Chapter 75: The Village’s New Director

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The village secretary, Tao, had not returned, preferring the comfort of life in the county town to avoid troublesome matters. His two younger brothers took turns inviting him to drink and dine, living leisurely and carefree. Yet, suddenly, he received a call from Secretary Huang, instructing him to return to the village at once.

“Go back. After all, you are the secretary,” said Tao Shirong with a smile. “Wen’er is finished this time. With the director gone and you absent as secretary, who will people turn to if anything happens?”

“Don’t mention that fool—he’s worse than a pig… If it weren’t for him, none of this would have happened.”

Just hearing Tao Wen’s name made Secretary Tao furious.

“Well… big brother, you share some responsibility too.”

“What responsibility? Did I teach him to do such disgraceful things?” Secretary Tao’s temper flared.

“Calm down.” Tao Shirong smiled. “Wen’er was never clever. Why did you let him become director? Isn’t it because of your old-fashioned thinking? The Tao family are people, but so are those from Xiasha Village. Don’t think like that anymore. Besides, with so many Tao family members, can you manage them all? There are millions across China… Hey, don’t get angry, I’m just advising you: try to manage your own patch of land first. Help the Tao family where you can, but don’t overreach.”

Secretary Tao’s anger faded.

“Especially now, don’t push your luck. If you offend Secretary Huang, Director Xie, or Teacher Feng, Bao’er will never secure his position for life.”

Bao’er was Secretary Tao’s Achilles’ heel. Mentioning him, the old man nodded as eagerly as a pecking chicken.

“I’m not that foolish. I wouldn’t offend them… Don’t worry, I’m not senile yet.”

When Secretary Tao arrived in Taosha Village, he was startled. Several cars were parked in the village: Secretary Huang’s, Mayor Wang’s, Xie the Cannon’s battered vehicle, Secretary Luo from the county party committee, and two cars labeled with the city newspaper’s logo—journalists.

What could warrant such a scene?

“Secretary Huang… what’s happened?” Secretary Tao’s heart raced. Not only were Secretary Huang and the others gathered at the village committee, but all the group leaders were present. Sha Le’er and other committee members sat alongside Teacher Feng.

Mayor Wang Chaowei and Deputy Mayor Liu Shilong sat beside Secretary Huang—what could be so serious?

“Old Secretary, you’re finally back. We were waiting for you,” Secretary Huang said jovially. “Sit down, it’s a very important meeting.”

In the past, Secretary Tao would sit in the most prominent place, but today he found an unobtrusive spot, coincidentally next to Le’er.

“Le’er, nothing happened in the village, right? Do you know what this meeting is about?”

Secretary Tao asked quietly. Le’er shook her head.

“I don’t know either. Secretary Huang and the others just showed up.”

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Soon, Secretary Huang personally presided over the meeting, getting straight to the point.

“Comrades, you all know that a few days ago, something significant happened in Taosha Village. The township party committee and government took it very seriously, and the matter reached the county party committee and government. Former village director Tao Wen was involved and has violated criminal law, so he can no longer serve as a village leader. However, our village cannot do without a director. The township party committee and government convened an emergency joint meeting for this, and now I invite Mayor Wang to announce the decision.”

A round of enthusiastic applause followed, the loudest coming from the two villagers’ groups in Xiasha Village. Amidst the applause, Mayor Wang stood and smiled warmly.

“Comrades of Taosha Village, today we bring you very good news.” He paused, his smile deepening. “The township party committee and government have unanimously decided to appoint Feng Shuya as the new village director.”

Mayor Wang led the applause. Everyone exchanged glances; Feng Shuya was a completely unfamiliar name. No one in Taosha Village had that surname, nor did they know the person. Still, since the mayor was applauding, they followed suit. Sha Le’er and Secretary Tao were surprised as well—they knew who Feng Shuya was and turned their gaze toward her.

“Comrades, you may not know Feng Shuya,” Mayor Wang said, glancing at her. She stood, smiled, and nodded all around before sitting; at that moment, the journalists’ cameras flashed. “This is Comrade Feng Shuya, your school’s volunteer teacher, Teacher Feng.”

Now everyone was not just exchanging glances but dumbfounded.

“Comrade Feng Shuya is a university graduate, knowledgeable and capable. The country encourages graduates to serve as rural officials and lead everyone to prosperity…”

Those present were all old farmers, uninterested in grand speeches. Still, Teacher Feng becoming village director was novel and intriguing to them. A buzz of whispers began, but under the mayor’s stern gaze, they quieted down.

The meeting lasted over an hour; few listened closely. Sha Le’er absorbed little, preoccupied with why Teacher Feng would become a village official. As the daughter of a county party secretary, being a rural teacher was surprising enough—now she was to serve as a village director, a puzzle to him.

But he was also excited and happy. Feng Shuya treated him well; with her as director, his days would be even better.

Secretary Tao was also perplexed, but after his confusion, he firmly supported the township party committee's decision and expressed his delight, warmly welcoming the appointment.

Feng Shuya spoke briefly, but nobody remembered her words.

When the meeting adjourned, Sha Le’er rushed forward.

“Sister Feng, congratulations on becoming village director.”

The committee members gathered around, but Secretary Huang pulled Sha Le’er aside, bringing him to his car and closing the door.

“Sha Le’er, now that Teacher Feng is village director, you must support her work wholeheartedly.”

Secretary Huang was very serious.

“Don’t worry, with Sister Feng as director, how could I not support her? Damn, it’s great—our lives will be much better with her in charge.”

Secretary Huang looked happily at the excited Sha Le’er, patting his shoulder. He could see Sha Le’er was purely joyful, without any ulterior motive.

“You rascal, you’ve started calling her sister so quickly? Damn, I never saw that coming.” But Secretary Huang’s expression soon darkened. “Support isn’t enough. You must obey her absolutely, protect her safety. If she’s harmed in the slightest, I’ll deal with you myself.”

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“Heh… who would dare mess with Sister Feng? With me, Sha Le’er, around, no one in the village would dare. If they try anything, I’ll deal with them myself—damn, am I supposed to be afraid?”

At that moment, Xie the Cannon opened the car door and got in, having overheard Sha Le’er’s words outside.

“That’s right! Le’er, you handle things; I’ll take the heat!”

“Good. That’s what I want to hear,” Secretary Huang nodded. “Get out now—we’re leaving.”

“Secretary Huang, Brother Xie, have a meal before you go. I still have some smoked dog meat at home.”

“Smoked dog meat… good stuff, but we have a lot of people to entertain today. Next time.”

“What about Brother Xie?”

“Same, next time. Keep it for us.”

Watching the car drive off in a cloud of dust, Le’er returned to the village committee. Everyone was preparing to leave.

“Uncle Tao, and all the elders, today is a great day. To celebrate Sister Feng becoming village director, I invite everyone for a drink. What do you say?”

“Good! If there’s wine, who wouldn’t drink?”

“We must toast Teacher Feng properly.”

“Let’s go, to Le’er’s house,” Le’er’s uncle said, excited as a child. “I still have jars of old wine, I’ll bring them out today—drink your fill.”

Secretary Tao smiled, patting Le’er.

“Alright, rascal, you beat me to it. We’ll go to your place today, and I’ll host tomorrow.”

“Secretary, uncles and elders, I don’t drink,” Feng Shuya said with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Sister Feng. I’ll drink for you whenever you’re toasted.”

Le’er promised confidently. Feng Shuya looked at him deeply and nodded. A dozen people set off for Le’er’s house, with Feng Shuya chatting with everyone along the way. She quickly blended in, as if she had known them for years.