When Shen ng arrived at the Li family’s place with the children, the table was already filled with snacks for the kids. Eight-month-old Bao Guo was thrilled to see his older brothers and sisters coming over, waving his little hands and wiggling his little butt; his baby carriage had been pushed far towards the door by his excited movents.
"Lord in Heaven, you little monkey, you can’t even walk yet. If you could, you’d tear down the roof."
"The little guy wants to play with his siblings. Mingyang, co and play with your little brother for a bit!"
Qi Mingyue pulled Shen ng aside to sit down.
"Don’t mind them; let the kids play by themselves. Mingyang, Mingliang, Ming Fang, and Xiao Ming Kai, all these snacks, fruits, and pastries on the table were bought for you by Grandpa Li early in the morning. Eat whatever you like and don’t be shy!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Li, thank you, Grandma Qi."
"You’re welco, but also don’t eat too much. There’s a lot of delicious food prepared for lunch; don’t fill up on snacks and have no room for the al."
"Okay!"
Shen ng could not help but laugh at the scene.
"Look at you, saying to leave them be, yet you’re still so concerned. They’re all grown up now. Every ti they co over, it’s like they’re at their own ho, and they won’t be shy with you."
"It’s good that they’re not shy; we’re all family here, no need for formalities. You sit down for a bit, Xiao ng. Your Uncle Li is in the study, he’ll co to talk business with you in a mont. I’m going to check on the kitchen; I’m planning to make a yellow wine braised pig’s trotter today. It’s one of my specialties, made without adding a drop of water, very delicious. You’re in for a treat at lunch."
"Alright, I’ll be waiting."
After Qi Mingyue finished speaking, she hurried off to the kitchen. Actually, Aunt Chang was there supervising, but Qi probably wanted to make so space so that Li Chuan could talk business with her.
Bao Guo, seeing his older siblings holding tasty treats, drooled with envy, uttering "ah ah ah" as he tried to grab so. Slobber trickled down, soaking the bib around his neck.
Mingliang found his little brother’s greediness so adorable. He teased Bao Guo with a small piece of apple, withdrawing it every ti Bao Guo reached out. After a few repeats of this ga, the little guy clenched his fists in frustration and, during another approach by Mingliang, Bao Guo nearly stood up in his effort to snatch the apple from Mingliang’s hand, imdiately stuffing it into his mouth.
"Ah, Mom, Mom, the little brother snatched my apple! What do we do? What do we do? He ate it!!!"
Shen ng hurried over and snatched the apple from Bao Guo’s hand. The little one was very displeased, closing his little mouth tightly, refusing to let Shen ng take out the piece of apple he had in his mouth.
"Aunt Qi, Bao Guo ate an apple, he’s clamping down on it and won’t let go!"
He was so firmly clamped onto it that it couldn’t be pried out!
With an "awoo" from Shen ng, Qi Mingyue, Li Chuan, and Aunt Chang all rushed over, all looking towards the incredibly stubborn little one.
"Child, can you even eat this? Grandma will make you so apple puree; you can’t have this. It’s too big a piece, don’t choke on it, ancestor, quickly spit it out."
Bao Guo didn’t spit out the apple, but seeing Grandma and Grandpa coming over, he felt incredibly wronged and burst into tears. In an unguarded mont, Aunt Chang picked out the two apple chunks he had bitten.
He was stunned for a mont, feeling even more aggrieved, crying louder and louder.
"Hey, this child is quite the foodie. He starts grinning at al tis, and once Grandpa hugs him, he’ll take advantage of everyone’s distractions to grab food from the table. Sotis there are stead buns or pancakes, and he’ll scoot his little stool over to grab them and stuff them into his mouth."
"This kid has been clever since he was small."
Shen ng also chid in. Li Chuan comforted Bao Guo in his arms for a while before the little guy finally cald down, happy with a teether in his hand.
Ming Kai looked at the teether in his brother’s hand, eating his shortbread, thinking how silly little kids are.
Li Chuan held Bao Guo and entered the study again. When he ca out, he had a stack of docunts in his hand, which he pushed in front of Shen ng after sitting down with her.
"These are the docunts from all the communes in the county. Take them with you to review thoroughly; it will be convenient for your future work."
"Uncle Li, I haven’t agreed yet. This matter needs a thorough discussion, and I can’t just accept orders you give . Strictly speaking, I’m just an ordinary citizen. You’re making a person from the County Governnt, soone with considerable power—I’m really quite anxious about this!"
"Xiao ng, in less than a year’s ti, you’ve contributed greatly to Ning County’s economy. The county’s recent developnt has been very vigorous, and I believe it will reach new heights under your leadership."
In her heart, Shen ng couldn’t help but snicker; they were trying to butter her up. She had been working hard labor. She had her own goals and wasn’t going to toil away without any reward.
"Uncle Li, you’re suddenly bestowing such a great deal of authority upon . Would the mbers of your team be willing to accept this, especially the directors of the communes’ Revolutionary Committees? Would they be willing to listen to ?"
"Don’t worry about that, I will have everything arranged for you before I head to the Provincial City."
Shen ng thought it over and decided to express her concerns, as it’s better to speak one’s mind upfront.
"Uncle Li, about this matter, I’ve always been driven by passion because I had no real authority, and thus I could work without fear or hesitation. But once you place in such a high position, I may no longer be able to work freely."
"Hehehe, Xiao ng, we all recognize your abilities. If you have any worries or requests, just let know."
"Uncle Li, if you say so, then I’ll make a request. I can do this job, but the County Governnt must provide with an employnt contract. This contract is different from an order; I won’t be influenced or controlled by anyone else. I’ll be responsible for my own actions. I’ll do my utmost to further advance Ning County’s economy. And if I need support, the county must provide it. Of course, this consultancy has a ti limit—five years at most. After five years, no matter what the economic situation of Ning County, I will step down."
Shen ng’s words visibly clouded Li Chuan’s face, only easing when she ntioned the ti limitation. His own transfer order had already been issued, and he was heading to the Provincial City for an important position. If Ning County flourished even more after his departure, it would show that he had laid a solid foundation.
By then, he would be proud, but if Ning County declined as soon as he left, colleagues in the Provincial City might mock him.
Li Chuan pondered deeply with furrowed brows.
Reviews
All reviews (0)