Chapter 1404: Rural Absurd Past Events Chapter 1404: Just a Large-Scale Performance Stage Built for a Certain Someone

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

The next morning.

Town Government Conference Hall.

All cadres had come.

The Town Party Secretary, Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, and Police Station Chief all took their seats in the front row.

The commendation conference was held with great solemnity.

Even reporters from the County TV Station came to film and interview.

It was obvious this matter would at least make the County TV Station news.

If Liu Yumeng's family had a bit more influence, it might even make the City Television Station news.

The commendation conference proceeded routinely according to procedure.

First the Town Party Secretary He Gaofeng gave a speech, conveying the spirit of acting bravely for a just cause and promoting traditional Chinese virtues, then the Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, Police Station Chief and other leaders each gave speeches in turn.

After the leaders had all finished speaking.

Only then did it come to Wang Xiaohua, Liu Yumeng, and Wang Chang — the three protagonists of the act of bravery — to take the stage and speak.

"Next, we invite Comrade Wang Xiaohua to give a speech!"

Wang Xiaohua went on stage.

He held no speech draft in his hand.

The microphone on stage was a bit high; he bent it down a little.

Then he scanned the group of leaders and grassroots cadres below.

In that instant, he had the illusion he had arrived in the Rakshasa Kingdom.

The more upright and solemn the leaders below sat, the more absurd and grotesque he felt it was.

And the more absurd and grotesque he felt, the more his inner heart wanted to laugh.

But he had to hold back the laughter.

"How come Wang Xiaohua has no speech draft?"

Zhong Hongtao noticed the detail that Wang Xiaohua held no manuscript.

His brows couldn't help but furrow slightly.

Zhou Zhiliang beside him laughed instead:

"He's a Tsinghua University Top Student; for a small matter like this, speaking off the cuff is perfectly normal."

Yet Zhong Hongtao sensed something was off.

Combined with yesterday when notifying Wang Xiaohua, Wang Xiaohua hadn't shown much joy.

He couldn't help but sweat a little for Wang Xiaohua.

"You brat, don't go off script, otherwise your bright future will be ruined in an instant!"

Zhong Hongtao said in his heart.

Actually Zhong Hongtao knew what Wang Xiaohua was thinking inside.

Wang Xiaohua felt this matter was absurd — that was perfectly normal.

When he was young, he also would have felt this kind of thing was absurd, and would have disdained this kind of reputation that feeds on others' blood like steamed buns.

Who wasn't young and full of vigor?

Who wasn't young without a few proud bones?

But he really couldn't be impulsive!

So many leaders!

And there were TV station reporters too!

If he misspoke, the matter could be big or small!

At worst, it really could ruin Wang Xiaohua's official career!

And at this moment, Wang Xiaohua on stage opened his mouth.

"Respected leaders, colleagues, good morning everyone! Today I am able to stand here and accept the Town Government's commendation; to tell the truth, in my inner heart I feel unworthy of such honor. Facing this honor, I feel I merely did a small thing any ordinary person would do. Facing an emergency, a grassroots cadre stepping forward is where duty lies; it is responsibility, and also obligation! My words are finished. Once again thank you to all leaders, all colleagues, especially Police Station Chief Zhou for his recognition of me. Thank you everyone!"

Wang Xiaohua's speech was very brief.

Finished speaking, he glanced at Zhou Zhiliang, then bowed to everyone below the stage, then stepped down.

Applause rang out below the stage.

He Gaofeng clapped while muttering:

"Wang Xiaohua's speech, why so brief? A bit perfunctory."

Zhong Hongtao let out a breath of relief and said politely to He Gaofeng:

"Science students are all like this — practical doers, don't engage in empty formalities."

Zhong Hongtao thought to himself: if Wang Xiaohua had said more and peeled off that layer of hypocritical skin from us old things, I'm afraid you, this Town Party Secretary, would also be displeased.

Zhou Zhiliang just smiled:

"I think Wang Xiaohua is pretty good, good at socializing, doesn't show off, doesn't fight for credit, and even knows gratitude!"

The reason Zhou Zhiliang thought Wang Xiaohua was pretty good: first, because in Wang Xiaohua's brief speech he specially mentioned thanking him.

Whatever purpose Wang Xiaohua had, Zhou Zhiliang felt this kid knows how to conduct himself, understands human relations!

Second, because Zhou Zhiliang had read his niece Liu Yumeng's speech draft; Liu Yumeng's speech draft, to tell the truth, although long-winded, was written poorly.

Yesterday he was still worried that his own niece's limelight might be completely covered up by Wang Xiaohua!

After all, Wang Xiaohua was a Tsinghua University graduate; a speech draft full of literary flair was absolutely a piece of cake for him.

If Wang Xiaohua gave an impassioned speech on stage, then this commendation conference he had arranged would likely end up making a wedding dress for Wang Xiaohua!

Unexpectedly, Wang Xiaohua was so good at socializing; not only did he thank him, but he also said two sentences and stepped down, deliberately restraining his edge — wasn't this actively leaving the opportunity to Liu Yumeng?

So after this matter, Zhou Zhiliang's good impression of Wang Xiaohua could be said to have risen to an unprecedented height.

And at this time, Liu Yumeng took the stage to speak:

"Respected leaders, colleagues, hello everyone! First I want to thank the leaders for their cultivation of me, especially Secretary He, Town Mayor Liu, Town Mayor Zhong, Chief Zhou and other leaders! Then what I want to say is, acting bravely for a just cause is a virtue of our country for thousands of years; although I risked my life, I could not shirk my duty! As a grassroots civil servant, daily I take root in the township, serve the masses, deal with ordinary people every day; what I guard is not only my post responsibility, but also a responsibility and conscience. That day encountering a sudden situation, I simply didn't have time to think much, and directly rushed forward to help. Facing the villains, I had panic, had fear, but I did not retreat! Fortunately later, my direct leader Director Wang Xiaohua came, my colleague Brother Wang Wang Chang also came to help, and only then was the tragedy stopped. This is not some earth-shattering feat; this is just my instinctive choice, the most basic morality of being human.

Grassroots work is ordinary and tedious, but I don't feel bored at all; on the contrary, every day is very fulfilling! Going from village to household, relieving worries and solving difficulties, guarding peace in one area, maintaining neighborly harmony — these are originally the proper duties of us grassroots cadres. Acting bravely for a just cause is not my behavior alone; colleagues a kind of upward goodness seal, a force transmitting warmth..."

Liu Yumeng bla bla bla spoke a long passage.

She said a lot, a lot.

Scattered and disjointed, her speech draft was at least five thousand words!

As she spoke, the people below the stage, listening, all felt a bit drowsy.

After all, this kind of fake, grandiose, and empty stuff is a natural sleeping aid.

Wang Xiaohua listened, feeling a bit like crying and laughing in his heart.

Because what Liu Yumeng said was not only fake, grandiose, and empty, but also reversed the facts.

What do you mean you directly rushed forward?

What do you mean later your leader and colleagues arrived to help?

Meaning you were the first to rush forward and act bravely?

Are you sure this is the fact?

Sure it wasn't trembling hiding behind me?

Sure it wasn't seeing Zhou Hongwei's miserable state and running out vomiting non-stop?

Wang Xiaohua had opinions in his heart, but it wasn't appropriate to say anything.

No matter how absurd or detached from facts Liu Yumeng spoke, this was originally a large performance stage built for her, so she naturally could say whatever she wanted.