Chapter 427: A light boat has already crossed ten thousand mountains

Duan Dajie said: "It's the village chief."

Chen Gui has been locked up; he can't get out, so he's calling out to the village chief, asking the village chief to back him up, and he insists that your father admit.

The village chief had just caught his breath when he heard Chen Gui shout like that, and he got so angry his breath caught again.

It was your father who rescued him, but the village chief just wouldn't wake up, so they had the clerk take him to the town hospital.

Wu An gave a meaningful smile.

Really fainted?

Or pretending?

But it doesn't matter; it's no longer important.

Chen Gui's reckless self-destruction means he's surely done for; if the higher-ups investigate, who knows how many others will be dragged down with him.

Don't underestimate the village head just because it's a grassroots position; it's also very important.

By rights, it should be decided by election, but the higher-ups' opinion still carries great weight, and many personnel matters are involved.

Old Village Chief Shen definitely won't get away.

Now, even if the village chief doesn't want to step down, he probably won't have a choice.

Father doesn't need to wait.

He'll be able to take office soon.

Wu An rose, having heard the amusement, seeing Duan Dajie gulping, he said: "Duan Dajie, after all that talk, go get a drink."

He didn't keep squatting at the door; he went back to the courtyard.

Seeing Wu An leave, everyone drifted off in twos and threes—some heading home, some to the small shop; lately Xixi Village has been really lively.

But this liveliness, to outsiders, doesn't look very glorious.

It's fine.

Once Father takes office, he'll lead the reforms and I'll help a bit; the village will surely get a new look. Mostly it's about getting people busy—when people are busy, there'll be far fewer troublemakers.

The sky is darkening.

Wu Yingwei just got home.

The food and drinks are already on the table; Wu An brought out the last dish from the kitchen and smiled: "Dad, we've been waiting for you—shall we have a drink later?"

Wu Yingwei exhaled a turbid breath: "Let's have a drink."

He had a busy day.

Not just physically tired.

And mentally exhausted.

Mei Yueqin's voice came from the kitchen: "Wash your hands."

The three elders who had just sat down all rose together and went to the faucet.

Mei Yueqin came out; "If we don't say it, we'll forget."

"What's going on?"

"Illness enters through the mouth……"

Babble.

Wu Yingwei and Wu Ping just listened silently; Wu An quickly raised his hand: "Sister-in-law, I was wrong, I'll definitely change—let's eat. You've worked hard cooking; this big drumstick is for you."

Mei Yueqin gave him another piece: "Eat up."

She also added a bowl of chicken soup: "Drink more."

Wu An laughed in reply.

Wu Yingwei took a sip of liquor; it was baijiu, a bit strong, so he quickly grabbed some peanuts to curb the burn.

We don't usually drink baijiu at home.

Whenever Wu Yingwei is stressed from work, he drinks a little to relieve fatigue.

Wu An accompanied him and asked: "Dad, can the things Chen Gui said be verified?"

Wu Yingwei sighed and shook his head: "That's it."

"It's all just petty nonsense."

"Even if proven, what can you do? His deeds are dirty, but they're not illegal."

Wu Ping said: "I heard from the villagers that Chen Gui was taken away by Chen Lin, but Chen Gui didn't want to go, so Chen Lin lost his temper and lashed out."

Wu An blinked: "When?"

Wu Ping said: "Right after school, not far from the school—the two of them started fighting in front of a bunch of students. Ah, it's really hard to watch."

"I took photos."

"Have a look."

Wu An took the phone; there were not only photos but also video, and he was so amused he couldn't help downing a whole cup of liquor.

"Exhilarating!"

He laughed: "Dad, the village chief is also in the hospital—so all the village's big and small matters fall on you."

Mei Yueqin hurriedly asked: "What about the village head?"

Wu Ping laughed: "Don't worry, Father's village head position certainly won't slip away."

Wu Yingwei said nothing, just nodded firmly: "This afternoon the town officials already contacted me, saying I should act as village head for now."

After saying that, he couldn't help laughing too.

Although he wasn't set on becoming village head, who doesn't want to get ahead?

Especially after hearing Chen Gui spill all that, now that the dust has settled, he feels completely light‑hearted and at ease, as if a light boat has already crossed ten thousand mountains.

The whole family is very happy.

Father became the village chief, but it's a great joy, worth celebrating.

"Sister-in-law, would you like a drink?"

"Sure, have a drink."

Wu An got up to fetch a cup, rinsed it with water, and poured a cup.

"Come, let's clink cups as a family."

"Wishing Dad smooth sailing in the new job position."

"Wishing big brother to get the official post soon."

"Wishing sister-in-law eternal youth and beauty."

Wu Yingwei smiled.

Wu Ping's face showed a stiff expression; the official post... he is still a privately-run teacher, not even a public-school teacher, the distance to the official post is not just ten thousand eight thousand li, but also countless mountains.

Mei Yueqin smiled so broadly she couldn't close her mouth.

Wu An really knows how to talk now; before, when the family ate, they'd call him to eat, he'd finish and leave, full in a few minutes; if nobody sought him to talk, he wouldn't even fart.

Things are different now.

His words are one set after another, making the listeners happy.

Wu An raised his cup, only to see the other three hadn't raised theirs.

Wu Yingwei asked, "You've only blessed us, what about you?"

Wu An smiled, "Bless myself? Fine, I'll say it; we're family, no need to worry about jokes." He coughed and said, "Next year, let you become a grandfather."

Wu Yingwei was stunned, then burst into loud laughter.

"Don't say that."

"This truly is his greatest wish."

Wu Ping and Mei Yueqin exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's meaning.

"Tonight we must seize the moment, try harder."

"As the older brother and sister-in-law, they must have a child before Wu Anxian does."

The four clinked cups.

They drank it all in one go.

Mei Yueqin felt the spice almost bringing tears; she can drink alcohol, but only a bit of beer, baijiu really isn't for her, so Wu Ping quickly grabbed a dish and stuffed it into her mouth to suppress it.

Wu An watched, feeling a bit envious.

The family is still small; Gu Anran entered the house, the older brother and sister-in-law had a child, he also had a child, the house became lively; if Father works a few more years, by then he can hold candy and play with grandchildren, enjoying family bliss.

Just thinking about it feels wonderful.

It's also a good day he couldn't have dreamed of in his past life.

Duan Dajie's family was also eating, hearing the joyful laughter from next door, she said sourly: "The Lao Wu family has truly risen."

"Uncle Yingwei is the village chief."

"A An is out there making a career; I heard it's a multi-million-dollar project."

"But A Ping is a bit lacking."

Her husband said: "Don't keep thinking about stirring up trouble all day; humph, I actually think A Ping is fine—teaching and nurturing people, he's probably taught for ten or so years; all the students in the surrounding ten li and eight villages are his."

"I heard he teaches well; some people specifically send their kids to his class."

Duan Dajie snorted twice: "So what? He himself has no child..."

His parents angrily slapped the chopsticks, lowered their voice to remind: "QiqI, what are you saying!"

"These words... especially in front of Wu An, say less—no, don't even mention it; this kid holds grudges."

Duan Dajie said resentfully: "I wouldn't need you to tell me; I only said all that today to curry favor with him."

"In the end, there wasn't even any water to drink."

"Fine, I won't say it anymore; just look, you've scared them."