Transmigration: Becoming the Wicked Stepmother of Four Children

Chapter 201 Clues

Li San was extremely anxious.

"Could it be that someone is jealous of our business?"

Deliberately causing trouble?

But there's no reason for that.

Our family's small business,

It poses no threat to anyone at all.

Wait, Dad,

We only received this order for fabric in the last two months.

Could it be related to this batch of fabric?

Mr. Li shook his head in disapproval.

"Third son, this batch of fabric was ordered from me by Boss Wang."

I have known Mr. Wang for many years.

I generally approve of Mr. Wang's character.

He has always operated with integrity.

"I wouldn't do something so despicable."

Li San looked puzzled.

"But Father,"

This whole thing is clearly related to this batch of cloth.

It's really hard not to be suspicious.

Before Li San could finish speaking, Li's father interrupted him.

"San'er, don't doubt Boss Wang anymore."

It couldn't be him.

After so many years of friendship, I know his character.

He's not the kind of person who would resort to underhanded tactics.

Li San looked anxious, but he couldn't argue with his father.

All I can say is:

"Father, I understand that you and Boss Wang have a close relationship."

But this matter is too strange.

It is closely related to this batch of fabric.

We can't completely exclude him just because we have a relationship with him.

Mr. Li said excitedly,

"Third son,"

Mr. Wang always thinks of me first when he needs cloth.

Even if others supply him with fabric at a lower price than we do,

He never made things difficult for me.

This batch of cloth is also...

Mr. Wang said someone offered a lower price than us.

He didn't cooperate with that person either.

They say they only trust long-term clients with whom they have cooperated for many years.

He has this kindness towards us.

We can't make such unfounded assumptions about others.

Seeing his father so excited, Li San

They had no choice but to try to appease him first.

"Dad, I understand. Please don't get agitated."

Let's not think about this for now.

Your well-being is the most important thing.

He gently patted his father's back.

They tried to calm the elderly man down.

Mr. Li sighed deeply and said slowly:

"Third son, it's not that I don't want you to investigate."

I just don't want you to wrong an innocent person.

Mr. Wang has been kind to our family.

We mustn't make unfounded assumptions.

Li San nodded in agreement:

"Father, I understand."

Don't worry, I will investigate from other aspects.

You can now focus on recovering.

Don't worry about these things.

After Li's father calmed down a bit,

Li San, Lu Qingqing, and Lin Erzhu walked out of the room.

Li San handed Lu Qingqing five taels of silver.

"My dear girl, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace."

Please keep these five taels of silver.

I know this is far less than the money you gave me for the medicine.

But don't worry, once my father recovers...

We will send you the money as soon as we sell the cloth.

Lu Qingqing quickly declined.

"Brother Li, you mustn't do that."

I practice medicine to save lives, not for money.

Seeing my uncle's condition improve made me very happy.

You should take this silver back.

Your father needs recuperation and requires money.

Li San insisted on giving it to him.

"Miss Qingqing, if you don't accept it..."

I felt really bad about it.

You've gone to great lengths and put in so much effort for our family.

How could I let you give so much for nothing?

Lu Qingqing said with a smile,

"Brother Li San,

Do you have any leftover fabric from when you sold my second brother's clothes?

Li San asked, puzzled.

Yes, there are plenty in the warehouse.

But this cloth is soaked in tung oil, I'm afraid..."

"Then take me to see it."

Li San was puzzled.

But he still brought Lu Qingqing to the warehouse.

As soon as the warehouse door was opened,

A pungent smell of tung oil wafted towards us.

There were piles of cloth stacked in the corner.

It was covered with mottled tung oil stains.

Lu Qingqing stepped forward,

Examine these cloths soaked in tung oil carefully.

She gently stroked the fabric.

Examining every oil-soaked spot,

Sometimes his brows furrowed, sometimes he nodded slightly.

He seemed to be pondering something.

Li San couldn't help but ask:

"Miss Qingqing, the fabric is in such a state..."

What else is there to see?

Is there some clue here?

Lu Qingqing did not answer.

She was completely absorbed in observing every detail.

The warehouse was dimly lit.

The air was filled with a strong smell of tung oil.

She moved carefully among the shelves piled high with oil-soaked cloth.

Finally, at the corner of the shelf,

Lu Qingqing discovered some clues.

Looking at the messy, disordered marks left by the tung oil,

It is clearly a deliberate act by someone.

Moreover, at the corner of the shelf,

There was also a piece of fabric hanging there that was completely different from the Li family's cloth.

The edges of the fabric are uneven.

It looked like it was taken down from the shelf in a hurry.

Lu Qingqing gently pinched the piece of fabric.

Examine it carefully.

The fabric is slightly rough, but the color is bright.

This contrasts sharply with the Li family's meticulously crafted and simple fabrics.

She examined the fabric.

Trying to find more clues from above,

Li San leaned closer and saw the piece of cloth.

He also looked surprised.

"Miss Qingqing, what kind of cloth is this?"

How did I end up here?

"It's completely different from the fabric we use at home."

Lu Qingqing's expression was solemn.

"Brother Li, do you recognize this piece of cloth?"

Li San looked confused.

"I feel like I've seen this somewhere before, but I just can't remember where."

However, my dad has an exceptional memory for fabrics.

Perhaps he knows.

The group then went to Li's father's room.

Li's father leaned against the headboard and saw everyone come in.

His eyes were full of doubts.

Li San quickly handed over the cloth.

"Dad, look at this piece of cloth. Do you recognize it?"

Miss Qingqing found it in the corner of the warehouse shelf.

"It's not quite the same as the fabric we use,"

Mr. Li took the fabric and examined it carefully.

His fingers gently traced the texture of the fabric.

After a long while, Li's father slowly spoke:

"This piece of cloth...I do remember it."

It looks like Su Ji Cloth Shop in town.

This type of fabric and dyeing technique,

It's very similar in style to Su Ji Cloth Shop.

Li San looked surprised.

"Father, Su's Cloth Shop?"

Oh, I remember now.

Someone previously wanted to buy our weaving secret formula.

It's Su Ji Cloth Shop!

Father, you didn't agree at the time.

They even sent them away.

Do they hold a grudge?

So that's why they went through all this trouble to retaliate against us?

Mr. Li's expression changed.

Now that you mention it, it's quite possible.

They offered a high price at the time.

But this weaving recipe is a family heirloom.

I was planning to keep it for you; I can't just sell it so easily.

Lu Qingqing nodded slightly and analyzed:

"From the moment the fabric appeared in the warehouse"

I wanted to buy the secret recipe before, but I couldn't.

Su Ji Cloth Shop is indeed highly suspected.

Brother Li, Uncle Li

What are your next steps?

Should we report this to the county government?

Your losses can then be recovered.

Mr. Li lay on the bed, his brows slightly furrowed.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

I'd heard Mr. Wang mention Mr. Su before.

He is incredibly powerful and resourceful.

He hired a group of thugs; anyone who opposed him...

None of them had a good ending.

I think we should leave this matter here.

We can't beat him.

Making him compensate us for our losses is a pipe dream.

Mr. Li advised him with a worried expression.

Li San objected and said urgently:

"Father, are we just going to accept our defeat like this?"

Seeing the father and son shaking their heads and sighing,

Lu Qingqing couldn't help but ask a question.

"Then why didn't you go to the authorities to report the case?"

Should we have the county magistrate punish such a person?

Mr. Li shook his head and said...

"Miss Qingqing, it's not that we don't want to report the case."

But it's not that simple.

The county magistrate is usually very busy.

For such trivial matters as ours,

It may not be able to be dealt with in a timely manner.

But Su Ji Cloth Shop has connections everywhere.

Perhaps we haven't even seen the magistrate yet.

He killed her.

Li San stood to the side, looking helpless.

"Father, I hate it so much!"

This Su's Cloth Shop, relying on its large family business...

They're bullying honest people like us!