Chapter 323: and translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities appearing in these lines, using exact English

Ye Cheng's side too; Duan Chunsheng and a few others also helped Ye Cheng campaign. According to their feedback, the gains were not bad, and several households said they would support Ye Cheng.

Basically, it's already a sure thing that I will be selected.

Damn it, first time doing this kind of election, Ye Cheng suddenly felt like running for US president; luckily here there's not much truth, and the election isn't that dangerous.

Today is Saturday, also the day of the village election. Early in the morning, the village playground began setting up, hanging banners, arranging a Chairman's Platform; these are for the supervisory group's leaders to sit.

The election officially began at 9:30 a. m.; after breakfast many villagers came early, this is a major event for the village.

Besides, it's rare to gather together so lively; everyone brought their kids along, and a group of children started playing on the playground.

Ye Cheng didn't go that early; he waited until almost 9 o'clock before leisurely walking over—being the main character, he always has to make the last entrance.

Just as he reached the edge of the playground, he heard someone calling him,

"A Cheng, we're over here."

Ye Cheng looked up and saw his elder brother Ye Guowei; several families had snatched a spot to sit, all acquaintances—Xiao Hu's family, Qian Shen, and Duan Chunsheng and his group.

"Big brother, uncles and aunts, you all came so early." Ye Cheng laughed and lit a cigarette; that's how village gatherings are—a bunch of old smokers on the playground.

Duan Chunsheng took it over, speaking in a joking tone: "How come, you're already a sure thing? You only show up this late."

Ye Cheng smiled calmly: "With everyone's help, not winning would be embarrassing."

"Alright, let's first smoke a cigarette." Several men took cigarettes from Ye Cheng, smoking while chatting.

While they were talking, Li Quezi limped over from that side and greeted Ye Cheng,

"Congratulations, Lao Er; in a moment you'll be village chief—you'd better prepare your thanks speech."

"Right, when the time comes, make your speech impressive to show that old thing Chen Jinhai."

Ye Cheng couldn't suppress a smile at the corners of his mouth, and he waved his hand,

"These don't matter; what's important is seeing how to get things done."

"Right, Lao Er is right; the village chief should work for everyone—only Lao Er has that heart. As for me, I don't have that idea; I'd rather go out to sea and make money." Duan Chunsheng said with a laugh.

"Lao Er really has the heart." A group of uncles and aunts echoed in agreement.

Ye Cheng nodded thanks to each of them.

When the time was about right, he glanced at Chen Zhangfu, who nodded back at him, indicating no problem.

With the Chen family able to pull in so many votes on their side, I should be fine.

At 9:15, Chen Jinhai also arrived, grabbed a microphone, and tested it twice.

"Um, everyone please sit down; when the township leaders arrive later, remember to applaud and welcome them."

"We know; you always say the same old thing."

"After finishing the village affairs, will there be food?" a teasing voice rang out in the crowd, instantly provoking loud laughter.

Chen Jinhai's face darkened on the platform; he grabbed the microphone and pointed at the troublemakers, speaking sternly,

"Who, who is causing trouble down there? Later I'll tell your parents to discipline you properly."

"Also, whoever's family, manage your own household; when the leaders arrive, they might think our village lacks discipline."

After Chen Jinhai finished speaking, he saw a commotion outside the crowd; a path was cleared, and the Chen family's elderly grandfather also arrived.

The old grandfather was helped over, trembling; because he was the oldest, they specially arranged a separate seat for him.

"The Chen family really went all out—they even brought out the elderly grandfather."

"They're trying to seize the village chief position and suppress Ye Cheng."

"Heh, looks like today's election will be interesting."

Ye Cheng narrowed his eyes, unable to understand what use the Chen family had in calling out the elderly grandfather.

At 9:25, a car drove into the village, and several people in shirts got out.

Chen Jinhai hurriedly went to meet them, guided them to their seats, waited for the leaders to settle, then Chen Jinhai picked up the microphone and raised his voice,

"Villagers, the election of Baiyun Village officially begins; first let me introduce the leaders who have arrived today—this is the township's Deputy Xiang Li, and this is…"

Ye Cheng sat below and clapped cooperatively; he didn't know any of these people.

After the leaders were introduced, the Deputy Xiang Li sitting in the middle gave a polite spiel of nonsense; the gist was that they would guarantee the election's fairness.

Before the formal voting, Duan Chunsheng, as a representative of the election committee, read out the election rules; the rules were long, but actually just one sentence: whoever gets more votes wins.

After Duan Chunsheng finished, Chen Jinhai took the microphone: "Alright, let's start the election now!"

As soon as his voice fell, several villagers walked out from both sides and began handing out ballots.

The election is simple: just fill out these ballots and cast them.

There are seven people on the ballot, from which we must elect a five‑person village committee and the village chief.

Ye Cheng took out a pen, ticked his name, then folded the ballot.

"Lao Er, look, we all ticked you." Several nearby people handed their ballots to Ye Cheng to see; Ye Cheng thanked each with a cupped‑hand gesture.

"Alright, everyone's done ticking; you can now cast your ballots." The speaker now is Duan Chunsheng, a member of the election team; according to procedure, Chen Jinhai is no longer the village chief.

After Duan Chunsheng shouted, everyone stood up one by one to vote; it took a little over an hour for several hundred people to finish casting their ballots; what remained was the tally.

All procedures were carried out on site; the election team brought out a blackboard, wrote the candidates' names on it, then marked tallies according to the ballots—an old‑fashioned but practical method.

Ye Cheng lit a cigarette, puffed, then sat slowly watching as each ballot was opened; the check marks under his name kept increasing.

However, Chen Jinhai's count was also not small; the gap between them was tiny, with Ye Cheng leading by about ten votes.

According to this trend, Ye Cheng should be elected.

"One vote for Chen Jinhai!"

"One vote for Chen Jinhai!"

"One vote for Chen Jinhai!"

Five consecutive votes for Chen Jinhai made Ye Cheng frown; the gap had become a little small.

Ye Cheng looked toward the platform where Chen Jinhai was; Chen Jinhai also looked over, the old fox curling a meaningful smile, with a hint of contempt.

Ye Cheng suddenly had a bad premonition; he looked toward the Chen family's old gentleman, who showed no urgency, sitting steadily there.

Looking at Chen Zhangfu, Chen Zhangfu nodded hard and gave an OK sign.

The vote counting got faster and faster; when there was still one-fifth left, Chen Jinhai surpassed Ye Cheng for the first time.

Ye Cheng's brows were locked tight; this was not a good sign.

"A Cheng." Ye Guowei lightly patted him, then nodded at him, "Don't panic."