That day, Qi Zhifang was counting down the days until the appointed time. Li Nianjun's bodyguard still hadn't delivered the money. She wondered what was going on. This man was becoming increasingly irresponsible, not even sending money on time. She had her eye on a wool coat; it was cheap to buy now, and she could wear it next month.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became, so she went to the post office to make a phone call. "Hello, is this Li Nianjun's address?... Ah! Yes, this is Qi Zhifang. You haven't paid me this month's money yet. I'm just asking if there's anything inconvenient about it?"
"Comrade Qi Zhifang, the money and coupons that Lao Li gave you are to help you take care of your children. As far as we know, both of your children are already working, and the youngest has already gone to the countryside. We don't know which child you want to raise!" A cold, ruthless, and somewhat distorted female voice came from the phone, and Qi Zhifang's face turned red and then pale.
"I...I..." I stammered for a long time, unable to think of anything to say. The other person continued, "We were just asked to help you return to the city. You were crying and saying you had no money and couldn't take care of your child, so our Lao Li took pity on you. But now it seems your family doesn't need us anymore, so please don't contact us again. Thank you."
After hanging up the phone, Qi Zhifang stood there dejectedly. It was only after the teller reminded her that she came to her senses and handed over the money. Then she thought, how could such a high-ranking leader care about such a small amount of money and seriously investigate her own situation? Then she realized, "Oh no, if they tell Xiao Hu, he will misunderstand me."
While she was lost in thought, Liu Dahai's name suddenly popped into her head. The more she thought about it, the more something seemed off. Her superiors didn't have time to investigate, and Liu Dahai was the only person she was close to. She had to go and sound him out. With that thought, she quickened her pace and headed to the street.
When I went in, I saw Liu Dahai talking intimately with a woman who looked to be in her fifties.
The woman's hair was neatly combed to shoulder length and secured with black hair clips on both sides. She wore a floral blouse, black trousers, and cloth shoes. Dressed like a typical elderly rural woman, she sat in Liu Dahai's office chair. Liu Dahai stood beside her, holding her hand tightly and whispering something. A sweet smile graced the woman's wrinkled face.
The two were startled by Qi Zhifang's sudden intrusion. The woman blushed slightly, pushed Liu Dahai away, and stood up apologetically. Liu Dahai patted the woman's shoulder and said, "Then go home and wait for me. I don't have anything to do this afternoon, so I'll head home early."
"I wouldn't dare. I have to get off work around the clock. I'll make your favorite food and wait for you to come home." As she was about to leave, Liu Dahai nodded and said, "Take good care of the money and tickets. Don't lose them."
"Oh! I know, I'm not a child. You focus on your work. Do good things for the Party and the people!" With that, she hurried away. Liu Dahai watched her leave before returning to his seat and putting on a formulaic smile. "Comrade Qi Zhifang, is there anything I can help you with?"
Qi Zhifang took a few steps forward and sat down opposite him, saying, "I just wanted to ask, Commander Li suddenly stopped helping me. I don't know who said anything to him to slander me..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she sniffled, "Tell me, how am I, a widow, supposed to live on only 18.5 a month?"
Liu Da smiled and knew what was going on. He smiled and said, "Comrade Qi Zhifang, it's a bit pointless for you to say this to me. As far as I know, your mother is being supported by your son, I helped you find a job for your second daughter, and your youngest daughter has gone to the countryside. It seems like you only have to take care of your own life."
Qi Zhifang looked at Liu Dahai with tears streaming down her face. "That's my child, how can I not care? My youngest daughter is going to the countryside, I have to give her some money..." Seeing Liu Dahai staring at her with a half-smile, she thought it was her newly made maroon dress that had attracted him.
He changed to a more flirtatious tone and said, "Officer Liu, I really need this money to support my child, right? I need to save it for the child, can you talk to Commander Li about it...?"
Seeing Liu Dahai's smile turn cold, she sensed something was wrong and stopped talking. Instead, she asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Liu Dahai was too lazy to give this shameless woman a friendly look. She was the kind of woman who would do anything for a second, pushing her luck. He said directly, "Qi Zhifang, if you wore something more plain, maybe I'd believe you. But let me give you a piece of advice: if you don't want people to know, don't do it! You're taking the boss's money and living the high life. You're taking care of the kids? Forget about it! Get the hell out of here! Otherwise, I'll settle accounts with you, make you return all the money the boss gave you, and I'll have to write a letter to that guy surnamed Xiao, asking him if his eyes are in his ass, and if those two holes are even there to breathe..."
Damn it, he was already feeling incredibly stifled as a street clerk, and when he ran into this guy surnamed Qi, he couldn't keep up the pretense anymore.
"How...how can you talk like that?!"
"Dad...Dad..." At this moment, a tall, sturdy boy, about 150 centimeters tall, wearing an earth-yellow cloth shirt, blue pants, and black cloth shoes, came in and said, "Dad, Uncle Li has helped me with the enrollment procedures. Where is my mother?"
Liu Dahai quickly suppressed his anger and put on a loving father's smile. "Your mother said she'd cook something delicious for us when we get back. Wait here for a bit, and we'll go back together after get off work."
Qi Zhifang blinked, unable to believe that Liu Dahai's son, who was so refined and dressed like a city dweller, was like this.
Liu Dahai glanced at Qi Zhifang and said, "Aren't you leaving yet? Want to settle the score?"
Qi Zhifang turned and left angrily. Liu Minghua looked at the woman and said, "Dad, why is that woman dressed like she's eaten a dead child?"
Liu Dahai sneered, "That's a pretty accurate description. Stay away from those people in the future. You sit over there and review your textbooks. I'll look at a few documents, then we'll leave on time."
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