Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Footprints

Meng Yufei returned to the office to pick up the lunch box she had brought in the morning, and then went to the cafeteria to get her meal.

It just so happened that the cafeteria cooked Xia Qinqin’s favorite spareribs at noon, but it was not sweet and sour flavored, but braised flavored.

Thinking of her daughter's injured hand today, Meng Yufei ordered a portion of braised spareribs as the first dish, spending 45 cents and 2 taels of meat coupons.

I also ordered a serving of fried squid with leeks, a serving of stir-fried vegetables, a serving of kelp and winter melon soup, and half a pound of rice.

Xia Junshan came back at noon today and saw the familiar little head from a distance at the gate of the courtyard. He walked over with a smile and picked up his daughter.

"Is our Qinqin happy today?"

Xia Qinqin raised her bruised palm and said coquettishly, "Dad, Qinqin fell down today."

Xia Junshan looked at his daughter's bruised little hand, and his heart tightened. He couldn't help but feel distressed, and asked hurriedly: "Does it hurt? Is it serious? Where did you fall?"

Xia Qinqin said: "I fell in the cafeteria, it hurts!"

Xia Junshan was so distressed when he heard this that he carried his daughter back into the house, put her down, squatted down, took her little hand and examined it carefully.

The man who had been shot on the battlefield without making a sound, now looked at this small wound and asked anxiously: "Does it still hurt now? Dad will take you to the hospital to bandage it."

Meng Yufei, who was walking out of the kitchen with her bowl and chopsticks, heard this and said, "It's just a little skin breakage. It will be fine in two days. There's no need to go to the hospital."

Xia Junshan said worriedly, "I heard that if the wound is not bandaged in time, it may get infected."

Meng Yufei put the bowls and chopsticks on the dining table and said, "That's for serious injuries with large wounds. Qinqin's hand is only a little bit broken. Bandaging it up and covering it up will make it worse. Just be careful not to touch water for the next few days."

Then he invited them to eat, "Okay, come and eat. Today the cafeteria cooked Qinqin's favorite ribs."

Xia Junshan carried Xia Qinqin over, put her on a chair, and said softly, "Let's eat more these days so that we can get better quickly. Dad will feed you today."

Xia Qinqin ate a bite of the ribs her father fed her, "It's different from what grandma made."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "You little glutton, you tasted it right away. Grandma made sweet and sour spareribs, and this is braised spareribs. Is it delicious?"

Xia Qinqin nodded and said, "It's delicious." After thinking for a moment, she added, "Grandma's cooking is the best."

Xia Junshan picked up another piece of pork ribs and fed it to his daughter, saying, "If it tastes good, eat more. On the weekend, let's take a boat to the state-owned hotel in the city to eat sweet and sour pork ribs."

Xia Qinqin lowered her head and ate the spareribs in one big mouthful. Meng Yufei picked up a piece of green vegetables with chopsticks and put it to her mouth, saying, "Eat another bite of green vegetables."

Xia Qinqin frowned and looked at the vegetables. "Mom, I was injured today. Can I not eat the vegetables?"

Xia Junshan also said: "If the child doesn't want to eat vegetables, don't eat them. Just let him eat more meat." In his opinion, meat is naturally more valuable than vegetables.

Xia Qinqin heard her father speaking for her and nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right."

Meng Yufei said, "No, only a combination of meat and vegetables can achieve a balanced nutrition. Come on, be good, open your mouth, ah..."

Xia Qinqin had no choice but to open her mouth and eat the vegetables. After she swallowed them, Xia Junshan picked up another piece of pork ribs and fed it to her, "Come on, eat another piece of meat."

The couple did this, one feeding their daughter pork ribs and the other feeding her vegetables, and they only ate after they had fed their daughter enough.

After dinner, Meng Yufei took her daughter to play nine-ring games on the sofa for a while. Then her daughter went back to her room for a nap. After coaxing her to sleep, Meng Yufei quietly got up, closed the door, and went to the living room.

When Xia Junshan saw her coming out after washing the dishes, he asked, "Why don't you take a nap?"

Meng Yufei walked up to him and whispered, "Didn't Qinqin fall down today? She told me that she fell because she bumped into Qi Huiying, and Qi Huiying even threatened her that she would bite her with a snake."

"What?" Xia Junshan's face darkened, "Qi Huiying wants to bite Qinqin with a snake?"

Meng Yufei nodded and said, "That's what Qinqin told me. I originally thought that maybe the child heard it wrongly, but then I noticed that Qi Huiying's attitude towards me was not very friendly. It's strange, I didn't offend her..."

She and Qi Huiying had hardly spoken a few words. The only time they interacted was on the first day she arrived, when she went to her house to give her some candy. Although it was a little unpleasant at the time, it wasn't enough to make her harm her own child.

Xia Junshan said, "Do you remember the day when Qinqin encountered the snake? When I went to pick up Qinqin from Zhang Dasao's house, Zhang Dasao said that she met Qi Huiying passing by at that time, and Jianhong even scared her with a snake."

Meng Yufei raised her head sharply and asked, "What do you mean?"

Xia Junshan pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "I'm not sure yet. There is one thing I haven't had time to tell you. Last time, I suspected that someone had brought the snake into the family yard. What appeared that day was a water snake, and water snakes usually appear in freshwater areas."

Meng Yufei nodded and said, "I know. You said that last time."

Xia Junshan said: "I have surveyed several lakes and ponds on the island in the past two days. They are either in crowded residential areas. If they are there, whether someone catches the snake or the snake crawls over on its own, it is very likely to attract people's attention along the way. Or they are in areas with complex terrain and difficult to approach. There is only one small pond, which is relatively close to our family compound and not many people go there usually."

"Before running water was connected to the family compound, many family members would go there to wash clothes. After running water was connected, no one went there anymore. I went there to take a look while running this morning. There were several footprints on a piece of soft soil under the grass on the northeast corner of the pond. Judging from the freshness of the footprints, it can be inferred that they appeared within a week."

Xia Junshan stretched out his hands and gestured, "Judging from the length of the footprints, the person should be about 1.5 to 1.6 meters tall. Judging from the depth of the shoe prints, the weight is about 90 to 100 kilograms, and it is estimated that it is most likely a female. In addition, the heel of the shoe print is deeper on the left than on the right, so this person should have a tendency to walk with his feet turned outward. Um... and the pattern on the soles looks like the pattern of rubber shoes."

Listening to Xia Junshan's analysis, Meng Yufei widened her eyes in surprise and asked curiously, "How can we know so much information just from the footprints?"

Xia Junshan said: "These are just basic reconnaissance methods."

Meng Yufei sighed: "A passing goose leaves traces, a passing wind leaves sounds. It seems that everything you do will leave traces."

Xia Junshan smiled. He naturally knew a way to completely eliminate all traces, but it was a secret and he naturally couldn't tell it out.

He said: "Based on the height and weight analyzed from the shoe prints, Qi Huiying fits the description. But even if she went to the pond, it doesn't prove that she caught the snake."

Meng Yufei said, "If it was her, I don't know what her motive was. By the way, does her husband, Deputy Commander Chen, have any grudge against you?"

Xia Junshan shook his head and said, "Deputy Regiment Leader Chen is from the Second Regiment. We didn't have much contact with him. From what I know, he has a very straightforward personality. He would speak out directly if he is dissatisfied with something. He doesn't seem like the type to retaliate in private, let alone attack a child!"

Meng Yufei said: "That's strange, could it be someone else..."

Xia Junshan patted her shoulder and comforted her, "I will continue to investigate. If someone really wants to harm Qinqin, they will be exposed sooner or later. Don't think too much. Go take a nap first. Don't you still have to go to work in the afternoon?"

Meng Yufei said, "Before the matter is clarified, I'd better keep a close eye on Qinqin. Fortunately, I didn't send her to the kindergarten in town, otherwise I would be worried."

Xia Junshan said, "Thank you for your hard work." Then he pulled her back to the room for a nap.

—————

In the afternoon, I went to Director Fu’s office.

Director Wang sat on a chair in front of the desk and argued: "Lao Fu, you can't disagree this time. Our family has come all the way to this island to follow the army. We have to take care of so many things in the family, big and small, inside and outside, by ourselves. There is not even a relative to help. Especially when it comes to taking care of children. We are on an island surrounded by the sea. If we are not careful, something big will happen! We are in charge of logistics support, isn't it to serve the families..."

Director Fu handed a cup of tea to Director Wang and said with a smile, "Director Wang, have a sip of tea first. Building a kindergarten is indeed a good thing. If the conditions permit, I will definitely agree. But you also know that we just changed the finance person, and we only issued this invoice this morning. We have to do things one by one."

Director Wang said, "Lao Fu, building a kindergarten will not only solve the problem of raising children for our family, but it will also help you solve some of your worries. After the kindergarten is built, you will have to hire two teachers, right? This will also solve the problem of job placement!"

Director Fu picked up the cup and took a sip of tea, then said with a smile, "Director Wang, you really have considered every aspect. I will ask Xiao Meng later to find out the current financial situation on the account."

Director Wang said, "Don't wait! Let's call Xiao Meng over right now and ask her if she has enough money in her account to build a kindergarten. Don't put this matter off any longer. If you put it off any longer, your child will die."

Director Fu nodded helplessly and said, "Okay, then let's invite Xiao Meng over."

Meng Yufei was not surprised when she heard the director asked her to go to the office. She asked Xiao Zhang to look after Qinqin and not let her run around alone, and then she went to the director's office with a notebook.

The office door was open, and the situation inside the office could be seen at a glance. The director was sitting behind the desk, and Director Wang was sitting in front of him.

She knocked on the door and said, "Director, you called me."

Director Fu looked towards the door and said with a smile, "Xiao Meng is here, come in and sit down."

As soon as she sat down, Director Wang couldn't wait to ask her, "Xiao Meng, is there enough money in the Logistics Department's account to build a kindergarten?"

Meng Yufei glanced at Director Fu, and when he nodded, she replied, "This year's appropriation just came in last month, and there have been no other expenses in the past two months. If the family home wants to build a kindergarten, the funds currently in the account are sufficient."

Director Wang turned to Director Fu and said happily, "Old Fu, look, the finance department said they have the money, so you should agree now. The location is still the one I told you last time, clean up the two rooms to the west of our Women's Committee."

Director Fu thought for a moment and said, "That place is suitable. It was built according to the standard of a classroom when it was first built, and it is now a perfect place for children to use as a kindergarten. However, with so many children next to your office, will it affect the work of your Women's Committee?"

Director Wang said, "What's the problem? We Women's Committee is busy every day. We are used to it."

Meng Yufei suggested: "We can build a fence outside the two rooms. First, it can separate the Women's Committee and the kindergarten to avoid interfering with the work of the Women's Committee. Second, it can protect the safety of the children and prevent them from running around."

Director Wang clapped his hands and said, "Xiao Meng, this is a good idea. This fence doesn't cost much money, it can be built quickly, and it won't waste time."

Director Fu picked up the teacup, lowered his head to blow away the tea leaves on it, took a sip of tea and said, "If this kindergarten is built, Director Wang, how many teachers do you think would be appropriate?"

Director Wang smiled and said, "I would say two or three is about right. The exact number is definitely up to you guys. I just suggested building it. How to build it later and who to recruit are all the responsibility of your logistics department. The boss is the one who pays for it."

Director Fu smiled and turned to Meng Yufei and asked, "Xiao Meng, what do you think? Are there any relevant regulations in the finance department?"

Meng Yufei thought for a moment and replied, "According to our financial statistics on the staffing situation of the family home, there are a total of 32 children under the age of six, which is just right for two classes. According to the teacher allocation requirements of the kindergarten, a class generally has two teachers and a childcare worker. In special circumstances, one more teacher can be assigned, with a maximum of four people."

Director Wang said, "Oh, a class in this kindergarten actually has so many people. I see that in the town's primary schools, there are only two teachers in a class, one teaching Chinese and one teaching mathematics, and some even teach several classes."

Meng Yufei said: "Kindergarten children are young, so it will be more tiring for teachers to take care of them."

Director Fu nodded in agreement, "Indeed, we are all experienced in raising children. Children aged three or four want to run when they get out of bed. The younger the children, the more troublesome they are. Since we have opened this kindergarten, we must run it well. We can do without one or two more people."

Director Fu's meaning is to recruit as many people as possible. After all, recruiting more people means solving more job placement problems.

Director Wang naturally understood what he meant and said with a smile, "Our director is really generous. Our Women's Committee has no money and is very stingy in doing things. Okay, since the director has also agreed to open a kindergarten, then I am relieved."

She stood up and was about to leave, "I have something else to do at the Women's Committee, so I'll be leaving first."

Director Fu and Meng Yufei also stood up, and Director Fu said, "I'll see you off."

Director Wang waved his hand and said, "No need, Lao Fu, remember to seize the time!"

Director Fu said, "Don't worry, I will report to the division commander later. If he agrees, we will start the operation immediately. Xiao Meng, go and help me see Director Wang off."

Meng Yufei followed Director Wang out of the director's office. Director Wang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This matter has finally been accomplished."

Meng Yufei beside him said, "Didn't the director just say that we still need to consult the teachers?"

Director Wang said: "We are building a kindergarten to do good for the families. The teachers will definitely agree."

Director Fu reported the matter to Commander Li over the phone that afternoon.

Teacher Li was cursing in the office, and his tone was still angry when he answered the phone. Director Fu reported the situation of preparing to build a kindergarten with some trepidation.

Unexpectedly, when Teacher Li heard this, his expression immediately changed from gloomy to bright, and he said, "This is a good thing, you should hurry up and do it. I didn't even notice that our family compound doesn't have a kindergarten. Lao Fu, you should have built it a long time ago."

"Specifications? We should follow the highest standards. We should do what other kindergartens do. The soldiers in our division are no worse than others, so there's no reason why our benefits should be inferior to those of other divisions!"

"Lao Fu, remember to make this a quick decision!"

After hanging up the phone, Commander Li looked at the two people standing in front of him and said angrily, "I just said to others that my men are no worse than other soldiers. Do you deserve my evaluation? These two training sessions were a mess!"

After scolding the people, Master Li calmed down and waved his hand, saying, "Okay, you guys go back and review what went wrong today."

After everyone left, Commander Li sat on a chair, clasped his hands together, and thought for a moment. He dialed the phone, "Connect with the commander of the first regiment, Xia Junshan."

A few seconds later, Xia Junshan's voice came from the other end of the phone. Commander Li said in a deep voice: "It's the same as last time. How many times has this happened this year?"

Xia Junshan said: "Three times."

Teacher Li said: "...Come to my office."

——————

Meng Yufei returned to the office, and Xiao Zhang asked curiously, "Sister Meng, Director Wang is here to talk about building a kindergarten, right? What did the director say?"

"The director has agreed. We will build the kindergarten after the teacher responds."

"That's great. Now the children in our yard don't have to go so far to town to attend kindergarten. And it saves a few dollars a year."

The tuition fee for kindergarten in town is ten yuan a year, but the kindergarten run by the family home will definitely not charge any fees.

Xiao Zhang smiled and said to Xia Qinqin: "Qinqin can no longer come here to work with us."

Xia Qinqin, who was reading a book on the table, heard Auntie Zhang mention her, looked up and smiled, "When I grow up, I can go to work with my mother."

Xiao Zhang smiled and said, "Oh, Qinqin is so young and already thinking about going to work. Have you decided what kind of job you want to do in the future?"

Xia Qinqin tilted her head and thought for a while, then said, "I haven't made up my mind yet, Auntie. I'll tell you when I've made up my mind."

Xiao Zhang said: "Okay, Auntie will wait for you."

Speaking of work, Xiao Zhang turned around and asked, "Sister Meng, how many people are you planning to hire for the kindergarten?"

Meng Yufei said: "I'm not sure yet, but judging from what Director Fu said, he probably wants to recruit a few more people."

Xiao Zhang said, "That's the best. It can provide jobs for several family members. Sister Meng, can I ask you for a favor? If you know when to start hiring, please let me know."

Meng Yufei nodded and said, "Sure, no problem. So, do you have any family members you want to recommend?"

Xiao Zhang nodded and said, "Yes, there is one..."

Boom! Boom!

There was a knock on the door, interrupting Xiao Zhang's words. The two looked up and saw Section Chief Chen standing at the door.

Meng Yufei quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Chief Chen, why are you here? Please come in."

Section Chief Chen said, "Xiao Meng, the director asked me to come and discuss the kindergarten recruitment with you."

Xiao Zhang brought a stool and said, "Chief, please sit down."

Section Chief Chen sat down and said, "Xiao Zhang, how have you been here these few days?"

Xiao Zhang smiled and said, "I'm still getting familiar with the business. I've learned a lot from Sister Meng."

Meng Yufei poured a glass of water for Section Chief Chen and said, "I have to thank Section Chief Chen for giving me Xiao Zhang. She has been a great help in sorting out the family home tickets these days."

Section Chief Chen took the water and said with a smile, "Xiao Zhang is indeed a capable person. If it weren't for the director's order, I really wouldn't want to let him go."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "Chief Chen, did you just say you came to me to discuss the kindergarten's recruitment?"

Section Chief Chen nodded, "Oh, yes. The director just told me the general situation. The kindergarten is temporarily planning to recruit a principal, three teachers, and two childcare workers, a total of six people. Their salaries will definitely be paid by the logistics department. I came to ask you if the finance department can support it."

Meng Yufei said, "As for the salaries of six people, the funds in the logistics department's account are definitely enough. And the site for building this kindergarten is provided by the Women's Committee, so there is not much else to spend money on."

Section Chief Chen nodded and said, "I estimate that the biggest cost is the salary expenses of the personnel."

Meng Yufei said: "I will add this item to the financial budget report for next quarter and report it to the logistics headquarters of the army."

Section Chief Chen said, "Since you said so, I feel relieved. I will go back and do the recruitment process. The director said that the teacher has issued an order for us to open the kindergarten as soon as possible."