Chapter Eighty-Seven: Hitching a Ride on the County Party Secretary’s Wagon

At five o’clock, Feng Shuya called Le’er. By then, Le’er had already booked a hotel with Luo Yinxing. Each of them had a separate room, but Le’er was currently in Luo Yinxing’s room.

“Go downstairs to eat by yourself, don’t wander off. I’ll come back after I’ve eaten,” Luo Yinxing said obediently to Le’er.

Watching Le’er leave, Luo Yinxing felt an emptiness in her heart and lost her appetite. She lay on the bed, lost in thought. Since following Le’er, she’d had a streak of good luck. In just over a month of performances, she had earned several thousand yuan. She also cooked for Le’er, who gave her a thousand yuan. There were subsidies for the performances, and she got two hundred yuan every month for cleaning the village committee office. Everything seemed to go smoothly and pleasantly.

Thinking back to her past life, tears welled up. Shajin Hai’s family was poor to begin with. He was handsome but weak, lacking skills and the stamina for hard labor. Without brains, he couldn’t make easy money and actually earned less than a woman like her. As the only son, he had been spoiled by his parents, developing many bad habits.

When she first married him, they were in love, and she never complained about hardships. But as time passed and the passion cooled, his laziness, selfishness, and selfish nature became apparent. He shirked heavy work in the fields, leaving her, a woman, to do it, while he lounged in the shade. But since she married him, she accepted it—after all, as the saying goes, you follow your husband's lot. Tears could only be swallowed.

She had always been a virtuous wife—frugal, hardworking, and enduring. Yet, despite her efforts, Shajin Hai’s behavior worsened, descending to levels worse than pigs or dogs.

A tree fears the bark being stripped, a person fears heartbreak. She was deeply hurt by Shajin Hai, and only through Le’er’s comfort did her wounds begin to heal. Reflecting on past pain and Le’er’s kindness, she resolved to seek a divorce. She refused to live with Shajin Hai any longer.

While Luo Yinxing was making her plans, Le’er followed Feng Shuya’s directions and took a tricycle to the Feng family’s doorstep. Feng Shuya personally greeted her.

Secretary Feng hadn’t returned home yet. The old nanny was preparing food. Only Feng Shuya’s mother, a learned woman in her forties, was in the living room reading.

“Auntie,” Feng Shuya had taught her to say, and Le’er was straightforward in her greeting.

Feng Shuya’s mother was a teacher at the county’s No. 1 High School, now vice-principal. Gentle and unpretentious, she appeared as a kind mother figure to Le’er, instantly evoking warmth and closeness.

“Oh, you’re quite spirited, young and promising,” Mrs. Wu said as she put down her book and poured a glass of water for Le’er. “My surname is Wu. Just call me Teacher Wu. After all these years of teaching, I’m more comfortable being called ‘teacher’ than anything else.”

They got along well. Teacher Wu asked various questions, and Le’er answered with a smile. But when she inquired about Le’er’s family, Le’er grew awkward.

“Teacher Wu, I have no parents.”

“Oh, such a poor child,” Teacher Wu said with a tender smile, sensing Le’er’s unhappiness. “Don’t think of yourself as pitiful. Be strong. You’re doing very well now—better than many children with parents.”

Le’er smiled, and Teacher Wu smiled back. Feng Shuya, seeing the rapport between the elder and the young, went off to help the old nanny with the cooking. Soon, the sound of a car downstairs drew Teacher Wu’s attention.

“Ah, our Secretary Feng is back,” she said with a smile, then called out to Feng Shuya, “Xiaoya, go greet your father.”

“He’s not without feet. Why should I go meet him?” Feng Shuya replied.

“Uh… you unfilial girl,” Teacher Wu chided.

As they spoke, footsteps approached the door. Le’er hurried to open it. A middle-aged man with streaks of gray in his hair entered, his face beaming with a smile.

It was Le’er’s first close encounter with the county party secretary, making her a little nervous. Secretary Feng sized her up and laughed heartily.

“You must be Sha Le’er. Not bad at all—tall and strong.”

“Hello, Secretary Feng.”

“Good, I’m well. Seeing you makes me even happier.” Secretary Feng chuckled warmly and changed into slippers. “Xiaoya, is the food ready yet?”

At that moment, Feng Shuya brought out two plates of food.

“Dad, please put the dishes on the table.”

“Ah… as soon as I get home, I’m put to work. I haven’t even caught my breath yet.”

“Yes, Xiaoya,” Teacher Wu said with a smile as she poured tea, “Secretary Feng is an important man. Should he be doing chores?”

Le’er watched this warm family scene and smiled foolishly. What he showed at home was a loving father, but no one saw the sharp political tactician Secretary Feng was in the officialdom.

In Longshan County, Secretary Feng’s formidable presence was well known among political circles. When he smiled, a hidden blade lurked behind it; when he didn’t, the blade gleamed openly in his hand. Few dared to remain calm in his presence.

“Come, Le’er, sit beside me,” Secretary Feng invited kindly. Though a little stiff, Le’er sat down next to him, his face breaking into a sheepish smile.

Feng Shuya brought out a bottle of Ruotai liquor and two small cups, pouring each a glass.

“Oh, I haven’t drunk in a long time. I’m happy today—let’s have a drink,” Secretary Feng said, raising his glass. “Come, Le’er, a toast.”

They drank and chatted, but Secretary Feng avoided topics of politics or Le’er’s snake farming, instead asking about everyday matters. Learning that Le’er hadn’t finished middle school, he encouraged him to continue learning independently.

“Le’er, in modern society, knowledge is indispensable. You have some foundation—don’t give up on your studies. Whatever you do in the future, you’ll need knowledge.”

“Dad, Le’er is studying. I often see him learning about snake farming,” Feng Shuya added.

“Good, that’s very good.”

Despite the pleasant dinner, Le’er didn’t feel entirely at ease. He preferred eating with Secretary Huang and Xie Dapao, where he could drink and speak freely—even curse—without restraint.

Secretary Feng only drank a small glass, and Le’er didn’t want to drink more either. At the meal, Secretary Feng ate only a small bowl of rice; if not for Teacher Wu insisting on serving Le’er a full bowl, he might not have dared to eat a second helping. He was still an unworldly country boy—in the coarse language of the countryside, his “testicles hadn’t hardened” yet.

Le’er carefully set down his bowl. Feng Shuya placed a cup of tea in front of him.

“Come, Le’er, come upstairs with me for a talk.”

Secretary Feng picked up his tea cup and led the way upstairs. Le’er followed, carrying his own cup.

In the small upstairs parlor, Secretary Feng sat down on the sofa and gestured to the seat beside him. Lighting a cigarette, he took a drag and looked at Le’er.

“Le’er, do you know not many people get to come into my parlor? Even your Secretary Huang hasn’t been here.”

Le’er wasn’t foolish but felt even more constrained upon hearing this. Secretary Feng observed his unease but made no effort to ease the tension.

“This means you are a very important person now, understand?” Secretary Feng said, sipping his tea. “Not just important to Xiaoya, but to me as well.”

He didn’t expect an answer. His voice was steady, calm, yet carried authority. Le’er said nothing, but Secretary Feng saw he understood and nodded.

“The county party and government have jointly passed a resolution,” Secretary Feng exhaled smoke gently. “We are changing the current scattered poverty alleviation approach because it’s ineffective. Instead, we will focus on key targets, fostering a leading example to promote widespread prosperity.”

Le’er listened attentively, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Secretary Feng.

“I and County Mayor Lin will each take charge, selecting one poverty alleviation target for focused support,” Secretary Feng’s expression grew serious. “I have chosen you. Therefore, you must succeed—you cannot fail. If you fail, I fail, and my standing in the county will be compromised. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Le’er nodded.

“Good,” Secretary Feng nodded in return. “Based on our assessment, you have the strength to succeed. For details, Secretary Luo will come to talk with you tomorrow.”

Le’er left the small parlor upstairs feeling his legs heavy, but he walked carefully and steadily. There was no room for embarrassment here.