Chapter 36: Nobody Move!
Luo Guixiang felt dizzy before her eyes, nearly collapsing.
She clenched her teeth tightly, glaring fiercely at Grandma Sun: “Fine, fine, fine, you all bully us, a widow and her orphan.”
Grandma Sun sneered. Who was bullying whom? Did it even need saying?
Everyone wasn’t blind.
If this were your own daughter, could you bear not letting their whole family in?
She ignored Luo Guixiang and quietly exhorted Zhou Li.
Lu Qiaoge secretly said to the old black cat: “You quickly go over there, jump a few more times on the dressing table and the eight immortals table and the red wooden box, attract Zhou Li’s attention…”
The old black cat spiritedly jumped onto the dressing table and the two red-lacquered wooden boxes, hopping around, and even went to the eight immortals table…
Thus, under the principle of the minority obeying the majority, everyone helped Zhou Li move out the dressing table, eight immortals table, and two redwood boxes.
Luo Guixiang slammed the room door shut with a bang.
The matter was resolved, and it had nothing more to do with the neighborhood committee.
But Lu Qiaoge pondered. She felt that exposing the secret now would actually be the safest for Zhou Li.
Because Yu Xiu had left a letter for her daughter, along with two hundred yuan in cash.
But that was all.
Once it was out in the open, Zhou Li’s days would be easier.
The military factory was strict; unexplained sources of money could lead to big trouble.
Most importantly, if it were discovered later, even if Luo Guixiang claimed it was hers, people might believe her.
No matter how you looked at it, publicizing this secret would benefit Zhou Li more than harm her.
So she secretly instructed the old black cat to find the switch.
Under Lu Qiaoge’s direction, the lame-legged old black cat jumped onto the dressing table temporarily placed in the courtyard.
Its paw kept scratching at a small drawer.
Everyone curiously watched the old black cat, feeling this cat was too much of a troublemaker.
Grandma Sun said to Zhou Li: “Little Li, I went to rent a house for you. I negotiated with one, rent three yuan a month, and I paid three months for you.”
Zhou Li’s eyes widened in surprise, but then tears fell: “Aunt Sun, you’re too good to me. This money is borrowed; I’ll pay you back as soon as I find work.”
Over there, Lu Qiaoge reminded Zhou Li: “Look, what is your cat trying to do?”
As she spoke, Lu Qiaoge walked over too, pretending to curiously watch the old black cat fussing with the drawer. But her hand, following the old black cat’s indication, yanked the drawer open hard and conveniently pressed the button nearby.
Thus, Lu Qiaoge pulled out the drawer, and then a small wooden box was tugged out from inside it.
Lu Qiaoge handed the small wooden box to the shocked Zhou Li and seriously said: “Open it and see. If it’s Comrade Luo’s, you must return it to her.”
Zhou Li quickly opened the lid.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Someone nearby exclaimed: “Heavens, so many big unity notes, must be several hundred yuan.”
People now liked calling ten-yuan banknotes big unity.
Luo Guixiang, who had been secretly observing from the balcony, suddenly pushed open the window and shouted loudly: “It’s mine, mine! No one is allowed to touch it!”
Almost in the blink of an eye, Luo Guixiang rushed out from the house.
Cadre Liu stepped forward and stopped Luo Guixiang from grabbing the box: “No grabbing. If it’s confirmed to be yours, we’ll return it right away. Don’t worry, so many people are watching.”
Luo Guixiang shrieked sharply: “Confirm what? That’s my private savings, left by my son’s biological father for his marriage. I was so angry just now I got confused—give it back to me quick, or I’ll report you all to the security office!”
Lu Qiaoge had wanted to trouble Luo Guixiang a bit more, but thinking of Aunt Huang’s exhortation, she regretfully pursed her lips.
She reminded Zhou Li: “See what that letter says.”
A few minutes later, Luo Guixiang and her two sons ran home in shame and anger.
While Zhou Li clutched the letter her mother had written her to her chest, crying uncontrollably.
Her mute husband held the child and stood beside her, silently reddening his eyes.
The old black cat squatted on the dressing table meowing meow meow.
Lu Qiaoge and Cadre Liu had resolved a near-tragedy and hurried back toward the neighborhood committee.
Halfway, they ran into the worried Director Hu and Huang Juan.
Seeing the three smiling faces, Old Hu and Huang Juan said: “Looks like it’s settled.”
After Cadre Liu reported the situation, he hurriedly praised Lu Qiaoge—not forced, but sincerely.
Lu Qiaoge quickly demurred: “It’s all because Cadre Liu has authority, able to control those onlookers. Otherwise, who would listen to me…”
Old Hu waved his hand: “Lu Qiaoge, Shao Le, you two rest this afternoon. Remember to prepare your notebook, fountain pen, and lunchbox. Be on time for work tomorrow.”
The two exchanged a delighted glance.
Then Lu Qiaoge realized she was penniless. She needed to hurry home and ask for money.
The Lu family’s lunch was long ready.
Cold-dipped noodle strips, chive and egg stew. Pushing open the courtyard gate filled the air with fragrance.
Meng Xia, who had always been worried about some change, saw her daughter return grinning and was completely relieved, but still asked a lot.
Lu Qiaoge obediently reported the morning’s work situation to Meng Xia and Old Mrs. Lu.
Including the dispute she had just resolved between Zhou Li and her stepmother.
Meng Xia was so happy her mouth wouldn’t close: “My daughter is so capable.”
Lu Qiaoge immediately said: “Mom, lend me some money. I need to buy a fountain pen and notebook.”
Old Mrs. Lu stopped Meng Xia and trotted to the bedroom, fetching ten yuan for Lu Qiaoge: “This is Grandma’s reward for you. Work well. We won’t steam buns—we’ll catch our breath.”
Lu Qiaoge neatly pocketed the money: “Thanks, Grandma. Just wait— in a few days I’ll find a way to get pork for Grandma, and we’ll make big pork-filled buns to eat.”
Meng Xia wanted to say her second daughter was bragging; pork was all supplied by ticket now. But suddenly she felt nothing was impossible.
No work in the afternoon—Lu Qiaoge arrogantly went for a nap. After waking, 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 all had to be self-provided.
After thinking, she also bought a stack of rough paper, two pencils, and an eraser.
It cost nine yuan at once.
It heartbroken Lu Qiaoling: “Second Sister, your monthly salary is only twenty-eight, and in just one morning you’ve spent nine yuan.”
Lu Qiaoge said: “It’s necessary. The fountain pen and notebook can last years. The others I have uses for.”
Lu Qiaoling oh-ed and asked no more.
She sighed inwardly: when would she ever have a job?
Meanwhile, after lunch, Old Lu’s face was all smiles. He told everyone his second daughter had gotten into the neighborhood committee, top of the grades.
Joy invigorated him; even Old Dong approaching cheekily, he didn’t ignore him as usual.
So Old Dong was happy after a glare.
He wasn’t afraid of Old Lu scolding, yelling, or glaring—just afraid of being ignored.
After all, they were old work comrades of nearly thirty years together.
It wouldn’t be worth falling out over his loose mouth.
Thus, Old Dong deliberately praised behind his back how awesome Lu Qiaoge was, actually first place…
Qin Hengzhi was just about to find Master Lu to talk about the reward for him.
And he happened to hear these words.
Qin Hengzhi lowered his gaze, quietly standing by the door, but that bright and brilliant smiling face involuntarily appeared before his eyes.
Really a very lively female comrade.
Mm, lots of secrets too.
