Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

With red eyes and a hoarse voice, Zhao Zhigang couldn't continue speaking.

Hearing this, even Officer Li, who only cared about his own interests, couldn't stand it anymore and felt that Zhao Zhigang hadn't done anything wrong.

Let's just let it go about Zhao Zhigang abandoning his work and running back; we won't criticize him to avoid making him even more upset.

With that thought in mind, he wanted to deal with Zhang Hongbo and Shen Yanhong as soon as possible. If it dragged on, it would have a bad impact and make the factory director think that he was incompetent.

Unexpectedly, an even bigger problem arose.

Among the crowd, several people that Tong Lei had brought were discussing something, their voices loud enough for many people to hear, including Secretary Li.

"I told you I wasn't mistaken about the person at the county department store last time, was Chef Zhang buying things there? And you still said I was mistaken. Look, even the mechanic, Mr. Li, said that the Shanghai brand snowflake cake was bought as a gift for that woman."

"It seems that's right. My aunt at the supply and marketing cooperative said that this Zhang Hongbo goes there several times a month, buying a lot of things like scarves, canned goods, and hair accessories. It seems he has two homes."

"Don't you guys find it strange? Zhang Hongbo is just a cook, where did he get so much money and ration coupons to buy all this stuff?"

"What's so strange about that? My uncle saw him selling grain and oil on the black market. The oil was sold in tin barrels, one barrel at a time, for a lot of money."

"Where do you think this grain and oil come from? Everyone's grain and oil rations are rationed."

"Maybe it's because his father-in-law's family is wealthy; it's not hard to get some money from them."

At this moment, everyone around quieted down, and most people sensed that something was wrong, especially Secretary Li.

Li, the clerk, was in charge of personnel in the personnel department. Even if he wasn't particularly sensitive to these matters, he knew that these days, nobody used iron drums to store oil at home. Instead, they would use an earthenware jar or a soy sauce bottle.

Even the plump woman sensed something was wrong. She knew perfectly well that neither her family nor her parents' family had those things.

"Who are you guys? Which workshop are you from? I've never seen you before!" Officer Li suddenly shouted at the group of young men who were talking about Zhang Hongbo.

Unexpectedly, this only earned him a mocking response: "Who we are is none of your business. I don't work for your factory."

"How did you get in here if you're not from our factory?"

"Can't I visit my aunt's house?"

With that, the group retreated. They'd finished their business and needed to slip away quickly, otherwise the factory's security department wouldn't be so easily fooled.

"Hey, you guys, don't go! I still have some questions for you. Security department, where are the security personnel?" Officer Li called out hurriedly.

Zhou Rui glanced at Tong Lei.

Tong Lei leaned closer: "Don't worry, they're all clever people, you won't be able to catch them. Even if you do catch them, they have legitimate relatives working in this factory."

After hearing this, Zhou Rui understood. How big is a town? Everyone you meet on the street is an acquaintance, and most people can be related to each other.

By the time a few people stepped out from the crowd, the young men Tong Lei had found to spread the word had already disappeared.

However, their time wasn't wasted; they saw Officer Li directly directing the group.

"Go, bring Zhang Hongbo along, let's go to the cafeteria."

The things those young men said earlier were actually quite inconsistent. None of them were from the factory, so how did they all know Zhang Hongbo?

Not only do you know them, but your relatives, friends, and even your uncle know them too? Isn't that ridiculous?

But this kind of thing is too terrible, it's much worse than having an affair.

On a small scale, it's petty theft and speculation. On a larger scale, it's stealing and selling state assets, undermining socialism.

Several security guards quickly tried to pull Zhang Hongbo up and take him to the canteen.

At this moment, the fat woman stepped forward and blocked Zhang Hongbo's way.

"Brothers, and Officer Li, my husband is so badly injured, he can't even stand up. Could you please take him to the clinic to see a doctor?"

"Look, they're all in the factory; they can't run away."

Officer Li's face darkened as he glanced at Zhang Hongbo: "No, get Zhang Hongbo on his back and take him to the cafeteria right away. We'll talk about everything else after we've investigated everything."

"And that Shen Yanhong, a few people come and take her to the clinic to bandage her head injury."

"After bandaging him up, bring him over. There are some things we need to clarify."

At least Officer Li still had some humanity. Perhaps it was because Shen Yanhong looked more seriously injured; look, she was bleeding from her head.

Zhang Hongbo was pulled up from the ground and walked towards the cafeteria. He kept his head down, only occasionally raising his swollen eyelids.

My gaze swept across the crowd, and a face flashed by in the distance, near a corner of the wall.

A light shone from somewhere, illuminating the person's face.

The face was very young, like a teenager, and seemed somewhat familiar.

Undeterred, everyone followed suit, and a large group of people headed towards the cafeteria.

Moreover, as time goes on, the crowds seem to be growing larger and larger.

Outside Zhao Zhigang's row of bungalows, the crowd had dispersed, leaving only a mess. Two people stood alone at a distance in the middle: a tall, middle-aged man and a ten-year-old child.

The middle-aged man looked dejected and weary, while the child was crying his heart out, tears streaming down his face, with a few candies lying at his feet.

Zhou Rui and Tong Lei stood in the dark corner, silently watching this scene.

"Hey Rui, Zhao Zhigang looks really pathetic. Is what we're doing a bad thing?"

Zhou Rui glanced at Tong Lei, knowing that he was probably overly sympathetic, but his thought process seemed a little off.

"What heinous thing did we do? It's not like we allowed Zhao Zhigang's wife to have an affair."

"You only found out that this happened, while I only informed this man who was kept in the dark."

"Do you think it's a bad thing for him to find out that his wife is having an affair?"

Zhou Rui asked one last question.

"No, no. I just think this man is a bit pitiful."

Zhou Rui remained noncommittal: "Don't worry, he will be reborn."

Zhou Rui turned around and said as he walked, "Factory truck drivers are in high demand these days, even if this person is a divorced middle-aged man with a child."

Tong Lei glanced at Zhou Rui and felt that Zhou Rui was always saying some inexplicable things.

"Rui-ge, wait for me. Are we going to the cafeteria? What do you think will happen to Zhang Hongbo in the end?"

"I'm not going. I'm going home. You can tell me what happens next."

Zhou Rui's figure walked further and further away, gradually disappearing into the woodworking factory's courtyard. The plan had progressed almost perfectly at this point, and no further changes were expected.

As for how Zhang Hongbo will be dealt with afterward, that's beyond Zhou Rui's control. He should just stay home and wait for news.

Tong Lei took two steps, then slowly stopped and muttered to himself.

"Why are you leaving already? Aren't you going to watch the show that's about to start?"

But then he quickly ran towards the woodworking factory's canteen, his steps light and quick.