After calming down, Widow Liu crouched and retreated to the back of the crowd, thinking of slipping away behind the brigade office when no one was paying attention. Unexpectedly, a woman in the crowd suddenly shouted, "I knew this name sounded so familiar. Isn't this Widow Liu?"
Everyone was used to calling her Widow Liu, and they couldn't recall her full name for a moment.
"Team Leader, Officer, Widow Liu is here." Someone turned and saw her figure and immediately shouted loudly.
Seeing her trying to escape, the two police officers became solemn and quickly moved to apprehend her. "You are reported to have intentionally sold fake medicine, causing the victim to hemorrhage and nearly die. Please come back with us for an investigation."
In fact, there was no need to investigate at all. The informant had already handed them the confession letters personally written by her and Zhang Laiwang.
When Widow Liu was controlled by the two police officers, she knew she was finished. Her legs went soft, and she collapsed onto the ground.
...
"Dad, Mom, with the help of the police, the money has been recovered," Chen Li Shu said, placing a wad of money in front of Wu Chun Mei and Chen Man Tun.
To avoid making them overthink, Chen Li Shu only said that the money was recovered with the help of the police.
"This, it's really back?" Wu Chun Mei took the money and counted it. It was exactly two hundred and twenty yuan. Her eyes immediately turned red with excitement, and she raised her hand to wipe them.
"The police are even involved? Will Widow Liu go to jail?" Chen Man Tun was also very happy to see the money returned. Hearing Chen Li Shu say that Widow Liu had been taken away by the police, he couldn't help but ask curiously.
"She'll probably go to jail for a few years," Chen Li Shu said uncertainly. She had already inquired with the police. For someone like Widow Liu who sold fake medicine and caused Wu Chun Mei's injury, the sentence would be at least three years. From now on, Widow Liu and Zhang Laiwang would be kept quiet in prison.
"That serious?" Chen Man Tun was startled.
"Yes, that long," Wu Chun Mei's hand, which was holding the money, paused. "We've lived in the same village for so many years..."
Chen Li Shu's expression immediately darkened upon hearing her words. "Mom, the culprit who caused your miscarriage and severe bleeding is Widow Liu. She didn't go easy on you when she harmed you. Her current fate is purely her just desserts."
"Yes, I know she did wrong. I just felt a little uneasy when I suddenly heard the news," Wu Chun Mei whispered in her own defense.
"Since the money has been recovered, Mom, you should rest well. I have some business in town, and I'll come back to see you another day," Chen Li Shu said, standing up.
"You go ahead and do your business. Your mother will be taken care of by me and the others. Don't worry," Chen Man Tun said, standing up to see her off.
With the money recovered, the couple's mood also relaxed significantly.
After leaving the Chen family, Chen Li Shu rode her bicycle back to town.
Upon returning to town, she didn't rush to make clothes. Instead, she first invited Ding Chen and Zhao Kang to have a meal at Liu Yong's restaurant to thank them for lending her the camera.
After all, cameras were rare items nowadays, and their prices were outrageously high. A domestic Seagull camera cost at least over four hundred yuan.
"Little sister, you're so thoughtful. It's just a camera, and you're treating us to a meal for lending it to us." Zhao Kang said, picking up a piece of food and putting it into his mouth.
He had to admit, the food at this private restaurant was quite good.
Ding Chen's hand, which was picking up food, trembled when he heard Zhao Kang's words. When he said he wanted to borrow the camera, he didn't know who it was that treated him like his own son, and he almost pulled out a knife. In the end, it was only after much persuasion and vows that he reluctantly agreed to lend the camera.
"Come, come, the last dish, my most famous braised pork. Everyone, taste it," Liu Yong said, lifting the curtain and entering with a plate of braised pork in his hand.
"Sister Chen, you're being too generous," Ding Chen said, his eyes widening at the full plate of braised pork.
"Eat it when your third sister-in-law invites you. Look how thin you are, it's good to gain some weight," Gu Xing Ping on the side couldn't help but tease.
Ding Chen blushed when he heard her criticize him for being thin, and he stuttered, pushing up his glasses, "My mom said I'm growing and slimming down, so I'm naturally thin."
"Little sister, if you ask me, this meal you're treating us to is not as good as letting me take some photos for you to advertise and promote. With your looks and conditions, I guarantee I can make you look even better than those movie stars on the cover. Once the photos are displayed in the window, believe me, the customers in the shop will be flocking in."
Chen Li Shu's smile froze on her face. It turned out Zhao Kang hadn't given up yet.
"Brother Zhao, you also know my husband's attitude, and besides, I don't like to be in the spotlight," Chen Li Shu said with a smile, refusing.
Although he already knew the outcome, Zhao Kang couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. After all, it was rare to see such a good model, and as a photographer, he was somewhat itching to work with her.
"Brother Zhao, is your shop not doing well? Why do you keep thinking of using my sister-in-law for promotion?" Gu Xing Ping asked confusedly.
Photo studios were state-run now, so it didn't matter if business was good or bad. They still received their salaries whether there were many people or few.
Zhao Kang sighed, "Little sister, you're still young and can't understand. I, your brother, am a person with ideals and aspirations."
Zhao Kang paused and continued, "For people with poor conditions, they might not get a single photo taken in years. Even those with better conditions who come to the photo studio, they only take one or two photos and finish. I don't have any room to exert myself."
Even the backdrops were the same old three, and the poses and movements were unchanged. What's more, film was expensive, over a yuan a roll. It was difficult for him to create something new.
Chen Li Shu's heart stirred upon hearing his words. "Brother Zhao, I do have an idea that might help you increase your room for expression and creation."
"Oh?" Zhao Kang became interested and quickly stopped eating to look at Chen Li Shu. "Little sister, do you have any good ideas?"
"I can provide a few beautiful and fashionable clothes for free at your shop. Which girl doesn't love to be beautiful? You provide clothes for free, and after they try them on and see good results, they will naturally take more photos."
Thinking of the operations of many photo studios later on, Chen Li Shu couldn't help but suggest this.
"Little sister, you, are you serious?" Zhao Kang stopped eating and stared directly at Chen Li Shu. Seeing her nod, he became even more excited. He really didn't expect that borrowing a camera would lead to a great opportunity.
Chen Li Shu also had her own selfish motives. Being able to go to a photo studio proved that the family's conditions were good. If they happened to like the clothes, they would naturally inquire, and she could sell more clothes.
"I only hope that when people inquire about the clothes, Brother Zhao can help me recommend them."