Chapter 36: Nobody Move!

Luo Guixiang’s vision went dark, and she nearly collapsed.

She gritted her teeth hard, glaring ferociously at Auntie Sun: "Fine, fine, fine! Just keep bullying us orphans and widows, then!"

Auntie Sun let out a sneer. Was it even necessary to ask who was bullying whom?

Everyone there was far from blind.

If this were your own biological daughter, would you really refuse to let her family in?

Ignoring Luo Guixiang, Auntie Sun leaned in to whisper instructions to Zhou Li.

In secret, Lu Qiaoge said to the old black cat, "Go over there quickly. Jump a few times on the dressing table, the eight-immortals table, and the red chest to get Zhou Li's attention..."

The old black cat, full of vigor, leaped onto the dressing table and the two red-lacquered wooden chests, bouncing around, and even made its way onto the eight-immortals table...

Consequently, by a majority vote, the crowd helped Zhou Li move the dressing table, the eight-immortals table, and the two red wooden chests out of the room.

With a loud *bang*, Luo Guixiang slammed the door shut.

The matter was settled; everything else had nothing to do with the Street Office.

However, Lu Qiaoge began to ponder. She felt that exposing the secret now would actually be the safest course of action for Zhou Li.

Because Yu Xiu had left a letter for her daughter, along with two hundred yuan in cash.

But that was all.

Once the matter was out in the open, Zhou Li's life would become much easier.

The military factory kept a strict watch; having funds from an unknown source would lead to serious trouble.

Most importantly, if it were discovered later, even if Luo Guixiang claimed it was hers, people would believe her.

No matter how one looked at it, making this secret public held more benefits than drawbacks for Zhou Li.

Thus, she secretly instructed the old black cat to find the switch.

Under Lu Qiaoge's direction, the old black cat—which was temporarily placed in the courtyard—leaped onto the dressing table.

Its claws incessantly scratched at a small drawer.

Everyone watched the black cat with curiosity, feeling that the cat was being far too rowdy.

Auntie Sun said to Zhou Li, "Xiao Li, I went to look for a rental for you. I've settled on a place; the rent is three yuan a month, and I've paid three months' worth for you."

Zhou Li's eyes widened in pleasant surprise, but tears soon began to fall: "Auntie Sun, you are too good to me. This money is a loan; I'll pay you back as soon as I find work."

On the other side, Lu Qiaoge reminded Zhou Li, "Look at what your cat is trying to do!"

As she spoke, Lu Qiaoge walked over, pretending to be curious about the black cat fussing with the drawer. However, following the cat's lead, she pulled the drawer open forcefully and, in the process, pressed a button nearby.

The drawer slid out, and from within it, a small wooden box was pulled forth.

Lu Qiaoge handed the small wooden box to the stunned Zhou Li and said seriously, "Open it and take a look. If it belongs to Comrade Luo, you must return it to her."

Zhou Li quickly flipped open the lid.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Someone nearby gasped, "Heavens, so many ten-yuan notes! There must be several hundred yuan in here!"

Nowadays, people liked to refer to ten-yuan bills as "Great Unity."

Luo Guixiang, who had been observing secretly from the balcony, suddenly threw open the window and shouted loudly, "It's mine! It's mine! Don't anyone touch it!"

In the blink of an eye, Luo Guixiang rushed out of the house.

Officer Liu stepped forward to intercept Luo Guixiang as she tried to grab the box: "You can't snatch it. If it's confirmed to be yours, we will return it immediately. Don't worry, there are many witnesses here."

Luo Guixiang let out a piercing shriek: "Confirmed what? That's my private savings! It's the money my son's biological father left for his marriage! I was just driven mad by your temper just now. Give it back to me immediately, or I'll go to the Security Department to report you!"

Lu Qiaoge had originally intended to mess with Luo Guixiang a bit more, but remembering Auntie Huang's warning, she pursed her lips in regret.

She reminded Zhou Li, "See what's going on with that letter."

A few minutes later, the mother and son, the three of them, ran back home in shame and indignation.

Meanwhile, Zhou Li clutched the letter her mother had written to her against her heart, weeping uncontrollably.

Her mute husband stood by her side holding the child, his eyes turning red in silence.

The old black cat sat on the dressing table, meowing incessantly.

Having resolved a tragedy that almost occurred, Lu Qiaoge and Officer Liu hurried back toward the Street Office.

Halfway there, they encountered Director Hu and Huang Juan, who were worried.

Seeing the three of them smiling, Old Hu said, "It looks like it's been resolved."

After reporting the situation, Officer Liu quickly praised Lu Qiaoge—not out of obligation, but with genuine sincerity.

Lu Qiaoge hurriedly acted humble: "It's only because Officer Liu has such authority that we could keep the onlookers in check. Otherwise, no one would have listened to me..."

Old Hu waved his hand: "Lu Qiaoge, Shao Le, you two are off for the afternoon. Remember to prepare your notebooks, pens, and lunch boxes. Be at work on time tomorrow."

The two exchanged a delighted look.

Immediately after, Lu Qiaoge realized she was penniless; she had to rush home to ask for money.

Lunch at the Lu household was already prepared.

It was plain noodles with leek and egg sauce; the moment she pushed open the courtyard gate, a delicious aroma wafted toward her.

Meng Xia, who had been worried about any mishaps, felt completely relieved when she saw her daughter returning with a smile, though she still asked many questions.

Lu Qiaoge obediently reported the morning's work to Meng Xia and Old Lady Lu.

She also recounted the dispute between Zhou Li and her stepmother that she had just resolved.

Meng Xia's mouth curved into a grin she couldn't close: "My daughter is truly capable."

Lu Qiaoge immediately said, "Mom, you need to lend me some money. I need to buy a pen and notebooks."

Old Lady Lu stopped Meng Xia and scurried to the bedroom to fetch ten yuan for Lu Qiaoge: "This is a reward from Grandma. Work hard; we'll make our mark without needing to boast."

Lu Qiaoge took the money briskly: "Thank you, Grandma! Just wait, in a few days I'll find a way to get some pork for you, and we'll make big steamed buns with pork filling."

Meng Xia really wanted to say her second daughter was bragging—pork was currently distributed via coupons—but suddenly, she felt that nothing was impossible.

Since she didn't have to work in the afternoon, Lu Qiaoge went for a nap with great bravado. When she woke up, she took Lu Qiaoling to the military factory's general store.

She bought a fountain pen and a thick, plastic-covered diary. These were office supplies, but one had to provide their own.

After thinking for a moment, she also bought a stack of scratch paper, two pencils, and an eraser.

In one go, she spent nine yuan.

Lu Qiaoling felt the sting of the cost: "Second Sister, your monthly salary is only twenty-eight yuan, and you've already spent nine yuan in just one morning!"

Lu Qiaoge said, "This is necessary. A pen and a notebook can last for years. I have uses for the rest."

Lu Qiaoling let out an "oh" and didn't ask further.

She sighed inwardly, wondering when she would finally get a job.

Meanwhile, after finishing lunch, Old Lu's face was full of smiles. He told anyone who would listen that his second daughter had passed the exam for the Street Office, and with the top score.

When good things happen, one's spirit is high; even when Old Dong approached him with a thick face to talk, he didn't ignore him as he usually did.

Thus, Old Dong, who had been glared at earlier, was delighted.

He wasn't afraid of Old Lu scolding, yelling, or glaring at him; he was only afraid of Old Lu ignoring him.

After all, they were old colleagues who had worked together for nearly thirty years.

It wouldn't be worth it to fall out over his big mouth.

So, Old Dong deliberately praised Lu Qiaoge behind her back, saying how amazing it was that she came in first...

Qin Hengzhi was just about to ask Master Lu about the reward for him.

He happened to overhear this conversation.

Qin Hengzhi kept his eyes lowered, standing quietly by the door, but the image of that bright and radiant smiling face involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

She truly was a very vivid comrade.

Hmm, and she had many secrets as well.

(End of Chapter)