Chapter 88: Turning the Tables

Under the slightly astonished gazes of the crowd, Song Tingshen spoke unhurriedly.

"The letter of introduction for Zhong Xiao was issued by me. Although I don't know the exact reason, I found the application and the original draft in my bedroom. I must have written several versions and chose one in the end."

"If you don't believe me, Commissar Liu should have a record in the archives," Song Tingshen continued, slowly scanning everyone present.

"That's right," Zuo Lan confirmed for Song Tingshen, "Though Deep lost his memory, I remember it perfectly. When Xiao Xiao sent us a telegram asking for help, our entire family personally applied for the letter of introduction."

"Yes, we admit that our application process for the letter was a bit irregular, but Xiao Xiao and Deep's engagement is written in black and white. Even if she wasn't family yet, she was future family. We wrote the letter in the name of future family. The military district has had similar cases before, so Xiao Xiao's letter has a legitimate basis."

"Even so," Yuan Tianqing interjected, "She had the letter—but what about the Zhong family? The Zhong family was liquidated, their house confiscated—those are facts, aren't they? Your father, Du Huacheng, was a capitalist, hiding assets and hoarding gold—also indisputable. Can you really claim that you, his daughter, knew nothing?"

Compared to Hou Manling's aggressive outbursts, Yuan Tianqing's words, spoken slowly and deliberately, had even greater impact.

In just a few sentences, she pinned Zhong Xiao to the pillar of shame, as if from this moment on, she was already the capitalist heiress hunted in Guangdong City, fleeing all the way to Taizhou Island.

It seemed she could be arrested and tried at any moment.

Seeing Zhong Xiao remain silent, Yuan Tianqing curled her lip and said, "Comrade Zhong Xiao, would you care to explain?"

"You're a capitalist's daughter—how could you possibly be versed in military strategy? How did you know Commander Song and the others were trapped on Yuehu Island, and how could you have known so quickly?"

"And this plague—how did you discover the epidemic that even Director Zuo missed? Don't tell me you're also an expert in medicine?"

"Or... did you collude with the enemy forces, set up Commander Song and the others to be trapped on Yuehu Island, and then propose the rescue? Was it you who released the plague virus, so you could destroy our soldiers while earning a good reputation in the military district, gaining everyone’s trust, making it easier to steal military intelligence in the future?"

The more Yuan Tianqing spoke, the less she could stop herself, her suspicions piling up as if she was about to convict Zhong Xiao right then and there.

Wang Erhu, Third Regiment Commander of the Artillery Corps, was quick-tempered and had a good relationship with Yuan Tianqing. Hearing her accusations, he was the first to stand up and roar:

"Damn it! These capitalist kids are truly vicious, coming up with such low, dirty tricks!"

"Zhong Xiao! Explain yourself! Is what Comrade Yuan said true?! I always thought it was strange—how could a little girl like you have such abilities? Finding Yuehu Island, discovering the plague—so it was all your scheme?!"

As Wang Erhu spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and strode toward Zhong Xiao.

He hadn't even reached her when his wrist was seized and yanked aside with force!

"Mother—!" Wang Erhu howled in pain, collapsing to the ground, clutching his wrist and palm, looking fearfully at the person before him.

Song Tingshen, while straightening his sleeves, said leisurely, "Erhu, is it really appropriate for a man to use force against a woman?"

"Captain Song, why are you in such a hurry to defend Zhong Xiao? You're the regiment commander—so many soldiers serve under you, and you—"

Before Yuan Tianqing could finish, Song Tingshen shot her a cold glance.

"Serve under me?" Song Tingshen sneered. "Comrade Yuan, isn't that a bit improper? Whether it's me, Commander Song, or Commissar Liu, we all serve the nation, the military district, the people—not ourselves. And our soldiers? Only the soldiers of the Japanese emperor serve him. Comrade Yuan, does your statement suggest some issue with your ideological awareness?"

Yuan Tianqing's face paled.

Her voice hardened, "Captain Song, you're slandering—"

"You're the one slandering!"

Suddenly, Zhong Xiao, who had watched Yuan Tianqing's theatrics in silence, finally spoke.

She gently stepped around Zuo Lan, who stood protectively before her, offering Zuo Lan a reassuring smile.

Then she looked at Yuan Tianqing, her expression turning cold.

Under the gaze of Yuan Tianqing and the others, Zhong Xiao retrieved a leather folder from her bag and, before everyone, took out its contents.

The first document was the lease agreement she had signed with the People's Hospital of Guangdong City.

"...This is the rental contract I signed with the People's Hospital of Guangdong. I, Zhong Xiao, leased the Zhong family estate free of charge to the hospital to alleviate the shortage of wards and beds. The lease was for five years, with no rent taken—an act of charitable donation."

"Is your friend in Guangdong really so incompetent? Able to find out that the Zhong family's property was used by the hospital, but not that I voluntarily signed this agreement?"

Zhong Xiao sneered, while Yuan Tianqing's eyes widened, clearly taken aback.

Others exchanged glances, equally surprised.

At such a sensitive time, the Zhong family was one of the wealthiest in Guangdong, and while other affluent families were trying every means to keep or transfer their assets, Zhong Xiao had proactively leased hers to a state-run hospital.

Everyone knew that once assets were handed over, it was like throwing meat to a dog—they’d never return.

Yet Zhong Xiao had willingly given hers away?

Before the crowd could recover from their shock, Zhong Xiao produced several more documents.

They were letters of thanks and donation certificates from the Electrochemical Plant.

Each item was listed in detail—valuable goods that were impossible to buy in the current environment, including various tickets, gold, and supplies desperately needed on the front lines.

All donated free of charge to the state-owned enterprise.

The plant's red official seal stamped the letters and certificates, like a slap across the faces of Yuan Tianqing and those who had doubted Zhong Xiao.

This was no capitalist.

This was a philanthropist.

Yuan Tianqing grew paler, her jaw clenched as she stared at Zhong Xiao.

Then Zhong Xiao pulled out a newspaper.

She raised it for all to see, indicating a corner clearly printed with:

"On June 6, 1969, Zhong Xiao and Du Huacheng officially severed their father-daughter relationship. Effective upon publication, the two are estranged, as proven herein."

Zhong Xiao looked around at everyone, finally fixing her gaze on Yuan Tianqing.

"Do you see, Comrade Yuan Tianqing? I severed all ties with Du Huacheng long ago. In fact, it was I who reported Du Huacheng's theft to the police. If you doubt it, the Guangdong police have a record of my report. Your friend can check it if they like."

She deliberately emphasized "friend."

"And the gold Du Huacheng hid in the Zhong family home, after it was discovered, I donated it all to the Electrochemical Plant, witnessed by the police. Comrade Yuan, your friend is so resourceful—could it be they failed to uncover even this?"