Chapter 571: Reward, Exchange – Daily Life of the Delicate Aunt in the Courtyard

"Rat-tat-tat!"

Everyone in the finance office looked toward the door. Factory Director Wang's secretary, Tang Shuheng, was standing there.

"Secretary Tang, what's up?"

"I'm here to find Lin Qing."

Lin Qing's eyes went wide: Me? Looking for me? What for?

Lin Qing gave Tang Shuheng a skeptical once-over, and Tang Shuheng didn’t hide anything. "Director Wang asked me to bring you over."

"Ah?" Factory Director Wang?

Lin Qing was even more baffled.

Tang Xihua cut in, "Xiao Lin, if the director is looking for you, it must be important. You should go now—don’t make him wait."

Lin Qing: "..."

Fine, then!

Lin Qing stood up and left with Tang Shuheng.

After the two left, the office erupted in whispers.

Liu Guiyun blurted out, "Did Lin Qing mess up and get called out by the director?"

The room went dead silent for a moment, and everyone looked at her in disbelief.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

The others remained silent. While they might gossip and speculate, none of them actually wished ill upon Lin Qing. Liu Guiyun’s comment at this moment left a bad taste.

Even if they knew the two had beef, no need to jinx her, right?

...

Meanwhile, Lin Qing followed Tang Shuheng to the director’s office.

She was a little nervous at first, but with a clear conscience and having done nothing wrong, there was nothing to fear.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in, come in quickly!" Director Wang boomed.

As soon as Lin Qing entered, she was met with his booming laugh. "Hahaha! Officer Chen, Xiao Lin is here!"

Lin Qing shot a look and arched a brow—it was the cop she’d met at the station that day.

But why was he here? Wasn't this already over? Why seek her out again?

"Lin, good to see you again."

"Uh… what’s this about?"

"Hahaha! Relax! I’ve got good news."

"Huh?" Lin Qing was baffled.

Since there was no confidentiality order at the moment, Officer Chen briefly explained the follow-up events.

"Ah? That’s such a crazy coincidence!" Lin Qing was dumbfounded after hearing it.

"Yes! We owe you big time. If you hadn't come forward to report the case, the victim might’ve just buried it even after suffering harm."

It’s tough—back then, most women would instinctively hide such experiences to save face.

By the time word got out, the perpetrators might have already fled.

That major murder and robbery case could’ve gone cold indefinitely.

Lin Qing quickly waved her hands. "No, no, no! No need—I barely did anything."

"Hey now, don’t sell yourself short! You stepped up when it counted!"

"No, no, I really didn’t do anything significant. There’s no need for this." Lin Qing kept brushing it off.

"No, you really helped us tremendously. Here, this commendation plaque is for you!" Officer Chen was already pressing the banner into Lin Qing’s hands.

Factory Director Wang and Tang Shuheng, the middle-aged and older men, watched the back-and-forth refusal between the two, totally lost.

However, Factory Director Wang quickly caught on, even happier now, and jumped in earnestly, "Ahem! Xiao Lin! Why refuse? This is what you deserve."

"Yes, yes! You totally deserve this!" Officer Chen chimed in.

Tang Shuheng also backed him up.

Ganged up on three-to-one, Lin Qing had no chance and finally accepted the banner.

Thinking it was just the banner, Lin Qing started to relax—only to see Officer Chen pull an envelope from his pocket and swiftly stuff it into her hand.

"This…?" Now what?

Lin Qing couldn’t help but absentmindedly rub it—it felt like a few sheets of paper, confirming her guess.

Officer Chen’s words verified her suspicion. "And this—this is also a reward. It’s nothing fancy, just take it!"

Afraid of another round of refusal, Officer Chen immediately turned to leave. "Alright, the banner and reward are delivered. I’ll be off now."

Factory Director Wang cheerfully walked him out. "Take care!"

Tang Shuheng escorted him to the door.

Lin Qing stood there stunned in the factory director’s office.

Wait, I didn’t even get to speak—why’s he bolting?

She then turned to Factory Director Wang and suddenly noticed that the smile on her friend’s father’s face had this... sketchy grin. She had to look away.

"Heh! If there’s nothing else, Director, I’ll head back now."

"Wait, wait. There is! There is!"

"What is it?" Lin Qing felt his smile was way too shady and backpedaled instinctively.

"Just wanted to discuss something with you."

"What's up?"

"How about we work something out? How about hanging this commendation plaque in our factory?"

"Huh?" Lin Qing looked at the banner in her hand, then at him. What was he getting at?

"You see, this banner is an honor after all. Using this honor to bring some glory to our factory—what do you think?"

Once she got what he was saying, Lin Qing suddenly felt speechless. Was this even allowed?

However, if she gave the banner to the factory, she should get something in return, right?

Lin Qing remained silent for a moment. Director Wang was no fool—seeing her hesitation, he knew the offer wasn't sweet enough.

"How about this? If the banner is hung in the factory, we’ll bump you up a pay grade. What do you say?"

Director Wang was already calculating in his mind. Lin Qing was due for a raise after her recent training, but he hadn’t found a good excuse until now. This was the perfect opportunity.

Lin Qing’s eyes lit up. "Director Wang, are you serious?"

"Of course! My word is good!"

"You're on!" Lin Qing agreed decisively and even casually placed the banner on his desk.

"Alright, you can go back now!" Director Wang quickly took the banner and shooed her away.

"Okay!" Lin Qing thought trading the banner for a raise was a pretty good deal. After all, aside from hanging it up, the banner wouldn’t serve much purpose at home. Giving it to the factory was fine.

Walking back whistling, Lin Qing returned to her office.

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Lin! What did the factory director want?"

"Oh, nothing important."

"Oh!" But judging by Lin Qing’s happy and excited expression, it didn’t seem like what Liu Guiyun had been suggesting.

The next second, the PA system crackled to life.

"Attention all staff: We'd like to recognize a commendation for good deeds. Lin Qing from the publicity department previously assisted the police station in solving a major case. The police station specially presented her with a commendation banner and a reward. Let us all learn from Lin Qing!"

After the broadcast, the office buzzed with chatter.

Even Director Li came hurrying in from next door.

"That was you they were talking about?"

"Of course! They said publicity department."

"Wow! Lin Qing, you’re a rockstar!"

"So, you just went to receive the banner and reward?"

"So where is it?"

Even Director Li was eyeing her.

With all eyes on her, Lin Qing gulped. "Uh... Director Wang hung onto it."

"Why'd you let him keep it? You should have brought it back!" Director Li muttered, frowning slightly.

This was a rare chance to liven up her office, so how could she just give it to the factory director like that?

Lin Qing replied apologetically, "Factory Director Wang said he'd give me a pay raise if I agreed to hang the banner in the factory."

The office burst into excited "Wow"s!

Director Li fell silent.

She couldn't match that—no way she could!