Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Processing

Meng Yufei told him what happened this afternoon. "I didn't expect it would be Xiao Wu. Wei Shufang is also very good at using tricks. She corrupted a young cadre without making any noise."

After hearing this, Xia Junshan asked, "It's true that Xiao Wu accepted Wei Shufang's benefits, but she is not the head of the personnel department. She may have some use in saying good things about Wei in front of Chief Chen, but how did she convince Chief Chen of the three candidates for this interview?"

It was probably Wei Shufang's idea to choose two such suitable foils, but it would not have been possible if Section Chief Chen did not cooperate.

Meng Yufei said, "Wasn't Section Chief Chen a communications soldier when he was in the army? He once carried out a mission with Xiao Wu's husband, Captain Wang, who saved her life."

Xiao Wu came to work in the Logistics Department with the help of Section Chief Chen. Section Chief Chen also chose to keep Xiao Wu in the Personnel Department and let Xiao Zhang come to the Finance Department for this reason.

Xia Junshan frowned: "You can't mix public and private matters! Section Chief Chen is really confused."

"This time, Xiao Wu acted first and then reported to the director. Originally, Section Chief Chen had already selected the candidates for the interview. When he took the list to report the work to the director, Xiao Wu quietly replaced the list." Meng Yufei explained.

Xiao Wu was responsible for filling out the candidate information on the list. She wrote two copies, one for the people selected by Section Chief Chen, and the other for the people she and Wei selected after discussing.

When they arrived at the director's office and showed the list to the director, Section Chief Chen was dumbfounded.

It was different from the list she had just seen in the office. This was obviously not a mistake. She had clearly looked at it again in the office, and it was obvious that this list had been prepared in advance.

She immediately thought of Xiao Wu, but after thinking it over again and again, she finally did not expose the matter. The list was already in the hands of the director, and if she told the truth, the director would definitely hold Xiao Wu accountable.

Section Chief Chen continued to report his work to the director, and finally confirmed that the three people on the list would participate in the interview.

Xia Junshan listened and pointed out: "Xiao Wu is just repaying a favor. She is sure that Section Chief Chen will not tell this to Director Fu, otherwise Xiao Wu will lose her job."

All I can say is that Xiao Wu really knows Section Chief Chen well. If it were someone else, this plan would have been impossible to accomplish.

"This little Wu said she was not smart to come up with such a way to force Section Chief Chen. But she was smart to take such a big risk just for a few tickets." Meng Yufei shook her head speechlessly.

"Xiao Wu's husband is a battalion commander, she also has a job, and her family is a working-class family in the city. Logically, they should not need the little things Wei Shufang gave them. Why is she so depressed?"

Seeing Meng Yufei's puzzled expression, Xia Junshan smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears, saying, "She is too easy-going. When she was working in the logistics department, Section Chief Chen always covered for her. Normally, she would just brush off her mistakes lightly. She doesn't realize the importance of this matter at all."

Meng Yufei thought about it and realized that it was true that Section Chief Chen was the only one who was running the Personnel Department. Xiao Wu would often make mistakes when doing small things occasionally, and it was always Section Chief Chen who would clean up after her. Over time, she felt that making some mistakes at work was no big deal.

Xia Junshan continued, "Another reason is vanity. As you just said, Xiao Wu's husband is the battalion commander, and Wei Shufang is the wife of the regiment commander. She lowered herself to please and flatter herself. This psychological satisfaction brought her more happiness than those tickets."

Another reason was that Wei Shufang was a high school graduate, an intellectual of that era. Xiao Wu herself had only graduated from junior high school, and had failed to get into high school after several years of trying. She was very proud that Wei Shufang, a high school student, came to please her.

Meng Yufei said: "For these vanity, I made a mistake of principle. This time I really lost more than I gained."

"How will the logistics department handle this matter?" Xia Junshan asked.

"Fire Xiao Wu from her job, report her criticism, and keep a record of her case. Also, don't let her continue to accompany the troops on the island." Meng Yufei talked about the results of the meeting tonight. "As for Section Chief Chen, Director Fu asked her to retire early, demoted her by two levels, and return to the local area."

Originally, in a few years, Section Chief Chen could have been promoted and at least returned to the local area to work as a director, which is equivalent to the administrative level of deputy county level, and he would not be a bad choice in any unit.

Now I have been demoted two levels, and if I return to the local area I will just be an ordinary grassroots staff member.

Xia Junshan listened and nodded, saying, "Director Fu still gave them face. If the incident is reported to the military supervision department, the punishment will definitely be more severe than the current one."

Meng Yufei sighed, "After all, she is one of us from the Logistics Department, so we have to show some sympathy to her. It's just a pity that Wei Shufang didn't receive much impact. She was only revoked her job at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and was asked to review her mistakes and report the criticism."

During the interrogation, Wei Shufang kept emphasizing that she gave the tickets only because she had a good relationship with Xiao Wu, and refused to admit that she was bribing.

Although she refused to admit it, she had gained some benefits, and in the end she was not allowed to continue working at the supply and marketing cooperative.

"Although she gave the ticket and there is suspicion of bribery, the person who abused his power to manipulate the situation was Xiao Wu, and the one who failed in his duty was Section Chief Chen," said Xia Junshan.

Therefore, the instigator received the lightest punishment in the end.

Meng Yufei said with some worry: "We should pay more attention to Qinqin these days. Wei Shufang has lost her job, and we don't know what she will do."

Xia Junshan comforted her, "She has just been punished. I guess she is now thinking about who reported her. She probably has no time to think about Qinqin."

Meng Yufei nodded, thinking that Wei Shufang would soon know who reported her.

…

Wei Shufang came back from the logistics department and as soon as she entered the house she saw Captain Han sitting on the sofa with a gloomy face.

"You...you're back. Where's Jianbao? Is he asleep?" Wei Shufang asked nervously.

Leader Han asked her in a low voice, "Why did you do this?"

Wei Shufang said embarrassedly: "You know everything. Actually, you all misunderstood. I really didn't bribe anyone. I just gave Xiao Wu a few tickets because I have a good relationship with her."

Head Han said coldly, "Give it away? Didn't you say you gave the cigarette to your brother? And the sewing machine ticket? You said before that your cousin was getting married and the bride's family insisted on a sewing machine as a gift, so you asked us to help you get a sewing machine ticket. What, your cousin doesn't need it anymore?"

Wei Shufang lowered her head, a trace of anger flashed in her eyes, and she said in a wronged tone: "I, I am doing this for this family. I have three children to raise at home, and I have to save money on food and drink. I also want to reduce your burden and let the children live a better life!"

When Head Han heard her sophistry, he laughed in anger. He stood up and questioned, "I just don't understand. Can't you just be a kindergarten teacher? Even if you want to work in the supply and marketing cooperative, you can just compete openly. Why do you have to do all this messy stuff?"

"It's all Meng Yufei's fault. If she hadn't made it difficult for me, saying that I couldn't apply for the supply and marketing cooperative's recruitment because I already had a job in the kindergarten, I would have been afraid that the personnel department would not let me apply, so I went to please Xiao Wu. Do you think I wanted to beg you for favors?"

Wei Shufang became angrier as she spoke: "And the person who reported me this time must have been jealous of me and deliberately framed me to make me lose my job."

Leader Han was speechless and said, "So in your opinion, it's all other people's fault, and you are not at fault at all, right?"

Wei Shufang said, "What did I do wrong? I just wanted to get a job. I didn't steal or rob anything. I just gave a few tickets to Xiao Wu. She did everything. What does it have to do with me? I am the one who suffered the most. Not only did I give away the tickets, but I also lost my job now."

Her face of a victim made Captain Han feel very angry and unfamiliar. He said angrily: "Why have you become like this now? Do you know the seriousness of this matter? The military supervision department called me this afternoon. Fortunately, it was Director Fu who handled this matter. If it was handed over to the army, I would also be investigated."

Wei Shufang looked at him and said with a change of expression, "So you are afraid of affecting your future. I was wondering why you were so angry. Don't worry, the punishment this time is only for me and has nothing to do with you."

He didn't want to waste words with her anymore, so he just said coldly: "Since the Logistics Department has already given you the punishment, you should stay at home and write a self-criticism these two days. Aren't you an educated person? This time you finally have a place to use your knowledge. I won't say any more to you, just take care of yourself." After that, he turned and went into the house.

Wei Shufang sat on the sofa, thinking that she didn't need to pretend anymore, just let it be. They were a couple who got married later in life, and they were not as good as the original couple.

Fortunately, she has Jianbao, so she is not afraid that he will get divorced. Divorce in the army is not that easy.

Thinking about what happened in the afternoon, she clenched her fists. Who wrote the report?

Han Jianhong was sitting on a chair in the small room, listening to the quarrel in the living room. The corners of her mouth slowly rose. She looked up at the sky outside the window. It looked like it was going to rain tomorrow.

…

In the middle of the night, Meng Yufei suddenly woke up. She felt around and saw only Xia Junshan. She paused for two seconds before realizing that Qinqin was sleeping in the next room tonight.

As soon as she moved, Xia Junshan woke up and asked, "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" Then he put his arms around her and patted her.

Meng Yufei said: "I'll go see Qinqin."

As he spoke, he got up and opened the door. Xia Junshan also got up. The two of them gently pushed open the door next to him. In the faint moonlight, they saw Xia Qinqin sleeping soundly on the small bed.

Meng Yufei tiptoed to the bedside, looked at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face with tender eyes, and gently brushed away the hair on her face. Her fair and tender face was imprinted on the pillow, soft like a steamed bun.

Xia Junshan walked to the window and closed it gently. It was windy outside.

Meng Yufei and Xia Junshan silently looked at their daughter's sleeping face in front of the bed for a while. Meng Yufei lifted her daughter's quilt, turned around and left the room with Xia Junshan.

Standing at the door, Meng Yufei felt relieved and a little disappointed. She said with emotion: "It was the first time Qinqin slept alone. I was worried that she would be scared, but she was very brave and slept very soundly."

Xia Junshan held Meng Yufei's shoulder and comforted her, "Qinqin has grown up."

"Yes, Qinqin has grown up."

"Okay, go back to sleep. You have to go to work tomorrow."

"Yeah, okay."

The next morning, Meng Yufei was awakened by the sound of rain.

I looked up at the window and saw it was closed. It was still a little dark outside.

"It's only six o'clock, it's still early, you should sleep a little longer." Xia Junshan whispered while getting dressed in front of the closet.

Meng Yufei said hoarsely: "It's raining hard outside, do you have a raincoat at home?"

Xia Junshan nodded: "Yes, they are in the cupboard in the small room. The umbrella is also in there. I will bring them to the living room later. You can take them with you when you go out."

Meng Yufei nodded and said softly, "Be careful when you go out, don't get wet."

Xia Junshan bent down and kissed her forehead, then said with a smile, "Got it. You should be careful when you go out."

After touching her hair, Xia Junshan turned and walked out.

Meng Yufei listened to the sound of rain outside the window and closed her eyes to catch up on sleep.

When I got up again, the rain outside had not stopped, but it was a little lighter.

There was an army green raincoat on the living room sofa, and a yellow umbrella leaning against it.

Meng Yufei put the raincoat on Xia Qinqin, but it was an adult raincoat and was too big for her.

Xia Qinqin swung her long sleeves and laughed, "Hehe, Mom, these sleeves are so long, I can't stretch my hands out."

Meng Yufei smiled and rolled up her sleeves. "Okay, now your hands are out."

Xia Qinqin smiled and said, "Thank you, Mom~"

Meng Yufei couldn't help but kiss her smiling face, "You're welcome."

The hem of the raincoat was also very long, so Meng Yufei went back to the room and got a hairpin to put it on her. After putting on the raincoat, Meng Yufei took the big yellow umbrella and took Xia Qinqin out of the door.

This is a bamboo umbrella with rain cloth. It is quite laborious to open it, but the umbrella is very large and covers both people's heads tightly.

Although the rain had subsided, Meng Yufei was still worried that Xia Qinqin's shoes would get wet, so she picked up her daughter, placed the umbrella between them, and asked Xia Qinqin to hold it with both hands.

"Mom is so great." Xia Qinqin praised, leaning her little head on Meng Yufei's shoulder.

Meng Yufei smiled, carried her out, and they went to the cafeteria to have breakfast before going to the kindergarten.

After wearing a raincoat and being carried all the way, Xia Qinqin entered the classroom without getting wet at all, feeling dry and refreshed.

After eating at Xia Qinqin's house, Lu Yannan went to school four times a day, three times with Xia Qinqin, and only in the morning did the correspondent Xiao Zhao take him to school.

It rained this morning, and Xiao Zhao wanted to carry Lu Yannan over, but Lu Yannan refused and insisted on walking over by himself with an umbrella.

As a result, now, Lu Yannan, who was sitting in the classroom, not only had his shoes wet, but even half of his pants were wet.

The wind blew in from the door and made him shiver.

Xia Qinqin asked him: "Brother Yannan, are you cold?"

Lu Yannan gritted his teeth and said, “It’s not cold!”

"Oh, that's good." Xia Qinqin nodded and turned to talk to Fangfang.

Meng Yufei returned to the office, and Xiao Zhang hurried over to pull her aside and asked, "Sister Meng, how did you deal with it yesterday?"

Meng Yufei then told Xiao Zhang what happened yesterday. Xiao Zhang shook his head and said, "It's such a pity for Section Chief Chen. He was a good person, but he got implicated by Xiao Wu."

"I was wondering why Section Chief Chen didn't choose me that time. It turns out they still have this kind of relationship."

Xiao Zhang now felt relieved. In fact, she still felt aggrieved because Section Chief Chen chose Xiao Wu instead of herself. After all, she felt that her work ability was much better than Xiao Wu.

Of course, I feel happier after coming to the Finance Department.

Meng Yufei said: "Section Chief Chen brought too many personal feelings into her work. Even if she wants to repay the favor, she shouldn't use her power for personal gain."

Xiao Zhang nodded: "Yes, I can only say that this lesson is too profound. By the way, isn't it that Deputy Section Chief Ma is the only one left in the Personnel Department now?"

Deputy Section Chief Ma's work ability is obvious to all, he is just here to make up the numbers.

Meng Yufei said: "The director said yesterday that the military logistics headquarters will transfer someone here."

"Oh, that's good."

The two of them didn't talk about it anymore and started working.

Meng Yufei sat down and took out the May Day activity plan. After reading it, she turned around and asked, "Xiao Zhang, are there any movies shown on the island?"

Xiao Zhang said: "Yes, we let it go once during the National Day last year."

Meng Yufei suggested: "Why don't we also show a movie on May Day? I calculated the duration of the show, about half an hour, which feels a bit short. Why not show a movie after the show? I think everyone will like it."

"That's for sure. On this island, you can't watch one all year round. People who go to the countryside to watch movies don't even come to this island."

In this age without television or mobile phones, being able to watch a movie is really a happy thing.

Meng Yufei reported the activity plan to Director Fu and also suggested showing a movie.

Director Fu agreed and said, "Okay, add two more shows and invite the island residents to come and watch, so that the military and civilians can have fun together. Director Meng, if you have time in the next few days, go and contact the cinemas in the city and ask them to send people to show movies during the May Day holiday. We will give you the highest subsidy."

The recruitment of workers by the supply and marketing cooperative caused the Logistics Department to lose a big man. Director Fu urgently needed to do something to save face, and the May Day event was a good opportunity to show his ability. The leaders of the army would definitely come at that time.

Since the director has spoken, Meng Yufei said happily: "Okay, I will do it if you say so."

In the kindergarten, Zhou Wenqian is teaching the children to dance. The children have learned all the songs in the past few days and can now start dancing.

The dance was choreographed by Zhou Wen Qian according to the children's personalities. For example, a child like Lu Yannan who doesn't like to move stood in the corner and sang as a background, while children like Qinqin and Fangfang who have good memory and are obedient were given dance moves.

They were all children, and none of them studied dance professionally. Zhou Wenqian’s requirements were not very strict, so the children were quite happy to learn, especially Xia Qinqin and Fangfang. Xia Qinqin liked to move and found these dance moves very novel.

But Fangfang simply loved dancing. She watched Zhou Wenqian's movements and then followed them carefully. Her movements were very standard. Zhou Wenqian saw a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, thinking that she was a very talented child.

After school, the rain stopped.

When Meng Yufei came to the kindergarten gate to pick up her child, she saw a rainbow in the sky. She smiled as she watched Xia Qinqin and Lu Yannan run over, pointing at the rainbow and saying to them, "Qinqin, Yannan, look, there's a rainbow."

"Wow! It's so beautiful." Xia Qinqin opened her mouth in surprise, staring at the rainbow without blinking.

Lu Yannan looked up, lacking interest.

Meng Yufei stood at the kindergarten gate with her two children and watched the rainbow for a while. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Han Jianbao waiting for his parents in the yard. Since Wei Shufang left the kindergarten, she came to pick up Han Jianbao later than others every day. In the past, she would take the child home after work.

When most people in the kindergarten had left, I saw Wei Shufang, who was late. Looking at her expression, I couldn't tell that she was affected by what happened yesterday.

Meng Yufei bowed and said to the two children, "Okay, we've seen enough. We should go back."

Lu Yannan nodded, but Xia Qinqin hadn't seen enough, "Mom, can you look at it for a while longer?"

Meng Yufei said, "We'll have a chance to see it next time it rains. We should go back to eat. Dad will be off work soon."

Xia Qinqin nodded and said reluctantly: "Well... okay."

Wei Shufang also picked up Han Jianbao and was about to go back, but Meng Yufei stopped her, "Sister-in-law Wei, wait a moment, I have something to tell you."

Wei Shufang stopped and asked expressionlessly, "What's the matter?"

Meng Yufei said, "It's like this. Didn't we say before that we would give you a salary supplement next month? But that was based on how many hours you worked at the supply and marketing cooperative this month. But now, you have only worked for a few days at the supply and marketing cooperative. At the beginning of this month, I would like to ask you to go to the finance department to return the salary for the kindergarten you received when you are free."

Wei Shufang rolled her eyes and said unhappily, "Just tell me how much it is?"

Meng Yufei said: "You have worked in kindergarten for seven days this month, and the three days at the supply and marketing cooperative are also counted for you..."

Meng Yufei was calculating the money for her in detail. The more Wei Shufang listened, the uglier her face became. This woman was just looking for trouble on purpose!

While I was counting, Tong Caifeng also came to pick up her little daughter. She was always the last one to pick up her child. If the child was not unable to leave yet, she would not have come at all.

Mrs. Zhang was standing at the door holding Fang's little daughter. When she saw Tong Caifeng coming, she handed the child to him.

In the past few days, because of a cup of milk and maltose every day, the child's face has gained some weight and his complexion has become more rosy.

"Okay, come to the Finance Department to pay this money when you are free in the next few days." Meng Yufei finally calculated the money.

Wei Shufang had just gotten into trouble, so she suppressed her temper and listened to Meng Yufei today. Otherwise, she would have been unable to hold back and started quarreling.

After Meng Yufei finished speaking, she turned to Tong Caifeng who was holding the child and said, "Sister Tong, our logistics department went to your house yesterday to look for you. Why weren't you at home?"

Tong Caifeng's body froze, and she said, "Oh, my family had something to buy, so I went to the market."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "Going to the market again? I think I saw you in the department store last weekend. It seems that you like shopping in department stores. By the way, please go to the logistics department this afternoon. Director Fu has something to ask you."

Tong Caifeng's eyes widened and she said anxiously, "What does this have to do with me? Why are you calling me in for questioning? I didn't use any backdoor!"

Meng Yufei smiled and asked her, "Sister Tong, do you know what Director Fu wants to ask?"

Tong Caifeng stuttered, "Oh, I...I just, I just guessed, guessed!"

Meng Yufei said, "Don't think too much. It's nothing. I just want to ask you about some things. Remember to come to the logistics department this afternoon."

Tong Caifeng glanced at Wei Shufang beside her and said uncomfortably, "Okay, okay, I got it, I will definitely go over there."

Wei Shufang, who was about to leave, stopped and looked at Tong Caifeng in confusion, and saw a trace of guilt flash across her face.

For a moment, Wei Shufang seemed to have figured something out. Her heart sank and her eyes became deep.