Lan Feng was visibly restless; even though Ning Shixuan wasn't giving him any looks now, he knew his image in her eyes was utterly ruined. He had kicked her when she was most vulnerable, pushing her into the fire pit. As long as someone isn't a class enemy, I generally treat them with leniency.

In life-or-death moments, perhaps many people would act as Lan Feng did. Human nature dictates survival; only those willing to sacrifice themselves to save others become great figures, which is precisely why this world has so few great people—few are willing to make such a choice. "Sit down," I told Lan Feng, who was pacing the earthen cave dwelling.

"President Xu asked you to cooperate with our Investment Promotion Office's work. What are your plans, Brother Feng?" Lan Feng replied, "The company plans to invest in Liangshan to build a beverage factory. Production will be managed by local Liangshan staff.

As for sales, President Xu has agreed to entrust the Baixing Shopping Group with distribution. My task is to facilitate communication among the three parties to get the beverage factory built and operational as quickly as possible." "Mm, quickly," I affirmed. "I hope you can notify President Xu to have the geological team expedite the survey of the Xiamquan water source immediately to determine where we should drill the well, and ensure the current flow rate of Xiamquan is not affected.

Once the funds are secured, I will approach County Magistrate Zhao and Secretary Ma for approval of the factory site and related procedures. We must aim to complete the road construction and factory commissioning within one week." "What!" Lan Feng exclaimed, shocked. "One week?

That's utterly impossible. Road construction alone takes at least one or two years; the factory building needs three months. Then there's time for equipment installation and worker training.

Launching production within a week—even a celestial being couldn't manage that." I chewed on a piece of dried beef while replying, "Don't you know President Xu is even more formidable than a celestial being? Brother Feng, you need to move fast. Today is Sunday, and President Xu generally doesn't work.

I estimate that when she returns on Monday, she'll expect your detailed proposal, and then she’ll dispatch the construction crews according to the plan. If you delay the project, don't blame me for not giving you a warning." Hearing this, Lan Feng said nothing more. He retrieved his briefcase from my pile of snacks, pulled out paper and a pen, and began writing the proposal by the dim light near the kang.

He occasionally sought my opinion. I take work seriously; public matters are public, private matters are private. One sweeping generalization shouldn't condemn everyone.

While Lan Feng was engrossed in writing by the kang, I didn't bother him and went to join Yun Yao and Ning Shixuan to learn how to fold dumplings. Ning Shixuan leaned close to my ear and whispered, "We've cleaned out the Yun Yao family's entire pantry with this one meal." Yun Yao's mother went out of the cave dwelling to fetch firewood, while Yun Yao started preparing water to boil the dumplings by the stove. I asked Ning Shixuan, "What do you mean?

We only made a batch of dumplings." Ning Shixuan replied, "I just checked the flour bin; it's empty. The filling I mixed used up all the oil, all the salt, and all the soybean paste. Basically, everything edible Yun Yao had, we wiped out in one sitting." "It's good that it's all used up; otherwise, we’d have to carry it when we leave.

This time, we absolutely cannot leave Mother Yun Yao here alone. We'll all return to Liangshan together; that way, there’ll be someone to look out for her." Ning Shixuan wiped the dough board and said, "Leave this matter to me, alright? I promise not to disappoint you, nor will I delay work.

We can rent a civilian house near the government office; we'll settle down in Liangshan temporarily." I nodded. "You girls are meticulous about these domestic details, so I won't be impolite. I'll pay you back for the rent when we get back to Beijing." Ning Shixuan chastised me playfully, "Is it necessary to be so formal?

You don't seem to treat me as one of your own. I'm your girlfriend." Ning Shixuan’s voice was deliberately pitched toward Lan Feng on the other side. Lan Feng coughed twice but didn't respond.

I laughed, "Fine, if you have money left, lend me another couple of hundred, and I’ll treat Brother Feng to grilled squid at your aunt’s place." "I doubt she’d care for such things," Ning Shixuan retorted without warmth. It was clear Ning Shixuan deeply disliked Lan Feng now. Not kicking him out was already courteous.

This proves that a man who desires to be a rake must have capability. If you cannot guarantee the safety of the woman you claim to love, and at a critical juncture, try to sacrifice her to save yourself, you will never earn a woman's affection. "Yun Yao, the water in your jar is almost empty.

Tell me where the well is, and I’ll fetch some," Ning Shixuan said as she scooped the last of the water from the jar to wash her hands. Yun Yao whispered, "Please make do, Sister Xiaoning. I suggest you use the water we just used for washing vegetables to clean your hands, and try not to use all of that up either—we need some left for washing our faces tomorrow." Ning Shixuan froze.

"Doesn't the village have a well? Why are you being so frugal?" Yun Yao explained, "The village is situated too high up; it's impossible to dig a well by hand. We fetch all our water from Xiamquan.

Today, making dumplings used up all the water my mother had prepared for a week. I need to fetch more water this afternoon before I can return to Liangshan city." "No way, you have to go to Xiamquan to fetch water? That little bit in the jar, your mother plans to use it for a whole week?

How? I saw at most two basins of water, barely enough to wash one's face." Yun Yao replied, "Of course, we can’t waste it like in the city. Besides drinking water, all other water is reused: first for rinsing rice, then for washing vegetables, then for washing faces, brushing teeth, and washing feet.

Finally, when it's too dirty to use further, we use it to water the vegetable garden. As for washing clothes, we usually take them down [to a lower stream], but the villagers barely wash their clothes a few times a year." A wave of sadness washed over me. "Use it, use it all.

I’ll go down and fetch water right now. You two can even bathe if you wish." Lan Feng eagerly tried to help me, but when he saw me shoulder the carrying pole and disappear in a flash, he could only stand there with his mouth agape, abandoning his intent. I didn't use exaggerated speed, making about one round trip every five minutes.

After half an hour, just as the water in the pot boiled and the dumplings were ready to be dropped in, I had refilled the water jar. Ning Shixuan was wearing one of Yun Yao's loose, large T-shirts. She pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me.

"Wipe the sweat. Why did you run so fast?" Yun Yao laughed instead, "Sister Xiaoning, have you witnessed Brother Zhao’s capabilities this time?" Lan Feng stepped forward, asking in disbelief, "Director Zhao, did you really carry this water back from Xiamquan?" I scooped a ladleful and handed it to Lan Feng. "Taste it yourself.

I'm not the Dragon King; did you think I conjured it out of thin air by not going to Xiamquan?" "Director Zhao's speed is faster than a car! Truly extraordinary," Lan Feng began flattering me. With plenty of water, I refreshed my face happily.

I smelled the handkerchief Ning Shixuan gave me, couldn't bear to use it, and carefully tucked it into my pocket. The skill wasn't great; the dumplings were cooked soon and quickly served on the kang table, accompanied by a bowl of mashed garlic and a plate of pickled vegetable leaves—I recognized those leaves as the ones Yun Yao had salvaged from the farmer's market, cleaned and salted. They grow vegetables at home, yet they sell them and eat the scraps others discard.

What kind of life is this? Perhaps this dumpling meal is the only one they'll have all year, reserved only for New Year. Seeing Yun Yao standing to the side, smiling at the dumplings, I felt a pang in my heart.

"I have cured ham and dried meat in my bag; I'll go get them," Ning Shixuan called out. Everything was ready. Mother Yun Yao held up the dumplings and said to us, "We don't have much to eat at home.

Please, esteemed city guests, don't mind the simple fare. Let's eat." Lan Feng frowned. The room was stuffy, hot, dark, and damp.

I guessed he wouldn't be very interested in this meal. I ignored him and picked up my dumplings too. "Let's eat.

This is the first and last meal we'll have together in Baiyun Village. After dinner, Auntie, you will come down the mountain with us. Your health is poor, and if you stay with Yun Yao, she can look after you at any time." Mother Yun Yao repeatedly waved her hands.

"How can this be? How can this be? We have farmland here; how can we support ourselves if we leave the village?" I pulled Yun Yao’s hand and held it tight.

"Auntie, I won't hide anything from you. Yun Yao is my girlfriend now, and I intend to marry her in the future. That means you will become my mother.

I have the means to support both of you, and I plan for Yun Yao to continue her studies at Longteng University after the summer break. You must come with us to Beijing then. I will find the world's best doctors there to treat your illness.

You and Yun Yao will never have to suffer again." Lan Feng opened his mouth, pointing at Ning Shixuan, clearly intending to expose my relationship with her. I glared at him fiercely, frightening him into swallowing his words. Mother Yun Yao was clearly astonished by the relationship between her daughter and me.

She asked, "Is that true, Yao Yao? He doesn't look down on you? Our family is like this; how can we possibly aspire so high?

He’s a city person, and a high-ranking official at that. How could a family like ours connect with someone like that?" I countered, "What aspiring? I, Zhao Qian, am just an ordinary person, not some powerful magnate.

In fact, I feel I’m not good enough for Yun Yao; it is my blessing that she likes me. I promise to treat her well in the future and ensure she never suffers any grievance again. No one will be allowed to bully her; otherwise, I dare challenge even the Emperor to step down!" "Brother Zhao!" Yun Yao gripped my hand tightly too.

"Thank you. Mom, please come with us. I won't feel at ease leaving you here alone.

We’ll go to Beijing together. When I graduate from university, I can earn money to support you in your old age—no, I will study while working part-time, and you can find a job too. The income will certainly be higher than here in the village." Ning Shixuan chimed in, "That's right, Auntie, come with us.

For Yun Yao’s future, you cannot stay cooped up in this small village anymore." Mother Yun Yao pinched her forehead. These matters seemed to cause her great distress. She set down her bowl and chopsticks.

"You all eat; I need to rest. The headache is severe again. Don't laugh if I have an episode in a moment." This is real trouble.

Seeing Mother Yun Yao’s condition, she must be in terrible pain, likely a sequela from the blow to her brain. That damned Ma Liu, and some traitor named Han Jian—I swear I will kill them both! Yun Yao put down her bowl and helped her mother to the other side of the kang.

Soon, we heard her mother tossing and turning, crying out in pain on the kang, while Yun Yao held her mother down tightly to prevent her from thrashing out in a frenzy. Ning Shixuan set down her bowl. "Zhao Qian, I’ll go help.

You must find a way to save Yun Yao's mother; she must be in agony." I sprang up abruptly. "Okay, you wait here. I’ll go fetch a doctor immediately!" Saving a life brook no hesitation.

I must find Hua Qingqing; under no circumstances can Mother Yun Yao be allowed to continue suffering. Lan Feng stood up with an air of great righteousness. "Director Zhao, I’ll return with you." He probably assumed I was heading back to the county seat to find a doctor.

I waved him off. "You should stay here. The place I'm going isn't suitable for you.

I’ll be back in a few minutes. If Mother Yun Yao’s condition worsens, you can lend a hand." I recalled Yun Yao saying her mother bites people when she has an episode; at that point, two girls might not be able to restrain her. Although Lan Feng’s previous actions were despicable, generally speaking, he was still human, unlike Ma Liu and Han Jian, who could already be categorized as beasts.