Chapter 221

When Song Nianchu returned home with Wu Zhenggui, she discovered two familiar people sitting in the courtyard.

“Captain Zhao, Captain Tian, what brings you both here?” Song Nianchu greeted them happily.

“The rescue efforts over there have more or less come to an end. We came especially to visit you and Comrade Mu,” Zhao Yuanshan said with a broad smile.

“Shi’an is still working at the carpentry workshop. I’ll go call him back.” Song Nianchu turned to leave.

Wu Zhenggui stopped her.

“I’ve already sent someone to call him. He should be back soon.”

“That’s good.” Song Nianchu visibly relaxed. She then looked toward Zhao Yuanshan and the others. “Captain Zhao, Captain Tian, please come inside and have some tea.”

“All right.” Zhao Yuanshan and Tian Daqing did not refuse and followed her inside.

Song Nianchu took some tea leaves from the cabinet and brewed a cup for each of them.

“Thank you,” the two men said in unison.

“Captain Zhao, did you come especially to visit our village?” Song Nianchu remembered that Zhao Yuanshan had once said he would definitely come to their village if he ever had the time.

“We…” Zhao Yuanshan had just begun to speak when Mu Shi’an entered through the door.

“Comrade Mu.” The moment Tian Daqing saw Mu Shi’an, he rushed over as though he had seen a rare treasure.

“Captain Tian.” Mu Shi’an gave him a slight nod.

Seeing that everyone was present, Zhao Yuanshan set down his teacup and slowly rose to his feet.

“Comrade Song, the truth is, I’ve come this time with an assignment from the organization.”

“An assignment from the organization?” Song Nianchu asked, puzzled.

“That’s right. You and Comrade Mu made tremendous contributions during the rescue and disaster-relief efforts last time. The organization has learned of what you did and holds you in the highest regard. Not only have you both been honored as heroes of the relief effort, but you’ve also been given some rewards.” Zhao Yuanshan explained with a smile.

It was precisely because of this assignment that he had found the time to come visit Song Nianchu and the others.

“There are rewards too?” Song Nianchu was somewhat surprised.

“Of course. If not for you and Comrade Mu, the casualties from that rescue operation would certainly have been far worse than they are now.” Zhao Yuanshan nodded firmly.

He then carefully took two certificates and two envelopes from his briefcase.

“Comrade Song, this is your certificate. There are two hundred yuan in the envelope. It’s the organization’s reward for you. It isn’t much money, but it represents our appreciation.” Zhao Yuanshan handed Song Nianchu her certificate and reward.

Song Nianchu accepted the certificate and felt as though it weighed a thousand pounds in her hands.

This was a certificate issued by the organization. Something like this could be passed down through the family as an heirloom.

“Comrade Mu, this one is yours.” Zhao Yuanshan handed Mu Shi’an his share as well.

“I… I have one too?” Mu Shi’an stammered.

“Of course you do. You have no idea how much you helped us,” Tian Daqing said repeatedly from the side.

“But… but I’m a reform subject.” A strange flicker passed through the depths of Mu Shi’an’s eyes.

“So what if you’re a reform subject? We’ve already looked into your circumstances. You performed a meritorious service, and whether you’re a reform subject or anything else, the organization will reward you according to your contributions.” Zhao Yuanshan smiled.

Mu Shi’an had assumed they simply did not know about his current status. He had never expected that they knew and were still willing to issue him a certificate.

“What are you waiting for? Go on and take it,” Tian Daqing reminded him with a smile.

Only then did Mu Shi’an reach out and accept it. As he looked at the bright red certificate, he felt as though something had lodged itself in his chest, leaving even his throat tight and sore.

“Comrade Mu, you’re an outstanding and admirable comrade. The organization’s opinion of you has changed greatly. Keep working hard, and perhaps you’ll successfully complete your reform very soon.” Tian Daqing genuinely admired and respected Mu Shi’an.

Though he was young, his knowledge far surpassed Tian Daqing’s own.

If his family circumstances had not held him back, his achievements would have been impossible to measure.

“Mm!” Mu Shi’an nodded firmly.

“Comrade Song, you mentioned before that your village has also built a factory. Could you take us to have a look?” After finishing the official business, Zhao Yuanshan asked Song Nianchu with a smile.

“Of course.” Song Nianchu agreed readily.

After putting the certificates and money back in the room, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi’an led Zhao Yuanshan and Tian Daqing to the construction site.

The second floor of the canning factory was already nearly halfway finished. Seen from a distance, it was quite an impressive sight.

“You’ve built a rather large factory,” Zhao Yuanshan said, visibly surprised.

He had originally assumed it would be just a small operation, but he had not expected it to be larger than some factories he had seen in the city.

“This was built jointly with the city’s state-run restaurant, so it ended up being a little larger,” Song Nianchu explained.

“The city’s state-run restaurant? You have deeper connections than I do,” Tian Daqing remarked, giving Song Nianchu another thoughtful look.

“There’s nothing special about it. The restaurant manager happened to taste the canned goods made by our village, and that led to this partnership.” Song Nianchu spoke modestly.

But Zhao Yuanshan had seen plenty of the world and knew the matter could not have been as simple as she made it sound.

Besides, he had tasted the canned fish Song Nianchu had brought from the village before, and it really was delicious.

After touring the canning factory, Song Nianchu took them to the carpentry workshop where Mu Shi’an worked.

At present, the workshop consisted of only a few sheds, but the finished looms they had made attracted Tian Daqing, who examined them for quite some time.

When it was time to leave, he seemed reluctant to go.

“Comrade Mu, your knowledge is extensive. Even in circumstances like these, you must never give up,” Tian Daqing urged him before leaving.

“I won’t give up,” Mu Shi’an replied firmly.

“That’s good.” Tian Daqing nodded repeatedly. He then gave Mu Shi’an an address. “This is my current address. If you run into any difficulties, you can contact me.”

“Thank you, Captain Tian.” Mu Shi’an inclined his head slightly.

“Don’t be so formal with me. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll need to ask for your help someday,” Tian Daqing said with a smile.

“You can contact me anytime,” Mu Shi’an replied calmly.

“With that promise, I’m reassured.”

“All right, you don’t need to see us any farther. Our car is parked just ahead.” Seeing that they had finished their conversation, Zhao Yuanshan spoke up as well.

“Then be careful on the way, Captain Zhao.” Song Nianchu stopped walking.

“All right.” Zhao Yuanshan waved at them before getting into the car.

Song Nianchu and Mu Shi’an remained where they were, watching until the car disappeared into the distance.

Inside the car, Tian Daqing looked through the rearview mirror at Mu Shi’an, who was still standing behind them, and let out a long sigh.

“Why are you sighing? If you really can’t bear to leave him, just bring him back with us.” Zhao Yuanshan shot Zhao Yuanshan a glance.