Chapter 34

Lin Yanzhao got off the boat at Hongtang Ferry and walked home on foot.

The sky was gradually darkening, and a gentle breeze blew. Lin Yanzhao saw the outline of the embankment by the river and knew he was very close to home.

The prosperity of the provincial capital had passed by like a fleeting cloud, but returning to his small mountain village, hearing the sounds of roosters and dogs, and seeing the smoke from the chimneys, he felt a sense of stability in his heart.

When Lin Yanzhao reached the village entrance, he saw a slender figure standing on the embankment, facing the river wind.

"Qianqian!" Lin Yanzhao exclaimed in surprise.

The person turned at the call and ran down the embankment. Who else could it be but Qianqian?

Lin Qianqian, holding up her skirt, ran down the embankment and scolded Lin Yanzhao, "You heartless man, you've been gone for so many days and didn't even send a message home. Do you know how worried Grandpa and I were?"

Seeing Lin Qianqian's tears falling, Lin Yanzhao hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, Qianqian, I'm sorry."

But as soon as he apologized, Lin Qianqian cried even harder, "Uncle thought you were detained by Mr. Hu, but when he went to the Prefectural Office, you weren't there. Where have you been these past few days?"

Lin Yanzhao smiled and said, "I'll tell you, I met a lot of people these past few days. I talked and had tea with the officials at the county office, the county magistrate's secretary, and Mr. Hu's advisor."

Every man likes to boast in front of the woman he loves, and Lin Yanzhao was no exception.

"Is that true or not?"

"Of course it's true. We'll talk more at home; the wind by the river is strong!"

"Tell me the truth when we get home, no lying, understand?" Lin Qianqian said seriously to Lin Yanzhao.

"Even if I had the courage, I wouldn't dare to lie to you, Qianqian," Lin Yanzhao said, smiling and coaxing her.

"I saved many people this time in the city."

"Nonsense, I don't believe you!"

Lin Yanzhao laughed, seeing that Lin Qianqian had already turned her tears into smiles, her face full of joy. His skills in coaxing women were not high, but fortunately, his previous girlfriend had trained him well, so he could still handle a naive little girl.

As they approached home, the village was bustling with people.

To avoid suspicion, Qianqian didn't walk with Lin Yanzhao but ran back home first.

"Yao, I heard about your lawsuit, Uncle Xie was completely defeated by you!"

"Still, it's good to be a scholar; even the county magistrate has to give you face."

"Our village's future depends on you."

Hearing all the praise from his uncles and aunts, Lin Yanzhao responded, "Where, where, just luck."

"This young man is so humble! Uncle Xie doesn't dare to make things difficult for our village now!"

"Here, take these eggs; it's Auntie's little gift!"

"Here's some tobacco from yesterday; take it for your grandfather."

"Yao, don't refuse; you're capable. When you pass the examination, don't forget your aunt."

Lin Yanzhao couldn't refuse and took the gifts home.

Opening the door, Lin Yanzhao saw his aunt cooking by the stove. Her face changed when she saw him, but she didn't say anything and continued cooking. She must have heard the villagers' words.

His grandfather was smoking a water pipe, and his uncle and third uncle were sitting nearby, all very happy to see Lin Yanzhao return.

Uncle smiled and said, "Yao, it's good you're back. Qianqian has been worried sick, running to the embankment every other day. Did you see Mr. Hu at the Prefectural Office?"

Lin Yanzhao glanced at Lin Qianqian, who blushed and lowered her head.

Grandfather put down his water pipe and asked, "Uncle said you weren't at the Prefectural Office these past two days. Where were you?"

Third Uncle immediately said, "Yao, I heard the provincial capital is very prosperous and fun. You're young, and it's easy to be tempted. Did you spend a lot of money?"

Uncle said, "You don't know how impressive Yao was this time. He's a student of the provincial supervisor. Even if he spent some money on socializing, it's nothing wrong, right?"

Hearing the family's questions, Lin Yanzhao said, "You're all asking me, but I only have one mouth. I can't answer all of you at once."

Everyone laughed, and Lin Qianqian stood behind Lin Yanzhao like a little wife.

Lin Yanzhao smiled and said, "Grandfather, are you going to the shop tomorrow?"

"Um," Grandfather put down his water pipe and asked, "What's the matter?"

Lin Yanzhao said, "Mr. Shen, the secretary at the county office, asked you to go to the office. He wants to discuss the position of the River Harbor Commissioner with you."

"Scary, what's going on?" The first to react was not Grandfather but Aunt, who was cooking.

Uncle also said, "The River Harbor Commissioner is responsible for fish taxes and is considered an official. Why would Mr. Shen give us such a benefit for no reason?"

Lin Yanzhao said, "I just helped Mr. Shen with something, and he's returning the favor."

Uncle asked, "Is that true? What could you, a young boy, do for Mr. Shen?"

"It's true, but I can't say. Grandfather will know when you go tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll go!" Grandfather said.

Uncle quickly said, "Father, how can you believe a child? You haven't been to the shop for days. What if you're blamed?"

Grandfather said, "Yao is a child, but he's more reliable than you."

Lin Qianqian added, "I trust Brother Yao."

The next afternoon, Grandfather returned from the city. Lin Yanzhao saw the wrinkles on his face smooth out, making him look ten years younger. He was wearing a new official uniform with a mandarin square.

Uncle, at the door, couldn't believe it and said, "Father, is this true?"

Grandfather smiled and said, "Yes, it's true. I've brought back the official seal and the copper badge."

Uncle saw the copper badge in Grandfather's hand and shouted, "My goodness, it's true!"

The family gathered around, and Grandfather smiled, "Do you think my uniform fits?"

"It fits, it fits!" Uncle laughed heartily, looking at Grandfather's uniform with envy, "Father, can I borrow it for a few days?"

"Stop it, you'll wrinkle Father's clothes," Aunt said.

Third Uncle also laughed, "So, we won't have to worry about fresh fish and shrimp every day from now on."

"Not just fish and shrimp! All the people within ten miles of the river will have to follow your orders, Father," Uncle said.

Grandfather smiled and said, "Don't boast. I still have to thank Yao for his help. If not for him, Mr. Shen wouldn't have agreed to this for me."

Lin Yanzhao smiled but didn't say anything.

Uncle couldn't hold back and said, "Yao, you're amazing. You went to the county office once and got such a good position for Grandfather. Can you help me too?"

Aunt, who had been shocked, said to Uncle, "Yes, husband, even if you serve Headman Huang for your whole life, the most you can become is a constable. But the government has a rule: actors, entertainers, and constables cannot take the examination for three generations. If you become a constable, Yanshou won't be able to take the county examination."

Uncle blushed and said, "Wife, I don't want to be a constable. I want to be a clerk in the office. Even if it's not a regular position, it's fine. Yao, getting a job in the office is my lifelong dream. Please help me."

"I'm not boasting. I just got lucky this time."

Uncle said, "Don't be modest. Knowing Mr. Shen is a big advantage. He's a Shaoxing secretary with years of experience. He's the county magistrate's closest confidant. If you say a word for me, getting a job in the six departments should be easy."

Aunt also said happily, "Husband, the fortune-teller once said I have the fate of a wife of an official. If you get a job in the office, I bet my father and brother won't look down on you anymore."

Clerks may not be officials, but they are highly respected by the common people. Hearing Aunt's words, Lin Yanzhao and Lin Qianqian felt like vomiting. Aunt used to be the one who looked down on Uncle the most.

"Wife, stop talking nonsense. Cook some good dishes and apologize to Yao for how you treated him before."

Lin Yanzhao said, "Uncle, Aunt, I can't accept that. Let's forget the past."

Aunt smiled and said, "You silly, look how magnanimous Yao is. Why bring up the past? I'll apologize to Yao and Qianqian. I haven't let Qianqian do any housework these past few days. I've taken care of everything. I think Yao is so capable that Qianqian will be the wife of an official in the future!"

Hearing Aunt's words, Lin Qianqian's heart bloomed with joy, and her happiness was impossible to hide.

"Stop talking. Cook some dishes and get some good wine. The best would be Qinghong that's been aged for more than three years. We'll have a good celebration and congratulate Father on his new position as the River Harbor Commissioner!"

"Okay." Aunt left obediently.

PS: Two updates today, please give me some recommendations!