The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 21: These Things Rightfully Belong to Xiangsi!

Chapter 21: These Things Rightfully Belong to Xiangsi!

The public security officers exchanged glances—this situation was truly thorny.

The neighborhood committee staff member sighed, also wearing a troubled expression.

Finally, the staff member spoke up: Alright then, the Xu family home really isn’t habitable right now.

I’ll write you a note so you can temporarily stay at a nearby guesthouse.

As for other matters, we’ll wait until the public security officers complete their investigation.

Although Xu Rongchang was unwilling, he knew there was no better option at the moment.

The house was so empty even ghosts wouldn’t want to enter—they couldn’t possibly sleep on the streets.

Gritting his teeth, he forced out the words: Then… alright.

The neighborhood staff quickly prepared the authorization note and handed it to Xu Rongchang.

With a grim expression, Xu Rongchang accepted it. Under the complicated gazes of the public security officers, he led Lin Jiaoyan and Xu Jingjing away from the neighborhood office in despair, heading toward the guesthouse.

The three of them trudged along heavily, but before they even reached the guesthouse, Xu Rongchang stopped with a dark expression.

Jiaojiao, how much money do you still have? Let’s pool what we have! Xu Rongchang said through clenched teeth. I only have about fifty yuan left on me!

During their days in the countryside, Xu Rongchang had been showing off his wealth and spending extravagantly, relying on his family’s substantial assets… never imagining they’d return to find everything gone.

Lin Jiaoyan quickly rummaged through her inner pocket, pulling out a handful of damp banknotes soaked with sweat, and counted them.

I… I only have about thirty yuan here.

Xu Rongchang took the money and looked at Xu Jingjing.

Xu Jingjing avoided his gaze, slowly pulling a few scattered bills from her pocket.

Dad, I… I only have about ten yuan left, it’s just pocket money Mom gave me before.

Looking at the patched-together money in his hand, Xu Rongchang barely managed to scrape together one hundred yuan.

Damn it! One hundred yuan! With just this little money left, how many days can we stay at the guesthouse?!

He cursed angrily: That little beast! She’s really driving us to ruin!

Lin Jiaoyan wiped her tears beside him: Rongchang, what should we do now? We’ve truly reached the end of our rope.

After arriving at the guesthouse and getting the cheapest dormitory-style room, they threw their meager belongings on the bed. Xu Rongchang couldn’t stay put.

I don’t believe it!

He said through gritted teeth: There were so many things in the house—rosewood furniture, the large wardrobe, and those porcelain decorations! Which one wasn’t big and heavy?

How could Xu Xiangsi alone, with just one small suitcase, empty the entire house? Who’s she trying to fool!

She must have had help! They must have moved everything out boldly while we were away!

Those neighbors couldn’t possibly have heard nothing!

Lin Jiaoyan quickly agreed: Right! Rongchang, go ask them quickly! Those people must know something, they’re just too scared to speak up!

The more Xu Rongchang thought about it, the more convinced he became. He instructed Lin Jiaoyan and Xu Jingjing to guard their remaining possessions, then stormed back to the staff residential compound in anger.

By this time, the compound had already erupted over the Xu family’s bizarre burglary case.

Small groups of people gathered together, discussing in hushed voices while occasionally pointing toward the Xu family’s empty courtyard.

Xu Rongchang spotted a group of neighborhood gossips gathered under a large locust tree the moment he entered the courtyard, chattering animatedly with flying spittle.

He immediately strode over with purposeful steps.

Sisters! Aunties!

Xu Rongchang tried to suppress his anger, but his voice remained rough and unpleasant: You all know what happened at my place, right?

The police have already been here. They said they didn’t see anyone moving things out.

I just don’t believe it! All those large pieces of furniture—could they have grown wings and flown away?!

He glared fiercely, scanning each face in the crowd: In the past few days, have any of you actually seen suspicious people or vehicles near my house?

The women who were usually the most well-informed now exchanged uncertain glances and shook their heads.

A plump aunt curled her lip: Brother Xu, we may enjoy chatting, but we don’t make up stories.

Your doorstep has been quiet these past couple days, just like usual. Not even a scrap collector passed by.

A tall, slender woman added: Yes, the police officers have asked around door to door. We’re telling the truth.

Not to mention large trucks—even if a flatbed cart came through, everyone in this courtyard would have noticed.

Hearing this, Xu Rongchang’s anger flared up instantly.

Quiet? Then where are my family’s belongings?!

He roared: It must have been that little bitch Xu Xiangsi! She stole everything from our house!

Are you all taking her side?!

This was going too far.

From the crowd, an elderly woman who usually spoke little but commanded respect emerged, leaning heavily on her cane.

Xu boy, you’re being ungrateful saying that.

The old woman’s clouded eyes fixed on Xu Rongchang: We’ve watched that girl Xiangsi grow up.

She might be a bit spoiled, but she’d never do something like this!

Besides, my eyesight may be poor, but I’m not blind!

I sit by the courtyard entrance almost every day sunning myself. I can see clearly whenever that child Xiangsi comes or goes—I’d even notice if she was carrying a flower.

When did you ever see her moving out a single trunk? Or a single piece of furniture?

You say she stole things? How could a young girl like her empty your entire house without anyone noticing?

Xu Rongchang’s face flushed with alternating shades of pale and red under the old woman’s words.

But he still stubbornly retorted: Then she must have done it at night! Thieves don’t steal openly in broad daylight!

She must have teamed up with outsiders and moved everything out under cover of darkness!

At this, an aunt who had just returned from grocery shopping couldn’t help but snort derisively.

Xu Rongchang, why are you being so unreasonable?

The aunt set her vegetable basket down and placed her hands on her hips, her eyes filled with disdain.

What would Xu Xiangsi be stealing?

How many of the Xu family possessions were actually dowry items from the Yun family—don’t you know in your heart?

What was the Yun family’s status in Shanghai back in the day? Those rosewood furniture pieces, those antique paintings and calligraphy—weren’t they all left to her mother by Xiangsi’s maternal grandparents?

Now that her mother’s gone, those things rightfully belong to Xiangsi!

Even if she did take them, how is reclaiming her own possessions considered theft?
These words were like pouring oil on fire, instantly igniting Xu Rongchang’s temper.

His face flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead as he pointed at the auntie and started yelling.

You’re talking nonsense!

What Yun family’s belongings?! Those are our Xu family’s! Once married, they belong to our Xu family!

She, Xu Xiangsi, is my daughter! She should be filial to me! Support me!

Now she’s stolen from the family and run away, and you’re still speaking up for her?!

I think you’re all in cahoots! None of you want to see our Xu family do well!