Chapter 257 - 206: Getting Lively
As they talked, the conversation eventually turned to Zhao Wendong’s family, and Former Secretary Tao asked casually.
"How are things at home lately? Are you facing any difficulties or worries?"
Having lived two lives, Zhao Wendong knew Former Secretary Tao was offering him a ladder, and he was certainly going to climb it.
"Sigh, my family is doing fine, everything’s alright. It’s just... the daughter of our village’s production team leader, Zhao Xiaoyan—she’s my cousin. That girl is a real handful for me and her dad. She hates farming and dreams of being a factory worker all day long. She wasn’t born for farm work, really. In her free time, she’s always messing around with silkworms, silk, and that sort of thing."
Former Secretary Tao laughed as soon as he heard this. "It sounds like she has a real talent for factory work, especially at a silk factory! And what a coincidence. The county’s Number Two Silk Factory is looking for exactly that kind of person right now! Their director asked me to help find someone just the other day. If your cousin is willing, she could give it a try."
After speaking, he glanced at Zhao Wendong, then at his own son, and added meaningfully.
"Do you only have the one cousin? No other female relatives? The silk factory has a rather large labor shortage. Why don’t you help fill a couple more spots?"
Zhao Wendong’s heart stirred. ’Should I send Pandi, too?’ But on second thought, he decided against it. Although being a factory worker was a glorious thing these days, the next two years would still see severe food shortages, and a worker’s life wouldn’t be easy. With him around, Pandi and the others would definitely live more comfortably in Dragon King Pond for the next few years than they would in the county seat. Besides, Pandi was still too young—she would only be fifteen after the New Year. Compared to a higher income, the reincarnated Zhao Wendong placed more value on family togetherness. That was something no amount of money or possessions could buy. Their time together was limited, and every day was precious.
But since Former Secretary Tao had made the offer, Zhao Wendong couldn’t refuse, nor could he bear to let the opportunity go. This was the kind of job opportunity everyone else dreamed of. Even knowing the former secretary wanted him to be more deeply indebted, he had to accept. His mind raced, trying to decide who to give the opportunities to, while his mouth was already overflowing with thanks.
"Oh, Former Secretary Tao, you’re truly clairvoyant! If there’s one thing my family has in abundance, it’s relatives. I’ll send three people over after the New Year."
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Wendong had already made his choices. The silk factory jobs were best given to girls, and there weren’t any suitable boys his age around him anyway. He tentatively decided on Zhao Xiaoyan and Baozhu’s Sister. For the last spot, the face of Guan Yongguang’s second sister, whom he had seen that morning, flashed through his mind.
"Alright. They can come anytime after the New Year. Just have this kid here help them with the paperwork. He’s just sitting around at home with nothing to do anyway. How does that sound?"
"That’s great! More than great, why wouldn’t it be? We’ll have to trouble Brother Dongdong, then!"
For this matter, Former Secretary Tao chose not to write a note, but to have his son handle it directly. This was both to further deepen the connection between Tao Dongdong and Zhao Wendong, and to ensure the matter was settled properly. With Tao Dongdong helping, who would dare cause trouble? It was certainly more effective than just writing a note.
"Brother Dong, there you go again. How could helping you be any trouble? It’s not, not at all."
The former secretary rolled his eyes, not bothering with his youngest son. Instead, he suddenly brought up another person.
"Actually, Comrade Zhao Wendong, I knew of you even before Comrade Jiang Weimin did."
"Huh?"
Now Zhao Wendong was truly stunned. ’There’s more to it?’ He couldn’t imagine how Former Secretary Tao would have learned his name.
"Wang Heping. He told me about you a long time ago."
"Wang Heping?"
Zhao Wendong paused for a moment before realizing the former secretary was talking about Big Wang. He instantly understood that Niu Yuesheng’s speculation had been correct: the person behind Big Wang’s flourishing resource exchange business was indeed this man.
"Haha, Brother Wang! He’s a great big brother to me. He’s helped me out a lot."
"Mm, if you need anything, just keep going to him."
The former secretary’s words were subtle, but Zhao Wendong understood. He was being told to support Big Wang’s work. ’As long as he can help me trade meat for more grain, I’ll definitely support him. On the other hand, if one day he’s of no help, then I’ll just have to say sorry.’
"Yes, no problem. You can rest assured, Secretary Tao."
Zhao Wendong patted his chest in assurance. He realized he’d been changing rather quickly lately. The pleasantries he’d never quite learned in his past life now came to him effortlessly. After chatting a while longer at the Tao Family home, Zhao Wendong left all the fish he had brought and smilingly took his leave. Former Secretary Tao didn’t refuse, accepting the fish directly, but he also gave Zhao Wendong all the tangerines from the plate as a return gift. Tao Dongdong walked Zhao Wendong all the way to the door and watched until the truck was far in the distance before humming a little tune and happily heading back inside.
"Dad, Brother Dong even smiled at me when he left."
Seeing his son’s unpromising behavior, Former Secretary Tao couldn’t help but feel a little envious of Zhao Dashan. ’If only Zhao Wendong were his son.’
"Now that your relationship with Zhao Wendong is repaired and off to a good start, you must maintain it. In every era, there are always a few people who rise up miraculously, for no logical reason. I’m afraid the true dragon of our county is him. With a person like Zhao Wendong, if you can’t be friends, you must never be enemies. Understand?"