Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The news that Tang Qingqing had been invited by the Public Security Bureau to receive an award at the commune quickly spread throughout the entire Rongshan Brigade.

The news was personally delivered to the Tang family by the brigade captain. Grandma Wu was astonished when she heard it.

"Is this for real? Could it be that the Public Security Bureau is here to arrest someone?"

The captain's face, which had been full of smiles, suddenly turned grim upon hearing this.

"What kind of talk is that? Qingqing helped our brigade catch the arsonist; that’s a great achievement. They’re still rushing to commend her!"

Grandma Wu was still dazed. She knew that Tang Qingqing had assisted the local police station in catching the arsonist before, but there had been no further news since then.

No one knew if the arsonist was real or not, nor did they know if Tang Qingqing had indeed caught the person as the rumors suggested.

She had asked at home.

But Tang Qingqing had brushed her off, saying she had just helped a little bit.

At the time, everyone seemed indifferent, so she assumed it was just a small contribution.

After all, Tang Qingqing was only a thirteen-year-old girl, and at most could help with some odd jobs. What else could she do?

Never did she expect that Tang Qingqing was indeed as capable as the rumors suggested.

"This is truly a cause for celebration!" Grandma Wu couldn’t stop smiling. "Captain, will there be something given out? Can we bring a few kids along?"

The captain gave her a disapproving look. "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think this is a trip for fun? This is a commendation ceremony. Do you think it’s like playing house?"

Grandma Wu was a bit disappointed. She knew that whenever someone went to town or the commune for a meeting, they always brought back something.

At worst, it would be towels and toothpaste and toothbrushes; at best, enamel cups or even hot water bottles.

If they could bring people along, they could get more.

Zhao Dahua’s eyes darted around. "Captain, what use is it for a little girl to receive an award? Why don’t you let her father go instead?"

Captain: "Do you think this is your own home where you can switch things around as you please? Does Tang Jianjun have the ability to take credit for his daughter’s achievement? It would be shameful for a grown man to claim a child’s accomplishment."

"I didn’t say he should take credit, just that her father should go instead. It’s inappropriate for a young girl to go to the commune."

"If you’re worried, let Tang Jianjun go with her."

Zhao Dahua immediately perked up. "Really?!"

"But the Public Security Bureau will only cover Qingqing’s travel and accommodation expenses."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dahua deflated.

The captain wasn’t done with her yet. "Old Liu came to me earlier. He said the bet you made hasn’t been settled yet. If you upset him, he’ll bring it up again."

Zhao Dahua shuddered inwardly. She thought the matter had been forgotten after a few days, but it turned out the old man still remembered.

"Captain, isn’t gambling prohibited? We were just playing around. How can that count?"

The captain glanced at her. "If you admit it was gambling, you’re a participant and will be sent for labor reform. And since you started it, you’d be considered the organizer and would be detained longer."

Zhao Dahua fell silent.

The captain harshly criticized Zhao Dahua and warned her:

"Qingqing is now a person of interest at the commune. You’d better not cause any trouble like before. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to live peacefully either!"

With the arsonist caught, the captain wouldn’t be held accountable. Otherwise, he would have been blamed for failing to implement proper protective measures, potentially losing his position.

All this was thanks to Tang Qingqing, so the captain was willing to help her.

Tang Qingqing had been considering whether to find a time to visit the commune with Zhai Hongyi and Wang Heizi.

Unexpectedly, she received an invitation and accepted without hesitation.

Thinking about going to the commune the next day, Tang Qingqing wore a smile on her face all day long.

Zhao Dahua found her smile irritating and couldn’t help but say:

"A girl who likes to show off so much will suffer later."

Tang Qingqing smiled. "So that’s how you see Sister Zhenzhen. Should I call them at the commune this time and tell them your thoughts?"

Since Tang Zhenzhen joined the Art Troupe, Zhao Dahua had been spreading the news around the brigade.

Zhao Dahua’s face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Tang Qingqing ignored her.

Zhao Dahua, enraged, reached for a stick again. Tang Qingqing defiantly said:

"If you dare hit me, I’m going to the Public Security Bureau tomorrow!"

"As parents, can’t we discipline our own child? No one would understand that logic anywhere."

Tang Qingqing’s dark eyes stared at her calmly. "But are you my real mother?"

Zhao Dahua choked, infuriated, and raised the stick to strike.

"Enough!" Grandma Wu shouted, stopping Zhao Dahua. "This was supposed to be a good thing, and now look at this mess!"

Tang Qingqing had accomplished such a significant feat, and the rewards would undoubtedly be substantial, perhaps even including a monetary bonus.

If something really goes wrong tomorrow, we'll lose everything.

Wu Laotai has been in charge for so many years; her authority still stands.

Zhao Dahua also knows that Tang Qingqing is not the same as before. In the past, she could be beaten at will, but now she's known throughout the commune and even helped the brigade find the arsonist. Her status is different now, and everyone is watching.

Finding the arsonist means this disaster was not their fault. Not only can they avoid handing over public grain, but the commune will also provide subsidies.

If it were due to their own negligence, the commune would not be so lenient.

Wu Laotai's outburst gave Zhao Dahua a way out.

She threw away the wooden stick and threatened with a fierce but weak voice:

"Don't think you're invincible just because you've grown wings."

Wu Laotai glared at her and reached out to hold Tang Qingqing's hand.

Tang Qingqing was caught off guard, and her small hand was enveloped by a rough one.

"Qing girl, you're smart and capable, bringing honor to our Tang family."

Tang Qingqing tried to pull her hand back, but Wu Laotai's grip was like a vise, making it impossible to break free.

"As the saying goes, brothers united can cut through metal. From now on, take your brothers under your wing more often. A woman without brothers to support her will have nowhere to turn when bullied."

Tang Qingqing understood; Wu Laotai wanted her to teach her brothers the skill of tracking.

"Nainai, if Xingwang and the others want to learn, I can certainly teach them."

Wu Laotai's eyes sparkled with joy. "I knew Qing girl is the most obedient and sensible one in our family."

More skills never hurt, and although Wu Laotai didn't fully understand tracking, she knew it was useful.

If her grandsons learned it, they might even get jobs at the Public Security Bureau or the local police station.

"However..."

"What 'however'?" Wu Laotai's joyful expression froze.

"My master said that learning tracking requires talent. If they can't pass the test, they won't be able to learn it no matter how hard they try."

Wu Laotai frowned. "What kind of test?"

"The method is simple: let them observe sheep hoof prints. If they can accurately distinguish each sheep's prints, they can start learning."

"Just that?"

"Just that, it's very simple."

Wu Laotai didn't feel the difficulty. Normally, she would find it amazing, something not anyone could do. But since Tang Qingqing, a little girl, could do it, she believed her grandsons should be able to do it too, and even better.

Tang Qingqing didn't explain further, letting them try it themselves.

Observing footprints requires not only attention to detail but also patience and perseverance.

One cannot grasp the technique by being inconsistent.

Her master's teaching is just the beginning; to truly learn, one must constantly use their eyes and mind.

The next morning, Tang Qingqing went to the commune with Zhai Hongyi and Wang Heizi.

Originally, they needed to pass the captain's approval to go to the commune, which wasn't always guaranteed.

But now, with the task of escorting Tang Qingqing, the captain was more accommodating.

With the granary burned down, they needed to keep working to ensure a good life next year.

The captain was worried about Tang Qingqing's safety on her first long trip to the commune. Now, he had no such concerns. Although Zhai Hongyi is young, he is tall and intimidating, and from the city, experienced in the world.

Wang Heizi has been to the commune and knows it well, reducing the risk of any mishaps.

The captain's management of these educated youths has shifted from careful care to laissez-faire, out of necessity.

Some simply don't want to work and aim to return to the city, regardless of encouragement.

Work is recorded based on effort, and distribution follows suit.

As long as Zhai Hongyi doesn't run away, the captain would overlook it and issue the necessary certification.

Seeing Tang Qingqing, Wang Heizi frowned:

"Don't you have clothes sent by your cousin? Why are you wearing such tattered ones? We need to look presentable when going to the commune."

Yesterday, Auntie mentioned this. Tang Zhenzhen had sent old clothes, but none reached Tang Qingqing.

Tang Xingwang wouldn't give up clothes already his, causing a fuss whenever it was brought up.

Tang Qingqing had no intention of asking, so she wore her usual clothes today.

Though patched, they were clean and neatly arranged.

Tang Qingqing: "Hardship and simplicity are virtuous traditions. This makes me look more like a farmer's daughter."

Tang Qingqing had never been to town and expected it to be like the big cities people talked about, but she was greatly disappointed.

Dahua Town is built on the Dahua Brigade and looks not much different from the Rongshan Brigade.

It just has a town government office and a local police station, but they are all single-story houses with whitewashed exteriors.

No wonder Wang Heizi and Zhai Hongyi never thought of buying or selling things in town and instead went straight to the commune.

Tang Qingqing was a bit nervous on her first car ride, clutching some old tangerine peel that her aunt had somehow procured, thinking she could chew on it if she felt carsick.

As soon as the car arrived, Zhai Hongyi strode aboard and secured seats for the three of them.

He was tall and strong, and although his looks were outstanding, he always exuded an air of menace, making people hesitant to challenge him.

Tang Qingqing sat by the window, thanked him, and curiously looked around.

The car smelled bad, with a strong scent of gasoline, but once it started moving and the wind blew in through the windows, the smell dissipated.

The journey was bumpy, and although Tang Qingqing didn't get carsick, she still felt quite uncomfortable.

When they got off the car, she was still dizzy and felt like she was floating as she walked down the street.

After getting off, Zhai Hongyi did not walk with them but left carrying their belongings.

Wang Heizi said, "My great-grandfather said that someone from the Public Security Bureau would come to pick you up. We were worried that if they saw our stuff, they might get suspicious."

Tang Qingqing nodded, "You don't need to follow me; I can find my way."

"Brother Yi told me to make sure you meet up with the police before I leave. I have to complete this task."

Wang Heizi stood straight, like a little soldier.

Indeed, the person from the Public Security Bureau was reliable. As soon as Tang Qingqing got off the car, a tall and thin female police officer in uniform approached her with a smile:

"Excuse me, are you Tang Qingqing?"

The captain had already described Tang Qingqing's appearance to the Public Security Bureau, so recognizing her wasn't difficult.

"Hello, comrade. I am Tang Qingqing."

Qin Sa, seeing the small girl in front of her, found it hard to believe that such a child could be so capable, even though she was prepared mentally.

She smiled without revealing her thoughts.

"My name is Qin Sa. The chief sent me specifically to pick you up. You can call me Sister."

Seeing Tang Qingqing connect with the Public Security Bureau, Wang Heizi slipped away, giving her a meaningful look before leaving, indicating she should seek them if anything happened.

Qin Sa had arrived on a bicycle, and despite her height, riding a 28-inch bike didn't make her seem too tall.

Although Tang Qingqing had seen bicycles before, she had never ridden one. Her legs were too short, and she wasn't sure if she could jump onto the back seat.

She didn't want to fall and bring Qin Sa down with her.

Tang Qingqing honestly expressed her concerns, and Qin Sa laughed heartily:

"Don't worry, just try jumping. I can handle it. If you can't jump, we'll sit on the single bar."

Despite being a bit nervous, Tang Qingqing recalled how others jumped onto the backseat, visualized it in her mind, and then grabbed Qin Sa's clothes and hopped onto the backseat.

Like a light butterfly, Qin Sa barely felt her weight as Tang Qingqing landed on the seat.

"See, wasn't that easy?"

Tang Qingqing nodded vigorously, sitting on the backseat, feeling the wind brush against her cheeks.

Qin Sa deliberately slowed down, introducing Tang Qingqing to the sights along the way so she could familiarize herself with the commune.

"With your abilities, we'll probably need your help often."

With increasing cases and a shortage of manpower, they frequently needed assistance from various places to solve crimes.

"Sure."

Tang Qingqing swung her legs, smiling, and looked around curiously at the new scenery.

Qin Sa paused and asked, "Before we proceed, we need to conduct a test of your abilities. Are you willing to accept the challenge?"