Captain Wei thought for a moment and said to Su Yun, "Don't spread the word for now. We will take this matter very seriously. Tomorrow I will send people to guard the warehouse. If someone really comes to steal the steel, we will catch them red-handed."
"Everyone is watching a movie right now, so this matter cannot be publicized. Go back and pretend nothing happened. Don't let the news leak."
Su Yun put on a well-behaved expression and followed Captain Wei's instructions, returning to where Su Baoguo was sitting.
At that moment, the movie had just begun. Everyone's attention was focused on Huo Yuanjia on the screen. Only He Hua kept watching Su Yun. When she saw Su Yun return, she curled her lips in disdain.
On the big screen, the heroic Huo Yuanjia punched traitors and kicked Japanese warriors, earning cheers and applause from the audience.
After the movie ended, Su Baoguo and the other children from the courtyard were still excited. Along the way home, they kept talking about how brave Huo Yuanjia was and how cowardly the Japanese warriors were.
He Hua happened to be walking behind them. Su Baoguo glanced at her and then turned to his friends.
"From now on, He Hua will be the Japanese warrior in our courtyard, and we will be Huo Yuanjia. It's our job to defeat He Hua!"
Gao Tianci and the others immediately raised their hands and shouted,
"Defeat He Hua! Defeat He Hua! Defeat He Hua!"
He Hua was so angry she felt like coughing up blood, yet she had no way to deal with these children. All she could do was stomp her feet and storm home in rage.
---
When Su Yun and Su Baoguo entered the house, Chen Xiue was holding a vest and excitedly said to Su Baoguo,
"Xiaowu, come here quickly and try on your new clothes. Let's see if they fit!"
Su Baoguo's face lit up with joy. He rushed over and immediately tried on the clothes.
Chen Xiue smiled so widely that she could hardly close her mouth.
"Xiaoyun, this sewing machine is really wonderful! I hardly had to use any effort, and I finished the clothes so quickly. After I make two more vests for Xiaowu to change into, I'll make some underclothes for you and your father. Just now Grandma Gao from the front courtyard even came by and asked me to make a set of clothes for her grandson Tianci. She said she would pay me for the work, and I already agreed."
"Really? Then Mom, doesn't that mean you can earn money from home?" Su Yun said cooperatively.
Hearing this made Chen Xiue even happier.
"Exactly! With this sewing machine, I can secretly take on some private work in the future. Our family won't have to worry about money anymore!"
Just as the mother and daughter were talking, the clear ringing of a bicycle bell sounded outside the door.
Su Wenshan carried the bicycle inside and said cheerfully,
"This bicycle rides so well! I rode several laps outside just now, and it didn't take any effort at all. It's much easier to ride than Old Xia's Phoenix bicycle!"
Chen Xiue rolled her eyes at him.
"Your Uncle Xia's bicycle is several years old already. Yours is brand new. How can you compare them? And why did you carry it inside? The doorway is so spacious—isn't it enough to park a bicycle there?"
"That won't do. I can't leave it outside. This is a brand-new bicycle. It must stay inside the house. If I don't watch it, I won't be able to sleep!"
As he spoke, Su Wenshan placed the bicycle beside the heated kang bed and began wiping it carefully again with a cloth, treating it as if it were a child.
Chen Xiue rolled her eyes again and turned to Su Yun.
"Look at your father—he acts like someone who hasn't seen a bicycle in eight hundred years!"
Su Yun smiled inwardly.
You two are no different, she thought.
After putting on his new clothes, Su Baoguo had already run outside to show them off.
Not long afterward, Su Yun returned to her room. After washing up and thinking about the plans she had for the next day, she lay down and quickly fell asleep.
---
Early the next morning, after everyone in the courtyard had gotten up, Su Wenshan carried his bicycle outside again and carefully wiped it in front of everyone.
Chen Jie from the east wing next door walked over while brushing his teeth and exclaimed,
"Uncle, your bicycle is the newest model, right? Just looking at the crossbar, it's clearly stronger. The frame is also taller than mine. This must be brand new!"
Su Wenshan chuckled.
"I'm not sure. Someone gave it to me. I don't know much about bicycles, so I can't tell whether it's good or not."
Chen Jie said firmly,
"It's definitely the new model. I'm sure of it. The leader at my father's workplace bought one a few days ago. It's almost the same style as yours. He used a bicycle coupon and paid an additional 158 yuan!"
Chen Jie's father worked as an officer in the railway department, and naturally the leaders of the railway bureau could buy good items.
After hearing this, Su Wenshan treasured the bicycle even more.
When he left the house, he still carried the bicycle. Only after reaching the main road did he finally feel willing to ride it.
---
Today, Su Yun did not go straight to the recycling station. Instead, she turned in another direction and went to the police station first.
The police officer responsible for receiving visitors was a handsome young man wearing an olive-green uniform. His posture was straight as he walked, and he politely asked Su Yun to sit down.
In the office, the other officers were busy working.
The young officer first asked Su Yun,
"Comrade, are you certain that what you heard is true? If you simply misheard something and serious consequences arise from it, you will have to take responsibility."
Su Yun spoke solemnly.
"Comrade Police Officer, I can guarantee that I truly heard someone say they were going to steal from the steel factory warehouse tonight. I already informed the steel factory's security department last night, but after thinking it over, I felt the police should know as well. I'm worried the security department might not be able to handle it alone."
The young officer nodded.
"You are right to think that way. If there is a problem, it's best to report it to the police in time. Although the security department is responsible for protecting the factory, if they encounter dangerous criminals, they may lack experience and weapons, which could lead to injuries."
"Comrade, how about this—you can first make a written statement. I will submit it and see what the superiors say."
Su Yun asked anxiously,
"Doesn't reporting it to the police mean you can take action immediately?"
"We have procedures for handling cases. It's not as simple as acting immediately just because someone reports something. The report must first be reviewed by our superiors. Otherwise—"
Before the young officer finished speaking, someone suddenly passed by the door.
After seeing Su Yun, the man stopped, turned around, and walked back.
Smiling, he said to her,
"Little comrade, why are you here? Do you need some help?"
When the young officer saw him, he immediately stood up and saluted.
"Hello, Director!"
Director Sun waved his hand casually, then turned to Su Yun and said kindly,
"Little comrade, you remember me, right?"
Su Yun also stood up, looking a bit restrained.
"Director Sun."
Seeing that Director Sun knew Su Yun, the young officer immediately explained Su Yun's purpose for coming.
After listening, Director Sun pondered for a moment.
"Little comrade, can you confirm that what you heard is accurate?"
Su Yun nodded firmly.
"I'm certain! My father is the warehouse director of the steel factory. I would never joke about something like this!"
Director Sun said seriously,
"Then this matter must be taken seriously. Our country is currently rebuilding, and steel is an important resource. We absolutely cannot allow anyone to steal it."
"Xiao Zhou, you will take responsibility for this case. Make sure to investigate it thoroughly and find out who is so bold as to steal our country's steel!"
The young officer who had been called stood up again and saluted.
"Please rest assured, Director. I will not fail your trust. I will do my duty and serve the country faithfully!"