Chapter 77: Treasure Digging Rumors Spread Throughout the City

After police interrogation and extreme tugging from a group of people, all misunderstandings were quickly resolved.

Jiang An’an looked innocent, “I was scared at the time; all my actions were in self-defense. Who would have thought that in the middle of the night, the esteemed director of the Cultural Department would sneak into a female comrade’s ward?”

She bowed to Dong Feng, demonstrating utmost politeness and sincerity: “Director Dong, I’m truly sorry. You’re a magnanimous person, so you’ll understand me, right?”

Dong Feng was shaking with anger. Understand? What the hell does he understand!

He didn’t even need to look in the mirror to feel that his entire face was swollen like a pig’s head, all thanks to that little brat.

“How can a man like you lack some measure? Little Jiang has already apologized to you.” The county chief’s mother couldn’t stand it and shot Dong Feng a fierce glare.

Jiang An’an pressed down the county chief’s mother’s hand and immediately played the role of a green tea bitch: “It’s okay, Auntie. Director Dong is just upset; it’s only natural for him to make things difficult for the Women’s Federation in the future.”

The county chief’s mother immediately raised her eyebrows: “Does he dare? If he makes things hard for the Women’s Federation, I’ll report him to the central government.”

“…”

Jiang An’an clapped her hands, admiringly saying, “Auntie, you’re so powerful! You’re simply a modern-day Lei Feng!!”

The county chief’s mother proudly puffed out her chest.

The Bai family has a deep background, and her son is a pure filial son; once they return to the county, they will file a complaint!

Dong Feng wasn’t afraid of the Bai family, but it was better to avoid trouble, especially since he wasn’t in the right regarding this matter.

He immediately changed to a smiling face: “Little comrade, don’t worry. I’m a person who distinguishes between public and private matters, and besides, this is a misunderstanding. We’re all here to serve the people, and being vigilant is a good thing.”

Jiang An’an breathed a sigh of relief, exaggeratedly patting her chest: “Then I can relax, and I also thank Director Dong for wanting to clear Wu Lingyu’s name.”

This statement was probing.

However…

Dong Feng sneered: “What grievance could Wu Lingyu possibly have?”

“You Women’s Federation just loves to make a big fuss over trivial matters; even a little family issue has to be turned upside down.”

The Cultural Department was determined to cover up this matter for the Xinghua Brigade.

They didn’t think much of the Women’s Federation.

Jiang An’an blinked and slightly raised the corners of her lips: “Using feudal remnants to harm women is not a family matter; it has already violated criminal law.”

The two locked eyes.

Mutual disdain.

–

After dawn.

Daya skipped out of the police station, holding Jiang An’an’s hand.

Until now, she still felt dizzy that the beautiful sister would actually adopt her.

Since she could remember, she had always been looked down upon by her grandmother and stepmother for being a useless girl, and raising her was a waste of food. Every day she woke up to endless chores and often went to bed hungry.

With her grandmother taken away by the police, she had actually been living quite comfortably during this time.

Although it was somewhat rebellious, she ate her fill and stayed warm every day. The uncles and aunts, seeing her pitiful condition, secretly gave her extra food.

Of course, the best was when the director uncle gave her roasted chicken legs.

That was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life!

Daya silently made a resolution: when she had money, she would buy a hundred, no, a thousand roasted chicken legs and invite Huzi and the beautiful sister to eat together.

Thinking of the roasted chicken, her stomach growled loudly, echoing in the empty street.

Daya’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she buried her head deeply.

Jiang An’an happened to be hungry: “The communal canteen should be open by now. Let’s have breakfast first, then go back to the hospital.”

Daya’s eyes lit up instantly.

But soon they dimmed again, filled with tears.

The little girl wiped her tears sadly and said with a choked voice, “Sister An’an, I’m not hungry. I eat very little; half a sweet potato is enough for me. Please don’t leave me behind, okay?”

She was sensitive and fragile, lacking any sense of security.

Just like her former self.

Jiang An’an reached out and pinched her cheek: “I won’t leave you behind. Otherwise, where would I find a little girl as diligent and sensible as you to help my parents?”

As soon as she said this, Daya broke into a smile, clenching her little fist proudly and saying, “That’s right! I’m the most capable girl in the town!”

Jiang An’an frowned and said sternly, “You must never say that about yourself again!”

“Only when you stand tall will others not look down on you. The difference between girls and boys is just gender; you’re no worse than Huzi and the others.”

Daya seemed to understand but had a small seed taking root and sprouting in her heart.

–

When the two arrived at the communal canteen, they saw the entrance newly decorated with red lanterns and realized that today was New Year’s Day.

To celebrate the holiday, the communal canteen specially offered pork and scallion dumplings.

“Little Jiang, Auntie has saved you a portion.” Aunt Hua waved at Jiang An’an, signaling her to cut in line.

Facing the fiery glares of the others, Jiang An’an shamelessly received a large bowl of soup dumplings from the window.

Southern soup dumplings are large with thin skins, and the milky white broth has been simmered overnight with pork bones, making it incredibly delicious.

If you like it spicy, you can also add chili, vinegar, and soy sauce to the bowl.

Sour soup dumplings also have their own unique flavor.

Daya could handle spiciness better than Jiang An’an, adding two full spoonfuls of chili to her small bowl, making the entire broth a bright red.

Aunt Hua gave her a thumbs up in admiration, laughing widely: “Where did you find this little girl? She can really eat spicy food!”

Jiang An’an succinctly replied, “My little sister.”

The two looked quite different; the little girl was dark and thin, wearing tattered clothes, probably a child from the same village.

Aunt Hua lost interest and turned to gossip: “I heard an expert team has come to the capital to dig for treasures?”

Jiang An’an’s heart sank, and she feigned confusion, asking, “Dig for treasures? What kind of treasure?”

Her puzzled expression was genuine. Although Aunt Hua was somewhat disappointed that she couldn’t gather any information from her, she still eagerly shared the news.

“There’s a frenzy in the black market. If it weren’t for the snow, I heard many people would have gone into the mountains to search for treasures. I think the news must be true; otherwise, why would they send an expert team?”

Jiang An’an leaned in closer and whispered, “This expert team is here for geological surveys, responsible for investigating where coal mines are located across the country. Our country needs coal mines for industrial progress.”

Aunt Hua gasped in surprise: “Where did you get this information?”

Jiang An’an blinked sincerely, the information being half true and half false: “The expert team arrived at our brigade a couple of days ago, and the team consists of young people. Our brigade leader inquired about them and found out they are just going to the countryside to gain experience, and they’ll be arranged jobs when they return.”

Aunt Hua: ???

She asked in confusion, “What does ‘gaining experience’ mean? Is it gold?”

“It means they just have to wander around the mountains, write a few reports, and gain some practical experience at the grassroots level. That’s what ‘gaining experience’ means.”

Aunt Hua slapped her thigh, suddenly enlightened: “Just like Secretary Yang, who went to the grassroots for two years and then got promoted directly when he returned to the county.”

With the latest information in hand, Aunt Hua couldn’t sit still and hurried off to spread the news.

Jiang An’an leisurely finished her breakfast before reporting this matter to Chen Xingtong.

It turned out the news had been circulating for seven or eight days.

“The commune has issued a notice to clarify the rumors. Once the snow melts, they’ll send people out to continue posting the documents.”

“Let’s hope the investigation team is really here to gain experience…”

Chen Xingtong sighed while holding his teacup. Money can be very tempting, and if the situation continues to deteriorate, Yunzhou County would face turmoil.