I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

"You’re incredible!"

Yang Wenxue gave Zhao Wendong a thumbs-up after he finished speaking. He now spoke to Zhao Wendong as casually as he would a buddy. This was a complete change from when Zhao Wendong had just hauled in that four-thousand-jin catch of fish. One could only say that Zhao Wendong’s rise was too fast for people to get used to. However, as an outstanding cadre, Yang Wenxue certainly had no problem with this.

"You must have something on your mind. Just say it."

Seeing that Yang Wenxue had asked, Zhao Wendong didn’t stand on ceremony and nodded.

"Yeah, I do have an idea. Guan Yongguang is the only man left in the Guan Family now. He definitely wouldn’t feel at ease leaving his aunt and the four kids behind in Song Family Village. Plus, it’s inconvenient for him to go back and forth while working at the Commune. I was thinking, since we’re helping, we should see it through to the end. After all, they’re a family of merit. We should find a place for his aunt to stay right here in our Commune, so they can all be under our watch. What do you think?"

"Shouldn’t be a problem. But we can’t do everything for them regarding their matters in Minle Commune. I’ll coordinate things. Minle Commune and Song Family Village must provide the Guan Family with their due share of grain; we can’t let them be short-changed. We’ll handle the rest. But as for our Commune, where do you think would be a suitable place for the Guan family?"

Zhao Wendong already had a place in mind for this and directly stated his plan.

"The Agrotech Station is empty, isn’t it? I saw that the kang in their main building is quite large."

The Agrotech Station had a small room with a small bed where Little Shanghai used to live. But it also had a large kang, fully stocked with supplies. It was where Fatty Li used to stay when he worked here and didn’t go home. Now that Fatty Li was dead, the Agrotech Station was temporarily vacant, making it a perfect place for the Guan Family to settle in for the time being. Zhao Wendong had a selfish reason for bringing them over, too. The Guan family had good genes—the men were handsome and the women were beautiful. Guan Yongguang’s second-oldest sister was particularly striking, and by bringing her to the Commune, he wanted to see if Liangzi might have a chance with her.

"Letting them stay there temporarily is fine, but I’m worried it’ll be a problem if the Agrotech Station gets a new station head later."

"Hehe, don’t worry. That educated youth from Shanghai who works at the Agrotech Station and went home to visit family—my buddy Little Shanghai—he put in a lot of effort with the fishing this time. Plus, his skills with agricultural machinery are top-notch. Maybe he’ll become the next station head!"

Yang Wenxue’s eyes narrowed, a rare look of anxiety appearing on his face. He had been very concerned about the outcome of Zhao Wendong’s fishing operation. Since Zhao Wendong had pulled him into that photograph, he figured he’d surely get to ’drink some of the soup’ as well. For Zhao Wendong to say this now, he must have heard some news.

"Brother Dong, did you hear something?"

In his haste, he even called him Brother Dong. Zhao Wendong’s face twitched. ’This is getting weirder and weirder,’ he thought. ’I’m just an ordinary farmer. You’re a Commune secretary. Does it make any sense for you to be calling me Brother Dong?’

"I haven’t heard anything. I was just guessing. Let’s focus on having a good New Year. We can talk about the rest after the holiday."

Yang Wenxue’s heart skipped a beat. He understood Zhao Wendong’s hint: talk about it after the holiday, enjoy the New Year. A look of delight immediately spread across his face.

"Alright, we’ll talk after the New Year then. Okay, the matter with the Guan Family is settled. I’ll go make the arrangements now. When are they coming?"

Yang Wenxue agreed readily. Although the members of the Guan Family weren’t from the Agrotech Station and having them live there wasn’t exactly by the book, Zhao Wendong had helped him a great deal. He had been a huge help during the last market fair, and besides, Zhao Wendong was on good terms with the old secretary now. Since Yang Wenxue also had a good relationship with Zhao Wendong, he decided to take full responsibility for it.

"I’ll bring them over in a bit. Don’t want to keep you from heading home for the New Year. By the way, how are you getting back to the county town?"

"By horse-cart."

Zhao Wendong laughed when he heard that and pointed to Niu Yuesheng’s big truck outside.

"You two are in luck. Brother Niu is heading back soon, he can give you a lift. No need to tire out the horse."

"Oh, that’s great!"

A smile spread across Yang Wenxue’s face. He didn’t want to take the horse-cart either; it was slow and cold. He saw Zhao Wendong onto the truck and watched it drive away. Instead of heading back to the Commune, Yang Wenxue went straight to Sun Defu’s house. With Fatty Li dead, the only other keys were with Little Shanghai and Sun Defu.

The truck first stopped at the supply and marketing cooperative. Zhao Wendong had Er Gouzi go call for Liangzi. He was afraid of running into Cui Dafa and feeling awkward, since he had just arranged for the man to go home and retire.

"Hello, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law! Hello, Sister-in-law! What’s up, Dongzi? Are we going to fight someone again?"

"Get lost. All you think about day in and day out is fighting. Let’s go, we’ll talk at your place."

Once at Liangzi’s house, everyone went inside to take a short break, drinking some hot water to rest their feet. Zhao Wendong called for Liangzi’s parents, asking them to come over and listen too.

"Uncle, Auntie, don’t trouble yourselves. The kettle’s right there, they can pour it themselves. Come over, I have something to tell you. It’s about Liangzi."

"About me? What’s going on?"

Liangzi’s face was a mask of confusion. Hearing this, his parents exchanged a glance, put down the hot water kettle for Lin Zhiyin and the others to serve themselves, and hurried over.

"Liangzi is getting a promotion after the New Year."

"A promotion? Is he becoming a permanent worker?"

As soon as Liangzi’s father spoke, both elders beamed with joy. They had paid a hefty price and asked Cui Dafa to arrange this temporary worker position for Zhang Liang, which didn’t come with the benefits of a permanent employee. Liangzi himself, however, was unenthusiastic. He spent his days at work bored out of his mind; he’d much rather be messing around with Zhao Wendong.

"Permanent worker? That’s nothing. He’s going to be the director of the supply and marketing cooperative."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Liangzi’s parents were stunned, staring at Zhao Wendong in disbelief. Liangzi was even more incredulous, clutching his stomach as he burst out laughing.