Era: Starting from the local police station

"Dude, are you police officers really that well-paid? You even get blankets?"

Jiang Qinghe, who was holding the plate and bowl, was immediately delighted.

Jiang Zhenghua asked with a smile, "What? Want to be a policeman in the future?"

Jiang Qinghe nodded: "Can I do it too?"

"Of course, no problem. If you can get into a police academy, you can not only become a police officer after graduation, but also a cadre."

"Then I'll go to a police academy and become a policewoman, catching thieves and spies."

Jiang Qinghe immediately raised her fist.

"Then good luck."

Jiang Zhenghua offered a word of encouragement and walked to the dining table.

Jiang's mother pointed to the bag on the kang (a heated brick bed) and asked, "What's in this?"

Jiang Zhenghua pulled out a chair: "These are my other uniforms."

"Second brother, aren't you already wearing it?"

Jiang's mother couldn't wait to start untying the rope.

"Inside there's one summer uniform, two winter uniforms, and shoes."

Jiang Zhenghua looked at the stir-fried shredded potatoes, stir-fried cabbage with radish, and two steamed buns on the plate in front of him, and he was also very hungry.

Wow, so many?

Jiang Qinghe exclaimed again and ran to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

Next, the mother and daughter would praise each piece of clothing they took out, with Jiang Qinghe exclaiming excitedly.

"Mom, aren't you two going to eat?"

Jiang Zhenghua pointed to the food on the table.

"No rush, we'll eat later."

Jiang's mother carefully examined the cotton-padded coat, touching every part of it with her hands: "I was thinking that you didn't have any clothes to wear when you first came back, so I was going to buy you a new outfit in a while. Now you have the old military uniform you brought back, plus your regular uniform, which is enough for you."

"No need to, I have to wear a uniform all the time."

Jiang Zhenghua swallowed the stir-fried potato shreds. His mother really stir-fried them plain; there wasn't a drop of oil in them.

"This coat is really thick; it will definitely keep you warm when you wear it out in winter."

Jiang Qinghe touched the cotton-padded coat, feeling quite envious.

"Touch it gently, what if you ruffle the fabric?"

Jiang's mother patted her hand.

Jiang Qinghe was stunned for a moment, then said, "Mom, I'm your own daughter."

Jiang's mother carefully folded the coat, glared at her, and said, "Whether you're related to me or not, this is such good material. If you ruin it, I'll beat you without hesitation."

Jiang Qinghe stuck out her tongue, grabbed the bag, and reached inside again.

After Jiang Zhenghua swallowed the last bite of food, the two of them emptied the bag.

Looking at the clothes piled up on the kang (heated brick bed), Jiang's mother sighed, "We won't need to make clothes for the next three or four years."

Jiang Qinghe said confidently, "I've made up my mind. I want to be a police officer from now on. The benefits are too good."

As she spoke, she looked at her brother and noticed the holster on his waist: "Brother, what's that on your waist... a gun?"

Jiang's mother also turned her head to look over.

Jiang Zhenghua picked up an enamel mug from the table, poured water, and said, "The police will definitely be armed."

"Brother, you're amazing! I admire you so much!"

Jiang's mother asked with some concern, "Will your work be very dangerous from now on?"

Jiang Zhenghua was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Mom, what are you thinking? In peaceful times, where would so many bad elements come from? This is just a deterrent, just in case."

Jiang's mother shook her head: "Things aren't very peaceful right now. I often hear from the neighborhood committee staff that spies are rampant. You'd better be careful in the future."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded repeatedly, assuring him, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect myself."

Jiang's mother's expression softened slightly. She sighed softly, "Zhenghua, it's not that I'm nagging, it's just... every time I hear news from the battlefield, so many people go and never return, and the thought of what would happen if you were also..."

As she spoke, she choked up a little.

Just as Jiang Zhenghua was about to speak, his mother continued, "We finally got you back, thinking we could finally live a peaceful life, but... but you still have to work so hard."

Jiang Zhenghua walked to his mother's side, gently patted her arm, and said softly, "Mom, don't worry. I've survived that meat grinder on the peninsula, so of course I'll be fine now that I'm in the country."

Jiang's mother patted him on the shoulder: "You should be careful and not be careless."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded repeatedly: "Our current operations are all about outnumbering the enemy and beating a drowning dog. It's much safer than on the battlefield."

Looking into my mother's worried eyes, I felt a warmth in my heart.

That's mom for you. If she thinks you're cold, you have to be cold; if she thinks you're unsafe, then you're in danger.

Jiang Zhenghua immediately changed the subject, saying to his mother, "Mom, could you go to the market this afternoon and see if you can buy a couple of ounces of meat? I made plans with Shanhe this morning to drink together tonight."

Jiang's mother immediately glared at him: "I would have gone even if you hadn't said anything. You started working at the police station today, that's a stable job now. Did you run into anyone from the compound when you came in?"

"We ran into Aunt Zhao, and there were other people too. What happened?"

Jiang Zhenghua nodded, not understanding what was going on.

Jiang's mother rolled her eyes at him: "What else? The neighbors all know you have such a good job now, why don't you come over tonight to celebrate?"

Jiang Qinghe, who was standing to the side, said with a grin, "Mom, it's just that even though my brother doesn't run into anyone, by nightfall the whole neighborhood knows that the second son of the Jiang family has joined the police station."

"That's true. With those old women's talent for gossiping, the whole area will know in just one afternoon."

"Is it really that bad?"

Jiang Zhenghua scratched his head; it was a little itchy.

Jiang Qinghe laughed and said, "It's not that bad, Second Brother. You know, just a few months ago, a young man from the next courtyard became an apprentice, and all his relatives and friends came to celebrate."

"Your brother is used to being a hands-off boss and doesn't know how important a job is to each family."

"Mom, I was just thinking that the higher-ups are advocating thrift and frugality, how can we be so extravagant?"

"There's nothing we can do about it. Ever since Shanhe joined the company, people from the institute have been going to celebrate, and it's become a trend. But don't worry, everyone knows that each family is struggling, so they all bring gifts when they come."

"Didn't Uncle Zhao stop it?"

As soon as Jiang Zhenghua spoke, he immediately understood: "Hey, Uncle Zhao is a shrewd man, how could he not understand? He's taking this opportunity to strengthen neighborly relations."

"Second Brother, I also asked Uncle Zhao, and he said that many people in our compound moved here later and we're not very familiar with each other. As the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative, so we should find some reasons to get everyone to chip in and get together. It won't cost much and it will strengthen our relationships. That way, if anyone needs a help in the future, everyone will lend a hand."

really!

Jiang Zhenghua nodded, glanced at his watch, and said, "You guys handle it. I'm going to work. But I might be back a little late tonight."

Jiang's mother waved her hand: "Go quickly, you don't need to worry about anything else."

Jiang Qinghe's eyes darted around, and she exclaimed, "Mom, I'll go take my brother to work."

"I also have something to do out of town, so let's go together."

Jiang's mother also stood up.

"No, I'm just going to work, there's no need for a ride."

Jiang Zhenghua looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

"Second brother, let's go quickly."

Jiang Qinghe immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.