Chapter 99: Turbulence in the Government Compound

Shen Yuchuan didn't talk much, but he behaved well. After a few words with him, Zhao Xiangdong knew that this man was extraordinary and nodded secretly in his heart.

After dinner, Wang Xiulan couldn't wait to take Shen Lingning and Fubao for a walk in the government family compound to help digest the food. She introduced them to everyone she met: "Hey, Sister Li, Sister Zhang, come and see, this is my goddaughter Lingning, whom I often mentioned to you, and my granddaughter Fubao! They are here to see me from the Songtaogou base!"

Everyone saw that Shen Lingning was handsome and well-mannered, and although he was dressed simply, he looked neat and tidy; Fubao was even more adorable, with a round face, arms like lotus roots, and a smile whenever he saw anyone, looking just like the Fuwa in the New Year pictures turned into a spirit.

Everyone praised: "Oh, Xiulan is so lucky! This goddaughter is so beautiful!"

"This baby is so happy! It makes people love it just by looking at it!"

"So this is the girl from that place where you were looking for donations? That's great, she's self-reliant!"

Wang Xiulan was proud of it and her face was full of smiles.

However, as the crowd dispersed, some discordant whispers began to drift from certain corners.

"Humph, she's called a goddaughter, but who knows where she got this poor relative from? Wang Xiulan is the same. Ever since her own daughter was lost, she feels close to every girl she sees."

"That's right. Coming from such a remote base, aren't they here to extort money under the guise of a sworn brotherhood? Look at the local specialties that girl brought—a few pieces of broken soap?"

"The Zhao family is quite prestigious, so be careful not to be implicated by those with ulterior motives..."

These sour words were only circulated behind the scenes and had not yet reached the ears of the Zhao family. However, like seeds, they fell into the hearts of some people who were jealous of or dissatisfied with the Zhao family's status and quietly took root and sprouted.

The next day, Wang Xiulan took out the tea seed soap that Shen Lingning gave her. The more she looked at it, the more she liked it, and the more she used it, the better it felt.

On the third day, she not only liked the soap, but was also moved by the fact that Shen Lingning could make such a good product under such a difficult environment. This self-reliance and dedication made her feel distressed and proud.

"Lingning, your soap is so good! We can't just use it ourselves, we have to let more people know about it!"

Wang Xiulan was a person of action. She immediately used her network of connections to contact the manager of the daily chemical counter at Chang'an's most upscale Guomao Mall.

She personally brought the soap to recommend it, and relying on her old reputation, she secured a rare opportunity for Shen Lingning to try the soap at the counter and have a demonstration.

For the next two days, Shen Lingning and Fubao settled down in Zhao’s house.

Wang Xiulan doted on Fubao and her daughter to the heavens, cooking delicious meals in all sorts of ways and even digging out Zhao Xiangdong's son's childhood clothes and altering them for Fubao.

He also took them for walks in the compound and introduced his goddaughter and granddaughter to everyone he met, with his pride beyond words.

Fubao quickly became the "little star" in the compound. She was cute, sweet-mouthed, and not at all stage-shy. Her grandparents, uncles, and aunts called out to her in a clear voice. Everyone who saw her wanted to tease her and give her a piece of candy.

Shen Lingning breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her daughter was adapting well.

However, beneath the calm, undercurrents never stop surging.

Zhao Changhe secretly strengthened the patrols and visitor registration in the compound, and made secret instructions to several core security personnel in the family compound, asking them to pay special attention to unfamiliar faces and suspicious persons.

Shen Yuchuan used the Zhao family's phone to keep in touch with the outside world in code, tracking the clues of the "duckbill cap".

Shen Lingning was not unaware.

Although she enthusiastically responded to the greetings of the neighbors in the government compound, she was also keenly aware of the occasional solemn glances exchanged between her godfather and Shen Yuchuan, and that the compound guards seemed to be stricter than usual.

She guessed that she might have accidentally gotten into some trouble...

But she chose to trust the Zhao family and Shen Yuchuan, and tried her best to play the role of an ordinary visitor. She didn't ask questions or cause trouble, but just focused on organizing the soaps she brought, talking to her godmother, and taking care of Fubao.

Wang Xiulan took Shen Lingning and Fubao to the cooperative in the compound to buy daily necessities.

On the way back, I happened to meet a few neighbors from the housing estate who were also out for a walk.

"Xiu Lan, are you out shopping with your goddaughter and granddaughter again?"

An aunt with curly hair greeted with a smile, her eyes shifting to Shen Lingning.

"Yes, Sister Li. Look at my granddaughter, she's so adorable!"

Wang Xiulan happily pushed Fubao forward.

Fubao also called out politely, "Hello, Grandma!"

Aunt Li smiled and responded, then looked at Shen Lingning: "Comrade Shen, right? I've heard Xiulan praise you many times. You are so handsome and capable. You can even make your own soap? That's amazing!"

Shen Lingning smiled modestly: "Aunt, you are too kind. I was just thinking about it to supplement the family income."

A middle-aged woman nearby, more elegantly dressed and with a slightly harsh expression, curled her lips and said in a moderately loud voice to the people around her, "Wow, these girls from the countryside are so capable nowadays? They're adopting a godparent and making soap. They're quite resourceful."

The air was quiet for a moment.

Wang Xiulan's face immediately darkened.

Aunt Li was also a little embarrassed.

The smile on Shen Lingning's face faded a little, but he still remained polite, as if he didn't hear the sarcasm in the words, and just looked at the woman who was speaking gently.

Wang Xiulan couldn't stand it anymore. Just as she was about to speak back, Shen Lingning gently pulled her arm and took half a step forward.

The voice was clear and calm as he spoke: "This auntie is right. Our comrades at the grassroots level are indeed trying every possible way to increase production and find a way out to reduce the burden on the country.

If the policy did not allow and the organization did not support, I would not be able to make this soap.

I heard that you work in a government agency, so you must understand the country's policy of encouraging self-reliance better, right? If there is a chance in the future, please give me more guidance."

Her words were flawless. She pointed out the legitimacy of her own behavior, which was permitted by policy and supported by the organization. She also praised the other party for working in the agency, and asked, "What's the result of this understanding of the policy?"

He also gently blocked the other party's sarcasm, which made the other party seem narrow-minded.

The woman was choked and couldn't speak for a moment, her face turning red and white.

Wang Xiulan was so happy that she glanced at the woman triumphantly and pulled Shen Lingning and Fubao: "Let's go, let's go home and cook! Why waste time talking to these blind people!"

After they walked away, Wang Xiulan said with relief, "Ling Ning, well said! That's how she should be dealt with! She's so arrogant because her husband is a deputy director! If she dares to be sarcastic again, tell me or I'll tear her mouth off!"

Shen Lingning took her godmother's arm, feeling warm in her heart: "Godmother, it's not worth getting angry for such a person. Let's just live our own lives."

But she knew in her heart that this kind of gossip would not be the last.

She must gain a foothold in Chang'an as soon as possible and make achievements in order to truly shut these people up and not bring shame to her godmother's family.