Song Dongzheng ate well in his office, a bowl of meat and vegetables and steamed buns. He ate until he was sweating. After finishing his meal, he kept Luo Wei behind for a chat.
Luo Wei then reported on the investigation that Song Dongzheng had previously assigned him to: "The investigation was quite thorough. There are always some sensible people among the common people who know who is good and who is bad."
Song Dongzheng asked, "What's the feedback from the people in Linshui Commune?"
"The reaction is quite normal. Now the children in the family are being taught to read for free, and everyone feels that the old scholar is paying off his debts. The old scholar also teaches everyone to learn progressive ideas, so people's views on him have gradually changed, and they don't mistreat him like before. His living place has also changed; he lives in the commune's classroom."
Hearing this, Song Dongzheng felt relieved about his next steps. His last impromptu arrangement in Linshui Commune was also a test, to see how the other villagers would react to this indirect arrangement.
It seems that this step can still be taken.
"Don't make this public yet. I have other plans in a few days," Song Dongzheng instructed.
Luo Wei nodded quickly. Just as he was about to chat about something else, he noticed his wife looking out the window. Suddenly, she stood up and said, "I have to go back."
After finishing, he picked up his lunchbox and walked out.
Luo Wei shouted, "Boss, what should I do?"
“Go find your father,” Song Dongzheng replied.
Luo Wei: "..."
When Song Dongzheng returned to the room, Su Yu had already washed up and soaked her feet, ready to rest.
Looking at the mess in the room, Song Dongzheng was speechless.
Hearing the commotion, Su Yu came out of the room. "Perfect timing, you can clean up this mess."
When Song Dongzheng saw her wearing a sweater and a coat, looking like she was about to go to bed, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart for no reason.
He scratched his head, feeling pathetic. He'd seen Comrade Su in short sleeves before; was it really necessary to wear so much now?
I quickly put down my lunchbox and started packing my things.
While Song Dongzheng was tidying up the table, Su Yu sat down beside him and drank some water. "Don't complain about being tired. I've been busy all afternoon. Who are we both working for?"
Song Dongzheng felt guilty, because of him.
"My hands are freezing from washing vegetables and cooking," Su Yu continued.
Song Dongzheng quickly packed his things.
It took half an hour to clean it up.
"Okay, I'm going to sleep. It's so cold here." After saying that, Su Yu went into her room.
Song Dongzheng watched her go inside, wanting to call her back but feeling too embarrassed. He washed his face, soaked his feet, and went back to his room. He lay in bed for a long time, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Comrade Su slept under the same roof as him. A lone man and a lone woman...
I can't think about it, it's too disgusting!
On the other side, Su Yu lay on the bed, straining her ears to listen for any sounds. When she heard nothing, she smiled.
"He's fairly honest."
The Song family's side was quiet, but the other families in the compound were quite different. Those who had eaten at Su Yu's house earlier were now lying in bed discussing County Chief Song and Secretary Lin.
The propaganda bureau chief's wife, lying in bed, said, "After thinking it over, I think it's best if our family doesn't offend anyone. We should just behave ourselves."
Her husband was displeased. "What do you know? You think you can be bought off just by eating one meal?"
"How could you bribe them? They didn't offer anything." His wife nudged him unhappily. "Anyway, you should be careful in general. Even if you're helping Secretary Lin, don't go too far."
"I know what I'm doing."
Such conversations also occurred in other homes.
Although there weren't many major upheavals, I couldn't help but feel a bit more apprehensive.
The next morning, word spread that County Chief Song's girlfriend had treated people to dinner. Secretary Lin's wife walked in the courtyard, looking at the people she knew well, and thinking about how they had enjoyed a lively meal at someone else's house the day before, she felt disgusted. They were all a bunch of ungrateful wretches who would only follow whoever offered them food.
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