Chapter 34

Early morning update, continue to support!

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The reason Su Mu chose to go to Monkey Back instead of Big Willow Tree was simple. He remembered that when he came here once before, Dog Egg's father had specially entertained him. The main dish on the table was not something else, but a baby fish. At that time, he was mainly in charge of education, science, culture, and health, so he did not think much about it.

Now, thinking about it, if his guess was correct, this might really be a breakthrough to drive the rapid economic development of the entire Black Mountain Town.

"Town Mayor, I..."

"Xu Yan, just call me by my name when no one is around," Su Mu interrupted with a smile.

"No, Town Mayor is Town Mayor. I'm a bit tongue-tied, and if I get used to calling you by your name, I might slip up in public and keep calling you 'Old Su.' How about I just call you 'Leader'? Hehe, just 'Leader,' that feels more comfortable," Xu Yan said with a smile, shaking his head.

"Whatever you say!" Su Mu was speechless.

The political arena was truly a great melting pot. Xu Yan, a professional soldier, had only been back for a few days, and he already had a bit of a slick flavor.

"Hehe, Leader, why are we coming to Monkey Back? Shouldn't we be going to Big Willow Tree Village? Or it would be better to go to Xing Tang County to inspect those construction companies," Xu Yan asked, puzzled. Only he would dare to ask such a question; Lin Chen definitely wouldn't.

"Do you want to know?" Su Mu asked with a mysterious smile.

"Of course I do!" Xu Yan nodded hurriedly.

"Temporarily confidential!" Su Mu laughed loudly.

To be honest, Su Mu was feeling very relaxed. Although the Big Willow Tree Elementary School had collapsed, no one was seriously injured, which was a good thing. Now, compared to the previous 300,000 special funds, there was an additional 100,000, and this money could definitely build the Big Willow Tree Elementary School into the top school in Black Mountain Town.

With Su Mu's promotion to Town Mayor, he now had the power to realize his ambitions. In such a mood, he had no reason not to be happy.

Looking at Xu Yan, Su Mu couldn't help but think of the golden number 15 that appeared on the official ranking. He didn't expect it to be so accurate. Xu Yan indeed turned things around within 15 days and became the police chief of Black Mountain Town. If there was an opportunity, he would see if anyone displayed gray or red numbers.

Red was fine, as it meant resignation, and even if Su Mu tried, there was no way to turn things around. Gray meant dismissal, and if that person had a good reputation, it might be worth trying to help them in advance.

While lost in these thoughts, the two arrived at Monkey Back Village. Almost as soon as Su Mu appeared, the children playing at the village entrance and the elderly basking in the sun all looked over.

"Ah, it's Uncle Su, Uncle Su, you're here!"

"Uncle Su, did you bring the candy I wanted?"

"I want Uncle Su to hug me!"

These children, despite their simple clothing, were very clean, with pure, unblemished eyes. The moment they saw Su Mu, they all rushed over, vying to be hugged by him. This scene touched Xu Yan deeply.

Not to mention the entire Black Mountain Town, even in the whole Xing Tang County or Qing Lin City, how many leaders could win the genuine affection of children like Su Mu?

"Old Mr. Zhang, you're basking in the sun!" Su Mu picked up a little girl, took some candy from his backpack, and handed it out, smiling.

"Town Mayor Su, every time you come, you spend money. These kids really don't know any better," Old Mr. Zhang said, tapping his tobacco pipe with a hearty laugh.

"Not at all, I'm happy to do it," Su Mu said as he walked forward. "Old Mr. Zhang, is Brother Niu at home?"

"He's there. It's almost noon; where could he go? Doggy, stop playing and lead Town Mayor Su to your house," Old Mr. Zhang shouted.

"Uncle Su, come on, I'll lead the way!" Doggy said, happily eating the candy.

Doggy was Dog Egg's younger brother, both surnamed Niu. The person Su Mu was looking for was their father, Niu Gensheng. When he had children, he said that giving them humble names would make them easier to raise, so he named the older one Dog Egg and the younger one Doggy without a second thought.

Speaking of Niu Gensheng, he was a notable figure in Monkey Back. As a hunter, he was a well-known figure in the entire Black Mountain Town, more familiar with the mountains than anyone else. He knew where everything was, where to go, and where the scenery was the most beautiful. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Niu Gensheng was the "encyclopedia" of the vast mountains of Black Mountain Town.

"Father, look who's here!" Doggy shouted before even entering the yard.

"Doggy, who's here? Why are you shouting so loudly... Oh, a rare guest, a rare guest! Town Mayor Su, how did you come? Come in quickly! Wife, hurry up and bring out the bamboo shoots I've been saving to make tea for Town Mayor Su," Niu Gensheng shouted loudly when he turned and saw Su Mu.

Niu Gensheng was a large, sturdy man with a broad back and strong build. Even if he faced Xu Yan, he could hold his own. It was said that Niu Gensheng once fought a black bear in the mountains and survived, which spoke volumes.

Niu Gensheng's house, like the others in Monkey Back, was made of stone. There was a hawthorn tree in the yard, and a cart was placed nearby. A few animal skins were hung on the right wall, and two unremarkable grass dogs were squatting next to Niu Gensheng, who was preparing a wild rabbit. When they saw Su Mu, they jumped up and ran over to him.

"Leader..."

"It's fine!" Su Mu interrupted Xu Yan with a smile, running towards the two grass dogs without hesitation, opening his arms and hugging them.

Strangely, these two obviously fierce grass dogs did not show any anger after being hugged by Su Mu. Instead, they licked him affectionately, showing great intimacy. However, their eyes were fixed on Xu Yan, with unfriendly looks.

"Is this possible?" Xu Yan said, speechless.

"Big Yellow, Little Yellow, come here!" Niu Gensheng shouted urgently.

"No problem, no problem. I didn't expect you two to miss me so much after just a few days. Ha, for this, I'll give you some bones to chew on later," Su Mu said, laughing as he put Big Yellow and Little Yellow down and walked to Niu Gensheng's side. "Brother Niu, are you preparing to braise the wild rabbit?"

"Hehe, Town Mayor Su, you came at the right time. I just caught a wild rabbit in the mountains and a baby fish from the water. Want to have a drink?" Niu Gensheng said loudly.

"Of course, I came for your baby fish, Brother Niu. Brother Niu, let me introduce you. This is the police chief of our Black Mountain Town, Xu Yan. Xu Yan, this is Brother Niu Gensheng," Su Mu introduced.

"Police Chief Xu, I've heard a lot about you. It's my first time meeting you. No need to be formal, let's drink more later," Niu Gensheng said, extending both hands.

"Brother Niu, I'm here to drink with the leader. I've heard that you're the best hunter in the area. It's an honor to meet you," Xu Yan said, shaking Niu Gensheng's hands with a smile.

"Not at all, not at all, it's all thanks to Town Mayor Su," Niu Gensheng said with a smile. "You two sit down and have some bamboo shoot tea first. I'll go prepare the food. There's nothing special at home, Police Chief Xu, don't mind the simple hospitality."

Only Niu Gensheng could say such things. Others might not even be able to speak. People in the mountains were honest. Even a deputy police chief like Xu Yan, or even the village chief, would be tongue-tied.

The bamboo shoot tea swirled in the ceramic bowls, emitting a unique and fragrant aroma as soon as it was poured. The two, who had walked for a long time, drank it without hesitation.

As Niu Gensheng said, there was nothing special here, just fresh and green things from the mountains. Xu Yan drank the tea for its taste, while Su Mu narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

"Doggy, take a piece of meat and eat it over there."

Niu Gensheng quickly prepared everything, sent Doggy to the side, and invited Su Mu and Xu Yan to sit down. The wine was homemade fruit wine from the mountains, with a strong and fragrant taste. On the table were a large pot of wild rabbit meat, a few dishes of wild vegetables, and, of course, the braised baby fish that Su Mu had come to eat.

"Mm, it's fragrant! Really fragrant! Brother Niu, your cooking is much better than those big restaurants," Xu Yan praised after eating a piece of the baby fish.

"If you like it, eat more. I just cooked it casually. I'm glad you don't mind!" Niu Gensheng said with a hearty laugh, raising his wine bowl. "Come, let's have a drink first!"

"Cheers!"

They all drank the bowl of wine in one go. As soon as Su Mu drank it, he felt very comfortable. The light fruit aroma spread in his mouth. Before he could savor it, a fiery sensation rose in his chest.

Although it wasn't the first time he drank this fruit wine called "Fire Mountain," Su Mu always found it refreshing.

"How is it?" Niu Gensheng asked.

"Refreshing, very refreshing! It brings back the feeling of drinking in the army, Brother Niu. What's the name of this wine?" Xu Yan shouted, laughing.

"Fire Mountain, it's homemade. If you like it, take some when you leave. We have plenty of Fire Mountain," Niu Gensheng said, laughing.

"Sure, I'll definitely take some!" Xu Yan said happily.

"Brother Niu, I remember you told me last time that there are many rivers and caves in these mountains, and there are baby fish in the caves. Is that right?" Su Mu asked, eating the baby fish and feeling its delicate and smooth texture.

"Right!"

Niu Gensheng nodded. "Our mountains are not short of water. In the water, there are these baby fish that cry like babies. But they are quite fierce. If you're not careful, you can get bitten. It's also hard to catch them. So unless you have experience, it's hard to catch them.

"Town Mayor Su, why are you asking about this? Do you want to eat them? No problem. If you want to eat them, I'll catch a few more for you. I know where they are, and I can catch them easily."

"Brother Niu, let's put eating aside for now. I want to ask, do you know how these baby fish are outside?" Su Mu asked, picking up a piece of fish.

"How are they? You asked the right person. In one word: good!"

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