Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Smiling on the Outside, Cursing on the Inside

Zhang Wanxiang is sharp-witted, not foolish. At first glance, he realized that these people’s intentions were not good, and he refused to speak truthfully, mumbling nonsense instead.

A few militiamen saw his reluctance and shouted, “This kid doesn’t know what’s good for him. We need to teach him a lesson!”

Responding in unison, several people rushed forward…

Beep, beep…

Wu Qingyun suppressing a laugh, shouted, “The vehicle’s here, the vehicle’s here!”

In a burst of laughter, the group finally dispersed, grabbed their belongings, and lined up to board the vehicle.

Zhang Hanchao and Ling Chengyan, along with Li Huaihua, watched the lively crowd with a smile. Seeing the vehicle had arrived, he suggested, “Why don’t you ladies sit in the driver’s cabin?”

Ling Chengyan waved her hand and declined, “Thank you, we’ll be fine sitting at the back.”

Once on the vehicle, Li Huaihua quietly said to her, “I’d have been scared if you’d agreed.”

Ling Chengyan was puzzled, so Li Huaihua explained, “I get carsick, the open back is more bearable, but the driver’s cabin is worse!”

Ling Chengyan realized, and leaning on each other, both women relaxed, perhaps due to the completion of their competition. Li Huaihua didn’t experience much motion sickness. Once they parked in the county town, Li Huaihua saw her partner, and her mood lifted so much that the paleness on her face was hardly visible.

Li Huaihua’s partner had followed the commune’s tractor over, with Wang Lianqi accompanying them. From afar, Zhang Wanxiang shouted, “Big brother! Big brother! We’re back!”

Wang Lianqi was also very pleased, waving with a smile and asking, “How did it go?”

Zhang Wanxiang shouted back, “First place! Definitely first place!”

Right after his words, several people burst out from behind, beating drums and clashing cymbals, and the commune’s political commissioner Xu Dong even held out a large red silk flower.

“Welcome back, our champion!” Xu Dong shouted brightly, and the crowd joined in, enhancing the sound of cymbals and drums, attracting countless onlookers.

Ling Chengyan stood motionless for a moment, a brief reverie flashing over her mind. Once, her father and brothers led the Ling Family Army to victory and triumphantly returned to the capital, greeted by flowers and music, while officials and citizens lined the streets in welcome…

When a large red silk flower was draped over her, the cheers and applause brought Ling Chengyan back to the present.

This time, it wasn’t her father and brothers returning victorious; it was her taking home the prize!

Ling Chengyan was enveloped by the jubilant crowd, while Zhang Hanchao walked towards the circle of leaders standing at the outer edge of the crowd.

“Old Zhang, you’ve certainly accomplished something this time!” Director Jin proclaimed loudly.

“It was your leadership and guidance that made it possible!”

“Old Zhang, I’ve heard about it; our county seized the top spots in the competition—three-time candidates for supremacy, quite exciting!” Deputy Director Qian Weidong beamed.

Zhang Hanchao internally cursed in frustration but maintained a smiling façade, “Not too shabby.”

Deputy Director Qian Weidong’s smile almost faltered, inwardly exasperated: It’s just a local competition win, what’s the big deal? And once it’s over, won’t they just head back to the brigade to toil as farmers, anyway?

Sooner or later, Jin Yueting and Zhang Hanchao will have to step down, or they might as well follow in the footsteps of Chen Wenxuan and Wang Liansheng and join the penal labor team for survival.

Outwardly laughing, but inwardly frustrated.

Meanwhile, with Ling Chengyan, there was genuine enthusiasm and cheers. All she saw were smiling faces and heard words of praise and admiration. Normally reserved, she was swept up in the joyous atmosphere, her brows and eyes curved with joy.

As soon as she managed to extricate herself from the crowd, she met with the leaders, received their compliments and encouragement, and followed Xu Dong, Wang Lianqi, and others back up onto Taiping Commune’s tractor, leaving with noise and excitement, heading to Taiping Commune.

Night had fallen by the time they returned to Taiping Commune, where Director Guo and Captain Wu awaited in the commune courtyard. After a few short words, the tractor took the participating militiamen back to their homes.

Of course, Nanli Village was the first stop. As the drums and cymbals echoed at the village entrance, the entire village turned out to welcome them. The children, as excited as if it were New Year, joyously weaved through the gaps in the crowd, running back and forth.

Little Rain held Shi Tou, leading Xiao Xing, while Wang Futang and Qu Cui accompanied the Wang Family’s whole household standing at the front of the crowd. Hearing the drums approaching, Hongbing and Hong Ming jumped up and cheered, “Fourth Aunt is back!”

Xiao Xing immediately called out, “My mom is back!”

The children cheered and ran towards the tractor—a call from the adults couldn’t stop them, and they quickly followed suit.

The tractor had to stop outside the village, so Ling Chengyan got off and let the tractor take others home.

Wang Lianfa ran up and handed a pouch of cigarettes to the tractor driver, thanking him for working late to bring everyone home.

Ling Chengyan, along with Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun, waved goodbye to those on the vehicle, and watched as it drove off, then cheerfully joined the community members who came to meet them and headed back to the brigade.

Ling Chengyan brought back a bicycle and a radio from the county town, but from the regional competition, she only returned with a set of basins, a thermos, and a tea canister. Before anyone in the village could speak up, Wang Lianqi declared loudly, “County Director Jin and Commune Director Guo have both said there will be a celebration event honoring the militiamen for earning awards and recognition.”

“Oh, oh, just like the regional competition, how did it end up being inferior to the county’s!”

Zhang Wanxiang added, “The brigade leader mentioned that our regional first prize will earn us a big reward from the county.”

As a result, community members speculated about what kind of rewards the county might offer. With bicycles and radios handed out, what could surpass them?

Some guessed wristwatches; others predicted sewing machines. In the corner, someone shouted, “I heard grand city officials have some sort of television set at home, where you can watch people perform, could it be that thing?”

“I’ve heard that too, but you need electricity to watch it, and our brigade isn’t electrified, receiving it would be pointless!”

A few who’d visited the county town and gained some insight speculated about televisions. They truly were valuable items, with only a few found in the county town!

The hubbub continued for quite a while before Wang Futang and the brigade committee members spoke to gradually disperse the crowd.

Ling Chengyan took out the pastries she had bought, and distributed half of them to Hongling and Hong Zhi for them to share with their brothers at home.

After seeing everyone off and shutting the door, Little Rain smiled and suggested, “Sister, let’s eat first?”

Ling Chengyan nodded, washed her hands, prepared milk for Shi Tou, and poured an extra half bowl for Xiao Xing.

Milk powder is undoubtedly nutritious. With enough purchased this time, she plans to let Xiao Xing drink it once a day. The little girl’s health had suffered before; she still hasn’t gained much weight, her face and hair remain pale.

Little Rain steamed two salted fish and made a wild vegetable soup for Shi Tou and Xiao Xing, along with steamed eggs—a simple yet heartwarming meal. Ling Chengyan remembered and quickly instructed, “Little Rain, there are two meal boxes in my satchel, containing dishes from the regional cafeteria. Take them out and warm them up for you to taste.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep