The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Chapter 142 The Apology on the Radio

"That's right, Baoya. That old lady is getting on in years and does a lot of silly things. Everyone knows her temperament and usually doesn't bother arguing with her. Just say a few words to comfort her and that'll be fine."

The other people in the ward also comforted Bao Ya.

"Don't worry, everyone. I won't get upset about this. I've realized my mistake and written a self-criticism. I'll read it to everyone in the broadcasting room later."

Bao Ya patted her shirt pocket and said earnestly that, in order to show her determination to admit her mistake, she even offered to apologize in front of the whole group.

"Why do you still need to write a self-criticism? It's not that serious. Just talk to Zhang Xiangqian in private. He was forced into this by his mother."

Sun, the battalion commander on the opposite hospital bed, told Bao Ya that he and Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang were from the same battalion and he knew about Zhang's family situation. Zhang's mother was truly an unsolvable problem.

He thought it was just a formality, since the old lady was in the wrong first, and forcing her to write a self-criticism would be enough.

"Don't worry, everyone. I will sincerely apologize to Aunt Zhang. There is absolutely no reluctance on my part."

Bao Ya patted her chest and assured him, looking as if she wouldn't bend even if Mount Tai were to hit her, which made Jiang Tao's right eyelid twitch.

Fang Mingda kept wondering what she was planning to do, and he felt that tomorrow's apology would definitely not be so simple.

Lin Baoya's smile was radiant, but he vaguely sensed an uncontrollable madness within him. He couldn't help but silently pray for Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang, feeling that his future was likely bleak.

After settling them all in, Bao Ya told them a few words and hurriedly ran off.

Others look embarrassed when they read their self-criticisms in public, so why is she so excited? She even seems impatient as she walks.

Jiang Tao stared blankly at the door of the ward, his uninjured hand unconsciously clutching his chest, wondering why it was beating so fast.

"Old Fang, what do you think she wants to do tomorrow?"

Fang Mingda gave him a reassuring look, but what he said made his heart leap into his throat.

"Try to think more positively."

The next morning at nine o'clock, Bao Ya arrived at the regimental broadcasting room, where only Officer Xiao Wang was present.

"Is Xiao Wang busy with his work?"

"Oh, Comrade Lin has arrived. Please have a seat."

After saying that, Xiao Wang got up, poured her a glass of water, and placed it on the table.

The broadcasting room was simply furnished. On the table by the window sat a radio, a microphone, and a set of broadcasting equipment; the old objects looked quite novel. On the other side of the room was a desk and a bookcase.

"Officer Wang, how do I use this? Can you teach me?"

Bao Ya looked at this pile of old relics and didn't know where to start. The Nanshan Brigade only had one microphone, which could be turned on and used immediately, but this one was a bit complicated.

"Comrade Lin, why don't you talk to Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang privately? There's no need to broadcast it here. Doing so is bad for your personal reputation."

Officer Xiao Wang tried to persuade him earnestly, feeling that it was unnecessary to make such a big deal out of such a small matter. He said that it was really tasteless for Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang to be so persistent with a young girl, and he certainly wouldn't have done the same thing.

"I'm not going to see him. He and his mother are too scary. I'd rather read an apology letter on the radio. Besides, not many people around here know me."

She prepared for this broadcast for two days; wouldn't it be a waste to give it up now?

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Bao Ya nodded firmly.

When Xiao Wang saw that he couldn't persuade her, he asked her again to make sure she wouldn't regret it, and then he started teaching her how to use the broadcasting equipment.

Bao Ya specifically asked about the loudspeaker switch for morning exercises to ensure everyone could hear it.

Once everything was ready, Xiao Wang told her to read slowly and not to be nervous, and then he went out.

Once Bao Ya saw him walk away, she immediately went over and locked the door from the inside.

Then I returned to my seat, took out the written self-criticism from my pocket, cleared my throat, turned on the microphone, tested the sound, and everything was normal.

Then the following sound came from the loudspeaker outside:

"Dear leaders:

I apologize to Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang and Aunt Zhang for the incident on a certain day when I asked Aunt Zhang to return the clay pot.

I was wrong; I shouldn't have asked for the things I lent out back...

I've only been here a few days and I don't know your rules.

I didn't know that you can't ask for things back after lending them out.

I had no idea that you officials could so openly rob other people's property.

Wow~~

Bao Ya became increasingly aggrieved as she spoke, and then burst into a loud cry. She stopped crying after a minute, and continued sobbing:

"Nobody taught me these things."

My sister-in-law is staying home during her postpartum confinement period and can't go out.

My older brother is lying in the hospital, and I don't know if he will ever be able to stand up again.

People say that once someone leaves, the tea cools down, but my brother hasn't even left yet, so how come he's already cold?

He's an official, so why is he being robbed? Shouldn't we be the ones robbing others?

I really don't understand... sob sob sob...

Why should you apologize to someone who stole your things?

Although I don't understand, I still sincerely apologize to Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang and Aunt Zhang.

Please keep an eye on me. If anyone tries to steal anything from my house again, I promise I'll give it all to them with both hands...

Bao Ya spoke into the microphone without even looking up, and the broadcast room erupted in cheers.

When Director Wen heard the announcement over the loudspeaker while he was working in his office, he felt like the sky had fallen. Forget about the visitors, he ran outside as fast as he could.

He couldn't let her continue; he felt his time as director was over. He just wanted her to shut up; he didn't intend to do anything to her.

Wang Xiao saw Director Wen and his men knocking on the door of the broadcasting room, and ran away without looking back. Whoever caused the trouble should clean it up.

She deserves it. No one should apologize, not Lin Baoya. And to hand over the broadcasting room to her is just plain stupid. Don't these intellectuals have any brains?

"Wang Xiao, stop right there!"

Director Wen, forgetting to knock, rushed over and grabbed him. He couldn't control that monster in the broadcasting room on his own.

The people in the hospital ward burst out laughing. Apologize? What a load of rubbish! Borrowing things and not returning them, and they still think they're right? Who came up with this idea with their ass? Look what happened!

Jiang Tao, whose sweat had already cooled, wiped the sweat from his forehead. Thank goodness, this time it wasn't his fault. Let the people in the office argue about it amongst themselves.

Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang on the parade ground was dumbfounded. What did she mean? When did he ever steal anything from her family?

Bao Ya read the report aloud three times, took a sip of water, tidied up the table, and then opened the door and left.

"Comrade Kobayashi, you're going too far..."

Director Wen wanted to say, "This is so unethical!" But before he could finish speaking, he saw Bao Ya's eyes were red and large tears were streaming down her face, so he quickly shut his mouth, not wanting to escalate the conflict any further.

"Director, this is my self-criticism. Please keep it."

Bao Ya lowered her head and reluctantly stuffed the paper into Director Wen's hand.

"Comrade Xiaolin, you could have raised this issue. The misunderstanding has been cleared up, and a written self-criticism isn't always necessary..."

"But that's not what you said last time..."

Director Wen choked. He was just being nosy and was just looking for trouble.

Wang Xiao moved closer to Bao Ya, intending to say, "That's enough." Before she could even speak, she smelled a strong scent of ginger.

Before they could say anything, a commotion erupted from the playground.