Lin Chuxia took the newspaper, and indeed it reported on Qin Yang’s work unit, which had made a major technological breakthrough in engineering for bridges, a field previously unexplored domestically.
The article was lengthy, covering almost the entire page, elaborating on the event, including some details of the breakthrough process, and even featuring an interview with Bai Xiaoming.
In the interview, he mentioned that his colleague had made significant contributions to the breakthrough, suggesting that the bold proposal originated from his colleague.
Lin Chuxia noticed with care that Bai Xiaoming mentioned the difficulties involved in implementing this technology; they had invested a lot, and some had even been injured.
For some reason, upon seeing the mention of injuries, Lin Chuxia suddenly felt a surge of anxiety.
She flipped through the newspaper further, but didn’t see any other related reports.
“Big Brother, can you check if there are other news about this matter in different newspapers?”
Qin Han had bought a plethora of newspapers, not only local ones but seemingly all that the newsstand had, even including some outdated ones.
The newspaper they had been looking at was from a week ago.
“Here’s another one,” Qin Han brought out another newspaper, which was national.
Lin Chuxia took it and looked through it carefully, noting that it wasn’t as detailed as the previous one.
Qin Han also confirmed that the newspaper articles reported about his brother’s work unit.
“I wonder how the younger brother is doing now. Usually, with the cold weather, the project progresses would be halted. Although he’d still be at the unit during past winters, there wouldn’t be much work, and he’d write home more often. But I haven’t received a reply to the last letter I sent him; probably busy with this project.”
Hearing this, Lin Chuxia turned to him, “Big Brother, you wrote to Qin Yang too? When?”
Her tone was somewhat anxious, and Qin Han was momentarily startled, “Just recently, when our branch opened and you asked me to be the manager. This was my first time in such a position, so I wrote to tell him about it, and it’s been about half a month…”
He smiled naively, but Lin Chuxia’s expression grew solemn.
Her letter had been sent nearly twenty days ago, and Big Brother’s half a month ago. It’s unlikely that both letters were lost without delivery.
Knowing Qin Yang’s nature, he would surely have replied upon receiving their letters. Hence, they should have received responses by now.
Seeing Lin Chuxia silent for a long time, Qin Han asked, “Is something wrong, Sister-in-law?”
Lin Chuxia shook her head, just as their meal was ready, “It’s nothing, Big Brother, let’s eat.”
Some things were only her suspicions, and there was no need to worry everyone until confirmed.
Besides, in her past life, she never heard of any serious incidents involving Qin Yang.
After finishing their meal, Lin Chuxia wanted to buy another copy of the newspaper, thinking Qin Han just wanted it for the collection of Qin Yang’s related news, he directly handed it to her.
Both of them rode back to the delicatessen in a tricycle.
You can’t say that men don’t like vehicles; once the tricycle entered the yard, Jia Liang, Hou Xiaobao, Su Wensong, and Pang Yongli, everyone gathered around.
Had Ma Yingzi not been watching the pot, they might have forgot their tasks.
“Manager Qin, you really can ride, huh?” Hou Xiaobao said with admiration.
Jia Liang patted the seat, “What’s so hard about this? I’ve ridden a motorbike before, it should be the same.”
Su Wensong was examining the buttons on the handlebar, asking Qin Han occasionally.
Qin Han explained jovially, telling them what each button was for and when to use them.
Once their curiosity faded, Lin Chuxia told them, “Later on, you guys should get a driving license. Whoever wants to drive should try to obtain one. The shop will cover the expenses for the licenses.”
Although no one checks on the road, there’s still a certain risk in driving.
Whether for others’ safety or their own, it’s safer to have a driving license.
The mention of taking the test made some people wilt, but others, like Hou Xiaobao and Su Wensong, were even excited.
In those days, getting a license was different from future times. You had to learn to repair vehicles first, then hit the road, usually taking at least a year or two to get the license, but for those like Qin Han who already knew how, it was faster.
Now, without driving schools, it was all about masters guiding apprentices.
Lin Chuxia left this matter to Qin Han.
While they were arranging this, the outer gate of the yard was knocked.
They looked at each other; seldom did outsiders come to their small yard.
Hou Xiaobao already ran to open the door, outside stood an old man about fifty or sixty years old, looking straight at Su Wensong inside.
“Wensong, you better go back and check it out. Someone is causing trouble at your Bun Shop.”
Since the Bun Shop’s opening, Su Wensong and Lin Chuxia had been managing it, situated in Su Family’s wing-room, and the surrounding neighbors considered it part of the Su Family.
The person bringing the message was one of Su Wensong’s neighbors.
Everyone dropped what they were doing, letting Ma Yingzi watch the pot in the kitchen, and headed to the Bun Shop together.
At that moment, several men and women were inside the Bun Shop, all clutching their stomachs in pain.
The man leading them was arrogantly demanding compensation.
Sun Lanlan was unabashed, “You’re just making things up. I don’t even remember you eating at the Bun Shop. This is slander, throwing dirt on our business.”
She looked towards the onlookers by the doorstep, some of whom were regulars at their shop.
“Ask anyone present, since our shop opened, have we ever caused anyone food poisoning? We buy fresh ingredients daily, everything is sold clean by the end of the day. Now you claim our buns made you sick, I’d say you are here to extort money.”
“I’ll tell you, our people have already gone to report to the police. Those who know better should leave quickly, otherwise, when the police arrive, they’ll take you to the station, and you’ll be sorry.”
Hearing the mention of the police, a hint of coldness flashed in the man’s eyes, he said to the others, “They just don’t want to compensate. They made people sick and won’t pay, now they’re trying to blame us. Since they won’t pay, they shouldn’t expect to keep doing business. Let’s smash it up, say no to harming people…”
Immediately, the several men who were clutching their stomachs stood up, grabbed bowls and dishes from the tables, and started smashing them.
Sun Bingnan and Cai Jun stepped in, “What are you doing? Is there no law and order under the broad daylight?”
“Law and order? You made people sick and won’t pay, still talk about law? Smash it!”
Sun Bingnan and Cai Jun instantly grappled with a few men, as Sun Lanlan saw someone pick up a chair to smash, she clenched her teeth and also charged forward.
A woman, however, was no match for a man; she was swept aside by a wave of the hand and fell, her arm hitting heavily against a table.