r18novel Chapter 1085 - 958: Lend a Helping Hand
Chapter 1085 - 958: Lend a Helping Hand
It was dinner time, and the Dai Family was on the way to the big dining hall. The crowd outside grew larger and larger, each person looking tense as they stared at the door, waiting for those who had gone in to come back and report, regardless of whether their intentions were malicious or kind.Gradually, time slowly passed. After waiting for over an hour, finally, in their anxious anticipation, the people inside came out one by one.
Everybody’s eyes were focused on a few individuals, noticing their empty hands and the dejected expressions of the Red Guards, which couldn’t stop everyone from starting to gossip.
Zhang Guoqing reacted quickly, immediately nudging Zhang Hongwei who was about to inquire, and the two walked to Old Man Dai. "Sir, sorry to have caused you this trouble; Hongwei and the others were just doing their duty, please don’t take offense."
"It’s good that the matter has been clarified. Sir, is there something you’re doing that makes the children feel you’re biased? You should have a good talk with them later."
As he spoke, he motioned to Zhang Hongwei with a glance. "Hongwei, you don’t know what it’s like for us soldiers; when we’re busy, we don’t even have time to eat, let alone communicate with the juniors..."
Over there, the young girl from the Dai family was staring in disbelief at the hands of those who came out. After a moment, she snapped out of it and yelled uncontrollably, "Impossible! How can it be? I saw it with my own eyes, it was in the study today, did you not search thoroughly? Did you search the old man’s bedroom?"
Upon hearing this, one Red Guard immediately leaned in to whisper in Zhang Hongwei’s ear, "Boss, we even searched the bathroom, and indeed found nothing suspicious like banned books. But there were plenty of newspapers and military magazines. We also found lots of medals..."
Zhang Guoqing’s mouth twitched at this interruption.
Zhang Hongwei was quite capable; without waiting for his subordinate to finish speaking, he immediately pushed him aside and smiled at Old Man Dai, "Sir, sorry for the inconvenience. As my Brother Wu said, we were just doing our duty, please don’t take offense."
What else could Old Man Dai say? He waved his hand, looking downcast, "Ah, don’t blame yourselves; it’s all the family misfortune, making everyone laugh today."
Zhang Guoqing gave Zhang Hongwei a blank stare.
This kid was getting brazen with age; luckily, he spoke softly, otherwise Zhang Guoqing would have been seen as their accomplice in this reckless behavior.
"Right, the bedroom, it must be in the bedroom. I’ll help you search."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at the out-of-control girl and looked at his wife, the "do-gooder," who followed the girl inside, feeling frustrated by the mess.
"Brother Wu, I’ll take my leave now."
"Okay, let me see you off."
"No need, no need."
Zhang Guoqing whispered, "Quickly go, before the patrol team arrives."
Zhang Hongwei gave him a grateful look and promptly left with his subordinates. If they had found that the person was guilty, it would have been easier to explain. But now, things were misunderstood, and if Old Man Dai held onto them, although he could eventually extricate himself, who knows if they’d retaliate privately?
Ah, thankfully, he had Zhang Guoqing as a loyal friend; otherwise, this courtyard was not easy to get into. If it hadn’t been for that dead girl of this dead old man leading them in, he wouldn’t have been able to approach the front door.
"Thanks, Xiao Wu."
Hearing Old Man Dai’s gratitude, Zhang Guoqing quickly denied it softly, considering there was still a lunatic in the Dai family, "No, sir, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t do anything.
I just ran into an acquaintance for a chat. You know me, I like joining in on the fun, but you were wronged, and if it were true, I wouldn’t have been able to help."
Whether it was true or not, Old Man Dai knew. Although he didn’t understand why some things disappeared, it was inseparable from the subtle assistance of Zhang Guoqing and his wife.
The old man smiled at him, "Alright, the old man knows what’s going on."
Zhang Guoqing smiled, walked away from him, and went to find his wife.
What gratitude was there?
Half the coincidence, half the setting; if it had been someone else leading the team, Zhang Guoqing might not have intervened. Ultimately, he was afraid of getting his family into trouble; this time, it was just pure chance.
In these times, nobody has it easy, so if he could help a bit, it would be a charitable deed for his family. He wasn’t expecting any gratitude.
——When it really comes to a clash of interests, gratitude can’t outweigh people’s selfishness.
"Jiao Jiao, we should go now; our son is still at home."
Zhou Jiao had just put away three books, nodded at his words, and glanced at the girl huddled in the corner before leaving with him. Next, it was up to the Dai family to clean up their affairs.
"Do you know why it happened? I heard this girl from the Dai family didn’t want to go serve in the army corps."
"You just found out? A few days ago, this girl was crying and causing a scene at home, it’s pitiful."
"Alright, don’t talk about it anymore, better take care of your own children."
"If it were my kid? Hmph, I’d beat them to death."
"What do you know? This matter, it’s a long story..."
"You better not talk about it; she can’t stand the fact her older sister went to the hospital to be a nurse and she herself has to go to the countryside."
"Sister-in-law, you already know? Quick, tell us."
"..."
As groups of three or five people came out, Zhou Jiao unexpectedly overheard some seemingly true or false insider information, feeling puzzled as it was already after work and dinner time. Where were Old Man Dai’s sons and daughters? But soon she let it go; these domestic affairs are tough to judge, especially as an outsider.
Near the home door, Zhang Guoqing scanned the surroundings, seeing no one, whispered, "Where did you put them back?"
"Stuck on the back of the study room door."
Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but chuckle. He estimated that Old Man Dai was really going to faint later; surely, the safest place was the most dangerous place, unseen in the light.
"This kind of trick can only be played once; too many times and it’ll be exposed. Can’t do this next time."
Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes at him, as if she wanted to help voluntarily?
"You see, it’s a misunderstanding, right?" Zhang Guoqing peeked around, "San Gouzi is quite loyal, I know he’d give me face."
"Do you have special abilities, can you see through people’s minds?" Zhou Jiao teased him, then thought and laughed, "You’ve indeed done a two-sided good deed."
"Hehe, it’s Dai family luck. Today, if you weren’t by my side, I wouldn’t have intervened. A moment early or late wouldn’t have saved them. What was the book Old Man Dai hid? Surely not some pornographic booklet?"
Zhou Jiao paused at his words, "Rushing like that, I really didn’t see clearly. Three books with hardcover red/treasure/book covers, not much paper inside, looked like there weren’t many pages, probably some ancient texts."
"This old man has a big heart, daring to put these things out in the open, missing that companion for attention to detail."
"Does that relate to having a companion or not? Anyway, don’t mention it anymore, I’m starving, let’s hurry, the sons must be anxious."
Zhang Guoqing pulled her along quickly, still not forgetting to praise their son, "Our kid is quite well-behaved, you see, even with all the commotion outside, they didn’t rush over just for the excitement."
"Yeah, so you’re the irresponsible dad, always wanting to see the excitement everywhere."
"I actually have no reply to that."