Chapter Forty-Five: The Reporter

  Ye Zhenran said: "Then I'll tell you about the experience." He started from the four people on the way back to the government, Zhu Bing discovered that there was an abnormal situation in Zhu Huajia's home, until they encountered 'Two Li', and hastily launched a melee, until they killed 'Two Li'.

  Although Miao Shu-jie had guessed that the process of the event was not simple after learning that the "two Lis" were killed by four unarmed cadres, police and villagers, he thought that the outcome was achieved with many lucky factors: the narrow space at the scene, Ye Zhen-ran's jade pendant on his chest, Huang Ru-cheng's slingshot, the mistakes of the "two Lis"... But even so, if Ye Zhen-ran had not commanded everyone to launch an attack decisively in the face of danger, and if the other three people had not rushed forward fearlessly at the first moment, it would have been impossible to achieve this brilliant result. Because there were so many lucky factors, Miao Shu-jie admired the courage and wisdom of Ye Zhen-ran and others even more. To know that under the circumstances at that time, even if replaced by a more professional person, it would not have been possible to do better! Moreover, even if it was the same four people facing the same "two Lis" again from the beginning, there might not have been this result. Luck is reserved for those who are prepared and can make decisions decisively without hesitation!

  Miao Shu-jie, a seasoned journalist, was impressed by Ye Zhen-ran, a rural official, for the first time. As they talked, Miao learned that Ye and his team had gone to Jiangjin Village to investigate a case involving Hu Chang-long, the head of Ma Shi Textile Factory, which Ye had discovered while researching the rectification of township enterprises. Miao was also impressed by Ye's strong sense of justice.

  As they continued to talk, Miao became more interested in Ye and learned that he was an outstanding cadre who had been openly recruited by the Jianan Municipal Committee two years ago. Ye was now responsible for the economic development zone, textile factory rectification, and new rural development in Ma Shi Township, which were all topics of interest to Miao. The two men found common ground and their conversation became more in-depth.

  They also discussed a tax preferential policy for economic development zones that had been recently passed by the Changjiang County Committee, which Ye had initiated. As a seasoned political and economic journalist, Miao was well-versed in national economic policies and had a keen sense of intuition. After discussing the policy with Ye, he realized that it had great foresight and could be considered a pioneering move in the current economic reforms, with clear benefits for the development and growth of private economies nationwide.

  However, under the current circumstances, developing private economies was an extremely sensitive topic, with sharp opposition between conservative forces and reformists. The Changjiang County Committee's passage of Ye's tax preferential policy was quite bold. Miao asked Ye about his expectations and anticipated effects after the policy was implemented. Ye answered each question in detail.

  After listening to Ye's responses, Miao thought for a long time before saying: "Director Ye, I'll come back in six months to do an in-depth interview with you, focusing on the tax preferential policy for Ma Shi Township's economic development zone. If the effects are as good as you expect, I'll definitely write a report to the decision-making leaders to help promote China's non-public economy."

  When Zhang Nianyue and Ye Zhihui returned to the ward, Miao Shujie was bidding farewell to Ye Zhiran with a satisfied expression. After he left the ward, Nianyue asked: "Mùtóu, who is this?"

  "I'm Miao Shujie, a reporter for the Provincial News."

  Zhang Nianyue didn't know who Miao Shujie was, and asked somewhat strangely: "Aren't there people watching outside the ward corridor? It's been said that no reporters are allowed in."

  As a large number of journalists were expected to come for interviews, the county committee was worried that it would affect the rest of Ye Zhenran and Zhang Liren, so they made special instructions to the hospital, arranging personnel to be on duty and not allowing journalists to enter the ward.

  "He's not an ordinary journalist." Ye Zhenran smiled and didn't explain much, but asked: "You just went out for a while, how did you come back? Zhi Hui, it's almost time for lunch, why don't you and Nian Yue go eat outside, the hospital food is bad."

  Ye Zhi Hui waved the thing in her hand and said with a smile: "Great, brother. Take a look at this first. Earlier, Nian Yue accompanied me to the department store to buy a pair of jeans. Do you think they look good?"

  Yezhen didn't care about this matter and said: "Go eat first, after eating come back to admire the beauty."

  Ye Zhihui and Zhang Nianyue walked out laughing and chatting.

  Ye Mu, sitting on the edge of the bed, since her son was no longer in danger, put all her thoughts on Zhang Nianyue, and from time to time followed Zhang Nianyue's figure with her eyes. When they left the ward, she withdrew her gaze and asked her son: "Zhiran, how are you and Xiaozhang?"

  "What's wrong? She is still a student." Yeziran understood what her mother was asking.

  "But you're already 26 years old." Upon hearing her son's disapproving tone, Ye Mu's speech quickened.

  "What's the use of hurrying? The emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuchs are worried to death." Ye's father said on the side.

  "What's going on? The eunuchs are getting anxious to death, and the Emperor will naturally get anxious too." Ye Mu retorted in dissatisfaction.

  This is well said! Ye Zhenran didn't realize he was coughing repeatedly.

  "Yè mǔ máng jiāo jí de fǔ xià shēn wèn: 'zěn me le? yào hē kǒu shuǐ ma?'"

  Translation:

  "The mother hastily bent down and asked, 'What's wrong? Do you want a drink of water?'"

  "Nothing much, go get your meal, the food cart is here in the hallway."

  Ye Mu had no choice and went to fetch food first.

  Not long after the three finished their meal, Zhang Nianyue and Ye Zhihui bought a big watermelon and came back. Before Ye Ziran could ask, Nianyue excitedly said to him: "Wooden head, I and Zhihui ate eel noodles at a new noodle shop on Health Road, the topping was stir-fried on the spot, it tasted pretty good, do you want some? If you want some, I'll buy some for you."

  Yeziran said: "Wait until I'm feeling better and go eat myself, the noodles that were bought back are bloated and don't taste good."

  Nian Yue then said: "Then you get well soon."

  Ye Zhihui nodded in agreement: "Yes, you get well soon." After finishing speaking, she put the watermelon on the bedside table and ignored Ye Zhiran, whispering with Nianyue, their intimate behavior making them seem like close friends who had known each other for many years. Ye's father and mother couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

  Listening to the two women's cheerful chatter, Ye Zhen felt a sense of ease in his heart. No wonder, after being single for many years, having parents and family by his side at this moment made him feel much more grounded. At this time, he didn't think about work-related things, but just enjoyed this simple and pure familial affection.

  ······

  It wasn't until much later that Zhang Nianyue suddenly stood up with a loud "ah". It turned out that Ye Lao and her father, Zhang Hengliang, had arrived. She asked excitedly: "Grandpa, Dad, how did you get here?"

  Ye Lao chuckled and said with a smile: "Come see little Ye."

  Ye Ziran heard and hurriedly called his father to shake up the sickbed so that he could sit up and talk.

  Zhang Hengliang first smiled and looked at his daughter, then looked at Ye Zhenran who was half sitting up, and said with praise: "Xiao Ye, not bad, you're both literary and martial." As a military man by birth, he naturally liked Ye Zhenran's bold and daring behavior.

  Because of the pleasant encounter, Ye Zhenran now has an additional affection for Zhang Hengliang and no longer speaks to him as casually as before when playing cards. He respectfully replied: "This time it was purely Heaven's blessing that allowed us to escape disaster. Uncle Zhang, why did you come to Changsha today?"

  Zhang Hengliang replied: "I originally came specifically to pick up Nianyue and her mother to return to Jianan, but only after arriving here did I learn of your great achievement."

  She felt tense and looked at Ye Lao with a questioning gaze. Ye Lao seemed to comfort her with a glance, then turned to ask Ye Zhenran: "Little Ye, are these your parents?"

  Ye Ziran suddenly came to his senses and nodded hastily: "Yes." He introduced them to his parents: "Dad, Mom, this is Old Ye and Uncle Zhang. They usually take good care of me."

  Ye's father and mother had heard their son mention that Ye Lao treated him like a younger generation, and they were full of respect for Ye Lao. Now that they knew another "Uncle Zhang" was Nianyue's father, they were even more mindful. The two followed their son's lead, smiling all over their faces as they called out: "Ye Lao, Uncle Zhang, sit down, sit down." After finishing speaking, they moved over two chairs and placed them beside the bed.

  Ye Lao chatted with Ye Fu and Ye Mu for a few sentences, then turned to ask Ye Zhenran: "Xiao Ye, I heard Qing Li say that Suffering Virtue sent you the Jade Ruyi, did it bring you good luck?"

  "Yes, if I didn't have this jade, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to see everyone."

  Ye Lao smiled and said: "This jade has followed Su De for decades, listening to dozens of years of scriptures, it should have some spiritual energy."

  Zhang Hengliang had also heard Yeqing Li say this before, and although he didn't worship gods or Buddhas, he wasn't particularly opposed to the idea of good and evil reincarnation and retribution. At this moment, after hearing Ye Lao's sighs, he looked at Ye Ziran with great interest and said: "Little Ye, someone who has experienced a life-and-death test often undergoes a big change in temperament. Some people will change from being mediocre to striving for greatness, while others will become disillusioned with the world and live a carefree life. What about you? Do you have any new thoughts now?"

  As soon as this was asked, it naturally attracted everyone's attention. The people in the room all stared at Ye Zhenran, waiting to see how he would answer.

  Ye Ziran looked at Zhang Hengliang and said sincerely: "Ordinary people all say that great difficulties will not die, there must be good fortune later. I don't think so. After experiencing this sudden life-and-death test, I only knew the true preciousness of life. Uncle Zhang, what I thought most about in these two days is that I must do more beneficial things to live up to this life."

  Zhang Hengliang listened and looked at Ye Lao with a smile. Ye Lao said contentedly, "You can think this way, only then you won't disappoint everyone's love and expectations for you."

  Zhang Nianyue saw that her father and Ye Ziran were chatting very harmoniously, so she took the opportunity to say: "Dad, I want to stay with Grandpa in Changsha for two weeks. You can take Mom and my brother back first, okay?"

  Zhang Hengliang glanced at his daughter, and naturally wouldn't reveal her true intentions in front of so many people. He replied, "Ye Lao has already spoken to me on the road, you stay in Changsha don't just play around, accompany Grandpa more often, and read books when you have time, got it?"

  Delighted and overjoyed, he readily agreed.

  A few more words were exchanged, and then Ye Lao and Zhang Hengliang reminded Ye Zhenran to rest well before politely bidding farewell to Ye's father and mother.

  The two had just reached the door of the ward when they ran into Tang Guoqiang leading a large group of people walking in.

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