"The village chief is right, I'll go home and get the vegetables! I just caught a soft-shelled turtle a few days ago, perfect for making soup for Er Gouzi to help him recover!"
"Come on, everyone get moving! Stop hiding things! Make sure Er Gouzi eats and drinks well so his injury heals quickly!"
The villagers were as warm and simple as mountain spring water, laughing and joking in a huddle, before dispersing to prepare for the evening's feast.
The noise subsided.
Shi Yangyang walked to the rattan chair, quietly squatted down, and gently took Zhang Cheng's hand with her slender fingers.
Her beautiful eyes were like a clear spring, reflecting his image, and her voice was as soft as a feather.
Does it hurt?
"pain!"
Zhang Cheng immediately put on a pitiful expression and stared at her expectantly.
A charming blush rose on Shi Yangyang's cheeks as she asked softly, "Then... shall I massage you tonight?"
"Okay." Zhang Cheng grinned, lowered his voice, but his eyes held a hint of cunning. "But we have to wait until that clueless Zhao Qingwan falls asleep first."
...
As night deepened, the boisterous village feast came to an end.
The room was dimly lit and warm.
Zhang Cheng sat on the edge of the bed, watching Shi Yangyang earnestly wash the dirt off his feet. The warm water enveloped his feet, and a feeling of warmth rushed straight to his heart.
That heart, hardened by the trials of the business world, was filled to the brim and made incredibly soft at this moment.
This is the happiness he is willing to protect with his life.
That night, insects chirped outside the window, and warmth filled the room.
...
The next day, just as dawn was breaking.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The urgent knocking woke Zhang Cheng from his deep sleep.
He subconsciously turned his head; the blankets beside him were already cold, yet still faintly warm.
The bedroom door was pushed open, and Shi Yangyang, wearing an apron around her waist, walked in carrying a bowl of steaming rice porridge.
"Zhang Cheng, the village chief is here. He says it's urgent."
She placed the bowl of porridge on the bedside table, looked at Zhang Cheng who was sitting up, and said softly, "Don't move around, I'll help you get dressed."
"Um."
A few minutes later, Zhang Cheng, dressed neatly and leaning on the cane that Zhang Jucai had given him the night before, walked out of the bedroom with Shi Yangyang's help.
The old village chief was holding a large white porcelain cup, drinking hot tea with a worried expression.
Upon seeing Zhang Cheng come out, he quickly stood up and slammed his teacup down on the table.
"Er Gouzi, those kids in the village are clumsy. I'll have someone make you a high-class reclining chair later."
"Thanks, Uncle." Zhang Cheng smiled and nodded, then cut to the chase, "When will the township head arrive?"
"It should be soon!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Bang! Bang! Bang—!"
The deafening sound of gongs shattered the tranquility of the village.
Li Xiaodai shouted at the top of his lungs, banging a gong as he ran through the village: "Folks! Gather at the village store at the entrance! The township head is coming to hold a meeting, and everyone needs to send someone!"
The sound of gongs echoed, and the once quiet village suddenly became agitated. People came out of their homes one after another and gathered at the store.
It's not even seven o'clock yet.
Township head Zhou Dashan, surrounded by three township officials, appeared at the village entrance.
He gazed at the dense crowd gathered in front of the store, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He said to the cadre beside him, "Look, although Zhangjia Village is remote, the villagers' political awareness is really high! Everyone's here so early in the morning!"
"Mayor Zhou!" The old village chief rushed forward to greet him.
"Old Gui, you're a competent village chief!" Zhou Dashan laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"It's all because the villagers are highly conscious, highly conscious."
"Haha, if every village in the township were like your Zhangjia Village, my job as township head would be too easy!"
Accompanied by the old village chief, Zhou Dashan walked confidently to the entrance of the consignment store.
His gaze swept across the crowd and immediately settled on Zhang Cheng, who was sitting in the rattan chair.
"Oh dear, Mr. Zhang, what's going on?"
Zhou Dashan's expression instantly changed from an official smile to genuine concern. He quickly stepped forward and actually squatted down in front of Zhang Cheng.
Zhang Cheng's reputation is now well-known throughout the city, and Zhou Dashan, being a shrewd person, naturally knows how to cultivate a good relationship with such a big boss with unlimited potential.
"Thank you for your concern, Mayor Zhou. It's just a minor injury, I'll be fine soon," Zhang Cheng said with a calm smile.
"Even minor injuries need to be taken seriously!" Zhou Dashan deliberately put on a stern face and turned to a middle-aged cadre beside him, ordering, "Old Zhao! When we get back to the village, go to the clinic immediately and have them send the best doctor over to give Boss Zhang a thorough examination! We absolutely cannot leave any lingering problems!"
"Yes, yes, don't worry, Township Head, I'll take care of it as soon as I get back!" the official replied repeatedly.
Zhou Dashan nodded in satisfaction and said to Zhang Cheng in a friendly tone, "Mr. Zhang, if you are tired, go back to your room and rest. There's no rush regarding the policy."
"Mayor Zhou, I'm not that precious," Zhang Cheng said with a wry smile.
"Alright, you can stay here and listen, and help us check it out!"
After speaking, Zhou Dashan stood up, cleared his throat, and faced all the villagers. His voice suddenly rose, filled with unquestionable authority.
"Fellow villagers! I'm here today to announce several important policies from the city! These policies must be implemented immediately!"
He paused, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, and continued, "As everyone knows, the country advocated for the household responsibility system as early as 1978, and in 1983, the household contract responsibility system was introduced! Because of the special circumstances in Funing, these two policies have not been fully implemented. Now that Funing County has been upgraded to a prefecture-level city, and the lives of the people are getting better and better, the city has decided to fully implement these two policies starting this year!"
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