Chapter 201 Unwilling
The noisy scene didn't calm down until the broadcast from the county government sounded.
The county government had a special host, Liu Hongxing, on stage, speaking from a loudspeaker in the middle of the open space. The crowd finally quieted down. The leader gave a long, formal speech, and then someone from the art troupe took the stage. It was Liu Hongxing.
The performances were performed in the order of the draw. The person who drew the lot for Ganling was Wang Chunmei, and there were five programs, with numbers drawn from sixth to over thirty.
This show was even more lively than the last one at the commune, with songs, dances, and sketches. In one commune, there were two jugglers who held a long steel bar against their stomachs and bent it effortlessly. There were also people walking barefoot on broken glass; they were said to have practiced qigong and were as light as a swallow.
Wen Wan was dumbfounded. These were things she had never heard of or seen in her life. She thought these people were really amazing and this trip to the county was really worthwhile.
The performance went smoothly and it was already three in the afternoon when it was over, and the sun was already setting.
A group of women were clamoring to go to the department store. After all, they were back in the city and always wanted to buy something. It was so far away and their families were busy. They didn’t know if there would be another chance in this life.
Wang Chunmei had nothing to do this time, so she said hello to Secretary Li, made an appointment for departure, and excitedly followed a group of women to the department store.
Wen Wan was naturally going to go too. As soon as she left the county government gate, someone called out from behind, "Comrade Wen Wan from Ganling Commune!"
This forced me to stop.
The young secretary ran out of breath: "Comrade Wen Wan, who is Comrade Wen Wan? The leader is looking for you."
Wen Wan was stunned for a moment, then said to Wang Chunmei, "Then you guys go first?"
Wang Chunmei nodded: "Okay, okay, you go, first go see where Secretary Li is and ask him what's going on." Why is there another leader looking for me?
Wen Wan agreed and followed the visitor to the meeting venue which had not yet been cleared. The county leaders and several people from the commune were still there, and there were also a few people from the art troupe sitting there.
Wen Wan called out "Secretary Li" and her eyes met Liu Hongxing's. The other party smiled at her kindly, and she smiled back.
Secretary Li saw her and waved: "Come here, Teacher Wen, let me introduce you, this is the county party secretary of Xinxi County——"
After introducing everyone present, Wen Wan greeted them one by one. Secretary Li then said, "There is a good opportunity right now. The city art troupe is recruiting people. Hu Yueya and Zhang Qingqing from our commune have hope of going, but Comrade Liu Hongxing wanted me to ask you if you are willing to join the art troupe." Originally, Secretary Li planned to ask after returning to the commune, but the art troupe had to leave in the evening. Liu Hongxing seemed to have great enthusiasm for Wen Wan, so he took advantage of the fact that everyone was here to ask Wen Wan's opinion.
At present, educated youth are going to the countryside in batches, and only a few can return to the city. This is a good opportunity.
Wen Wan was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but glance at Liu Hongxing. Seeing the kind and encouraging smile in his eyes, she pursed her lips, lowered her eyes for a moment, and said, "The comrades in the art troupe may not understand my situation. I'm already married here. If I join the art troupe, it means my food supply relationship will be transferred, and my household registration will also be transferred. What about my wife?" Of course, this is only one aspect. On the other hand, she didn't want to join any art troupe at all. If she wanted to join, she would have joined it directly when she was fifteen or sixteen. Why would she run away from home and come here? Are the art troupes in the capital not as good as the city art troupes here? She came here and now has a new home. It's impossible for her to lose this home because of something she didn't want to do before. What would she become then?
Besides, the situation with Old Wen was unclear, and she couldn't help at all. The only thing she could do was to stay in the mountains and do some work, doing her bit, which could be considered as contributing to the construction of socialism. Maybe one day she would have to go back, but definitely not now.
Her refusal took everyone by surprise.
Secretary Li looked at her in surprise and said, "Comrade Wen Wan, you must think carefully. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Wen Wan smiled and said, "I've thought it through. No matter how big or small the matter is, as long as you are willing, you can contribute to socialist construction wherever you are. I am now a substitute teacher, and I think it's great. I will do my current job well, spread the knowledge I have, and cultivate more talents for the country. Therefore, I can only live up to the kindness of Comrade Liu and all the leaders." After speaking, she bowed deeply.
Liu Hongxing was slightly stunned. Before he could say anything, several people from the county committee applauded. "Teacher Wen is right. There are 360 professions, and every profession has its top talent."
Wen Wan glanced at Liu Hongxing and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for letting you down."
Liu Hongxing quickly relaxed and waved his hand. "Well, that's a serious point. Everyone has their own aspirations. What you said makes sense. As long as you have the will and the ability, you can shine anywhere."
Wen Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief after exiting the county government. She used to think that if she liked something, she liked it; if she didn't like something, she didn't like it; if it was okay, it was okay; if it wasn't okay, it wasn't okay; she could do whatever she wanted. But now she understood that rejecting someone wasn't easy.
Fortunately, if you refuse, you won’t have to worry about it anymore.
Looking towards the north, she hoped that Old Wen would be settled soon and receive a letter soon, so that she would feel at ease.
It was already dark when they arrived at the commune. Lu Dongping got a torch and took her back to the team. As soon as they walked to the bottom of the yard, they heard crying from above. Wen Wan had been outside all day, and when she heard the sound, she felt dizzy. It came again.
Since the divorce on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, there has been no peace at this time every day. Li Laiying comes to the house crying and confessing on time for lunch.
Wen Wan didn't know where she got such great perseverance and such thick skin. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have done it in the first place. If she had such great perseverance and wanted to remarry after enduring such great suffering, what had she been doing before? If she had done more, she wouldn't have ended up like this.
It looks pitiful, but it is really hateful when you think about it.
When Lu Dongping sent her to the door, Zhang Hongying came out of the kitchen and said, "Why are you back at this time? Hurry up, the rice is still hot in the pot!"
Wen Wan responded and went into the house. Lu Dongping stood at the door and didn't go in: "I'm going to my uncle's house and will be back for dinner later."
Zhang Hongying asked, "What's going on? Can't you eat first?"
Lu Dongping has already left the yard.
Zhang Hongying came into the house mumbling, "You cry and make a fuss every day. How could you have such bad luck to end up with such a jerk? In just a few days, the whole production team knows about the divorce. I don't know what sins your uncle and aunt committed in their past lives to deserve this."
Wen Wan raised the food in her hand and said, "It's not a good thing to make such a fuss every day. Has anyone come from the Li family? Is there any movement?"
Zhang Hongying said, "What kind of trouble could there be? Back then, a piece of cloth, two pounds of meat for five yuan was like selling her out. If she doesn't live well with Dongcai, she'll just be sold out again by her family when she returns. However, this has nothing to do with us. It's just your aunt's side. I'm worried that if we keep wasting time and making a fuss, your aunt or Dongcai will soften their feelings, which would be troublesome."
Lu Dongcai was soft-hearted. Li Laiying had been trying to persuade him for a whole week. Every day, she came to him at mealtime and begged him like a mourner. Even the strongest heart would be softened.
If Lu Dongping hadn't come in, he would have quietly brought the meal to Li Laiying. Unfortunately, before he could get the meal out, Lu Dongping arrived and started to lecture him: "Lu Dongcai, what's wrong with you? If you still want to live with her, you can remarry after the divorce. Bring her back now, remarry tomorrow, and separate the day after tomorrow. If you don't want to live with her anymore, then you should show that you don't want to live with her anymore. Don't you feel embarrassed by making such a fuss every day?"
Lu Dongcai was also in a state of great headache: "We're already divorced, so why should we live together? It's just that seeing her like that, it's so pitiful."
"Pity! When she was making trouble at home, did she feel pity for you? Did she ever think that Chuyi was pitiful? Put away your sympathy. I'm going back to find my mother now. You go get a torch and personally send the person to the Li family today. Once the person is handed over to them, if you come back with missing limbs, it will have nothing to do with us!"
Lu Dongcai was stunned for a moment. Lu Dongping had already gone to find Lu Minghai and Gao Xiulan.
I am really fed up with this woman Li Laiying.
Wen Wan finished her meal and washed the dishes at home before Lu Dongping ran back.
Zhang Hongying lifted the lid of the pot and scooped some rice for him. He waved his hands and said, "No, I won't eat for now. Mom, please put on some warm clothes. Take the flashlight and go over to help my aunt."
Zhang Hongying was completely bewildered by him: "What are you doing? Why are you helping me in the middle of the night?"
"Send that crazy bitch Li Laiying back to the Li family. I've asked Dongfu to go to Yaoye's house to find Wang Mingfang. You all should come together and drag her back to the Li family. Once she's in their hands, whether she lives or dies will be none of our business. Otherwise, if they keep pushing her like this, I don't think Dongcai can hold on. If he gives in, he'll be doomed."
Zhang Hongying understood: "Okay, okay, let's go right away. Let your father go too, and send more people to ask the Li family how they raise their daughters. Is this their family tradition? Why are they so shameless?"
Lu Mingjiang sat there motionless: "Have you asked Dongcai? What does he think? This is his business. You are so arrogant, don't blame me later."
Lu Dongping said, "It's his fault! He has nothing to blame! If we keep nagging him, he'll be finished if he gives in. We'll have a hard time living like this. What were you doing crying and begging now? If a dog can stop eating shit, is it still a dog?"
After saying that, he turned around and went outside.
After a while, voices and the light of torches were heard outside.
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