Chapter 919 Return

That’s settled.

The next day, Lu Miao went to the gold jewelry store in the department store.

Originally, as Fu Jingyou suggested, she was also thinking of buying a pair of bracelets and anklets.

There are indeed some with good meanings, such as those with a circle of bells hanging on them, or those with a circle of small gourds that mean "blessings and fortune".

Looks delicate and playful.

But after touching it, Lu Miao felt it was not ideal.

The weight is wrong.

Except for a circle of main body, the rest is hollow.

Gold is not like other metals. It is hollow and does not even need to be crushed hard.

It will flatten if you pinch it slightly.

After looking at several pairs of bracelets, Lu Miao was not satisfied with any of them. Finally, he chose a small Pixiu weighing 16 grams with a string threaded through the spine.

Gold preserves value, and Pixiu symbolizes attracting wealth, warding off evil and bringing good luck.

Whether from an economic or metaphorical perspective, Lu Miao felt it was very appropriate.

But she only bought the Pi Xiu and didn't care about anything else.

The rest was prepared by the elders in the family.

Besides, I have been resting at home for several days and taking care of a lot of trivial matters.

Lu Miao packed up everything and resumed his daily work.

Privately, Lu Miao also asked Yu Hong about the follow-up of Xi Lufeng.

But I didn't ask anything.

Because the company had already issued a clear notice during her sick leave.

It is not allowed to talk about certain things and certain people.

With all the restrictions and Minister Zhan's instructions in front of him, Lu Miao couldn't continue to inquire further.

It seemed inevitable that Xi Lufeng gradually faded from everyone's sight and memory.

But life never stops here.

As soon as one wave subsides, another wave rises.

In mid-November, the heating system was just turned on in the Guoying Society.

The gardenias I picked in June and July have been hydroponically cultivated and kept indoors.

Although the leaves have almost all fallen off now, the lush roots in the bottle still show vitality everywhere.

When Lu Miao was at work, he saw that the plant was growing well, so he brought a small flowerpot from home the next day.

When he was free after lunch, Lu Miao went downstairs with the flower pot, thinking of shoveling some soil in the inner courtyard and transferring the gardenia from hydroponics to soil planting.

She had just found a stick that was handy and was digging the soil when Yu Hong came running over anxiously and said,

"senior!"

"What's wrong? You're so anxious."

Lu Miao asked the question and put the stick aside.

After looking around and failing to find anything suitable, he simply pulled up his sleeves and put the soil into the basin with his two white hands.

"Minister Zhan wants to see you. He doesn't look well, as if something has happened. Senior, you should go quickly!"

Yu Hong was extremely anxious and the situation seemed to be quite tricky.

Lu Miao was also worried that something had really happened, so he clapped his hands, stood up, and walked towards the building in front:

"I'll go check it out. Put all the soil I just dug into the flowerpot. I'll need it later."

"good."

Without bothering to wash his hands, Lu Miao crossed his arms, rubbed them against each other, pushed his sleeves higher, and went straight to the fourth floor.

Arriving at the door of Minister Zhan's office, Lu Miao knocked on the door and pushed it open.

"Minister, you're looking for me."

"Um."

Minister Zhan responded, opened a drawer, took out a five-pointed star medal and placed it on the outer corner of the table:

"The Guangzhou branch and the Foreign Trade Division have reported your situation to us, saying that you performed exceptionally well in all aspects during the Canton Fair. This is the medal the agency has awarded you."

Lu Miao nodded in understanding, took two steps forward, and subconsciously reached out to grab the medal.

Thinking of something, she withdrew her hand halfway, rubbed her dirty hands on her skirt, and then took the medal.

Minister Zhan's expression remained stern, and it was obvious that he had more to say.

Lu Miao put away the medal and stood aside, quietly waiting for his next words.

Different from the usual jokes and favoritism.

Minister Zhan put on his glasses and concentrated on his work.

After leaving him alone for about ten minutes, he put the pen cap back into the pen holder, turned sideways and looked at Lu Miao sternly, saying:

"The agency has received information that you have engaged in private trade with someone. Is this true?"

“…”

Lu Miao was slightly stunned.

During the more than ten minutes of quiet waiting, she thought of many possibilities.

I also guessed that there might be something wrong with my work.

But I didn't expect that it would be this.

Although I was surprised and felt that the discovery was made earlier than expected, it is a fact after all.

Moreover, Minister Zhan would bring up this matter. Although he is asking about it now, he has probably already understood the situation.

Lu Miao was very tactful and did not argue, but nodded calmly:

"yes."

Minister Zhan's expression became serious and he slammed the table.

"Bang——" a very loud sound.

Although Lu Miao was not frightened, he still lowered his head.

It's not guilt, it's not fear.

But admit the mistake.

"What is your identity? Do I need to tell you whether you can touch these things with your identity?"

"Need not……"

"So what do you call this? Huh? Knowingly breaking the law? I've been praising you for your intelligence and potential, and you're making a mistake in such a lowly place!"

In the past, only Lu Miao could criticize others with all his might.

This time she was very obedient and listened to Minister Zhan's scolding for more than half an hour.

But getting scolded won’t solve the problem.

Lu Miao quickly assessed the situation and took off the work badge on his chest.

She put her work badge on the corner of the table and pushed it to Minister Zhan's hand.

Minister Zhan looked at her series of actions, sternly lowered his face and slammed the table again:

"What are you doing? Is this the attitude of cooperating to solve the problem? It's child's play!"

"This incident is a fact. To serve as a warning to others, we need to give everyone a reasonable explanation. I accept this punishment."

"What a good example!"

Minister Zhan leaned back in his chair, patting his chest in anger, and questioned Lu Miao with a sharp look:

"Do you think you're particularly frank, capable, and patient? I'm telling you, you're just fooling around! Childish!"

Lu Miao remained silent.

Actually, I don’t know how to answer.

However, she had already envisioned the choice between the two options.

Minister Zhan was extremely angry, but he also felt an indescribable sense of relief, as he could see that Lu Miao would not show any mercy in punishing him.

After all, he was angry, but Minister Zhan suppressed his emotions and sat up straight again and said:

"I already know that your family owns a shop. In principle, this is not allowed, but it has not yet developed a large scale. It is okay as long as you only do it to support your family."

"But since you didn't report it to the agency, you'll still be held responsible for this matter."

Minister Zhan pushed the work badge with the words "Director Lu of the Information Department" back to Lu Miao and rejected her resignation application online.

At the same time, he stretched out his hand, palm facing upwards, and said:

"Give me back the five-pointed star I just awarded you."

“…”

A five-pointed star represents two days of vacation.

This time was even more cruel than the first time, not even leaving her any stars.

Lu Miao hesitated and took out the medal and returned it, but he was still hesitant to pick up his work badge again.

Minister Zhan took a deep breath and looked at her.

As if the time of threatening and scolding her had passed, his expression and attitude softened considerably, and he said:

"What's wrong? Don't you really want to be Director Lu anymore?"