"Thank you. I'll treat you to dinner tonight. I've invited you and Teacher Su from the town, and I'll also take this opportunity to thank Mayor Li. You absolutely must come," Wei Ke invited.
Xiao Rui nodded. Wei Ke had mentioned before that she wanted to have a meal in the county before leaving, and besides, the food in the village was indeed quite poor. City life and rural life are completely different.
In the past, under the planned economy, those in the city who had food and cloth coupons might not have been wealthy, but it was better than not having enough to eat in the countryside. After the millennium, life in the city became even worse.
Meat, eggs, and milk have become basic necessities, but the village has only had enough to eat for a few years.
In Meilin Village, many families can't afford to eat meat more than a few times a year. This is not an exaggeration, but the truth. The children in the village are shorter than the children in the city, and their nutrition is not as good.
This is the reality of the gap.
Sometimes the two teachers would cook for themselves, but when they were too lazy to cook, they would take turns eating in the village. They didn't get to eat much, which is why they were so hungry when the pig was slaughtered last time.
Now that Wei Ke is treating us to a meal in the city, to some meat, the atmosphere of parting is instantly diluted. All spiritual pursuits, ideals, and feelings have to give way to food.
At the very least, most people don't have the backbone to "starve rather than accept charity," let alone this being a farewell gift for Wei Ke.
Wei Ke took out her phone and called Su Ziying. She told Su Ziying that she was going to the county ahead of time. She heard from Xiao Lüping that Xiaokang Restaurant required booking a private room in advance, so she also needed to go there a little earlier.
When Wei Ke left, she was already carrying her luggage. She had just said goodbye to her students and didn't plan to come back after dinner. She would stay overnight at a hotel in the county town and buy a ticket home the next day.
After leaving the house, Wei Ke went to find Li Xiuyuan.
Li Xiuyuan wasn't too busy; he just kept an eye on the situation and kept the atmosphere lively. As for signing contracts, there were three demolition mobilization teams there.
That's how it is when you're a leader: once you've set the direction, the rest of the work is left to specific people to do.
So Li Xiuyuan wasn't too busy. Seeing Wei Ke carrying her luggage, he smiled and said, "Teacher Wei, are you leaving? Have a safe journey!"
With Wei Ke gone, he can now try to bring Su Ziying over. Obviously, his focus will remain on Meilin Village, and he will spend more time there than at the town government.
Moreover, in the central town, he and Su Ziying didn't have much opportunity to interact because one worked in the town government and the other in the town middle school. But it was different in Meilin Village. The school was in the village committee compound, the village office was in the village committee compound, and the office was also in the village committee compound. It could be said that they would see each other all the time without having to create opportunities to meet.
Moreover, in Meilin Village, Su Ziying can better understand her work and watch as she gradually builds up the village.
If this still doesn't win Su Ziying's heart, then Li Xiuyuan will accept it; he's done his best, but there's nothing he can do.
"Yes, I'm getting ready to go back. I also want to thank Mayor Li. If it weren't for Mayor Li's help, I..."
"Oh, Teacher Wei, there's no need for such polite words." Li Xiuyuan waved his hand with a smile, not wanting to hear any thanks.
"Mayor Li, I mentioned before that I wanted to invite you to dinner to thank you. Are you free tonight?"
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