Chapter 83

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Chai Mi

Liu Zhanggui seemed to wear that plaid shirt all year round, paired with black suit trousers, standard leather shoes, and a big pompadour, which made Chai Mi sigh: even as a village chief, in the scorching heat of midsummer, he still had to dress so formally—it really was a bit of a torment... Just looking at Liu Zhanggui like this, she felt she herself was unworthy of being the village chief.

It was just too hot.

Liu Zhanggui skillfully took out a pack of cigarettes, first gave one to Xiao Liuzi, then handed them out one by one, and finally gave one to Chai Youqing.

Liu Zhanggui warmly lit a cigarette for Xiao Liuzi, then spoke as if he had thought it over deeply: "Aiya, you say you came over, why didn't you say hello? It's so early in the morning, I haven't prepared food yet. In a moment... in a moment I'll arrange to go to Old Song's house and have a drink together."

The Old Song's house Liu Zhanggui referred to was the home of the village accountant, Song Qingshan.

After all, Liu Zhanggui was still a bachelor; after his wife divorced him, he couldn't cook himself, and mooching meals was something he often did...

Fortunately, Song Qingshan's wife was still a clansman of Liu Zhanggui, otherwise there would surely be gossip in the village.

It was mainly that the village funds were tight and there was no spare money; now going out to eat, whether to a restaurant or a hotel, required cash and no credit was allowed, and even the village chief couldn't swing it. They could only go to someone's home to eat.

Xiao Liuzi, upon hearing about drinking, immediately relaxed and said with a smile: "Ai, isn't it that someone reported this... what's-his-name."

"Chai Youqing."

"Mm, that's right. Someone reported Chai Youqing for stealing trees. The forestry station sent us over to take a look... Now the higher-ups advocate closing the mountains to nurture forests, and cutting trees is definitely not allowed."

"Aiya." Liu Zhanggui let out a breath: "I thought it was some big deal? Just this little thing, and you had to come all the way over. Really... Xiao Liuzi, don't worry, I can't vouch for others, but as for Chai Mi's father Chai Youqing, he's an especially honest person. To put it this way, I can believe others in our village secretly cutting trees, but I absolutely don't believe he would secretly cut them. It must be someone jealous of him... framing him."

Xiao Liuzi looked a bit embarrassed: "Just now that girl said her family seemed to have indeed dragged back a tree..."

Chai Mi then explained the whole matter about someone in the neighboring village dying an unnatural death, after which Chai Youqing dragged back a tree.

Liu Zhanggui slapped his thigh: "Xiao Liuzi, see, I said this tree definitely wasn't cut by Chai Youqing, didn't I? Come on, come on, let's go drink... this isn't a big deal. It was picked up; if there's a problem, find the one who cut the tree."

Xiao Liuzi frowned: "Village Chief, since you've put it that way, if I keep investigating, it wouldn't be right. But, this thing—someone reported it... right. The township side also isn't easy to explain to."

"Who reported it?"

"Wang Huirong..."

Liu Zhanggui was stunned: "Who?"

Chai Youqing also wore an expression of disbelief: "My mom?"

Only Chai Mi coldly laughed without speaking: Look at this, is this something a birth mother would do? A birth mother reporting her own son for stealing trees, they say even a tigress doesn't eat her cubs...

This Wang Huirong really is a talent!

Liu Zhanggui awkwardly looked at Chai Youqing, and Chai Youqing also looked awkwardly at Liu Zhanggui.

The scene was deathly awkward.

"Uh... then it's even less of a problem. This old lady Wang Huirong is Chai Youqing's birth mother." Liu Zhanggui awkwardly laughed: "Their third son broke his leg, I reckon she's been addled lately, this..."

Liu Zhanggui pointed to his head: "I reckon she was stimulated. How could a birth mother report her own son? This must be a misunderstanding."