I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 214: Chapter 193: Father Lin and Mother Lin Arrive (Part 2)

This must be the impressive son-in-law of Old Lin and his wife they’d all heard about. The Lins were good people, and they had good fortune, too. Many people felt a pang of sadness. ’When will it be our turn to get out and see the world again?’

By the time Zhao Wendong’s group finished eating, many others were still chewing slowly, savoring every bite to make the meal last. The thought of Lin Zhiyin seeing her parents made Zhao Wendong eager to get back. Seeing how set he was on leaving, no one tried to detain him. Liu Haisheng processed their paperwork, while Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu went back to pack their things. They didn’t have much; all their belongings fit into a single small bundle for each of them.

”Wendong, thank you for all your hard work. We will be sure to report your contributions accurately.”

Jiang Weimin shook Zhao Wendong’s hand in farewell, his face full of relief and satisfaction. His continued faith in Zhao Wendong had been validated once again. ’This kid’s ability to find people with animals is more effective than radar.’

”Comrade Wendong, here are the bullets we promised. Tang Er was worried you wouldn’t have enough, so he added an extra five hundred rounds.”

Looking at the wooden crate filled to the brim with ammunition, Zhao Wendong didn’t bother with pleasantries and accepted it with a smile. ’This stuff is as good as cash.’ Not only were bullets expensive at the supply cooperative, but they were also impossible to find. Only the guard platoon and the army could get their hands on this much ammunition to give away. The leaders standing by smiled, none of them seeing any issue with it. In fact, Director Tang seemed a bit dissatisfied.

”Is this all we’re giving Comrade Zhao Wendong? What’s he supposed to do with just five hundred rounds?”

Tang Er scratched his head. They hadn’t brought that much ammunition on an arrest mission. Then, an idea struck him. He leaned in and whispered something in Director Tang’s ear. Director Tang nodded in approval. A moment later, Tang Er returned, holding a brownish-green military greatcoat.

”Comrade Zhao Wendong, we can’t thank you enough for your help this time. This is a new officer’s dress greatcoat. I heard you just registered your marriage but haven’t had the wedding yet. Keep it to wear for your wedding.”

Zhao Wendong’s eyes lit up. ’Holy crap! Isn’t this the legendary officer’s woolen greatcoat?’ He remembered seeing TV shows where young punks would risk their lives just to get their hands on one. This coat was just too damn cool. Ever since he’d come back, he’d grown tired of his bulky, insufficiently warm cotton-padded jacket, but he’d had no other choice. This gift was exactly what he’d been hoping for. Still, he made a show of refusing it a couple of times, though his lack of conviction was obvious to everyone.

”Hahaha, just take it, Comrade Zhao Wendong! Our region can’t be stingy. He has his wedding clothes now, but we can’t have him pairing an officer’s greatcoat with a dog-fur hat, can we? As it happens, I was just issued a new mink-fur hat this year that I’ve only worn for two days. I’ll give it to you as a personal gift, Comrade Zhao Wendong!”

Wei Dongliang urged Zhao Wendong to accept it, adding another generous gift of his own. Zhao Wendong had really made him look good in front of Director Tang today. Not only had he gotten the job done, but he had done it cleanly, efficiently, and with a result that pleased everyone. Like Jiang Weimin, he was growing fonder and fonder of this young man and was beginning to feel a strong desire to cultivate his talent.

”Comrade Zhao Wendong, you’re the Civilian Militia Captain of your production team, correct? Have you ever thought about coming to work for the regional administration? You could serve even more people!”

Zhao Wendong was startled. ’Special Commissioner Wei, I appreciate the kind offer,’ he thought, ’but I’m just a simple farmer. I wouldn’t know how to navigate those muddy waters.’ Besides, his family’s current prosperity was only due to his knowledge and his ’golden finger.’ Without him, they might make it through this year, but during the worst of it next year, people might starve again. He hadn’t been reborn just for that to happen.

”Thank you, Special Commissioner Wei. I’m uneducated and still young, but most importantly, I’m a real homebody. If I were to leave Dragon King Pond, I wouldn’t even be able to sleep at night. So, I’d better not get in the way of serving the people!”

Seeing Zhao Wendong’s blunt refusal, many of the people present were inwardly surprised. ’This kid really doesn’t know what’s good for him.’ With Wei Dongliang’s favor, if he went to the regional office, he could probably return as a Commune Secretary in just a few years. Wouldn’t that be a hundred times better than sticking around as a mere Civilian Militia Captain?

”Haha, alright then. Here, take my hat. I’ll also give you an additional twenty yuan as a reward for your help in capturing the secret agents. Of course, these are just our own rewards. The official rewards from the region and the various committees will have to wait for unified approval.”

”This is already more than enough. Thank you, Comrade Leaders.”

Seeing that Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu had been waiting for a while, Zhao Wendong said his goodbyes to the group. He also spoke to his cousin, Zhou Mancang, asking him to tell his second aunt that he and Lin Zhiyin had registered their marriage and that he would send word when they were holding the wedding. Then, he got into the car that Chen Baoguo had driven him in, bringing Xiaojin and Dahuang along. Amid everyone’s waving goodbyes, the car set off toward Dragon King Pond.

Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu sat in the back seat with Zhao Wendong, holding each other’s hands. As they watched the silhouette of the farm recede into the distance, they thought of the envious and congratulatory looks from the people they had eaten and lived with for two years. Tears streamed down their faces uncontrollably. They had really, truly made it out.

”Squad Leader Chen, I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

Zhao Wendong finally spoke after a moment of thought, contentedly holding the coat and hat while clutching the twenty yuan.

Chen Baoguo, in the passenger seat, turned his head and looked at Zhao Wendong with some curiosity. He couldn’t imagine what else Zhao Wendong might need his help with. After all, Zhao Wendong was on such good terms with the leaders now; it was enough to make him green with envy.

”This money... could you help me give it to the family of the public security officer who was killed?”