Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 110 - 107 Give up an update

Chapter 110: 107 Give up an update

Li Xianglu raised her eyebrows slightly, her lips curling up with a hint of girlish petulance, "Of course I know. Grandpa just said you’re the Chief of Police, which means you’re a big official. I noticed all these uncles and brothers letting you go through the door first; they’re treating you like a big leader. There’s no need to guess!"

Wang Xin burst into laughter upon hearing this and shook his head, "Oh my, Mr. Li, your granddaughter is really sharp, even taking note of the small details. No wonder she spotted the human trafficker."

The old man felt relieved hearing the term ’human trafficker’ and thought to himself, thank goodness it’s about this matter. He had worried it might be related to that day’s report. Although Qin Xi had found a general direction, she could not be entirely sure, so when the police came, his first reaction was to fear that something in his house had been reported again, which made him extremely nervous.

Hearing Wang Xin complimenting his granddaughter didn’t make Mr. Li proud; instead, he looked helpless and said, "I’ve already scolded her for that incident. She’s not old, but she’s very bold. Later, I heard from the police at the station that the man had a gun and was supposedly a small-time leader."

Li Xianglu was startled and confused, thinking, what’s going on? She was unaware of this, but her grandfather wouldn’t lie.

Then, Wang Xin, sitting in the main seat with a serious face, said, "Yes, this matter is taken very seriously. It’s been reported across the province, so the reward for little hero Li Xianglu can’t be public. It has to be done quietly."

Upon hearing about a reward, Mr. Li’s eyes brightened, and he modestly said, "What reward? This child just can’t stand evil people and evil forces!"

Hearing Mr. Li claim not to want a reward while still praising his granddaughter almost made everyone laugh. They shook their heads, "You say one thing, but feel another."

Li Dafu stood quietly on the side, maintaining a smile but feeling a storm of emotions within. He always thought Li Huai Ren treated Xiang very well, but now it seemed he couldn’t be better, almost like his own granddaughter. Thinking of his own family, he felt ashamed but not regretful, for he was not one to make his family suffer for the sake of so-called ’face.’

The cake was brought in, emitting a milky fragrance. Everyone could smell it, but they were all talking and hadn’t mentioned eating. Seeing a young policeman staring at it intently, Mr. Li laughed and lifted the cake to offer some, "Come on, everyone have a piece. This girl made it herself. It might not look great, but it sure smells good."

Everyone unceremoniously took a slice, and the young policeman took a bite and paused, "An egg cake, and you’ve added milk, too."

After tasting it, Wang Xin nodded and said, "Hmm, this is skillful. It’s fragrant and soft. Mr. Li, you are indeed blessed."

Mr. Li was very pleased and not modest at all, happily saying, "Exactly, my granddaughter has great skills and she’s diligent, a fine woman indeed."

Wang Xin smiled, finished his piece of cake, and said, "The higher-ups have given two options for the reward: one is a sum of money, and the other is a recommendation spot for Worker, Peasant, Soldier University."

The room suddenly grew quiet, everyone’s attention fixed on Li Xianglu, watching her reaction.

Li Xianglu’s eyes sparkled on hearing this, "How much money?"

Her materialistic reaction disappointed everyone, especially the young policeman eating the cake who chimed in, "A spot at Worker, Peasant, Soldier University isn’t easy to come by. Our county only gets about ten a year, and that’s for special contributions, either military dependents or martyrs." His meaning was clear - such a precious spot usually went to military families in honor of a sacrifice, and she chose money over it. Did she even understand?

Of course, Li Xianglu understood. She knew too much. College entrance exams were to be restored in ’77, and she would be the right age for it. She could just take the exams and get into a good university then. What kind of university is Worker, Peasant, Soldier University, anyway? They have specific majors and send you off to remote mountain areas, all to secretive institutions. You might be stuck there for years, and she did not want that. Besides, if she went, what would happen to her grandfather!

Wang Xin, seeing that the girl was unmoved, shook his head. Everyone has their fate, so he opened a file bag beside him and pulled out a red document, "The reward is two thousand yuan."

Li Xianglu’s eyes nearly sparkled with stars at the amount. Her grandfather was a high-ranking retired military officer, and even with his pension and extra stipends, he only received a bit over a hundred yuan a month. Two thousand yuan would take them two years to save without spending a cent.

Li Xianglu was aware of the future, but Mr. Li was not and, feeling worried, he cautioned, "Xiangxiang, we should discuss this matter. You can’t be so obsessed with money at this critical time."

Li Xianglu felt embarrassed, stuck out her tongue, and wiggled closer to her grandfather.

The young policeman sighed, feeling extremely disappointed. The girl seemed young but also quite cute, especially her bright and twinkling eyes that would squint when she smiled, just like a kitten they raised at home. Her skills weren’t bad either, though somewhat wasteful with food, she had a sense of charm – nothing like a country person. He had checked before coming; she had urban household registration with supply quotas. Yet, despite that, it was disappointing how shortsighted she was. Even with a city household registration, country roots are still country roots, and being adopted into the city doesn’t change that.

Li Xianglu was unaware of the young policeman’s imaginings. All she could think of now was the two thousand yuan, and how to persuade her grandfather to agree.

After chatting for a bit, Wang Xin informed them about the post-holiday office hours and then left with his group first.

Li Xianglu and her grandfather escorted the guests to the courtyard gate. As they went downhill, the young policeman turned back, giving Li Xianglu a look of reluctant disappointment, which left her baffled for a long time. Is there something wrong with his brain?

Li Dafu went to send off the visitors, while Li Xianglu, arm in arm with her grandfather, cheerfully bounced back home.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Mr. Li frowned, "How can you be so greedy for money, girl? I thought these were just small flaws, but it seems you’re also confused about major issues. That was a spot at a university, which even I cannot secure for you. How can you prefer money over your future?"

Li Xianglu widened her eyes, chuckled, and swayed Mr. Li’s arm a little before they both entered the kitchen, smiling, "Grandpa, do you really think I have no sense of scale, that I would be so muddled about such a big matter?"

Mr. Li took a sip of the tea his granddaughter had handed him before speaking, "Well, tell me your thoughts then."

Li Xianglu sat across from him, lined up her fingers and began, "First, you’ve seen in the newspapers, haven’t you? They always mention that the situation is changing again?"