Chapter 145: Come, Smile

“Once the investigation is complete, we will inform your unit that you both have contributed to the case,” the police officer assured them.

After reaching an agreement, the police took the three bound car thieves and rode their bicycles back to the police station.

Lin Xiangnan held onto her bicycle handlebars and bent down to carefully inspect it before getting on.

At that moment, the leader of the car theft gang confessed, “I forgot to put on a part for you.”

Lin Xiangnan couldn’t hold back. She slapped him on the forehead, “I knew you were up to no good. You wanted me to fall and get hurt while riding, didn’t you?”

Thankfully, she was cautious and checked her bike before riding. Otherwise, this guy wouldn’t have confessed.

Still angry, Lin Xiangnan couldn’t help but give him another slap.

The police officer who was holding the car thief opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again.

Lin Xiangnan and her friend had managed to capture three thieves, two against six. They were clearly not to be trifled with.

They were beating up the car thieves, not the police, so it wasn’t considered disrespect.

The leader of the thieves shook his head, feeling both aggrieved and wronged. “I didn’t want you to fall. It’s just that without that part, your bike would be very difficult to ride.”

“You’re up to no good,” Lin Xiangnan glared at him, not minding the dirt, and started checking the bike herself.

After finding the problem, Lin Xiangnan searched the ground, found a suitable part, and installed it herself.

“You know how to fix bikes?” The car thief leader looked at Lin Xiangnan in shock. “You know how to fix bikes, why did you chase me when I ran?”

Lin Xiangnan took out her handkerchief and wiped the grease off her hands, confidently saying, “Of course, I was afraid of getting dirty. This black stuff gets on your hands, and you can’t even wipe it off.”

Even if she was a novice at first, after being in the technical department for half a year and occasionally going down to the workshop, it would be impossible for her to be unable to fix a bike.

This group of car thieves were speechless at Lin Xiangnan’s answer.

They were just unlucky. They stole a car from Lin Xiangnan and ended up getting caught.

The group rode their bicycles to the police station. When recording their statements, Lin Xiangnan could only provide her unit’s phone number so the police could verify her identity.

When she mentioned being a military dependent and working in a military industrial unit, the police officers at the station basically treated her as one of their own, even offering her tea.

Many of the police officers were former military personnel, so they felt a sense of kinship towards someone like Lin Xiangnan.

With Lin Xiangnan taking the lead, Aunt Hua said, “I’m retired. I’m a neighbor of Xiao Lin.”

In this situation, as long as Lin Xiangnan’s identity was verified, there would be no problem with Aunt Hua’s.

Lin Xiangnan looked at Aunt Hua with resentment, “Ultimately, I’m the one who has to bear the brunt of it.”

“You have a thick skin. You can handle it,” Aunt Hua said without any shame. She then suggested, “Don’t mention this at home. Otherwise, my son will nag me again.”

“I’m also afraid of my mom nagging me.”

The two women exchanged glances, their understanding unspoken. They both decided to keep quiet about the whole thing when they got home.

The police officers at the station, while feeling a sense of familiarity towards their identities, still dutifully called to verify their information.

When Chief Engineer Zhang received the call from the police station, he was startled. “Xiao Lin’s bike was stolen? And you caught several car thieves? Two against six?”

“Wait a minute, the woman you’re talking about, her name is Lin Xiangnan, right? Tree forest Lin, southeast northwest Nan?” Chief Engineer Zhang wasn’t sure, so he confirmed it again.

Once he confirmed the information was correct, Chief Engineer Zhang hung up the phone, still a little dazed. He muttered to himself, “Director Hua is an old revolutionary, I believe she has the ability. But Xiao Lin has this kind of skill? Isn’t she suffering from headaches?”

Regardless, Lin Xiangnan had acted bravely and helped the police solve the case. This was highly commendable.

Thinking about it, Chief Engineer Zhang called the factory’s trade union office.

“Our department’s Xiao Lin acted bravely… You should coordinate with the police station… The trade union should also express some kind of commendation… I think Xiao Lin can be nominated for the advanced worker award next year…”

After hanging up the phone, Chief Engineer Zhang stroked his chin. “I’ll go see Xiao Lin myself tomorrow. I wonder if she’s injured.”

He didn’t have the habit of hiding his merits. After arranging benefits for his subordinates, he had to let them know.

Otherwise, his team wouldn’t be easy to manage.

Lin Xiangnan didn’t know about Chief Engineer Zhang’s actions on her behalf. After leaving the police station, she went straight home.

Once she got home, she and Aunt Hua acted as if nothing had happened. They didn’t mention the bike theft at all.

However, the next day, Chief Engineer Zhang and the trade union members came to visit, bringing gifts and a certificate of commendation.

“This certificate of commendation for acting bravely is something I specifically asked the trade union members to prepare for you. Come, let’s take a picture with this certificate.” Chief Engineer Zhang stood next to Lin Xiangnan, his expression full of pride.

Lin Xiangnan’s smile froze on her face.

“Don’t be nervous, just smile naturally. This photo will only be published in our own factory newspaper, it’s all our own people.” The propaganda department member comforted her while clicking away with the camera.

After the photo was taken, Chief Engineer Zhang happily said, “Our propaganda department members have already gone to the police station to take photos and conduct interviews. You’ll cooperate with his interview later. Your article about acting bravely will be published soon. Promote it more, and your advanced worker nomination next year is guaranteed.”

“I never imagined that you, Comrade Xiao Lin, would be so courageous. Are you injured? If you have any wounds or bruises, you can let the propaganda department member take a picture of them.”

“Were you scared? Does your head still hurt? You did such a big thing without saying anything, everyone in our office was worried sick about you.”

As Chief Engineer Zhang rattled on, Lin Xiangnan had no desire to speak.

Hu Meili’s eyes were practically burning holes through her, making Lin Xiangnan feel inexplicably guilty.

Their home suddenly became lively, attracting the attention of their neighbors, Luo Caixia and Aunt Hua, who came over to see what was going on.

As soon as Aunt Hua approached and before she could ask what was happening, Chief Engineer Zhang enthusiastically shouted, “Director Hua, your bravery hasn’t diminished with age…”

“I’m retired, don’t call me Director anymore.” Seeing the situation, Aunt Hua wanted to slip away.

But Chief Engineer Zhang stopped her. “You’re both heroes who acted bravely. Aunt Hua, take a picture with Xiao Lin.”

Aunt Hua wanted to run, but the trade union members were too enthusiastic and pushed her next to Lin Xiangnan.

“Come, smile.”