Lu Qiaoge really wanted to say this was domestic violence, but she immediately thought that certain regulations were not yet perfected, and the crime of domestic violence was not officially promulgated until four years later.
Nowadays, when a husband beats his wife, parents beat their children, or even the elderly are abused, the only consequence they face is moral condemnation.
"And then?" Lu Qiaoge really wanted to know what the street office staff did next.
Although Director Hu's personality seemed slick and smooth, he was actually someone who could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes.
Director Hu was furious at that moment.
After untying the ropes on Liu Yu and pulling the gag from his mouth, Liu Yu knelt before Director Hu, clutching his thighs and wailing that he had seen it in a dream—that it was Li Ying who had pushed his mother into the yellow mud pond to drown her. His mother had tried to climb out, but Li Ying had held her down to prevent her from surfacing.
As Shao Le reached this part, he crossed his arms and rubbed them; not only did a cold wind blow down his spine, but he also suddenly broke out in goosebumps.
Lu Qiaoge glanced at Shao Le, signaling him to continue.
"Liu Yu was only three years old at the time. He said he saw it in a dream. How could Li Ying admit to it? She lunged at him like a madwoman to hit him. Because we stopped her, she sat on the ground wailing, saying she had raised him with her own hands, through every bit of filth and every drop of milk, since he was three. She didn't expect Liu Yu to repay her kindness or take care of her in her old age, but he shouldn't tear her heart out like this. He's truly an ungrateful white-eyed wolf."
Lu Qiaoge frowned deeply. Could a three-year-old child have such memories?
But if this scene were real, perhaps this image had remained in the depths of Liu Yu's mind or memory, only to be suddenly triggered one day.
However, this could not serve as evidence.
"So what do we do now? Director Hu didn't even come. I wanted to report my work to him."
"Director Hu took Liu Yu to the factory nursery. He didn't come yesterday afternoon either, but I heard that even the police station was alerted."
In this era, the military factory was a complete ecosystem; one could say that staying inside without ever leaving would satisfy all of life's needs.
The nursery was also built in the early years and housed many orphans.
Shao Le remembered something, then lowered his voice and said, "Master Liu has another daughter. It's said that because they couldn't afford to raise her back then, they gave her away. She was five years old when she was sent away."
"Did they say where she was sent?"
"Master Liu said that Li Ying was the one who handled it at the time. She found a good family; the other party was from the military. That couple had no children and promised they would definitely take good care of Liu Xia."
"So Master Liu doesn't know where his daughter is either?" Lu Qiaoge asked, somewhat puzzled.
Shao Le nodded. "Not just Master Liu. Li Ying also said that the person only left a name and then left, because their military unit was classified."
Just then, Sister Qiao, walking down the corridor, called out, "Lu Qiaoge, Shao Le, both of you go to the archives room. Director Hu just called and asked you two to look up the information on Liu Yu's mother, Chai Xiaoyan."
Lu Qiaoge and Shao Le walked out of the street, but Lu Qiaoge headed toward the large canteen instead.
Shao Le was puzzled, so Lu Qiaoge said to him, "There's no rush to go to the archives. Let's go to the large canteen to find Li Ying first."
Shao Le didn't ask what she wanted Li Ying for; he looked at her expectantly, feeling as though she might be able to squeeze some information out of her.
Li Ying worked at the large canteen, but she wasn't at the stoves; she was the Warehouse No. 1 keeper.
This was a very lucrative position. It was heard that after her husband died years ago, she was transferred directly here upon taking over his post.
However, she wasn't the only warehouse keeper; Warehouse No. 1 alone had six or seven keepers.
Lu Qiaoge carried a shoulder bag containing her inseparable diary, a fountain pen, and her work permit.
After presenting her work permit, she successfully found Li Ying.
Li Ying's complexion was poor, and upon realizing they were from the street office, her expression darkened further. "What are you two looking for me for? You two young comrades are far too naive. You believe whatever that little brat says?"
Lu Qiaoge immediately waved her hands and said, "Comrade Li, you've misunderstood. Everything requires evidence; it's not just about what is said."
As she spoke, Lu Qiaoge carefully observed Li Ying's expression.
This woman was quite composed.
Or was she truly a clear conscience?
Li Ying then began to vent her grievances to the two of them. "You say I worked so hard to raise him, only for him to turn into an ungrateful wolf and bite me. I feel truly wronged in my heart."
Lu Qiaoge and Shao Le did not interrupt her complaining. After Li Ying had spoken for a long time, Lu Qiaoge said gently, "Comrade Li, we both understand how you feel. Look, you are still working, and there are no rumors about you at the unit. Doesn't that prove that people aren't just suspecting you blindly?"
Li Ying breathed a sigh of relief, then looked the two young people up and down, frowning. "Then what are you two looking for me for?"
Lu Qiaoge said, "We just want to learn a bit about Liu Xia."
Li Ying froze. After a few breaths, she frowned with impatience but spoke fluently, "I already told Director Hu and the police yesterday. Eleven years ago, you know, even our military factory was very tight then; people couldn't even get enough to eat. Master Liu fell seriously ill because of his wife's matter, and I had to raise the four children all by myself. We were truly living on nothing.
It just so happened that someone approached me saying they wanted to adopt Liu Xia, saying the other party was from the military. But because the couple was being transferred, they wanted to adopt a child locally. That way, when the child grows up, they won't know their origins or pine for their biological parents. I discussed it with Master Liu, and he agreed."
Lu Qiaoge looked at Li Ying with a heavy gaze.
Why did Li Ying give her the impression that this was a prepared script?
"Then do you remember if the other party mentioned which military unit they were in or where they were going?"
Li Ying's face darkened. "What a strange question for a young girl to ask. How could we know such details? Since the child has already been adopted, don't dwell on the past. Besides, even if you asked, they wouldn't tell you the truth anyway."
Lu Qiaoge did not argue with her, merely nodding. "You're right, that makes sense. Then can you remember what the person looked like now? What was their accent? Who was the intermediary?"
Clearly, this matter had been handled by more than just Director Hu and Clerk Liu; the police station had already questioned Li Ying.
Li Ying's eyes flickered, and she appeared even more impatient. "Anyway, my conscience is clear. It's been over ten years; how could I remember so much? Go ask Old Liu. The child was taken from his hands. I had just married Old Liu back then; I couldn't make decisions for his family."
So, Chai Xiaoyan died, her good neighbor married her husband, and then her good husband gave Liu Xia away?
As for why they didn't give Liu Yu away, perhaps because Liu Yu was a boy?
This matter might be very simple.
But if it wasn't simple, it must be very complicated!
(End of Chapter)