Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Qi Yingying's series of questions didn't irritate Xiao Tan at all. She patiently checked the time and said, "Sister Qi, we still have more than two hours before we arrive. Why don't you rest for a bit? When we get there, we'll head straight to the guesthouse.

Tomorrow morning, we'll go to their county office. They'll also bring the heads of various street offices over early.

We'll handle things openly, while the undercover team will disperse as soon as we arrive tonight.

Actually, I hoped you could go undercover, Sister Qi. It would give you a chance to walk around and see the sights in the county, which might improve your mood.

Unfortunately, you stand out too much, so it wouldn't be appropriate.

So, you'll have to endure staying at the guesthouse with me for the night."

Xiao Tan then handed another apple to Qi Yingying. "Sister Qi, don't keep brooding to yourself. If you look like this, my Brother He will worry about you."

Worry?

Qi Yingying wanted to laugh. He Zhifei wouldn't worry about her; he only cared about his younger brother and nephew.

What was she to him?

After all these years, she had given birth to four children for him. Not only did he lose the eldest, but he didn't care about the other three either.

And that was even before his wife from the He family arrived.

Once she came, the two of them would work together, making the house theirs.

Worry about her?

She felt emotionally drained, but she didn't show it on her face.

She smiled slightly. "Old He can't see how I feel. I don't want to burden him with my problems. He's already so busy. Xiao Tan, please don't tell him about my mood.

He dislikes people bringing their emotions into work."

"Don't worry, Sister Qi. I admire Brother He. He's diligent and never shows favoritism. Look at your children; he hasn't arranged jobs for any of them.

That's dedication?"

Xiao Tan's attitude towards Qi Yingying became even better, almost eager to praise her entire family.

Qi Yingying was an old hand at the unit, with extensive connections and a successful husband.

No one would refuse to build a good relationship with her, and even if someone didn't want to, they certainly wouldn't offend her.

She rarely came down here, and this was the first time Xiao Tan was leading the team.

Xiao Tan felt both nervous and secretly pleased.

If she could strengthen their relationship, it would help her future endeavors.

Qi Yingying usually loved hearing praises about Old He and her household management.

But now, whenever anyone mentioned her husband, her anger reignited.

If not for his favoritism, she wouldn't need to come looking for her eldest son; she could just ask relatives to help.

As night fell, the train finally arrived at the station.

On the other side, Bai Xiuxiu accompanied Director Wang to visit the homes of the elderly. They recorded what was missing and helped clear the snow. By the end of the day, everyone at the street office was exhausted.

Only Director Wang remained energetic.

Seeing how tired everyone was, she kindly dismissed them without assigning more tasks.

"Everyone is exhausted today. Go home quickly," Director Wang said, distributing apples she had bought herself.

"I bought these from the supply store. Don't complain about the small quantity; take them home to eat."

Apples were hard to come by, and giving two per person was generous.

The complaints among the street office staff diminished.

"All right, everyone, go home."

After distributing the apples, Director Wang dismissed everyone.

Bai Xiuxiu stepped outside, where Wang Qinghe was waiting for her.

Seeing her obvious fatigue, Wang Qinghe took her belongings. "Let's go home. This morning everything happened suddenly. Did you freeze when you came over alone?"

"I'm fine; there was just a lot of work today." Bai Xiuxiu got on the bicycle and told him about the day's events at the street office.

Wang Qinghe rode slowly. Although the snow had been cleared, the weather was still very cold. Riding too fast would make the wind even colder on their faces.

He rode slowly, shielding his wife from the wind.

They talked softly about their day as they rode.

"Xiuxiu, Yu Cheng sent word today that the matriarch of the He family has come here for some investigation. Yu Cheng found out from their daughter He Wei that her main purpose is to find her son.

Because the family needs him to return and secure more benefits for them."

After saying this, Wang Qinghe didn't feel sad. To him, they were strangers.

In fact, he found it reasonable that they wanted to use him.

Not having looked for him for so long and then appearing this year to use him was not surprising.

"I want her to contact me." Wang Qinghe shared his plan.

"Alright, we'll follow your lead on this." Bai Xiuxiu had no particular thoughts about the He family. This was Qinghe's family, and if he wanted to reconnect, they would do so; if not, they would act as if this family didn't exist.

As for any benefits they might bring, without these benefits, Wang Qinghe would still be successful in the future.

"Today, Director Wang mentioned that someone is coming to investigate. I was wondering if it could be related to her. If she's involved, I'll try to make contact and let her figure it out herself."

Bai Xiuxiu felt that these two events were likely not coincidental.

"Alright." Wang Qinghe also thought it was a good idea.

With Xiuxiu's space and their home, perhaps he could make his plan more complete.

When they returned home, the scent of food greeted them as soon as they entered.

The two children were building snowmen in the yard; seeing them come back, they ran over excitedly.

Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe carried the children inside, and Grandma Wei, seeing them return, smiled and took the kids from them. "You two came back much earlier today than yesterday. The food is in the pot; go wash your hands, and I'll serve it."

"Mom, I can do it later." Bai Xiuxiu felt that her mother had been helping too much lately; she wanted the elderly lady to enjoy her time here.

"What for? It's freezing outside, and I saw you working today. You people at the Wutong Street office were shoveling snow everywhere; just watching made my heart ache. Although Wutong Street is large and there aren't enough people to clear the snow, it shouldn't have to involve you as well.

Did you get cold today?"

Grandma Wei worriedly grabbed her daughter's hand to check.