Chapter 50

At seven in the evening, rain and wind began outside the courtyard. The late autumn rain was different from summer’s heavy downpours. It was a gentle, persistent drizzle that lasted through the night.

With nothing to do in the house, Lin Yao locked the door and busied herself with organizing the supplies and browsing through Gu Shi’an’s military books on the desk. She flipped through titles like On War, War Strategy, and The Annotated Sun Tzu, each more obscure and difficult than the last, which made her eyelids droop.

—This wasn’t reading, it was more like listening to a lullaby.

So, Lin Yao decided to stop and put on a floral robe, heading outside to enjoy the rainy scenery.

Autumn nights had their own charm, especially if the loquat leaves weren’t turning yellow.

Outside, the rain poured heavily, while Gu Mancang was rolling up his pants to go out and empty the foot bath. Gu Shidong was busy in his own space, making a “ding dong” sound as he carved something.

Zhang Cuilan scolded the brat but then asked Lin Yao through the door, “Yao Yao, it’s cold outside. Go to bed early so you don’t catch a cold. Is your bedding warm enough? If not, I’ll add a thicker quilt for you.”

Lin Yao cheerfully replied that the bedding was warm enough, which reassured Zhang Cuilan, who then went to bed herself.

By 9:30, Gu Shi’an still hadn’t come home. Lin Yao guessed that the Public Security Bureau must be dealing with a major case and working late.

The damp, chilly rain and wind seeped through the house, making Lin Yao shiver. She worried that she might catch a cold if it continued like this. After a quick sniffle, she tightened her clothes and hurried back inside, climbing into bed to warm up.

Eventually, Gu Shi’an returned, drenched from the rain.

Lin Yao quickly ran over to report.

Gu Sh’ian, still in his white 55-style police uniform, hadn’t had time to change. As Lin Yao eagerly chattered about what happened, he initially looked gentle, but after a few minutes, his dark eyes darkened and the air pressure around him became frighteningly low. Lin Yao wasn’t intimidated, after all she was wrapped in her little quilt.

Besides, Lin Yao was spoiled and used to getting her way with Deputy Director Gu. Gu Shi’an always gave in to her, so she wasn’t afraid at all.

However, Zheng Dacheng’s family would have to fend for themselves. Gu Shi’an’s displeasure was evident from his stern expression.

After listening to Lin Yao’s complaints, Gu Shi’an’s brow furrowed coldly for a moment before he relaxed.

“I understand. It’s cold, you should go to bed early.”

With Gu Shi’an’s reassurance, Lin Yao felt at ease. She yawned, nodded, and quickly fell into a deep, sweet sleep.

A week later, Zheng Dacheng’s family was discharged from the hospital. Liu Laidi, however, was enjoying her stay at the clinic. With meals provided by the canteen and IVs administered by nurses, she was well taken care of. Her elder and younger sisters vied to serve her, even buying snacks and canned goods to bring her. The ease of being pampered and having nothing to do was too pleasant to pass up.

No wonder the county’s wives looked so well-maintained. With maids to serve them and not a finger lifted, it’s no surprise they lived comfortably.

Liu Laidi complained of stomach pains and weakness, claiming she didn’t want to go to work.

Zheng Dacheng, recovering from his illness, was too weak to argue with her. He himself wasn’t feeling well, having been weakened from days of diarrhea. He forced himself to visit the canteen, though he was still uneasy. The canteen had two assistants besides him, including the union chairman’s nephew, who was learning to cook from Zheng Dacheng.

With a strong sense of crisis, Zheng Dacheng wobbled to the canteen and saw that one of the helpers was indeed the union chairman’s nephew.

What frustrated Zheng Dacheng even more was that on Liu Laidi’s first day back to the canteen, she was caught stealing steamed buns and meat!

Liu Laidi’s greed was boundless. The canteen’s purchasing agent had painstakingly acquired half a pig, which was a significant effort. Riding a bicycle for dozens of miles over rough terrain, the agent barely made it back to the factory, sweating profusely. With around fifty kilograms of pork, divided among over a thousand people in the factory, each person barely got a taste.

Despite this, Liu Laidi shamelessly stole five kilograms of meat!

She had wrapped the stolen meat in a torn newspaper and stuffed it into a basket, attempting to leave the canteen nonchalantly.

Sister Hao, a canteen worker, quickly spotted the suspicious bundle. In a flash, she tore open the newspaper to reveal the large piece of pork.

“Well, well, we’ve got a meat thief in the canteen!”

“Call the security office! Liu Laidi is stealing meat!”

Sister Hao grabbed Liu Laidi by the hair, preventing her from escaping, and shouted loudly for help while clutching her waist.

Liu Laidi struggled in pain, seeing the serious face of the commune chairman and several high-ranking officials. Sweat poured down her forehead.

This was a disaster!

Zheng Dacheng, who had come out of the kitchen to see the commotion, was enraged and slapped Liu Laidi. The force of the blow made her stagger two steps back, silencing her and causing half of her face to swell immediately.

The onlookers from the factory were initially furious but were stunned by the severity of Zheng Dacheng’s reaction.

Liu Laidi’s theft of revolutionary property was clear-cut, with both witnesses and evidence against her, leaving no room for excuses.

Cunning and experienced, Zheng Dacheng shed fake tears and slapped Liu Laidi again, kneeling and crying, “Laidi, you’re so foolish. I know my mother-in-law is critically ill and just wanted to eat some braised pork before she passes. Even if you’re anxious, you shouldn’t steal from the canteen to fulfill her wish. Even if she ate the meat, she wouldn’t be at peace…”

Liu Laidi and Zheng Dacheng had been married for many years and shared a deep understanding. Seeing the situation, Liu Laidi quickly slapped herself twice and started crying, covering her face.

“Dacheng, I know I’ve been foolish. But mother doesn’t have much time left. The doctor said she won’t make it through tonight. She’s been a widow since she was forty, raising five children and suffering all her life. She’s had such a hard life, never even tasting a bowl of braised pork. As her daughter, if I’m not filial, who will be? Secretary, Chairman, it’s all my fault. I accept responsibility!”

Liu Laidi knelt before the leaders, kowtowing vigorously. Her pitiful appearance moved everyone present.

The old secretary, known for his kindness, softened his expression and was about to ask Liu Laidi to rise.

However, the commune chairman intervened, his face stern. He slammed his hand on the table, saying, “Being filial to one’s parents doesn’t justify stealing from the revolutionary public property! Every one of us here has an elderly mother. If everyone behaved like you, indiscriminately stealing from the masses, the entire steel factory would be in chaos! You’re tarnishing the reputation of our steel factory. This is a new society where the people are in charge. You’re resorting to feudal practices like kowtowing. Do you realize how serious this is?”

The commune chairman’s harsh reprimand left Liu Laidi terrified. She didn’t know whether to continue kowtowing or not, and cowered in place, afraid to move.

Zheng Dacheng was also troubled, his face stiffening.

In the end, both Liu Laidi and Zheng Dacheng were taken away by security personnel. Liu Laidi, a temporary worker, was dismissed on the spot and had to publicly apologize at a factory-wide meeting. She was assigned to sweep the streets daily.

Zheng Dacheng, as Liu Laidi’s revolutionary partner, was also at fault for not supervising her. He was demoted from his position as head cook to a smaller canteen in the Third Commune.

The Third canteen was a small operation with only about thirty members and no purchasing agent. Zheng Dacheng had to handle several tasks by himself, earning only thirty yuan a month. He didn’t receive any benefits and worked tirelessly every day.

The Zheng family, accustomed to a better life with regular meals of white bread and occasional braised pork or pig’s feet, now faced a daily diet of cornbread and coarse porridge. Their once pampered tastes made every meal feel like chewing wax.

Zheng Xue and her brother argued with Zheng Dacheng, and despite his efforts, he could only manage a meager meal for his children.

Liu Laidi, lacking in wisdom, also started to argue with Zheng Dacheng.

Zheng Dacheng, his forehead veins bulging, slapped Liu Laidi several times, causing her to cry out. If it weren’t for her foolishness, she wouldn’t have been caught stealing or been in this predicament!

Zheng Dacheng, with a fierce expression, intensified his grip. Liu Laidi was in so much pain that she could not make any other sound except screaming.

In the midst of all this, Zhang Cuilan, who was unaware of the full story, sighed, “You reap what you sow.”

Gu Shidong shook his head, “Indeed, Mom. Today, the factory paid salaries, and the kitchen has eggs and white flour. Let’s have scallion pancakes for dinner.”

Zhang Cuilan laughed at her youngest son’s little cravings. “You’re impossible. Nothing escapes your eyes.”

“That’s right.”

The mischievous little boy seemed quite pleased.

Today, not only did the steel factory issue salaries, but it was also pay day at Lin Yao’s textile factory.

Having worked less than a month and still not officially employed, Lin Yao received only twenty yuan and two pounds of fine grain tickets. However, due to the factory’s good performance, she was also given a full day’s worth of meal tickets.

Lin Yao put her salary in her small bag and headed towards the door with Zhou Xiaoxue.

Zhou Xiaoxue, who was still single, was picked up by her older brother every day. She seemed to have an aversion to him, clearly showing her dislike through her words and actions.

As soon as Zhou Xiaoxue saw her tall and burly brother waiting at the door, her face fell, and she weakly waved goodbye to Lin Yao.

“Yao Yao, I’m leaving now.”

Zhou Xiaoxue hesitated as she walked over to her brother. They exchanged a few words and ended up in an argument, with Zhou Xiaoxue’s brother giving her a light tap on the head.

Annoyed, Zhou Xiaoxue rubbed her head and jumped.

Lin Yao found the scene amusing. When Gu Shi’an arrived to pick up his wife, he saw Lin Yao smiling with her eyes squinted from afar. He grinned, stopping at the textile factory’s entrance.

On this early November afternoon, a biting cold wind blew through the streets.

Lin Yao, dressed in her work uniform, had her face tucked into her neck for warmth.

Gu Shi’an draped his coat over her shoulders and wrapped a red cashmere scarf around her.

Lin Yao, now warm, stood obediently with her face peeking out from the scarf, looking even more charming.

With Lin Yao warmed up, Gu Shi’an mounted his bicycle, and they set off together.

As they chatted on the way, the conversation turned to Liu Laidi’s misdeeds. Lin Yao fumed, “She was so wicked. Hey, you really showed no mercy when you dealt with her.”

Gu Shi’an’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Yao Yao, do you really think Zheng Dacheng didn’t know about the croton powder incident?”

Lin Yao looked surprised. “Really? Zheng Dacheng was involved too?”