Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The aroma of delicious food wafted through the Old Village Chief's home as Chen Xuan arrived for the second time. The dining table was laden with an array of mouthwatering dishes, and the Old Village Chief sat calmly, seemingly waiting for Chen Xuan's arrival.
As footsteps echoed in the room, the Old Village Chief turned to see Chen Xuan and a radiant smile broke across his wrinkled face. He quickly rose and exclaimed, "Xiao Chen, you’re here!"
"Sorry, I got a bit delayed," Chen Xuan explained, placing the water and eggs he had brought on the table.
"Look at you! You come all this way and still bring things!" The Old Village Chief feigned a stern expression, but the joy in his eyes was unmistakable. He cheerfully called into the back room, and soon a middle-aged woman emerged. She set down a pot of fragrant chicken soup on the table and gave Chen Xuan an almost obsequious smile before taking the water and eggs to the kitchen.
Seeing this woman made Chen Xuan's brow furrow slightly. She was the Old Village Chief's daughter-in-law, known in Chen Family Village for her sharp tongue and snobbish demeanor. His relatives had often suffered at her hands, so encountering her now did not bring him any pleasure.
The Old Village Chief raised an eyebrow, as if he could sense Chen Xuan's thoughts. He quickly urged Chen Xuan to sit down and called out again to the back room, "Wash some vegetables; bring them out for us to eat later."
"Okay, Dad," came the voice of his daughter-in-law from inside.
As Chen Xuan took his seat, he stared at the table overflowing with delicious dishes, feeling momentarily at a loss for how to begin. It wasn’t just the abundance of food that left him feeling this way; rather, it was something deeper...
The spread of dishes on the table was truly lavish. In Changfeng County, where the average annual income was less than twenty thousand, this was already a rare occasion!
Chen Xuan maintained a calm demeanor while engaging in small talk with the Old Village Chief, knowing that the chief must have something important to discuss with him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
After several rounds of drinks, under the Old Village Chief's enthusiastic hospitality, Chen Xuan reluctantly sipped a bit of alcohol.
"Xiao Chen," the Old Village Chief said with a smile, "you've really made something of yourself. It hasn't been long since you graduated, and now you're already one of Jianghe's Top Ten Outstanding Youths!"
As the Old Village Chief reminisced about the past, he chatted with Chen Xuan in a familiar manner. Chen Xuan could tell from the chief's demeanor that it would take at least four cups of wine before he would get to the main topic.
He shook his head and took the initiative to ask, "Village Chief, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?"
The Old Village Chief seemed slightly taken aback by Chen Xuan's directness. After a brief pause, he managed to muster a smile and said, "Xiao Chen, since you’ve brought it up, I won’t beat around the bush. You know it's not easy being the village chief. For so many years, the average income in Chen Family Village hasn’t improved. To be honest, seeing my fellow villagers suffer because of me has left me feeling quite guilty."
The Old Village Chief appeared like a hero past his prime.
"Hmm?" Hearing the chief's words, Chen Xuan looked at him in surprise. He thought to himself that the reason Chen Family Village's average income had stagnated for so many years was precisely because the chief had been blocking progress and sidelining several capable officials sent by Changfeng County. Now he suddenly felt guilty?
Chen Xuan held his wine glass, smiling without saying a word.
The Old Village Chief, sly as a fox, watched to see what he would say next. Noticing Chen Xuan's calm demeanor, the Old Village Chief secretly cursed under his breath, calling him a little fox. With a resigned honesty, he continued, "Xiao Chen, I won't beat around the bush with you. The reason I called you here is that I want you to think of a way to help the folks in Chen Family Village so they can enjoy a few better days. What do you think?"
Comment 0 Comment Count