Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 97

“Political Commissar Hu, Regimental Commander, and all leaders present, every word I’ve said is true. I can provide witnesses to corroborate my statements.”

Shen Zhiqiu turned to Kang Zhixin: “Kang Zhixin, apart from Lu Shuangshuang, who else can testify to what you’ve claimed?”

“Everyone in the troupe knows Lu Shuangshuang is close to you. Her testimony holds no credibility.”

Shen Zhiqiu then shifted her gaze to Lu Shuangshuang: “Lu Shuangshuang, I won’t ask about anything else. Just answer me this—did I ask you to buy me a bag to repay a favor?”

“Shuangshuang-jie, that’s exactly what happened!”

Kang Zhixin tugged hard at Lu Shuangshuang’s hand. She could already sense the situation turning against her, and if Lu Shuangshuang were to switch sides now, she’d be finished.

Little did she know that her desperate gesture only made her guilt more obvious.

The leaders in the meeting room exchanged knowing glances.

“Kang Zhixin, are you Lu Shuangshuang?” Wu Qingyun glared at Kang Zhixin. “With so many leaders present, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Lu Shuangshuang, this matter is no longer just an internal issue for our troupe. Think carefully before you answer.”

Wu Qingyun laid out the stakes for her: “This involves historical grievances, the reputation of military personnel, and personal integrity. We will investigate thoroughly.”

“C-Commander, I…” Even Lu Shuangshuang, as slow as she was, understood the gravity of the situation now.

She glanced at Shen Zhiqiu, then at Kang Zhixin, torn between them.

“Comrade, this only happened last night. Have you already forgotten?”

As soon as Political Commissar Hu spoke, Lu Shuangshuang didn’t dare lie any further. She quickly replied in a hushed voice, “Commissar, I remember… It was me who approached Shen Zhiqiu and offered to buy her a bag.”

“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! The two of you are a disgrace to our troupe—this is no way for soldiers to behave!” Wu Qingyun pointed at Lu Shuangshuang and Kang Zhixin, scolding them harshly.

The two hung their heads, not daring to speak another word—though Kang Zhixin’s expression remained defiant, mixed with resentment.

As far as she was concerned, Shen Zhiqiu was the one at fault. How could a few words from her sway the leaders like this?

What had her older brother even done wrong? It was the fault of that era, not his.

But she didn’t dare voice these thoughts aloud. All she could do was seethe silently at Shen Zhiqiu.

“Until this matter is fully investigated, none of you three are to leave the troupe or contact anyone outside. You’ll remain in confinement,” Wu Qingyun declared.

Shen Zhiqiu spoke up: “Commander, may I ask how long this will take? My daughter hasn’t seen me for too long—I’m afraid she’ll cry if I’m gone much longer.”

“It won’t be long. Tonight, we’ll send someone to investigate the night market. Once your statement is confirmed, you’ll be free to go.”

“Understood. Thank you, Political Commissar Hu, thank you, Commander, and thank you to all the leaders.”

This wasn’t Shen Zhiqiu’s first time in confinement. Shen Liya, Lu Shuangshuang, and Kang Zhixin had set her up before, landing her in here more than once.

But for Lu Shuangshuang and Kang Zhixin, this was their first time. The two of them looked around the small, barren room with its four blank walls, utterly unaccustomed to the environment.

Shen Zhiqiu found a corner, leaned against the wall, and closed her eyes to rest—listening as the two turned on each other.

Lu Shuangshuang whined at Kang Zhixin, “This is all your fault! Why did you have to lie?”

Kang Zhixin shot her a glare. “Lu Shuangshuang, you’re blaming me? Weren’t you the one who promised to back me up?”

“Didn’t I? But your lies were exposed—what else was I supposed to do? Keep lying for you?”

Lu Shuangshuang screamed hysterically, “Now look what’s happened! If my family finds out about this, they’ll never let me hear the end of it—especially my aunt!”

“Kang Zhixin, mark my words—if I get a demerit because of you, I’ll make sure you pay for it!”

Kang Zhixin refused to back down. “Lu Shuangshuang, no one forced you! Why are you putting this on me? You wanted to frame Shen Zhiqiu just as much as I did—don’t act all high and mighty now!”

Lu Shuangshuang glanced at Shen Zhiqiu, only to find her slowly opening her eyes, her cool, knowing gaze fixed on them with an almost amused detachment. She gestured for them to continue. “Don’t mind me. Go on.”

“Shen Zhiqiu, don’t act so smug!” Kang Zhixin planted her hands on her hips, tilting her chin up defiantly.

Shen Zhiqiu found it laughable. “Smug? All I did was tell the truth.”

“Kang Zhixin, why do you think lying is justified? Has deceit become second nature to you? Do you even care how much harm your actions cause others?”

“All that matters to you is whether you feel better. If someone upsets you, you’ll slander them, smear their name—even try to ruin them completely.”

“You knew exactly what your words would do to me. This wasn’t just about venting—you wanted to destroy me.”

With every word, Shen Zhiqiu took a step forward, forcing Kang Zhixin to retreat in fear.

This version of Shen Zhiqiu terrified her. There was no anger in her expression, no harshness in her tone—yet that made her even more frightening than if she’d been shouting.

“Shen Zhiqiu, I… I didn’t—”

Kang Zhixin shook her head frantically, then in a panic, pointed at Lu Shuangshuang. “It was Lu Shuangshuang’s idea! She was the one who couldn’t stand you! You know how it is—her family’s well-connected, I couldn’t refuse her!”

Lu Shuangshuang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Kang Zhixin, you liar!”

“Shen Zhiqiu, I had no idea about any of this beforehand! As soon as I arrived this morning, she dragged me to the commander’s office to report you. She was the one who made all those claims—I only backed her up because we’re friends!”

Desperate to explain herself, Lu Shuangshuang raised three fingers. “Shen Zhiqiu, I swear on my life—if I’m lying, may I never get married!”

“Lu Shuangshuang, do you remember what I told you last night?” Shen Zhiqiu shook her head faintly. “You’ve got terrible judgment and even worse instincts.”

Both Lu Shuangshuang and Kang Zhixin understood exactly what she meant, their faces twisting in humiliation—but neither dared to argue.

Lu Shuangshuang glared daggers at Kang Zhixin, her voice dripping with venom. “Shen Zhiqiu, you’re right. My judgment is terrible. I can’t read people for the life of me. I got played for a fool, helping someone count their ill-gotten gains—only for them to turn around and sell me out the first chance they got.”

Kang Zhixin, not daring to provoke Lu Shuangshuang further, redirected all her fury at Shen Zhiqiu. “Shen Zhiqiu, you’re vile! Are you happy now?”

“What does this have to do with me? You brought this on yourself.”

Shen Zhiqiu’s voice was icy as she laid bare Kang Zhixin’s motives. “You never truly considered Lu Shuangshuang a friend. You just used her to get closer to other high-ranking families and manipulated her into spending money on you.”