I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 181: Chapter 176: Bringing Honor to the Ancestors

The motorcade arrived at the Commune, and Yang Wenxue was invited into one of the vehicles the moment he stepped out to greet them. Li Dawei watched the motorcade depart, his eyes burning with jealousy. ’Is this heaven’s punishment for doubting Zhao Wendong?’ he wondered. ’I was wrong. I guess from now on, I’ll just have to call him Brother Dong like all those other punks.’

Soon, the motorcade arrived at the purchasing station. Wang Defa burst into the room excitedly, only to find Zheng Guangrong and Big Sister Hua frantically wiping their mouths. Wang Defa froze, then pointed at Zheng Guangrong in exasperation.

”Old Zheng, you’re a goddamn embarrassment! Can’t take you anywhere! Get a move on and come with me. Don’t keep the leaders waiting. And you!”

With that, he pointed at Big Sister Hua.

”Don’t go out yet. Wait until everyone’s gone, then you can leave. Make sure you lock the door, and don’t let anyone see you!”

”Okay, okay!”

Old Zheng was miserable, having been caught in the act by his boss. Normally, he and Big Sister Hua carried on their affair discreetly at night. But just now, she had come to bring him some food, and he, having just learned a new ”move” from his work notebook, couldn’t resist trying it out. Things had gotten a little too heated for both of them.

Hearing the lively clamor of horns and drums outside, Old Zheng didn’t dare ask what was happening. But the moment he followed Wang Defa out of the courtyard, he was dumbfounded. Just as stunned was Liangzi, who looked heavy-eyed with sleep after being hauled over from the supply co-op.

Yang Wenxue stood on the bed of a large truck, shouting excitedly to the crowd of Commune members that had gathered around.

”See this calligraphy? He wrote it himself for Zhao Wendong of our Commune’s Dragon King Pond Village! Hahaha! Come on, everyone, a round of applause!”

A roar of applause erupted.

The crowd applauded, but since most of them were wearing gloves, the sound wasn’t very enthusiastic. The astonishment on everyone’s faces, however, was impossible to hide. Many were so excited they could hardly wait to run off and start gossiping.

Stories of Zhao Wendong flattening the Wang Family’s Hut and shooting Li Guangming were already spreading like wildfire—they were the main topics of everyone’s daily chatter. Now, this calligraphy presentation was being added to the list. It was as if Zhao Wendong’s ancestral tomb had caught fire with good fortune—he was, without a doubt, the talk of the year!

Liangzi and Old Zheng climbed into the truck, and the motorcade continued toward Dragon King Pond. In the truck bed, Yang Wenxue, Old Zheng, and Liangzi exchanged looks, their faces alight with excitement. Liangzi was particularly thrilled. His director had been very unhappy with him lately. ’Let’s see him complain about me sleeping on the job now,’ he thought smugly.

It was just after noon, and the roads of Dragon King Pond were bustling with villagers heading to the production team office. They were all there to learn more about the program mentioned at the last evening meeting—earning work points by preparing for the spring plowing, points that could then be exchanged for grain. They also needed to confirm which tasks their families would be signing up for.

The sound of beating gongs and blowing horns carried from a distance, causing many villagers to stop in their tracks and look toward the entrance of the village. They saw three vehicles approaching—two large trucks and a passenger car the likes of which none of them had ever seen. It was obviously a high-class vehicle, the kind used by VIPs.

The motorcade drove right up to the production team office. Inside, Zhao Weiguo and Third Master Zhao were sitting cross-legged on the heated brick bed, discussing work assignments with the villagers who had come, when they heard the clamor of gongs and drums outside. Zhao Weiguo’s face filled with confusion.

”Is someone getting married today?”

”No!”

Liu Yufen shook her head decisively. She might not know everything that went on in the village, but she was crystal clear on who was taking a bride or marrying off a daughter.

”Come on, let’s go take a look.”

Zhao Weiguo waved, and the members of the production team committee climbed off the heated bed and filed out of the building. They were instantly dumbfounded!

Getting out of the passenger car were Jiang Weimin and Wang Defa, who were accompanying an even more imposing official. A huge crowd led by Yang Wenxue poured out of the trucks behind them.

There were people beating gongs and drums and blowing horns. Some immediately began to light strings of firecrackers. There was also a large contingent of police and militia, all carrying loaded firearms. But the most eye-catching sight of all was a framed piece, adorned with a red flower, held high in the air. It was surrounded by a crowd of people who nevertheless kept a careful distance, as if terrified of bumping into it.

”Secretary Jiang, Secretary Yang, what is...?”

Before Zhao Weiguo could finish his question, Jiang Weimin burst out laughing and grabbed his arm.

”Come, Comrade Zhao Weiguo, let me introduce you. This is our region’s Special Commissioner Wei. He has made a special trip to Dragon King Pond to deliver good news to your production team and to Comrade Zhao Wendong! So, where is Comrade Zhao Wendong? Go and fetch him, quickly!”

”Dongzi? He’s gone into the mountains!”

”Huh?”

Everyone was stunned. After Zhao Weiguo explained, they understood that Zhao Wendong had gone into the mountains to hunt for meat. And he hadn’t gone just for himself, but to help more village families with their food shortages. Hearing this, Wei Dongliang slapped his thigh in admiration.

”Look! All of you, look at this! Comrade Zhao Wendong’s character is something we should all learn from. After catching all those fish, he could have easily just stayed home and relaxed for the rest of the winter, couldn’t he? But he hasn’t slacked off one bit! Only a comrade such as him is worthy of this inscription: ’Man’s Will Conquers Nature’!”

”Exactly! Well said, Special Commissioner Wei!”

”That’s right. Comrade Zhao Wendong is someone we should all learn from.”

Third Master Zhao had to suppress a laugh. ’That little rascal is clearly just doing all this to build his brick house and get a wife sooner,’ he thought. ’Still, it’s true the young punk is helping the rest of the team while he’s at it.’

’Still, I never imagined it. For Zhao Wendong’s dog-shit luck to reach such heights... this wasn’t just luck anymore, it was just plain shameless!’

’I’ve lived a whole lifetime and never imagined I’d see something like this. The calligraphy is magnificent. That kid really is blessed with good fortune. No wonder I’ve always had a soft spot for him.’

”Mm-hmm, yes, that’s right. Comrade Zhao Wendong works hard without complaint. He’s an honest man, a model member of our production team. He’s always friendly and kind to others, never gets into fights or cusses people out...”