Chapter 39: A Swallow's Gratitude?

At this moment, Lu Qiaoling and Lu Xiaosi were both by her side.

Lu Qiaoling said in shock, "Isn't this our family's swallow?"

Lu Qiaoge gave her and Xiaosi a "shh" gesture.

The two quickly shut their mouths.

The naughty swallow told Lu Qiaoge: [They are salvaging steel ingots in the center of the lake. The old turtle and the big carp went to the reed marshes. The old turtle said this is White Water Bamboo; you eat it once a week, there are no taboos, just eat it directly. Xiaosi is young, so if he eats eight or nine stalks, he should stop. The old turtle also said if it's inconvenient, he can let me come and take the White Water Bamboo away. Also, this White Water Bamboo smells so, so fragrant. If it grew on the shore, it might have been eaten up long ago...]

Lu Qiaoge gently pinched a piece of the White Water Bamboo, and indeed, a sense of comfort flowed into her palm.

Ever since she gained the ability to understand these little creatures, her sensations had become exceptionally mystical.

The naughty swallow took flight, chirping happily above the heads of the three siblings for a while, then, following Lu Qiaoge's instructions, deliberately landed on Xiaosi's shoulder.

Xiaosi was so happy he didn't dare move a muscle; only after the swallow flew away did he let out a long sigh of relief.

Lu Qiaoling crouched on the beach and motioned for the other two to squat down as well.

Lu Qiaoge lowered her voice intentionally and said, "Have you ever heard the little story about the swallow repaying a kindness?"

Lu Qiaoling and Lu Xiaosi shook their heads in unison.

Lu Qiaoge: "Once upon a time, there was a very, very poor scholar who saved an injured swallow and took meticulous care of it. Once the swallow could fly again, it brought him a seed. He planted the seed in his courtyard, and unexpectedly, it soon grew into a large flowering tree. During the day, the fragrance filled the air, and at night, when the petals fell, they turned into golden petals. From then on, the scholar lived a happy life."

Lu Xiaosi whispered in pleasant surprise, "Second Sister, then let's plant this little seedling too. I'll take care of it, and I'll definitely make it grow into a flowering tree that drops gold every day."

Lu Qiaoling looked at the aquatic plant skeptically and suddenly said, "It feels like the knot grass that grows by the river in our hometown, just a different color."

Lu Qiaoge: "Xiaosi, when the swallow landed on your shoulder just now, it was probably meant for you to eat it. But there's no rush; we'll wait until we get home and ask Grandma and Mom and Dad."

Unexpectedly, Lu Xiaosi took the White Water Bamboo from Lu Qiaoge's palm and stuffed it directly into his mouth to chew.

Both Lu Qiaoge and Lu Qiaoling were stunned.

As he chewed, Lu Xiaosi said, "Second Sister, Third Sister, I've been taking medicine since I could remember. I've even eaten bird droppings; do you think I'm afraid of aquatic grass brought by a swallow?"

Lu Qiaoge and Lu Qiaoling exchanged a glance; they truly didn't know that.

Lu Xiaosi finished eating quickly and said happily, "It's so sweet and fragrant! It tastes much better than bird droppings or Chinese herbal soup."

In Lu Qiaoge's memory, there was no mention of eating bird droppings.

She hurriedly asked, "Are you remembering wrong? How could Mom and Dad possibly feed you bird droppings?"

Even with folk remedies, there had to be some logic to it.

Lu Xiaosi: "Bird droppings are also called 'white lilac,' it's sparrow manure..."

Lu Qiaoling hurriedly interrupted, "Stop talking!"

Lu Qiaoge rubbed Xiaosi's head; what a poor child.

Actually, this was normal; with medical science not yet advanced, common people relied more on folk remedies to treat major illnesses.

Just then, Lu Qiaoge heard several grass carp talking.

[What are they squatting for? Weren't they here to catch fish?]

[I don't know. If they don't come soon, the wheat ears won't be able to hold them back.]

[There are many humans in the center of the lake today, so everyone has scattered. Even if we don't help, that human who can understand us won't go home empty-handed.]

[Wow, she's so amazing!]

Lu Qiaoge stood up. The White Water Bamboo had been eaten, and it was edible anyway.

Neither her nor the swallow's intuition would be wrong.

There was no reason for the old turtle, who had become a spirit, to lie to her.

The big grass carp had gone to such great lengths to help her drive the fish; she had to cherish it.

Thus, Lu Qiaoge returned home fully loaded with her younger sister and brother.

Meng Xia was very happy.

She told Lu Qiaoling to take one basin to Uncle Lu the Fourth, while she put the rest into a large iron basin, which contained fish as large as a palm.

Lu Qiaoge picked some out, originally intending to make dried fish, but the thought of the storm coming the day after tomorrow made her abandon the idea.

She would deal with it after the storm passed.

Unexpectedly, when she went to work the next day, the Xiangyang Sub-district Office had also received instructions.

They had to ensure all preparations were made before and after the storm.

Especially for dilapidated houses and those in low-lying areas.

Lu Qiaoge knew then that Qin Hengzhi believed her.

Because last night, her father had secretly told her that he had relayed everything she said to Qin Hengzhi in his and Grandma Lu's names.

Therefore, the disappearance of the steel ingots, the mechanism at the bottom of the lake, and the bad elements had all been resolved.

Then, Lu Qiaoge also learned that Qin Hengzhi would be leaving soon.

Director Hu from that side also said, "The steel ingot case is solved, and Representative Qin might be leaving very soon. I heard the factory is planning a farewell party, and our sub-district office needs to prepare a performance."

Shao Le raised his hand: "I can sing 'We Workers Have Strength'."

Ren Xiaocui: "Our sub-district office could compose a rhythmic chant. Something praising the new era."

Huang Juan said, "Those are all good, but we need to focus on this storm first. We can't afford to suffer too much damage."

Lu Qiaoge naturally couldn't interrupt; she listened to everyone chatting with a smile while efficiently wiping the tables.

She loved the atmosphere of this era; although resources were scarce, the sense of community was very strong. Even the cadres rarely acted superior.

She wiped the table clean and lined the drawer with newspaper so it looked spotless, then placed her diary, fountain pen, pencils, lunch box, handkerchief, and towel—all her useful items—into the drawer.

A white porcelain mug for water sat on the table.

Only after tidying up did Lu Qiaoge remember the book with money and vouchers tucked inside.

She took the book and handed it to Director Hu in front of everyone.

"I went to the recycling station yesterday to buy a pile of books and a broken bookcase. I didn't expect to find these things inside this book. It must have been someone's wages that was sold for some reason. Director, how should we handle this?"

To say it was no exaggeration, all the cadres at the sub-district office thought Lu Qiaoge had done the right thing. This was an act of honesty—returning lost property—just like returning a penny found on the roadside to the police.

Thus, the matter was treated as quite routine. Director Hu handed it to Officer Liu from the security station: "Go post a notice, and then have several neighborhood committees spread the word."

No further instructions were needed; even a fool would know that claiming the money or the book title without knowing the exact amount or name would be seen as fraudulent.

As for praising Lu Qiaoge, it wasn't necessary; this was simply what the sub-district cadres were supposed to do.

Lu Qiaoge finished tidying her desk, and the work arrangements were made.

Lu Qiaoge and Sister Qiao were responsible for notifications and inspections in West District One.

Everyone was basically cooperative, and the work proceeded smoothly.

However, at noon, they encountered a particularly difficult family—the Zheng family.

The whole Zheng family was there, including two young men and Old Zheng.

Old Zheng said, "Our family has no time. You two are high-ranking cadres; help us fix up our roof. Here, the ladder is right there. But our house has no tiles, so help us get a few pieces."

Sister Qiao was quite angry but couldn't think of what to say.

Lu Qiaoge immediately produced her diary and fountain pen and asked very seriously, "Our assistance is intended for the elderly, the sick, the disabled, and those who have lost their ability to work. I need to register you. Which of you is sick, disabled, or has lost the ability to work?"

Before Old Zheng could speak, Lu Qiaoge added, "After registration, I will report this to the factory office. Once verified, you can receive subsidies."

The result, naturally, was a red-faced Old Zheng "politely" escorting them out.