Lu Weimin cursed under his breath, "Idiot."
They haven't even started developing their business yet, and they're already eager to put their products up for sale. How shameless!
With a forced smile, he said, "This really isn't something I can decide. The kids all have their own ideas, and my status in the family isn't what it used to be. We're old friends and neighbors, and I'd definitely like to help if I can, but..."
Before those who wanted a promise could interject, he changed the subject.
“The children don’t understand the bond between us. You all know how independent my kids are, and who knows what the future holds? Maybe one of you will be doing better than us, and I’ll have to ask you for favors.”
With their mouths gagged, any further words would seem aggressive.
Lu Chen and Lu Ze had already rushed home, eager to tell their wives the good news as soon as possible.
"Mother, Qingtang, sister-in-law, the results are out."
The three people and one child sitting under the eaves looking at shoe patterns all turned around at the same time.
Tian Hongfang: "How is it? It must be great, right?" Her own child is always so confident.
Tao Qingtang and Ye Zhiyu looked at them expectantly.
Lu Chen walked to Ye Zhiyu's side, his smile widening. With a sudden effort, he lifted her up: "Ayu, you are the top scholar, you are the top scholar."
Ye Zhiyu clung to his shoulder, utterly astonished. Knowing she could do well on the exam was one thing, but she never imagined she would be the top scorer.
Lu Ze also spoke up: "They are both the top scorers in the province, tied for first place."
He held Tao Qingtang's shoulder and said, "You're in 602, I'm in 598, we can both go to Peking University."
Tao Qingtang screamed and hugged Lu Ze without caring about her image.
Upon hearing this, Tian Hongfang immediately knelt down beside her, clasped her hands together, and bowed several times.
"Oh God, thank God."
I know in my heart that it's all the children's own hard work, but I still bow to them to put my mind at ease and to wish them safety.
After the initial excitement subsided, Lu Ze added, "By the way, the provincial governor, mayor, county magistrate, and town head are all coming to our house this afternoon. Mom, we need to start preparing the food and things now."
Whether the leaders eat or not is one thing, whether they prepare or not is another; it's better to be prepared.
Tian Hongfang was startled. "Oh dear, what are you doing here all of a sudden?"
The criticism and struggle sessions of previous years left Tian Hongfang with a lasting trauma; she becomes terrified whenever she hears that a leader is coming.
Lu Ze: "Isn't it because our family produced two top scholars, so we have to give them bonuses?"
"Then we'll have to prepare properly. It's a bit too late now. Here's what we'll do: Second brother, I'll give you some money. Go to the state-run restaurant in town and buy a table full of dishes, and also get a bottle of good wine."
"Boss, go to the village and borrow some benches and tables, then go to the Tao family and tell your family the good news. If it's inconvenient today, let's all get together tomorrow and have a good time. Also, find your dad for me. The leader is coming, what are you still showing off for outside?"
"Qingtang and Zhiyu helped me move some odds and ends around the house to make it look nicer."
"good."
After Tian Hongfang assigned the tasks, Lu Chen turned around and was about to ride his bicycle away.
"Hey, I haven't taken the money yet."
“Mom, I have money.” Lu Chen had just said this when Tian Hongfang interrupted him.
"You have money, you have money, I know you have money, but I'm in a good mood today and I'm willing to spend some. Besides, what I have in my hand is what you gave me, so take it."
Lu Chen was speechless, but still took it and left.
Tao Qingtang and Ye Zhiyu exchanged a smile.
In a rush, the whole family finally stood neatly together in the yard.
Lu Weimin, as the brigade leader, was supposed to greet them, but the village party secretary was too old and planned to retire this year, so he didn't come.
"Good morning, leaders. I am Lu Weimin, the captain of our Red Flag Brigade."
The governor exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, you're Comrade Lu, the one whose family has two top scholars and who has nurtured four talents for the country! I never imagined you were also a brigade leader. You're a very capable instructor."
He then said to the people following behind him, "We must learn from them."
That's just polite talk; take it with a grain of salt.
Lu Weimin led the way: "Not at all, not at all. My two sons have their own ideas, and my wife and I haven't interfered much. My eldest daughter-in-law was a good student when she was at her parents' home, and my second daughter-in-law was an educated youth sent to the countryside. So, these achievements are all the result of the children's own hard work. I dare not take credit for them."
The governor's interest grew even stronger. He had come in a hurry and only knew that the Lu family was about to produce four college students, but he didn't know the specifics.
"Yeah?"
Lu Weimin gave them a detailed introduction to his family's situation.
The leaders knew in their hearts that this educated youth, Ye, was no ordinary person; it seemed that the Lu family had truly been blessed with good fortune.
"The educated youth in your brigade all have good grades. In other places, there are only one or two outstanding ones. It seems that you have not forbidden them from studying. That's good."
"The country needs talented people, this is great."
The reporter recorded their conversation while taking pictures.
The road was full of people coming to see the leaders, leaving a narrow path in the middle so that they could stop every now and then to ask a few questions.
The person being asked blushed deeply and stammered nervously.
We finally arrived at the Lu family's residence.
"Look at the spirit of this family, I really am getting old."
Someone trying to curry favor chimed in, "Look at what you're saying, leader! We can learn a lot from your spirit."
The governor frowned: "I'm old, that's for sure. The passage of time is inevitable. Don't you feel guilty?"
After saying that, she ignored him and asked, "Which two are the top scholars?"
Ye Zhiyu and Lu Chen stepped forward together, neither humble nor arrogant: "Greetings, leaders."
Next came the routine greetings, asking how they usually maintain their study habits and which university they wanted to attend.
What are the future developments? Then comes the awarding of bonuses, questions from reporters, and a group photo.
The governor was especially delighted to see Xiao Qingze and was even more surprised when he learned that Tao Qingtang had just finished her postpartum confinement and was taking the exam.
They kept praising the heroines, saying that women can hold up half the sky, and that with them, how could the country not be strong?
He held Xiao Qingze and took a picture.
After the official business was finished, the leader was invited to stay for dinner, but he did not stay.
"I won't stay here. Even without us, your family can still have some fun. With us, it all feels too formal."
After seeing them off, Tian Hongfang asked Lu Ze to ride his bicycle to call the Tao family. The food was untouched; the family didn't care about anything else and just wanted to come and celebrate together.
Tao Qingtang held Xiao Qingze with a beaming smile; the mother and son looked remarkably alike.
She hadn't seen her family for two months and missed them terribly.
Married daughters shouldn't visit their parents' home too often; if they do, there will be a lot of gossip in the village.
Oh, this one says she goes back to her parents' house all the time, she must have emptied the brigade leader's house.
That girl is already married, yet she's always coming back to the Empress to beg for money. She's such a troublemaker. If she were my daughter, I'd kick her out.
They all spoke with such conviction, sigh.
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