Chapter 238: Report to the Public Security Bureau

Uncle Song replied: "I had some business back at the Dongfeng Production Brigade a few days ago. I chatted with your mom and dad for a while and heard it from them."

"What are they going to Haicheng for?" Lin Zhao asked.

She had no intention of stopping her parents from going out; she was just genuinely curious.

"It has to do with your dad," Uncle Song explained.

Lin Zhao understood in a second.

She guessed a little something.

Her peripheral vision swept over the four cubs, and a flash of regret crossed her eyes.

She couldn't go with her parents, *wuwu*.

Uncle Song had watched Lin Zhao grow up; he knew what his dear niece was thinking.

He reached out and patted Zhaozhao's head, his touch very light. "If you want to go, then go. We'll help you look after the children."

Aunt Song glanced at her husband, thought about how her sister-in-law and her husband planned to go in early spring, and nodded along. "Your uncle is right. If you want to go, then go. We're here for the children."

Lin Zhao shook her head. "Forget it. A trip like that takes at least a month, and I still want to take Yubao and Hengbao to visit relatives in early spring."

The twins looked at her with eager eyes; how could she say she was going?!

With children, how could she just leave whenever she wanted? She wouldn't be at ease going out to play either.

Aunt Song sighed, comforting Zhaozhao. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Mm."

Yubao and Hengbao had been keeping their attention on this side the whole time. Hearing that their mother wouldn't abandon them, the little brothers let out a long sigh of relief.

Hengbao squeezed next to Lin Zhao and smiled ingratiatingly: "Mom, when I grow up, I'll drive you to Haicheng, and I'll take you to the capital too. Wherever you want to go, I'll take you there."

The little child was young, but he also understood that his mother had given up many opportunities for their sake.

A trace of guilt appeared on Yubao's little face. After hesitating again and again, he suddenly said: "Mom, if you want to go, then go."

He looked at Lin Zhao. "You can send us back to the brigade. I can take care of my younger brother and sister, and there's Grandpa and Grandma too. We can do it."

Hengbao looked at his older brother in shock.

He almost screamed: *Brother, are you crazy!! *

The expression on the little kid's face was too easy to read. Lin Zhao smiled and closed the second cub's mouth, hugged Yubao's little shoulders, and asked with a smile: "Are you willing to let me leave for a month?"

"I'm not willing." Yubao shook his head, then said earnestly: "But I don't want Mom to be unhappy. If Mom wants to go, then go. We can wait for you to come back at home."

As a little kid who clung to his mother, it was easy to imagine how difficult it was for Yubao to say these words.

Lin Zhao's heart felt warm to the point of burning. She kissed Yubao and said softly: "It's okay. I can go anytime. You can't bear to let me go, and I can't bear to let you go either. We'll go together in the future."

Seeing her son's heavy thoughts, she added: "I'll have your grandma take a camera and take lots of photos."

Yubao squeezed into Lin Zhao's arms and looked up at her. "Mom, is it really, really annoying to have to look after children?"

"Yes, it is." Lin Zhao didn't deny it; it was quite annoying.

However.

Her tone shifted again. "It's a sweet annoyance. You four cubs aren't hard to manage, and I can save some worry, so it's alright."

Having four cubs made life very fulfilling and lively; otherwise, it would inevitably be boring.

Hearing that "Yes, it is," Hengbao felt his heart go cold by half. He raised his hand to cover his chest, wearing a heartbroken little expression, but then hearing Lin Zhao call it a "sweet annoyance," he immediately blossomed into a flower.

"Mom~~"

His little voice was filled with waves; it couldn't be any more clingy.

Aunt Song laughed until her stomach hurt. She pinched Hengbao's little face and said: "Look at how much your mother values you few. Be good at home, help with things you can do, and let her save some worry."

Zhaozhao was someone she had watched grow up, and she didn't want her to live too hard.

Yubao nodded solemnly. "Mm-hmm, we do chores and we listen obediently."

Song Aunt-in-law knew that Zhao Zhao's few cubs were all well-behaved, and for well-behaved children, adults always wanted to dote on them a bit more. "Yunjin, open a can for the four cubs to eat. It's chilly out, so use hot water to warm it up a bit. Give it to them once it's not so cold."

"Alright." Song Yunjin greeted the four cubs and took them to open the can.

The room was very lively.

Suddenly, the door was knocked on.

Uncle Song was close to the door and pulled it open.

Outside the door was a neighbor.

She got straight to the point: "I saw Zhaozhao come, so I came over to take a look."

Hearing the sound, Aunt Song raised her voice: "If you have something to say, come in and say it."

The neighbor surnamed Zhang entered the room, sat down without standing on ceremony, and stuffed the candy she brought to Lin Zhao. "Give this to the children to eat."

Lin Zhao didn't decline. After accepting it, she said thank you. "Thank you, Auntie."

Seeing her accept it, Aunt Zhang's face was full of smiles. "Zhaozhao, Auntie won't beat around the bush. You brought quite a lot of mushrooms, right?"

Lin Zhao was stunned for a moment. "Yes, what's wrong?"

"Asking means I want some, of course," Aunt Zhang said directly. "You know, after the weather gets cold, the vegetables you can buy are limited to those few types. Not to mention the children, even adults want to eat something fresh. If you have extra mushrooms, share some with Auntie. Auntie won't let you suffer a loss..."

Her eyes were expectant, her voice lowered; she sincerely wanted some.

Lin Zhao hadn't expected Aunt Zhang to have this intention. She was a bit pleasantly surprised and smiled: "Aunt Zhang, aren't you going to ask where I got fresh mushrooms in such cold weather?"

Aunt Zhang was stunned and hesitated: "... Is that something I can ask?"

She had deliberately avoided it, not expecting Zhaozhao to point it out specifically. Could it be... that they were obtained through proper channels?!

"What's there that can't be asked?" Lin Zhao was amused by Aunt Zhang.

She explained: "They were grown by our brigade. The supply and marketing cooperative will be selling them in a few days."

"Since you asked today, Auntie, and I brought plenty, I can share some with you. You can pay attention to the movements of the supply and marketing cooperative later."

Aunt Zhang asked happily: "Your brigade grew them? I remember you married into... the Fengshou Production Brigade, right? It's the Fengshou Production Brigade, isn't it? People in the Fengshou Production Brigade can even grow mushrooms? In this cold weather."

"When will they be sold? Give Auntie a heads-up in advance, so I can have the cubs in my family keep an eye on it, otherwise it's hard to buy."

She spoke fluently, her tone not one of being self-righteous, but one of asking for an opinion, which made people feel very comfortable.

Lin Zhao chuckled. "I'd like to give you a heads-up, but I really don't know. My brother-in-law came to deliver mushrooms today and only said that a batch could be harvested in a few days. I really don't know the specific day."

"Is that so? It's fine, we'll keep an eye on it." Aunt Zhang was disappointed inside, but it didn't show on her face.

Thinking that she could add a dish for the New Year, she felt happy.

"We have to keep an eye on it. If we can buy some... we can have an extra dish for New Year's Eve dinner."

Aunt Song agreed. "Yes, I'll have Yunjin keep an eye on it too."

"Our two families will take turns watching, and we'll share information if there's any news," said the neighbor surnamed Zhang.

"Alright."

The neighbor left happily, carrying the mushrooms.

Uncle Song said: "Growing mushrooms is a decent source of income. If we do it for a few years, it's possible for our commune to become a mushroom base."

Yubao lifted his chin slightly. "The mushroom-growing guide my mom gave my grandpa—my grandpa took a long time to grow them out. My grandpa and grandma both said it was all thanks to my mom."

"My mom helped the brigade get rich, and everyone praises my mom," Hengbao also said proudly.

Yaobao clapped her hands. "Mom is great!"

Seeing Qian Bao: "... Great!"

Lin Zhao beamed.

She said: "I just gave them some information; I didn't do anything. Why is it all my merit? It's your grandpa's merit."

Gu Father was patient and meticulous, which is why they were able to grow them.

Yubao said seriously: "It is Mom's merit. Grandpa said if it wasn't for reading that mushroom-growing guide and learning bit by bit, he wouldn't have been able to grow them either. Grandpa also said there are many ins and outs to growing mushrooms, and even a slight mistake would lead to failure. That thick thing Mom gave saved a lot of trouble."

Hengbao was eating the hot canned food beautifully and said: "That's right, that's what Grandpa said."

Uncle Song and Aunt Song looked at Lin Zhao with gentle eyes. How should one put it? Proud and gratified.

The little girl also knew how to serve the people!

Lin Zhao's expression was slightly awkward.

She had drawn it and didn't know how to deal with it. Knowing her father-in-law was an expert at planting, she just gave it to him. She really hadn't thought too much about it.

"Sister, what mushroom-growing guide? Where did you dig it up?" Song Yunjin asked curiously.

"I know." Yubao spoke up. "My mom found it at the recycling station."

Lin Zhao: Right, there was no other reason.

Song Yunjin sighed, tinged with a bit of envy. "Sister, you're really lucky."

Aunt Song agreed very much with this. "Your sister is indeed lucky."

She got up, intending to go out to cook. Lin Zhao intended to follow, but Aunt Song pressed her shoulders.

"Don't get up. There aren't many dishes, I'll do it myself. The kitchen is small, and there are other families, so don't let them bump into you."

After the words fell, she took her apron and left the room with the mushrooms.

"Song family, is that mushrooms you're holding? And they're fresh?! Where did they come from? Can you share some with me?!!" Such a voice vaguely drifted in from outside the door.

Aunt Song laughed and said: "Zhaozhao brought them for her uncle and me, saying it's to add a dish for us. I can't share them; there's only this little bit, and it's not even enough for us to eat..."

Inside the room.

Song Yunjin made a funny face and nudged his chin toward the corridor. "Listen, she's showing off."

Lin Zhao patted his arm. "Don't make funny faces."

She couldn't help but laugh. "When you graduate and find a good job, Aunt will be even more smug. She'll definitely tell everyone she meets."

Song Yunjin imagined what his sister said, and the corners of his mouth almost reached the back of his head.

"Hehe, that's true."

As a son, who wouldn't want to be their parents' pride?

The next day.

Song Yuncheng arrived at his workplace and was called over by his master. After listening to the other party say a few words, he realized deeply—a man's reputation also cannot tolerate flaws.

"Master, I didn't..." he called out, feeling wronged.

The middle-aged man patted his shoulder. "Do you think I don't know you? I didn't say it was your problem. You have to take this matter seriously and resolve it as soon as possible."

He pointed at his steady and capable apprentice. "Your time is precious, don't waste it on this matter. I suggest reporting it to the Public Security Bureau."

Song Yuncheng was shocked. "Report to the Public Security Bureau... isn't that too exaggerated?"

Besides, would the Public Security Bureau care?

For such a small matter, wouldn't it be bad to waste national resources?!

"Exaggerated how?" Song Yuncheng's master squinted at him. "How can you handle this yourself? No matter how you handle it, it's wrong."

An eye for an eye?

That Comrade Qiao had the upper hand. No matter what Yuncheng did, it would be disadvantageous to him, and he might even have more dirt thrown on him. It would be better to report to the Public Security Bureau and be done with it once and for all.

"This is the most trouble-free way."

Song Yuncheng wasn't good at handling such matters, but he listened to advice, so he said: "I'll listen to Master. I'll go in a while."

"Wait for what? I'll give you an hour, go now." said his master, who couldn't tolerate sand in his eyes.

Yuncheng had been working with him during this period, and in a corner he hadn't noticed, he had suffered such a secret loss. He had been full of anger for a long time.

"Alright, thank you, Master." Song Yuncheng smiled and intended to leave.

"Wait." His master remembered something, called him back, and told him good news. "You're on the list for becoming a regular employee next month."

Song Yuncheng stood where he was, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

His dark eyes were slowly lit up.

"Master!? You mean——!!"

The man rubbed his ears. "Keep your voice down, you unsteady brat! Keep it a secret for now, be happy after the news is announced."

If it weren't for seeing this kid suffer an unprovoked disaster, he wouldn't have revealed the news.

Song Yuncheng smiled until he couldn't see his teeth. "I know."

See, working hard is useful!

He became a regular employee!!!

The middle-aged man understood his apprentice's mood, but he was really too lazy to listen to him chatter. He waved his hand to dismiss him and buried his head in work again.

"Master, I'll help you get lunch at noon." Song Yuncheng laughed and left with light steps.

When passing by the factory building, he saw from afar that Qiao Lu was laughing and talking with another female worker.

Glancing at Song Yuncheng, the smile on her face was immediately wiped clean. The female comrade next to her looked over following her gaze, and as soon as she saw it was Song Yuncheng, undisguised disgust immediately flashed in her eyes.

Song Yuncheng: "...?"

No wonder Master told him to hurry up and report to the Public Security Bureau. It really had to be reported. If he let it go like this, he would be sacked on the road.

Song Yuncheng didn't get into a verbal battle with Qiao Lu. He simply started running, and after leaving the motor factory, he went straight to the Public Security Bureau.

He explained his grievances, added a bit of oil and vinegar appropriately, and emphasized that the rumors and gossip in the factory had seriously interfered with his work...

The importance of the motor factory's project was self-evident, and the Public Security Bureau had also heard a little about it. Learning that members of the project team were affected, they immediately took it seriously and sent people to investigate.

Two public security officers came to the motor factory, and the matter was not difficult to investigate.

In less than half an hour, the source was clearly pointed at Qiao Lu.

As soon as Qiao Lu saw the public security officers looking for her, she immediately lost her mind and defended herself nervously: "I, I didn't do anything..."

The public security comrades' attitude was still peaceful, but their tone was serious and official. "Whether you did it or not isn't up to you to say. We have to speak with evidence and look at the investigation results."

Qiao Lu was choked speechless at once, her face flushed red.

She was just about to open her mouth to defend herself, when another public security officer cut straight to the point, his gaze like a torch: "You privately spread untrue remarks about Comrade Song Yuncheng, seriously damaging his reputation and affecting his normal work. Do you admit to this?"

With so many people around, how could Qiao Lu easily admit it?

She shook her head quickly, pretending to be calm: "I didn't! I'm not familiar with him, why would I spread gossip about him?"

"I suggest you tell the truth." The public security comrade said earnestly. "We were able to come to you, which means we have mastered sufficient evidence. As long as things have been done, they will leave traces. Leniency for confession; if you admit your mistake and apologize now, there is still room for redemption."

They looked at the male comrade who reported the case, who only wanted to restore his honor.

If the person was offended to death, a demerit would be a small thing.

Being given a demerit wasn't a small matter; the public security comrade suggested turning a big matter into a small one.

Qiao Lu remained stubborn. "... I didn't do it, what should I admit?"

The public security officer also got angry and presented the evidence.

"Multiple female comrades have confirmed that the source of the untrue remarks about Comrade Song Yuncheng is you. What else are you quibbling about!"

"Do you know what you are doing? This is rumor-mongering and slander, which can be identified as disturbing public order and will be punished..."

In fact, the current legal order had been seriously impacted, and this penalty clause wasn't so easy to use, but it was still feasible to scare timid people.

Hearing that she would be punished, Qiao Lu's face turned pale, and she didn't dare to be stubborn anymore. She said quickly: "I admit it, don't punish me..."

These words were an admission that those rumors and gossip about Song Yuncheng in the factory were all spread by her.

Quite a few female comrades who had been used as guns by her stood stupidly on the spot.

A girl with a big temper said incredibly: "Qiao Lu, you were talking nonsense?!"

"You misled us?!" The female comrade who had glared at Song Yuncheng before felt her face burning, wishing time could flow backward.

"How can you be so bad!"

Many young women who were close to Qiao Lu had their illusions shattered and fell out with Qiao Lu on the spot.

Qiao Lu had no way to defend herself, and she hated Song Yuncheng to death in her heart.

This person was just treacherous; she hadn't said anything wrong.

Reporting to the Public Security Bureau for such a small matter, too black-hearted!!

This matter soon spread throughout the factory.

Soon, everyone knew that there was a black-hearted female comrade in the broadcasting station who, after failing to be in a relationship with someone, spread rumors to harm people, and was reported to the Public Security Bureau by the other party...

The matter didn't make a big scene, but it was ugly, and it was later used as a "typical example" by various units.

Even Lin Zhao heard about it.

She heard it from Wang Ju.

"Reporting to the Public Security Bureau for this matter actually works?!" Lin Zhao expressed surprise. ===== CHAPTER 239 =====