Volume Four: Awakening of Insects Chapter 149: Longevity Wine

The meeting had concluded. The bosses gradually departed, leaving behind one particularly perplexing element: an inexplicable display of warmth from Boss Zhe. While Le'er did not know Boss Zhe very well, Boss Hong was intimately familiar with him. This old man was not someone easy to approach, let alone someone inclined to be friendly; he was an infamously cunning and calculating old fox.

Oddly enough, Boss Zhe possessed assets well in excess of half a billion, whereas compared to him, a single hair from Boss Zhe's body was thicker than Le'er's entire leg. Why would someone like that curry favor with Le'er? His son, Zhe Fuhai, had previously been openly hostile toward Le'er; during the snake-fighting event in Foshan, his king cobra had lost to Le'er's little snake, Jin'er, leaving him holding a grudge. Who knew how Boss Zhe had disciplined him, but suddenly Zhe Fuhai had also grown warm toward Le'er, taking the initiative to speak with him and attempting to cozy up.

Le'er himself didn't think much of it, simply feeling that Boss Zhe was amiable and grandfatherly. Although he had previously detested Zhe Fuhai for his icy, arrogant demeanor that rubbed him the wrong way, now that Zhe Fuhai was proactively engaging with him, he didn't find him all that obnoxious anymore.

Zhe Fuhai was not only slick in appearance but also deeply calculating and quite knowledgeable. Once he shed his icy exterior, he didn't seem so hard to approach after all.

As for Boss Long, he had nothing but praise for Le'er, and his daughter, Green Rainbow, was the one who loved being around Le'er the most.

"Le'er, are you a snake reincarnated?"

She often asked such childish questions. During this period, she constantly trailed behind Le'er, asking this and that, sometimes leaving Le'er utterly speechless and amused.

Boss Hong teased Green Rainbow.

"Little Green Rainbow, have you taken a fancy to Le'er? Heh."

"Uncle, stop talking nonsense. There's no one here to keep me company, so if I don't hang out with Le'er, who else can I look for?" Green Rainbow stamped her foot in annoyance, her face flushed red. "Hehe, besides, who says he isn't my little brother?"

"Green Rainbow, you're older than me by a whole day. You always like acting like my older sister," Le'er complained, feeling somewhat displeased.

"One day older still makes me the older sister," Green Rainbow insisted stubbornly, her little face wearing an infinitely cute expression.

"Green Rainbow, you're the youngest at home, aren't you?" Boss Hong chuckled. "You must be the youngest. No wonder you love playing the big sister so much."

"Boss Hong really knows how to guess. I'm dead set on being Le'er's older sister. It's rare to get a chance to play the big sis, so I'm going to make the most of it this time."

Boss Long watched his daughter and Le'er interact, laughing heartily just like a man. Fortunately, those bosses left in a hurry. Before departing, Boss Hong gave Lai Changping a thorough dressing down.

"Ah Ping, if you don't work hard here and refuse to listen to President Li and Chairman Sha, don't even think about earning a living in this industry ever again."

It seemed this slippery scoundrel held immense awe and fear toward Boss Hong, as he didn't dare utter a single word of dissent, wearing nothing but a crestfallen expression. A man like that was only good for petty tasks and could never accomplish anything major.

The county government kept these bosses and experts lingering in Longshan for a few leisurely days. The experts hoped to track down the true habitat of the little snake Jin'er and locate its wild population, but they returned empty-handed.

Three days later, the bosses and experts departed. The county wasn't without its own rewards, though; the bosses signed numerous tentative investment plans with local authorities, though whether those investments would actually materialize remained to be seen.

Le'er and Li Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief. With fifty thousand snakes safely delivered to the farm and everything operating normally, snake breeding officially commenced. The biggest beneficiary by far was Feng Shuya. Not only did the television station film on-site footage of Le'er interacting with the snakes and capture the scene of the visiting guests, but they also used the occasion to produce a special feature on the poverty alleviation project.

The segment featuring Le'er and his snakes created a sensation throughout Shaoning City, while Feng Shuya's poverty alleviation special caught the attention of higher-level government officials. A new political star had begun to emit a dazzling radiance.

Naturally, the county party committee would not let pass such a prime publicity opportunity. Secretary Luo made a major fuss, specifically penning a feature article about this poverty alleviation project, which was subsequently published in the provincial party newspaper.

This even drew the attention of the provincial party committee and provincial government, who concluded that the "enterprise plus farmer" model of poverty alleviation was well worth promoting—a pragmatic and viable path out of poverty. Consequently, it was inevitable that Feng Shuya would soar to prominence.

Although the Great Snake King Company maintained a low profile, it inevitably rocketed to fame alongside her.

Of course, achieving this level of publicity was aided by people operating behind the scenes. Zhao Xinghua was one of them, and since Tao Taozi had smoothly been promoted to a section-level rank, he was bound to return the favor. Coupled with Feng Shuya's substantial network of influential connections at both the provincial and municipal levels, the matter was naturally blown up and amplified.

As for the next step—becoming the town mayor—it was now a certainty, flowing as naturally as water finding its channel.

Le'er and Li Ying had just hoped to relax and catch their breath when Luo Yinxiang announced that her mother was turning sixty and she needed to return home to celebrate the birthday.

"Le'er, it's Yinxiang's mother's big birthday. Shouldn't we go and offer our congratulations as well?"

"Mmm."

Hearing that Li Ying and Le'er were planning to attend, Luo Yinxiang was overjoyed. Setting aside her other relationship with Le'er, the mere fact that Le'er was willing to honor her mother's birthday naturally filled her heart with sweetness. Everyone across all the surrounding villages knew the distinct status Le'er and Li Ying held. Having them attend the celebration would bring immense prestige to both her and her family.

Ever since she married Sha Jinhai, she had lacked any standing or respect within her own household. Now, with Le'er and Li Ying coming to prop up her reputation, how could she not be ecstatic?

When Feng Shuya heard about the matter, she also volunteered to tag along, which excited Luo Yinxiang even further. Feng Shuya wasn't just a village chief; she was also a town mayor. For a town mayor to personally attend the birthday celebration of an ordinary rural old woman—what an extraordinarily glorious thing that was in the countryside! From then on, her family would undeniably be the most prestigious household in the Zhushan Luo clan.

That wasn't all. Coincidentally, Xie Dapao also dropped by Taosha, and upon hearing the news, he declared he would join them too.

"Yinxiang, you go on ahead first, and tell your family that Secretary Huang, Mayor Feng, and Chief Xie are coming to your place to celebrate your mother's birthday," Li Ying instructed, seeing that Luo Yinxiang didn't quite know how to handle her excitement.

"Understood, Sister Ying!"

With a face full of gratitude, Luo Yinxiang darted back like a gust of wind. Once she had left, Feng Shuya inquired about Secretary Huang.

"Secretary Huang, is there something else?"

"Indeed," Secretary Huang said with a beaming smile. "In three days, the city is organizing an inspection and study delegation to visit here, so I had to hurry over. Le'er, President Li, the two of you need to make preparations."

Le'er chuckled. "It seems fame is inescapable whether I want it or not."

Hearing Le'er's remark, Secretary Huang burst into hearty laughter, while Li Ying and Feng Shuya smiled faintly. Xie Dapao gave Le'er a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Little brother, your big brother here is going to bask in your reflected glory and get some face too," Xie Dapao grinned broadly. "When the inspection delegation arrives, I'm personally in charge of security."

"I never asked for this kind of fame," Le'er said, putting on a pitiful expression. "We have a saying in the countryside: 'A man fears fame just as a pig fears being fat.' A fat pig's doom is sealed, and once a person becomes famous, troubles follow."

"Haha... You dog of a Le'er, don't go comparing yourself to a pig!" Xie Dapao roared with laughter.

"Don't worry, Le'er, it's fine. We aren't asking you to foot the reception bill; all expenses will be covered by the county," Secretary Huang said, understanding Le'er's concern. "You and President Li just need to do a good job presenting your snake-breeding operations."

"Hmm... That's more like it."

After discussing a bit longer, the day was growing late.

"Secretary Huang, since we're going to attend the birthday feast, we should make preparations and get moving," Feng Shuya said. "We certainly need to bring some birthday gifts."

"Forget about the birthday gifts. Each of you can just pack a red envelope, and I'll catch a couple of old laying hens here to bring along," Le'er offered. "I still have over twenty old hens right here."

"So you're planning to skip the red envelope altogether?" Xie Dapao asked.

"Since I'm catching the hens, I shouldn't need to give a red envelope too, right?"

"You really are a stingy little skinflint."

"Le'er, you should still give a red envelope," Li Ying said with a smile. "We're the younger generation; it wouldn't look good if we didn't give one."

"Then wouldn't I be getting the short end of the stick?" Le'er put on an aggrieved, miserable expression. "I'm catching the hens *and* giving red envelopes. I'm definitely going to eat my fill of meat today to make up for it."

Everyone erupted into loud laughter once more. Their red envelopes couldn't be too skimpy either—one hundred yuan each. In the countryside, that was a heavy display of social obligation, as ordinary people typically gifted twenty yuan in a red envelope.

"Ah... we still need to add a tail to the sum," Le'er noted. "Since it's a birthday banquet, it's best to give one hundred and eight yuan and eighty cents."

"Where are we going to find all that loose change?"

"I have plenty right here. Everyone give me ten yuan, and I'll make change for you with eight yuan and eighty cents." Le'er produced an embroidered cylinder stuffed entirely with coins, grabbed a handful, and reached out. "Brother Xie, you first."

He extended his hand toward Xie Dapao.

"You son of a bitch, you really are a miser, turning this into a business! I might not have a ten-yuan bill, but I've certainly got thirty or twenty cents in coins. Do you want them?"

Lifting his foot, Xie Dapao made a motion as if to kick him.

"Well... wouldn't I be getting the short end of the stick again?"

With their red envelopes properly packed, the five of them set off. Feng Shuya and Le'er rode in Li Ying's car, while Secretary Huang and Xie Dapao took their own vehicle, heading all the way toward the Zhushan Luo family.

Xiasha Village was about eight miles away from the Zhushan Luo family, but the road was poor, taking them nearly twenty minutes of driving to arrive. The Zhushan Luo clan was already in an uproar; having heard that Town Secretary Huang, Mayor Feng, Chief Xie, and the currently booming boss of the Great Snake King Company were coming to celebrate the old matriarch's birthday, the villagers had all gathered at the intersection. When they spotted the vehicles arriving, a crowd surged forward.

Led by the village party secretary and the village chief, Luo Yinxiang's parents beamed from ear to ear as they stood waiting between the two leaders. Secretary Huang stepped out of the car first, followed by Xie Dapao, and then Feng Shuya. Li Ying and Le'er brought up the rear.

"Secretary Huang, Mayor Feng..."

The party secretary and village chief of Xiashan Village were both retired veterans in their thirties.

"Secretary Huang, Mayor Feng, for you to come... how... how could an old woman like me ever deserve such an honor?"

"Haha... Elder, Yinxiang is practically our younger sister, and you are an elder. It's only right that we come to offer our congratulations," Secretary Huang said with a smile. "You're the birthday star today, so we, as the younger generation, ought to pay our proper respects."

"I hardly dare... Quick, come inside." Tears glistened at the corners of the old woman's eyes. "Your coming brings such luster to my face, such honor to my family... Hurry inside. Le'er, you little rascal, and this fairy-like young lady, thank you both so much."

The banquet tables had already been set up, but Secretary Huang and the others refused to sit down just yet, not daring to take their seats prematurely. The secretary and village chief escorted the five of them to the seats of honor right in front of the ancestral shrine. Naturally, Secretary Huang took the head seat, with Xie Dapao seated beside him. Feng Shuya and Li Ying shared a single bench, while Le'er was nudged into sitting just below Secretary Huang, with the party secretary and village chief occupying the accompanying seats below them.

Everyone stretched out their necks to gaze at this special table, and many began whispering among themselves.

Few discussed Secretary Huang, but Le'er and Li Ying were the primary focus of everyone's animated discussions.