Chapter 30: Report Letter
Lu Qiaoge knew the Big Carp had followed the Turtle to watch the excitement and got hooked.
This one was somewhat forgivable.
But the Big Black Fish—the tyrant of Hongxing Lake’s waters that devoured whoever it caught—it was deliberately lured by a group of seemingly mild-mannered Grass Carp.
Sure enough, no species should be underestimated.
Lu Qiaoge didn’t know what Qin Hengzhi’s bait was made of, but its appeal to fish was so strong.
Thus, this lake tyrant Big Black Fish smoothly took the hook.
The Big Black Fish cursed very filthily, no idea where it learned it from, even cursing the Xiao Si who hooked it to choke on fish bones, calling him a short-lived ghost at first sight who still dared to court death by eating it…
Lu Qiaoge glared furiously, really wanting to light a fire and roast it right now.
This body of water was very clean, no pollution, so the Big Black Fish would definitely taste fresh and delicious. Lu Qiaoge wanted to eat Sour Fish, and if paired with Rice, she could down three bowls.
Lu Qiaoge felt her mouth watering.
In this era, even with scarce Supplies, it was actually possible to eat a bit better if one tried.
Lu Qiaoge was too lazy to analyze Qin Hengzhi’s intentions; anyway, there was no malice.
Speaking of which, he really was a very good person.
So Lu Qiaoge quickly put him out of her mind.
The Calico Cat took advantage of Lu Qiaoge not paying attention, crouched by the Bucket, and patted the Big Black Fish’s head like whacking a mole.
And it was smart enough not to interact with the Big Black Fish at all.
Just pretending not to understand its speech.
The Big Black Fish frantically fled from the blows, cursing nonstop from its mouth.
The Calico Cat got itself soaked all over.
Lu Xiaosi wanted to intervene, but Lu Qiaoge said: “This fish is too fierce; I’ll handle it. You go catch some Rice Fish. Hua Hua, you go too.”
Rice Fish was the Calico Cat’s favorite staple food; it obediently followed Lu Xiaosi to the earlier spot.
Lu Qiaoge suddenly sensed those loitering Grass Carp herding Rice Fish toward Xiao Si’s side, quite a lot of them—was it worrying she’d release the Big Black Fish?
Lu Qiaoge punched down, knocking the foul-mouthed Big Black Fish unconscious; now, the whole world was quiet.
No, not quite quiet; she heard cheers from the nearby waters.
The Lu Family’s dinner that evening was Sour Fish, not the Northern-style pickled cabbage kind, but Southern pickled cabbage made by next door Lin Family’s wife; they made a whole Large Pot of it, plus stir-fried Eggs with Chives, and steamed a big pot of Rice.
By the time Lu Da and Lu Zhiguo entered the Courtyard, Xiao Si’s eyes sparkled as he showed off the fishing rod Qin Hengzhi gave him to them.
Even without an adult to help, Xiao Si couldn’t actually touch the fishing rod, but he was still thrilled.
But Meng Xia’s heart kept fluttering anxiously.
For no reason, Qin Hengzhi had gone fishing; why didn’t she believe it?
Thinking back to the Restaurant incident last time, it hadn’t even been a few days.
Meng Xia glanced at her second Daughter joyfully scarfing down rice, suddenly feeling she might be overthinking.
After dinner, Old Lu found a moment to tell Meng Xia: “Don’t overthink it, and don’t mention these things to outsiders.”
Meng Xia didn’t insist, gave him a glare, and went out to tidy the Paper Box.
Just then, the Main door was pushed open; it was Uncle Lu Si who arrived.
He carried a Flour Bag and a Net Bag of Eggs.
Old Mrs. Lu, slowly fanning herself with the Fan, said: “Your family isn’t well-off on Grain either; take it back soon.”
Uncle Lu Si smiled, set the things down, greeted Older Brother and Sister-in-law, and said: “A few more days and it’ll be next month; it’s enough to eat.”
Meng Xia never quibbled with Old Lu Si on such matters.
Only because his family bore an even heavier Burden.
Fourth Sister-in-law had an accident at the Farm and was still bedridden; it was Old Lu Si’s Father-in-law and Mother-in-law caring for her.
There were three Children at home, the oldest only fifteen, all studying at School.
The in-laws had Retirement Salary, but their health wasn’t great.
In short, their situations were about even, much the same.
But Old Lu Si insisted: “This is for Mom; Shuxian said so early this morning. I only have time now.”
Shuxian was Fourth Aunt Lu; before falling ill, she was a Teacher at School.
Meng Xia tidied a few bundles of greens; she didn’t touch or tell Uncle Lu Si about the Grain in the Storage Room—at a time like this, better to be cautious.
“These are Leafy Greens Qiao Ge traded back.”
Uncle Lu Si knew about it and praised Lu Qiaoge for her quick wits and strong abilities.
Old Lu didn’t refute; he’d been quite shocked these past couple days.
It turned out there was another legitimate Method to get what one wanted.
Old Lu listened contentedly as his Younger Brother praised his second Daughter.
Uncle Lu Si pulled a stiff Paper Slip from his pocket and handed it to Lu Qiaoge: “Director He had me give you this Temporary Pass.”
Old Lu still didn’t know what was up; after Fourth Brother explained, he was even happier.
“Qiao Ge, this is Director He’s care for you; don’t take it lightly.”
Lu Qiaoge of course took it seriously, obediently agreed; she still needed to go to Director He’s place to look for Information, see what White Water Bamboo the Old Turtle mentioned was.
She wasn’t too convinced that in a Human gathering area, there could be a species Humans hadn’t discovered.
But she could Transverse, could understand Animals speaking; nothing seemed impossible.
—
The next day, Director Hao of the Military Factory took a Complaint Letter from the Doorway Complaint Box, opened it, and quickly read it through.
Lu Qiaoge?
Who was this?
But Huang Juan he knew; she was the Neighborhood Committee’s Deputy Director.
He called her; soon Director Hu came running, drenched in sweat.
Director Hao hurriedly poured water for Director Hu; after a sip, Director Hu felt much better and went to read the Complaint Letter.
Then he smiled and explained the whole story about Lu Qiaoge to Director Hao.
“…Her problem-solving ability is actually quite good. Though a bit impulsive, one is she’s young, two is she’s been unemployed without Job Experience, plus Duan Xiaoxiang was Sarcasm and mocking her then, so she brought some personal Emotion.
As for the Recommendation Quota, Lu Qiaoge’s personal profile has no issues; her Father Lu Da is a national Labor Model—completely reasonable and compliant, no fear of Organization investigation…”
Director Hao laughed: “Lu Da’s Daughter, got it.”
This era was like that; many families had members all working at the same Work Unit.
Recruitment Opportunities were kept internal, not external.
Nitpicking this would be a joke.
Old Hu didn’t take it to heart; such a Complaint Letter wouldn’t stir waves.
They were working Overtime tonight for a meeting, mainly discussing the twenty-nine Recommendation Quotas.
First, Ren Xiaocui announced these people’s Grades.
Thirty Exam Questions; twenty solved in total.
Twelve people automatically withdrew.
Some found new Jobs, others felt Neighborhood Committee work wasn’t ideal.
Now eighteen candidates left.
Lu Qiaoge alone counted as solving three.
Director Hu: “Let’s vote, anonymous ballot.”
At that moment, a dozen or so Neighborhood Committee Cadres all agreed in unison.
Just as it was about to start, the rarely used Loudspeaker suddenly blared Director Hao’s voice: “All Staff and families of 516 Military Factory, note: in ten minutes, one of our Factory’s Warehouses will undergo timed Demolition for construction needs. The sound won’t be loud, but to avoid panic, special Notice to everyone…”
Old Hu waved a hand: “Let’s continue.”
When a muffled Demolition boom sounded, Old Hu and Huang Juan also saw the voting results…
Gratitude to caroletu, ~~Normal Mindset, reader2021103017400531478 Treasures for the Rewards; thanks everyone for your support. Also, due to word count, single chapters these two days; will restore double updates tomorrow or the day after. Still seeking Monthly Pass, Recommendation Tickets, Diandian nudge Button—love you all~
