Chapter 49: Super Treatment

  Lu Zhengdong had a lot of ideas in his mind, but he knew that the most important thing at present was to repair the road, which was the right way. Only by repairing the road could he also get out of trouble...

  The county's party representative conference was held as scheduled, Wu Zhonghe and Xiao Yongnian went to the county seat, and several village cadres also went to the county seat. Although Wu Zhonghe and Xiao Yongnian left, it didn't matter, but several village cadres were the main force, after they left, other village cadres couldn't completely fill in, Lu Zhengdong was even busier at the road construction site.

  Lu Zhengdong hopes to be able to open the highway before the Spring Festival and is still tightly grasping the progress.

  Shaling Village, due to the delay caused by that mountain cliff, the progress of road construction has fallen behind. In recent days, Lu Zhengdong has been mainly supervising here, trying to catch up with the schedule, but unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating, with gloomy skies and rain mixed with snow falling every day.

  "Director Lu, don't worry about it. This rain and snow won't stop for a few days, so be at ease. The progress of our village's road construction will definitely catch up. Don't worry, I guarantee that the highway will be roughly passable before the Spring Festival."

  Lu Zhengdong watched as the rain and snow grew heavier, busy villagers all got up to take shelter from the rain, only nodding his head, taking over the rain gear handed over by Lin Dawu, and saying a few words to several village cadres before returning to the village committee with Lin Dawu.

  No sooner had he sat down than Lin Donghai walked over from afar, Lu Zhengdong smiled and said that Lin Donghai was there to invite him and Lin Dawu to eat "killing pig rice", a custom in Shanhe, also a day when ordinary people attach great importance to it, one of the most solemn ways to entertain distinguished guests.

  It was a bit early to kill the pig for the New Year, but it seemed that Lin Donghua had just returned and he happened to be in Sha Lin. So Lin Donghai's parents decided to slaughter it ahead of time.

  He was originally asked to go to her home for dinner in the evening, but maybe because it rained and road repairs couldn't continue, he was told to go at noon instead.

  Lu Zhengdong and Lin Dawu had both agreed yesterday, so there was no need for courtesy, and they stood up immediately.

  Lin Donghai also met him several times, but he still looked quite intimidated in front of him. He didn't say much even when following Lin Dawei, it was always Lin Dawei who found something to talk about:

  "Donghai, at noon you must accompany Lu Xiangzhang to have a drink and thank him properly. Otherwise, it will be hard for you to find a wife. Work hard in the factory, and ask Zhiming if there's anything you don't understand."

  Lin Donghai has gone to work at the handicraft factory, and Lin Dawu's eldest son, Lin Zhiming, is also in the handicraft factory. He is good with his hands and is a technical backbone of the factory.

  Lin Donghai said with some embarrassment behind him:

  "Big Brother Da Wu, I have to go on night shift, dare not drink too much. The factory is very busy, even if I want to take a leave, it's hard to get approved..."

  Lu Zhengdong waved his hand:

  "It doesn't matter if you drink or not, just work hard and practically in the factory, don't embarrass me..."

  Three people walked towards the Lin's house while talking, starting from the village committee, climbing for half an hour on the mountain road, and heard the heart-wrenching pig screams passing through the dense forest, through the canopy, and reaching the ears of several people.

  Lu Zhengdong took a look and thought to himself that this place was a bit too remote, completely in the depths of the mountains. The nearest household was still a ten or fifteen minute walk away.

  Before they even reached the house, Lin Donghe and her parents had already come out to greet them from a distance. Lin Donghe was very happy but also slightly nervous. Her mother's hands were awkwardly wiping at her apron, while her father rubbed his hands together with an expression of gratitude that seemed somewhat forced as he welcomed them.

  Lin Donghe's father Lin Shuwan, Lu Zhengdong had heard of him, but his parents were in poor health and rarely went out, so Lu Zhengdong was still seeing him for the first time.

  Lu Zhengdong couldn't help but glance at the house, which was a few tile-roofed houses, but the walls had already turned somewhat black, and it was estimated that they were older than Lin Donghe's parents, and should be an ancestral property.

  The windows were still covered with plastic, looking brand new, probably changed specifically for this honored guest. Lin Donghe's parents wore a set of new clothes, also specially prepared to welcome him.

  Lin Donghe's father invited him and Lin Dawu into the main room, while Lu Zhengdong glanced at the bedroom of Lin Donghe's parents next door. In rural households, things that are slightly valuable are usually placed in these two rooms.

  Against the window stood a somewhat dark cabinet, on which were placed some everyday items. An old-fashioned wooden bed had a canopy made of hemp cloth spun by the villagers themselves, with many large and small patches sewn on it. Although it was tidy and cleaner than many rural households, there was really nothing valuable in the house. To describe it as "bare walls" would not be an exaggeration.

  Lu Zhengdong also had some mental preparation for Lin Donghe's family situation, but this situation still exceeded his expectations. He also understood why Lin Donghe chose to marry a fool at the age of 16 or 17. Her parents were not only poor, but her father had also lost his labor force, which was like losing the pillar that held up the roof in rural areas. Her mother was also weak and sickly, and her younger brother was still young and couldn't help much. If she hadn't made such a choice, this family might have collapsed.

  Lu Zhengdong couldn't help but think of Lin Donghe's family, and with the situation at Lin Donghe's house, they were afraid that Lin Donghe would support them a bit, so they tightly controlled her salary, which was really too ruthless...

  It's also clear why Lin Donghe and his family are so grateful. If he hadn't lent a helping hand, not to mention the days Lin Donghai would have spent in jail, even the medical expenses for the injured person would have been unbearable for this family. Moreover, he introduced Lin Donghai to the handicraft factory, giving this family a brighter future...

  Lu Zhengdong puffed on his cigarette, deep in thought. However, a few kids playing with inflated pig bladders brought him back to reality. Seeing the people around him smiling and laughing, Lu Zhengdong also composed himself and watched the scene of slaughtering pigs outside.

  Two pigs have been killed, one has been chopped into more than a dozen pieces on the chopping board, and the other looks like it was just killed. In order to make it easier to remove the hair, the pig needs to be inflated. The butcher holds an iron awl, pokes a hole in the pig's leg, and then the butcher's helper puts his mouth on the pig's leg against the opening, using all his strength, puffing out his cheeks, blowing with all his might into it. Some people use wooden sticks to beat the pig's body, while others nearby make jokes that are neither dirty nor clean, speaking in a lively and noisy manner. The dead pig is inflated.

  Next to the kitchen, there were also busy sounds, stir-frying dishes, steaming rice, and the aroma of braised pork in a hanging pot wafting everywhere, making our appetites surge. We were so hungry that we drooled.

  Lu Zhengdong still remembered the scene when he was a child, following his mother in the countryside. Several decades have passed, and thinking back to it now still feels so warm and nostalgic, and also quite exciting...

  When the second pig was shaved and hung on a column with an iron hook, after being split open, the kitchen had already prepared the dishes. Lin Donghe's father also invited everyone to sit down at the table. The dishes were very rich, it seemed that Lin Donghe's family had done their best, preparing for a long time.

  Lu Zhengdong couldn't help but think that in the countryside, even a son-in-law who came to visit for the first time wouldn't necessarily receive such treatment. He was enjoying the most noble and super-class treatment.

  As soon as he sat down at the table, he was forcibly pushed to the top seat. One by one, they all toasted him and kept talking about his merits in repairing the road. As they clinked glasses and drank several rounds, while wiping away the oil stains from their mouths, they were all looking forward to making plans after the highway is repaired.

  Lu Zhengdong knew that the simple words of these peasants were not the hypocritical flattery on the wine table, but their true and sincere words from the heart. Lu Zhengdong listened to them yearning for next year's hope, and his heart was also very happy.

  In fact, for Lu Zhengdong, this is just a matter of lifting his hand, but it can change the fate of a family; Lu Zhengdong couldn't help but think that building a road can change the fate of more people in the whole town, and if he does something remarkable in a county, a city, or a province, he can change even more people's fate. Such a sense of accomplishment cannot be achieved no matter how much money one has. This is the advantage of being an official. However, to change more people's fate, one must step by step move upwards and stand at a higher height...

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