Chapter 359 - 361 Secretary Li’s Reassignment
"Pfft!" Xia Xiao burst into laughter as she watched Old Lady Gao disappear out of sight.
At the gate of her home, Zheng Xianghong stood there and laughed, "Aren’t you going to Youth Point? Remember to come back before it gets dark; it’s not safe to walk at night."
"Yes, Mom." Xia Xiao chuckled and left.
Zheng Xianghong went back into the house and told Gao Guoqiang about Xia Xiao’s recent run-in with Old Lady Gao outside. She had seen Xia Xiao leave and was thinking of chasing after her to remind her to come back before dark to avoid the unseen paths, but unexpectedly, she saw Old Lady Gao talking to Xia Xiao.
Upon seeing Xia Xiao, with her school books in hand, drive Old Lady Gao away, Zheng Xianghong couldn’t help but laugh. She never thought Old Lady Gao would be afraid of that. However, Zheng Xianghong hadn’t heard what Old Lady Gao had said earlier; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to laugh—she might have been angered by now.
Gao Guoqiang’s lips twitched, speechless.
Xia Xiao arrived at Youth Point, where Yang Xuehua, Xia Jing, and the others were eating. Upon seeing Xia Xiao come over, they greeted her warmly. Yang Xuehua asked, "Have you eaten, Xia Xiao?"
"I ate before I came." Xia Xiao was now acquainted with the other girls in the dormitory, and she would occasionally come over for a chat. Of course, sometimes she would also go to see Wang Aihua or visit Ning Hui, but more often, they came to her.
Everyone was just so busy, working from dawn till dusk every day, and even busier during the farming season, so only if they were idle could they take a break.
However, people of this era possessed a simple spirit and a passion for labor and construction, and everyone truly embraced the principle that labor was the most glorious, throwing themselves into it with great enthusiasm.
Guangming Production Team had always maintained its lead and everyone shared in its honor, feeling proud and self-confident about the collective’s achievements.
"Xia Xiao, you came here again. I just went to your house and didn’t find you," Ning Hui came in with a smile.
Xia Xiao smiled, "Come in and sit."
Ning Hui came over and sat on Xia Jing’s bed, next to Xia Xiao, and asked, "How do you feel?"
Xia Xiao knew Ning Hui was asking about her pregnancy. She replied, "I don’t feel much different. I haven’t had many reactions, and I’m feeling quite well. I wouldn’t know I’m having a baby if it weren’t for the lack of physical signs."
Everyone laughed at this. Ning Hui said confidently, "Don’t worry, it’s sure to be rosy-cheeked and chubby just like its mother, cute and plump."
Xia Xiao had indeed gained some weight and the pregnancy was becoming more noticeable. Mainly because Zheng Xianghong had been nourishing her. With her own space to supplement her diet privately, Xia Xiao now had three to four meals a day plus snacks and soups. It would be strange if she didn’t gain weight.
After a while, Ning Hui mentioned, "Li Zhenchuan and I might have to leave the production team."
"Ah, where are you going?" Everyone looked at Ning Hui in surprise.
Xia Xiao smiled, "Is it a transfer? Where is Secretary Li being transferred to?"
"To the commune. It’s not too far from everyone. I’ll definitely come back to see you all whenever I get the chance," Ning Hui explained.
Everyone was reluctant to let her go as Ning Hui was easy to get along with, and Secretary Li Zhenchuan had been very good. His departure raised concerns about what the new secretary would be like.
Eventually, as they chatted, it grew dark, and Ning Hui walked Xia Xiao home.
On the way back, Xia Xiao said reluctantly, "With Secretary Li leaving, I wonder who will take over as secretary. I’ll really miss you."
"I’ll miss you too, but don’t worry. It’s better for him to move to the commune. If you guys need anything, you can always reach out to me. We’ll still be able to look after each other," Ning Hui said, before adding, "Things haven’t been stable at the top these past few years. My grandfather has fallen ill, his grandfather has stepped down, and both our families are surviving in the cracks. Although I have memories from my dreams that show our families will make it through safely, I’m still restless."
Xia Xiao nodded in understanding. The Li and Ning families were key players in the center, and a single misstep could easily drag them into a whirlpool.
"Anyways, you be careful too. Let me know if anything happens, and remember to write to me."
With a smile, Ning Hui replied, "Definitely."
After saying goodbye to Ning Hui at the door, Xia Xiao watched her leave and then entered her house.
Everyone was at home; no one had gone out. Xia Xiao asked Gao Guoqiang, "Dad, is it true what Ning Hui said about Secretary Li being transferred?"
Gao Guoqiang nodded, "Yes, that’s the plan, although the official orders haven’t come through yet."
Everyone turned their attention as Zheng Xianghong said, "Oh my, while it’s a happy occasion that Secretary Li is getting promoted, the thought of them leaving does make me feel reluctant to see them go."
Gao Jiazhi added, "We don’t even know who they’ll send to take over as secretary. I hope the person has integrity."
Sun Yuhua also nodded, then Gao Guoqiang dropped a bombshell, "I heard that Wang Xueyong’s father is backing his son to become the secretary of the production team."
The room erupted in a chorus of objections as this was shocking news to all, including Xia Xiao. She knew Wang Xueyong was no ordinary urbanite, but she never imagined he was in the running to be the secretary of the production team.
"It’s not up to me," Gao Guoqiang said. Having been the production team leader for many years, he wasn’t keen on a young upstart coming in to call the shots, especially since he already had a poor impression of Wang Xueyong. But if the higher-ups wanted to bring Wang Xueyong in, Gao Guoqiang had no choice but to accept it.
Zheng Xianghong frowned deeply; she hadn’t seen Wang Xueyong around lately and had breathed a sigh of relief. Now, to her dismay, he was contending for the position of secretary. She said urgently, "Can’t Secretary Li stay? I don’t want Wang Xueyong to come over."
Sun Yuhua also nodded in agreement, "Yeah, that Wang Xueyong only finished high school. Having him come over as the secretary just doesn’t seem right."
Gao Jiazhi furrowed his brow, "Could it be that Wang Xueyong has his sights set on Guangming Production Team and that’s why they’re moving Secretary Li up?"
However, Gao Jiazhi was mistaken. This time, it was truly Wang Xueyong’s father’s idea to get his son some experience at the production team in preparation for the future. Without hesitation, Wang Xueyong chose Guangming Production Team.
Even knowing that Liu Haihua was pregnant with his child and that going to Red Star Production Team could help keep it a secret, Wang Xueyong refused to choose Red Star. He was disgusted by Red Star Production Team, always feeling that the Liu family was scheming against him.
"Dad, I remember the secretary of Red Star Production Team doesn’t want to do it anymore, right? Wang Xueyong has a good relationship with Red Star, right? Why doesn’t he go there? It would be great if we could get Red Star’s secretary to come over," Xia Xiao sighed.
"It’s not something we can just wish into happening," Gao Guoqiang shook his head.
But this gave Xia Xiao an idea; her mind raced with possible solutions. Maybe they could tamper with the appointment orders?
She shook her head, dismissing the notion as unrealistic.
Distracted by Wang Xueyong competing for the position of secretary at Guangming Production Team, Xia Xiao couldn’t sleep well. Early the next morning, she went to see Ning Hui, not sure if Ning Hui could help but Zheng Li Zhenchuan was after all moving up directly to the commune in a big leap forward.