Chapter 222: Other Unknown Creatures Are Also Watching Him
Lu Qiaoge and Zhang Zhuliang rode their bicycles together toward the Security Department.
Lu Qiaoge shouted in her heart: “Who is nearby? Go check whose dog bit Yaya, and who saw it…”
Xiao Cangcang was the first to fly over, holding back excitement: 【I’m here, I’m here, I’ll notify the other little friends…】
Lu Qiaoge said: “Go ahead, make sure to clarify everything around. Mainly human testimony.”
Xiao Cangcang nodded in agreement, then whooshed away out of sight.
On the way, Lu Qiaoge first criticized Zhang Zhuliang’s impulsiveness, saying he should have gone to the Security Department right away.
The child was injured so badly, the Security Department definitely couldn’t ignore it.
The Sun Family went to the Neighborhood Committee, that’s no problem, the Neighborhood Committee asking you to compensate the Sun Family three yuan was also the Sun Family’s demand.
You had no demands at all throughout, how could they help you?
While saying this, Lu Qiaoge was not polite, it was simply a head-on criticism.
Although Zhang Zhuliang was criticized by a young woman, he actually wasn’t angry inside, even feeling a warmth.
Before he could say anything, Lu Qiaoge softened her tone and said: “Don’t worry, the Security Department people will definitely find this dog. If it’s a stray dog, I’ll apply to the Neighborhood Committee for some nutrition fees for the child. By the way, Uncle Zhang, why didn’t you apply for difficulty subsidy?”
Zhang Zhuliang was silent for a moment, then said: “My family is dual-income and doesn’t meet the subsidy standard.”
Lu Qiaoge thought for a moment and said: “That’s right, your family has burdens, but after all, you’re dual-income. Just a few days ago, Qiao Sister and I visited and investigated, and found that our military factory has many difficult households. For example, Liu Yu, whose mother was killed—his father being alive makes no difference. The family has no savings at all, grain and such are all sent by the Neighborhood Committee. After elder sister Liu Xia was found back, since she just started work and hasn’t gotten salary yet, living expenses are all subsidized by the Neighborhood Committee.”
“There’s also Master Tian’s family from the Scrap Workshop. His wife is ill, parents are bedridden, eldest son is idiotic, second daughter has polio, only the youngest son is normal, but he went missing a few years ago and hasn’t been found back yet. His family only has his salary…”
The Family Courtyard is so big, naturally not everyone knows each other. Zhang Zhuliang, who thought he was the most miserable in the world, didn’t expect there were even worse off than him.
By now the two weren’t pushing the bike anymore; after the road got easier, they needed to bike to the Security Department.
It was now off work time, but the Security Department had people on duty.
Lu Qiaoge said: “Speaking of subsidies, Yaya got quite a scare this time. When I get back to the Neighborhood Committee, I’ll see if I can apply for a subsidy for Yaya.”
At this moment, a bit of light appeared in Zhang Zhuliang’s eyes.
He hesitated, then asked: “Will it cause you trouble?”
Lu Qiaoge said: “No, we’re all following regulations. Whether it qualifies or not, there are relevant rules.”
When they arrived at the Security Department, Lu Qiaoge still went in with him.
She noticed Zhang Zhuliang was somewhat introverted, seemingly not keen on coming out to handle things.
Unexpectedly, the one on duty was Section Chief Jia.
Seeing it was Lu Qiaoge, Section Chief Jia was very surprised. When he saw Zhang Zhuliang beside her, he frowned. Who was this person, why did Qiao Ge come to the Security Department with him?
He asked Lu Qiaoge: “What’s this about?”
Lu Qiaoge told about Yaya’s encounter and the child’s current injury condition, without mentioning possible rabies, worried it would stimulate Zhang Zhuliang.
“Ferocious dog injuring people, in the end it’s the owner’s problem. The owner must be responsible. Yaya is only six years old; if she hadn’t desperately run into the courtyard, the child’s life might have been gone.”
Section Chief Jia had Zhang Zhuliang go write a situation report.
Lu Qiaoge said softly to Section Chief Jia: “But I don’t support the beat-the-dogs action. This matter can’t be one-size-fits-all. Some little dogs have mild tempers, like the little yellow dog that always comes to the Neighborhood Committee to see me—very gentle with kids. Tomorrow at work I’ll report to the director; best to issue a notice soon for screening. Large dogs should still be tied up.”
This was already the most appropriate suggestion.
Lu Qiaoge sighed in her heart.
Over there, Zhang Zhuliang finished writing and handed the notebook to Section Chief Jia.
After looking, Section Chief Jia frowned and said to Zhang Zhuliang: “Let’s go, I’ll go to your home now.”
To Lu Qiaoge he said: “Didn’t you say earlier you were going to the Research Institute Family Courtyard? Go handle your business. I’ll have Sister Zhao from the section go with.”
Hearing this, Lu Qiaoge felt relieved.
At this moment, Zhang Zhuliang suddenly realized that the problem could be solved this way.
He had indeed been impulsive.
Normally, Sister-in-law Sun was pretty good, often helping his family.
The child also frequently played with the big black dog; maybe it really wasn’t the Sun Family’s big black dog that bit. The child, being young, got scared and didn’t see clearly which family’s big dog it was, just assuming it was the big black one. If the child really saw wrong, it would be his fault; he would apologize to the Sun Family and compensate as much as possible.
Thinking this way, that mindset of being in a desperate dead end improved a lot.
Zhang Zhuliang followed Section Chief Jia to first find Sister Zhao.
Lu Qiaoge rode her bicycle continuing toward the Research Institute Family Courtyard.
Meanwhile, Qin Hengzhi had already gone to the Lu Family; a tempting aroma wafted from the kitchen, and Lu Da also pushed his bike into the courtyard.
Lu Zhiguo came back early today. After washing up, he chatted with Qin Hengzhi.
Xiao Si also came back, his face flushed red. He called out Brother Qin, then said to Meng Xia: “Mom, I just came back from the backyard. My sister went to see Yaya, and took Yaya’s father to the Security Department to report the case.”
Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.
No one knew about this.
Meng Xia came out from the kitchen and talked about the dispute between the Sun Family and the Zhang Family.
Qin Hengzhi stood up and said: “I’ll go to the Research Institute side to pick up Qiao Ge.”
With this delay, Lu Qiaoge would definitely be back late.
Then he called to Xiao Si: “Want to come with me?”
Xiao Si excitedly jumped up. “Yes, yes, yes! I really want to!”
Qin Hengzhi took Xiao Si out of the courtyard.
But his steps paused for a moment.
The earlier sense of surprise and strangeness finally had an answer.
Every time he came, he could feel the swallow and Hua Hua looking at him with meaningful glances.
Sparrows, pigeons—these were out in the open, but there were also hidden ones. He couldn’t determine what they were and didn’t want to ask Lu Qiaoge.
Anyway, every time he came to the Lu Family, it wasn’t just the Lu Family members sizing him up; other unidentified creatures were also eyeing him.
All without malice.
Fortunately, he was used to all kinds of gazes from others, so he didn’t take it to heart.
He had even gradually gotten used to it, but today was off—now he found the odd part: all those inexplicable gazes watching him had disappeared today.
Completely clean, not a single one!
Qin Hengzhi only paused for an instant, then took Xiao Si toward the jeep at the road junction.
Once on the main road, they encountered Security Department cadres biking to handle the case.
Section Chief Jia and Sister Zhao.
In front was a middle-aged man on a bicycle.
That should be Zhang Zhuliang from the Lu Family backyard.
