Chapter 10

"Right, Second Master, where's Second Madam? Why isn't she here with you?" Wang Yong asked.

"Your Second Madam will be back in a few days." Second Master lit a cigarette and said while smoking.

"Where did you two go? Why haven't you come back together?" Wang Yong asked.

Uncle and Aunt didn't say anything; they just looked at Second Master. Since Second Master was usually very strict with Uncle and his siblings, they didn't dare to ask if Second Master didn't speak. (Wang Yong didn't notice that Uncle and Aunt seemed to know something and were not speaking because Second Master had probably instructed them not to, which made Wang Yong mistakenly think they were as clueless as he was.) By the time it came to Wang Yong's generation, there were fewer reservations. Especially Wang Liang and Wang Qiang's sister, Wang Han, who were so spoiled by the old couple that they had no limits. As the saying goes, grandparents are always more affectionate!

"Wait until your Second Madam comes back. Call your two aunts and their husbands, and bring the kids from outside. When it's time to burn the pot bottom for Wang Yong, we'll all gather. There are some things I need to tell you." Second Master said sternly, and a hint of sadness and loneliness appeared on his face, as if he was recalling something sad.

"Da Hai, talk about your plan to be the village chief. Let Wang Yong listen too." Second Master's voice interrupted their random thoughts. Then Aunt and Wang Yong looked at Uncle. Especially Aunt, who had just criticized Uncle for not being diligent, now found out that Uncle was about to become the village chief.

"Do you know Wang Bin, the son of Wang Yaowu in the village? Wang Yong, you used to follow Wang Qiang and Wang Bin around, causing all sorts of mischief." Uncle looked at Wang Yong.

Hearing Wang Bin's name, some buried memories flooded back to Wang Yong. Wang Bin and Wang Qiang were the same age and were the undisputed leaders of the village kids. If it weren't for Wang Qiang, a little kid like Wang Yong wouldn't have been able to join their group. Of course, it might also be because they needed a scapegoat for certain things. Once, after playing for a long time and getting hungry, someone suggested going to the fields to pick some corn to roast. After getting everyone's agreement, they went to Wang Bin's family's cornfield and caused a lot of damage. Just as Wang Yaowu came to the field to pick some corn to cook, the lookout spotted him and quickly reported to the two leaders. The others scattered, leaving Wang Yong alone, still drooling over the roasting corn, and was caught on the spot. He even politely offered the roasted corn to Wang Yaowu, making Wang Yaowu both amused and exasperated.

"Isn't Wang Bin in the army? How did he get promoted? And he's going to bring his parents to live with him?" Wang Yong asked, puzzled. He remembered clearly that Wang Bin and Wang Qiang both went to university, but one went to a police academy and the other to a military academy. The army's benefits were good, but Wang Bin had only graduated a few years ago. He probably hadn't even reached the rank that would allow his family to join him.

"Wang Bin is very capable. According to Wang Yaowu, he's now a lieutenant colonel and the chief of staff of a regiment. His wife is a chief physician at the military hospital. The army has given them a three-bedroom apartment. Now that his wife is pregnant, he wants to bring Wang Yaowu and his wife to live with them. Before, Wang Yaowu had reasons to refuse, but now with his daughter-in-law pregnant, he has no choice but to agree." Uncle said enviously. Wang Qiang and Wang Bin were the same age, and Wang Bin was about to have a child, while Wang Qiang, when asked, would say he had a girlfriend but never brought her home. When pressed, Wang Qiang would say, "It's a work secret, I can't tell you." This made Uncle very frustrated. How could finding a girlfriend be a secret?

"Wang Yaowu has already talked to the township. He's recommending me to be the secretary and village chief. The announcement will start tomorrow, and if no one objects, it will be finalized." Uncle said, taking a sip of tea with a demeanor befitting a secretary.

"Ha ha..." Wang Yong laughed at Uncle's antics.

"Who would object? Every election, Wang Yaowu is the only candidate, with no opponents. Do you think everyone is as willing as you to take on this thankless job?" Aunt said, somewhat displeased. One could imagine what Uncle would be like in the future.

"This can't be changed. Da Hai, you need to prepare well. Think of ways to improve the villagers' lives. That's the top priority. Look at the village now; there are hardly any young people left. Before, the young people went out to work, leaving the elderly and children in the village, which still had some vitality. Now even the elderly and children are moving out. Even the village chief has left. What kind of village is this?" Second Master said angrily.

"Father, don't be upset. It's a good thing that the children are filial and have done well outside, and now they're bringing their parents to enjoy a better life. The more people who go out, the more successful our village children are. This is something to be proud of. But the living conditions in the village are far behind the city." Uncle tried to console Second Master and gave Wang Yong a meaningful look.

"Second Master, don't worry. The ones who leave are just a few. Wait until the Spring Festival, and you'll see. If you want the village to be lively, the key is to help the villagers find ways to get rich. If they can earn more money at home than in the city, many will choose to stay. Why would they run around outside if they can earn money at home?" Wang Yong said while observing Second Master. He saw Second Master and Uncle both relax, and he felt a bit strange. What was going on? Something was fishy. The first words out of Second Master's mouth confirmed Wang Yong's suspicions.

"Wang Yong, I've discussed it with your Uncle and Wang Yaowu. Your Uncle will be the secretary first, and you will be the village chief. After a few years, when you're familiar with the job, your Uncle will hand over the secretary position to you. The responsibility of leading everyone to prosperity will be on your shoulders." Second Master said firmly.

As soon as Second Master finished speaking, two more pairs of eyes fixed on Wang Yong. Uncle looked at him with a mixture of amusement and malice, as if to say, "You can't escape this; you came back to the village, so you have to take it." Aunt looked at Wang Yong with concern, knowing his introverted nature. As a child, he was too shy to even greet relatives, and after a few years of working outside, he had improved somewhat. Now, he was to be the village chief, leading the entire village to prosperity. Given Wang Yong's personality, he wouldn't do it, but from the look of the old man, there was no way to change this. She was worried that this might cause a conflict between the grandfather and grandson.

"What? You want me to be the village chief?" Wang Yong looked at Second Master in disbelief.

"What, you don't want to? Listen, you little brat, you have to be the village chief, whether you like it or not." Second Master glared at Wang Yong, his authority as a superior making Wang Yong feel a wave of pressure. If Wang Yong dared to say no, it seemed like a big slap was about to come. Others would be intimidated by Second Master, but Wang Yong, who had been through this many times, didn't care. He knew Second Master wouldn't hit him; he had never hit the grandchildren. Besides, with Second Madam backing him up, Wang Yong had no fear of Second Master.

"Wang Yong, don't make your Second Master angry. Just agree. Try it out. You're a college graduate and have worked outside for a few years, so you have more experience than your Uncle. Besides, if anything goes wrong, you still have your Uncle to help. Our family supports you, so what's there to be afraid of?" Aunt quickly advised Wang Yong.

"Wang Yong, your Aunt is right. In your daily life, you can do what you want. Your Uncle can handle most things. Your job is to find a way to make the villagers rich and lead them. With your intelligence, your Uncle knows you can do it. Besides, you're back to start your own business. If you do well, everyone will follow your example." Uncle joined in.

After a series of threats (from Second Master), inducements (from Uncle), and emotional appeals (from Aunt), even the mention of Wang Yong's deceased parents, the atmosphere became tense as Wang Yong remained silent.

"I'm the village chief!" Wang Yong suddenly stood up and shouted, startling the three of them. They looked at each other, confused.

Wang Yong was actually stunned when he heard he was being forced to be the village chief. Village chief! A powerful existence, second only to the urban management in the online world. With power, money, and status, Wang Yong always thought it was something far from him. He never imagined it would fall on his head so easily, and he had no choice but to accept it. How many people would envy and hate him! As a child, the highest position he had ever held was the class duty leader. The idea of being the village chief, responsible for over 800 people, was something he had never thought would happen to him. Why wouldn't he do it? Only a fool would refuse. With Little Light and the Small World, leading the village to prosperity would be a piece of cake. Even creating the world's first village wouldn't scare him. Eager to share his excitement, Wang Yong first thought of Tian Yuanyuan. He was more excited than when he first got the Small World and Little Light.

Without you, I feel so lonely

All the heartbreak is with me

Without you, the city feels so empty

All the happiness is gone

After a ringtone, Tian Yuanyuan's gentle and sweet voice came from the phone.

"Wang Yong?"

"Ha ha ha... Yuanyuan, I'm going to be the village chief." Wang Yong excitedly told Tian Yuanyuan.

"Really? You just got back to the village? What happened?"

Tian Yuanyuan's surprised tone greatly satisfied Wang Yong's vanity. His usual inferiority complex disappeared, replaced by a newfound confidence and pride. For the first time, Wang Yong did something that ordinary people couldn't do. The excitement was overwhelming, and this was something he could proudly announce, unlike the secret Small World. After a series of incoherent explanations, Tian Yuanyuan finally understood what was happening.

"You must do your best and not let the villagers down. Lead them to prosperity. I believe you can do it. And take care of yourself, don't go down the wrong path..."

Listening to the gentle advice, Wang Yong felt he was the happiest person in the world. Suddenly, he saw three pairs of big eyes staring at him. Wang Yong was stunned.

"Wang Yong, who are you talking to?" This was Uncle.

"That girl is quite sensible. Good, treat her well, or I'll break your legs." This was Second Master.

"Wang Yong, give the phone to Aunt. I want to talk to your girlfriend." This was Aunt.

"Ah!" A scream came from the phone.

"Hehe, I got carried away and forgot about the others." Wang Yong laughed awkwardly and explained, seeing Aunt about to grab the phone. He quickly said:

"I'll call you back later. I have to hang up now."

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