Chapter 136

Su Wenjun and Guo Suhua also walked over to look at the painting, and they couldn't stop praising it, "Xinghui, is this the bamboo weaving craft painting from the bamboo weaving factory in Yezhugou Village that you mentioned? This is really beautiful; this girl’s hands are so skillful."

Su Xinghui said to Xiazhu, "Xiazhu, I accept your heart, but I can't accept this painting; it’s too valuable. A painting is worth over a thousand yuan."

Xiazhu became so anxious that her face turned red, "Brother Xinghui, how can you not accept it? If it weren't for you helping our family, our family would have collapsed long ago, and I don't know where I would be suffering. No matter how expensive this painting can be sold for, it’s just a bit of my heart. If you don't accept it, I will throw it away."

Xialan also persuaded, "Yes, Director Su, this painting was carefully woven by Xiazhu, and it’s woven much better than the same painting she handed to Deputy Manager Li last time. If you don't accept it, she will be sad."

Su Xinghui knew that it might really not be appropriate for him not to accept the painting today. He pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, then I will accept this painting. As for these wild pheasants and bamboo rats, you should take them back. These things are also quite expensive. If I accept them, I will be making a mistake."

Fang Youcai said, "That won't do. This is the heartfelt wish of all the villagers. If you don't accept it, when we go back, all the villagers will blame us."

Su Xinghui thought for a while and said, "Then how about this: I’ll pay for them."

Zhao Zhongfu became anxious, "Director Su, this is just us paying you an early New Year’s call. If you pay, it’s equivalent to slapping us in the face."

Su Xinghui was a bit troubled. In this situation, it didn't seem appropriate for him not to accept, but if he accepted, he was really afraid of making a mistake.

Seeing this scene, Guo Suhua laughed, "How about this: we accept these things, and we just keep the guests for a meal at our house."

Su Xinghui thought to himself, *That’s the only way.* He said to them, "Alright, then I will accept this heart this time. But let’s agree: no next time. In the future, when you come to my house, there will always be food to eat, but you are not allowed to bring anything. I believe you wouldn't want me to make a mistake, right?"

Fang Youcai laughed, "Alright, no next time!"

Su Xinghui and Zhao Zhongfu carried the cages into the kitchen together and put them down. Zhao Zhongfu also brought a snake-skin bag, which he also put on the ground. He said to Su Xinghui, "Inside is a little feed for the wild pheasants and bamboo rats. You can raise them for a day and kill them before the New Year’s meal tomorrow; they will be fresher."

Su Xinghui nodded and said he knew.

Guo Suhua went into the kitchen to cook, and Su Xinghui and Su Wenjun sat in the living room to chat with the guests.

In front of Su Wenjun, Fang Youcai and the others naturally praised Su Xinghui as being rare in the world, but what they said was the truth. Yezhugou Village really had hope for prosperity because of Su Xinghui.

Su Wenjun rarely heard his son talk about these things. Hearing these village cadres praise his son, he could naturally tell they were sincere. His son’s actions in the township also made him feel genuinely happy and proud of his son.

With the New Year approaching, many of the dishes at home were ready-made, so Guo Suhua quickly brought out a table of dishes and invited the guests to the table.

Su Xinghui opened a bottle of Jiangcheng Chun, poured it for Fang Youcai and Zhao Zhongfu, and took a can of Jianlibao for each of the sisters, Xialan and Xiazhu.

Fang Youcai said, "I don't deserve this. Preparing such a large table of dishes and drinking such good wine—this is really disturbing you."

Su Xinghui said, "Secretary Fang, what are you saying? You are guests when you come. You must drink more today."

Su Wenjun raised his glass, "Brother Fang, I am a doctor and cannot drink too much alcohol, so I can only accompany you a little bit. You drink more."

Fang Youcai hurriedly raised his glass to clink with Su Wenjun and drank a glass.

The others also raised their glasses one after another, wishing Su Xinghui’s family a happy New Year.

Su Xinghui also raised his glass, "Come, I’ll toast you all together. I wish Yezhugou Village a better next year and every family to make a fortune!"

Fang Youcai laughed, "Then I’ll borrow Director Su’s auspicious words. We also wish Director Su a smooth promotion and to become a big official soon!"

Su Xinghui said he didn't dare. Xialan said, "What’s there not to dare? A cadre like Director Su who has ability and good character—if he can't become a big official, then the leaders above must be blind."

Su Xinghui said hurriedly, "Sister Xialan, don't talk nonsense. If the leaders hear it, they will think I am the one asking them for an official position, and then I will really have no one to promote me."

Several people laughed, and Xiazhu also covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiazhu’s smile was like a flower. Guo Suhua saw that this girl was so beautiful and looked particularly pure, unlike many girls in the county town who were vulgar, and the down jacket she wore was also quite good-looking, not like a rural girl at all, so she liked her.

Guo Suhua took a pair of serving chopsticks and picked up some dishes for Xiazhu’s bowl, "Xiazhu, right? Try the dishes Auntie made and see how they are?"

Xiazhu nodded, "Thank you, Auntie. The dishes Auntie made are all delicious; I like them very much."

Guo Suhua immediately beamed, "This girl is really good at talking, looks so beautiful, and her hands are skillful. I don't know which young man is so lucky to be able to marry you as a wife."

As soon as this was mentioned, Xiazhu’s face turned red. She stole a glance at Su Xinghui and lowered her head.

Xialan laughed, "Auntie, my sister hasn't found a husband yet."

Guo Suhua had seen that glance Xiazhu gave Su Xinghui just now, and she had an idea in her heart. She nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good, it’s good that she hasn't found a husband."

Su Xinghui saw that Guo Suhua kept staring at Xiazhu and said with some dissatisfaction, "Mom, don't keep staring at Xiazhu; it makes her feel embarrassed to eat."

Guo Suhua then nodded and smiled, "Alright, Xiazhu, eat more."

Xiazhu nodded, "Alright, Auntie!"

Su Xinghui raised his glass again to Fang Youcai, Zhao Zhongfu, and Xialan, "Secretary Fang, Director Zhao, Sister Xialan, my work below during this period is thanks to your support. Come, I’ll toast you again!"

Several people raised their glasses together, "The work you do is for our own good. If we don't support you, that would be ungrateful!"

Su Xinghui drank this glass, "For next year’s work, I still have to ask for your support!"

"No problem! Whatever Director Su says, we will do! We will definitely not hold you back!" Several people responded loudly.

Seeing that his son was so loved by the village cadres below, Su Wenjun and his wife saw it in their eyes and felt happy in their hearts. It seemed that their son was really doing very well below. Their son was so promising, so they, as parents, could rest assured.