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At 5:30 a.m., just as dawn was breaking, Li Shuihua quietly got up.

By the dim light filtering through the window paper, she looked at Su Ning, who was fast asleep beside her, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Three months into her marriage, she still wakes up feeling disoriented—is this really not a dream?

Shui Hua carefully stepped over Su Ning, trying not to disturb him.

But just as she was about to get off the kang (a heated brick bed), a warm hand grasped her wrist.

"So early again?" Su Ning's voice was hoarse from just waking up. "It's not even fully light yet! Come sleep with me for a bit longer."

"We're learning double-entry bookkeeping today, so we need to get there early to get front-row seats," Shuihua explained softly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. "I...I cooked porridge in the pot, and I also made some pancakes..."

Su Ning sighed and sat up: "I'll take you there."

“No need!” Shuihua quickly shook her head. “You stayed up all night yesterday calculating the brick kiln’s accounts, go back to sleep. I can manage on my own.”

Looking at her stubborn expression, Su Ning knew she couldn't persuade her otherwise.

Since Shuihua went to the county to learn accounting, she has traveled twenty miles of mountain road every day, but she has never complained of being tired.

At first, he insisted on picking him up and dropping him off, but later he found that Shuihua preferred him to rest more, so he switched to occasionally making surprise checks...

Sometimes we would "bump into" her on the way home, and sometimes I would wait for her outside the classroom after school.

"Then take this with you." Su Ning took out a military water bottle from the cabinet on the kang (heated brick bed). "I filled it with brown sugar water to drink on the way."

Shuihua took the kettle, her fingertips touching Su Ning's hand, and the two smiled at each other.

This became a little ritual between them—the exchange of a kettle every morning.

After getting dressed, Shuihua tiptoed out the door.

In the courtyard, her father-in-law, Su Daqiang, was already sharpening his sickle. Seeing her come out, he nodded and said, "Be careful on the road."

"Okay, Dad," Shuihua replied obediently, took out the prepared bag of dry food from the kitchen, and hurriedly left the courtyard.

The mountain path was slippery and difficult to walk on in the morning mist, but the water splashed away quickly.

She had been walking this road for three months, and she could count the turns and potholes with her eyes closed.

When she reached the halfway point of the mountain, she habitually stopped and looked back at the village...

Smoke was already rising from the chimney of the Su family's brick kiln, which meant that Suning must have been busy at work early in the morning.

Shuihua touched the notebook in her arms and continued on her way.

This notebook was bought by Suning from the county, and the cover is printed with the words "Ningxia Xihai Gu Accounting Training Class".

The notes inside were densely packed, and in some places were small symbols that only she could understand.

"Li Shuihua!" Just as she arrived at the entrance of the training class in the county town, she heard her classmates calling out to her, "Come and see, the teacher brought back something rare!"

In the classroom, the homeroom teacher, Ms. Ma, was adjusting an old-fashioned hand-cranked calculator.

Seeing Shuihua come in, Teacher Ma smiled and waved: "Shuihua, come and try it. Your Su family's brick kiln is large-scale, you might need this in the future."

Shuihua curiously touched the calculator's metal buttons, but the cold, hard touch made her pull her fingers back.

She was much more used to the more advanced calculator that Suning had given her; it was nothing compared to this primitive gadget in front of her.

However, Suning reminded Li Shuihua not to tell anyone, so as not to cause trouble.

"I'll use the abacus first," Shuihua said shyly. "I'll try this after I've mastered it."

Teacher Ma nodded approvingly.

Shuihua was the most hardworking student he had ever taught. She never tried to learn too much too quickly and always made sure to thoroughly understand every single point of knowledge.

Such students are destined for great things.

After the morning classes ended, Shuihua declined her classmates' invitation to have lunch together and sat alone in the classroom to review.

She took out the biscuits she had brought that morning from her cloth bag and slowly ate them with brown sugar water, her eyes never leaving the account book.

"Loans and loans must be equal..." Shuihua murmured softly, tracing lines on the table with her finger.

Suddenly, she realized there was a problem with a question she had done yesterday, and quickly opened her notebook to correct it.

Just then, a note floated out of the notebook.

"I'll bring you some braised beef from the county tonight, eat well. — Ning"

The handwriting was neat and strong; Su Ning had slipped it in while she was asleep last night.

Shuihua carefully tucked the note back into the notebook, a warm feeling welling up in her chest.

Braised beef is so expensive!

But Su Ning always tried different ways to nourish her body, saying that studying was too mentally taxing.

In the afternoon's practical class, Shuihua's speed in using the abacus had surpassed that of most of the male students in the class.

She did not neglect learning and mastering the basics just because Suning gave her a better computer.

Amidst the crisp clinking of the abacus beads, she vaguely saw Su Ning's surprised expression...

He'll be very happy when he sees how the brick kiln's accounts look after he's reorganized them.

As school was letting out, the sky suddenly darkened.

Shuihua quickened her pace to get home, but just as she left the county town, large raindrops began to pelt down.

She quickly wrapped the notebook inside her clothes and continued on her way through the rain.

The mountain path quickly became muddy and slippery, and we waded through the deep water, our cloth shoes already soaked through.

"Splash!"

A familiar sound pierced through the rain.

Shui Hua looked up and saw Su Ning standing at the intersection ahead, holding a black umbrella, his trousers rolled up to his knees, revealing his muscular calves.

"Brother Ning, what brings you here?" Shuihua jogged up to greet him, raindrops dripping from her hair.

Su Ning tilted the umbrella towards her: "Come pick up my wife from school."

One umbrella wasn't enough for two people, and by the time they got home, both of them were soaked on one side.

Seeing this, Su's mother quickly brought over some ginger soup: "Drink this quickly to ward off the cold! Neither of them is giving us any peace of mind!"

Shuihua held the bowl and sipped the water slowly.

The ginger soup was spicy, and drinking it warmed me up completely.

She stole a glance at Su Ning, who was also drinking soup, and found him looking at her with a smile. Her ears immediately burned.

"Mom, Shuihua learned double-entry bookkeeping today," Su Ning suddenly said. "She's even better than Old Li, our village accountant."

Su's mother snorted: "What's the use of a woman learning so much? Taking good care of the family is what really matters."

Shuihua lowered her head and didn't say anything.

For the past three months, although her mother-in-law hasn't openly opposed her studying, she's been giving her a few words of advice from time to time.

She knew that in the eyes of the older generation, a daughter-in-law should be busy around the stove, not spending all day calculating accounts.

“Mother, you’re wrong.” Su Ning put down her bowl. “If it weren’t for Shui Hua helping with the accounts, our brick kiln would have had to pay an extra two hundred yuan in taxes last month.”

Su's mother pursed her lips, said nothing more, and turned to go to the kitchen to busy herself.

Shuihua glanced gratefully at Su Ning, who winked at her and mouthed "braised beef," making her almost burst out laughing.

After dinner, Shuihua, as usual, reviewed her lessons under the oil lamp.

Su Ning sat opposite her, sorting through the brick kiln's receipts, and occasionally asked her a few questions.

The two worked head to head until late at night, adding oil to the lamp three times.

“Shuihua, look at this.” Su Ning suddenly pushed a piece of paper over. “The fuel cost for the brick kiln has increased by 30% compared to last year, but the output has not increased much.”

Shuihua took the paper and examined it carefully, her brows gradually furrowing: "There is indeed a problem... wait a minute."

She pulled out her notebook. "Brother Ning, I read in a book that adding some wheat straw when firing bricks can improve thermal efficiency. Should we give it a try?"

Suning's eyes lit up: "Let's try it tomorrow!"

The next day, before dawn, the two secretly went to the brick kiln.

Shuihua mixed the chopped wheat straw into the clay according to the proportions described in the book.

Suning was in charge of mixing the mud and making the bricks. The two of them worked until the sun was high in the sky and finally made twenty test bricks.

"Will it work?" Shuihua looked at the brick blanks that had just entered the kiln with some trepidation.

Su Ning wiped the mud off his face: "You'll know once you try. If it works, you'll get the credit!"

Three days later, the kiln was opened, and the test bricks were indeed stronger and had a more uniform color than ordinary bricks.

Su Daqiang picked up two bricks and tapped them together. Hearing the crisp sound, he was amazed: "This girl is really something!"

The news quickly spread throughout the village.

Some people were envious, while others made sarcastic remarks.

"Have you heard? The Su family's daughter-in-law has improved the brick-making method!"

"What's the use of a woman reading so many books? Sooner or later she'll still be having children and cooking!"

"Exactly, Su Ning spoils his wife way too much..."

These gossips reached Shuihua's ears, making her consider giving up her studies.

That night, she went to bed early, turning her back to Su Ning without saying a word.

"What's wrong?" Su Ning noticed her unusual behavior and asked softly.

After a long silence, Shuihua finally said in a low voice, "Brother Ning, have I embarrassed you by studying?"

Su Ning was taken aback, then realized what was going on.

He turned Shuihua's shoulder and said seriously, "Who said such nonsense? My wife is better than ten men! They're just jealous!"

Shuihua chuckled at his words, but her smile quickly vanished: "But... Grandma, she..."

“I’ll take care of Mother.” Su Ning held her hand. “Shuihua, remember, you’re studying not just for bookkeeping, but for yourself. You can study whatever you want, and no one can stop you.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she nodded emphatically.

At that moment, she made up her mind to learn it well and not let Su Ning down.

The opportunity came soon.

The county held an accounting skills competition, and Shuihua signed up with Suning's encouragement.

On the day of the competition, she wore the new clothes she had bought from Suning and used an abacus and made accounts in front of everyone, winning third place.

When the certificate was handed to her, Suning, who was watching the game from the audience, applauded the loudest.

After returning to the village, Shuihua used the prize money from the competition to buy new clothes for her parents-in-law.

Su's mother took the dark blue polyester shirt, touched the smooth fabric, and finally smiled: "My girl is so thoughtful."

Gradually, fewer people in the village wentssiped about it.

Especially after Shuihua helped several families sort out their long-standing misunderstandings, even the most stubborn old people began to praise "Su's daughter-in-law for being successful".

That evening, Shuihua returned home from school and found the yard piled high with gifts wrapped in red paper.

Su Ning was counting the items when she saw her return. She smiled and waved, "Come on, it's all for you."

"For me?" Shuihua looked at the gifts in surprise...

Brown sugar, tea, fabric, and even a few boxes of rare pastries.

“It was a gift from the villagers,” Su Ning explained. “You helped Aunt Wang’s family get back the tax refund that had been withheld, and you helped Li Dazhu sort out the cooperative’s accounts. Now everyone is vying to ask ‘Accountant Li’ for help.”

Shuihua crouched down and carefully touched the gifts, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.

A few months ago, she was a poor girl who worried about food; now, she has managed to get so many good things with her own abilities.

“Brother Ning…” She looked up at Su Ning, a thousand words stuck in her throat.

Su Ning squatted down to be at eye level with her and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes: "Silly girl, why are you crying? This is just the beginning. When our brick kiln is expanded, you will be the chief accountant and manage even bigger accounts."

"Mmm." Shuihua smiled through her tears and nodded emphatically.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard, gilding each gift and outlining the silhouettes of the two people nestled together.

In the kitchen, Su's mother watched this scene and turned to Su Daqiang, saying, "Old man, our dowry was well spent!"

Su Daqiang puffed on his pipe and nodded with a smile: "Of course, Ningwazi has a good eye!"

It was late at night, and Shuihua was hunched over her desk, diligently doing her homework.

Su Ning brought over a bowl of steaming hot egg custard and gently placed it beside her.

"Don't stay up too late." He ruffled the water droplets in his hair. "We have to get up early tomorrow."

Shuihua looked up and smiled at him, then continued calculating the accounts.

In the glow of the oil lamp, her profile was quiet and focused. The abacus beads danced on her fingertips, making a crisp sound, like a cheerful little tune, singing in the dead of night in Xihai Gu in 1991.

……

Zhang Shucheng threw his pen on the table, splashing ink onto the half-finished report.

It was already late at night outside the window, but the kerosene lamp in the village office was still on, and the ashtray was full of cigarette butts.

Another day of fruitless effort.

Li Dayou's seven households were determined not to return to Diaozhuang, and no matter how much he pleaded, they remained unmoved.

County Chief Yang only had three days left of the deadline. If things continued like this, Zhang Shucheng's term as director would probably be over. Zhang Shucheng rubbed his temples, took out a half-empty bottle of liquor from the drawer, and took a swig.

The burning sensation traveled from my throat to my stomach, but it couldn't dispel the pent-up frustration in my chest.

The documents on the table were scattered about, with the information of seven returning villagers on top.

Zhang Shucheng casually flipped through the pages, his gaze lingering on the three characters "Yongquan Village".

He suddenly remembered the wedding he attended last week…

The wedding of the Su family to the Li family girl was a sensational event that spread throughout the surrounding villages.

The scenes in my memory gradually became clearer: a banquet with more than twenty tables in the Su family courtyard, the villagers' respectful attitude towards Su Daqiang, and that young man named Su Ning...

Zhang Shucheng squinted, recalling how Su Ning had toasted him...

He was neither arrogant nor humble, spoke politely, and acted decisively, making him stand out among a group of rugged men from Northwest China.

What impressed Zhang Shucheng even more was that when he, a cadre from the county, spoke, the villagers just listened politely; but when Su Ning stood up to speak, the whole room immediately fell silent, and even the most stubborn old man pricked up his ears.

"How did the Su family manage to do this in a place where even a stone is surnamed Ma?" Zhang Shucheng muttered to himself, suddenly sitting up straight.

He pulled out the household registration information of Yongquan Village, and sure enough, more than 80% of the villagers were surnamed Ma, and the Su family was one of the few with a different surname.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. Zhang Shucheng slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump.

Why didn't he think of that sooner!

To break the deadlock in the work of relocating villagers, perhaps what is needed is a young man who is respected locally but not bound by clan ties!
As dawn broke, Zhang Shucheng rode his bicycle straight to Yongquan Village.

In the early morning, mist filled the Loess Plateau, and the bicycle chain made a creaking sound.

He didn't even have time for breakfast; all he wanted to do was intercept Suning before he went to the brick kiln.

The newly built brick house of the Su family is easy to find; it's the only one in the whole village with red brick walls.

Zhang Shucheng straightened his collar outside the courtyard gate, and was about to knock when he heard the sound of an abacus coming from inside.

The crisp, rhythmic clinking of the beads clearly indicated that the player was an expert.

Li Shuihua opened the door.

Upon seeing Zhang Shucheng, she was visibly taken aback for a moment, then greeted him respectfully, "Director Zhang, so early?"

"I need to talk to Comrade Su Ning about something," Zhang Shucheng said, his gaze unconsciously drawn to the ledger in Shui Hua's hand...

The densely packed numbers on it are neat and clear, and don't look like they were written by a rural girl at all.

“Brother Ning is at the kiln, I’ll take you there.” Shuihua turned around, grabbed a coat, and led Zhang Shucheng out of the village.

On the way, Zhang Shucheng tentatively asked, "I heard you're studying accounting?"

Shuihua nodded, her tone filled with undisguised pride: "Yes, Brother Ning sent me to the county to learn. Now I help manage the brick kiln's accounts."

"Comrade Su Ning has a good eye," Zhang Shucheng said meaningfully.

Smoke was already rising from the brick kiln, and a dozen workers were busy mixing mud and shaping bricks.

Su Ning stood at the kiln entrance checking the firing temperature, his face covered in coal dust and his work clothes splattered with mud, but this did not diminish his demeanor in the slightest.

"Brother Ning, Director Zhang is looking for you," Shuihua called out.

Su Ning turned around and was visibly surprised to see Zhang Shucheng, but still quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Director Zhang, what are your instructions?"

Zhang Shucheng was straightforward: "I want to ask you to come out of retirement and help the government with the relocation and resettlement work."

Suning and Shuihua were both stunned.

After a moment of silence, Su Ning wiped his hands: "Director Zhang, I'm just a bricklayer, I'm afraid..."

“What I value most about you is your brick-making skills,” Zhang Shucheng interrupted him. “You have prestige in the village and you understand economics; you’re exactly the kind of talent that Diaozhuang needs.”

Shuihua quietly tugged at Su Ning's sleeve, her eyes filled with worry.

Su Ning patted her hand reassuringly and turned to Zhang Shucheng: "Director Zhang, let's go to the office to talk."

"it is good."

In a makeshift office next to the brick kiln, Zhang Shucheng explained in detail the current predicament and his own thoughts.

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table: "...So I want to specially appoint you as the economic advisor of the relocation office, to be in charge of working with those returning villagers."

Su Ning hesitated for a moment: "Director Zhang, you overestimate me. I do have some connections in the village, but this matter of relocating villages..."

"Feel free to name your conditions." Zhang Shucheng leaned forward. "I heard you want to sell your bricks in the county, but transportation is a problem? If the relocation is successful, the government will give priority to purchasing your bricks for road construction and house building. What do you say?"

Su Ning's eyes lit up, but she quickly regained her composure: "Director Zhang, I need to discuss this with my family."

"Of course." Zhang Shucheng stood up. "I'll wait for your reply at the village office this afternoon."

After Zhang Shucheng left, Shuihua couldn't wait to ask, "Brother Ning, are you really going?"

Su Ning pondered for a moment: "This is an opportunity. Our brick kiln needs to expand; relying solely on local sales won't be enough. If we can get in touch with the government..."

“But…” Shuihua bit her lip, “call Uncle Shui over…”

Su Ning laughed: "Are you worried about Ma Hanshui? Don't worry, I have a way to deal with him."

Shuihua hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

What she didn't say was that what worried her even more was Ma Defu...

How awkward would it be if your childhood sweetheart had to work alongside your husband?

In the afternoon, the atmosphere in the village office meeting room was tense.

Ma slammed his fist on the table, his face flushed and his neck bulging: "Director Zhang, this is not how you handle things! My son is a properly assigned cadre, what kind of nonsense is it to bring in an outsider?"

Zhang Shucheng remained calm: "Director Ma, you can't say that. The relocation work requires the efforts of all parties, and it's a fact that Comrade Su Ning has influence in the village."

"He has absolutely no influence!" Ma shouted, speaking recklessly. "He just has a few stinking bucks..."

“Father!” Ma Defu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, “I think Director Zhang makes a good point.”

The conference room fell silent instantly.

Ma Hanshui looked at his son in disbelief: "Defu, you..."

Ma Defu avoided his father's gaze, his voice somewhat hoarse: "The work of managing the settlements is too difficult; we need someone like Su Ning. He has a strong appeal to young people and understands economics..."

"Bullshit!" Ma Hanshui roared in fury. "Are you blinded by that girl? She's married and you still..."

"Dad!" Ma Defu jumped up, the chair scraping against the floor with a screeching sound. "We're talking about work!"

Seeing that the father and son were about to argue, Zhang Shucheng quickly smoothed things over: "Alright! Alright, it's all for work. Director Ma, you have to admit that Suning does have an advantage in mobilizing young people."

Ma Hanshui snorted coldly and turned his face away.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open, and Su Ning walked in.

"Distinguished leaders, excuse me for disturbing you," Su Ning said politely. "I have an idea regarding Director Zhang's proposal."

Everyone's eyes were on him.

Ma Defu unconsciously straightened his back and gripped the pen tightly with his fingers.

“I can help with the work, but I don’t want any formal position,” Su Ning said calmly. “Just give me the title of ‘economic coordinator,’ which won’t be part of the official staff and I won’t receive a salary.”

Zhang Shucheng frowned: "How can that be? We can't let you work for nothing..."

“Of course it’s not for nothing.” Su Ning smiled. “Just like you said this morning, after the relocation is successful, government projects will give priority to purchasing products from the Su family’s brick kiln. This will be written into the official documents.”

After a moment's thought, Zhang Shucheng made the decision: "Alright! It's settled then!"

Ma Hanshui wanted to object, but Zhang Shucheng preemptively said, "Director Ma, you are a veteran Party member, you should prioritize the overall situation. I have already consulted County Chief Yang about this matter, and he agrees in principle."

As soon as County Magistrate Yang was brought out, Ma Hanshui immediately deflated.

He glared at his son and angrily sat back down in his chair.

After the meeting, Ma Defu deliberately lagged behind.

After everyone else had gone far away, he called out to Su Ning: "Su Ning, wait a minute."

Su Ning turned around, and their eyes met.

It was as if invisible sparks were flying in the air.

"Why did you agree?" Ma Defu asked bluntly. "You're not short of money, there's no need for you to get involved in this mess."

Suning smiled and said, "Who says I'm not short of money? I need to expand my brick kiln and I'm worried about finding a market for it."

"Don't give me that." Ma Defu lowered his voice. "Does Shui Hua know about this?"

“I know.” Su Ning’s expression turned serious. “Cadre Ma, we must keep public and private matters separate. Relocation is a good thing that benefits the country and the people, and I really want to do my part.”

Ma Defu stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Have you read any classic works?"

I've read a little bit of it.

"Do you know the saying, 'Make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible'?" Ma Defu said meaningfully. "The work of 'diaozhuang' is not as simple as you think."

Su Ning met his gaze frankly: "That's why we need to cooperate. You have a formal education, while I'm a self-taught expert; we each have our own connections."

Ma Defu was silent for a moment, then extended his hand: "I hope you will keep your word."

Su Ning grasped his hand: "Definitely."

Their hands touched briefly before separating, yet both felt the other's strength.

At that moment, a subtle understanding was established between the two...

To save the day, they could temporarily set aside their personal grudges.

That evening, Zhang Shucheng delivered the special appointment document to the Su family.

Shuihua looked at the words "Comrade Su Ning has been specially appointed as the economic coordinator for the relocation of villagers" on the official document, feeling both proud and worried.

"Brother Ning, can you really persuade those people to go back to Diaozhuang?" she asked while making tea for Su Ning.

Su Ning took the teacup and smiled mysteriously: "I have a brilliant plan."

The next morning, Suning began his work as a "coordinator".

Instead of going door-to-door to persuade people like Zhang Shucheng did, he went directly to the home of Li Dayou, the most influential villager who had returned to the village.

Li Dayou was feeding the sheep in the yard when he saw Su Ning enter. He asked warily, "What brings you here, Young Master Su?"

Su Ning calmly took out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes and handed one to Li Dayou: "Uncle, I heard you got a good amount of land in Yuquanying?"

Li Dayou took the cigarette, his tone softening slightly: "The land is nice, but that godforsaken place..."

"I heard it can be irrigated with Yellow River water?" Su Ning interrupted him. "One mu (unit of land area) is equivalent to the harvest of three mu (unit of land area) here?"

Li Dayou narrowed his eyes: "What exactly are you trying to say, kid?"

Su Ning leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Uncle, I'm planning to open a branch brick kiln in Yuquanying, and I'm short of someone to manage it. If you're willing to take the lead and go back to Diaozhuang, this job is yours. The monthly salary is sixty, and there's a bonus at the end of the year."

Li Dayou's hand trembled, and he almost dropped his cigarette: "How...how much?"

"Sixty," Su Ning repeated, "in cash."

In Xihai Gu in 1991, this was definitely a high salary.

Even after working at the cooperative for a year, Li Dayou couldn't save up sixty yuan.

"Really?" Li Dayou's breathing became rapid.

“It’s all in black and white, we can draw up a written agreement.” Su Ning patted his chest. “But there’s one condition—you have to convince the other six households to go back together.”

Li Dayou's eyes darted around, then he suddenly lowered his voice: "Young Master Su, tell me the truth, did the government send you here?"

Su Ning laughed: "The government is the government, and I am me. Director Zhang is explaining policies to you, and I'm talking business with you. They are two different things."

"..." For the first time, Li Dayou began to take the young man in front of him seriously.

Li Dayou was indeed very cunning, but he wasn't stupid; he understood that the government's decisions wouldn't be easily changed.

Therefore, it's only a matter of time before he moves to a new village and relocates; it's just that no one has the incentive to do so.

Three days later, when Zhang Shucheng and Ma Defu returned to Yongquan Village, they were surprised to find that seven households, led by Li Dayou, had already packed their luggage and were waiting for a car to pick them up and take them back to Diaozhuang.

"What...what's going on?" Zhang Shucheng was dumbfounded.

Li Dayou grinned, revealing his uneven, yellow teeth: "Director Zhang, we've thought it through! The relocation of villages is a good policy of the Party, and we firmly support it!"

Ma Defu looked suspiciously at Su Ning, who was standing to the side. Su Ning winked at him and made a gesture that said, "We'll talk about it later."

That afternoon, the seven families returned to the Yuquanying relocation site in a large group.

Zhang Shucheng breathed a sigh of relief, patted Su Ning on the shoulder, and said repeatedly, "I have a way."

Only Ma Defu noticed that Li Dayou secretly slipped a note to Su Ning before leaving.

He was curious about what was written on it, but knew now was not the time to ask.

On the way back to the county, Zhang Shucheng enthusiastically planned his next steps.

Ma Defu, however, was distracted, his mind replaying the scene of Su Ning persuading Li Dayou...

There were no grand principles or coercive orders; it was simply a matter of exchanging benefits.

This working method was something he had never learned at the agricultural school.

"What a blessing!" Zhang Shucheng suddenly said, "Your fellow villager is quite remarkable. You should learn from him when you have the chance."

Ma Defu looked out the car window at the loess hills rushing past and softly hummed in agreement.

In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the Su family's brick kiln, leaving a faint trail in the azure sky.

...(End of chapter)