Chapter 74 Chapter 74 Commendation
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"I came here on official business, just wanted to see you all and pass on a message from the institute," Chen Shengnan explained, carrying the gifts in one hand and helping them carry the things into the house with the other.
"A message from the station?" She Hongmei turned to look at her with some confusion, then looked at She Ning.
She Ning met her gaze and quickly waved her hand to indicate that it wasn't her.
She's been behaving herself lately and hasn't been interacting with the investigators from Xiahe Town. As for the time she arrested human traffickers a few days ago, that was in the city, and what's in the city can't be considered part of the town.
Following them into the house, Chen Shengnan put her things aside and turned around to find She Ning and She Hongmei looking a little confused. Then she laughed heartily and revealed the secret.
"The station asked me to pass on a message to you: the cases where you provided clues about the treasure and the poachers have been closed, and the reward the station applied for for you has been approved. Please come to the station to collect the reward when you have time."
Upon hearing this, She Ning realized that she had been doing quite a lot of things in secret. If Chen Shengnan hadn't mentioned it, she would have completely forgotten. However, she hadn't originally expected to receive any reward for doing these things.
"Turning in cultural relics and reporting illegal and criminal activities are the duties of every citizen. The institute is being too kind; there's no need to apply for a reward," she declined.
“Ah Ning, you have a high level of political awareness. Although handing over cultural relics and reporting illegal activities are citizens’ obligations, the rewards they deserve should still be given. Moreover, a system of rewards and punishments is necessary for better governance.” Chen Shengnan patted her head and continued with a smile.
"This award is not only an affirmation of your efforts, but also an incentive for others. If everyone could be as proactive as you, our society would certainly be more harmonious."
"You're right, I was too narrow-minded." She Ning blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed.
She hadn't really thought of that; she just thought it was a small favor and not worth reporting it for a reward.
She Hongmei never expected such an unexpected gain. When she first heard She Ning mention the discovery of clues to the treasure, she only thought that if the country had more money, it could develop better and the cultural relics left by her ancestors could be better protected.
When she heard that someone was poaching, she just wanted to stop those poachers from harming animals, so she reported the case to Chen Shengnan.
"When can we collect the reward?" She Hongmei asked. The store has been quite busy lately, and she needs to make arrangements in advance.
“You can come anytime during working hours, but there’s an awards ceremony at the institute the day after tomorrow. The director sent me to ask if you’re free to attend. If it’s convenient, you can go together to receive your awards and prizes,” Chen Shengnan said.
"An awards ceremony?" She Hongmei's eyes widened in surprise. "We can attend?"
She was somewhat incredulous. "Shengnan, you're not kidding, are you?"
What She Hongmei asked was also what She Ning wanted to ask.
Not to mention She Hongmei was surprised, She Ning was also very surprised. The commendation ceremony sounded so high-class, but for She Ning, who had been an ordinary citizen for two lifetimes, it was something far away.
“Of course you can.” Chen Shengnan said firmly, “This conference is to recognize those who have made contributions to maintaining social order, and you are also among the heroes, and you deserve it.”
They bravely participated in the arrest of despicable human traffickers; they were not greedy for priceless treasures and promptly reported them; they bravely reported poachers who harmed nationally protected wild animals, thus protecting a large number of wild animals.
Such and many other things—how could they be absent from the commendation ceremony?
After listening to Chen Shengnan's words, She Ning and She Hongmei exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes, they saw the same surprise and anticipation.
"Then we'll go there the day after tomorrow!" Having received a clear answer from Chen Shengnan, She Ning said eagerly, "Thank you, Sister Shengnan, and thank you to the bureau for your approval!"
"No need to thank me, you deserve this." Chen Shengnan waved her hand, then looked into their eyes and said earnestly, "I hope you will continue to support our work in the future and work together to protect the peace of society."
"Definitely!" the mother and daughter answered in unison, their tone as firm as if they were about to join the Party.
Chen Shengnan nodded with a smile, gently patted She Ning's head, and looked at She Hongmei, "Then it's settled. See you at the bureau the day after tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you then."
After confirming the specific arrival time and address with Chen Shengnan, She Hongmei warmly invited her to stay for dinner.
On their way back from the factory, they went to the market and bought not only the supplies needed for the restaurant, but also a large amount of ingredients.
On the way out of the market, she encountered an old lady selling pineapples from a shoulder pole. Thinking of delicious pineapple sweet and sour pork, pineapple fried rice, pineapple roasted chicken wings, pineapple pastries, pineapple smoothies, and so on, She Ning, with her pineapple-headed mind, bought all the remaining fifteen pineapples from the stall.
Chen Shengnan was also very tempted by She Ning's cooking, but unfortunately, she had to go back to the bureau to report on her work. When she met She Ning's expectant, bright eyes, she could only reluctantly decline.
She Ning was a little disappointed after being rejected. She had always wanted to treat Chen Shengnan to a meal to thank her for her past kindness, but she was busy and never found the opportunity. She came here today thinking that it would work out, but it still didn't work out.
But there was nothing she could do. Her work was important, and there were still many days ahead. She would always have a chance. After consoling herself, She Ning took out a few large pineapples from the burlap sack.
When Chen Shengnan was helping her carry the bag, she exclaimed that the pineapple smelled very sweet and must taste delicious.
"Take this home and eat it. It's sweet, thirst-quenching, and delicious." She Ning stuffed it into a bag and, ignoring her shaking her head, forced it on her.
"Eat something before you go." The quick-witted She Hongmei placed the sliced pineapple in a large stainless steel bowl, soaked it in salt water, and brought it over.
While they were still communicating, She Hongmei secretly left them and took two large pineapples into the kitchen.
Unable to refuse their enthusiasm, Chen Shengnan left the She family after eating and taking some food.
That evening, She Ning prepared a huge pineapple feast and invited Guan Xiuli and her family over for dinner.
At the dinner table, watching everyone joking around, Grandma She couldn't help but think of the once quiet and deserted She family home. In just a few months, the She family home had become lively and bustling, and life was getting better and better.
For the next few days, She Ning went to Xiahe Middle School every day to attend math Olympiad classes, and after class, she would go to the restaurant to help She Hongmei.
The person introduced by He Xiaoyan came for an interview. She Hongmei was quite satisfied with the interview results and kept the person on the job. There would be a one-month probationary period, and if there were no problems after a month, the person would be officially hired.
With an extra person to help, She Hongmei's workload was reduced considerably, and she had more free time. She took the opportunity to apply for a motorcycle driving license and practiced every day.
She Ning and her family went to the commendation ceremony held by the police station. In order to see She Ning and She Hongmei receive their awards, She Ni took half a day off to attend the event.
The commendation ceremony was quite grand, with reporters interviewing and taking photos, and people receiving certificates of honor.
To protect She Ning and her colleagues, their deeds were described as having discovered a priceless treasure for the country.
The discovery of the treasure in Ludong Mountain had caused quite a stir in and around the town. The authorities had not announced the discoverers, but now that it was She Ning and her team who made the discovery, everyone flocked to it like bees to honey.
After finally managing to break free from the crowd, She Hongmei held onto She Ning's hand with one hand and She Ni's hand with the other, with Chen Yuzhen following behind. They found a quiet spot to stand.
"This is too enthusiastic." Wiping the sweat from her forehead, She Hongmei said breathlessly as she looked at the surging crowd.
"That's right." Having just been caught in the middle of the crowd and almost drowned, She Ning agreed with lingering fear.
"Sister, Mom, you're both amazing!" She Ni looked up at them with bright eyes and a face full of pride.
Before coming, she only knew that her sister and mother had done a good deed and were invited to receive an award. But after listening to what the reporters had said, she realized that her sister and mother had discovered a treasure, the legendary treasure of a wealthy man that countless people had flocked to but had never found.
Wow, her mom and sister are like the knights in her sister's bedtime stories, defeating the dragon and finding the treasure. It's so cool!
Standing to the side, Chen Yuzhen looked at the three of them with a sense of shared honor and disgrace, her wrinkles crinkling at the corners of her eyes as she smiled.
The certificate of honor has a red cover with gold lettering that shines brightly in the sunlight. The certificate details the award recipients and the ceremony, with the names of She Ning and She Hongmei prominently displayed.
After the commendation ceremony, She Ning and her colleagues said goodbye to Chen Shengnan and the bureau chief from a distance before leaving.
After Chen Shengnan greeted them at the entrance in the morning, she went to maintain order at the scene and was busy the whole time. They didn't get to talk to each other at all, and they didn't even have a chance to invite her to lunch.
After leaving the meeting, She Ning and her family of four ate at a restaurant in town before returning home. Even before they reached their doorstep, the villagers, who had been notified in advance, swarmed around them.
"Ah Ning, Aunt Hongmei, you two are amazing! You managed to find the legendary treasure. That's something not just anyone can do!" A neighbor chimed in, her voice full of envy. "You've really brought honor to our village this time."
"It was just good luck, nothing more. We stumbled upon the clues by chance. The real experts and investigators were the ones who really made the difference," She Hongmei said modestly with a wave of her hand.
“Oh, don’t be so modest. This treasure has been passed down for so many years, and countless people have searched for it for so many years, but no one has been able to find it. Luck is also a kind of strength. You have found the treasure, which is a great achievement.” Another familiar villager also came over.
She patted She Hongmei on the shoulder familiarly and said, "Being commended by the police station and receiving an honorary certificate is a major event for our village. It's worth announcing to our ancestors in the ancestral hall."
“Yes, yes, that’s how it should be,” the surrounding villagers echoed.
"Sixth Aunt is right, we should open the ancestral hall to inform our ancestors." She Aijun, who had rushed back from the fields, stood behind She Ning and the others, smiling proudly. He said firmly, "This discovery of the treasure is not only your honor, but also the honor of our entire village. Opening the ancestral hall so that the whole village knows about your contribution is the best recognition for you."
The villagers nodded in agreement after hearing what the village secretary said.
A crack opened in the gate of a courtyard by the roadside, and a dark and malicious gaze followed She Ning's family in the crowd. Seeing their happy expressions, she felt increasingly resentful.
Why do they get to live so well?
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