Chapter 241: “a Heaven-sent Opportunity”
Wang Ju nodded first, then shook her head.
“Public Security comrades use the pretext of spreading rumors and slander… It’s also that woman who spreads gossip who is timid and guilty, so she honestly admits her mistake. Actually, this… doesn’t work so well now.” She gave Lin Zhao an obscure look.
Lin Zhao understood instantly.
“People with little courage dare to spread rumors blindly. If they had more courage, who knows what big trouble they’d cause.” Her tone was lightly mocking.
“?” Wang Ju stared at her. “You know this typical example?”
“Of course I do. The target of her rumors is my older male cousin.” Lin Zhao didn’t hide it.
Wang Ju: “…”
She smiled awkwardly.
What a coincidence.
This… if she had known, she definitely wouldn’t have said it.
“That…”
Lin Zhao slowly shook her head. “It’s nothing. The rumormonger got punished. She got what she wished for!”
These words were… a bit vicious. Wang Ju held back her laughter.
“Your cousin reporting to the Police was right. Otherwise, this kind of thing really wouldn’t be easy to handle.” Li Fen interjected.
Lin Zhao chuckled lightly. “Indeed, I didn’t think of it either.”
“It’s not just you who didn’t think of it. Normal people wouldn’t think of it.” Li Fen said. “Spreading a bit of gossip—who hasn’t done it? Right? So I say your brother is smart.”
Lin Zhao knew deep down that reporting to the Police definitely wasn’t Yun Cheng’s own idea. He didn’t have that kind of savvy in his head.
Yun Cheng was like his uncle in his younger days—both technical minds, very lacking in interpersonal skills. That required experience, and it couldn’t be rushed.
That afternoon, upon seeing Song Yuncheng, Lin Zhao asked him about reporting to the Police.
Song Yuncheng bragged, “Sis, the dirty water on me is washed clean now. When I walk on the road, no one gives me the cold shoulder anymore!”
Lin Zhao: “…”
So this guy had been getting the cold shoulder from people all along.
How was he so oblivious!?
“You’ve been getting the cold shoulder and never noticed? You’re way too thick-skinned!” The sister ruthlessly teased.
Song Yuncheng’s bragging vanished, his eyes full of grievance.
“Sis!” He whined.
“Even calling me grandma wouldn’t help. You really are oblivious. How do you have no vigilance at all?” Lin Zhao’s expression was indifferent. “If some hot-tempered righteous person sacks you in a bag or splashes you with hot soup, you could cry and it wouldn’t help.”
People these days were full of righteousness—they really couldn’t tolerate sand in their eyes. She had heard of plenty who went overboard with their methods.
Song Yuncheng didn’t get angry. Instead, he grinned.
His sister was concerned about him.
“My vigilance is indeed lacking. I admit it.” Song Yuncheng honestly admitted his mistake and stated, “From now on, I’ll be careful and won’t let anyone grab my handle again.”
Lin Zhao nodded. “At least grow a brain. Don’t make your aunt worry so much.”
Song Yuncheng knew that causing this mess was his fault, troubling his parents was his fault too. After the lesson, he replayed the incident in his mind several times and resolved never to suffer this kind of silent loss again.
“I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll grow wiser from it.” He said solemnly.
“Did the factory give any punishment to that Comrade Qiao?” Lin Zhao asked again.
Song Yuncheng answered honestly, “No New Year’s benefits, major demerit, disqualified from advanced evaluations for the next three years, and a self-criticism in front of the whole factory.”
Lin Zhao: Pretty severe, but she deserved it.
“She got what she deserved.”
She had originally planned to, after getting past this busy period, go find that Qiao woman. But hearing this punishment result, she temporarily dropped the idea and let her off for now.
“She didn’t come begging you, right?”
Hearing this, Song Yuncheng looked at his sister in shock. “Sis, how did you know she would come find me?”
Lin Zhao: “…”
“She did!” Song Yuncheng continued without pause. “She said it wasn’t intentional, she didn’t expect the news to spread so fast, a lot of it wasn’t spread by her, someone exaggerated… Anyway, she was so wronged, emerging from the mud unstained…”
For this, Song Yuncheng had one comment: “I believe her, my foot!”
His expression was a bit smug. “I didn’t really listen at all. I brushed her off and ran away fast.”
“I’m really scared, scared she’d frame me. There were no people around. If she really set me up, it’d be a sure hit.”
Scared to death.
He ran super fast.
Lin Zhao: “…Well done. For this kind of drama queen with a screw loose, you definitely need to stay far away.”
After saying this, she uneasily reminded him, “When dating someone next time, keep your eyes wide open. Look at character first. Picking someone with bad character means a lifetime of trouble.”
Song Yuncheng deeply agreed.
“Mm-hm, got it, sis.” He hesitated for a moment and said, “How about I don’t find someone myself? Let my mom find a suitable one for me. I’ll go on blind dates— at least they’re known quantities. What do you think, sis?”
Lin Zhao: Once bitten by a snake, terrified of ropes for ten years.
“Having a suitable one arranged isn’t impossible, but you don’t need to be mistaking a bow’s reflection for a snake either. People with screws loose are the minority. Most girls are great. If you meet a suitable one, don’t avoid getting to know her.”
Lin Zhao was also afraid Yun Cheng would have a psychological shadow and not dare consider personal matters anymore, so she said a few extra words.
Song Yuncheng took it to heart, remembered it in his mind.
“I won’t. Don’t worry, sis. I know what I’m doing.”
Lin Zhao noticed that after this incident, Yun Cheng had matured.
Before, he was an adult, working, sure—but he still had that childish air about him. After going through this, he looked different.
She sighed softly, her mood a bit complex.
“Sis, why are you sighing?” Song Yuncheng frowned lightly. “Is the work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative too tiring?”
After saying this, his mind heated up and he said, “Sis, if it’s tiring, don’t do it. I’ll become permanent next month. Once permanent, my salary will be half again as much. I’ll give it all to you then.”
Lin Zhao caught the key point. “You’re becoming permanent next month?”
Song Yuncheng’s smile was bright. “Yeah, my master said so. The permanent list next month has me on it.”
“Great news!” Lin Zhao’s face was full of joy. “We have to celebrate! Come to my place next month, eat hot pot!”
Song Yuncheng had eaten hot pot before and loved it so much.
His eyes lit up instantly. “Really hot pot?”
“No faking it.” Lin Zhao said. “On such a cold day, hot pot is perfect. I want to eat it too.”
Song Yuncheng immediately said, “I’ll get the meat.”
Lin Zhao didn’t refuse. Anyway, whether he could get it or not didn’t matter much.
There were still about half a month left. Song Yuncheng was already looking forward to next month’s hot pot. Looking forward didn’t mean he forgot what they were just talking about.
“Sis, is that work tiring? I see dark circles under your eyes!” His expression was worried.
“I’m serious. If it’s tiring, don’t do it. We don’t lack money at home.” Song Yuncheng said earnestly.
Lin Zhao touched under her eyes.
“Don’t overthink it. I’m not tired. We don’t lack money at home. You know your brother-in-law earns a lot. Save your money for yourself. You’ll need it for lots of things later.”
Song Yuncheng said, “We’ll talk about later later. I’m happy to spend it on you.”
“…”
This kid was impervious to reason.
“I’m really not tired.” Lin Zhao said. “I stayed up late last night writing an article, revising it over and over, didn’t notice the time, slept late—that’s why the dark circles. Nothing to do with work. A good night’s sleep tonight will fix it!”
“Writing an article?” Song Yuncheng was very surprised. “Sis, aren’t you a salesperson? Do salespeople have to write articles?”
Lin Zhao saw him asking relentlessly and helplessly said, “It has nothing to do with work.”
“Not talking about it now. When it’s published, you’ll see it. If you don’t see it, it means I got rejected.”
At this point, she said annoyed, “Ask ask ask, always asking relentlessly. If my article isn’t accepted, where do I put my face!”
“Song Yuncheng, you’re so annoying!” Lin Zhao glared at him.
Song Yuncheng: Uh.
He said righteously, “My sis is so awesome, how could her article not be selected? Even if not selected, it’s not your fault—it’s style mismatch. Definitely not that you wrote it badly!”
Lin Zhao was delighted.
Song Yuncheng let out a long breath of relief.
After sharing the good news with Lin Zhao, Song Yuncheng ran back to work. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to remind her to keep it secret.
“I know.” Lin Zhao agreed.
Song Yuncheng ran off with light steps.
Yes, ran.
The Song family’s bicycle—Uncle Song was riding it. He didn’t need it, so it was Qian Bao’s turn? No, Song Yuncheng’s turn to ride.
Lin Zhao caught sight of Qian Bao stomping his feet out of the corner of her eye and pulled him into her coat.
“Are you cold? Let’s go home.”
Qian Bao showed a clean smile. “Not cold. My feet are a little numb.”
“Feet numb, huh? I’ll carry you.” Lin Zhao picked up her son and headed home.
Qian Bao rested his little head on his mom’s shoulder and reached up to pull her scarf.
“Like coming to work with me?” She asked with a smile.
Yesterday Yao Bao woke up early and threw a tantrum to come to work with her. She agreed and brought her. Today she brought Qian Bao. She never ignored him because he didn’t talk much.
Qian Bao nodded his little head. “Like.”
“You can’t come every day even if you like it. It’s too cold now. When the weather warms up, I’ll bring you and Yao Bao every day.” Lin Zhao said patiently.
Qian Bao softly mm-hmmed, his little expression very serious, eyebrows twisted into a figure eight.
Lin Zhao’s slender fingers rubbed his forehead. “Why so grudge-bearing?”
“Yao Bao doesn’t listen, wants to come too.” Qian Bao’s little voice was all serious.
“It’s fine. She can’t get up in the morning. She’ll obediently stay home with you guys.” Lin Zhao said warmly.
“Oh.” Little Qian Bao answered slowly.
Lin Zhao touched her son’s soft fine hair, wrapped him tighter in the coat, and hurried home.
…
A few days later, Fengshou Brigade’s mushrooms were harvested.
Under the whole village’s eager expectant gazes, Gu Yuanshan and Dahai shouldered the heavy carrying pole and headed straight for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
“Our mushrooms are top quality. The Supply and Marketing Cooperative will definitely take them, right?”
“They’ll definitely take them. The key is what price they’ll set for us?”
“Cheng Huai’s family didn’t mention?”
“Should be about the same as eggs. Gotta inspect and grade first!”
Hearing this, everyone relaxed, suddenly gaining confidence.
“Yuanshan and Dahai are taking our carefully selected top-grade goods! Bound to sell for a good price!”
“I’m not greedy. If I get two bucks, that’s fine.”
“Hahaha, me too! Once the money’s in hand, I’ll buy some candy for the kids to sweeten their mouths!”
…
The crowd at the village entrance lingered for a long time, that tension over the mushroom selling price like ants on a hot pan, burrowing in everyone’s hearts.
This and that, chatting for about half an hour before the crowd gradually dispersed.
The adults each went off to work in the fields but didn’t forget to leave their kids at the village entrance.
One by one instructing:
“When the mushroom sellers come back, run fast and report the news!”
The children responded loudly.
They were small, but they understood what this money meant, staring eagerly hoping the mushrooms sold for a good price.
One of the kids clasped his hands, facing the vast mountains, bowing extremely devoutly.
“Mountain god grandfather, bless our village’s mushrooms to sell for a good price! I want to eat meat, wear new clothes, have candy in my mouth…”
The other kids saw this, like finding their backbone, and imitated him, bowing toward the mountains.
But one “overachieving” kid took it to another level, plopping straight down to kneel, mumbling even more outrageous words.
“Mountain god grandfather, please arrange work for my parents in the city! I want to be a city kid too, like the twins, live in a bright apartment building with stairs!”
The other kids: “!!!!”
You can pray for that?
They looked at the kneeling “overachiever,” faces full of shock and… temptation.
The next second, several kids plopped down kneeling in a group.
“Mountain god grandfather, arrange some jobs for my family too!!”
“…”
Passersby from the neighboring village saw this bizarre scene from afar—Fengshou Brigade’s kids all kneeling uniformly mumbling—and couldn’t help their mouths twitching, scalps tingling, clutching their baggage, and hurrying away like the wind.
Gu Yuanshan and Dahai, hurrying along with the carrying pole, knew nothing of this.
The heavy carrying pole weighed on their shoulders, with large bamboo baskets full of mushrooms at both ends.
The two walked steadily, every step careful… If they fell, no big deal, but if the mushrooms fell, their sin would be great.
Tense and cautious all the way, they finally arrived smoothly at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Lin Zhao at the counter spotted Gu Yuanshan sharp-eyed and quickly asked Li Fen to mind the counter for her, turning to find the purchasing agent in charge of procurement.
Learning the mushrooms had arrived, the purchasing agent beamed and hurried out to greet them.
No need for Lin Zhao to say more, he directly led Gu Yuanshan and Dahai to move the four baskets of treasure to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative’s backyard.
Good grief, four large baskets lined up, weighed one by one—four hundred twenty-two pounds!
The purchasing agent was a veteran who traveled constantly sourcing goods for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, sharp-eyed. He flipped through a bit and quickly set the grade.
“Yo! Rare! All top-grade first-class!” He said with some surprise and praise. “Seventy cents a pound.”
“Seventy… seventy cents a pound?” Gu Yuanshan’s mental abacus beads clacked wildly.
Four hundred twenty-two pounds…
Seventy cents a pound…
That, that would be…
Two hundred ninety-five bucks… and forty cents?!
Gu Yuanshan’s mind buzzed, pupils contracting sharply.
Dahai was dumbfounded on the spot, taking half a day to recover.
He pinched his arm hard, feeling the pain, his drifting senses returning.
“How, how is it even more expensive than eggs?!” Dahai asked.
He wasn’t complaining about too much money, mainly afraid the Supply and Marketing Cooperative’s purchasing agent mispriced it, making his dad and the members happy for nothing.
The purchasing agent had a complicated expression and shook his head. “Rare things are precious.”
Just this morning, Director Jiang held a meeting for them purchasing agents, clearly stating that per higher instructions, the collected mushrooms were to be sent to Haicheng… as special supply goods.
Fengshou Brigade had the mushroom planting technology—they were about to rise.
Not exaggerating, a huge opportunity right in front of their commune!
This was all the purchasing agent’s personal insight, not guaranteed true, so he said nothing.
He gave the money to the two, locked the mushrooms in the warehouse, and hurriedly went to find Director Jiang.
