I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

"That’s hilarious! HAHAHA! Dongzi, you’ve learned to lie now, too. HAHAHA! Who do you think you are, the county secretary? You think I can just become director of the supply and marketing co-op because you say so..."

But as he laughed, Liangzi’s smile froze. He sensed something wasn’t right. Based on his understanding of Zhao Wendong and the look on his face, he started to feel that Wendong might be telling the truth. Wendong might pull a prank on him, but he would never lie to their elders.

"D-Dongzi. Are you telling the truth?"

Liangzi was even stuttering. Zhao Wendong nodded again, a confident smile on his face.

"Oh, my heavens! My son is going to be the director of the supply and marketing co-op! The ancestors have shown their favor! Thank you, Lord in Heaven!"

Liangzi’s Mother let out a sudden cry that startled everyone. Seeing her lose all composure and dance around with joy, the others exchanged understanding smiles.

"What are you thanking the heavens for? If you want to thank someone, thank Dongzi! Without Dongzi, your son might never have become a permanent worker in his entire life."

Liangzi’s father was the one with a clear head, cutting right to the heart of the matter. It dawned on Liangzi too, and he grabbed Zhao Wendong’s arm.

"Dongzi, what did you have to promise them? I’m doing fine as I am. I don’t really want to be the director."

Knowing Liangzi was afraid he’d paid too steep a price, Zhao Wendong smiled and patted him on the arm.

"Just relax and wait for your promotion. Set your mind at ease. No one can take advantage of us."

"Yeah, that’s true!"

Liangzi nodded. When they dealt with Li Guangming, there might have only been one Little Bastard, but now, if something else were to happen, Liangzi could guarantee that at least a few dozen Little Bastards would be willing to step up and handle the trouble for Zhao Wendong.

"And there’s a second matter!"

Zhao Wendong told him about the matter concerning the Guan Family, then chuckled as he advised his good brother.

"Liangzi, that girl from the Guan Family is truly beautiful. I’m creating a great opportunity for you here, so don’t let it slip by!"

Hearing this, however, Liangzi didn’t show the lecherous excitement Zhao Wendong had imagined. Instead, he just looked like he wanted to say something but was holding back. Seeing him like this, his mother’s temper instantly flared. She reached out and slapped him hard on the back. A loud WHACK! echoed through the room.

"This is such a great match Dongzi found for you! Are you still hung up on Huang Xiaomei? What kind of love potion did she give you to make you think about her all the time? She doesn’t even talk to you anymore, you get it? She’s kicked you to the curb!"

"That’s not true! Xiaomei said she would always wait for me."

Liangzi couldn’t help but snap back. The Zhou’s all put down their water, exchanging bewildered glances. Seeing Lin Zhiyin’s gaze turn to him, Zhao Wendong just shrugged and gave her an "I don’t know" look. ’Huang Xiaomei... Huang Xiaomei...’ Why did that name sound so familiar to him?

"Sigh. Dongzi, you’re a man of ideas. Help us figure this out."

Uncle Zhang sighed and explained the whole story to Zhao Wendong and Zhiyin. Liangzi had been very close with a female classmate. You could say they were first loves, and they had even started discussing marriage. Then, a relative of Huang Xiaomei’s family became a high-ranking official in the prefecture and recommended Huang Xiaomei to become a Worker-Peasant-Soldier Red Professional.

During her first year away, she and Liangzi still wrote to each other often, but no letters had arrived in the last few months. When Zhao Wendong heard this, his heart sank. ’Why does this plot sound so much like the stories and cautionary tales I’ve heard?’

"Xiaomei must be busy with her studies, or something came up and delayed her."

Seeing Liangzi still stubbornly making excuses for Huang Xiaomei, Zhao Wendong sighed to himself.

"It’s fine, Uncle Zhang. There’s nothing really to analyze. What’s the use of speculating back and forth? Why not just go to the prefecture, find that Huang Xiaomei, and ask her? Then everything will be clear, right?"

"Ah, well..."

Uncle Zhang paused, stunned. Zhao Wendong was right. It was pointless for them to sit here guessing. Going to see for themselves was the most useful thing they could do.

"I... I’m afraid I’ll disturb Xiaomei."

Liangzi was still hesitant. Seeing his spineless display only strengthened his parents’ resolve.

"Go. You must go, and as soon as possible. We also want to see what exactly Huang Xiaomei is thinking. Even if they’re breaking up, she owes my son a clear answer. Our family was always good to her family."

"Alright, don’t you worry about it. Uncle, Auntie, I have to go to the prefecture after the New Year. I’ll take Liangzi with me then."

Zhao Wendong patted his chest, taking full responsibility. As it happened, he was going there to receive an award anyway. Given his current relationship with Jiang Weimin, bringing Liangzi along would be no problem at all.

"Oh, that’s wonderful! If you’re with him, we can rest easy."

Liangzi’s father and mother were overjoyed. Zhao Wendong had earned the approval of more and more people. It felt like as long as Wendong was involved, any problem could be taken care of. Seeing that Liangzi was still reluctant, Zhao Wendong kicked him in the butt.

"I never realized you were such a simp. Haven’t you heard the saying? A simp will simp, until at the very end..."

Zhao Wendong couldn’t bring himself to say the last four words, not wanting to discourage his brother. Now that the matter was settled, Zhao Wendong took a sip of water from his bowl and got up to leave.

’Sigh. I was thinking this would be a double blessing, that I could set Liangzi up for success in both his career and his love life. I didn’t expect this kind of snag. Still... why does that name Huang Xiaomei sound so familiar?’

Hearing this, Liangzi gave him a look of disgust. "You forgot? We were classmates for a year. She was the prettiest girl in our class."