Zhang Cheng had said he would give Shengzi a grand funeral.
The villagers are superstitious; those who die violently cannot be enshrined in the ancestral hall, and most are unwilling to come to pay their respects.
Zhang Cheng had Li Qiming take a large gong and walk around the village banging it while shouting, "Anyone who comes to mourn Shengzi will receive five yuan! Even a baby won't count!"
Five yuan can buy twelve jin of white rice.
The older folks remained composed, but the uncles, aunts, and other relatives couldn't sit still and all rushed to the mourning hall at the back of the village.
The funeral hall was packed to the brim.
Zhang Cheng placed the suits and leather shoes he brought back from Shanghai into the coffin one by one.
The following morning, he personally carried Shengzi's coffin.
When Shengzi's parents saw this, their eyes were filled with tears, and they nodded repeatedly to Zhang Cheng.
After finishing his business, Zhang Cheng didn't sleep a wink all night and returned to the dealership.
Shi Yangyang, wearing a newly made plaid cotton-padded jacket and with her hair in a ponytail, stood at the door with slightly red and swollen eyes.
When she saw Zhang Cheng return, she quickly went to greet him, threw herself into his arms, hugged his waist tightly, and pressed her face against his chest.
Zhang Cheng raised his hand and gently stroked her hair, his voice a little hoarse: "You must be exhausted these past few days. Come with me to the county in a few days."
"Mmm!" Shi Yangyang tilted her head back and nodded emphatically.
"Let's get some sleep first." Zhang Cheng picked up Shi Yangyang and carried her into the store.
Aunt Hua was sorting out goods when she saw the two of them and joked, "Oh, the young couple is enjoying a blissful separation!"
"Auntie, I haven't slept a wink all night, I can't take it anymore."
"Go ahead, go ahead, I'll keep an eye on things for you."
Shi Yangyang gently struggled in Zhang Cheng's arms, but couldn't break free. Her cheeks flushed, and she buried her face even deeper into his chest.
Upon entering the house, Zhang Cheng put her down.
"I'll go boil some water for you." Shi Yangyang lowered her head and ran out quickly.
Zhang Cheng watched her retreating figure, smiled, and took off his slightly wrinkled suit jacket. Wearing a suit on a cold day like this was indeed chilly.
Before long, Shi Yangyang came in carrying a copper basin.
Zhang Cheng sat on the edge of the bed, about to bend over.
Shi Yangyang quickly stepped forward, put down the copper basin, squatted down, reached out to take off his shoes, and put his feet into the warm water.
Zhang Cheng looked down at her earnestly washing her feet, and his gaze softened considerably.
"Er Gouzi! Er Gouzi!"
The old village chief arrived before he did, his voice preceding him as he hurriedly rushed in.
Zhang Cheng frowned almost imperceptibly.
Shi Yangyang dried his feet and put on new socks for him.
"Uncle, what happened?"
"I just got back from the township. The township head said he'll personally bring you the contract for leasing the orchard later!" The old village chief's face was beaming.
Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow: "I don't have 20,000 yuan on hand right now; all my money is in the credit union."
"What's the big deal! We're all neighbors. Just sign the contract first, write an IOU, and collect the money from the county tomorrow, then give it to the township head, and that'll be settled, right?" The old village chief waved his hand, looking completely unconcerned.
"Alright."
I was hoping to take a nap, but now I can't.
Zhang Cheng put on his shoes and suit, then took out a cigarette and offered one to the old village chief.
Not long after, Township Head Zhou Dashan, surrounded by a group of cadres, entered the store.
Zhou Dashan was in his forties, wearing a brown Zhongshan suit and black-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of importance.
As soon as he entered, he adopted an official tone: "Reform and opening up is really great! Look, now there are even general stores in the village!"
Zhang Cheng listened with a smile.
"Zhang Ergouzi," Zhou Dashan's gaze fell on Zhang Cheng, "I heard you're in the clothing business in the county?"
"Mm." Zhang Cheng nodded.
"It's good that young people are ambitious. However, they must not forget their roots after making money. Remember that your achievements today are inseparable from the support of the Party and the country. Do business honestly; never resort to crooked means!"
That sounded harsh.
The old village chief quickly tried to smooth things over: "Don't worry, Township Chief, Er Gouzi is an honest and upright person. He would never do anything illegal or disorderly. Township Chief, Er Gouzi's money is all in the credit union. How about we sign the contract first? Have him write you an IOU, and he'll bring it to you tomorrow after he withdraws the money?"
Zhou Dashan raised an eyebrow: "Old Gui, aren't you making me make a mistake? But we're all from the same village. If I can't trust others, how can I not trust you? It's just that there's no precedent for this... So, let's write 20,300 yuan on the IOU."
The old village chief's lips twitched involuntarily. The reason for the three hundred yuan was self-evident.
"Okay." Zhang Cheng readily agreed before the old village chief could speak.
Three hundred yuan, no need to haggle.
"Aunt Hua, could you please bring me paper and pen?" Zhang Cheng called out.
"Okay!" Aunt Hua replied and ran out from behind the counter.
Just as the paper and pens arrived, another group of people came to the store.
Zhou Dashan was smoking a cigarette, squinting as he looked over.
"Mr. Zhou?" Upon seeing who it was, Zhou Dashan stood up abruptly, quickly stepped forward, and greeted him with a broad smile. "Mr. Zhou, it's an honor to have you here! I'm so sorry I didn't greet you properly!"
The person who arrived was Zhou Yuanhang.
"You're too kind, Mayor Zhou." Zhou Yuanhang extended his hand. "I was just thinking of getting the village's electricity installed first."
"Mr. Zhou is so thoughtful!"
"Serving the people!"
Zhou Dashan grabbed Zhou Yuanhang's hand and warmly ushered him into the shop, while calling out to the old village chief, "Old Gui, let me introduce you. This is Boss Zhou Yuanhang! Boss Zhou will be in charge of everything regarding the electricity connection in the village. I'm warning you, from now on, you must do your utmost to fulfill any request Boss Zhou makes, understand?"
"Mr. Zhang!"
Before Zhou Dashan could finish speaking, Zhou Yuanhang had already shaken off his hand and ran a few steps to Zhang Cheng at the entrance of the dealership, his face full of humble smiles. "Mr. Zhang, when did you get back? I heard you went to Shanghai a few days ago?"
"Just got back." Zhang Cheng smiled faintly. "How did things go?"
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