Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 39: A Visit of Gratitude

"Heping, this is Xia Xingchen, a sent-down youth from our production team, originally from Jing City." Yi Roujing introduced Xia Xingchen to the three of them and mentioned they needed to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to pick up some items in an hour.

"You should first familiarize yourselves with our place. If anything comes up, feel free to find us directly. Zhixin and I might not be around often, but Zhijian is here, so feel free to ask for his help," Hu Heping said straightforwardly.

"Yes." Hao Zhijian nodded in agreement, with the couple perfectly in tune.

The place where Hao Zhijian lived was very close to the supply and marketing cooperative, just in the alley next door. It was a separate small courtyard; entering through the main gate, there were rooms on three sides, with three rooms in the main building and two rooms on each side. In the courtyard, there was also a large stone pedestal, resembling a tea tray, surrounded by six small pedestals serving as stools, quite elegant.

"Is such a large place just for the two of you to live?" Ding Anmin voiced her speculations.

"When my sister-in-law knew my brother was coming to work here and started looking for a house, she bought this one because she admired the stone tea tray." Hao Zhixin explained with a smile.

"It was fortuitous as well, the previous owners were moving to the provincial city, and upon knowing we were from the provincial city, they sold it to us without hesitation."

Ding Anmin was a bit taken aback, thinking this must have cost a pretty penny; it was certainly extravagant being from the provincial city.

They familiarized themselves with the place and enjoyed some pre-rain Longjing tea brewed on the stone tea tray, which left Yi Roujing quite satisfied.

"It’s about time, I’ll go start the car," Hao Zhijian said as he was the first to head out.

Start the car? Yi Roujing was a bit puzzled. Did policemen also need to know how to drive tractors? Normally, Hao Zhijian was the only policeman in the entire commune, so there was no reason for him to be allocated a tractor. Besides, it didn’t seem appropriate for a policeman to drive a tractor, likely a bicycle would make more sense, but a bicycle couldn’t fit everyone.

"I’ll go fetch the items." Xia Xingchen didn’t want to waste others’ time and also didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, especially since being seen carrying traditional medicine could be awkward.

"I’ll fetch them, you two just sit here, I’ll be back soon." Yi Roujing said, getting up and heading for the door.

"Hey, hey..."

"Don’t worry, I’ll go along," Ding Anmin said, uneasy, as she hurried out.

The back door of the supply and marketing cooperative was almost deserted. Yi Roujing knocked on the door and it was opened by a middle-aged man wearing glasses, "Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, we’re looking for Zhang Qiuyan."

"Wait here."

After a while, a woman in her thirties or forties came out carrying a large package, she handed it to Yi Roujing without saying a word and then turned around, shutting the door with a "bang".

Yi Roujing was somewhat taken aback, and it was Ding Anmin who took the package and ushered her away.

When the two reached the entrance of the alley next door, a striking army green jeep was parked there, and stepping down from it was none other than the familiar Hao Zhijian.

"Mr. Yi, Mr. Ding, get in the car, I’ll go call Heping and the others," Hao Zhijian said as he opened the rear door.

Ding Anmin swallowed nervously, her limbs stiff; Yi Roujing was also shocked, but only for a moment before she pulled Ding Anmin into the car.

Hao Zhijian closed the rear door and went into the alley.

"This, this, this..." Ding Anmin was filled with apprehension, restless, her hands hesitating whether to touch and examine the car, "What kind of conditions do Mr. Hao and Heping have to own a vehicle like this? It’s the first time I’ve seen such a car."

Yi Roujing was equally astonished. After all, owning a bicycle was already a sign of wealth in these times, not to mention the rare four-wheeled vehicles, and these four-wheeled vehicles couldn’t be bought just for money alone, their background must be very strong indeed. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Soon Hao Zhijian returned with four people, and seat occupancy conventions became irrelevant as the jeep’s rear seats were spacious enough that the slender Yi Roujing, among four people, felt totally comfortable sitting without being cramped.

The jeep was faster than a tractor, and with the windows open throughout the journey and the pregnant Hu Heping sitting in the front passenger seat without showing any signs of motion sickness, it took just a quarter of an hour for everyone to arrive at the Dingping Production Team.

The army green jeep attracted the crowd’s attention immediately upon entering the team, and when they saw Xia Xingchen, Ding Anmin, and Yi Roujing getting off the vehicle, the commotion spread among the team members, including Ding Weihuo, Li Hongying, and Ding Anguo, who were among those pulled aside for questioning before they even understood what was going on.

Although Hao Zhijian wasn’t wearing his police uniform today, Captain Ding Xiaoding recognized him; upon realizing who he was, he personally came to welcome them.

"Mr. Hao, what brings you to our team, do you have any matters of importance?" Ding Xiaoding asked with a smile.

"I’m off today, it’s a personal visit," Hao Zhijian smiled and explained, "This is my wife, today’s special visit is to thank Yi Roujing and to see her family."

"Weihe, Weihe’s wife, come quickly, Mr. Hao is here to see you," Ding Xiaoding warmly called out, inviting Weihe and his family amidst all the attention.

In this era, people were genuinely fond of their fellow police comrades, although there weren’t many aware of Hao Zhijian being a policeman, but the fact he came here driving a car was enough to draw a lot of attention.

Amid the crowd, Hao Zhijian made sure to praise Yi Roujing’s brave act, which saved his wife and their unborn child, explaining the purpose of his visit was due to this.

"Mr. Hao, care for some simple homemade lunch at my house?" After Hao Zhijian finished speaking, Ding Xiaoding cordially invited him.

When Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying heard this, they quickly chimed in, "How about eating at our place instead, Captain also come along?"

"Hahaha, Weihe, then today I’ll impose on you." Ding Xiaoding chuckled merrily, "Alright, everyone disperse now and get back to work, work."

With Captain’s request, no matter how curious, everyone dispersed.

Hao Zhijian found a secluded place to park the car and then went to the trunk to retrieve the items he brought; it was really too much for one person to manage, so Hao Zhixin helped him carry it, and when Li Hongying saw these dazzling goods, she was taken aback.

"This is too much, too much..."

"Auntie, no matter how much I bring, it can’t compare to my wife and child," Hao Zhijian said, leaving Li Hongying unable to argue.

Hao Zhijian was considerate, ensuring he had gifts not just for Li Hongying but for Ding Xiaoding as well—a whole carton of top-grade cigarettes.

Ding Xiaoding felt overwhelmed by the attention, "I truly can’t accept this, just one cigarette to smoke would be enough for me."

"Captain Ding, don’t be modest, you’ve worked tirelessly for the entire team, I still count on your cooperation in future endeavors. Besides, I also intend to frequently visit Uncle and Aunt’s house and would appreciate your care." Hao Zhijian’s words were gracious, leaving Ding Xiaoding with no choice but to accept.

Afterwards, there was a split among the genders because topics like smoking and chat, usually indulged in by men, didn’t pique women’s interest. Yi Roujing invited Hu Heping and Hao Zhixin to her room, while Ding Anmin and Xia Xingchen went to the kitchen to help Li Hongying.

Li Hongying, initially worried about not having decent dishes, felt at ease seeing the assortment of high-quality cigarettes, alcohol, malted milk, and even fresh fish and meat among the things Hao Zhijian brought, admiring their thoughtful consideration.