Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1057 Officer Wang Guifang

"Xiao Wang, what kind of work did you do before?" Director Li asked Wang Guifang.

Xiao Wei had already given all the instructions before she arrived, so Wang Guifang wasn't flustered. She said, "I'll be doing statistics work in urban construction."

Director Li nodded and said, "Okay, let's get familiar with things at the bureau first. How about starting as the deputy section chief of the household registration section? Once the official staffing is finalized, we can transfer you to whichever police station you want." He turned to look at Xiao Wei.

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, Director Li, you arrange it. Whatever suits you best, so as not to cause you any trouble. Staying at the bureau is better. What do you say, sister?"

Wang Guifang was a little excited, but she tried to calm herself down and nodded: "I, I'll listen, I'll make the arrangements."

In reality, a deputy section chief in a county bureau is hardly considered a cadre; his appointment is simply a matter of the bureau chief's word.

The head of the county bureau is only at the level of a section chief.

However, in a small county town, he still held considerable prestige and was considered a leader.

Director Li called over the communications officer and took Wang Guifang to complete the formalities and collect her uniform. In those days, police uniforms weren't made to order; if they didn't fit, you had to find a place to alter them yourself.

After Wang Guifang left, Director Li chatted casually with Xiao Wei for a while, inquiring about Li Zhongguo's current situation. His envy was palpable, but it was just envy—anyone would envy that. He didn't mention anything else.

Xiao Wei handed over his business card and asked Director Li when he would be free to visit Fengtian, promising to host a banquet and invite Li Zhongguo to join him. Director Li happily agreed.

Xiao Wei then said he needed a car, which could be taken to the county hospital at noon. This was no big deal at all.

Wang Guifang completed the formalities, returned with the clothes, and Xiao Wei stood up to say goodbye. The four of them left the county bureau.

Wang Guifang's reporting period was seven days, and she only needed to come to work officially within those seven days. However, it happened to be during the Chinese New Year, so the reporting was postponed until after the New Year. She also had to take care of her mother who was hospitalized, and she could take a long vacation after that.

Once in the car, Wang Guifang's eyes were red and she was extremely excited. Xiao Hong and Xiu'er stayed by her side, talking to her.

Xiao Wei said, "Sister, we're pretty familiar now, so let's keep in touch. Call me if you need anything, or bring your little one to Fengtian. Xiao Hong and I really adore this little girl."

Wang Guifang sniffed and nodded: "Okay, I'll definitely come."

Xiao Hong said, "Sister, where do you live? Go home and change your clothes before going to the hospital, so your old lady can be happy too."

Wang Guifang hesitated for a moment, and Xiu'er chimed in, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, sister, saying it is one thing, seeing it with your own eyes is another. It's possible that the old lady's illness will get better if she's happy."

So the car turned a corner and came to the north of the city. This was considered leaving the city. The road turned into a dirt road and looked quite desolate. There was a small cluster of tiled houses scattered around, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.

Wang Guifang's house didn't have a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), and the room was cold and damp, making her a little embarrassed. Xiao Wei gathered firewood in the yard and started lighting the stove, saying, "Sister, don't worry about me. I'll light the fire, and you all go inside and tidy up."

Three women entered the house, and Xiaowei lit the stove, added half a pot of water to the pot, and started cooking with peace of mind.

The water in the tank was frozen solid, but the tank was open, so it wouldn't crack from freezing.

The new police uniforms didn't fit quite right, so the three of them altered them in the house. These days, every household has a sewing machine, and most women know how to sew. With the three of them working together, the alterations didn't take long—about forty minutes.

Wang Guifang felt very embarrassed after changing into her police uniform. She hadn't gotten used to it yet and didn't even know what to do with her hands and feet.

The police uniforms these days are really ugly.

She tucked her work ID into her jacket pocket, put on her hat, and looked at herself in the mirror. Tears welled up in Wang Guifang's eyes again. Finally, she'd made it through; she'd endured it all. The life of a woman supporting an elderly person and a young child was truly unbearable.

After she calmed down, Xiaowei checked the fire in the stove to make sure it wouldn't catch fire and that there was enough water in the pot. Only then did the four of them lock the door, get out, and go to the hospital.

Wang Guifang was tense the whole way, gripping her cotton hat tightly with both hands.

After parking the car at the hospital, Wang Guifang's mood had completely turned to shyness; her face was flushed, and she clutched her cotton hat, refusing to get out of the car. The poor hat, on its first day out of storage, hadn't even had a chance to provide warmth before being ravaged by the two little eagles and was almost beyond repair.

Xiao Wei leaned against the car door, looking at Wang Guifang in the back seat, and said with a smile, "Sis, are you planning to strangle this hat?"

Wang Guifang's face turned even redder, and she buried her head deeply.

Xiao Hong tugged at her, saying, "Come down quickly! Don't you want your little one to see her mother's new look? To tell her you can protect her from now on? And your auntie is probably waiting for you to show up and hear the good news. Don't you want to make her happy?"

After much persuasion, they finally managed to get Wang Guifang out of the car. Xiuer helped her straighten her hair, put her hat on, and pulled her upstairs.

Inside, Xiaowei's dad sat by Liuliu's mom's bed, talking to Liuliu's dad who was tidying up. Liuliu's mom, already dressed, sat on the baby's bed talking to the old lady. The baby sat next to her maternal grandmother, holding a big apple, blinking her big eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

"They should be back by now, why is it taking so long?" Xiaowei's dad checked the time.

The old lady turned her head and looked over: "It can't be, it's going to be difficult, isn't it? This is such a big deal."

Xiao Wei's dad waved his hand and said, "It's nothing serious, don't worry, it's just that something else happened and I was held up for a while."

He only found out from Liu Liu's dad when he arrived that Xiao Wei had agreed to help the girl in the next bed get a job. People are emotional creatures; it's normal to agree to something if they feel a connection or click. Besides, Xiao Wei's dad really took it seriously. He's already got quite a high opinion of himself.

As soon as the door opened, Xiao Wei walked in with a smile, pulled by Xiao Hong and pushed by Xiu'er. A person in a police uniform and a police cap appeared. Everyone turned to look. The little baby opened his eyes wide, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Mommy."

"Grandma, Mommy. Mommy's gotten fatter," the little one said, turning to look at the old lady.

He was wearing a cotton-padded jacket under his police uniform, and he did look a bit chubby.

Xiao Hong shouted, "Ta-da! Officer Wang Guifang makes her grand entrance! Everyone, applause! Little one, applause!"

A few scattered claps rang out. The old lady's eyes reddened, she wiped her face, and let out a long sigh: "Alright, alright."

Xiao Wei's dad asked, "What kind of work have you been assigned?"

Xiao Wei said, "I'll work in the household registration section for now, as the deputy section chief. I'll transfer when the official staffing quota is filled. Sister Wang, my baby is watching you."

Wang Guifang, who had been keeping her head down and covering her face, slowly raised her head and met her little one's hopeful eyes. The little one's eyes lit up: "Mommy. Mommy, you really went to be a policeman?"

Looking at the little girl's genuine smile, Wang Guifang suddenly felt no shyness at all. She was capable of supporting her, protecting her, and taking her out with her head held high. She no longer needed to worry about her future schooling. How wonderful.

"Does this look good on Mom?"

"It's great! It's the best! Grandma and my mom are police officers now. They can catch bad guys!"

Wang Guifang took out her work ID and handed it to the old lady. The old lady held the work ID, smiling and wiping away tears. Years of bitterness and repression all came out at this moment.

(End of this chapter)