Chapter 29
"To get rich, build roads first" wasn't a bad saying—hell, it made sense, and Long Gen agreed.
Back before coming to the countryside, he'd studied in the big city. Any place wanting fast growth had to tackle transportation first! Only quick, safe transit could boost the economy. Rural road work might not make them rich, but it'd sure help the villagers.
'Chen Tianming, you wanna fuck me over? Heh, I've already fucked your wife and daughter-in-law!' Long Gen smirked, winking at the Shen sisters, then followed Chen Tianming.
Roadwork was a big deal in the village. With hundreds of households, nearly every family sent a laborer—man, woman, old, or young—to dig dirt or clear grass. Actual stone-lifting was rare, handled by the young and strong. Why would a "fool" like Long Gen get roped in?
Sharp eyes saw it: Chen Tianming was out for revenge. But no one dared speak up—who'd cross the village secretary?
Long Gen played along, drool dangling, grinning like an idiot at everyone. A few steps in, he spotted two old flames—Chen Xianglian and Wu Guihua. By chance, both were Chen Tianming's kin.
Seeing Long Gen join the roadwork, Wu Guihua froze, then greeted Chen Tianming, hoe on her shoulder.
"Dad, why's Long Fool fixing roads?"
Chen Tianming tucked his hands behind his back, belly out, chin up at a forty-five-degree angle, sternly saying, "What? A fool can't work roads?"
"Ever heard 'simple mind, strong limbs'? Look at Long Fool—built like an ox, eating and lounging all day, doing jack shit. That won't fly! Our village doesn't feed loafers!"
"Hmph!" Wu Guihua snorted, hefting her hoe to dig, but her mind churned.