CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 111: BROKEN ENGAGEMENT

"Brother Shan, it won’t delay you. Grandma told me, if one day she suddenly passes away, I should marry you during the mourning period." Luo Qingqing mumbled.

Shan tightly pressed his lips together.

His mother had said that if Granny Wang passed away naturally, they would surely acknowledge this marriage proposal.

After all, by then Granny Wang’s house would belong to Qingqing, and if they rented it out, their family would have an additional income.

But the current issue is that Luo Qingqing is no longer pure.

How could such a woman be fit to enter their household?

"This is the token Granny Wang gave us back then, I brought it back to you. Take it, so you’ll have something to remember by later on." Shan shoved the handkerchief-wrapped item into Luo Qingqing’s hand, "See when you can return our family’s hairpin."

His actions were somewhat rough, causing Luo Qingqing to sway with his force.

The person she was closest to was gone, and now the future she relied on ruthlessly cut ties with her.

Luo Qingqing felt her mind go blank, unable to think, unable to speak.

"I’ve said everything I need to say, let’s part on good terms and don’t cling on, forcing us to fall out." Shan added, "Our family is quite righteous, we don’t want any of the things from before."

Luo Qingqing felt like the world was spinning around her.

Meng Yao swiftly caught her, preventing her from falling.

"Prepare the marriage annulment papers, and we will return your family’s precious hairpin then. Remember, it’s Luo Qingqing who is breaking off the engagement, not wanting you." Meng Yao said coldly.

"Who are you?" Shan asked, unconvinced.

"Someone beyond your right to know. Just remember to keep your mouth shut. Without evidence, don’t spread rumors or I’ll accuse you of slander and defamation, and have you taste the punishment of imprisonment."

This was the Government Office, and this woman was in its vicinity.

Shan was intimidated.

"I didn’t say anything wrong, just heard it from others." Shan muttered.

"If others said you ate shit, would you really eat it? Do you live according to others’ mouths?" Meng Yao rebuked.

"Either way, this engagement cannot proceed." Shan mumbled.

"Even if you kneel and beg Qingqing in the future, it won’t help." Meng Yao scorned.

Such a man, without opinion or courage—it’s fine if nothing goes wrong, but once something does, he distances himself immediately. Marry him and you’ll only face frustration?

Meng Yao signaled the Government Official, who fiercely shouted at Shan to leave.

Only then did Meng Yao half-carry and half-support Luo Qingqing back to the room.

At this time, comforting words were certainly useless; the best Meng Yao could do was to stay quietly by Luo Qingqing’s side, preventing her from succumbing to despair.

Back office.

Ren Zhong looked helplessly at the man in front of him.

This person came early in the morning, saying he was here to accept punishment and claim the reward silver.

Ren Zhong explained that the reward silver would only be given after completing the proper procedures, but this person seemed not to understand and refused to leave.

Zhao Ting went straight to the Government Office after eating at the inn.

Observing closely was necessary to understand what kind of person Ren Zhong truly was.

While the two were at a standoff, the officer who took Shan to the guest room came to report on Luo Qingqing’s situation to Ren Zhong.

Ren Zhong knitted his brows tightly, "Wasn’t she rescued in time? Why is there still a breakup issue?"

"We know she was saved, but others don’t see it that way. Yesterday’s commotion was pretty big, and although no one could openly watch because of the Government’s presence, that didn’t stop them from imagining what happened." Zhao Ting spoke leisurely, "In their eyes, that young girl has clearly lost her purity."

That’s why the groom’s family was so eager to come to the Government Office to break off the engagement.

They wanted to sever ties as quickly as possible to avoid being implicated.

Seeking benefit and avoiding harm is human nature.

Ren Zhong waved his arm, signaling his subordinates to withdraw.

"Sir, what will you do about this matter? The young girl is very young, and carrying such a reputation of impurity is cruel to her," Zhao Ting asked.

Ren Zhong prided himself on his ability to resolve cases and grievances.

But this young girl’s case was particularly troublesome.

In Ren Zhong’s view, this issue was unrelated to the Government Office.

However, the girl was currently residing there.

"Since you’re so free, do you have any brilliant ideas?" Ren Zhong countered Zhao Ting.

"The grandmother and granddaughter took risks to assist the Government Office in capturing a notorious fugitive. This is a great merit, shouldn’t there be a reward?" Zhao Ting spoke leisurely, "Ultimately, for them, this was an unforeseeable disaster due to the Government’s inadequate security."

Ren Zhong gritted his teeth in anger, "Isn’t it because of your chase that the fugitive was cornered, leading to Huaiyuan County?"

"Since you put it that way, indeed I’m partly responsible. So, I don’t intend to evade this responsibility. I am willing to allocate a hundred taels from the five hundred taels of reward silver to the young girl. Of course, it’s my thankfulness and compensation to her, don’t mix it with anything else!" Zhao Ting said calmly.

Ren Zhong felt a blockage in his chest, as if being led by the nose.

"I am not such a shameless person." Ren Zhong gritted his teeth.

"Yes, yes, sir is a good official working for the people." Zhao Ting responded smoothly.

Ren Zhong felt like perhaps their destinies were incompatible, otherwise why all this frustration?

"I also came for another matter; no matter how it happened yesterday, I rashly approached the lady and the young man. Even if you, sir, won’t pursue it, I should personally apologize to the lady and the young man to express my regret," Zhao Ting continued.

Look, look, this guy clearly harbors ill intentions towards the Meng family.

"Didn’t I already say it won’t be pursued against you?" Ren Zhong said impatiently.

"I have my own set of principles for living. The lady and the young man ignore it out of their magnanimity. I cannot ignore the incident just because of their generosity, otherwise, I would feel uneasy afterwards." Zhao Ting said sincerely.

Meeting several times is necessary to gather the information he wants to know.

Zhao Ting clearly indicated he wouldn’t leave without seeing someone.

"Wait here, I’ll ask." Ren Zhong said with frustration.

"Much obliged, sir." Zhao Ting replied with a smile.

Ren Zhong found Meng Yao.

"That person from yesterday clearly refuses to leave unless he sees you. Now, he won’t leave." Ren Zhong said, his gums itchy with anger.

"So persistent?" Meng Yao was slightly puzzled.

"Clearly harbors bad intentions!"

"But continuing like this isn’t a solution. However, I can’t leave Miss Luo here unattended." Meng Yao expressed her dilemma.

"I’ll have Head Arrest Officer Xu call for his wife to come watch over Miss Luo." Ren Zhong suggested, "You should see him, send him away without showing a good face. This person is rather persistent; you have to avoid letting him cling to you."

The Meng’s sister would be his late wife’s sister; there were certain matters he couldn’t ignore.

"Alright." Meng Yao agreed.