Chapter 356
“I’m not a fool, and I believe neither are you. If you want to survive, you’d better obey me,” Su Xiaoxiao warned coldly, her eyes devoid of warmth.
Gui Zhenzhen gulped nervously at her icy gaze. “What… what do you want? Are you planning to kill me? Just so you know, murder is a crime, and you could get shot for it.”
Su Xiaoxiao felt a headache coming on as she looked at Gui Zhenzhen’s foolish demeanor. She was certain she had a case of “disgusting stupidity syndrome.”
“I won’t do anything to you, but don’t you think the person who wanted you to frame me will let you go now that their plot has failed?” Su Xiaoxiao suppressed her annoyance and spoke patiently. If there weren’t so many people around, she would have slapped Gui Zhenzhen right then and there.
But Gui Zhenzhen continued to stubbornly deny everything. “Why are you suspecting me? I was just too trusting of the Disciplinary Office. I didn’t do anything. You’re just looking for someone to vent your anger on after being bullied.”
Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t believe that Gui Zhenzhen could lie with such confidence. She rubbed her aching temples and said, “Shut up! Just sit here quietly and finish your meal. You’re coming with me no matter what, or I’ll make your life miserable. You won’t have a good life after this.”
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t really think that Gui Zhenzhen had any chance of surviving after leaving her. But since she didn’t believe her, Su Xiaoxiao had to change her approach and threaten her.
Sure enough, as soon as those words left her mouth, Gui Zhenzhen immediately settled down. “Su Xiaoxiao, don’t go too far!” Gui Zhenzhen’s voice was agitated.
Ji Yujing and Ding Xuechun shot her irritated glares. “What’s wrong with you? We can all see you reported it. We were just wondering why you’d gift Xiaoxiao an old book when you could have just bought something new.”
“Yeah! I was puzzled as to how Grandpa Zhai, such a meticulous person, could allow those corrupting books to remain at the junkyard. It’s clear you brought them along and tried to trick Xiaoxiao into taking the book. The ones wearing armbands were waiting outside the state-owned restaurant, and as soon as we walked in, they were going to arrest us!”
As they analyzed the situation, both Ji Yujing and Ding Xuechun grew more enraged, their eyes burning with hatred towards Gui Zhenzhen.
“Those are just baseless assumptions! If you truly believe I did this, then show me the evidence!” Gui Zhenzhen retorted defiantly, gritting her teeth.
But Su Xiaoxiao and the others had no desire to engage in pointless arguments with her. After all, this was the type of person who wouldn’t admit her mistakes even if they were staring her in the face.
“Just shut up! After what you’ve done to Xiaoxiao today, we’ll definitely report you to her family so they can decide how to handle you! Even if you run away, we’ll still go to your family!” Ji Yujing glared at Gui Zhenzhen, her eyes practically shooting flames.
“This has nothing to do with you! Why are you butting in?” Gui Zhenzhen shot back.
Ji Yujing laughed in anger, “Has nothing to do with me? You stopped me from taking that book earlier! If it weren’t for Xiaoxiao’s repeated warnings, I might have already been taken away by the Disciplinary Office!”
“And if it weren’t for you trying to frame Xiaoxiao, how could the Disciplinary Office have wanted to search us? We’re all women! How would people talk about us being searched publicly? How could we live after this? Our husbands and in-laws would never accept us!” Ding Xuechun’s anger rose with every word, her body trembling.
That was close! Just a moment ago, their lives could have been ruined forever.
Although Gui Zhenzhen couldn’t refute them, she still stubbornly tried to pull away from Su Xiaoxiao’s grip, wanting to escape. She refused to believe that someone would kill her.
“Let go of me! You three think I’m easy to bully, and you’re just taking out your anger on me together!”
“Smack!”
Su Xiaoxiao had finally lost all patience. She didn’t care anymore and slapped Gui Zhenzhen hard across the face.
The force of the blow sent Gui Zhenzhen crashing to the ground, dazed.
Blood and teeth spilled from her mouth, but not a single person stepped forward to defend her. After all, in this era, no one was particularly foolish; they all knew the truth behind what had just happened.
Su Xiaoxiao stood up, pulled the still-dazed Gui Zhenzhen up, and began to lead her outside.
Ji Yujing and Ding Xuechun looked at the five plates of food that hadn’t been touched, feeling a pang of regret, but they gritted their teeth and decided to follow.
Su Xiaoxiao turned back to them. “You should stay and finish the meal. I’ll take her home. This is a private matter between me and her. It’s better if you don’t get involved. Once this is settled, I’ll come find you to hang out.”
She was certain that someone was watching their every move outside. Su Xiaoxiao was unsure whether that person would strike during their return trip, so she didn’t want to drag her two friends into it.
“But can you manage it alone?” Ji Yujing asked, worried.
Xiaoxiao had slender arms and legs, while Gui Zhenzhen was at least twenty pounds heavier than her. How long could she hold up Gui Zhenzhen?
“Of course! Ever since I went to the countryside, I’ve gained a lot of strength,” Su Xiaoxiao replied with a smile, wrapping one arm around Gui Zhenzhen’s waist and lifting her effortlessly.
Her calm demeanor left everyone in the state-owned restaurant dumbfounded.
Ji Yujing and Ding Xuechun snapped back to reality and quickly nodded. “Okay! If you need anything, just come find us.”
“Sure, see you later!” Su Xiaoxiao waved at them with a smile.
Once she turned around, her face darkened.
The behind-the-scenes puppet master was getting more and more clever, making it seem like they were already cornered. But now, they feared that the puppet master wouldn’t stop. As soon as they made a move, it would surely reveal more connections to follow.