Chapter 97

Yan Lei needed to catch up on sleep at home, so he asked Qiao Wei to inform Secretary Meng about this matter.

The military district would definitely formally inform Secretary Meng, but it was better for Qiao Wei to give a heads-up in advance.

When Qiao Wei arrived at the unit, she first sent Yan Xiang to kindergarten and then went to report this matter to Secretary Meng.

Secretary Meng was a bit incredulous.

It was quite a coincidence; he had also watched the newly released movie yesterday. Just after experiencing anti-spy propaganda yesterday, today he was informed by his subordinate that there was a spy under his jurisdiction.

After he clarified the details and learned it was discovered by Yan Xiang, it was even more unbelievable.

“This is really…” Secretary Meng sighed, “Like father, like son.”

In the morning, a call came from the military district leader, formally notifying Secretary Meng.

Secretary Meng, accompanied by the Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau who also served as a member of the Standing Committee, went there with his briefcase. Pan, the office director, followed along.

Huang, the secretary, also in the know, chatted with Qiao Wei: “How old is your child? Is he five?”

“No, he’s just tall for his age, not even four yet,” Qiao Wei said.

“He’s a year older than my oldest,” he praised. “He’s so impressive.”

Parents always have more to talk about when it comes to their children.

Qiao Wei only realized that Secretary Huang was about the same age as Yan Lei, but he already had three children. The youngest had just turned one month old, and his wife was still on maternity leave. At this time, women were entitled to 56 days of maternity leave.

“She works at the steel pipe factory, also in propaganda,” he said. “She’s good at drawing, especially drawing bulletin boards. She’ll go back to work after her maternity leave.”

Qiao Wei asked about the children, and the two older ones were in the county government’s kindergarten.

As for the newborn, they planned to have his wife finish her maternity leave first and then send him to the daycare center at the steel pipe factory.

The county committee’s kindergarten definitely had better conditions than other kindergartens, with fruit snacks provided in the afternoon. But the child was still too young, and as a mother, she was worried and wanted him to be nearby where she could check on him at any time. They planned to send him to his father’s side when he was a bit older.

“My parents haven’t retired, so they can’t help us with the children. Our family is a typical working-class family.”

“She doesn’t want to stay at home just taking care of the children; it’s better to work and earn a salary,” Secretary Huang said. “I also don’t like her just staying at home. Although she’s not as outstanding as you, she’s still an excellent comrade and should shine in her position, not be confined by childcare responsibilities.”

Qiao Wei felt a great affinity towards Secretary Huang.

“Don’t flatter me, you might trip me up later,” she joked. “The daycare center is really good. With these facilities, there’s no need to confine female comrades to their homes. Of course, the value of female comrades who stay at home and take care of the family is also significant. But this value is often overlooked. The value of female comrades should be displayed just like male comrades’, for everyone to see.”

Qiao Wei actually wanted to say that since they already had three children, they shouldn’t have any more.

But she held back, keeping the words to herself. It felt a bit intrusive for her to say that. Moreover, at this time, it was encouraged for women to have more children, as it was believed that more people meant more strength.

That was the mainstream ideology.

“You’re right,” Secretary Huang grinned. “My wife is great and shouldn’t be confined to the home. That’s what I think too.”

At this moment, he seemed like an ordinary young man.

Not as profound, not as impeccable, not the secretive and flawless chief secretary anymore.

Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Wei said to him, “When Line 3 starts operating, I’m thinking I can take the bus to work. Then my quitting time can be the same as everyone else’s.”

Secretary Huang understood her implication and nodded, “Okay, you can leave at 3:30 today.”

Qiao Wei just wanted to remind Secretary Huang that she could leave at 3:30 today. As long as he knew, it was enough.

A top leader wouldn’t manage the minutiae of the office. The Standing Committee member who also served as the office director was merely a nominal position, and the actual office affairs were managed by Secretary Huang. These details needed his approval.

While Secretary Meng hadn’t returned yet, Qiao Wei preemptively wrote down the details of the spy incident.

After Secretary Meng returned, he called Secretary Huang and Qiao Wei to his office and exclaimed, “Ah, such a big achievement, and it’s taken by the military district.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Qiao Wei shrugged and smiled. “The child told his father directly. I couldn’t stop him.”

Secretary Meng laughed heartily and said, “We should reward your child handsomely.”

Although they didn’t reap the rewards, if by any chance useful information was passed on by the spy, in the future, if it was traced back, within his term and under his jurisdiction, he would bear the responsibility for the oversight.

Fortunately, they discovered the situation now.

No fault means having merit.

“He’s still being interrogated, checking to see if there’s been any leaking of information. Many military dependents have had contact with him, so they all need to be investigated,” Secretary Meng said. “I saw your wife earlier. He’s definitely going to get a third-class merit for this.”

“Lying at home, and then a third-class merit falls from the sky.”

Although he was already a war hero, who would complain about having too many medals?

What a stroke of luck.

“Qiao Wei, there’s no need to say who will write the report this time. It’s definitely you,” Secretary Meng said. “Once this matter is settled in a few days, let the municipal newspaper know in advance, and once the verdict is out, it can be published.”

With the task falling on her, Qiao Wei said, “Okay.”

The draft was already prepared.

Qiao Wei took advantage of the fact that the bus service hadn’t started yet and enjoyed leaving work at 3:30.

She went to pick up Yan Xiang from the kindergarten, but a teacher hesitated and said, “He hasn’t finished telling the story. Could you wait a bit?”

Qiao Wei: “?”

Yan Xiang had been coming to the county with Qiao Wei for half a month.

Every time she asked him what he did at kindergarten, he usually replied, “Play games and tell stories.”

It wasn’t until today, because she was leaving work at 3:30, that Qiao Wei realized that when Yan Xiang said “telling stories,” it wasn’t the teacher telling him stories, but Yan Xiang telling stories to the other children!

Qiao Wei: “???”

“Oh, you didn’t know? We thought Yan Xiang would have told you,” the teacher chuckled, covering her mouth. “Come, I’ll take you to see.”

Qiao Wei saw with her own eyes her son vividly recounting the stories he heard from his mother to the other children. His pronunciation was clear, and he accurately retold the stories.

The children were all captivated.

“He also plays games with the other children,” the teacher said. “He’s really good at it, pretending to dig trenches, setting up cover… what to do when the atomic bomb comes… The children love playing with him and listen to him.”

So every day when she dropped Yan Xiang off at kindergarten, the smiles on the teachers’ faces were so genuine.

Qiao Wei thought it was because she bought snacks for the teachers, well, that was definitely part of the reason, but Yan Xiang really saved the teachers a lot of effort.

The children sat in a row, listening to him tell stories, while the teachers relaxed on the sidelines.

He even managed people, making the children count and stand at attention. Just like his father trained him, he trained the other children.

He was like an assistant teacher in the kindergarten.

The teachers were pleased to see him.

“You’re amazing,” Qiao Wei said as she rode her bicycle swiftly in the autumn wind. “Why didn’t you tell Mom about this?”

Yan Xiang sat innocently in the back seat, “But I did tell you every time—playing games and telling stories.”

Qiao Wei: “…”

If you put it that way, it seems…

Qiao Wei returned to the town earlier than usual, and the town committee hadn’t closed yet.

She went directly to find Secretary Gao.

“Hey, Qiao Wei!” Secretary Gao was happy to see her. “I heard you went to the county committee office?”

Director Fang also came over to greet her.

Their attitudes were slightly different from before.

Qiao Wei didn’t feel it deeply when she was at the county committee because she had little interaction with many of them for the first time and had nothing to compare with.

But when she came back to the town and met with the people she knew before, the subtle changes in their attitudes became apparent.

It was just going to the county committee office, just to the big room outside Secretary Meng’s office, and the previous leaders had a different attitude toward her.

“When are you going to bring me back?” Qiao Wei asked.

Secretary Gao scolded her, “Look at you, why are you in such a hurry? No matter where you are, it’s all work. Just focus and do your job well.”

Director Fang also said, “We’ve read your articles, and they’re getting better and better.”

Then they asked her why she came today.

Qiao Wei said, “The bus service starts tomorrow, right? I want to see if we’re prepared here.”

She handed them a piece of paper, saying, “There’s a Mr. Song and a Mr. Wang. They’re the only two drivers on rotation. I hope this bus will be punctual in the future. If this bus can be on time, it will be very convenient for everyone to travel to and from the county town, and we won’t have to waste time waiting at the bus stop.”

“Whether it’s punctual or not depends on the drivers, so I’m thinking, should our town show some appreciation to the drivers?”

Secretary Gao and Director Fang pondered for a moment and said, “Makes sense.”

They hadn’t realized it was because they were born and worked in this town; they didn’t have this daily need.

But punctuality was important for the town workers who commuted between the town and the factory area, as well as for Qiao Wei, who commuted between the town and the county.

Qiao Wei needed to give them a push.

“Okay, leave it to us. Don’t worry,” Secretary Meng promised. “Director Fang, look, while we’re still here, let’s get it done quickly before we leave.”

Director Fang left.

Qiao Wei actually wanted to mention the tailor’s matter as well.

But she realized that Secretary Gao probably didn’t know about it yet since he hadn’t mentioned it proactively.

The investigation was still ongoing. What if someone from the town committee was involved? Qiao Wei kept her mouth shut.

When she returned home, Yan Lei was already there.

Indeed, the investigation was not in vain. A company commander’s dependent had leaked information.

Most family members weren’t interested in guns and artillery, but this dependent was different. Before joining the army, she was a female militia member, and a distinguished one at that. She was proficient in handling guns and mortars, a sharpshooter with bullseye accuracy.

To be honest, she was a heroine among women.

Unfortunately, it was her. Because of her interest, she often asked about military matters.

Her spouse thought they had common ground and would sometimes tell her.

“A new batch of tanks has arrived.”

“The guns this time are really a game changer.”

And so on.

She went to the tailor’s to have clothes made and was led by the old tailor to talk about the new tanks.

Of course, there was also a bit of showing off.

She didn’t think that the arrival of a new batch of tanks at the military base would be considered confidential information to the common people.

But the old tailor was from across the strait.

During the interrogation, both she and her spouse turned pale.

“What should we do with her?” Qiao Wei asked.

“Discharge her from the military,” Yan Lei said.

Not even a transfer, just a direct discharge.

Qiao Wei sighed, “It’s a good thing I never asked about military matters.”

Yan Lei smiled, “Everyone praises you and Xiang Xiang.”

Qiao Wei, a military dependent, had become a legendary figure in the military district.

A pen wielder who went from the town to the county.

She had reported another spy.

Captain Yan’s wife was truly remarkable.

In reality, it could be said that it was all thanks to Yan Xiang, but people were accustomed to attributing it to the adults.

Because they often thought children just spoke casually, and many adults wouldn’t take it seriously. They might even go to the old tailor and say, “My kid said you’re a spy, but you’re not really a spy, are you?”

Qiao Wei sighed, “So propaganda is really effective.”

If it weren’t for coincidentally watching that movie, Yan Xiang wouldn’t have realized that the old tailor was a spy. That’s the power of propaganda.

Yan Lei said, “Forget about that now, I brought back some milk. Should we drink it directly or heat it up?”

“Heat it up and add some sugar.”

“Xiang Xiang, come over and drink your milk!”

“Coming~ Mom, is the milk tasty?”

“You’ll find out soon.”