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Two snow-white little geese, feeling that it wasn't lively enough, circled around Yezhi and Black Treasure, honking loudly. "Did I see that right? That's Little Black Bear!" Director Yu exclaimed.
Secretary Zhang suddenly remembered that Zhang Dou had mentioned a little bear named Black Treasure raised by Yezi. "Old Yu, you didn't see wrong; this is the bear raised by Yezi!"
After finishing their conversation, Yezhi pointed at Black Treasure and said, "Uncle Zhang, Uncle Yu, Comrade Sun, this is my family's Black Treasure. These two noisy geese are also mine."
"Mama Bear" returned home, and the delighted Black Treasure looked at Mama Bear with affectionate eyes. Then it glanced at the three people beside the strange house and suddenly remembered it hadn't greeted the uncles in front of it. So, shaking its chubby body, it approached and gave each of the three a hug. Director Yu was amused by Black Treasure's bear hug, saying, "This little guy is really... quite plump!" After patting Black Treasure's back, Director Yu even boldly patted its round bottom.
Aunt Ren Er, carrying a basket, spotted what seemed to be visitors in the village from afar. She hurried over and exclaimed, "Yezi! Yezi is back!" Yezhi was overwhelmed with tears of joy. Just as she wanted to greet Aunt Ren Er, Aunt Ren Er screamed and ran back as if she had seen a ghost.
Yezhi took her bundle off the vehicle while Comrade Sun eagerly came over to help. Yezhi politely shook her head. Meanwhile, Black Treasure, who had been playing with Director Yu, rushed to Mama Bear's side and snatched the bundle into its arms. With its dark eyes staring at Comrade Sun ominously, the two white geese that were inseparable from Black Treasure spread their wings, ready to pounce at any moment.
"I'm just helping... helping..." Comrade Sun said anxiously, sweating profusely. Why did the little bear turn hostile so quickly?
Yezhi was mischievous; seeing Black Treasure misunderstand that Comrade Sun was trying to take her things, she didn't explain and instead laughed heartily. Director Yu and Secretary Zhang couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Yezi!" Aunt Zhou ran over with a beaming face. Yezhi rushed forward, pulling Aunt Zhou's hand while shouting and jumping with joy. "Auntie, I've missed you so much! I'm back!" Aunt Zhou affectionately patted Yezhi's head.
"Yezi, it's so good that you're back!"
"Yezi, why did you come back? Couldn't stay in the county?"
"Yezi..." Gradually surrounded by villagers who had heard about her return to the village, Yezhi was bombarded with questions from all sides.
Meanwhile, Director Yu and Secretary Zhang were left on the sidelines and couldn't help but sigh: "It seems Comrade Little Leaf is quite popular!"
One Gun Brother sighed, "Yezi, your Black Treasure has been waiting for you to come back!" In this village, everyone knew that Black Treasure had been waiting by the river since the third day after Yezi left, until Aunt Zhou came to call it back.
Aunt Ren Er exclaimed, "It's so quiet in the village without you, Yezi!" The villagers nodded in agreement. Yezhi always thought that the world would keep turning regardless of who was absent; no one was irreplaceable. However, as long as someone cared about your existence, that was the greatest affirmation of all. The people of Zhoujiatun had given Yezhi much affirmation, and her heart, once barren, suddenly felt vibrant and refreshing.
The arrival of Village Uncle prompted everyone to make way. Village Uncle carefully examined Yezhi, saying, "Not bad, you haven't lost weight; in fact, you look a bit plumper!" Yezhi protested, "But Village Uncle, I'm not fat!" Hearing her familiar tone made Village Uncle smile even more kindly.
"Ahem!" The cough from Sun Comrade reminded Yezhi that there were guests present. She led Village Uncle over to Secretary Zhang and Director Yu. "Village Uncle, these two are leaders from the county!"
Secretary Zhang smiled broadly and extended his hand. "You must be Zhou Village Head! I'm Zhang Dechang, and this is Director Yu from the county's Agricultural Bureau. We wanted to come see the rice fields in Zhoujiatun."
Upon hearing Zhang Dechang's name, Zhou Village Head felt it was familiar but couldn't recall where he had heard it before. However, the visit from the head of the Agricultural Bureau made him nervous; it was his first time meeting such a high-ranking official!
"Hello, hello!" Village Uncle reached out both hands to shake with the two leaders. After introducing them, Yezhi stepped back and took hold of Aunt Zhou, leading her along with the bundled-up Black Treasure, two white geese, and Aunt Ren Er, chatting and laughing as they headed home.
Back at her small courtyard, Big Yellow wagged its tail excitedly as it approached. Yezhi patted Big Yellow twice. "Auntie, I’ve only been away for seven days; why does it feel like I’ve been gone for ten or eight years?" She plopped down onto the rocking chair, feeling a deep sense of familiarity with everything around her.
"Girl, are you back for good now?" Aunt Zhou, cheerfully rolling up her sleeves, prepared to head into the kitchen to whip up a feast for Yezhi.
"Yes! Once Uncle Zhang and the others finish their inspection in our village, they’ll leave!" Realizing how much she missed home made her reluctant to leave again. Why was she becoming more and more useless? The village needed development, and connections were crucial. Although she had fortuitously met Zhang Dou, who was connected to the family of the County Party Secretary, she felt increasingly embarrassed to ask for favors.
Though filled with reluctance, for her daughter's future, Aunt Zhou cheerfully said, "Two months will pass quickly. You need to study hard and not always think about coming home! Don't let down Teacher Xiao!” Startled, Yezhi wondered what kind of intentions could possibly be behind what Xiao Cheng had done—could it be…?
While Aunt Zhou busied herself in the kitchen, Yezhi took some Mushroom Chicken, along with two pieces of it and some Hazel Mushroom, gathering a basket full of dried Yellow Flower. After saying hello, she headed over to Village Uncle's house.
The atmosphere at Village Uncle's home was lively; there were conversations among Uncle Zhang, Director Yu, Sun Comrade, and others like Big Zhu, along with Uncle Zhou. They sat in the courtyard chatting away.
Yezhi was not the first to deliver items to Village Uncle's home; as soon as she entered, she ran into Aunt Ren Er, who was also carrying a basket. "Yezhi has finally come home; why not take a good rest? With an aunt around, you won't be shortchanged as a guest." Yezhi believed this; the villagers were all warm and hospitable, and there were certainly others besides her and Aunt Ren Er bringing gifts.
"You two are carrying so much; what are you doing?" Village Uncle pretended to scold Yezhi and her companion at the door.
"Village Uncle, we also want to show our welcome to Uncle Zhang, Uncle Yu, and Comrade Sun!" Secretary Zhang recalled what Zhang Dou had told him about the people of Zhoujiatun being particularly simple and hospitable. Upon seeing them today, it was indeed true. Standards for work meals and simplicity meant nothing in front of the people of Zhoujiatun.
"Comrade Zhang, Director Yu, Comrade Sun, there’s nothing fancy here; it's all from our mountains, so please don’t mind!" In Zhou Village Head's eyes, the two county leaders had seen big occasions before. They might not be picky about mountain delicacies, but he still worried that he hadn’t entertained them well enough despite the table being full of dishes.
Secretary Zhang and Director Yu looked at the table full of food. The chicken was authentic Mushroom Chicken sent by Yezhi, and the fish was a big one that Cart Master had specially caught from the Wetland River upon hearing that distinguished guests were coming. The cooking methods were simple but were favorites among Northeasterners: Mushroom Chicken stewed with Hazel Mushrooms and large fish stewed with eggplant. There were also plates of Pickled Bear Meat sent by One Gun Brother, bright red and oily Salted Duck Eggs from Aunt Ren Er, stir-fried radishes, Sour Cabbage, and yam stir-fried with mountain black fungus.
Yezhi, who was strongly urged to stay and accompany the guests, placed a chicken leg into Uncle Zhang's bowl. "Uncle Zhang, eat! Look at you not moving your chopsticks; Uncle Yu and Comrade Sun are feeling embarrassed!"
The driving Comrade Sun did not expect that in such a remote place he could enjoy such a hearty meal. The original aroma of the chicken and fish wafted into his nostrils, making him swallow several times in secret while waiting for the two leaders to start eating.
Secretary Zhang no longer held back; he stuffed chicken into his mouth. The wonderful flavors were beyond words. Director Yu, with his mouth glistening with oil from eating, exclaimed, "This is the most authentic Little Chicken Stew with Mushrooms! Delicious! So delicious!" Zhou Village Head loved hearing this and happily kept serving more dishes to Director Yu, who was also enjoying himself greatly.
Gradually everyone opened their appetites and began to feast. When Aunt Li brought rice to the table, Director Yu's eyes lit up as he said to Uncle Zhang, "Is this the 'Bilo' rice you mentioned?" Uncle Zhang nodded. Even though Director Yu was already nine-tenths full, he couldn't help but have two bowls of rice after tasting it and reluctantly set down his bowl while saying to Yezhi, "Little Leaf, I’m starting to believe what you said!"
With her mouth full of food, Yezhi mumbled, "What did I say?"
Director Yu chuckled and said, "Zhoujiatun has good mountains and waters; it produces not just crops but miracles!" He emphasized the word "miracles," eager to witness them firsthand.
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