Chapter 36

Luo Guixiang was so angry that her vision went black, and she almost collapsed.

She gritted her teeth hard and stared viciously at Mother Sun: "Fine, fine, fine, just bully us orphans and widows."

Mother Sun scoffed out loud; did it even need to be said who was bullying whom?

Everyone was not blind.

If this were your own biological daughter, could you not let their family move in?

She ignored Luo Guixiang and whispered instructions to Zhou Li.

Lu Qiaoge secretly said to the old black cat: "You hurry over, jump a few times on the dressing table, the Eight Immortals table, and the red chests to attract Zhou Li's attention..."

The old black cat jumped energetically onto the dressing table and the two red lacquer wooden chests, hopping around, and even went onto the Eight Immortals table...

Thus, with the minority yielding to the majority, everyone helped Zhou Li move the dressing table, the Eight Immortals table, and the two red wooden chests out.

Luo Guixiang slammed the room door shut with force.

The matter was resolved, and the rest had nothing to do with the neighborhood office.

But Lu Qiaoge began to ponder. She felt that exposing the secret now was actually the safest thing for Zhou Li.

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

But that was all there was.

After clearing the path, Zhou Li's life would be easier.

The military factory was strict; having money from an unknown source would lead to big trouble.

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

No matter how you look at it, making this secret public was more beneficial than harmful for Zhou Li.

So she secretly instructed the old black cat to find the switch.

Under Lu Qiaoge's direction, an old black cat with a lame leg jumped onto the dressing table temporarily placed in the courtyard.

Its claws kept scratching at a small drawer.

Everyone watched the old black cat with curiosity, feeling that this cat was too restless.

Mother Sun said to Zhou Li: "Xiao Li, I went to rent a house for you. I negotiated one for three yuan a month, and I paid for three months for you."

Zhou Li's eyes widened in surprise, but then tears fell: "Aunt Sun, you are too good to me. I borrowed this money; I will pay you back as soon as I find work."

Lu Qiaoge reminded Zhou Li from the side: "Look at what your cat is trying to do?"

As she spoke, Lu Qiaoge also walked over, pretending to look curiously at the old black cat fussing with the drawer, while her hand, following the old black cat's guidance, pulled the drawer hard and incidentally pressed a button on the side.

Thus, the drawer was pulled out by Lu Qiaoge, and then a small wooden box was pulled out from inside.

Lu Qiaoge handed the small wooden box to the shocked Zhou Li and said seriously: "Open it and see. If it belongs to Comrade Luo, you must return it to her."

Zhou Li quickly opened the lid.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Someone nearby exclaimed: "Heavens, so many 'Great Unities' (ten-yuan bills); there must be several hundred yuan."

People nowadays like to call ten-yuan bills "Great Unities."

Luo Guixiang, who had been observing secretly from the balcony, pushed open the window and shouted loudly: "It's mine, it's mine, that's mine, no one is allowed to touch it!"

Almost in the blink of an eye, Luo Guixiang rushed out of the room.

Officer Liu stepped forward and blocked Luo Guixiang, who was trying to grab the box: "You cannot grab it. If it is confirmed to be yours, we will return it to you immediately. Rest assured, so many people are watching."

Luo Guixiang shrieked shrilly: "Confirmed what? That is my private money, money left by my son's biological father for him to marry a wife. I was muddled by you just now. Return it to me immediately, or I will go to the security department to report you!"

Lu Qiaoge had wanted to mess with Luo Guixiang, but upon thinking of Aunt Huang's instructions, she pursed her lips in regret.

She reminded Zhou Li: "Take a look at what that letter is about."

A few minutes later, Luo Guixiang and her two children ran home in shame and anger.

And Zhou Li pressed the letter her mother had written to her tightly against her heart, crying uncontrollably.

Her mute husband stood beside her holding their child, his eyes silently turning red.

The old black cat squatted on the dressing table, meowing.

Lu Qiaoge and Officer Liu, having resolved a tragedy that was about to happen, hurried back to the neighborhood office.

Halfway there, they met the worried Director Hu and Huang Juan.

Seeing the three of them smiling, Old Hu and Huang Juan said: "Looks like it's been resolved."

After Officer Liu reported the situation, he hurriedly praised Lu Qiaoge—not reluctantly, but sincerely.

Lu Qiaoge hurriedly said modestly: "It is all because Officer Liu has prestige, which is why he could suppress those onlookers; otherwise, no one would have listened to me..."

Old Hu waved his hand: "Lu Qiaoge, Shao Le, you two rest this afternoon. Remember to prepare notebooks, fountain pens, and lunch boxes, and be at work on time tomorrow."

The two looked at each other in surprise.

Then Lu Qiaoge realized that she was penniless and had to hurry home to ask for money.

Lunch at the Lu family was already prepared.

Mixed-flour noodles in water with chive and egg sauce; the moment the courtyard gate was pushed open, a fragrant aroma hit them.

Meng Xia, who had been worried about changes, was completely relieved to see her daughter return smiling, but she still asked many questions.

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

As well as the dispute between Zhou Li and her stepmother that had just been resolved.

Meng Xia was so happy she couldn't close her mouth: "My daughter is truly capable."

Lu Qiaoge immediately said: "Mom, you have to lend me some money; I need to buy a fountain pen and a notebook."

Old Lady Lu stopped Meng Xia, trotted to the bedroom, and took out ten yuan for Lu Qiaoge: "This is a reward from Grandma. Work hard; we don't steam buns, we fight for dignity."

Lu Qiaoge took the money neatly: "Thank you, Grandma. Just wait, in a few days I will find a way to get pork for Grandma, and we will make big buns with pork filling to eat."

Meng Xia wanted to say that her second daughter was bragging—pork was supplied by ration coupons now—but suddenly she felt that nothing was impossible.

With no work in the afternoon, Lu Qiaoge went for a nap in high spirits, and after waking up, she took Lu Qiaoling to the military factory's department store.

She bought a fountain pen and a thick plastic-covered diary; these were office supplies, but one had to provide them oneself.

After thinking about it, she also bought a stack of rough paper, two pencils, and an eraser.

It cost nine yuan all at once.

It pained Lu Qiaoling: "Second Sister, your monthly salary is only twenty-eight, and in just one morning, you've spent nine yuan."

Lu Qiaoge said: "This is necessary. The fountain pen and notebook can be used for several years, and I have uses for the others."

Lu Qiaoling said "Oh" and didn't ask again.

She sighed in her heart, wondering when she would be able to have a job.

Meanwhile, after finishing lunch, Old Lu's face was full of smiles, telling everyone he met that his second daughter had been admitted to the neighborhood office, and with the highest score at that.

When happy events happen, one feels refreshed; even when Old Dong came to talk to him with a thick face, he didn't ignore him as usual.

Therefore, Old Dong, who had been glared at, was happy.

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

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

If they really fell out because of his big mouth, it wouldn't be worth it.

Thus, Old Dong deliberately praised Lu Qiaoge behind her back for how capable she was to be the top scorer...

Qin Hengzhi was just about to find Master Lu to tell him about his reward.

He happened to hear these words.

Qin Hengzhi lowered his eyes and stood quietly by the door, but he couldn't help but picture that bright and radiant smiling face in his mind.

She was truly a very vivid young woman.

Hmm, she also had many secrets.

(End of chapter)