Chapter 75: Times Have Changed! Lu Lazi Becomes an Honored Guest, Lin Yueqiang Is Stunned!

The huge bundle was empty, leaving only a smoked wild chicken; he hoisted it and went straight to the town Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

There weren't many people inside the cooperative; some sales clerks were casually tidying the shelves, while others gathered to chat and crack sunflower seeds.

Director Liu Jianshe, hands clasped behind his back, paced back and forth in front of the counter; when he saw Lu Qingshan enter, he was first startled, then his face instantly filled with a smile like a field of chrysanthemums.

"Ah! Isn't this brother Lu! Happy New Year, happy New Year! What a rare guest, please come in, please come in!"

Liu Jianshe hurried forward, warmly grasped Lu Qingshan's hand with considerable force, clearly having heard about Shanwan Village and Lu Qingshan's recent "heroic deed".

"The brothers at the county restaurant, Zhang Jianguo and the others, were just talking about you a couple of days ago, saying Shanwan Village really hit the jackpot this time, all thanks to brother Lu turning the tide!"

While speaking, Liu Jianshe affectionately ushered Lu Qingshan toward his small office.

"Director Liu, Happy New Year, I'd like to pay you a belated New Year's greeting."

Lu Qingshan followed Liu Jianshe into the office and handed over the smoked wild chicken he was holding.

"It's home‑smoked, not as a formal tribute, just for you and your sister‑in‑law to try fresh; consider it my way of thanking you on behalf of Shanwan Village for your daily care."

Liu Jianshe's eyes lit up; these days smoked wild chicken is a rarity, and its aroma is rich and overwhelming—definitely top‑grade!

He took it without hesitation, and his smile became even more sincere.

"Brother Lu, you're too polite! I accept your goodwill! This craft smells fragrant just by the scent! Your sister‑in‑law really has great skill!"

He placed the smoked chicken carefully on the desk, and the fragrance instantly filled the whole room.

Liu Jianshe personally poured Lu Qingshan a steaming cup of tea; the enamel jar's tea leaves swirled up and down.

"Brother Lu, not to hide it from you, the hunting incident in Shanwan Village has spread throughout the county!"

"Especially your solo showdown with the blind bandit—tsk tsk, that's a true hero! Zhang Jianguo said, your village got so much money and vouchers; you deserve the top credit!"

Lu Qingshan smiled modestly, "It was all the villagers working together; I was just a bit luckier."

"That's not something you achieve by luck alone," Liu Jianshe waved his hand, wearing a "I get it" expression, "Brother Lu truly has real skill!"

After a few pleasantries, Lu Qingshan stated his purpose: "Director Liu, I'd like to buy a radio, plus the matching batteries, and also have some good rice and flour weighed."

He recalled the shabby mud house at home, the night's silence, and Xiao Xue's yearning eyes, feeling the money was well spent.

"Radio?"

Liu Jianshe raised an eyebrow, then seemed to understand.

"Oh! That's a fashionable good thing! However, brother Lu, this radio requires an industrial coupon—do you have one?"

His tone carried a hint of inquiry.

Lu Qingshan pulled from his pocket the brand‑new industrial coupons given by Brother Zhang, handed over one: "I happen to have one."

Liu Jianshe took the coupon, examined it carefully, and nodded with satisfaction.

"That's easy! Our Supply and Marketing Cooperative just received a fresh batch of Red Light brand radios—good quality, loud sound!"

He personally led Lu Qingshan to the counter and called out to a young female clerk who was hunched over knitting, looking somewhat indifferent:

"Xiao Wang! Stop knitting! Quickly pick the latest Red Light radio for Comrade Lu, and also fetch eight 'Advance' brand large batteries!"

"Comrade Lu also needs ten jin of rice and five jin of sorghum rice; weigh them out, pack tightly with good paper!"

The clerk hadn't even lifted her head, but hearing the director speak and address him as "Comrade Lu", and seeing Lu Qingshan's simple clothing yet composed demeanor, she…

Especially when that industrial coupon was placed on the counter, it was as if the clerk had become a different person.

She hurriedly set down her knitting needles, plastered a professional smile on her face, and her voice sweetened several notches: "Ah, okay, Director! Comrade Lu, please wait a moment, I'll fetch the best for you right away!"

Quickly, a brand‑new glossy red‑painted wooden‑case radio arrived, paired with eight brand‑new large batteries.

Plus two paper‑wrapped bundles of rice and flour, all placed before Lu Qingshan.

This Red Light radio cost a little over thirty yuan and one industrial coupon, and the rice and flour also cost a fair sum of money and grain vouchers.

Yet Lu Qingshan, looking at these items, felt an incomparable sense of security and satisfaction.

With the radio, the household will have more laughter and cheer.

Yue E, after a day's work, can listen to operas to relieve boredom; Xiao Xue can hear sounds from beyond the mountain through it and learn about new things; he also wants to listen to more news and policies.

Lu Qingshan paid the money and vouchers, and Liu Jianshe personally arranged for Xiao Wang to fetch sturdy rope, helping to tightly bind the rice, flour, radio, and batteries together.

The Red Light radio was placed on top; its red lacquer, under the slightly dim lighting of the cooperative, still radiated festivity.

"Brother Lu, take a look—does this work? The road's bumpy; don't let this good thing get knocked," Liu Jianshe patted the bundled package, his face full of consideration.

"Fine, thank you, Director Liu," Lu Qingshan nodded.

Just as he was about to lift the bundle, the warehouse curtain at the back of the cooperative swung open, and Lin Yueqiang, with a cigarette roll in his mouth, staggered out.

He had just rested in the warehouse for a while, guessing it was near lunch time, and came out for some fresh air.

At a glance he spotted Lu Qingshan at the counter, the conspicuous bundle at his feet, especially the brand‑new radio perched on top.

Lin Yueqiang squinted his eyes, habitually curled the corner of his mouth, showing a hint of casual disdain and surprise.

"Yo, isn't this my brother‑in‑law?" he drawled, his tone laced with his usual sarcastic inflection.

"What kind of wind blew you to the cooperative today? And you even bought a… radio?"

He sized up Lu Qingshan from head to toe, his gaze seeming to say, "Someone like you doesn't deserve this gadget."

Lu Qingshan didn't even blink, reached out to steady the bundle, preparing to shoulder it, as if Lin Yueqiang were nothing but air.

Liu Jianshe, who had been speaking to Lu Qingshan with a bright smile, instantly grew solemn upon hearing Lin Yueqiang's bland, confrontational tone.

He had been yearning for a chance to display his "authority" over subordinates and his "regard" for Lu Qingshan in front of him.

"Lin Yueqiang!"

Liu Jianshe spun around abruptly, his voice suddenly high‑pitched, startling Lin Yueqiang, whose cigarette roll nearly fell to the ground.

"You kid, how can you speak like that! During work hours you should stay in the warehouse, not wander out loitering! Keep your mouth clean! Comrade Lu is an honored guest of our cooperative and also your brother‑in‑law; have some manners! Do you understand etiquette?"

Lin Yueqiang was stunned into silence by Liu Jianshe's blunt scolding.

He opened his mouth, intending to say something like "Isn't he that idle Lu Lazi?"

But as the words reached his lips, seeing Liu Jianshe's almost flaming glare and Lu Qingshan's calm, indifferent demeanor, Lin Yueqiang felt inexplicably deflated.

He couldn't quite figure it out; it had only been a few days, yet Lu Qingshan had already become a "distinguished guest" in Liu Jiànshè's mouth.

Seeing Liu Jiànshè's eager attentiveness, he was more concerned than about his second uncle.

"Aren't you going to hurry and apologize to Comrade Lu! What are you standing there for!"

Liu Jiànshè saw Lin Yueqiang standing there motionless, his anger grew, and the spit was about to spray onto Lin Yueqiang's face.

Pressed with no choice, Lin Yueqiang's face flushed bright red, and he mumbled vaguely toward Lu Qingshan, "Sis… brother‑in‑law, I… I didn't mean that…"

His voice was as tiny as a mosquito's hum.

Lu Qingshan then, as if just noticing him, gave a faint glance, his eyes calm and unruffled.

Then he said to Liu Jiànshè, "Director Liu, it's fine, I'll leave now; I'll bother you again another day."

As he spoke, he casually tossed the large bundle onto his shoulder and bore it steadily.

"Hey, Lu, little brother, take care, take care!"

Liu Jiànshè immediately put on a smile again, escorted Lu Qingshan all the way to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative's gate, and only after watching him walk away did he turn back with a stern face.

Lin Yueqiang remained stunned in place, his heart a mix of five flavors, only feeling a burning sting on his face.

The brother‑in‑law he had once summoned around and despised deep down, today actually made him unable to get a foothold in public.

The female sales clerk named Xiao Wang beside him was watching him with a strange look, making him feel even more ashamed, and he slunk back into the warehouse, his head hung low.

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic Liu Jiànshè, Lu Qingshan chose not to ride Liu Hua Qiang's carriage.

He carried the heavy radio on his back, held rice and flour in one hand, and walked step by step toward Shanwan Village.

The road was still long, and he wanted to use this solitary time to carefully contemplate each upcoming step.

The snowy mountain path was muddy and slippery; each step left a deep imprint.

The cold wind still blew, yet Lu Qingshan's heart was scorching hot.

With the red‑lacquered wooden‑cased radio on his back and the more than three thousand yuan of cash tucked in his bosom—each bill like a burning coal—warming his chest and illuminating his hope for the future.

This feeling was solid and full of strength.

He recalled his past life's meekness and inadequacy, unable even to provide his wife and daughter a full meal, let alone such a luxury item that was considered extravagant at the time.

Now, step by step, he intends to repay, bit by bit, the debts he owed them, repaying double.