Seeing a car approaching, someone had already gone to notify the Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander.
After they entered the brigade headquarters, the Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander also hurried over.
Just then, the accountant Lu Dahai also came out to greet them.
The Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander had just returned from delivering the public grain and were storing the sacks they had brought back in the storage room. Slightly embarrassed, they first dusted themselves off outside before entering.
The Brigade Commander was relatively new to his position and lacked experience in receiving higher-ups. Therefore, the Branch Secretary stepped forward to take the lead. "Comrades, I am Yang Gengtian, the Branch Secretary of Songling Village, and this is Qiao Yougen, the Brigade Commander. Why have you come to our village?"
The man in the lead took out his credentials from his pocket and handed them to them. "We’re here to find Comrade Chu Yunyi."
Upon recognizing the leaders from the City Health Bureau, the village officials more or less guessed the reason. The Branch Secretary smiled and said, "Good to meet you, Director Zhou."
Then, addressing the two individuals behind Director Zhou, he said, "Welcome, comrades. Let’s talk in the office."
As they ushered the three men into the office, he turned to a man busy moving things and said, "Zhuzi, run and call Chu Zhiqing over here."
The man called Zhuzi quickly lowered the load from his shoulder to the ground. "Alright, Uncle Yang."
Yunyi was quickly called over.
When the Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander saw her approaching, they waved her over. "Chu Zhiqing, come inside quickly."
As Yunyi approached, he hurriedly introduced her. "Director Zhou, this is Chuyunyi, Chu Zhiqing."
Then, he introduced Yunyi, "Chu Zhiqing, this is Director Zhou from the City Health Bureau, and those two comrades are officials from the Health Bureau."
Yunyi nodded calmly and greeted them, "Hello."
Director Zhou evaluated Yunyi while explaining the purpose of their visit. "Comrade Chu Yunyi, we’ve come to present you with a certificate of honor and a reward. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
On behalf of all the citizens of our city, I thank you for being the first to volunteer to represent the city and rush to the disaster area. Your selfless dedication is an example for us all to learn from.
We have learned of your outstanding performance in the disaster area from the telegrams sent by our comrades in Beijing. Thank you again for your noble actions."
With that, he took the certificate of honor and an envelope from the hands of the two officials behind him and handed them to Yunyi.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander had intended to invite the leaders for a meal. However, Director Zhou said they had official duties to attend to, and the three men did not stay long before leaving.
Once the car left, the crowd of onlookers erupted again. "My goodness, this Chu Zhiqing is really something, a true golden child! Just a few days, and already two groups have come to bring prize money!"
"Whoever marries her will be set for a good life."
At these words, some people’s minds started racing, and they stared at Yunyi with a frighteningly fervent intensity.
After watching the car drive away, the Branch Secretary and the Brigade Commander both turned to Yunyi. The Branch Secretary said, "Chu Zhiqing, you have truly brought honor to our Songling Brigade."
Now when we go to the commune for meetings, who would dare look down on our Songling Brigade? This is a glory that belongs exclusively to our Songling Brigade!
However, the sudden thought that Chu Zhiqing would soon be transferring away from Songling Village filled the Branch Secretary’s heart with a pang of regret. Her future achievements will no longer have anything to do with us, he realized, and the glint in his eyes visibly faded.
He then asked, "Chu Zhiqing, the village is distributing grain tomorrow. Do you want the grain, or would you prefer it to be converted into cash?" After all, Hua’an Farm Reclamation has a canteen, so she might prefer the money. This is a way I can do her one last favor before she leaves.