While Zhou Mingli was at work, Jiang Ci slept until she naturally woke up. Huang Zheyue didn't disturb her rest when she took Zhou Yang and Zhou Miao to school.
When Jiang Ci woke up, it was already around 10 a.m.
She washed up, ate breakfast, and didn't stay home long before riding her bicycle away.
She went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not to work, but to see the minister.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with her colleagues in the department, Jiang Ci arrived at the minister's office.
"Jiang Ci? Didn't we approve a few days' leave for you? Why are you at the ministry?"
Jiang Ci laughed and said, "I can't stay idle either."
With no one in the office, Jiang Ci familiarly found a seat and said, "Didn't they say that Shan Shengshuo has already confessed all his cultural relics? I'd like to ask if that jade seal is among these relics."
The minister thought for a moment, "I'm not really sure about that. Here's what I'll do: I'll make a phone call in a bit, and if there's anyone there, I'll have someone who lives in the same alley as you pass on a message, and then you can come over."
“Sure, no problem.” Jiang Ci readily agreed. “Just tell Mingzhu, we’re neighbors.”
"Alright," the minister agreed, looking Jiang Ci up and down. "Are you also interested in that jade seal?"
Jiang Ci paused, nodded, then shook her head. "I do want to see that jade seal, but I'd rather take someone with me to see it."
The minister looked puzzled, but Jiang Ci chuckled and said, "It's that kid who lives in my house, Huang Zheyue."
“His father died because of that jade seal, and I… I have to let him see it.”
Upon hearing this, the minister also remembered Huang Zheyue, and he sighed, "There's no problem with that."
"Since you've already agreed to this, then I'll shamelessly beg you to give me some more vacation time..."
"Comrade Xiao Jiang, don't push your luck."
There's still a lot of work waiting for her in the department; she can't just give up.
Although he had given Jiang Ci a warning, the minister still asked, "What do you want to do?"
Jiang Ci straightened her back. "That's right. My wife told me that before Guo Zhen was arrested, he sent people to the mountains near Shanding Brigade to dig up Huang Zhiyuan's remains."
Jiang Ci continued to explain, "Huang Zhiyuan was buried by my wife and me. I want to take Huang Zheyue and my wife back to Shanding Brigade to bring back Huang Zhiyuan's remains, as well as the remains of two other comrades who died at Guo Zhen's hands."
The minister pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The leaders have also considered this point, but the matter involving Shan Shengshuo and Guo Zhen is too significant. Just interrogating them about the origins of those cultural relics would take more than half a year. I'm afraid the leaders won't have the time to deal with this matter..."
Finally, he agreed, "Okay, we can't let the bodies of those who died unjustly be left to rot in the wilderness. I'll apply to my superiors and see if we can get you some other resources."
Jiang Ci happily replied, "Great! Thank you, Minister!"
"Alright, if you really want to thank me, hurry up and finish what you're doing and come back to work. There's a lot of work to be done in the department!"
Jiang Ci nodded vigorously.
After confirming the matter, Jiang Ci went to the finance department and collected her remaining salary, excluding the salary she had applied for in advance from the department.
In the summer, there's also a heatstroke prevention allowance, which, combined with her salary, adds up to over fifty yuan, making Jiang Ci happy.
She was all alone at noon, so she didn't go home for lunch. Instead, she ate a bowl of noodles with soybean paste at a state-run restaurant before leisurely heading home.
After packing the things he brought for the Cheng family, Zhou Mingli returned.
"so much?"
Zhou Mingli took the book from her hand.
Jiang Ci wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "I found all the books on the old man's reading list, and I also bought a few issues of the latest scientific journals. I'm sure Hua Sheng and Ai Lian will enjoy reading them too."
Due to the limited access to information in China, these journals are indeed not easy to circulate.
Zhou Mingli carefully categorized and put the books away. After counting them, there were nearly twenty books in total, the thickest of which was about four centimeters thick. They were quite heavy.
Fortunately, she traveled back on public funds by plane; otherwise, handling so much luggage would have been quite a challenge.
"Don't worry about these books. Just organize the rest. I'll take care of these books."
Jiangci did not refuse.
In addition to the items and periodicals brought to the Cheng family, Jiang Ci also brought gifts for Li Ailian, Cheng Ke, Cheng Wenyun, and others.
After packing everything up, Jiang Ci, Zhou Mingli, and the other two children rode two bicycles, carrying the belongings, to the Cheng family's house after school.
Just then, the Cheng family members, some off work and some off school, were busy preparing to cook when they heard someone knocking on the door.
Cheng Ke dropped her pen and ran over to see who it was.
"Oh! Aunt Jiang!"
When Li Ailian heard her daughter call her Aunt Jiang, she quickly put down the knife.
Cheng Yehan and his son Cheng Huasheng also walked out of the courtyard.
Sure enough, I saw Jiang Ci and his family at the door, arriving with their relatives and lots of bags.
"Sister Ailian! I'm back!"
Jiang Ci smiled and gently rubbed Cheng Ke's fair and tender face before speaking to Li Ailian.
Li Ailian was overjoyed, "Why didn't you stay home and rest a little longer after you came back? You've lost so much weight since you were gone!"
"Alright, you two stop blocking the doorway. We can talk about the pleasantries later. Let them in first," Cheng Yehan said, his hands behind his back.
"Yes, yes, look at me, I was so happy, come in quickly, come in quickly!"
Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli parked their bicycles in the yard. Cheng Huasheng went over to help them unload their things.
"What's so heavy?" Cheng Huasheng took the thing Zhou Mingli handed him; it was so heavy he almost stumbled.
As soon as he said it, he realized what it was.
“Books, it’s full of books!” Zhou Mingli said.
Holding his breath, he carried the wrapped books into the main room, and the group followed him inside.
Li Ailian gave Cheng Ke money and tickets, and said to Cheng Ke, "Go with Zhe Yue and your younger siblings to the state-run restaurant to buy food. Bring the food box from home and buy whatever meat and vegetables are available. Also, go and buy two roast ducks!"
Cheng Ke and Huang Zheyue exchanged a glance, took the money, and walked out. "Okay, Mom, can we buy an ice pop with the rest of the money?"
Li Ailian had no choice, but she was in a good mood today and readily agreed, "Okay! But Miaomiao and Yangyang can each have one, they're too small to eat too many."
Zhou Yang and Zhou Miao, the little ones, fell down.
When will I grow up and be as big as Coco and Zheyue? Then they can each have an ice pop.
The four children, having received their assignment, went out hand in hand.
The state-run restaurant was not far from his home, so neither family was worried.
Jiang Ci didn't mince words. She sat down and watched Cheng Huasheng unpack his bundle, saying, "Take a look and see if you've brought all the books. I went to bookstores near four universities to buy this many. All the books on the list should be there."
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