Chapter 103: A Leader’s Speech

The senior official’s words left both Town Chief Feng and Village Chief Guo in an awkward spot.

Town Chief Feng once again took the initiative to admit fault and laid out the town’s plan to support struggling households.

Village Chief Guo, having had little schooling and lacking Feng Wenjiang’s silver tongue, simply promised to help Xie Bingran’s family by repairing their old house…

Vice Mayor Wu Yongming finally took Xie Bingran’s hand and said,

“I just heard from Director Gao and Teacher Chen that you’ll be competing in a national track meet in Shanghai next month.

On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to you for representing Tiancheng on the national stage!”

“Xie Bingran, you’re Tiancheng’s pride…”

“Director Gao and I have already agreed: regardless of your final ranking, the City Sports Bureau will award you a twenty-thousand-yuan participation bonus!”

When he finished, Director Gao and Town Chief Feng quickly chimed in with their approval.

Xie Bingran stood perfectly still, but she showed no visible reaction.

She remembered Xu Chen’s earlier advice and finally whispered,

“Thank you, leaders…”

Meanwhile, Village Chief Guo and the Village Committee members looked on in surprise.

Twenty thousand yuan…

In this village, no household earns that much in a year.

Yet this athlete girl could secure such a bonus just by entering a competition…

Word spread instantly mouth to mouth, rippling through the village.

A group of villagers craned their necks, jaws dropping at the thought of that twenty-thousand-yuan reward.

…

After offering more consolation to Xie Bingran, the senior official’s secretary gave a perfectly timed reminder:

“Leaders, it’s time to head back for the meeting…”

Village Chief Guo looked eager, as if he’d love to keep the guests for a meal.

But the secretary stepped in again, saying the official had to return to the city for a forum, and gently excused them.

Village Chief Guo, visibly reluctant, could only accompany the leaders as they turned to leave.

Just then, Xu Chen, standing outside the courtyard, shot a meaningful glance at a companion.

The boy, looking honest and unsophisticated—and not even a local—suddenly asked,

“Village Chief, should we pack up those new TVs, fridges, and tables and chairs and take them back? We can help with the move.”

Village Chief Guo: “…”

His words hit home. The Village Committee members instantly looked mortified.

Village Chief Guo pretended not to hear and hastily ushered the leaders away.

The guests paused mid-step, glanced back at the main room,

where the brand-new appliances and furniture seemed utterly out of place against the dilapidated surroundings.

One could even see the TV and freezer cords strewn outside, unplugged and useless.

Vice Mayor Wu and Town Chief Feng both turned ashen with embarrassment.

At that moment, a dark-faced villager spoke up at the gate:

“Yeah, Village Chief, can we take back our TVs and freezers?

My kid still wants to watch cartoons…”

Village Chief Guo froze, wishing he could vanish on the spot.

Xu Zhiquan glanced at Xu Chen, and father and son exchanged an exquisite glance.

Vice Mayor Wu’s expression darkened. This was blatant fraud right before his eyes.

But with several bureaucratic layers between them, he couldn’t reprimand directly. Instead, he turned to Xie Bingran at the mourning altar and said,

“Student Xie Bingran, on behalf of…”

He sighed deeply before continuing,

“I apologize to you. I’ll discuss this with Town Chief Feng again. Such deceitful antics only hurt the people’s feelings!”

With that, he stormed off.

Town Chief Feng gave Village Chief Guo a cold look and briskly followed the senior official’s entourage out.

Village Chief Guo stood there, legs trembling.

…

…

Two Audi A6s turned around and left first.

Vice Mayor Wu and Director Gao both had meetings to attend back in the city.

Town Chief Feng, however, stayed behind for the time being.

He and Xu Zhiquan stood at the village entrance, each puffing on a cigarette. No one knows what they discussed.

Later, Town Chief Feng went to the Village Committee to speak at length with Village Chief Guo.

Teachers Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang from First High School also remained behind.

After handling Granny Xie’s funeral, they accompanied Xie Bingran on an overnight trip back to the provincial capital.

…

That afternoon, under Xu Zhiquan’s direction, a few tables were set up inside and outside the courtyard.

Zhao Feng, Fang Tao, and a group of Bing Ge’s brothers sat together for a meal.

Town Chief Feng also sat at the main table, with Xu Zhiquan by his side.

Teachers Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang sat together as well.

Village Chief Guo had intended to join but hadn’t brought any funeral gifts, so by custom he had no right to eat.

Besides, he’d just been rebuked by Town Chief Feng and was stuck writing a self-criticism report at the Village Committee…

Xie Bingran had knelt for so long that she could finally sit down to rest.

According to local custom, as a mourner she wasn’t supposed to eat today.

Besides, as an athlete she couldn’t eat just any food.

Xu Chen consulted Teacher Chen Ming and sent Li Rui to buy two bottles of energy drinks.

He squatted down and helped Xie Bingran twist off a cap.

Xie Bingran took a sip and whispered,

“You go eat first. Don’t stay hungry.”

Her throat was still hoarse.

…

Town Chief Feng glanced back, curiosity in his eyes as he asked,

“Mr. Xu, this must be your son, Xu Chen?”

Xu Zhiquan laughed and quickly called Xu Chen over to introduce him to “Uncle Feng.”

Xu Chen looked obedient and politely called him “Uncle.”

Teachers Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang realized then how close Xu Zhiquan’s relationship with Town Chief Feng truly was.

Feng Wenjiang looked kindly on Xu Chen and praised him warmly, not once mentioning Feng Qingqing.

Indeed, as Xu Zhiquan said, Feng Wenjiang was an open-minded leader and elder. Though matters between Xu Chen and Feng Qingqing were a bit awkward, he treated Xu Chen with genuine warmth.

Midway through the meal, Teacher Chen Ming leaned toward Xu Chen and said quietly,

“When Chen Dahai kept calling you “Young Master Xu,” I thought it was a nickname.

Turns out you really are a ‘young master.’”

Teacher Chen Ming referred to Xu Chen’s father’s status as a prosperous town entrepreneur.

Xu Chen flushed with embarrassment and helped Teacher Chen Ming fill a cup of cola.

…

In the afternoon a cool breeze rose.

Moist air from the river carried the scent of earth and grass through the countryside.

The funeral procession moved slowly along the field paths.

At first, Xie Bingran had walked this alone.

Now a long line followed behind her.

A band of mourners led the way, playing a sorrowful tune.

Dressed in mourning garb, Xie Bingran walked at the rear, tears streaming down her face.

Behind her stood twenty or thirty close friends and brothers, with Xu Chen among them.

Villagers lined the roadside, watching the funeral cortege with complicated expressions.

So much had happened today that no one could believe it.

These villagers saw a new side of the young Xie girl.

The daughter of a reform-through-labor inmate, once “unwanted”…

…now commands respect where she goes.