Chapter 211: Cheng Taoxian

On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Cheng Taoxian was smiling all day—she had never been this happy before, and Su Xinghui noticed, asking casually: "Sister Cheng, is Brother Luo coming back?"

To his surprise, Cheng Taoxian nodded and replied: "Yes, he'll be here at noon, on leave to visit family."

Su Xinghui exclaimed happily: "Really? That's great! Now Sister Cheng, you'll have a lively New Year."

Cheng Taoxian feigned complaint: "Sigh, your Brother Luo—he only comes home once a year, you can't count on him for anything."

Her tone was complaining, but the joy on her face was impossible to hide.

Su Xinghui said: "Alright, if Brother Luo needs any help when he arrives, just call me!"

Cheng Taoxian nodded: "Okay."

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Cheng Taoxian's husband Luo Wenchang returned, carrying bundles of packages; as he entered from outside, Su Xinghui spotted him.

Su Xinghui called out quickly: "Brother Luo, you're back!"

He hurried forward to help carry the bags, which puzzled Luo Wenchang—he had never seen Su Xinghui before, and asked: "Comrade, do you know me?"

Su Xinghui suddenly remembered: though he had met Luo Wenchang in his past life, Luo Wenchang had never seen him in this life; he quickly smiled: "Brother Luo, I'm Sister Cheng's colleague—I just came this year. She said you'd be back today, and I saw you in uniform, so I figured it was you."

Luo Wenchang then smiled: "Oh, thank you then!"

Su Xinghui carried two of the bags into the courtyard and called out: "Sister Cheng, Brother Luo's here!"

Cheng Taoxian stepped out from her office at once; seeing Luo Wenchang, her eyes instantly filled with tears. Luo Wenchang smiled and said: "Taoxian, I'm back."

With Su Xinghui present, several others from the township government emerged. Cheng Taoxian controlled her emotions and softly said: "Let's go home."

Su Xinghui helped carry the bags back to Cheng Taoxian's dormitory, then smiled: "Brother Luo, Sister Cheng, you two talk—I'll head down."

Both thanked Su Xinghui. He went downstairs to the courtyard, where Chen Hongfu and Dong Jianshu had come out; they asked: "Has Little Cheng's husband returned?"

Su Xinghui nodded: "Yes, just went upstairs."

Chen Hongfu said to Dong Jianshu: "Old Dong, we should treat Little Cheng's husband to lunch this afternoon."

Dong Jianshu nodded: "Alright, Xiao Su, go arrange a table at Zhang Pangzi's place."

Su Xinghui went to Zhang Pangzi's restaurant and booked a table, asking him to reserve a private room; Zhang Pangzi readily agreed.

About half an hour later, Cheng Taoxian's door opened, and the couple emerged together; Luo Wenchang had his son Luo Wei perched on his shoulders, Cheng Taoxian's beautiful eyes were swollen like peaches, and Luo Wei held a brand-new toy gun, ecstatic.

Downstairs, Luo Wenchang set his son down to play with his mother, then entered Chen Hongfu's office—his wife worked under Chen Hongfu, who had always been kind to her, so he naturally wanted to express his gratitude.

After leaving Chen Hongfu's office, Luo Wenchang went to Dong Jianshu's office and thanked every township official. He then passed out cigarettes at the Party and Government Office, thanking everyone for their care toward Cheng Taoxian. Afterward, he carried his son out to buy new clothes.

By the time evening dismissal came, Luo Wenchang had returned; the son who had once felt distant from him now clung to him with familiarity.

Chen Hongfu smiled: "Little Luo, come on—the township is treating your whole family to dinner."

Luo Wenchang didn't refuse; he nodded and replied: "Alright, thank you, Secretary Chen."

Township leaders Chen Hongfu, Dong Jianshu, Wei Bingyi, and Su Xinghui joined Luo Wenchang's family at Zhang Pangzi's restaurant. Since Jin Taihe had gone to the county and two other township leaders had family matters preventing their attendance, exactly ten people attended—perfect for one table. The private room was small, but still spacious enough.

Zhang Pangzi had already prepared everything; as soon as the township group arrived, he lit the stove and began cooking. Within minutes, a hot pot and several stir-fried dishes were steaming on the table.

Su Xinghui, the youngest, volunteered to pour wine for everyone. After filling the cups, Chen Hongfu raised his first: "Come on, let's all raise a glass to our most beloved person!"

Everyone chorused in agreement, stood up, and toasted Luo Wenchang, who rose and said: "Thank you all, leaders!"