Chapter 5

In the afternoon, everyone from the township government returned. Cheng Taoxian had been calling Hu Jia Ao continuously. It finally got through near lunchtime. Township Party Chen Shuji Hongfu, after finishing lunch at Hu Chengli's house, brought the main force back. Only Hu Chengli didn't return, as his son was a newlywed.

After Chen Hongfu returned, he called Cheng Taoxian and Su Xinghui into his office to ask in detail about what happened today. Su Xinghui didn't say anything, but Cheng Taoxian was articulate and explained the whole process clearly in a short time. She also praised Su Xinghui highly, saying that if it weren't for Su Xinghui, today's matter would have blown up.

After Chen Hongfu finished listening, he slapped his desk hard and began to curse, "That son-of-a-bitch Damn Lu Dawang, does he think he can scare me like this? Is he still a man? Let him drink poison if he wants; I'll send someone to sterilize his wife tomorrow..."

Chen Hongfu was really annoyed. Originally, his luck at mahjong had been good these past two days, and he was planning to continue the battle in the afternoon and evening, but it had been ruined by Damn Lu Dawang. Besides, in this godforsaken place, he, the Township Party Secretary, was like a local emperor, whose word was law. Damn Lu Dawang running to the township government entrance to drink poison was a challenge to his authority.

Chen Hongfu cursed for several minutes. Cheng Taoxian and Su Xinghui were both used to it. The work style of township leaders was like this—simple and crude. However, sometimes, grassroots work only had results if done this way.

Chen Hongfu picked up his enamel mug and drank a whole mug of herbal tea in one gulp. He waved his hand and said, "Little Cheng, you go get busy first. Little Su, you stay for a moment."

Cheng Taoxian agreed and went out. Su Xinghui stood up, picked up the white porcelain teapot in Chen Hongfu's office, filled Chen Hongfu's teacup, and then poured himself a cup of cold boiled water before sitting down.

Su Xinghui did all this very naturally, which surprised Chen Hongfu. This Little Su seemed like a different person after just one day.

Su Xinghui had been in Meng Hu Ling for half a month, and Chen Hongfu had never liked him much because he felt that Su Xinghui always held himself aloof, with that kind of arrogant intellectual air. In fact, Chen Hongfu didn't disrespect intellectuals. During the period of turmoil, there were several old intellectuals from their village who were sent down there, but they had no airs and mingled with the farmers in the village. Chen Hongfu respected those old intellectuals very much.

Su Xinghui was so young, and although he was a graduate of a prestigious university, he always held such airs. Sometimes when Chen Hongfu talked to him, he felt like Su Xinghui was the leader, making him feel uncomfortable. Just like yesterday afternoon, while drinking at Hu Chengli's house, Su Xinghui had to carefully wipe his chopsticks and bowl with a handkerchief before picking up food. When he got drunk, he insisted on returning to the township government. Chen Hongfu told him to stay at Hu Chengli's house to play mahjong, but he refused, as if he didn't want to "mingle with them." In the end, he could only be sent back to the township government with Huang Sao and Cheng Taoxian, who had to go home to take care of her children.

Yesterday's incident really made Chen Hongfu very unhappy, but today Su Xinghui gave him a surprise. Not only did he cleanly resolve the incident of Damn Lu Dawang drinking poison, but he also knew how to refill Chen Hongfu's tea. Had the sun risen from the west?

Chen Hongfu smiled and said, "Little Su, why didn't you go to Hu Jia Ao at noon? Today was the main banquet."

Su Xinghui said, "Chen Shuji, I really drank too much yesterday, and I still have a bit of a headache today. Besides, I was afraid that there might be some changes in the Lu family's situation, and it wouldn't do if there wasn't a man left at the township government. I went there twice this morning, and now it's basically fine."

Chen Hongfu nodded, "It's fortunate that you came back yesterday; otherwise, today's matter would have been really troublesome."

If Damn Lu Dawang hadn't been saved, Chen Hongfu wouldn't have been afraid, but how many people in Meng Hu Ling didn't drink poison every year? However, a death was always a troublesome matter with many loose ends. If someone were to badmouth them, saying that the township government's work methods were problematic, he wouldn't be able to avoid a reprimand from his superiors. Of course, there wouldn't be any further punishment. He had already been sent to this godforsaken place to be a secretary; where else could they exile him?

Su Xinghui smiled without a word and didn't take the opportunity to claim credit to Chen Hongfu, which made Chen Hongfu's impression of him even better. He asked, "By the way, how did you know how to save someone who drank poison?"

Su Xinghui said, "Isn't my father a doctor at the county hospital? Of course, I know a little bit of common sense about first aid."

Chen Hongfu slapped his thigh, "Oh, right. How did I forget that? This can be considered Damn Lu Dawang's luck."

Su Xinghui didn't respond. Chen Hongfu took another big gulp of cold tea, put down the enamel mug, and said, "Little Su, you did a good job on this matter. Young man, work hard, and you will definitely have a future."

Su Xinghui said, "Chen Shuji, there is one thing I must admit my mistake to you about."

Chen Hongfu was stunned, "What mistake did you make?"

"Today, when Damn Lu Dawang was being treated at the health center, I told the health center to put the medical expenses on the township government's account." Su Xinghui touched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Chen Hongfu naturally understood what Su Xinghui meant. He had acted on his own initiative in this matter. Although the medical expenses wouldn't be much, for an ordinary staff member like Su Xinghui, if one insisted on calling it a mistake, it made sense.

Besides, Meng Hu Ling was a poor township, arguably the poorest in the whole county. The poorer the place, the more the cadres guarded that little bit of money. In Meng Hu Ling, basically every expenditure had to be signed by Township Head Dong Jianshu. If it was a relatively large expenditure, Chen Hongfu also had to review it.

Chen Hongfu pondered for a moment. Su Xinghui said, "Chen Shuji, if it doesn't comply with financial regulations, just deduct it from my salary."

Chen Hongfu laughed, "You didn't do this for your own business, so how can I deduct your salary? Forget it, I know about this matter. That son-of-a-bitch Damn Lu Dawang, it's cheap for him. He drank poison himself, and the township government has to clean up his mess."

Su Xinghui quickly said to Chen Hongfu, "Chen Shuji, then thank you!"

Chen Hongfu smiled, "Alright, go get busy if you have things to do."

Watching Su Xinghui's back as he left, Chen Hongfu nodded. Although Su Xinghui's actions were a bit self-assertive, they were understandable. At that time, not a single leader of the township government was present. If they had asked the Lu family for the medical expenses to save Damn Lu Dawang, their family was so poor they might not have been able to pay, which might have intensified the conflict. Su Xinghui letting the health center put the medical expenses on the township government's account was a very decisive and responsible act. His actions resolved this sudden incident quite satisfactorily. In grassroots work, one needs to have such resolve.