Chapter 877: Rural Absurd Past Events Chapter 877: What Way Could There Be, I Only Have This One Son

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

"Town Mayor Zhong, I've decided — I'll take this temporary village cadre position!"

The next morning, Wang Erhai gave Zhong Hongtao a call.

Upon hearing this news, Zhong Hongtao's face immediately lit up with joy.

He had thought Wang Erhai would refuse; never did he expect a sudden turn for the better — Wang Erhai had actually agreed in the end.

"Wang Erhai, that you have this awareness pleases me greatly. Since that's the case, I'll go to Shanggou Village today, find you, find Zhang Zhongtian, and have Zhang Zhongtian hand over the work to you!"

Zhong Hongtao hung up and immediately drove off for Shanggou Village.

Arriving at the Wang family home in Shanggou Village, Wang Erhai was eating breakfast with his parents.

"Town Mayor Zhong, good morning!"

Wang Erhai hurriedly greeted him.

Learning this man was Town Mayor Zhong from the town, Wang Zhanggen also hurriedly greeted:

"Quick, fetch a bowl and chopsticks, serve the Town Mayor a bowl of congee!"

Wang Zhanggen hurriedly urged Li Xiulan.

Li Xiulan nodded, then went to fetch the bowl and chopsticks.

Zhong Hongtao smiled politely:

"No need, no need, I've already eaten breakfast."

But Wang Zhanggen hurriedly offered a cigarette:

"Town Mayor Zhong, I heard Erhai say you're selecting him as Shanggou Village's temporary village cadre — is that true?"

"Of course it's true. I came here today precisely for this matter!" Zhong Hongtao answered with a smile.

Hearing this, Wang Zhanggen was immediately overcome with excitement:

"That's wonderful! Many thanks, Town Mayor Zhong, for thinking so highly of my son. Once he becomes a village cadre, I'll definitely make him work hard. If he doesn't work hard, I, his father, will be the first to disagree!"

Just then Li Xiulan brought up a bowl of pickled vegetable and lean meat congee, set it before Zhong Hongtao, and said with a smile:

"Town Mayor Zhong, Erhai is still young; he'll have to trouble you to guide him more in the future."

Zhong Hongtao laughed heartily:

"Certainly, certainly. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me — I'll definitely hold nothing back. From now on, your son and I are colleagues; we're equals, no high or low, all serving the people!"

Zhong Hongtao was very approachable; this wasn't mere polite talk, but heartfelt honest truth.

He was a pure man; the reason he was willing to stay in this mountain-pass small town was truly to do real things for the people.

Ever since he came to this town, the entire town's appearance had undergone a huge change.

Although he wasn't the Town Party Secretary, wasn't the Town Mayor, just a Deputy Town Mayor in charge of township affairs, he truly brought many positive things to this town.

Everyone admired him, too — after all, in this day and age, someone this pure, who only does the work and doesn't fight for credit, is truly rare.

Zhong Hongtao took the pickled vegetable and lean meat congee Li Xiulan handed over, took a sip, and praised with a smile:

"This congee tastes really good!"

Li Xiulan's old face beamed with wrinkles:

"I made this pickled vegetable myself. If Town Mayor Zhong likes it, I'll send you some!"

Zhong Hongtao hurriedly waved his hand:

"No, no, no, that won't do. Not taking a single needle or thread from the masses is my principle of doing things!"

He then downed the whole bowl of congee in one big gulp, and said:

"I've finished the congee. We need to hurry and make it official. Erhai, come with me to Zhang Zhongtian's place, let Zhang Zhongtian brief you on the work!"

Wang Erhai hurriedly nodded:

"Alright, Town Mayor Zhong!"

So the two went together to Zhang Zhongtian's villa building.

Arriving at the villa gate, not yet entering the villa courtyard.

Zhong Hongtao couldn't help but mutter:

"Zhang Zhongtian's villa is truly luxurious! Even the rich in town may not afford such a fine villa! Wonder how he earned this money?"

An ordinary person at this moment would surely seize the chance to fan the flames and speak ill of Zhang Zhongtian.

But Wang Erhai didn't do that, because he knew that badmouthing others behind their backs doesn't necessarily leave a good impression; on the contrary, it might provoke dislike.

After all, today you can secretly badmouth someone else to my face; tomorrow you can badmouth me to someone else's face.

This principle, anyone with even a bit of social experience would understand.

So Wang Erhai said:

"I don't know about that either. I've been working in the county town all along, rarely kept up with village matters. But Secretary Zhang does have some ability; otherwise he couldn't have been Village Committee Secretary for so many years, and the villagers have no real complaints."

Hearing this, Zhong Hongtao slowly nodded, looking at Wang Erhai with newfound respect.

This young man who'd run a company outside and been a big boss — he really was different from ordinary young people.

The words he spoke were so steady.

In conducting himself and handling affairs, he'd already done excellently enough.

Entering Zhang Zhongtian's villa courtyard, they saw Yao Aina hanging freshly washed clothes.

On her back, strapped in a carrier, she carried her grandson Zhang Jiajun.

Zhang Zhiqiang didn't come to pick up the kid either.

"Auntie Aina, we've come to find Uncle Grandpa Zhang."

Wang Erhai greeted them politely.

Yao Aina wore a worried, grim expression:

"He's inside; you'll see him as soon as you go in."

Wang Erhai and Zhong Hongtao walked into the hall, only to see Zhang Zhongtian sitting on the sofa in a daze.

His mental state wasn't good; his face was pale, his gaze exhausted.

The whole person seemed somewhat dazed.

"Party Secretary Zhang, morning."

Zhong Hongtao called out.

Only then did Zhang Zhongtian snap out of his daze; he looked up, saw it was Zhong Hongtao and Wang Erhai who had come, and hurriedly stood up to greet them:

"Town Mayor Zhong, Erhai, you've come. Quick, sit. I'll go brew tea for you."

Zhang Zhongtian's physical condition was very poor, but he still forced himself up to receive them; after all, guests had arrived, and he had to be hospitable.

Wang Erhai and Zhong Hongtao sat down.

Zhong Hongtao scanned the room, saw no sign of Zhang Zhiqiang, and casually asked:

"Old Zhang, where's your son?"

Zhang Zhongtian finished brewing the tea and brought it over, a bitter smile on his face:

"My unpromising son — I said a few words to him last night, he got unhappy, ran off outside, and didn't come back all night."

Zhong Hongtao nodded, didn't bring up Zhang Zhongtian's son again, and instead cut straight to the point:

"Old Zhang, this time Wang Erhai and I came to find you to let you know: the Town Government has already decided to have Wang Erhai serve as Shanggou Village's Temporary Village Cadre."

Zhang Zhongtian didn't react much, because he had long known this would be the outcome.

He just smiled bitterly:

"Fine, no problem. I'll follow the higher-ups' arrangements."

Zhong Hongtao added:

"Your health is this bad now; you can't do a lot of things anymore. Just rest. Once you've recovered, you can serve the people again. From now on, the village's work will be handled by Wang Erhai. If there's anything that needs handing over, discuss it with Wang Erhai."

But Zhang Zhongtian didn't directly address the handover; instead he brought up his son again:

"Zhiqiang has a bit of a stubborn nature. If he offends you in any way in the future, please be tolerant."

This left both Zhong Hongtao and Wang Erhai not knowing how to respond.

Zhang Zhongtian went on:

"You keep an eye on him for me. I'm just afraid he'll gamble, whore around, befriend some scoundrels. If that happens, even if the family had mountains of gold and silver, he'd probably squander it all. So, if he commits minor faults, please be tolerant; if he commits major ones, please punish him severely — detain him if he should be detained, send him to prison if he should be sent to prison."

Zhong Hongtao couldn't help but sigh:

"Old Zhang, you've truly worn yourself out worrying over your son."

Zhang Zhongtian smiled bitterly:

"What can I do? He's my only son."

……