I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 247 Classmates are really useful
At lunchtime, Wang Lei's parents served braised pork belly, stewed Langshan chicken, braised vermicelli with black cabbage, and other local specialties from Nanxin, as well as seasonal snacks such as willow pancakes and green rice dumplings. Everyone enjoyed the meal.

Since Fang Qingye and Song Dahai couldn't drink alcohol because they were driving, and Liu Dong said he wasn't feeling well, no one drank alcohol this time. Instead, they bought cola as a substitute.

Wang Lei picked up his drink and said, "Today, I would first like to thank my two old classmates, Qingye and Liu Dong, for their help. If it weren't for you, I don't think I would have been able to transfer to the Management Committee so smoothly."

"I only wrote one report, so I didn't really help much," Liu Dong said.

Fang Qingye knew he was referring to last summer when Liu Dong, as arranged by his unit, spent a few days at the command center, interviewing cadres and the masses in the construction park. He wrote a series of reports that were published in "Nanxin Communications," and the secretary and county head even gave special instructions, including an interview with Wang Lei.

The county leaders knew the name Wang Lei and were somewhat familiar with him.

Now that Wang Lei wanted to thank him, Fang Qingye naturally felt he couldn't accept such a favor without having done anything right, so he said, "This matter has little to do with me."

“How can it not be related? Do you remember last summer when you were driving through the park on your way to go fishing? I was working on land acquisition, and then County Chief Miao and Secretary Li came over to greet you. Did you say something to County Chief Miao? He even asked me about my situation.”

oh.
Fang Qingye remembered.

This is indeed the case.

“I told you back then that you and I were high school classmates,” Fang Qingye said.

"See? Classmates really do work," Wang Lei laughed. "That's why I'm very grateful to you."

"We're all classmates, helping each other out is only natural," Fang Qingye said. "Come on, everyone, let's raise our glasses and have a drink!"

After they finished drinking together, Song Dahai, who hadn't spoken before, said, "Wang Lei, I think it would be better for you to work in the township than in the management committee. The only advantage of the management committee is that it's close to the county seat. There's not much else to it, and promotions aren't as fast as in the township. It's more suitable for girls; it's relatively easy."

Wang Lei shook his head after hearing this: "Dahai, I can't compare to you. My family's conditions are like this. We have no money and no background. If we're lucky, we might be able to become a deputy in a township, but we'll be stuck in the township for the rest of our lives and never be able to move to the city. So, where do you think we'll settle down in the future?"

"It would be better to transfer to the management committee as soon as possible. It's closer to the city, so we can settle down there in the future. It's like jumping over the dragon gate. We can strive to settle down in the city, have children, and educate them well every day so they can be more successful. Isn't that how we get out of this situation step by step?"

“I understand,” Liu Dong interjected.

"Hehe, you're different from me. You're more capable than me, you've found an excellent girlfriend, and your future is bright. Come on, congratulations," Wang Lei said with a smile.

"It's the same everywhere."

Fang Qingye secretly praised Wang Lei for being clear-headed and seeing things very clearly; this was just the life of an ordinary farm boy within the system.

Online, people often talk about things like "section chief" and "department chief," as if these positions are easily attainable once you enter the system, and they look down on lowly section chiefs. However, the vast majority of people within the system only reach the section chief level.

Just then, a middle-aged man in his forties walked into the courtyard. Wang Lei quickly stood up and greeted him, "Third Uncle, you've come?"

"Yes, Xiao Lei, I heard you had a few classmates who came over specifically to pour you a few drinks," the man said with a smile.

"Third Uncle, please sit down." Wang Lei quickly brought his third uncle a chair and a pair of chopsticks before introducing him to everyone: "This is my third uncle, Wang Linzhi, who runs a chicken farm."

Oh, it was him!

Fang Qingye had never met Wang Lei's third uncle, but she had eaten quite a few chickens from his family's chicken farm. Compared to Wang Lei's father, Wang Linde, Wang Linzhi was much more talkative. After Wang Lei introduced them one by one, and seeing that everyone was drinking beverages, he asked, "Xiao Lei, why don't you serve your classmates some wine? I'll go get some."

“They’re driving, so they can’t drink,” Wang Lei quickly explained.

"No way! They've come all this way to visit us, how can they not have a drink? Have a couple of drinks, and if it's too late to go back, I'll have a friend drive you home!"

Seeing his third uncle say this, Wang Lei took out a bottle of Jinghai Daqu liquor from his home and said to Fang Qingye and the others with a smile, "It's what the elders want. Well then, I'll drink this bottle."

Seeing this, the three boys had no choice but to switch their drinks to baijiu (Chinese liquor).

At this moment, Wang Linzhi raised his glass and said, "You are all Wang Lei's classmates, and can be considered my juniors. I was not bullying you just now, but I couldn't express my gratitude without having a drink."

"Fang Qingye, President Fang, thank you, and thank you to your father for helping me a lot. This glass is for you."

"I wouldn't dare," Fang Qingye replied, raising her own glass.

He knew that Wang Linzhi was referring to the summer before last when Wang Lei asked him for help getting his cousin into the top class at Chengguan Middle School, which was Wang Linzhi's son.

"My son's grades are pretty good. I hope he can get into the top high school and, like his cousin, go to university and then take the civil service exam! Then all my hard work over the years won't have been in vain. So, Mr. Fang, let's have another drink!"

After having a couple of drinks with Fang Qingye, Wang Linzhi drank with Liu Dong and Song Dahai, not forgetting the three girls, his older brother, and his sister-in-law. Then they all sat together, eating and chatting.

After a while, Wang Linzhi raised his glass again: "There's something else, and I'm also on behalf of my elder brother and sister-in-law. I hope you can help Xiaolei with something."

"what's up?"

"Since you all live in the city, see if you know any suitable girls to introduce to Wang Lei." Wang Linzhi was interrupted by Wang Lei halfway through his sentence:
"Third Uncle, our classmates are coming to visit, why are you bringing this up?"

"Hey, as the saying goes, a man should marry when he's of age and a woman should marry when she's of age. What's wrong with saying that?" Wang Linzhi laughed. "If you find someone and get married soon, it will fulfill my brother and sister-in-law's wish. Isn't that right, brother and sister-in-law?"

Wang Linde and his wife were not good with words, but they nodded quickly when they heard their younger brother say this.

“I know that our family is of average means. We are not picky and don’t have many other requirements. As long as he has a regular job, that’s fine. Nowadays, when people in the city get married, the man has to have a house, otherwise the girl won’t even talk to you. Since we’ve brought this up today…”

Wang Linzhi looked at Wang Lei's parents and said with a smile, "Brother and sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll pay for the down payment on Wang Lei's house in the city! He can pay back the rest slowly from his salary, and that'll be enough!"

"Third Uncle." Wang Lei's eyes immediately reddened upon hearing this.

“It’s what I should do. Xiao Lei, your grandparents passed away early. Your parents, my older brother and sister-in-law, raised me and supported me through junior high school. I’ve always remembered their kindness. They don’t ask for anything now, their only worry is you. Once your marriage is settled, they can finally rest easy.”

"You should start looking for a house now. Don't say that house prices are high now; I think they're going to rise even more!"

Wang Lei wiped away his tears and nodded repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)