It's not their fault; most of the people here, or rather, probably no one except Li Jianguo, has ever seen so much money!
Although everyone outwardly admired Xu Ningyan, many secretly cursed her for being foolish! That was 1800 yuan, not 18 yuan!
If I found this money, I would definitely hide it very carefully and wait until things calmed down before secretly taking it out to spend.
The whole family will have no worries about getting married, having daughters, or having children.
Hearing the exclamations around him, Director Zhang couldn't help but exclaim, "Comrade Xu Zhiguo, it's all thanks to the ideological education of the people in your Unity Brigade! Such a young woman has such awareness, it's truly remarkable!"
The captain's mind was completely focused on 1800, and he didn't hear a word Director Zhang said.
It was the Party Secretary who first calmed down and said a few humble words, saying that it was all thanks to the effective leadership of the commune that the brigades and commune members under their command had such awareness, and so on.
Director Zhang liked hearing that.
The two then complimented each other.
Gu Zhiyuan, who had been following behind Xu Ningyan, couldn't help but have a flicker in his eyes when he heard Director Zhang's words.
He truly hadn't expected that Xu Ningyan had never been tempted by such a large sum of money.
Then, recalling the true nature that Xu Ningyan had revealed in front of him these past few days—greedy, gluttonous, petty, vengeful, and sharp-tongued—…
This made him increasingly unable to understand Xu Ningyan.
Lowering his eyelids, Gu Zhiyuan said, "A-Ning, it's very impolite to leave our guests standing at the door. Please come in and have a seat!"
After the two of them moved in together, they called each other "Comrade Gu" and "Comrade Xu" every day, which became so unfamiliar that it was almost laughable.
After discussing it, they changed their way of addressing each other. Xu Ningyan called him Brother Gu, while Gu Zhiyuan, following the custom of their hometown, called her Aning.
Xu Ningyan hurriedly invited the person into the courtyard.
Li Jianguo and Director Zhang were both knowledgeable and experienced. They could tell at a glance that Gu Zhiyuan was no ordinary person. He also spoke fluent and standard Beijing dialect. Although they did not know his relationship with Xu Ningyan, they could roughly guess his identity.
They followed him into the courtyard.
Fortunately, it's been hot these past few days, so they've been eating under the camphor tree and haven't moved the tables and chairs inside.
They invited the people to sit under the camphor tree and poured them tea.
At this time, there was no tea to serve in the countryside. Those who weren't particular would just drink well water or river water. However, Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan were both people who insisted on drinking boiled water.
I bought the cheapest local tea from Sanpiguan, in an earthenware teapot. Just throw in three tea leaves and you'll brew a big pot of dark red tea. It's perfect for quenching thirst and relieving summer heat.
There weren't any extra cups, but Xu Ningyan had cut bamboo down from the mountain and brought it home. He sawed it into sections, polished it into bamboo cups, and then roasted it slightly over a fire until it was half green and half yellow. It would be quite nice to serve guests.
The brigade leader and the branch secretary accompanied them.
Director Zhang and Li Jianguo were indeed thirsty. They had ridden their bicycles from the commune to the Tuanjie Brigade, and the weather was hot. They hadn't even had a sip of water all day.
Upon seeing this tea, I drank two cups in one go before I felt less thirsty.
Now that we've had our tea, let's get back to the main topic.
Li Jianguo first took out a banner with the eight characters "Honesty in Returning Lost Property is a Valuable Spirit" embroidered on it. The upper right line of small characters read: "Presented to Comrade Xu Ningyan of the Red Flag Red Unity Brigade." The lower left line of small characters read: Purchasing Department of Jingshan County Department Store and the date.
He expressed his gratitude a thousand times and handed the banner to Xu Ningyan with both hands.
Xu Ningyan's eyes lit up when she saw the banner.
This is the first time I've ever received something like this in two lifetimes. Putting everything else aside, in this day and age, having this banner in hand is like having half a talisman!
Not only can it protect her, but Gu Zhiyuan can also benefit from it.
He accepted the banner without hesitation, glanced at Director Zhang from the commune, the brigade leader, and the party secretary, and began by thanking the brigade leader and party secretary, as well as the commune leaders.
He gave a passionate speech, saying that his current honor was inseparable from the help and education of the leaders of the Unity Brigade and the commune. Without them, he would not be who he is today.
His flattery was spot on.
Director Zhang of the commune, along with the brigade leader and the party secretary, were overjoyed, their eyes filled with approval.
He's definitely a good comrade!
Director Zhang, who had been somewhat hesitant, took out a certificate of merit from his briefcase without further hesitation after Xu Ningyan's impassioned speech.
The inscription reads, "Comrade Xu Ningyan's honesty in returning lost property is commendable, and this award is hereby issued in recognition of his integrity."
Below is the information of the Revolutionary Committee of the Red Star Brigade and the date.
"On behalf of the Red Star Commune, I commend Comrade Xu Ningyan for his honesty and integrity in returning lost property—"
The team leader and the Party branch secretary were almost overwhelmed by the series of surprises.
Trembling, he accepted the banner from Xu Ningyan's hand and gestured for her to take the certificate of merit.
Xu Ningyan shook hands with Director Zhang and accepted the certificate of merit.
Director Zhang found Xu Ningyan more and more pleasing to the eye. In addition, the brigade leader had introduced her situation along the way. She was a country girl who was abused by her family. It was already quite remarkable that she was able to fight back.
It is truly remarkable that she, despite her poverty, could remain unmoved by the huge sum of 1,800 yuan and uphold her principles.
He then pulled out an envelope and an enamel mug with a large red "Award" printed on it: "This is an award from the commune for Comrade Xu! We hope that you will remain humble and continue to uphold the spirit of returning lost property, so as to better serve the people!"
Xu Ningyan naturally made a promise and recited a few slogans from the Little Red Book, which made Director Zhang even more satisfied.
Li Jianguo, who was standing to the side, was a smooth and worldly man who had traveled all over the country. He took the opportunity to flatter Director Zhang, the brigade leader, and the party secretary.
The courtyard was filled with laughter and joy, and the atmosphere couldn't be more harmonious.
The onlookers outside were so wide-eyed they almost popped their eyes out.
Especially the Xu family members, none of them could have imagined that just a month ago, Siya, who was so timid that she didn't even dare to speak loudly, would now receive commendation from the commune and chat and laugh with the commune leaders.
Even Xu Zhenzhu has never received such an honor!
Miao Cuihua gritted her teeth even more. This little slut was actually trembling!
The people in the brigade standing nearby were also filled with regret. They never expected Xu Siya to have such good fortune. If they had known this would happen, why did they help spread that rumor about the Xu family and forcefully push Xu Siya to that guy surnamed Gu?
However, when they turned around and saw the Xu family, they felt better.
The Xu family really lost everything, gaining nothing and even making an enemy of Siya!
There will be plenty of excitement to watch in the future.
No one knows how much the Xu family regrets it. After finishing their business and exchanging pleasantries, the brigade leader and the party secretary invited Director Zhang and Li Jianguo to the brigade headquarters to sit down and listen to their report on the unity of the brigade.
This is not only a happy event for Comrade Xu Ningyan, but also for the entire Tuanjie Brigade.
We'll also invite the two of them to stay for lunch so they can share in the festive atmosphere and have a simple meal.
Seeing that Li Jianguo did not refuse, Director Zhang agreed.
The brigade leader and the party secretary looked on with smiles, then turned around and told Xu Ningyan to go to the brigade headquarters for dinner later before leaving with his men.
Li Jianguo took the initiative to say that he wanted to stay and talk to Xu Ningyan more.
Director Zhang and the captain naturally didn't stop them, and left with smiles.
As soon as the captain and his men left, they also took the onlookers who were watching the commotion at the entrance with them.
For a moment, only Xu Ningyan and the other two remained in the courtyard.
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