Volume One, Chapter 12: So Soon?

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Gao Qiming’s mind was filled with worries, yet his face wore an expression of harmless innocence. Especially when he saw Zhang Dana, his confusion only deepened.

When did Liu Qiaohui get involved with Zhang Dana?

He had called his brother last night but heard nothing about it.

Lost in thought, his steps faltered, struggling to keep pace with County Chief Gao, who frowned and called out, “Xiao Gao, we’re off. Remember what Brother Zhang said tomorrow, don’t forget!”

Gao Qiming nodded.

That single “uh-huh” was far from a cheerful reply.

No sooner had County Chief Gao left than Xu Gouzi arrived at the county government gate. From afar, he spotted Zhang Dayan standing there, his neck craned.

“Boss!”

The shout startled Zhang Dana.

“Oh! Xu Gouzi, what brings you here?”

Xu Gouzi handed over a cigarette briskly, with no formalities. “Isn’t this my girl’s place? People are worried sick. I went to your aunt’s but she said you weren’t here, said you were on duty. So I came over to ask what’s going on.”

If asked a minute ago, Zhang Dana wouldn’t have known how to answer. But now, he stood tall and proud.

“Xu Gouzi, I’m telling you, even if you don’t come to me tonight, I’ll come find you!”

“What? Is there progress?”

Excitement was clear on Xu Gouzi’s face.

He knew well that what to others seemed trivial was a matter of life and death to Liu Qiaohui.

Being expelled from the village?

What did that mean?

It meant starvation was inevitable.

“There is! I was going to ask County Chief Gao just now, but he had urgent business and left. He told me to come to his office tomorrow. If there’s anything, I can tell him face to face!”

“Really?”

“When have I ever lied to you? I swear, tell your girl to rest easy. As long as the county chief lets me meet him, I will explain everything about her situation in detail!” Zhang Dana ruffled his hair, as if recalling something, then patted his own leg. “Oh, and you and your sister better stay at your aunt’s house tomorrow. Don’t wander around. Maybe after I talk to the county chief, he’ll call you for a meeting.”

“Alright! Boss, don’t worry. We won’t go anywhere. We’ll wait for your news!”

It had been days. Not only was there no smile on Liu Qiaohui’s face, but Xu Gouzi’s was clouded too. This news was like a thunderclap, lighting up the once gloomy room with hope.

“Xu, is what you’re saying true?”

“Sis, do you think I’d lie? The boss told us to wait tomorrow. He even said the county chief mentioned it twice to Secretary Gao. Don’t worry, tomorrow this will definitely happen!”

“Oh! After so many days, finally some good news. Auntie will make you some noodles. It’s been so many days since we’ve had a proper meal!”

Auntie’s small feet moved swiftly. Maybe because of the excitement, she lifted the curtain with enthusiasm, letting in a cool breeze that woke the sleeping Ye Ling.

She hadn’t heard a word of the earlier conversation.

But seeing Liu Qiaohui smiling, it seemed that matter was finally settled.

A few soft cries came from Ye Ling.

Liu Qiaohui immediately picked her up.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! My little girl, maybe tomorrow we can go home!”

Tomorrow!

So soon?

Yes!

Indeed so soon!

The next day came swiftly.

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The sky had already turned from dawn’s pale light.

Since dawn broke, Liu Qiaohui’s heart had been tightly wound with anxiety.

On one hand, she wondered if she dared to enter the county chief’s office.

On the other, she pondered what she should say when the chief questioned her.

These troubles twisted her mind like tightening ropes, suffocating her.

After preparing everything, she sat upright on the kang hearth, barely daring to breathe. If not for Ye Ling stirring in her arms, she would have seemed like a statue.

“Sis, don’t be nervous. It’s still early; no one’s at work yet!”

“Xu, I… I’m not nervous!”

“Hmm! Not nervous! Not nervous!”

Though Xu Gouzi’s words were brisk, he was just as anxious as Liu Qiaohui.

Everyone in the room was waiting.

Zhang Dana from the county government security department was waiting too.

He didn’t even dare to drink much water.

Why not?

Because drinking too much meant needing the restroom, and he feared Secretary Gao wouldn’t find him.

“Xiao Liu, Xiao Liu, did Secretary Gao ask me to go over?”

Xiao Liu was from the reception office, and this question left him puzzled.

“No, Secretary Gao didn’t call you.”

“Really?”

“Then did County Chief Gao call you?”

“No, the county chief is busy right now.”

Zhang Dana blinked a few times and stuck his head further out. “What’s the county chief busy with?”

“Boss, you don’t know?”

“What? Did something happen?”

“Don’t say nonsense. If something did happen, it’s good news. Have you heard of Yushan Village in our county?”

If Zhang Dana hadn’t heard of Yushan Village before, that would have been understandable. But now, those three words were like a seal etched into his mind!

Yushan Village?

Isn’t that Liu Qiaohui’s village?

“What happened? What’s the news?”

“No news? This morning, while you were having breakfast, villagers from Yushan came in groups to the county government. They said they had something to tell the county chief. At first, everyone thought something bad happened. But after these people entered the county chief’s office, it turned out they were there to present a banner to their village chief, praising him for caring for the people and always putting the masses first! The county chief was overjoyed!”

Presenting a banner?

The village chief?

Zhang Dana was thoroughly baffled!

What on earth was going on?

Wasn’t Liu Qiaohui the one who reported the village chief?

Could it be that the county chief read that letter?

But!

That shouldn’t be!

Even if he read the letter… huh… that has nothing to do with villagers presenting banners.

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But this matter?

Zhang Dana felt something was off. Before Xiao Liu finished speaking, he slammed the door and shouted, “Xiao Liu, get me some leave. I’ll be back soon, real soon!”

Xiao Liu was confused but shouted after him in vain, “Boss, don’t go! What leave? Boss! Boss!!!…”

No. 7, Courtyard Alley!

Liu Qiaohui and Xu Gouzi, who had been anxiously waiting, finally saw Zhang Dana return.

But the news he brought was not about seeing the county chief.

Instead…

“Wait! Boss, slow down! What did you just say?”

Xu Gouzi couldn’t quite grasp it.

A banner?

What banner?

Zhang Dana gulped down some water; the whole morning had left him parched.

After three gulps, he began to speak deliberately, “Your villagers went to present a banner to your village chief this morning, saying he serves the people well and is a good village chief. Got it?”

Xu Gouzi was stunned.

Liu Qiaohui was stunned.

Only little Ye Ling furrowed her small brows deeply.

Hmph!

Clearly, someone had taken the initiative! Damn it, it seems that corrupt village chief still has connections at the county government!

“Boss, I still don’t quite get it. What’s going on?”

“I don’t understand either. Anyway, your village chief has received praise from the county chief and most villagers. You reported him—how can you win?”

Exactly!

How could she win?

Against a crowd!

What was Liu Qiaohui worth?

In an instant, the entire room darkened again.

Liu Qiaohui’s expression grew grim. This was her only hope.

But if even that hope vanished, it would be like pushing her and her daughter to certain doom.

But!

She could be pushed to death!

But there was no way she’d let her daughter be pushed to death.

Without a word until now, Liu Qiaohui suddenly stood up, knelt before Zhang Dana in a way no one expected, and with unwavering determination said, “Boss, I beg you, please let me meet County Chief Gao!”

Thud!

The sound of her kowtow filled the room with silence.