Chapter 27: Changing the hot sauce and being reported
During the meal, Lu Xiao said that he had received a mission and would leave tomorrow during the day and would not be back for about a week.
Hearing this, Su Tang broke off half a whole grain steamed bun and asked, "So urgent?"
Lu Xiao hummed, "The mission doesn't wait for anyone. I've already told Director Li and asked them to take care of you."
In fact, Su Tang can handle most things well by himself.
It’s just that Lu Xiao was worried that her identity would bring her unnecessary trouble.
So Lu Xiao specially visited Director Li and asked him to help if necessary.
"I'm not a child anymore, but thank you anyway..."
Before he finished saying thank you, Lu Xiao looked up at Su Tang.
That look seemed to say that he didn't want to hear thank you.
"Lu Xiao, you are so nice."
Su Tang changed her words. When Lu Xiao drank the soft, sweet porridge, he felt that it sounded like her accent.
Is this how all southerners speak?
Always say thank you.
"If you encounter something that is difficult to solve, just bear with it and wait for me to come back."
After giving the instructions, Lu Xiao looked at Su Tang, still a little worried.
Su Tang pushed him to wash the dishes and went to pack up the things he needed.
I don’t know what mission I’m carrying out or whether it’s dangerous.
Lu Xiao was not at home because he was on a mission, and Su Tang felt a little awkward being alone.
However, after she got off work at the hospital, she prepared the chili peppers.
I used the things my sisters-in-law sent me to exchange for a lot of good peppers with the local farmers.
After it was done, Su Tang delivered the chili sauce door to door.
Su Tang didn't take it seriously, she just thought that everyone appreciated her craftsmanship.
But within two days, an undercurrent began to surge in the family compound.
First, someone pointed fingers at her and talked about her behind her back.
"Tsk, have you heard? Doctor Su's hot sauce isn't given away for free. You have to exchange it for something!"
"Oh, isn't this just a disguised trade? Exchanging things for things, what's the difference between that and going to the market in the past?"
"That's right. After all, she's a capitalist lady from Shanghai. She's all about doing business and making money!"
"This has such a bad influence! This is a military family compound, we value dedication, solidarity and mutual assistance. How could she start a business?"
Su Tang was in the hospital during the day and couldn't hear anything. Seeing that she was busy, Zhang Cui didn't bother Su Tang with such things.
But I never expected that the rumors would become more and more intense, and even exaggerated.
"I heard they exchanged for a lot of good stuff! Chicken eggs, duck eggs, and fine grains!"
"That's right, how much does the hot sauce cost? Isn't this just taking advantage of everyone?"
Voices of gloating also began to emerge, especially from some people who had always disliked Su Tang and were jealous of her good looks and growing popularity.
"Humph, I told you, this capitalist lady's behavior will be exposed sooner or later!"
"You act so noble, but you're just trying to get some benefits."
"Now let's see how she ends up! She'll be punished!"
"Serves her right! Let her be in the spotlight! Let her show off!"
Sure enough, that afternoon when Su Tang was off duty, someone knocked on the gate of Su Tang's house.
They were holding a small notebook in their hands, obviously they had received a report.
As the door opened, more people came peeking in from outside.
"Comrade Su Tang."
Secretary Zhao's tone was relatively calm, but it revealed the seriousness of handling official business.
"We've received reports from the public that you're using your homemade chili sauce to trade with other military families in the family compound for items, engaging in disguised transactions. Is this true?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings instantly became quiet, and all eyes were focused on Su Tang.
Faced with this sudden questioning, Su Tang looked at the eyes of the people around him and didn't say much.
He just frowned slightly, but there was no trace of panic on his face.
She didn't even try to defend herself immediately, but calmly invited Secretary Zhao and the comrades from the security department into the room.
"Hello, Secretary Zhao, Comrade Wang."
"That's true. People did bring some of their surplus vegetables, eggs, duck eggs, etc., and exchanged them with me for some of the chili sauce I made myself."
Her frank admission surprised Secretary Zhao and the security department, and also startled those who were waiting outside to see her embarrassed state.
"I don't think this is a 'disguised transaction' or 'capital manipulation'."
Su Tang looked around at the crowd outside the house, and finally looked at Secretary Zhao.
"I make the hot sauce in my spare time by exchanging chilies with local elders, boiling the oil myself, and adjusting the flavor myself. People think it's delicious and want to try it, which shows that they respect my craftsmanship."
"The things they bring are all grown in their own fields and from the chickens and ducks. They are things they can't bear to eat themselves or they have surplus. Essentially, it's about neighbors sharing their own output, exchanging what they have. You give me a handful of vegetables, I give you a spoonful of sauce. It strengthens relationships and enriches the table."
"Is there any essential difference between this and the way fellow villagers used to give each other fruits and vegetables?"
"If this is considered 'capitalism,' then if someone in our compound makes something delicious and shares it with their neighbors, wouldn't that also be considered 'speculation and profiteering?'"
Su Tang's tone was just the right amount of rhetorical question, which was neither sharp nor pointed, yet it got to the heart of the matter.
After saying this, Su Tang saw a blue figure outside the crowd, and she finally knew where this unexpected disaster came from.
She looked at Secretary Zhao with a frank look in her eyes: "Secretary Zhao, the cost of the hot sauce I make is just chili peppers, oil, salt, and some spices. The quantity is very small. It is purely a personal interest. I have never thought of making a profit from it."
"What everyone brought was of very low value, and was simply a manifestation of neighborly camaraderie. If such pure sharing among neighbors is stigmatized, wouldn't that discourage everyone from helping each other?"
After taking a deep breath, Su Tang said somewhat dejectedly, "I don't know who reported me, but I never thought that helping each other would also lead to accusations."
"The prejudice in people's hearts is indeed a mountain that cannot be moved."
Seeing Su Tang's sad look, Aunt Wang stepped forward to comfort him: "Xiao Su, don't think like that. The person who reported you has no motive."
"That's right, Su Tang. We have nothing to fear from our own shadows. I want to see which shameless person will report it."
Zhang Cui hurried over with Sister Li, looked around, and stopped the whispers.
"Secretary Zhao, we have rules, but we can't just arbitrarily label people, right?"
"Whoever reported it, let her come forward and we can talk about it face to face."
You're always looking for trouble with Su Tang, it never ends, right?
The seriousness on Secretary Zhao and the comrades from the Security Department's faces gradually eased, and they exchanged glances.
"Where's the hot sauce? And what about the delivery?"
They also have to see whether it is really as Su Tang said before making a decision.
Don't let anyone go, and of course, don't blame any good comrade.
"Here."
Su Tang went to the kitchen and picked up half an onion in his hand.
When she came out again, she couldn't stop crying.
Today, she must change these people's views.
If you don't solve one problem at a time, there will only be endless troubles.
Secretary Zhao cleared his throat and his tone became noticeably softer.
"Comrade Su Tang, we understand your situation. Sharing home-grown food with neighbors to enhance relationships is a good thing in itself."
"But we must be mindful of our methods and approaches, and maintain a good sense of proportion to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. As for the issues raised in the report, we will also conduct further investigations and will not wrongly accuse a good comrade."
After saying this, Director Zhao took his men away.
There were tears in Su Tang's eyes, which made Zhang Cui feel distressed.
"Who on earth was this bastard who reported this? You dare not take responsibility for it, right? If you don't stand up now, I'll find out and you'll be in big trouble!"
Zhang Cui put her hands on her hips and looked at these people. When they met her gaze, they all dispersed.
Seeing that everyone was about to leave, Su Tang took a few steps forward and grabbed the person outside: "Hu Jianjun, it was you who reported me, right?"
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