A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Sha Yanyao said to his wife, "Mother, why don't you call and ask Father?"

The lady hesitated for a moment, then went to the room and called the Marshal.

After a while, he came out with a not-so-pleasant look on his face and said to Sha Yanyao, "Your father said that the money he gave us last time was for us to give to Director Tian."

Sha Yanyao was stunned for a moment and said, "It's not a big problem. We didn't spend much. We just need to integrate the rest and find a way to raise some more money." After saying that, he glanced at Song Tingting, who quickly turned her eyes away and pretended not to see it.

In the end, it seemed that he borrowed it from Director Wang, on the condition that Director Wang would also come when Director Tian was entertained at the banquet.

The day to entertain Director Tian finally arrived. His wife was extremely nervous and even told Guier early in the morning not to go to school but to help at home. However, there was nothing much she could help with, so Sha Yanyao finally let Guier go to school.

When she arrived at school, she found that Teacher Zhang Yunchu had already returned to work. She saw Guier from a distance and nodded to her.

Guier came forward and said, "Teacher, I am so sorry for the loss. Are you all right now?"

Teacher Zhang said, "I feel very peaceful and safe now. I never thought this was because my husband died. I have now moved out of the Zhou family mansion, bought another house, and live on my own. I feel like I have survived a disaster."

Gui'er was also happy for her. Teacher Zhang Yunchu said, "I heard that your family was framed by Old Zhou before. Is everything okay now?"

Gui'er shook her head and said, "I don't know, but one of our followers has been arrested and hasn't been released yet. I'm afraid it won't be that easy to get through."

Teacher Zhang sighed and said, "It's hard for you to go through all this at such a young age. I told you before about his car..."

Gui'er quickly stopped her and said, "Teacher Zhang, you've started anew. Don't discuss the past anymore, and don't tell anyone about it. Director Zhou's case was such a sensation, and the higher-ups are definitely investigating. If you tell anyone we know about this, and they can't find the culprit, they might just use us as scapegoats. Isn't that right?"

Upon hearing this, Teacher Zhang nodded carefully and said, "That's right, I didn't think of that. You're really thoughtful. If your family needs any help, please let me know."

Guier nodded and thanked her. She knew that even if Teacher Zhang really wanted to help, he probably couldn't.

When I returned to Sha Mansion after school in the afternoon, it was decorated with lights and colors, making it seem like there was a wedding going on at home.

Menzi kept stretching his head to look outside. Guier was curious and asked him, "What are you doing?"

Menzi said, "Madam has instructed that if Director Tian comes, he must be given adequate honor."

Gui'er was a little confused and went into the house. As soon as she entered the house, her wife ran over and asked, "How is it? Are you here?"

Guier said, "I haven't seen it yet."

Just as he finished speaking, a shout came from the other side of the courtyard gate, "Director Tian is here."

The lady immediately pulled Gui'er to the door, followed closely by Sha Yanyao and Song Tingting. Director Wang, dragging the pregnant Yulan, was not to be outdone.

The crowd rushed to the gate and saw Director Tian's car driving in from the courtyard gate and stopping in front of the hall door. Sha Yanyao hurried forward to open the car door.

As it turned out, the person who got out of the car was not Director Tian, but a very beautiful woman. Her cheongsam was custom-made, and her leather shoes were white calfskin high heels imported from the UK. She wore a green jade necklace around her neck, a diamond ring the size of a pigeon egg on her hand, and jade earrings inlaid with diamonds. She was really dazzled with jewels.

Sha Yanyao was stunned for a moment, smiled slightly, and then immediately ran to the other side to open the car door. It was Director Tian who got out.

Jin Bao had quietly squeezed in behind Gui Er and whispered, "Isn't this the movie star Yu Manman? Rumor has it that she's hooking up with a high-ranking government official, Director Tian."

The lady walked up to Manman enthusiastically and said, "Miss Yu, you are even more beautiful in person than in the movies. Please come in."

Director Wang quickly stepped forward and took Director Tian's hand, saying, "Director Tian, nice to meet you. I'm Wang from the Administration Department..."

Director Tian interrupted him and said, "Director Wang, I've long heard of you. I'm new here, so please take good care of me. This is your sister-in-law, right? Director Wang, it looks like you're having a baby. Congratulations."

Director Wang was flattered by the polite words.

After exchanging greetings at the door, everyone went into the inner room.

After entering the room and sitting down, they offered tea, cigarettes and candies. For a while, the hall was filled with smoke. Guier could hardly open her eyes. The smell of smoke made her want to cough, but she was afraid of being scolded, so she had to endure it.

Director Tian chatted very cordially with Director Wang and Sha Yanyao about internal government affairs, but they were not confidential at all. They were just shouting slogans about loyalty to the party and the country.

Director Wang and Sha Yanyao both echoed this sentiment. Director Tian said, "Nowadays, we are facing external and internal troubles, and the chairman is also toiling away every day. We should devote all our energy to serving the country."

Director Wang said, "Yes, Director Tian has direct access to the heavens. His awareness is high and he is different. We should follow your lead."

Director Tian waved his hand and said, "I'm new here and I'm not familiar with many things yet. I'd really appreciate your help."

The lady said quickly, "Director, if you need anything, it would be our honor to have you use us. However, there's not much I can do as a woman. Considering that Director Tian is new here and may have some inconveniences, I've prepared some small change for Director Tian to use to send his servants. Please don't mind."

As she spoke, she took a small wooden box from the maid beside her and handed it to Director Tian. Director Tian opened it a crack, and inside was a full box of gold bars.

Gui'er roughly estimated that there should be about 100 of them.

Director Tian took it and smiled slightly, saying, "You're too polite, sister-in-law. This little wooden box looks very familiar to me."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's attention was focused on the small wooden box. The wooden box was quite exquisite, with a mother-of-pearl pattern of blooming flowers and prosperity on the lid, and a lock tag hanging on it, so it could be locked.

When the wife heard Director Tian say this, she quickly said, "Do you still remember? This was the gift our Lao Sha received from you back then. He said it was a token of your friendship, and he's carefully preserved it all these years."

After hearing this, Director Tian said with emotion, "I didn't expect Lao Sha still kept this box. He is really very loyal. Thank him for me."