Lin Juan was deeply moved; Liu Zhizhong remembered all the details with astonishing mental acuity.
In the end, Liu Zhizhong spoke with some regret, "It's just that when I was twelve, my father passed away due to our lack of money. The hospital wouldn't treat him... heh..."
"Then I moved and ended up in the welfare home in the city. Life was still tough. Luckily, there's always a way out. Studying hard, I've managed to get to where I am now."
"Attending high school, college, entering society, joining the officialdom, getting married... ah, now, I'm temporarily out of work, waiting for a new job assignment and transfer."
"When I was in college, I returned to Yingxi County, hoping to find you. Unfortunately... the houses were demolished, the apartment buildings for the families of those working at the salt factory were all torn down, and you were nowhere to be found."
"I asked around for a long time before I learned that you went to college and moved far away, never to return. I heard your father had also gone far away."
"It's been almost eight years since I last returned to Yingxi. You know, they scattered my father's ashes in the West River. On holidays, I have no place to burn offerings. Burning some at the city crossroads for the old man does just fine."
"Counting it up, it's been over sixteen, nearly seventeen years since I last saw Sister Juan. I really didn't expect you to come back with Youyou..."
Liu Zhizhong managed a bitter smile, then intensified his voice, "Regardless, I'll take care of Youyou's illness. She will definitely recover and be healthy and happy! No matter what has happened to you, I've always believed that the kind neighbor sister from back then is still kind, a great mother even..."
Liu Zhizhong nodded, his eyes shining with a sympathetic and compassionate light as he gazed directly at Lin Juan.
"For your daughter's sake, you are willing to exchange your body for money. Why is that? I want to know, yet I don't want to touch on your sorrows..."
Lin Juan's weathered face flushed with a shy redness as she gave a helpless smile.
Just as she was about to say something, Liu Zhizhong received a phone call. The rıghtful source is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Upon answering, he immediately lit up with laughter.
Less than three minutes after hanging up, Deputy Director Du Biao of the Yangzhou City Police Department personally entered, holding Lin Juan's bag in his hand.
He was Secretary Du Yuesheng's cousin, and doing quite well for himself now!
With Du Yuesheng's changed view of Liu Zhizhong, Du Biao naturally followed suit. Heeding his cousin's advice, he acted swiftly and retrieved Lin Juan's bag, efficiently, indeed.
One of the police system's formidable strengths — they have sources in the populace, and some key informants are truly reliable and effective.
Liu Zhizhong stood up to shake hands with Du Biao, introduced him to Lin Juan, and expressed gratitude.
Lin Juan was too emotionally moved to know what to say, unable to believe her own eyes.
Deputy Director Du Biao was a high-ranking official, personally delivering her bag.
He said politely, "Ms. Lin, please check if there's anything missing from your bag, heh..."
Lin Juan hurriedly responded, "Thank you, Director Du. Nothing will be missing, nothing at all. You truly are the people's judge and savior!"
Du Biao laughed heartily, "Ms. Lin, what are you calling me judge for? We're just here to serve the people, serve the greater cause! If anyone thanks, you really should thank Zhizhong, heh..."
Ah, these were things better left unsaid, and Director Du's laughter was also better left unheard!
Lin Juan, holding her bag without checking, clutched it to her chest and suddenly knelt down, tears streaming as she genuinely kowtowed to Liu Zhizhong.
"Zhizhong, Sister thanks you, thank you... if not for you, if not for you... *sobs*... thank you, Director Du, thank you, the Police Department..."
Her kneeling startled both men into commotion.
Liu Zhizhong swiftly helped her up, urging her not to kneel or say any more.
Du Biao also felt nervous, quickly consoling Lin Juan, asking her to check her bag so he could report back to the Mayor.
Wiping her tears, Lin Juan opened her bag to find, not only were her documents and over thirty thousand yuan in cash all accounted for, but there was also an extra one hundred thousand yuan.
Lin Juan, tearfully stunned, looked at Du Biao, "Director Du, there's an extra one hundred thousand yuan. I didn't have this much money..."
Liu Zhizhong was surprised for a moment, then quickly understood and said, "Director Du, what are you up to?"
Du Biao chuckled, "Well, Ms. Lin, just take that one hundred thousand. This money isn't from me, but it's also from me!"
How should she take it?
Du Biao immediately clarified, "This is from my cousin, Secretary Du Yuesheng of the City Committee. He had me withdraw one hundred thousand as a consolation for Ms. Lin and Lin Youyou. After all, you're old acquaintances of Zhizhong. Your situation is special and requires money. Would I not follow the secretary's orders? After withdrawing it, could I ask for it back? That's just not how it works, right? Zhizhong, you understand.
Liu Zhizhong was immensely impressed; Black Donkey Du knew how to handle things!
Lin Juan was utterly astonished, staring blankly at Liu Zhizhong, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Just how powerful had this once pitiful, neighboring boy they called Doggy become?
For the Mayor to give so much money to us commoners, it was unheard of! Who would believe it if she told them?
There and then, Liu Zhizhong decided, "Sister Juan, the intention of Secretary Du of the City Committee is the same as that of the Party. The Party, our mother, is starting to take care of her children. You should accept it guilt-free. Moreover, Director Du, let me walk you out."
"All right then! Ms. Lin, sorry for causing you any distress. On behalf of the police department, I apologize and assure you that we will do better in the future."
Well, that was something!
Du Biao sure had a way with words! Liu Zhizhong couldn't help but admire him inwardly.
Lin Juan stood there, utterly befuddled, without a clue what to say.
Over the years, had the Mayor or the police ever shown her concern?
Had they ever offered her apologies or assistance?
Everything changed when she met her old neighbor, the boy they called Doggy...
The heart of this 34-year-old widow warmed, her emotions beginning to get the better of her...