1988: Back to the human world for a few years

Chapter 311 A Glimmer of Light (3)

As one of the most well-known catering brands in Texas, Momo Baichao is a thorn in the side of relevant departments.

In fact, this brand, which has a background of state-owned enterprises, has been established for only more than half a year, but it has caused more than one or two unexpected problems.

It just so happens that Texas is currently only a county-level city. Therefore, after suffering several setbacks, it has tacitly kept a distance from these franchise stores which are becoming more and more famous and have greater social influence.

This attitude underwent some subtle changes again as Yang Mo and DZ City officially signed the settlement agreement.

Therefore, even though Miss Li and a group of cooks surrounded the two people in white uniforms with rice spoons and rolling pins, they did not have any extreme reactions except for a wry smile...

………………

"Why are you arresting people randomly?!"

"What did you do wrong, kid? You deserve to be handcuffed!"

Miss Li held the rice spoon in her right hand and tried desperately with her left hand to pull the boy in the middle, who was about fourteen or fifteen years old and had his head lowered the whole time, towards her.

Unfortunately, the two men in white uniforms seemed to have anticipated this and held the boy's arms tightly. No matter how hard Miss Li, who was less than 1.6 meters tall, pulled, she couldn't move.

"Comrade Li Shufen, we didn't arrest anyone indiscriminately. It was this child who hurt someone. According to regulations, we must control him." A man in white uniform smiled wryly at the middle-aged woman who might take the rice spoon at any time.

"Hurting someone? How is that possible?!"

Miss Li screamed: "Xiaotian is such a well-behaved and sensible kid, how could he hurt someone!?"

Although the sound was sharp enough to pierce the eardrum, the iron spoon in Miss Li's hand paused.

The man in white uniform looked at her calmly: "But Zhao Xiaotian did hurt someone, and the situation is quite serious, otherwise we would not have brought him here to confirm his identity."

This is actually quite subtle. In those days, there was no internet connection. For a group of lost children like Zhao Xiaotian, the identity of the person only needed to be confirmed by the perpetrator himself. Even if the situation was serious and other people had to identify the person, the relatives had to go to the police station themselves to identify the person. There was no need to bring the person to the police station directly.

Moreover, the two men in white uniforms never said on the spot what specific crime Zhao Xiaotian had committed. You can certainly understand this as warm-hearted law enforcement and a desire to take care of the relatives' feelings, but you can also think about the meaning of this from another perspective.

Obviously, although Miss Li is the manager of a restaurant, she has always been protected by the drilling company. To put it bluntly, she is just an ordinary family member with a sharp tongue but a soft heart. When it comes to some things, she simply does not have the sensitivity and interpersonal skills that an ordinary restaurant owner must have.

So when she heard the words "the situation is a bit serious", she panicked and screamed again in disbelief: "How is it possible!? Xiaotian is a well-known good kid. He smiles when he sees people and lends a hand when he sees someone in need... How could he fight with others!?"

Seeing that Miss Li did not invite them out to quietly inquire about the situation, but yelled in front of so many people, the man in white uniform sighed speechlessly: "But he did hurt someone."

Miss Li stared at the boy who kept his head down, a little bewildered: "Xiaotian has such a good temper. He never hides or argues when I scold him or spank him... How could he possibly fight with others?"

The man in white uniform turned his head to look at the dim street, then turned back to look at her calmly: "But he did hurt someone... and the injury was quite serious."

Miss Li bit her lip tightly, "I know Xiaotian. He doesn't steal or rob. He doesn't resist when bullied. He used to rummage through trash cans to sell. After giving him a bowl of rice, he won't bother you. He just sleeps at the door of our store at night and gets up and leaves early the next morning... I know he is helping us watch the store because he is afraid that we will be robbed... Later, when we asked him to work as a temporary worker in our store, he was the one who worked the most and ate the least... I know he was helping us save money... Such a good kid, he doesn't even talk back when unreasonable customers scold him... How could he hit people?"

The man in white uniform looked at the extremely dull store manager with a tired look on his face. "But Zhao Xiaotian did hurt someone. He bit the victim's shoulder and neck with his teeth, causing heavy bleeding, and smashed the victim's head with a stone several times... The victim is currently in the hospital for treatment, and it's still unknown whether he can be saved."

Miss Li turned pale and staggered a few steps. Then she dropped the iron spoon in her hand and shook the boy's shoulders vigorously: "Xiaotian, why did you fight with others? Did they bully you? Did they want to beat you, so you fought back... Speak, speak!"

Hearing the fear, worry and concern in Miss Li's voice, the young man lowered his head even more, biting his lips until they bled, but he didn't utter a word.

Seeing this, the man in white uniform, who had given up hope, glanced at the diners who were all looking at him, and sighed softly, "We have basically understood the process of the conflict. Zhao Xiaotian and two other scavengers had a physical conflict over the paper shells left over from the fireworks in People's Square, which ultimately resulted in two minor injuries and one serious injury."

At this point, the man in white uniform explained: "In order to celebrate the festival, the competent authorities and state-owned enterprises in DZ City set off large fireworks in major parks and squares on New Year's Eve every year. After the fireworks are set off, all the paper shells left behind are collected and can be sold at a pretty good price... However, due to limited finances, the large fireworks set off by various units in DZ City this year are much less than in previous years. Therefore, in order to compete for the limited firework paper shells, there were more than one or two physical conflicts between scavengers tonight... However, the conflict between Zhao Xiaotian and the two scavengers was the most serious."

Scavenging?

Upon hearing this, Miss Li turned pale and almost bloodless. She tightly grasped the boy's shoulders and spoke in a voice like a wounded she-wolf: "Xiaotian, didn't you say that you had found a job and went to the bus station with Xiaolong and the others to be a guide... You, you lied to me!?"

The boy finally raised his head, revealing a handsome face covered with bruises and bloodstains: "Auntie Li... I'm sorry!"

Miss Li first wiped the dried blood from the corner of his mouth with concern, then angrily slapped him: "Why!? Why did you lie to me? Why did you go back to pick up trash!?... If you can't find a job, come back!... Everyone likes you so much, and they all treat you as their own son, why, why...?"

When she thought of this pretty and well-behaved child in front of her, rummaging through the trash can for a few cents, and even fighting with people for a few piles of waste paper like an unwanted stray dog, Miss Li's heart ached so much that tears suddenly flowed down.

Seeing Mama Li like this, the boy's eyes also turned red: "Mama Li, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have lied to you, but I really don't want to cause trouble to you and the other ladies anymore... Seeing you get fined so much money every month and get scolded so much by the company every month, and you treat me so well, I, I can't live with my conscience... Besides, you have a son, you also need to save money to send him to college."

Upon hearing this, Miss Li was furious and slapped the boy again: "Bullshit! I am the store manager after all. Can't I afford to send my two sons to school? Do I need someone like you who is unlucky to help me save money?"

The young man knew very well that Miss Li had only one son, and the so-called "two sons"...it was obvious that they really regarded him as her second son.

Thinking of this, the young man lowered his head again, not daring to look at Miss Li, but blood stained the corners of his mouth again.

All the diners looked at this scene with a frown;

Even Yang Guangcai, who thought he was very miserable, now felt that he was a thousand times luckier than the young man in front of him.

Life in this world is difficult, with too many people having no food to eat; but no matter how difficult it is, it is hard to imagine a boy of only fourteen or fifteen years old, biting and bleeding like a wild dog for a few dimes of waste paper.

But they know that this is the reality. This seemingly glamorous city is far more cruel to rootless people like them than most people think. "Comrade police, can you show some mercy? I know this kid, he is really a good and well-behaved child... He was just impulsive for the sake of living, can you please not arrest him?" A female customer in her thirties begged weakly.

"Comrade police officer, the child is not yet an adult. Can't we talk to him nicely? Well, I happen to know a doctor who works at the First People's Hospital. I will go to his house right away and ask him for help to see if the person who was sent to the hospital can be saved. If the person is fine, then he can be given a lighter sentence. The doctor especially likes the malt sugar I made. If I ask him, he will definitely agree." A man in his thirties patted his chest confidently.

"Comrade police, do you think this will work? I have a suggestion. Everyone present here, please see how much money you can collect so that the hospital can get the best medicine and save the injured... The excess will be considered as nutritional compensation for everyone... Just like what the young man said just now, if the patient is fine, then it's not a big deal, right? Don't you think so?" An old man in his fifties looked at the man in the white uniform flatteringly. It was obvious that he had never set foot in a hospital in his life and had no idea about medical expenses.

Although Miss Li usually says that she looks down on the people in Texas, to be honest, although the people here have various problems, they are generally soft-hearted...especially since they are all at the bottom of the society, and their hearts are even softer.

Just as people often say on the Internet in later generations, although these people live miserable lives themselves, they cannot bear to see the misery of others.

So after someone took the lead, almost no one hesitated and took out all the small coins they had, including the money from Miss Li and several shop assistants, which filled up half a small chair... In their opinion, rescuing the people first and downgrading the nature of the case was undoubtedly the most reliable approach.

Regardless of the actual amount, at least this pile of cents and dimes is quite visually impactful.

But even though there was actually nine dollars of his own in it, Yang Guangcai looked at the pile of banknotes, some in small and some in whole, and suddenly he no longer had the impulse he had half an hour ago. He even secretly hid the chisel behind his waist downwards.

Although the world is already in tatters, there are still people who are willing to do their best to patch it up. As a person who still retains at least some conscience, he really does not have the courage to attack this store, these people, and the store manager who is less than 1.6 meters tall.

Thinking of the two cars he saw in front of the hotel, Yang Guangcai suddenly felt that if those two cars belonged to the short store manager, he shouldn't feel jealous, and it shouldn't be unfair, right?
The two men in white uniforms looked at the scene of heroic donations with mixed feelings, and when they looked at each other, they found that each other's eyes were filled with helpless bitter smiles.

Damn, how do you want us to deal with this situation?

A man in white uniforms looked at Manager Li, who had not yet recovered, with some resentment. He sighed secretly and was about to start the process...

"Wait, police comrade... could you two please wait for a moment?"

The girl from the inspection department who had been watching this scene quietly suddenly spoke up.

After looking at the anxious Miss Li with some contempt, the little girl looked at the two white uniforms expressionlessly: "Although Zhao Xiaotian is not an employee of our company, this matter is after all related to Momo Baichao and the drilling company... Therefore, I need to report to the leader. I hope the two police comrades can be flexible and see if our leader has any instructions."

Hearing this, the two men in white uniforms nodded without any hesitation: "Okay!"

five minutes later.

The landline rang, the girl picked up the phone, and hummed and ahed for a while;
After hanging up the phone, the girl came over and said to the two men in white uniforms in a neither arrogant nor humble manner: "Our leaders attach great importance to this matter and will rush over soon... Sorry, please wait for an extra hour."

One hour?
A man in white uniform seemed a little dissatisfied, wondering how could he have to wait so long?

Just as he was about to speak, another older man in white uniform stopped him with his eyes: "Excuse me, comrade, which leader of your company will come to handle this matter?"

The girl smiled and said, "Store operations are supervised by the Quality Control Department, so our Manager Lu will naturally come over."

The person who came was only the department manager of Qingfeng Food, not their general manager?
The man in white uniform was a little disappointed. Just as he was hesitating about how to decline politely, the girl spoke again: "Besides, Section Chief Yang also attaches great importance to this matter and will come with Manager Lu."

"Section Chief Yang... Comrade, who is the Section Chief Yang you are talking about?"

The man in white uniform asked uncertainly, with a hint of joy in his tone.

The little girl smiled and said, "Of course it's Section Chief Yang who voted silently!"

The man in white uniform looked at his colleague and breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, then we'll wait here for Chief Yang to arrive."

Listening to the almost explicit words of the man in white uniform, the girl nodded kindly to the two of them, and then pulled the absent-minded Miss Li aside: "When you report to Manager Lu, Section Chief Yang is right next to her. Section Chief Yang requires you to carry out the task that the company has just issued... Remember, it is now!"

Chief Yang’s request?

Execute notification task now?

Miss Li was stunned, but seeing the unquestionable face of her former enemy, she couldn't help but look at the boy who kept his head down, then gritted her teeth and said, "Okay!"

………………

"My dear friends, the company leaders are very touched by your enthusiastic help just now, so they want to trouble you again."

Miss Li first generously replaced wine with tea. After toasting every table, she walked to the cashier counter and spoke loudly.

Need help with something?
Everyone was stunned, and then they started shouting...

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PS: This chapter is an additional chapter, I will do what I say.

It is ranked 821st, with more than 150 followers and more than 100 votes in just two days. The ferocity of the crowd is beyond my imagination.

Although updating over 10,000 words a day is a bit beyond the limit for a clumsy person like me, I have nothing to say. I will continue writing and prepare for the second chapter, and try to finish it before 12:30 a.m.

(End of this chapter)