at her several times during the conversation, only to quickly look away. She sensed the matter must involve her or someone she knew.

Lin Yong laughed. “You’re sharp. I didn’t say a word—how’d you know?”

“Big Brother, stop teasing me. What’s going on?” Lin Fang wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

“Alright, let’s get serious.” Lin Yong’s smile faded as he asked, “How’s your relationship with Fu Hongxia?”

“Not great. We haven’t spoken much lately. Why? Is she involved in the robbery?” A bad feeling crept into Lin Fang’s heart.

Lin Fang’s family lived near the school, so almost all her classmates had visited their home at some point. Though Lin Yong wasn’t particularly talkative, he remembered most of the classmates he’d met. Fu Hongxia had been Lin Fang’s classmate in middle school and had visited often. After starting high school, since the county town was far and Fu Hongxia didn’t own a bicycle, she frequently hitched rides to Lin Fang’s house. Lin Yong had even given her a lift to school once.

Lin Yong shook his head. “She didn’t directly instigate it, but she’s definitely connected.”

“Big Brother, stop spraying for a minute. Tell me clearly what’s going on.” Lin Fang grabbed his arm anxiously.

“Fine. Maybe it’s better you know. You’re too naive to outsmart her—you’ll need to be cautious around her from now on.” Lin Yong set down the sprayer and recounted what the police had disclosed.

On the 29th day of the lunar month, Fu Hongxia had gone to her godfather to borrow money. During their conversation, she vented about her conflicts with classmates. Her godfather consoled her, promising to stand up for her against anyone who’d wronged her. He asked for details about each family involved, and Fu Hongxia told him everything she knew.

Upon hearing that Lin Fang had not only refused to help Fu Hongxia during her fight with Pi Xinhong but had also bullied her after she was discharged from the hospital, one of the godfather’s subordinates took matters into his own hands. He gathered a group of men, learned that Lin Yong’s family would be traveling on New Year’s Eve, and orchestrated the robbery on the slope. Their plan was to kidnap someone and demand a ransom, but they hadn’t anticipated Lin Yong’s combat skills or the even more formidable help that arrived, leading to three of them being captured.

“Big Brother, it’s not that simple.” As soon as Lin Yong finished, Lin Fang voiced her thoughts, her anger simmering. From what she remembered, Fu Hongxia hadn’t had a godfather before. Had her rebirth altered this detail too?

Lin Yong nodded. “I know it’s more complicated. Whether Fu Hongxia was manipulated or acted intentionally, she’s still young. If she claims ignorance, the law can’t touch her. And there’s no evidence linking her godfather to the crime—just an overzealous subordinate. The police can’t do much about it.”

Lin Fang saw the logic in his words. “Was the subordinate caught?”

“Yes, along with the robber. But he’s tight-lipped. The police have tried everything, and he sticks to his story.” Lin Yong didn’t elaborate on the methods, but Lin Fang could guess—her brother sometimes discussed interrogation techniques at home.

Pursuing the topic further seemed pointless. Curiosity got the better of her. “What other criminal records did the police mention?”

“How would I know? They didn’t say. Ugh, if I keep talking to you, I’ll be spraying water till midnight.” Lin Yong suddenly realized how much he’d said and hoisted the sprayer, ready to end the conversation.

Lin Fang wasn’t about to let him off so easily. She blocked his path. “Big Brother, you know something. Just tell me.”

“It’s not that I won’t—it’s just too disgusting. A young girl like you might have nightmares.” Lin Yong turned away and resumed spraying.

“So you *do* know. Tell me! I won’t tell Mom and Dad.” She persisted.

“No.” He sprayed in another direction.

“Please—?” She blocked him again.

“Stop pestering me. It won’t work.” He sprayed elsewhere, adamant.

“Then how about this?” Lin Fang suddenly grabbed the spray nozzle and shook it wildly. Water sprayed everywhere, nearly drenching her before Lin Yong reacted and pulled it away.

“Hey—alright, alright! I’ll tell you. Just don’t catch a cold—your health can’t take it.” Her tactic worked; Lin Yong surrendered.

“Yay, spill it—!” She grinned triumphantly.

Lin Yong gave up on spraying and set the equipment down. “Do you remember what kind of job your second brother did before taking over Dad’s position?”

“Of course. Digging pits.” Specifically, graves for the deceased. The pay for digging one pit equaled half a month’s wages for an average worker.

Yiping Village had a professional grave-digging team of six, including the leader, who had some knowledge of feng shui. Most nearby villages sought his services for burials, and his team had picked up bits of the craft. To earn extra money for the family, Lin Tuo had joined the team at a young age despite his fear.

“Your brother dug new graves. Those men dug old ones.” Lin Yong’s eyes locked onto Lin Fang’s as he spoke.

“Big Brother, I get it. I’ll go see if there’s anything to help with up front.” Lin Fang understood his implication and didn’t want to hear more.

Lin Yong caught up and wrapped an arm around her shoulders with a sigh. “I didn’t want to tell you, but you insisted. Now that you know, you’re scared. Let me walk you to the front.”

“Digging old graves” was a euphemism for grave robbery. Some stole valuables, while others targeted corpses—often female ones. The local custom of “ghost marriages” dictated that if someone died unmarried, their family would arrange a posthumous pairing with another deceased person, burying the two together.

In recent years, the cost of a ghost bride had skyrocketed, mirroring real-life weddings—requiring betrothal gifts, ceremonies, and even post-wedding family interactions. Those who couldn’t afford it turned to the black market for female corpses, which were cheaper and simpler. This demand fueled a thriving trade in stolen bodies.

Grave robbery and corpse trafficking were crimes punishable by imprisonment, but the lure of easy money kept the trade alive despite crackdowns.

Having lived through two rebirths, Lin Fang no longer feared ghosts or corpses as she once had. What sickened her was the depravity of it all.

Back in the restaurant, Dong Huixin noticed Lin Fang’s pale face and asked if she was unwell. Lin Fang shook her head, unwilling to speak. Dong Huixin then turned to Lin Yong for an explanation. Earlier, he’d withheld the details to spare Lin Fang, but now that she knew, he lowered his voice and summarized the situation for his mother.

“You idiot! You knew your sister would be scared, yet you told her anyway!” Dong Huixin’s fists pummeled Lin Yong’s chest. He took the blows silently, his eyes fixed worriedly on his sister. He wasn’t afraid of his mother’s strength—he just regretted caving in and feared the shock might harm Lin Fang.

“Ugh—”

“Fang, what’s wrong—?”

“Fang, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. If you’re scared, hit me—as much as you want.”

“Mom, Big Brother, I’m fine. Ugh—”

Lin Fang tried desperately to distract herself, but images of corpses flooded her mind. No matter how hard she fought to think of something else, her thoughts circled back until she retched violently, bile rising until she was left dry-heaving.

That night, Lin Fang dreamed of wandering through a vast graveyard. Corpses crawled out of every tomb—not grotesque, but eerily lifelike. Gradually, their faces and bodies morphed into Qi Biao’s, their voices merging into his as they called her name.

“Fang’er, come back with me.”

“Fang’er, in this life, you’re the only one for me.”

“Fang’er, I can’t live without you.”

“Fang’er, you’re all I need.”

“Fang’er, come with Yi-ge.”

“Fang’er…”

“Fang’er…”

…

By midnight, Lin Fang was burning with fever, muttering incoherent words her family couldn’t understand.