Chapter 33: Dealing with the Worthless Father

"No need to thank me. If it weren't for your grandfather, I wouldn’t be able to help you today even if I wanted to."

Arriving at the factory gate, Grandpa said, "Girl, go on inside. I'll wait for you out here and take you out later so you don't get lost. The factory is huge."

Zhong Xiao nodded.

She entered the factory office, where a bespectacled woman sat. Seeing Zhong Xiao, the woman frowned.

"Comrade, who are you looking for?"

"Hello, I came to make a donation," Zhong Xiao replied.

The woman grew interested and stood up. "What are you donating?"

"A Buddha statue, as well as some industrial coupons and cloth tickets."

The woman’s eyes sparkled. The industrial coupons and cloth tickets had been given to her by Qin Dezhen, and she had deliberately kept some aside.

Her reason for donating them to the chemical plant along with the Buddha statue was simple: she knew that, given the current situation, donating the Buddha statue alone might not be meaningful, and people might refuse to accept it.

But cloth tickets and industrial coupons were strategic resources. Once they accepted these, they would find it awkward not to take the statue as well. The only choice would be to accept everything together.

The woman hurriedly asked, "Comrade, please sit. How many cloth tickets and industrial coupons are you donating?"

Zhong Xiao took out the thick stack of tickets from her bag and handed them to the woman. There were quite a few national grain coupons as well.

Zhong Xiao was generous; she had fertile black soil in her space, had purchased all kinds of seeds, and possessed plenty of gold. She lacked nothing in terms of food or drink.

So donating these tickets to those in need not only helped others but also earned her merit.

As for Qin Dezhen, who had given her these things, before leaving she would naturally leave plenty of resources for Second Grandfather, so he would not lack anything.

The woman counted the tickets Zhong Xiao had given her and asked, "And the Buddha statue… where is it? Did you bring it?"

Zhong Xiao shook her head. "That would require you to send a few strong men to my house to carry it. It's three stories tall."

"Three stories!" The woman exclaimed. "You mean… it must be the one in the Zhong family courtyard…"

Back then, Du Huacheng had spent a fortune and even hired Master Xuanming to consecrate the Buddha statue. Many people in Yuecheng knew about it.

The chemical plant was close to the Zhong family, so naturally they knew as well.

The woman asked, "Are you sure you want to donate the Buddha statue?"

Zhong Xiao nodded. "I don’t believe in Buddhism, and I’ve severed all ties with Du Huacheng’s family. The declaration is in the newspaper; you can check if you don’t believe me. So the statue means nothing to me. I’m donating it to you, and you can place it in the factory or dispose of it as you wish."

The woman considered. Although the statue wasn’t particularly meaningful to them, it was famous—Master Xuanming had personally consecrated it. Plus, the tickets Zhong Xiao gave were substantial.

So the woman agreed. "Alright, comrade, I’ll arrange for people to go with you and bring the statue to the factory!"

Zhong Xiao smiled gracefully.

"Later, around eight or nine o’clock—how about that? I need to go to the department store now and won’t be home."

The woman smiled. "Of course!"

"Oh, one more thing," Zhong Xiao said. "Could you please publish news of my donation? You only need to stamp it with the factory seal. I’ll take it to the radio station myself."

The woman understood. The Zhong family’s situation was sensitive, and the scrutiny was strict. They desperately needed some positive publicity to boost their reputation.

So the woman readily agreed, gave Zhong Xiao a certificate proving her donation to the factory, and at Zhong Xiao’s request, specifically highlighted the donation of the Buddha statue.

The woman smiled as she saw Zhong Xiao off. With Grandpa waiting at the gate, Zhong Xiao left the factory smoothly. After saying goodbye to Grandpa, she hurried to the radio station.

She had to spread the news before the day was over.

Once finished, she visited the underground black market and purchased more items for her space.

This time, Zhong Xiao bought many young poultry and livestock: chicks, ducklings, fish, goslings, piglets, calves, lambs, and even two puppy dogs.

Zhong Xiao had always loved dogs, but Du Ying’er was allergic to dog hair, so they were never allowed at home.

Now, she could keep them in her space without worry.

She could also have the puppies help manage the lambs in her space—a win-win.

After her purchases, as dusk settled, Zhong Xiao strolled leisurely to the state-run restaurant.

Just as she arrived, she heard a broadcast inside the restaurant: the eldest daughter of the Zhong family had generously donated a Buddha statue, cloth tickets, and industrial coupons to the chemical plant today, demonstrating remarkable ideological awareness.

Before long, Zhong Xiao saw Du Huacheng rush out, flustered, clutching his belongings.

The fish had taken the bait!

Zhong Xiao did not hurry home by tram, but walked slowly back to the Zhong residence. By the time she arrived, night had fallen.

She deliberately took a detour through the chemical plant’s residential area and asked,

"Anyone want to exchange grain coupons? I’ll trade at eighty percent of the market price—any takers?"

As expected, several heads poked out.

"How many grain coupons do you have?"

"Eighty percent of market price, is it true?"

"Will we exchange cash for coupons right away?"

Zhong Xiao smiled. "Of course. I’m the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. Follow me home to collect them. Besides grain coupons, I have plenty of coal coupons, all at eighty percent!"

So, when Zhong Xiao returned home, a crowd of aunties and older sisters followed in her wake.

With everyone watching, the whole group saw Du Huacheng sneaking around in the Zhong courtyard, directing several men to move things.

Zhong Xiao sneered coldly, then shouted,

"Who are you? Stealing from the Zhong family! Aunties, call the police!"