The female educated youths collectively sighed in relief.
“What’s going on? Why are the police here in our brigade?”
“It seems there’s been a theft. Some of the educated youths had their belongings stolen.”
Despite the cold weather discouraging people from going out, the arrival of the police drew attention. Word spread quickly, and soon a small crowd had gathered to watch from a safe distance. Only a few dared to approach the scene.
Several male educated youths, accompanied by the police, nervously stepped forward to compare their shoe prints against those found at the crime scene. The comparison revealed that three individuals had footprints matching the size and style of the prints.
This wasn’t surprising. In the countryside, most people wore similar cloth shoes, which limited the variations.
“It wasn’t me! My belongings were stolen too!” exclaimed Zhao Su.
The other two suspects, Luo Yecheng and an older educated youth, also denied any involvement and tried to explain themselves.
“For now, you three are the main suspects. We’ll need to search you and your rooms. This doesn’t mean we’ve concluded you’re guilty; we’re just starting with the educated youth compound,” explained the police officer.
The officer then turned to the victims, including Song Wei. “Are there any distinct markings on the stolen items that would make them easier to identify?”
Song Wei nodded. “On my money, there’s a small ‘Song’ character written in the lower-right corner.”
Gao Le added, “I’d recognize my chocolate anywhere.”
Zhao Su hesitated before saying, “The sausage I lost is tied with red yarn. Would that count?”
The thief, Ma Qian, had been quite cunning. He stole only a few items from the wealthier educated youths to avoid drawing too much attention. If Song Wei hadn’t been cautious enough to check her money regularly, it might have taken days before anyone realized items were missing.
People rarely counted their money unless they were obsessively meticulous. As for Gao Le and Zhao Su, their careless personalities made it unlikely they’d notice small losses. Without Song Wei’s vigilance, Ma Qian’s plan to avoid suspicion and cover his tracks might have worked.
Because everyone had been together since the theft was discovered, no one had a chance to re-hide any stolen items. This streamlined the investigation process for the police.
After searching the three suspects’ rooms and persons, nothing was found.
“Are all the educated youths here?” asked the officer.
If the thief wasn’t among the educated youths but a villager instead, the investigation would become much more complicated.
Before Song Wei could answer, Xu Laidi raised her hand and shouted, “No! Three of the educated youths aren’t here!”
As she spoke, the absent educated youths returned.
Villagers outside the door quickly made way for them, eager to deliver the news. “Quick, quick! There’s been a theft at your compound, and the police are investigating!”
Hearing the word “police,” Ma Qian visibly tensed, his nervousness palpable. He hesitated, trying to think of a way out, but with the villagers surrounding him, he had no choice but to enter.
Li Juan, another returning youth, also grew anxious. “What theft? Have my belongings been stolen too?”
As the three entered, all eyes turned to them. Even Bai Yunjiao, who had prepared herself mentally, looked uneasy.
“You’re from this compound, right? Come forward to compare your shoe prints,” said one of the officers.
Ma Qian froze, panicked. “Shoe prints? What…what shoe prints?”
He had been rehearsing his story, expecting to be questioned first.
“Come forward,” the officer repeated.
Nervous and visibly sweating, Ma Qian followed the police to Song Wei’s room. When he saw the footprints in the room, his body trembled, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead. He avoided eye contact, his guilt written all over his face.
The two officers exchanged a knowing glance.
“Your shoe prints match these. Let’s check your room,” one officer said.
Ma Qian’s reaction was immediate and dramatic. “No! You have no right to search my room!”
“You’re a suspect,” the officer replied calmly. “Searching your room is a standard procedure. Please cooperate.”
“Anyone could have money, meat, or grain! How do you know they’re not accusing me of having their things just to frame me?” Ma Qian argued, growing agitated.
The officer’s eyes narrowed. “We haven’t mentioned what was stolen—money, meat, or grain. How do you know?”
Ma Qian’s heart sank. Cold sweat poured down his face as he stammered, “I-I heard the villagers talking about it!”
“You’re lying,” Bai Yunjiao interjected. “I was with Li Juan the whole time, and we didn’t hear anyone mention specifics.”
Li Juan nodded in agreement.
Seeing Bai Yunjiao expose his lie, Ma Qian’s expression twisted with rage. “You ungrateful wench! After everything I’ve done for you, you betray me now?”
Before anyone could react, Ma Qian lunged at Bai Yunjiao, raising his hand to strike her.
Bai Yunjiao screamed, covering her face in fear.
But the expected blow never came. Instead, a loud thud echoed as Ma Qian cried out in pain.
Song Wei had casually kicked him, sending him flying backward. She glanced at the groaning man on the ground and said with feigned innocence, “Oops, it was instinct.”
The officers exchanged glances, clearly impressed.
“That’s quite the kick,” one muttered under his breath.
As Ma Qian writhed on the floor, something fell out of his pocket—Gao Le’s chocolate.
“That’s my chocolate!” Gao Le exclaimed, pointing. “I’m sure of it!”
The officers immediately restrained Ma Qian. “Anything else to say now?”
Despite the evidence piling up, Ma Qian refused to admit guilt. “I need to go to the hospital! I’ll sue her for assault! And that chocolate—my family send it to me!”
“Liar!” Gao Le shot back. “This isn’t something you can buy just anywhere. My dad’s a diplomat. He brought it back from abroad. Explain where yours came from!”
Ma Qian stammered but couldn’t come up with an answer. His attempt to dodge responsibility was falling apart.
“Comrade Ma, regardless of your excuses, we’re searching your room. The evidence is clear. Stop trying to deny it!” one officer declared firmly.
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