Chapter 16: “Rewarded for Reporting, Protecting the People from Harm”

Liu Xinghe spent an hour talking with Director Zhou and his wife. By the end, both sides were happy and satisfied, and the resource exchange was agreed upon clearly and decisively.

First, the bicycles would be swapped. Each side would inspect the other’s bike and compensate for any difference in condition.

Second, the steel mill procurement job that Liu Xinghe held was very valuable.

Director Zhou and his wife would trade Xiaomei’s position at the Qingyong Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative, along with the 25-square-meter living space in the “Fishing Team” (Moyu Dui) and the furniture inside—tables, chairs, cabinets—as well as everyday household items such as baskets, sieves, brooms, pots, and pans; the vegetable plot; plus 250 yuan and forty industrial vouchers.

Once confirmed, the Zhou couple showed Liu Xinghe the proof of purchase for Xiaomei’s position at the commune cooperative.

Then, they followed Liu Xinghe back to her home.

At the door, Liu Xinghe saw Director Zhang and his wife.

Overjoyed, she welcomed them in, briefly introduced Director Zhou and his wife, and explained what everyone had been busy with.

Director Zhou recognized Director Zhang and greeted him anxiously.

After hearing Liu Xinghe’s explanation, Director Zhang thought for a moment and said, “How about I act as a witness for you? Is that okay?”

That was perfect! Liu Xinghe eagerly nodded. “Yes, yes, thank you so much, Director.”

“With Director Zhang as our witness, we couldn’t be happier,” said Director Zhou, smiling warmly and sincerely.

“All right, you go ahead with your work; I’ll just watch,” Director Zhang said with a relaxed smile.

With the upright Director Zhang present, Liu Xinghe felt particularly at ease. She brought out the bicycles and also showed the document from the steel mill manager that proved her position to the Zhou couple.

They nodded in satisfaction. The three of them sat down in front of Director Zhang, took out paper and pens, and carefully wrote down the details of the resource exchange in black and white—three copies, each signed and stamped.

Both sides temporarily signed this agreement, planning to sign the formal transfer agreement later when they met with Zhou Xiaomei.

The Zhou couple, worried someone might snatch the steel mill procurement job, even gave Liu Xinghe a 500-yuan deposit upfront.

Liu Xinghe reassured them, accepted the money, and wrote a separate receipt for them.

Receiving the receipt, the Zhou couple’s faces lit up. Director Zhou hurriedly said:

“Miss Liu, I’ll take leave tomorrow and personally go to the Fishing Team to bring Xiaomei back. If we leave in the morning, she should be back by evening. The day after, we can handle all the paperwork.

Once Xiaomei returns, she can first give you the agreement regarding the use of the house with the Fishing Team. You can sign your own agreement with her, and then you can go with Xiaomei to handle all the work and housing procedures.”

Liu Xinghe nodded. “Perfect. Uncle Zhou, you can just bring Xiaomei directly to me. Once she’s here, I’ll take you to the steel mill to process everything.”

Having settled the agreement, the Zhou couple left with smiles.

After seeing them to the door, Liu Xinghe skipped over to Director Zhang and his wife, beaming. “Uncle Zhang, Aunt Li, did you come to see the house?”

“Yes. Aunt wanted to see it, so she urged me during dinner. We decided to take a walk and came over,” Director Zhang said gently, glancing at his wife.

Aunt Li rolled her eyes at him, pushed past, and approached Liu Xinghe, speaking crisply: “Xinghe, show us around?”

“Of course, Auntie, Uncle, this way,” Liu Xinghe replied happily, extending her hand to guide them.

She first took Director Zhang and his wife on a tour of the courtyard.

She showed them the well, the cellar at the back, the cultivated vegetable patch, and the separate wet and dry toilet and bathroom in the courtyard. Grandpa Liu had designed and built these himself, and they resembled modern bathrooms: spacious, clean, and tidy.

Liu Xinghe loved this design, and it was clear that the Zhang couple liked it as well; their eyes lit up seeing the toilet and bathroom.

Next, she took them to see the interior rooms:

The small courtyard had several rooms: four bedrooms, a living room in the main house, a kitchen, and a utility room. Each room was spacious—larger than what an entire family might have in the apartment blocks.

Aunt Li nodded in satisfaction, discussing and confirming details with Director Zhang.

Director Zhang nodded at his wife, then called to Liu Xinghe: “Xinghe, let’s sit down and talk about the house.”

“All right, Uncle, Auntie, this way,” Liu Xinghe said, leading them to the main house, pouring tea, and sitting down to discuss.

In the end, they agreed to rent the house to Director Zhang and his wife for 10 yuan a month, paying two years in advance. Liu Xinghe would hand over the house when she went to the countryside.

To the outside world, she would say she was lending the house to repay Director Zhang’s life-saving kindness. The house would only be used by his family, who would manage it and maintain it, while temporary usage rights would belong to them.

Besides the rental agreement, they also wrote a public “borrowing agreement” for external purposes.

After seeing the Zhang couple off, Liu Xinghe breathed a deep sigh, feeling exceptionally happy. “Finally, almost everything is settled.”

She closed the door, entered her space, and as usual drank a sip of spirit spring water before washing up and going to bed.

The next day:

Liu Xinghe went to the “Zhiqing Office” to collect her welfare for being a sent-down youth.

The director of the Youth League Office really gave her the highest standards.

The resettlement fee for going to the countryside was 150 yuan, and she also received mosquito net cloth and more than half a piece of cotton cloth.

A quilted quilt weighed 6 kilograms and could be used after putting on a quilt cover. She

also received two pairs of size 240 rubber shoes, a kitchen knife, and even a washbasin and a foot basin.

She signed for the items, which were now officially hers.

As she carried them, the director approached with a smile: “Little Sister Liu, have you decided when you want to leave for the countryside? I can arrange tickets for you.”

Liu Xinghe looked up from the pile of supplies and said thoughtfully:

“Director, I’ve decided. I can leave tomorrow afternoon. My neck is still healing, but I don’t want to delay contributing to the country. Please help me buy a ticket for tomorrow afternoon. I can report myself there; no need for anyone to pick me up. I know the area.”

“All right, I’ll arrange it and deliver the ticket once it’s ready,” the director said with relief, leaving with a light step.

Liu Xinghe carried her supplies home, then wrote a thank-you letter.

After lunch, she went to the police station. The officers, seeing her, instinctively led her to Director Zhang.

“Director, I’ve come to receive my reward,” Liu Xinghe said energetically.

“Here you go,” he said with a smile, taking from his drawer a certificate stamped with a bright red floral emblem, inscribed with the words: “Rewarded for Reporting, Protecting the People from Harm.”

“Thank you, Director! You truly serve the people,” Liu Xinghe said, holding the certificate, touching the lettering and seal, feeling joyful at such a beautiful award.

“There’s more,” Director Zhang said, seeing her admiration. He then took out two red banners, opening one in his hand.

Liu Xinghe looked up and saw the two banners in front of her: one reading “Rewarded for Reporting” and the other “Protecting the People from Harm”, each bearing the police station’s name at the end.