Chapter 80: I Agree

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: I Agree

Zheng Zhizhi thought of Liu Lang and Mrs. Liu.

She reluctantly fished the last few dimes from her pocket, walked to a newsstand, and winced as she made a phone call.

After the call connected, the operator’s voice came through.

Zheng Zhizhi said, "I’m looking for Comrade He Ju. She’s the mother of Lieutenant Liu Lang."

Hearing this, the military operator on the other end’s voice grew sharp. "Are you Zheng Zhizhi?"

"...What if I am?" Zheng Zhizhi’s voice was tinged with resentment at the operator’s tone.

"Then I’m sorry, Comrade Zheng, I can’t pass on a message for you. And don’t call the base anymore. You’re now on the list of prohibited personnel. Please have the decency to follow the rules."

Hearing this, Zheng Zhizhi almost burst out cursing.

But the operator on the other end had already hung up, giving her no chance to swear.

"You snobbish bitch!"

Zheng Zhizhi stomped her foot on the spot.

The old man inside the newsstand, who was reading a newspaper, saw her lose her temper and start swearing. His face darkened as he held out a hand. "Phone bill. Fifty-eight cents."

"What! I only said a few words! This is daylight robbery!" Zheng Zhizhi couldn’t stop herself from shouting.

The old man rolled his eyes. "Listen, miss. If you’re poor, don’t use the phone. Making calls is expensive. Don’t you even have that much common sense? Stop putting on an act. Now, give me the money!"

Zheng Zhizhi was so angry she started to cry. She was obsessed with her image. All she had ever wanted was a good life, a rich life. She wanted to be a city dweller with a stable government job—an ’iron rice bowl.’ That’s why, after the Liu Family refused her high bride price, she had tried to latch onto Lu Zhengchuan.

But now, after all her scheming, she had gotten her brother thrown in jail, her parents were too ashamed to show their faces in the village, and she still hadn’t managed to marry a city man with decent prospects and live a comfortable life.

She couldn’t accept it.

Seething with anger, Zheng Zhizhi paid the phone bill and stared at the last few dimes left in her hand.

She was frantic and afraid. Afraid that she would end up destitute. Afraid that Su Wan would live a good life while she sank to the bottom of society, never to climb back up.

Zheng Zhizhi gritted her teeth and turned back toward the large, shared courtyard where she had been staying for the past few days.

She walked up to an older woman and said, "I’ll do it."

-

Su Wan and Qin Yao packed up the stall.

"Come on, Comrade Qin Yao. I’ll treat you to dinner."

Having made some money, Su Wan was feeling generous and took Qin Yao straight to the state-run restaurant.

The two of them ordered scallion oil noodles and a plate of braised pork ribs. They ate until their stomachs were round before heading to the police station.

Qin Yao couldn’t help but rub her stomach. She felt she had eaten more meat today than in the entire past month. Back at the police station cafeteria, she never allowed herself to splurge on meat dishes. If she ate meat with every meal, her monthly food bill would exceed ten yuan. Thinking of her salary of less than forty yuan a month, she just couldn’t bring herself to spend that much.

Then, seeing how much money Su Wan made today just by selling pottery bowls and running a small business, Qin Yao couldn’t help but feel her resolve waver.

As they neared the police station, Qin Yao couldn’t resist looking at Su Wan beside her and asking curiously, "Comrade Su Wan, Battalion Commander Lu’s position isn’t low, and his stipend must be considerable. Why do you still want to run your own small business?"

"Do you think it’s shameful to be a private business owner?" Su Wan heard the conflict in her voice and cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Qin Yao felt a little awkward, but under Su Wan’s gaze, she didn’t have the heart to lie. Besides, she felt as if Su Wan’s bright eyes could see right through her.

"I’m just confused. After all, you shouldn’t be short on money."

"I’m not short on money, but my family is." Su Wan gave her a gentle smile. "Besides, as long as you’re making money, does it really matter how you make it?"

Su Wan’s way of thinking was different from most people of this era.

Qin Yao couldn’t help but find her unusual.

But seeing Su Wan’s confidence, and the captivating aura that enhanced her already outstanding looks, Qin Yao found she couldn’t bring herself to say anything to discourage her.

"Wanwan."

"Sister Wanwan."

The two of them entered the police station.

Lu Zhengchuan and Liu Shu walked over together.

Both of their faces lit up with happiness at the sight of her.

Lu Zhengchuan shot a glance at Liu Shu. ’This little brat is such an eyesore.’

"I’m fine. The pottery bowls are all sold out, so I don’t have to go tomorrow." Su Wan first shared this good news with Lu Zhengchuan.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhengchuan instinctively took her hand and examined it, his heart aching for her. He patted it gently, and noticing the weariness on her face, he wrapped an arm around her waist.

He supported her and led her to a chair in the police station.

Su Wan let him guide her, sitting down to rest. The walk back from the state-run restaurant had indeed been tiring.

"Is your business here settled?" Su Wan asked, looking up.

Lu Zhengchuan nodded. "Yes, the case has been handed over to the relevant department."

"Sister, my dad’s here!" Liu Shu called out to her happily.

Su Wan looked up and, sure enough, saw Liu Guosen striding over. He was a tall man in blue work clothes, and his stern expression clearly softened when he saw Su Wan.

"Comrade Su Wan, I’m Liu Shu’s father. Thank you so much for your help." Liu Guosen extended his hand to her.

Su Wan shook it.

"Mr. Liu, you’re too kind. It was nothing, really."

Liu Guosen glanced at the sky. "Comrade Su Wan, Battalion Commander Lu, are you two free? I’d like to treat you both to dinner."

Su Wan had already eaten dinner, so she could tell that Liu Guosen was just looking for an excuse to meet with her and Lu Zhengchuan privately.

She looked at Lu Zhengchuan.

Lu Zhengchuan leaned in and asked her in a low voice, "Are you tired?"

"A little." Su Wan shifted her feet. She wanted to go back to the guesthouse and soak her feet to ease the day’s fatigue. As for Liu Guosen’s gratitude, she didn’t really care much about it.

"Alright, then I’ll take you to the guesthouse first."

Lu Zhengchuan soothed her in a low voice, then looked up and said apologetically to Liu Guosen, "Mr. Liu, I’m sorry, but my fiancée is pregnant and a bit tired. There’s no need to treat us to dinner. And please don’t worry about this matter; everything was handled according to procedure."

"We’ll head to the guesthouse now. Don’t let us keep you."

The words Liu Guosen wanted to say to ask them to stay caught in his throat.

Hearing this, he could only nod and watch the two of them leave.

"Liu Shu, come here."

Liu Shu walked to Liu Guosen’s side and hugged his leg. "Dad, what is it?"

"Come with me. Tell me everything that’s happened in the last two days, in detail."

Qin Yao was also called away by Zhao Cong. Before she left, her concerned gaze followed Su Wan’s back for a few moments. Seeing Lu Zhengchuan lift Su Wan into his arms as soon as they stepped out of the police station, she finally felt somewhat relieved and followed her captain back to the office.

「At the guesthouse」

Su Wan asked while soaking her feet, "Do you need to go to the police station again tomorrow?"

"No. We can just focus on our own things. We’ll see where you want to go shopping."

Su Wan nodded, then remembered something about Zheng Zhizhi. "I ran into Zheng Zhizhi on Songshan Road this afternoon. I don’t know why she’s still lingering in the county town instead of going back to Yang County."

"She saw me and seemed pretty hostile. Can you find out what’s going on with her?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhengchuan looked a little guilty and rubbed the tip of his nose. "I already know about her situation."