Chapter 88

As the year-end approached, it was a relatively relaxed time for the township government. Although there were no holidays, most officials were in a laissez-faire state. Many people would check in at the township office at eight in the morning and then quietly slip away to take care of their own affairs.

After returning to Kuanyang Township from the county, Cheng Jiemin had two drinks with Liu Tairan and was also invited to Zhang Chu's house for a meal.

While drinking at Zhang Chu's house, Li Tonghuai arrived halfway through. Besides having a few good rounds with Cheng Jiemin, Li Tonghuai also revealed a piece of information: it seemed that Lu Xiaoyang had already made some arrangements for Cheng Jiemin's work.

However, Li Tonghuai was not sure about the specific arrangements. He knew this because during a meeting of the leadership team yesterday, Township Chief Yang Yuanchao mentioned Cheng Jiemin's work arrangements. Lu Xiaoyang had casually said, "We'll talk about it after the New Year," and then fell silent. Based on Li Tonghuai's understanding of Lu Xiaoyang, he felt that Lu Xiaoyang must have a clear plan in mind.

Although Cheng Jiemin did not know what work Lu Xiaoyang had arranged for him, he was sure it was not a favor. Fortunately, Cheng Jiemin was well-prepared mentally. The situation being what it was, worrying would be of no use!

Lu Xiaoyang, just wait and see, I'll make you understand that I, Cheng Jiemin, am not a piece of dough that you can knead at will!

While feeling bitter and angry, Cheng Jiemin realized that life had given him a lesson. In the political arena, one must cultivate good relationships and avoid making enemies. Never underestimate anyone, as they might one day rise to power and become an obstacle on your path. A kind word can warm the heart for three springs, and sometimes a good deed can make interpersonal relationships smoother and more harmonious. Li Tonghuai was a testament to this.

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, the entire Kuanyang Township was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year. Every household was busy cooking meat, frying fish, and steaming buns, preparing to welcome the New Year joyfully. The township government also began to rotate shifts. Cheng Jiemin received a 200-yuan holiday allowance from the township government, and with a fresh pig's head and over twenty fish, he set off on his journey home.

Although Cheng Jiemin's home was not in Yinfan City, it bordered Cangliu County. Even better, there was a direct bus between the two counties. After boarding the bus to his hometown, Huagun County, Cheng Jiemin's heart was brimming with happiness.

Calculating, it had been nearly a year since he last went home. He had originally planned to return after graduating from university, but due to his job assignment, he went directly to the Water Resources Department and became Secretary Chen Bingnan's assistant, leaving him no chance to go home.

As he got closer to his hometown, Cheng Jiemin's heart was filled with eager anticipation: how was his father's health? His mother was probably busy preparing food for the New Year. Had Little Lingdang grown taller? And...

...

"Xiaozhu, come over here!"

"Xiaoling, the ice over there is thin, don't go that way!"

"Hey, be careful, you almost knocked me down!"

Outside the small village in winter, there was a large pond with a thick layer of ice on the surface. In the desolate countryside, this place became a natural playground and sports field for the children. Nearby children called to each other and skated on the ice, enjoying themselves.

Wangshan Village was located on the north side of a small mountain, with a small river flowing through the village, giving it a picturesque setting. However, this seemingly favorable geographical location did not bring good luck to the small village. Due to the limited land, the villagers lived a tight and hard life.

In such an environment, young children looked forward to the New Year even more. For these children, the New Year meant new clothes and large pieces of meat that could be stewed into fragrant dishes, allowing them to eat as much as they wanted, which was a real treat.

"Little Lingdang, look at my bow. My sister bought it for me in the county town," a little girl in new clothes said, taking off the bow from her head to show a little girl in a black jacket.

The girl named Little Lingdang took the bow made of delicate flower fabric, held it carefully in her hands, and looked at it for a long time before reluctantly returning it.

"Little Lingdang, you wear it first. You can give it back to me tonight," the little girl, seeing her friend's envious gaze, felt a bit sorry and took off the hair clip again.

Little Lingdang was overjoyed, but she hesitated and pulled her hand back: "No... I won't wear it. You put it on quickly!"

Just as the two girls were giving it to each other, a chubby little boy ran over and said, "Little Lingdang, I just saw your brother and Tian Yu's sister go to the small forest!"

Little Lingdang's eyes widened, and she glared at the chubby boy, pouting, "Xiaozhu, I'm telling you, if you dare to spread rumors, I'll beat you up!"

Although Xiaozhu was a boy, he did not dare to resist the fierce Little Lingdang and only said in a low voice, "I just saw it!"

"If you don't talk, no one will think you're mute!" Little Lingdang, in a hurry, grabbed the boy's ear and pulled it hard. The boy winced in pain and begged for mercy, "It wasn't just me who saw it; several people saw it! I can't help it if I say it!"

"Alright, tell them not to spread rumors," Little Lingdang's eyes darted around, and she loudly said to the chubby boy.

Xiaozhu agreed and quickly ran away.

The little girl in new clothes, Tian Yu, said with concern, "Little Lingdang, what should we do? My father warned my sister last time. If she sees your brother again, he'll break her legs!"

Little Lingdang thought for a moment and comforted her friend with a smile, "Don't worry. I think your father is just all talk. He wouldn't really hurt his own daughter."

Tian Yu nodded thoughtfully, "That's true. By the way, my cousin asked me to ask... when will your second brother come back from the province?"

"Probably in the next couple of days!" Little Lingdang turned her head to look at the small forest behind her and then whispered, "I hope your father doesn't find out this time!"

In the depths of the forest behind Little Lingdang's gaze, a young couple was tightly embracing, or rather, the woman was clinging tightly to him. This woman did not look like a typical rural girl; she was not at all rustic, with a fair face and a slender figure. It was clear that she was a well-known beauty in the village.

"Jieguo, get your ID ready. After the New Year, we'll go to the township office and get our marriage certificate," the woman said.

The man hesitated, "Will your father agree?"

"You went to junior high school, didn't you? Marital freedom is a legal right. What can he do if he's unhappy? No one can stop me from marrying you!"

Cheng Jieguo looked at the lovely woman in front of him, moved. It seemed that she had been planning this for a long time. The villagers only saw her outer beauty, but only Cheng Jieguo understood the brilliant spirit within her.

He longed to live a happy life with this childhood sweetheart, but her father was like a mountain standing between them.

"Will this work?"

"I say it will, so it will!" The woman, not knowing how to comfort the man, pinched his cheek affectionately, "You're such a blockhead. I'll take care of my father."

As she spoke, she took a small bag from her pocket, "I saw this small radio in the county town. It's good. Take it and listen to it when you have time."

Cheng Jieguo opened the small bag and saw a palm-sized black and blue radio. He stroked the delicate casing and complained softly, "Why did you buy this? I don't need it."

"Let you hear how wonderful the outside world is." The woman, as she spoke, affectionately stuffed the small radio into Cheng Jieguo's pocket and said regretfully, "If you hadn't dropped out of school, you would be a college student now!"

Cheng Jieguo's eyes flickered, and he said, "You know my family's situation. As the older brother, I have to help my parents."

The woman did not say anything but gently leaned into Cheng Jieguo's arms. Feeling the sweat-soaked scent on his body, she felt a sense of intoxication. In her heart, she still thought about what she had just said: if the person in front of her had gone to school with her, he would have been able to go to college, and then they could have taught together in the township...

Unfortunately, it was all just a dream.

Pleasant moments passed like a flash. The two lovers, deeply immersed in their love, reluctantly parted in the small forest. Cheng Jieguo, holding the small radio, gently instructed, "Don't argue with your father when you get home. It's the New Year."

"Okay, I know." The woman looked at Cheng Jieguo with deep affection and said playfully, "I've been practicing. Whenever my father talks, I just pretend he's reciting scriptures. No matter how much he nags, it goes in one ear and out the other."

"You!" Cheng Jieguo pinched the woman's nose affectionately.

"Jieguo, when will your brother come back? I saw my cousin in the county town the day before yesterday, and she asked me to ask. They might come back to the county for the New Year," Tian Hua said softly after taking a few steps.

Cheng Jieguo, who looked seven-tenths like Cheng Jiemin, chuckled and said, "He should be back in the next couple of days. By the way, does your cousin have a thing for Jiemin?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Do you think we sisters deserve to be bullied by your brothers?" Tian Hua said, pinching Cheng Jieguo's shoulder hard.

Walking out of the forest, Cheng Jieguo walked home with a light step. He thought about Tian Hua's suggestion and whether he should go to the township to buy a few pounds of meat when his brother came back, to have a good New Year.

"Jieguo, go home quickly. Tian Laosan is looking for your father!" An old man smoking a pipe shouted when he saw Cheng Jieguo.

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