Chapter 180: Words of Thanks

Ning Weidong arrived at the side courtyard, parked his bicycle, and just as he was about to enter the house with Zhang Dajun and his wife, he heard a crisp, bright "Brother Weidong."

Turning his head, he saw Bai Fengqin rushing out from the room with an excited expression on her face, coming right up to Ning Weidong.

Ning Weidong immediately guessed the reason.

Sure enough, Bai Fengqin called out: "Brother Weidong, I got in! I got in..."

Ning Weidong thought to himself that it was indeed as expected; aside from this, there probably wasn't anything else, so he smiled and said: "Yes! That's great, was it your first choice?"

Bai Fengqin nodded: "Yes, Handong University!"

At this moment, Bai Fengyu also came out from the room, her face full of gratification, though she did not speak.

For others, it might seem surprising that Bai Fengqin could get into university, but Bai Fengyu knew how difficult it had been.

Especially in the last few months, Bai Fengqin had almost never gone to sleep before twelve o'clock.

Ning Weidong asked: "Has the admission notice arrived?"

Bai Fengqin said: "Not yet, the teacher said it would take a few days to receive it; the school notified us today."

Ning Weidong laughed heartily: "This is a great piece of news. Our courtyard has produced a female top scholar; we must celebrate it properly."

Bai Fengqin blushed and said embarrassedly: "It's not that exaggerated."

Ning Weidong said: "It's not exaggerated, not at all." As he spoke, he looked at Bai Fengyu: "Sister Bai, Fengqin is the first university student from our courtyard, right~"

Bai Fengyu nodded; previously, the person with the highest level of education was Ning Weiguo, who had only graduated from a technical secondary school.

What's more, the university Bai Fengyu—no, Bai Fengqin—had been admitted to was an undergraduate program; let alone a technical secondary school, it was even a tier higher than a junior college.

Ning Weidong said: "How about this, wait until this Sunday, let Lu Daye organize it, hire a cook, and set up two tables in our courtyard?"

Bai Fengqin was stunned, and she couldn't describe the feeling in her heart.

She had previously imagined what Ning Weidong's reaction would be when she told him she had been admitted to university.

She knew that Ning Weidong would certainly be happy for her, but she hadn't expected it to reach this extent.

Although people didn't really make a fuss about "admission banquets" in this day and age, if someone in the courtyard got into university and the family's conditions were decent, they would certainly organize something; it was a matter of saving face.

It was just that her family's situation was special; there was no man in the house, so they couldn't organize it.

She hadn't expected Ning Weidong to bring it up on his own initiative.

Bai Fengyu, however, shook her head and said: "Better not. We are two women, and we don't have a man to hold things down. After getting the news this afternoon, Fengqin and I went to the grocery store, bought some candy and peanuts, packed them into portions, and sent them to every household."

Ning Weidong did not insist; that was indeed the logic.

This was also why he had only mentioned it just now, suggesting Lu Daye take the lead rather than stepping forward himself.

Although this was a happy occasion, if Ning Weidong appeared too proactive, it would inevitably lead to suspicion and gossip.

If there were truly nothing going on, he would be upright and not fear a crooked shadow.

But as it happened, his relationship with Bai Fengyu was not exactly innocent.

Ning Weidong thought for a moment, looked at Bai Fengqin and said: "That works too, but since Fengqin did so well this time, we must reward her properly. Before school starts, I'll find some time to take you to Quanjude to eat some duck and have a treat."

Bai Fengqin's eyes lit up; she had heard since she was little about how Beijing's roast duck was this and that, but she had never been once in all her years.

Not to mention going with Ning Weidong.

After saying this, Bai Fengyu looked at the couple, Zhang Dajun and his wife, to the side and reminded him: "Weidong, if you have things to do, go ahead; don't keep Police Sergeant Zhang waiting too long."

Bai Fengyu was relatively familiar with Zhang Dajun; previously, when Bai Fengyu went to work at the Neighborhood Committee, she had nominally used Zhang Dajun's connections.

Bai Fengyu was not stupid; she had taken advantage of this opportunity to visit Zhang Dajun's home often, especially to see Zhang Dajun's wife.

Come to think of it, at first, Zhang Dajun's wife had been wary of Bai Fengyu, thinking that Zhang Dajun had something going on with this attractive young widow.

She had grilled Zhang Dajun about it quite a few times back then.

It was only after Zhang Dajun revealed that Bai Fengyu was Ning Weidong's person that his wife's doubts were dispelled.

Zhang Dajun hurriedly said: "It's fine, Sister Fengqin getting into university is a great joy; it just so happens that today we can also share in the good fortune."

After a few more pleasantries, Ning Weidong led Zhang Dajun and his wife back into the house.

Bai Fengqin was still standing there, staring blankly, but she was tugged by Bai Fengyu, who whispered: "They've already gone inside, still looking~"

Bai Fengqin blushed, hurriedly withdrew her gaze, pouted at Bai Fengyu, and said in a drawn-out tone: "Sister, what are you saying~"

Bai Fengyu smiled amusedly: "Alright, go home and watch TV."

Meanwhile, inside Ning Weidong's house.

After letting Zhang Dajun and his wife in, Ning Weidong busied himself boiling water and said with a smile: "I wasn't home during the day, so there isn't even any hot water."

Zhang Dajun's wife hurriedly said: "Leader, please don't trouble yourself. We didn't come today for any other reason; it's just that Dajun's transfer to the Sub-bureau has been finalized, so we came specifically to thank you."

Ning Weidong had guessed just now that Zhang Dajun and his wife had likely come for this matter.

Although he didn't know the specific timing, judging from the progress of the two cases involving Deputy Factory Director Liu and later Section Chief Zhang, it was likely to be around this time.

With Ning Weidong's endorsement, although Zhang Dajun was only on loan for those two cases, no one dared to erase his contributions.

Leveraging this merit, with Chu Zhongxin helping to maneuver things, his transfer to the Sub-bureau was naturally a matter of course.

Ning Weidong asked: "After you go, what will your specific position be?"

Zhang Dajun smiled and said: "It hasn't been decided yet, but it should be in the criminal investigation department."

Ning Weidong nodded; this was also his previous intention.

Being in Public Security, criminal investigation was definitely the best; being able to handle cases meant having power. If he were transferred there and given a desk job, it would be equivalent to discarding Zhang Dajun, this blade.

Rather than that, it would be better to stay at the police station.

Ning Weidong said: "Work hard once you go; if you encounter any difficulties, come find me."

Zhang Dajun hurriedly promised; he had come today to pledge his loyalty: "Leader, don't you worry. I know who is good to me. You are my Bole, my benefactor for life."

Ning Weidong waved his hand and said: "That's too much, Zhang. You have what you have today because of your own ability; at most, I just gave a little push to help things along."

Zhang Dajun was stunned and was about to continue speaking when Ning Weidong raised his hand to stop him: "Zhang, you don't need to be modest. Just as you said, if I am Bole, you must first be a thousand-li horse..."

Ning Weidong did not take credit for Zhang Dajun's job transfer this time.

Bestowing favors is indeed done with the hope of a return, but if it is too obvious, it easily causes resentment; otherwise, how did the phrase "returning evil for good" come about?

Zhang Dajun and his wife didn't stay long; they left after sitting for about half an hour.

The two brought some gifts, including two bottles of Moutai and some local specialties, saying they were from Zhang Dajun's hometown.

Ning Weidong didn't stand on ceremony and accepted them all.

His relationship with Zhang Dajun could be considered quite close, so there was no need to be so calculating about social favors; if it were anyone else, it wouldn't have been so easy to leave the items behind.

Never mind two bottles of Moutai, even if they had carried over two cases, would Ning Weidong be lacking that mouthful of liquor?

"Leader, you should hurry back~" Zhang Dajun's wife blocked Ning Weidong as he came out of the courtyard.

Ning Weidong stood on the steps and didn't walk down further, waving his hand to send the two off.

Watching the two walk away, he turned back into the courtyard and bumped into Lu Daye, who said with a chuckle, "Police Sergeant Zhang has left?"

Ning Weidong replied, "He's gone, but from now on you can't call him Police Sergeant Zhang anymore; you'll have to call him Section Chief Zhang."

Lu Daye was stunned and blurted out, "He got promoted?"

Ning Weidong nodded with a smile but didn't explain in detail; he walked quickly back home, grabbed some toilet paper, and headed straight outside the courtyard to the latrine.

He hadn't gone all morning, and the drinking and meat-eating just now had probably pushed it out.

Arriving at the latrine, Ning Weidong was 'stepping on both banks of the Yellow River, holding secret documents in his hand, firing rapid shots in the front, and artillery fire roaring in the back.'

In less than a few minutes, he braved the stench to finish the battle quickly, and upon coming out, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Just as he was preparing to head home, he frowned and suddenly looked back.

After Ning Weidong transmigrated, besides his physical fitness improving, his perception also became keen.

It was a pity that he lived in a time of peace, so these improvements seemed of little use, yet at this moment, he suddenly sensed someone watching him from behind.

As soon as Ning Weidong turned his head, he saw a figure flicker, seemingly startled, and immediately hide in the nearby alley.

Ning Weidong frowned and walked over a few steps.

The person didn't leave and just stood at the edge of the alley entrance; as Ning Weidong walked over, his tall shadow directly covered the person, and he asked in surprise, "Sister Shi?"

It turned out this person was none other than Shi Xiaonan.

At this moment, Shi Xiaonan raised her head to look at Ning Weidong, and she managed to squeeze a smile onto her haggard face: "That, Weidong, I..."

She stammered and hesitated, saying, "I came, I~ I wanted to thank you..."

Ning Weidong suddenly understood in his heart.

Last time he knew Zhang Dajun was looking for him, he had mentioned Shi Xiaonan's situation.

Ning Weidong certainly didn't want to get involved, and it was even more impossible for him to help Shi Xiaonan escape punishment, but in order to stabilize Shi Xiaonan, he had given her some pointers.

Added to some luck, the final determination for Shi Xiaonan was that she was an innocent member of the masses coerced by the enemy.

With this determination, Shi Xiaonan's matter became easy to handle, and she was released.

She didn't know the inside story.

Before, when she was caught, she had been scared silly, thinking she was a goner this time.

Seeking help from Ning Weidong was just treating a dead horse as if it were alive.

Yet she hadn't expected that she would actually turn misfortune into a blessing.

Shi Xiaonan attributed this entire result to Ning Weidong; otherwise, it couldn't be explained at all.

In reality, after she got out, she had long wanted to find Ning Weidong, but she was hesitant in her heart, didn't know how to face him, and didn't want to go back to that original courtyard.

She didn't want acquaintances to see her current state.

Tonight, however, she happened to run into Ning Weidong while he was going to the toilet, and the two bumped into each other by chance.

Ning Weidong said, "There's no need for thanks; I didn't really help with anything."

Regarding Shi Xiaonan, Ning Weidong's impression wasn't actually very deep.

Mostly, she was just a Peking opera actress, had an unhappy marriage, was exceptionally beautiful, and then... she was a 'big-boned' beauty.

If speaking solely of body proportions, Shi Xiaonan was even a notch above Bai Fengyu.

But then again, there were many beautiful people in the world, and Ning Weidong really had no designs on Shi Xiaonan.

Shi Xiaonan just took Ning Weidong's words as humble politeness and whispered, "I know how serious this time was; if it weren't for you... I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to get out."

(End of this chapter)