Chapter 191 - 184: A Huge Surprise
"Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Wendong and I are fine. We just came to see you. We’re doing great. These are the leaders from the county. They came with Wendong specifically to visit you."
At her words, the couple apprehensively scanned everyone’s faces. Seeing they were all smiling, they finally relaxed.
"That’s good. Even though the past two days have been easier, we’ve been constantly on edge. We even dream about you..."
Wang Lulu trailed off, unable to hold back her tears. Seeing his usually dignified, gentle, and refined future mother-in-law in such a state, Zhao Wendong felt even more certain that what he and Wei Dongliang had requested was the right thing to do. ’I don’t have any grand ambitions,’ he thought. ’I just want a wife, kids, and a warm hearth—to make my family happy and content.’
"Comrade Lin Zhiyin, you go chat with your parents for a bit and calm them down. Comrade Haisheng, come over here. I have the latest instructions from Special Commissioner Wei of the region. Let’s talk over here."
Jiang Weimin pulled Liu Haisheng a couple of steps to the side, cleared his throat, and put on a serious expression.
"Before I came, Special Commissioner Wei said he would communicate with your supervising department. He is very concerned about this matter. My reason for coming is very simple. Comrade Zhao Wendong’s Dragon King Pond Village has performed exceptionally well recently. It’s also a good place for labor and reform. We’d like your farm to send two people over to test the waters."
Liu Haisheng and Chen Baoguo exchanged a glance, then looked at Zhao Wendong in shock. Jiang Weimin’s meaning was clear; he had all but named Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu. ’Just how much influence does this Zhao Wendong have?’ Back when Wang Defa wrote a note for him, they had already taken him very seriously. Now he had gotten Jiang Weimin involved, and not just him—even Wei Dongliang had made his stance clear.
Liu Haisheng mulled it over for a moment, then immediately snapped to attention.
"Our farm resolutely supports the decisions of the county and the region. Secretary Jiang, your proposal is excellent. Our farm will immediately apply to our supervising department. As long as it’s approved by the higher-ups, we’ll have no problem on our end. We will cooperate fully."
Liu Haisheng was an upright man who stuck to his principles, but that didn’t mean he was inflexible. His farm was, after all, under the county’s jurisdiction, and his supervising department was under the region’s co-management. He was on someone else’s turf, relying on their resources. If he played hardball, he wouldn’t be able to get any work done. Most importantly, Zhao Wendong had done him a huge favor, so for both personal and professional reasons, he couldn’t possibly stand in the way of this anymore.
Besides, looking at it from another angle, if anything went wrong down the line, the supervising department, Wei Dongliang, and Jiang Weimin were all higher up the chain than him. They would be the ones to face the music first. His gaze shifted back to Zhao Wendong, who was grinning at him. ’Taking a risk for this kid is worth it. I just can’t figure out how he has so much influence.’
Seeing that Liu Haisheng was so cooperative, the atmosphere in the room immediately became harmonious. Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu had heard their conversation and looked at each other in utter disbelief. They never would have dreamed that a young farmer their daughter had met by chance would change their family’s destiny. They, too, grew curious. ’How did Zhao Wendong do it?’
A moment later, Jiang Weimin answered their unspoken question. He nudged Zhao Wendong forward and said with a smile.
"Let me proudly tell you about Comrade Zhao Wendong’s glorious deeds!"
By the time Jiang Weimin finished, it had dawned on everyone. They finally understood why Jiang Weimin was running around for him and why Wei Dongliang was clearing the way. Lin Huaimin’s and Wang Lulu’s eyes instantly welled with tears. ’Such a great honor, such a wonderful opportunity,’ they thought, ’and Zhao Wendong didn’t ask for fame or fortune, didn’t seek any benefits for himself or his family. Instead, he thought of us.’ The couple exchanged a look, their years of tacit understanding making their thoughts perfectly clear to one another. They accepted this son-in-law.
"Alright, since Comrade Haisheng has made his position clear, let’s head back and wait for the results. Comrade Haisheng, notify me the moment you have news so I can arrange for a car to pick them up. The New Year is almost here, and it’s only natural for families to reunite!"
"Understood!"
Liu Haisheng thought to himself, ’He wants me to get this done immediately.’ He decided he would call the supervising department to apply as soon as he saw them off. Seeing that it was already afternoon, Liu Haisheng quickly insisted they stay.
"Since you’ve come all this way, you can’t possibly leave without a meal! It’s a rare occasion for a leader to visit. Please, try our farm’s cooking!"
"Hahaha, maybe next time. We mainly came to accompany Comrade Zhao Wendong. He has a big family waiting for him in the county. Now that our business is concluded, we’ll be heading back."
"Wait!"
Zhao Wendong and Lin Huaimin spoke at the same time. Lin Huaimin smiled.
"Wendong, you go first."
"Heh heh, I was hoping your wife could help me paint a few more pictures."
Zhao Wendong thought that since he was already here, he might as well have Wang Lulu paint a few pictures for Xiaojin to use to find prey. Wang Lulu naturally agreed to such a small request. She quickly painted various animals according to Zhao Wendong’s descriptions and even did a separate portrait of him. Jiang Weimin, watching from the side, nodded continuously. ’Don’t look down on people just because of their class background,’ he thought. ’Their professional skills can be truly extraordinary!’
Once Zhao Wendong was done, Lin Huaimin finished what he had wanted to say.
"Wendong, you and Zhiyin will both be a year older after the New Year. No matter what the future holds, we’re at ease knowing you’re taking care of Zhiyin. So, we have a wish, and we hope you can grant it for us."
"Uncle, please speak."
"Dad, go ahead."
Seeing the solemnity in Lin Huaimin’s tone, Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin had no idea what he was about to ask, but they agreed immediately anyway.
"When you go back today, go and get your marriage certificate by tomorrow at the latest. That way, we’ll be a real family, and the two of us can finally get a good night’s sleep."
"Ah, this..."
Zhao Wendong was stunned. ’Get our marriage certificate?’
’Of course I want to! But I always thought you were supposed to have a flirtatious phase first, give lots of gifts to make the relationship official, endure a long courtship, then have a super romantic proposal. And only after all that, when you have a house, a car, a bride price, plus the "three golds" in the bride’s name, could you finally get married. Right?’
"Okay!"
Lin Zhiyin agreed without hesitation. Zhao Wendong was stunned again as a huge wave of joyous surprise washed over him, making him tingle from head to toe.
’Oh, right. This isn’t decades from now. This is an era where two people start a family and then build a life together. It’s a more direct time, without all those extra steps. A marriage that seems to start casually can lead to a lifetime of supporting each other through thick and thin.’
"Heh heh, heh heh!"
Zhao Wendong couldn’t believe this was happening. ’My lucky streak is still going!’ He was so happy he could only grin foolishly. He was really going to marry Lin Zhiyin. At that moment, he felt like the happiest man in the world, so ecstatic he wanted to shout it from the rooftops!
"Hahaha, congratulations, Wendong Brothers!"
"Congratulations, Comrade Wendong!"
Everyone offered their congratulations. Zhao Wendong just grinned happily. Lin Zhiyin looked at him, her eyes sparkling. Lin Huaimin’s and Wang Lulu’s eyes were full of relief, their faces wreathed in smiles.
After the lively celebration continued for a while, Zhao Wendong and his group really had to leave, or it would get dark. Before they left, Zhao Wendong mentioned to Chen Baoguo that he was going through his bullets a bit quickly. Chen Baoguo smiled and promised to get him some more as a wedding gift. Zhao Wendong shook his hand gratefully, then got in the car and hurried off. This time, Lin Zhiyin wasn’t as reluctant to see him go; after all, she could now see the dawn of their family’s reunion.
"Your daughter has good taste, finding such a capable man. An old master gifting calligraphy, tsk tsk tsk!"
Watching the American jeep drive away, Liu Haisheng remarked with feeling to Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu, then hurried to the communications room to call his supervising department. Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu looked at each other, slowly reached out their hands, and clasped them tightly. This was how they had encouraged each other for the past two years. They never imagined they would actually live to see this day.
By the time they returned to the county, the sky was already growing dark. Zhao Wenjun and the others had almost finished their shopping, filling up a third of Niu Yuesheng’s truck bed—the same truck bed that had once held 108 heroes. Zhao Wendong fully praised them for spending every last penny and requested that if Chen Yanmei came after them for it, they’d help shield him from the fallout.
Jiang Weimin insisted on treating Zhao Wendong and everyone to a meal at the county committee’s cafeteria. This was an honor that had to be accepted. Zhao Wendong gladly led everyone there, telling them all to eat a lot, or else it would be disrespectful to Secretary Jiang. Although the cafeteria only served rice porridge, white flour steamed buns, and pickled vegetables, they tasted great, and everyone ate heartily.
Zhao Wendong noticed that during the meal, Niu Guizhi was always sneaking glances at Zhao Ergou, who also snuck a few peeks at her. He figured something was brewing between those two. During the meal, Jiang Weimin also brought up the matter of Lin Zhiyin’s parents telling them to get their marriage certificate, and everyone cheered again.