Chapter 83: Fubao is a lucky star
Seeing this, Squad Leader Li from the Logistics Department quickly stepped forward, saluted, and explained, "Reporting to the Commander! This is relief supplies delivered by the Special Supply Division of the Military Region Logistics Department in accordance with regulations. The recipient is Comrade Shen Lingning. All paperwork is complete."
He handed over the relevant transfer orders and supporting documents.
A staff member behind Director Jiang took the document and examined it carefully.
Director Jiang cast his gaze upon Shen Lingning again, scrutinizing her. His voice was steady but full of pressure. "Comrade Shen Lingning? Are you the military dependent who contracted the tea plantation?"
"Yes, Director Jiang."
Shen Lingning suppressed the turmoil in his heart, straightened his back, and spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone.
Looking up at Director Jiang, I found that he really looks a bit like Jiang Weimin in his eyes and eyebrows.
"What's going on with these supplies?"
He pointed to the boxes.
Shen Lingning took a deep breath and said in a clear voice: “Report to Director Jiang, this is sent by my godmother, Comrade Wang Xiulan from Chang’an City.
She was a military dependent whom I rescued by chance, and she adopted me as her goddaughter.
She cares about our lives at the grassroots level and sent us some things. All sources and procedures were through formal channels and in compliance with regulations.”
She didn't want to reveal Zhao Changhe's name so as not to cause him unnecessary trouble.
She deliberately emphasized the "formal channels" to point out that this was not a gift from unknown sources.
Zhou Weiguo added solemnly, "Comrade Wang Xiulan is a retired cadre of the Provincial Women's Federation, and her husband is Comrade Zhao Changhe. Political Commissar Zhang and Director Chen of our base are both aware of this matter."
Although Shen Lingning was very reluctant to use the banner of godfather, it was inevitable that this matter would be resolved.
As expected, when they heard Zhao Changhe's name, everyone in the working group looked at each other in surprise. They didn't expect to hear the name of a big leader in this small mountain valley.
Only Director Jiang's expression did not relax at all after listening to it. He just said "hmm" lightly, and it was unclear whether he believed it or not.
He then asked, "I heard that your tea plantation project has been quite a big deal. Are you even conducting a recruitment assessment?"
"Yes, for the sake of fairness and to select people who can really do the job."
Shen Lingning answered.
"Um."
Director Jiang responded noncommittally, his eyes once again sweeping over the eye-catching cans and milk powder.
"The tea mountain project is a collective effort, so we must always be mindful of its impact. In our personal lives, we must also maintain a simple and frugal lifestyle and avoid seeking special treatment."
These words sounded like an ordinary warning, but in the current scene, coupled with those large boxes of supplies, they were like an invisible whip, lashing the air with a warning.
Li Hongmei almost laughed out loud while listening to this, with a gloating expression on her face.
Wang Shufen, Aunt Sun and others wanted to speak for Shen Lingning, but when they saw the serious expressions of the working group, they swallowed their words back.
The working group said nothing more and walked towards the battalion headquarters accompanied by Political Commissar Zhang and Director Chen who had rushed over after hearing the news.
But Director Jiang's meaningful glance before leaving made Shen Lingning and Zhou Weiguo understand that the Chashan project, and even their family, had already firmly entered the center of Director Jiang's sight.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but the whispers did not stop.
The supplies were moved into the Zhou family's hut, making the originally cramped space even more crowded, and it seemed like a huge target.
Aunt Sun and Liu Jinfeng helped clean up, both with worried looks on their faces: "Lingning, this..."
Shen Lingning shook his head and motioned them to stop talking.
She looked at those things, feeling no joy in her heart, only heavy pressure. Her godmother's kindness became a double-edged sword.
This is really unfortunate!
Zhou Weiguo patted her shoulder silently: "There's nothing wrong with the stuff, the procedures are legal. A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear."
But his furrowed brow did not relax.
Over the next two days, the working group began an intensive inspection.
They inspected the camp, checked the information, and talked to many people, including base leaders, ordinary soldiers, and many people in the family compound.
The atmosphere became tense invisibly.
Although work on the tea fields continued, people smiled less and spoke more cautiously. Everyone could feel the pressure of scrutiny.
Li Hongmei seemed to have found a backer and became active. From time to time, she would go to the temporary office of the working group, trying to strike up a conversation or make some veiled remarks about "situations".
The work in the tea mountain came to a complete standstill due to the arrival of the working group, and everyone was idle at home.
After just two days of work, the ten people who worked were paid one dollar each. Their days of pride and satisfaction were interrupted, and they felt resentful towards the people who had submitted the report and the working group.
Aunt Sun and her companions went to investigate the situation every day. Wang Shufen also asked Political Commissar Zhang about the situation openly and secretly, and only stopped after being scolded.
Shen Lingning's family of three just did what they had to do.
When Aunt Sun entered the house, she saw Shen Lingning directing Zhou Weiguo to water the vegetables in the yard with manure water: "Don't water this ridge too much. Fubao wants to eat vegetables tonight, but he won't eat them after smelling this."
Aunt Sun laughed and joked, "You've got us idlers all worried, but you two are the most steady and not worried at all."
Shen Lingning turned around and saw Aunt Sun. She quickly put down the pole she was using to build a rack for the cucumbers and brought over a small stool to lay flat on it. "Auntie, where did this come from?"
Zhou Weiguo stopped what he was doing, chuckled and greeted, "Auntie is here."
Fubao also sat on the mat next to him and greeted him babblingly: "Come on..."
This sentence made Aunt Sun laugh. She crossed her hands under Fubao's arms and quickly came over to hug her, kissing her little face lovingly: "Yes, grandma is here. Seeing our Fubao makes my mood brighter all day. You are the little lucky star of our family."
Fubao also responded: "Don't worry..."
Aunt Sun looked at Shen Lingning and then at Fubao in surprise: "Oh, my God, what did I hear? This little lucky star knows what we are worried about? How can he be so capable? He knows how to comfort people?"
When Zhou Weiguo heard Aunt Sun praising Fubao, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face and replied with some reserve, "Fubao is indeed a special child, very smart."
As he said this, he looked at Shen Lingning proudly, as if to say that his daughter followed him.
Shen Lingning looked at it with amusement in his heart, and responded to Aunt Sun’s words: “Our Fubao said it’s okay, so it must be okay!”
The investigation soon produced news.
On the evening of the third day, a member of the working group found Shen Lingning who was preparing dinner at home.
"Comrade Shen Lingning, Director Jiang wants you to go to the guesthouse conference room now. We need to inquire with you about the tea mountain project."
The staff member's tone was businesslike, and no emotion could be heard.
Shen Lingning’s heart skipped a beat.
What was supposed to come finally came. She took off her apron and smiled at Fubao who was playing with building blocks: "Fubao, be good. Mommy will be out for a while."
【Mom, don't be afraid, hello uncle.】
Fubao raised his head and suddenly said something out of the blue.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
