Chapter 218: Deep In The Reed Marshes
Lu Qiaoge continued, “As for this exhibition fair, the purpose is to exchange for foreign exchange, grain, machines, electronic components, and the supplies we need, and moreover, to make the other side exchange willingly without negotiating conditions with us.
I thought at the time, no matter what we use to exchange, it would hurt my heart. I specially mentioned this point in the application report, such as steel, petroleum, minerals, or even grain—which one of them isn’t in short supply in our country?
However, handicrafts still couldn’t reach such a large share, so I thought at the time of providing a venue for them to sell clothing, like the Workers’ Cultural Palace, which is our Jiangcheng territory. Let them use it for a while, and after the people leave, the territory is still ours.”
Old Bai, hearing this, had smiles all over his face.
“So, you succeeded. Even if someone wants to find trouble with you or pick fault, they have no way to start. Qiao Ge, you’ve thoroughly studied every clause—very good, very good.”
Qin Hengzhi remained silent throughout, but the pride in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.
He really wanted to pinch the little girl’s cheek; how was she so amazing?
Lu Qiaoge also smiled, but actually she knew the future direction and knew that doing so now had low risk. Of course, the four words “fabricate pretexts” weren’t necessarily derogatory.
“Thank you for your praise. Actually, I also have to thank the leaders for their far-sightedness. I just provided an idea; it was the comrades’ joint effort that made the exhibition fair end successfully.”
Old Bai waved his hand: “No need to be modest. Young people should dare to think and act like you.”
At this point, Old Bai changed the subject: “Qiao Ge, I feel that the Neighborhood Committee of the military factory is still limiting your development. Are you interested in working at the Foreign Trade Bureau? Don’t worry, as long as you nod, I can definitely get you transferred out.”
Qin Hengzhi and Lu Qiaoge both stopped in their tracks.
Lu Qiaoge hadn’t expected Old Bai to poach from the corner of the wall.
516 was good, but it indeed limited her performance.
Many things couldn’t be done or experimented with, let alone expanded in scale.
But now she didn’t need to perform; wasn’t it nice to just muddle along like this?
She had gold at home, money in her pocket, savings in the bank, and a food factory for her to tinker with.
Right, and there was a handsome older brother with whom she was in love.
Lu Qiaoge said seriously: “Grandpa Bai, your proposal moves me very much, but I can’t agree. Xiangyang Food Factory is something I founded single-handedly; it’s just starting up, and more than a dozen workers are still counting on this job to support their families. If I really leave, I have to wait until I develop the food factory from a collective enterprise into a state-run large factory.”
Old Bai burst into laughter again.
He looked approvingly at Qin Hengzhi—count on you boy for having good taste.
—
Meng Xia learned the whole process of Lu Qiaoge going to the Bai Family and was truly beaming with joy.
How was her second daughter so amazing?
Of course, the Bai Family was complicated, so she should go less in the future.
Lu Qiaoge hadn’t thought that much.
This was very normal.
Which family in the world is perfect without flaws?
Meng Xia remembered something and said again: “Brigade Leader Lin came in the morning and took half a bag of green corn and oil green beans, saying they were home-grown. This person is too honest; whatever you give him, he wants to return it ten or a hundred times over.”
Lu Qiaoge nodded in approval and said to Meng Xia: “Just normal interactions; treat it as Guzi Village having one more relative.”
Still a simple and honest yet shrewd person who knew how to handle things.
Meng Xia said: “Hengzhi is coming for dinner tonight; he loves the mapo tofu I make. I’ll go buy a piece of tofu and some seasonings along the way.”
After saying that, she took the vegetable basket and left, still saying as she walked: “These three sparrows seem welded to the tree fork, chirping away; can’t drive them off even if I try.”
Lu Qiaoge looked up at the big pine tree outside the courtyard.
Three sparrows were perched on it.
Seeing Meng Xia leave and only Lu Qiaoge in the courtyard, they immediately started chirping to communicate with Lu Qiaoge.
【Little Fairy, the swallow is about to fly south soon, or to even farther countries, and who knows if it can return next year. The three of us can just live in its nest for the winter; please agree.】
【Yes, yes, we really like the swallow’s nest and guarantee to live in it properly without damaging it.】
【My nest was once in a wall hole, and in spring it was dug out by a group of naughty kids; all my babies were eaten by them, wuu wuu wuu…】
Lu Qiaoge: “……”
She said firmly: “No, I definitely can’t agree.”
The three sparrows were sly, waiting for the swallow family to fly to Hongxing Lake before sneaking over to pester her.
According to Rat Big, they had come to squat several times already.
These three sparrows were not on good terms with Swallow Tao Tao; before she could communicate with them, they had fought several times. Although they later got familiar with Lu Qiaoge, they rarely came here.
They would block her halfway or go to the Neighborhood Committee to find her.
Hearing Lu Qiaoge refuse, the three sparrows lowered their heads dejectedly.
Sparrow Big said: 【Winters are tough for us; many people like to use sticky nets to catch and eat us.】
Lu Qiaoge waved her hand: “Don’t worry first; when winter comes, I’ll think of a way for you.”
Lu Qiaoge sent the three sparrows away, went back to the house to look at the place where the gold was hidden, thought of the iron box under the reed marsh, and resignedly got on her bicycle heading toward the lakeside.
The weather was hot now, so going into the water to fetch things was no problem, but next month it would be September, and the weather would cool down.
It was three o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun was still brilliantly hanging in the western sky.
Arriving at the lakeside, she placed the bicycle under the steps, and Lu Qiaoge carried her bag toward the reed marsh.
Then she felt it wasn’t just the lake water; even the air seemed stirred.
First to fly over were Tao Tao and Nini, followed by their little offspring.
Lu Qiaoge glanced at Nini landing on her shoulder and really wanted to tell them that the sparrows missed their nest.
Immediately after, Xiao Cangcang also flew over.
Ripples layered up on the lake water; experienced fishermen could sense a big guy hiding below.
Lu Qiaoge knew it was the big pike, carp, and grass carp coming.
Of course, the old turtle too.
Lu Qiaoge hadn’t come here for a while.
This group of little things were still very excited to see her.
They surged toward Lu Qiaoge eagerly; if possible, they wished they could surround her.
Lu Qiaoge didn’t delay and said directly to the big pike: “I want to go into the water to check those big iron boxes.”
The big pike at this time was at the shore, its fish body gently swaying its tail in the water.
【I’ll show you first; don’t worry, Little Fairy, wait for us at the lakeside.】
The old turtle also said: 【We rarely come to this side; many areas are unfamiliar, and going into the water rashly would be dangerous.】
Lu Qiaoge thought for a moment and nodded: “That works too.”
This was the first time Lu Qiaoge had come to confirm the position of the iron boxes.
So the big pike and big carp were very serious too.
The old turtle bit the big pike’s tail and followed along.
Within Lu Qiaoge’s line of sight, the old turtle hadn’t surfaced yet; Tao Tao was still circling above the water surface.
She had always known it was the reed marsh, but now that it was confirmed, it turned out to be deep in the reed marsh.
Lu Qiaoge gave up the idea of going into the water.
When the old turtle surfaced, the swallows flew back from afar and said to Lu Qiaoge: 【The boxes are still in the original place, positioned right opposite the big poplar tree on the steps.】
【Originally thought there were only three boxes, but there seem to be eleven, right under the sand, and now they’re all exposed.】
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