In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 191, Section 190: The Worries of Village Cadres. Applying Slight Pressure. Compensation Plan. Full Delegation.
The next morning, the atmosphere in the Kaoshantun brigade headquarters was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun remained silent, each puffing on their pungent pipes.

The bluish-gray smoke from burning inferior tobacco swirled in the cold air, like the lingering gloom in the hearts of the two, making the already dimly lit office even darker.

The silence in the room was broken by the occasional soft "tap-tap" of the pipe hitting the table leg and the howling north wind outside the window. The wind sounded like an endless sigh, making the old newspapers on the window frame rustle, adding to the restlessness and unease.

The news that Luo Xingbang brought back yesterday evening was like a cold, heavy stone that crashed into the two men's hearts, which they thought had calmed down, catching them off guard and leaving them still deeply disturbed.

Did Yang Guangyao tear his knee ligaments? Could he be disabled? Will he have difficulty walking normally, let alone doing heavy work?
The news was too sudden and too serious, completely exceeding their initial assessment of the incident as "bone fracture requiring recovery, financial compensation, and personnel reassignment."

Every word Luo Xingbang brought back struck their hearts like a hammer blow, heavy and suffocating them.

What was thought to be a properly handled and settled matter suddenly took an unexpected turn, and it turned out to be the most troublesome and complicated kind of thing.

Wang Yuanjun took a deep drag on his cigarette. The pungent, strong smoke rushed into his lungs, causing him to cough several times and his dark face to turn red.

He irritably banged his copper pipe bowl against the sole of his patched canvas shoes, sending up a few flickering sparks, as if trying to vent his inner anxiety.

"Damn it! What kind of mess is this?!"

He lowered his voice, spitting out a curse through gritted teeth, his thick, bushy eyebrows furrowed tightly, and the deep wrinkles on his forehead were filled with annoyance.

"I originally thought it was just a crack in the bone, and that it would be fine after three to five months of rest."

Let that bastard Li Dongliang pay back all his work points for this year, then get rid of him. Out of sight, out of mind, that'll give the Yang family an explanation, and it'll be acceptable to the higher-ups.

How... how is it getting worse? A torn ligament? Disability? This is unbelievable..."

Wang Yuanjun's voice was filled with disbelief and frustration at things spiraling out of control.

This escalation of the injury means that the nature of the entire incident could change.

Sun Degui remained silent, like a weathered clay sculpture. His face, covered with deep wrinkles, showed little expression, except for a fleeting, elusive solemnity and deep worry in the depths of his slightly cloudy yet still sharp eyes.

He slowly exhaled a long plume of smoke, which twisted in the air before gradually dissipating, much like his tangled thoughts at that moment.

His voice was hoarse from days of smoke and anxiety.
"Xingbang is a good person. He is honest and straightforward. He doesn't spread rumors or gossip."

Since Yang Guangming sent him specifically to tell us, and described it so seriously, even formally inviting us for a face-to-face meeting... it seems... the hospital's diagnosis is most likely true.

His tone was heavy, carrying a judgment based on years of experience. He knew that Yang Guangming was not one to speak without reason; since he had Luo Xingbang relay the message, he must have solid evidence.

"But...but what happened back then..."

Wang Yuanjun leaned forward, lowering his voice even further, his eyes flashing with uncertainty, lingering hope, and even a hint of barely perceptible guilt.

"What happened back then, you know, I know... Heaven knows, Earth knows... Yang Guangyao himself knows best... His leg... if it's really crippled, leaving him with a lifelong problem, this debt..."

Are we really going to pin it all on that kid Li Dongliang? That kid's already been taken away on charges of 'intentional injury'! The transfer order is in effect!"

This is precisely the key point that the two of them are most worried about and most afraid of.

The matter had already been handled according to the conclusion that "Yang Guangyao was the victim and Li Dongliang was the perpetrator," and the case had been reported to the commune and the county had been notified for record-keeping.

If the "victim's" injury suddenly escalates from a recoverable bone fracture to a functional disability that could affect their entire life, then punishing the "perpetrator" with merely transferring them out of the job and deducting their work points for the year seems too lenient, and even somewhat unreasonable.

If Yang Guangming, as a family member, insists on pursuing Li Dongliang's responsibility again with new and more serious diagnostic certificates, demanding heavier punishment, or asking for a larger amount of compensation far exceeding those few dozen work points, how should they respond?
Overturning the previous conclusion? That would be tantamount to slapping ourselves in the face, admitting that the initial investigation was not thorough enough and the handling was inappropriate, and might even lead to a re-examination and investigation by higher authorities, with unpredictable consequences.

Upholding the original verdict? Faced with the reasonable questions raised by a potentially "disabled" educated youth and his family, it seems unreasonable and lacks any moral or logical basis. It makes them appear cold-hearted and might even raise suspicions of favoritism or collusion. Yang Guangming's side probably won't easily agree either.

Sun Degui sighed, his sigh filled with helplessness and a sense of exhaustion.

His gaze grew increasingly profound, as if he were weighing various pros and cons: "Li Dongliang cannot be moved anymore."

The transfer order was issued by the county's educated youth office. His personnel file has been transferred to Beiwazi Village. He has been gone for several days now, and Li Dongliang is no longer under the jurisdiction of our Kaoshan Village.

Trying to bring him back and reprocess him would be procedurally complicated, create too much of a commotion, and simply doesn't make sense. Besides…”

Sun Degui paused, his voice extremely low, almost a whisper, carrying a meaningful reminder and warning:
"Moreover, this matter had already been reported to the commune and the county for record-keeping and its nature had been determined."

If this issue is brought up again now, and people are clamoring for harsher punishment, it will inevitably attract the attention of higher authorities, who may even send someone down to reinvestigate and verify the matter.

This investigation has dragged on for a long time, and who can guarantee that the final result will be more beneficial to Comrade Guangyao?
If something else is discovered... it will probably cause trouble for both Yang Guangyao and the two of us.

If that happens, the consequences will likely be beyond our control.

The words were spoken rather cryptically, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

The truth about Yang Guangyao's fall and injury cannot withstand thorough investigation. If we really dig deeper, his little trick of "feigning injury" might be exposed, and he would go from being a victim to a fraudster, with unimaginable consequences!

At that point, no one can protect him, and even the two village officials will be held responsible for negligence and suspected of abusing their power for personal gain.

Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun sat in silence for a long time without coming to a conclusion. It was already eleven o'clock, and running away was not an option. They still had to go to the ward to face that troublesome Yang Guangming.

After quickly packing up, the two rode their bicycles to the county hospital.

……

Around noon, the three siblings in the ward still hadn't seen the two village officials.

Yang Guangming sat in the ward, seemingly calmly flipping through a yellowed old magazine, but his eyes kept glancing at the door from the corner of his eye.

Yang Guangyao was even more restless. Lying on the hospital bed, his ears were perked up, trying to catch every sound in the corridor, and his fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of the blanket repeatedly.

"Xingbang... Xingbang should have delivered the message, right? It's been all morning, why haven't we heard anything yet?" Yang Guangyao couldn't help but ask again in a low voice, his voice filled with undisguised urgency and anxiety.

Yang Xiangmei comforted him, saying, "Xingbang is honest and reliable. He will definitely keep his promises. Maybe...maybe the team had a lot of things to do this morning and Secretary Sun and the others couldn't get away."

Yang Guangming put down his magazine and said calmly, "What's the rush? Xingbang only went back last night, it will take time for the message to get there. The village officials have so many things to deal with every day, they can't possibly fly over immediately. Be patient."

His words seemed to have a calming effect, and Yang Guangyao quieted down a little, but the expectation and anxiety in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

Just before noon, the two familiar voices finally came from outside the ward, growing louder as they approached.

His voice seemed a bit lower than usual, less of his usual carefree manner.

Yang Guangming immediately gave his second brother a wink and whispered, "You're here, be natural."

Yang Guangyao took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his expression, and tried his best to look weak, sad, and a little lost.

Yang Xiangmei immediately put down her work, stood up, and showed just the right amount of worry on her face.

The ward door was pushed open, and Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun walked in one after the other.

Neither of them smiled much. Sun Degui's brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were preoccupied with something. Although Wang Yuanjun still had his usual loud voice, his greeting seemed a bit more subdued than usual.

"Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, you two have arrived." Yang Guangming stood up to greet them, his face displaying just the right amount of politeness and a hint of barely perceptible heaviness.

"Comrade Guangming." Sun Degui nodded, his gaze first falling on Yang Guangyao on the hospital bed. "Comrade Guangyao, how are you feeling today? Is your leg... still the same?"

His questions seemed more cautious than usual.

Following his younger brother's instructions from yesterday, Yang Guangyao sighed heavily, his voice hoarse and weak:
"Sigh...it's nothing special. My leg bone doesn't seem to hurt as much anymore, but my knee...it's getting worse and worse, it feels empty and swollen, and it hurts terribly when I touch it...Director Huo said...that the main ligament inside might be...torn..."

As he spoke, his eyes dimmed, as if he could not bear the truth. He turned his head to one side, and his shoulders slumped.

This performance, honed through repeated practice, had become almost instinctive. Coupled with his injury and bedridden state, and his pale complexion, it appeared extremely convincing.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanjun immediately started cursing, as if to vent his pent-up frustration: "Damn it! That bastard Li Dongliang! He's too ruthless! He's trying to kill me! He got off too easy back then! He should have been sent to jail!"

Sun Degui didn't join in the cursing, but his expression grew even more gloomy.

He walked to the bedside, carefully examined Yang Guangyao's complexion, then looked at his leg, which was in a heavy cast. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Xingbang told us everything last night. It's really... I didn't expect it to be this serious."

His tone carried a complex mix of emotions: concern, regret, and perhaps a hint of barely perceptible irritation.

Yang Guangming chimed in at the opportune moment, his tone heavy: "Yes, we didn't expect it either. We thought it was just a fracture, something that would heal with proper care. Who would have thought... that Director Huo has diagnosed it as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee joint. Here is the diagnosis certificate; please take a look."

As he spoke, he took out the neatly folded paper from his shirt pocket, carefully unfolded it, and handed it over.

Sun Degui took the diagnosis certificate and brought it close to his eyes, and Wang Yuanjun immediately followed suit. Both of them were literate, and their gazes slowly moved over the few lines of black diagnosis and the more detailed description of the patient's condition below.

When they saw words such as "combined with left knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture", "poor prognosis", "severely limited function", "difficulty walking", "seriously affects work capacity", and "extremely high risk", their expressions became very serious.

Especially the bright red hospital seal, which carried the weight of authority, weighed heavily on their hearts like a boulder.

This written statement, stamped in red, is practically a death sentence for Yang Guangyao's future, a verdict that is irrefutable and irrefutable.

Wang Yuanjun slapped his thigh, his voice filled with frustration and anger: "Damn it! What kind of mess is this! If I had known Li Dongliang would ruin Guangyao like this, I shouldn't have let him go so easily! I should have at least made his family suffer!"

Sun Degui slowly handed the diagnosis certificate back to Yang Guangming. He raised his head, his gaze deep: "Comrade Guangming, this matter... is indeed much more troublesome than we expected. What... are your family's plans?"

His question went straight to the heart of the matter.

Yang Guangming's face showed bitterness and helplessness. He carefully put away the diagnosis certificate and sighed, "Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, to be honest, I'm very confused right now. I didn't sleep a wink last night after I got this diagnosis yesterday."

He paused, a hint of barely suppressed resentment in his voice:

"How old is my second brother? He might have trouble walking in the future, let alone doing heavy work. What's the difference between him and... how is he crippled?"
"This is all Li Dongliang's fault! If he hadn't had such malicious intentions and written that anonymous letter of false accusation, none of this would have happened!"

His tone became agitated, but he quickly suppressed it, making his voice sound even heavier: "But unfortunately... unfortunately, we've already transferred him. Now, if we want to settle scores with him, I'm afraid... sigh!"

He didn't finish his sentence, but only sighed heavily, leaving endless implications for Sun and Wang to ponder on their own.

These words expressed his dissatisfaction and "unwillingness," while also highlighting the helplessness of the current situation. They did not imply any blame on the village officials for their mishandling of the matter. Instead, they tied "us" together and gave the other party a way out.

Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun exchanged a glance, both seeing the complex emotions in each other's eyes.

They knew perfectly well how Yang Guangyao got injured. While Li Dongliang was certainly hateful, it was unfair for him to bear the blame for "causing someone to become disabled."

But these words must never be spoken. If the case is overturned, the two of them will be the first to suffer, and the previous handling will be seen as a complete mistake, and they may even be held accountable.

Now that they have the diagnosis certificate, if Yang Guangming really takes it seriously and insists on pursuing Li Dongliang's "criminal liability" or demanding huge compensation, they will be in an extremely passive situation—speaking up for Li Dongliang is tantamount to slapping themselves in the face, but if they don't help, they are afraid that Yang Guangming will cause an uncontrollable situation.

Sun Degui took a deep drag on his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke, breaking the brief silence: "Comrade Guangming, we completely understand your feelings. No one would swallow this insult."

He abruptly changed the subject, beginning to analyze the pros and cons in a candid tone:

"However, we have to face reality."

First, the fact that Li Dongliang assaulted and injured someone is already a done deal, and has been recognized by the village, the commune, and even the county.

It's not impossible to bring up the issue now and say the punishment was too lenient and should be increased, but the procedures would be very complicated. It would require reinvestigation, evidence gathering, and reporting. Going through that whole process would be time-consuming and laborious, not to mention the most crucial point is…

He paused, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yang Guangming: "This matter cannot withstand close scrutiny. After all, there was only one witness, Wang Laowu, who was quite far away at the time."

If the higher-ups take it seriously and dig deeper, uncovering something else... it won't be good for anyone. Don't you think so?

His words were brief and to the point, but the warning he conveyed was self-evident.

Wang Yuanjun chimed in, his tone even more blunt: "Exactly! It's not worth it to drag ourselves down for that bastard Li Dongliang!"

Besides, he came from an ordinary working-class family in the county, dirt poor. His father was an honest factory worker with no special skills.

Even if you could get him imprisoned and sentenced to a few years, or make his family pay compensation, how much could he possibly come up with? Even if you squeezed him dry, it wouldn't be enough to compensate your second brother for his good leg!

Yang Guangming listened silently, his face expressionless. He neither refuted nor immediately agreed, but kept his eyes lowered, as if carefully weighing the pros and cons of their words. This silence only made Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun more uncertain.

Sun Degui carefully observed his expression, and seeing that he seemed to have taken some of the advice to heart, he continued to speak frankly, his tone becoming even more earnest:

"Comrade Guangming, what's done is done, like water spilled, it can't be taken back."

We need to be realistic. We can only look forward and try our best to secure some tangible protection and compensation for Comrade Guangyao within the current circumstances. That's the most important and practical thing to do. Don't you agree?

At this point, he subtly shifted his tone, beginning to probe Yang Guangming's true intentions:
"Comrade Guangming, now that you have such a clear diagnosis from the hospital, do you... already have some specific plans in mind?"

For example… what are your thoughts on Comrade Guangyao's future treatment, living conditions, and other practical issues?

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming finally raised his head and met Sun Degui's probing gaze, no longer beating around the bush.

He took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, his voice low and clear, each word carrying weight:

“Secretary Sun, to be honest, my second brother is injured so badly that, according to the regulations on returning to the city due to illness in the policy of sending people to the countryside, his situation fully meets the standards, and could even be said to exceed them.”

His tone was heavy, with an undeniable certainty, "Medical conditions in the Northeast are limited after all. Director Huo himself said that even if we do our best to treat this injury, it will be like this. It will never recover to its former state, and he will be half-crippled in the future."

I was thinking, could we process his medical retirement as soon as possible so he could go back to Shanghai?

"At least it's a big city, with many hospitals and specialists. Maybe... we can think of other ways to minimize his suffering and improve his quality of life."

He paused, his facial muscles tensing, revealing an expression of extreme resentment and indignation, his fists clenched tightly:

"But... but the thought of my second brother having to drag his crippled leg back in disgrace, while that bastard who harmed him like this just moved to a different place and might be able to find a way back to the city in a few years when things calm down!"

My heart is being torn apart like it's being stabbed! It's like it's being fried in oil! So frustrating! So incredibly frustrating! Why? This is too easy for that beast!

Upon hearing the words "retirement due to illness and return to the city," Sun Degui's mind immediately cleared, as if a mirror had been drawn.

Sure enough!

This is the real purpose behind Yang Guangming's painstaking efforts, and perhaps even... to "upgrade" his injuries!
Sun Degui was a seasoned veteran; even without any evidence or any suspicious signs, he couldn't help but overthink things.

All the groundwork laid by Yang Guangming beforehand, all the resentment, anger, and grievances he displayed, were perhaps perfect preparations for making this demand at this moment, to gain the greatest possible sympathy and understanding, making them unable to refuse, and even feel that it was their due. And "retiring due to illness and returning to the city" was precisely the best solution that Sun Degui believed could completely and thoroughly resolve the problem at present.

The person left and returned to their distant southern homeland, taking all the troubles and hidden dangers with them. Kaoshantun could then achieve complete peace and quiet, and this matter could truly come to a satisfactory conclusion.

As for whether Yang Guangyao is truly disabled or not, as long as the procedures are handled properly and the official seal is clearly affixed, even if something goes wrong in the future, it will be a matter between Shanghai and Yang Guangyao himself, and will have nothing to do with Kaoshantun anymore.

Sun Degui quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, but his face immediately filled with an expression of deep sympathy and understanding, even with a touch of timely realization and agreement:

"Returning to the city on medical leave? Yes, yes, yes! Oh dear, look at my brain, how come I didn't think of that!"

This is the right thing to do! This is the best and most responsible arrangement for Comrade Guangyao at the moment!
"Going back to the big city, with better medical care and family members nearby to take good care of you, is a hundred times, a thousand times, better than staying in this poor mountain village with no one to care for you and no one to look after you!"

Sun Degui immediately expressed his firm support, and then followed up with earnest words, as if he were completely on Yang Guangming's side, trying to stop him from continuing to express his "unwillingness":

“Comrade Guangming, I completely understand your feelings! To be honest, I’m also furious! I feel that Li Dongliang got off too easy! The punishment is indeed too lenient! It’s so lenient that it’s hard to swallow this anger!”

"but!"

He emphasized those two words, leaning slightly forward, his gaze fixed intently on Yang Guangming:
"Just like we just analyzed, continuing to get entangled with him is really pointless. It's a waste of time and emotions, and it might even delay the best opportunity for Comrade Guangyao to return to the city for treatment and rehabilitation!"
Healing and saving lives is the most important thing, Comrade Guangming!

This is the most important thing right now! It's of utmost importance! Everything else can wait! Don't you agree?

Wang Yuanjun also immediately reacted and quickly chimed in, his tone excited:
"The old Party Secretary is right! Absolutely right! A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years! Let's focus on treating Guangyao's leg injury first!"

That kid surnamed Li went to that godforsaken place, Beiwazi Village, he's in for a world of trouble!
In winter, their chins would freeze off; in summer, they'd be bitten by mosquitoes; the food was barely better than pig swill; and the work was harder than that of an ox!
It might be worse than being in jail! We don't need to waste any more time with him! Let him fend for himself!

Yang Guangming's face showed hesitation, his brows were furrowed, his lips were pursed into a line, and he remained silent for a good ten seconds, as if a fierce internal struggle was taking place.

Finally, as if he had exhausted all his strength, he sighed helplessly, his shoulders slumping slightly, as if he had been forced to accept an incredibly cruel but unavoidable reality:
“Sigh…Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, you’re right…You’re both sensible people, more experienced than me, and you see things more clearly than I do.”

It's too late to say anything now, what's done is done... It's truly my second brother's injury, his future is the most important thing... But... but this feeling, stuck in my chest, is just... just so hard to let go of..."

Seeing that Yang Guangming's attitude had finally softened and he had given in, Sun Degui felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that things were already seven or eight parts done.

He immediately seized the opportunity, his face displaying an even more sincere expression, even carrying a hint of self-reproach and apology, as he proactively took some of the blame:

"Comrade Guangming, I thank you on behalf of the Kaoshantun Brigade Headquarters for thinking this way, for considering the overall situation, and for prioritizing Comrade Guangyao's health! Thank you so much!"

To be honest, our village also bears some responsibility for what happened. We failed to detect the problems in time, failed to mediate the conflicts among the educated youth, and failed to protect the young people who came to the countryside for training. We feel very guilty and ashamed!

He paused, as if making a firm decision to make amends with concrete actions, his tone becoming decisive and righteous:
"In this way, the position of private school teacher for Comrade Guangyao was basically decided upon after the brigade headquarters had already studied it."

Although he now has to return to the city for treatment due to the severity of his injuries, I think this spot can be made a special exception and directly transferred to Comrade Xiangmei.”

He turned his head to look at Yang Xiangmei, who was completely stunned and at a loss because of this sudden turn of events, and his tone became gentle and firm:
"Xiangmei is also a proper high school graduate. She is educated, has a good foundation, and is steady and patient. She has performed very well in the village over the past few years. She is down-to-earth and hardworking, and has a good reputation among the villagers."

It's very suitable for her to take over the job of this private school teacher. She can continue to contribute to the education cause in our Kaoshantun village. What do you think, Comrade Guangming?

This is almost the most sincere and cost-effective compensation plan that Sun Degui can offer at present, without violating principles or taking on additional risks.

For Yang Xiangmei, who was destined to stay in the countryside, a job that no longer required her to work in the fields under the sun and rain, was a relatively easy and respectable job with stable work points and some subsidies. It was a godsend and the best arrangement to change her fate. It was enough to shut up the Yang family and also demonstrated the sincerity of their village cadres in solving the problem.

Yang Guangming seemed taken aback by Sun Degui's offer of this plan. He paused visibly, his face quickly showing surprise followed by gratitude, and he hurriedly said:

"Secretary Sun, this...this is too much! This is so kind of you! You've really thought of us so much!"

My second sister… I can't say for sure about anything else, but she's absolutely conscientious and responsible in her work. She'll definitely do a good job! She won't let our Kaoshantun Elementary School down!

Yang Xiangmei's face flushed crimson, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. Overwhelmed by the immense joy, she was speechless for a moment, only instinctively bowing repeatedly, her voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you... thank you, Secretary Sun! Thank you, Captain Wang! Thank you... I will definitely work hard! I will do my best to do a good job! I will never let down the leaders' trust! I will never bring shame to us educated youth! Thank you... thank you so much..."

She became incoherent, and tears finally streamed down her face.

She hurriedly tried to wipe it with the rough back of her hands, but the more she wiped, the more it spread. It was a release of pent-up grievances after so long, and even more so, the ecstasy and gratitude of seeing a glimmer of hope suddenly appear in her difficult life.

Sun Degui waved his hand, trying to sound casual and friendly: "No need to thank me, no need to thank me. It's mainly because Xiangmei has always performed well, she deserves it." He cleverly rationalized the matter.

With the issue of compensation for Yang Xiangmei resolved, the atmosphere in the ward immediately eased and became much warmer, the previous heavy and oppressive feeling being greatly reduced. Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun's expressions also visibly relaxed.

Yang Guangming then raised the next, and final, crucial question.

He frowned, his face showing just the right amount of bewilderment and difficulty, and said in a somewhat hesitant tone:
“Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, I have this plan in mind for getting my second brother discharged due to illness, but I have no idea how to do it.”

As an outsider, I was completely unfamiliar with the place and its people. I didn't even know which way the doors of the commune's educated youth office or the county's educated youth office faced, let alone what materials I needed to prepare or who to get my signatures and stamps. I was utterly clueless and felt like I was doing nothing.

I'm really afraid that something might not be done properly, the materials might not be complete, or I might not be able to find the key person. Not only will I have to run around like crazy, but it might also cause delays... That would be terrible..."

Sun Degui felt much more relaxed at this moment. Seeing that Yang Mingming's attitude was "sincere" and the problem had returned to his familiar territory, he waved his hand generously, acting very forthright and righteous, as if he would take care of everything:

"You don't need to worry about that."

Comrade Guangyao's situation is rather special. The facts are clear, the evidence is conclusive, and there is such a solid diagnosis certificate issued by Director Huo of the county hospital, with black and white paper and an official seal. The reason for applying for medical retirement is sufficient, and no one can find fault with it.

At the commune's educated youth office, I could still exchange a few words with Captain Wang; we had some kind of kinship.

We can help you communicate with them first, explain the basic situation clearly, and then prepare the necessary materials to formally submit it in the name of the brigade headquarters. There shouldn't be any major problems.

Wang Yuanjun patted his strong chest, making a loud thud, and assured everyone: "That's right! Leave this matter of the commune to us! We guarantee we'll handle it clearly and smoothly for you!"

The county level... the review process might be stricter, and the procedure might be slower, since the final approval authority lies with the county.

We can't guarantee that with absolute certainty.

But as long as a formal report stamped by the commune and a complete set of supporting documents are submitted, and the reasons are so convincing, the county shouldn't deliberately hold it back; it's just a matter of time.

Yang Guangming's face immediately lit up with a relieved, joyful, and grateful expression. He thanked him repeatedly, his tone extremely sincere:
"That's wonderful! Thank you so much, leaders! With your kind words and your help, I can finally feel much more at ease!"
Otherwise, if I were to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly, I don't know how many unnecessary detours I would take, how many cold shoulders I would face, and how many setbacks I would encounter.

He changed the subject, becoming exceptionally reasonable and considerate, lowering his voice and conveying a sense of concern for others:

"However, we can't let the two leaders work for nothing. Running around and building relationships must have cost them some money."

I came from the south this time, and my family was worried that there would be a shortage of supplies here, so they specially asked me to bring some of our local specialties, such as milk candy, biscuits, brown and white sugar, and a few pounds of homemade sausages.

There weren't many items, and they weren't worth much money, but they were still considered rare around here.

He pointed out the window in the direction of the guesthouse: "I've left all the things in the guesthouse room. When the two leaders go back later, they can take them with them on their way."

As for the others, we should visit them as needed, offer them cigarettes or candy as appropriate, so as not to be seen as stingy.

"As for the rest, if you two leaders don't mind, please take it home for your elders and children to try. It's just a small token of my and my family's appreciation, so please don't refuse."

Upon hearing this, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun's faces immediately lit up with smiles, their eyes and brows revealing satisfaction and joy, but they habitually and half-jokingly declined.

This is a necessary formality, and also a tacit understanding.

Sun Degui waved his hand, his tone sounding very honest: "Oh dear, Comrade Guangming, look at you... you're too polite! You're being too formal!"

Helping with this little thing is what we should do, it's our duty, how could we possibly accept your things! That's just not right! You should keep the things for yourself, and use them to prepare more nutritional supplements for Comrade Guangyao to help him recover!

Wang Yuanjun echoed, but his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the guesthouse: "Exactly! Who do you think we are? Do we need this? It makes us seem like outsiders!"

Besides, with such a strong diagnostic certificate from Director Huo, who would dare to deliberately make things difficult?

Yang Guangming's attitude was unusually firm, his tone sincere and even somewhat stubborn, leaving no room for refusal. He spoke very eloquently, saving face for the other party while expressing his own determination:

"Please don't refuse, leaders! This really isn't for you, it's for your elderly relatives and children!"
It wasn't anything valuable, just some ordinary snacks.

If you don't accept it, it means you look down on me, Yang Guangming, and think I'm immature and don't know how to behave. I'll feel really bad about it and won't dare to bother you again.

Please accept this small token of my appreciation!

Having said that much, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun pretended to decline a couple more times. But seeing that Yang Guangming was determined and had no intention of backing down, they went along with it and reluctantly agreed with smiles, their faces beaming with the joy of their achievement.

Sun Degui's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile: "Since Comrade Guangming is so insistent... and we can't refuse such kindness... then... then we'll shamelessly accept it. It's mainly for bribing officials... it's all to ensure things get done smoothly..."

He cleverly found a plausible reason for accepting the gifts.

“Yes, yes, yes! It’s important to cultivate relationships! Sometimes those people in the commune just won’t budge unless you put in a good word for them!” Wang Yuanjun nodded repeatedly, his dark face glowing with excitement, already imagining the joyful scene that those rare foods would bring to his wife and children at home.

As it was nearing noon, Yang Guangming once again offered to take the two of them to a restaurant for lunch.

This time, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun, having finally put their minds at ease, agreed more readily than ever before.

With hope for a satisfactory resolution and a clear path forward, and with a genuine token of their affection about to arrive, both of them felt much more relaxed and cheerful, and their appetites naturally returned.

The three of them left the hospital again and went to that familiar state-run restaurant.

It was nearly noon, and the restaurant was still bustling with activity and steaming hot.

Mr. Wang, who was behind the counter, spotted them immediately and greeted them with a familiar smile.

This time, Yang Guangming ordered a relatively simple and affordable menu: a hearty dish of braised pork with vermicelli, a side dish of braised chicken with mushrooms, a stir-fried vermicelli with pickled cabbage, and a stir-fried cabbage with vinegar. He only ordered one bottle of local strong liquor, just enough to show his appreciation.

Master Wang still warmly arranged that small private room for them, but perhaps because Yang Guangming didn't give them milk candy, his smile seemed a little less warm and less eager than last time, though he was still polite and attentive.

In the private room, the three sat down again. The atmosphere was more harmonious and relaxed than last time, with less of the tentativeness and heaviness, and more of a sense of familiarity and casualness, even starting to feel like "one of us".

The food and drinks were served quickly, and Yang Guangming poured wine for the two of them.

"Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, I'm entrusting all the details of my second brother's retirement due to illness to you two. Please take good care of everything." Yang Guangming raised his glass, his tone solemn, his eyes filled with trust and entrustment.

"Don't worry! Brother Guangming, you can rest assured! I've got your back!"

After a few drinks, Wang Yuanjun's blood boiled, and he started patting his chest and calling everyone brothers, "I know the commune's educated youth office well! I guarantee I'll submit your materials as quickly as possible and urge them to process them!"

Sun Degui nodded in agreement, appearing confident: "We'll go back and hold a meeting as soon as possible to discuss it, issue a brigade certificate, organize the relevant materials, and try to report it to the commune as soon as possible. You should also tell Comrade Guangyao to rest assured and not to overthink things; we'll take care of everything."

"Oh, great! That's wonderful! Thank you so much! I'm extremely grateful!" Yang Guangming thanked him again, his expression sincere.

The three clinked their glasses together, making a crisp sound, and then drank them down in one gulp. The pungent liquor seemed to burn away the last bit of barrier and uncertainty.

The conversation at the next dinner party moved beyond just Yang Guangyao's affairs. Yang Guangming would occasionally share anecdotes about the South and the city, while Sun and Wang would chat about village gossip, this year's harvest forecast, and some harmless jokes, creating a lively atmosphere.

Yang Guangming skillfully controlled the pace and the topic, neither letting the atmosphere become dull nor being overly solicitous, behaving appropriately yet sincerely, and fully taking into account the emotions and desire to express themselves of the two village cadres.

After finishing the meal, Yang Guangming took the initiative to get up and pay the bill.

He didn't suggest packing the dishes for the two to take home. Wang Yuanjun, holding his wine glass, seemed slightly surprised and subconsciously licked his lips, but after looking at the almost empty plates on the table, he didn't say anything and continued drinking the last bit of wine.

The three of them walked out of the restaurant. The afternoon sun barely pierced through the clouds, bringing a faint warmth, but the north wind was still biting.

Yang Guangming said to the two men, "Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, how about... we go to my guesthouse now? We can have a cup of tea and chat."

“Okay, let’s go. It’s good to see where you live.” Sun Degui nodded in agreement, in a good mood.

Yang Guangming then led the two across the not-so-wide street and into the guesthouse.

The middle-aged woman at the entrance who was in charge of registration glanced up at them, said nothing, and continued knitting.

Upon reaching the second floor, they arrived at the door of room 206. Yang Guangming took out the old key with the wooden tag attached from his pocket, inserted it into the lock, turned it, and opened the door.

The room was small, simply and coldly furnished, with a faint smell of mothballs mixed with the scent of dust. The worn-out, bulging travel bag sat at the foot of the bed.

Yang Guangming walked over, picked up the travel bag, and placed it on the only square table in the room with a dull thud. He unzipped it and started taking things out, intending to show them and give them a sense of what he was doing.

"This is four pounds of White Rabbit milk candy, to sweeten the kids' mouths. This is four pounds of biscuits, which the kids all love. This is four pounds of brown and white sugar, which can be used for cooking and mixing with water. This is sausage, homemade, and it's dried quite well; it weighs about four pounds."

The gifts are few and insignificant, just a small token of our appreciation from the South. We hope you two leaders won't find them offensive.

As Yang Guangming took them out, he clearly announced the quantities.

With each item he took out, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun's eyes lit up a little more, and their smiles deepened a little more.

In an era of extreme material scarcity, especially in a county town in Northeast China, these items would have been considered a very generous and presentable gift!
Especially the milk candy and sausages, which are rare items that are hard to find and require special ration coupons or extremely high prices to buy. The weight of this "gift" is far greater than they had expected.

Yang Guangming carefully packed everything back into his travel bag, then handed the now incredibly bulging and heavy bag to Wang Yuanjun: "Captain Wang, you're strong, could you please help me carry this?"

Wang Yuanjun was already overjoyed. He quickly reached out and took the travel bag with both hands. The heavy weight in his hands made his smile even brighter, almost reaching his ears. He exclaimed repeatedly:
"Oh dear, this...this is really too much trouble! Brother Guangming, you're so generous! You're such a kind person!"

Sun Degui smiled politely, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Yes, Comrade Guangming, how can we accept such a generous gift... this..."

"Please don't say that, leaders."

Yang Guangming interrupted them with a smile, his tone sincere and natural, "You've helped me so much, solving such a huge problem. What's this little bit of food? It's just some food."

"My second sister will be staying in the village from now on, and she'll be unfamiliar with the place and the people there. We'll have to rely on the two leaders for their care and understanding."

He timely reiterated Yang Xiangmei's matter, attributing this "kindness" partly to entrusting his second sister with her future.

"No problem! We've got it covered!" Wang Yuanjun switched the heavy travel bag to one hand, and thumped his chest loudly with the other, the sound echoing in the narrow room. "Comrade Xiangmei's matter is our Kaoshantun's matter! No one will dare to mistreat her! If there's anything in the future, just let her come to the brigade headquarters to find us!"

Sun Degui nodded solemnly and assured him, his tone reassuring: "Comrade Guangming, rest assured, as long as Yuan Jun and I are still in charge of Kaoshantun, we will never let Xiangmei suffer any loss or injustice. As long as she does her job well, she can continue to work as a private school teacher."

After exchanging a few more polite words, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun picked up their large and heavy travel bags and left, satisfied.

Yang Guangming escorted them to the entrance of the guesthouse, stood on the steps, and watched the two of them ride the old-fashioned bicycle one after the other, pedaling hard forward.

Although they looked somewhat strained, their backs radiated ease and joy as they quickly disappeared around the street corner.

(End of this chapter)