The Red Committee
“Congratulations to Shen Man for becoming a member of our Red Committee Army. From now on, you will fight alongside everyone for communism,” Director Lin declared solemnly, giving a long, moralistic speech.
The competition for positions had brought him many benefits. With instructions from above to quickly organize the team, Director Lin knew the campaign that had been delayed was about to start. Good times were approaching for him.
The other candidates had similar qualifications—but Shen Man had one outstanding advantage.
“Director Lin, Shen Man only has a middle school diploma. How does she deserve to win over us?”
Everyone had tried to curry favor with Director Lin. Seeing someone with overall inferior qualifications being chosen left them displeased.
Director Lin remained calm. “Shen Man, show them why you’re better than the rest.”
Once Shen Man’s certificate was displayed, no one could question his choice. He was extremely satisfied with her.
All eyes focused on Shen Man. She felt a sense of superiority—and rightly so. As a transmigrator, she was meant to be the favorite, to get whatever she wanted.
Shen Man took out the commendation certificate she had stolen from Shen Li. “This is a certificate of my closest relative.”
Stamped with the seal of the central government, the certificate was like a trump card. Who could possibly compete?
No one had expected Shen Man to have such a background—a martyr’s orphan. In these times, anyone would look at her differently.
Those who had previously ignored her now softened their attitude. “Shen Man, as the child of a martyr, I’m sure you will perform better than any of us.”
“Shen Man, we are proud of you.”
Shen Man basked in the praise. Once her entry formalities were done, she would immediately go ransack Shen Li’s house.
But she didn’t rush to handle the paperwork. She lingered, enjoying the admiration for a while.
“You’re lying—you don’t deserve to enter the Red Committee.”
The speaker was Shen Man’s competitor, Han Lixin.
“Han Lixin, what do you mean by that? Shen Man is a martyr’s child. Don’t speak like that,” someone defended her.
Shen Man said calmly, “I know Lixin has always wanted to enter the Red Committee. I got in and he didn’t. If he’s upset, it’s understandable—don’t blame him.”
Han Lixin knew Shen Man was persuasive and didn’t argue.
“I can’t win against you. Let her speak to you instead.”
Since Shen Ming’s death and the gradual erosion of the Shen family’s wealth by their family, Shen Man had long treated all the Shen family assets as her own. She had no worries.
She wasn’t afraid of whatever people Han Lixin might bring—until a graceful figure entered.
Everyone froze. Who could look so beautiful? Skin like porcelain, as fresh as the May peach blossoms, sweetly scented in the air.
“Who is this?”
“I’ve never seen anyone this beautiful. Am I dreaming? Someone pinch me!”
Someone sneered, “So what if she’s pretty? She’s just a capitalist’s daughter.”
“Han Lixin, you’re bold—daring to bring someone like that to the Red Committee.”
Shen Li recognized the speaker—it was Shen Man’s lackey, He Jinlan.
“Has our family been purged? Otherwise, as ordinary citizens, why can’t we enter? The Public Security Bureau and Military Commission didn’t say anything, but the Red Committee seems pretty powerful.”
Shen Li’s soft, unassuming appearance fooled no one—yet she confidently put on a metaphorical crown. The Red Committee would be formidable after the campaign, but now no one dared claim superiority over the military and government.
“Little comrade, don’t misunderstand. We mean no offense—we welcome you.”
“This is the Red Committee. If you’re not part of the Red Committee Army, keep quiet.”
Director Lin shot a reprimanding glance at He Jinlan. Even with great resentment toward Shen Li, she didn’t dare speak.
Shen Li smiled. “So much for bullying with connections—it turns out you’re just a nobody with no status.”
Under Director Lin’s authority, He Jinlan dared not speak. Shen Man couldn’t rely on her. Shen Man absolutely could not let Shen Li speak first—the certificate’s owner could only be her.
Shen Man’s eyes reddened with indignation. “Sister, can you go back first? I’ll give a wedding gift, but I need some time to prepare the five hundred yuan.”
Five hundred yuan? Who asks for five hundred as a gift for a sister’s wedding?
Wages were barely thirty-something; a year’s salary barely reached four hundred. Giving five hundred as a gift—who could afford it?
“Five hundred? I heard Shen Man’s family even spent three to four thousand on her dowry. Truly capitalists—they should be overthrown!” He Jinlan added maliciously.
So Shen Li came here just to ask for money?
People present were poor; thinking about how Shen Li needed three to four thousand for a dowry while they couldn’t even afford a piece of meat made them envious.
Shen Li, watching Shen Man perform, didn’t argue.
Once Shen Man had finished speaking, Shen Li finally spoke slowly. “Finished talking?”
Shen Man went first, not fearing Shen Li’s words. Even if Shen Li spoke, no one would believe her.
These people hated capitalists. Someone like Shen Li, a capitalist’s daughter, was hated enough that they wished to confiscate her family’s wealth outright.
“Excuse me, I’m not here to see you.”
Shen Li pushed past Shen Man and approached Director Lin.
“Hello, Director Lin. I heard you have some of my stolen property, so I came personally.”
Hearing “stolen,” Director Lin’s face darkened. Shen Li came accusing the Red Committee, and now she wanted to frame him? Such a serious charge—he couldn’t bear it.
“小 comrade, I don’t know you. How could your stolen items be here? Don’t slander. Spreading rumors will land you on the struggle session.”
Director Lin had authority—even his subordinates dared not meet his gaze when he spoke sternly. Yet this little girl, smiling at him, seemed unshaken, making him doubt himself.
“Director Lin, why not take a look first?”
Shen Li handed a newspaper to Director Lin.
It was today’s edition, bought as she passed by.
The timing matched her suspicions. A large “lost property” notice featured a photo of Shen Ming’s commendation certificate, taken earlier by Shen Li. The image was crystal clear.
Wasn’t this the certificate Shen Man had in her hands?
Director Lin, pudgy and prone to sweating, wiped his brow, silently cursing Shen Man for causing trouble.
Shen Li displayed the newspaper for everyone. “This notice, published under the Public Security Bureau, reports the loss of my father’s commendation certificate.”
“You just called me a capitalist? True, my mother was wealthy. But my grandfather donated supplies and funds to the Red Army during the war. In the shelling years, he risked his life delivering weapons to comrades. My mother donated most of our family assets when the nation was founded, supporting over fifty welfare and retirement homes. She personally led projects to build bridges and roads in Shanghai, overworking herself and even suffering complications from childbirth.”
“My father translated numerous foreign medical texts for students and led drug research. In the end, he died saving lives. My parents were upright and honorable. I see no reason to consider myself inferior.”
Those who had just shouted about overthrowing capitalists fell silent. Who could have imagined Shen Li’s mother and father’s family contributed so much to the country? Most who made such contributions had received commendations.
Both the Shen and Li families deserved recognition. Shen Li remembered her parents mentioning it when she was young—she just didn’t know the awards had been delayed.
Shen Li turned toward the Shen Man hiding in the crowd. “Since when did my father become your father, Shen Man? And how did the certificate I left under the bed end up in your hands?”