Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Zhong Xiaoai brought in a cup of hot milk: "Don't stay up too late, we have to travel tomorrow."

"It'll be ready soon." Gu Mingyuan took the milk.

"Xiao Ai, I expect a lot of people will come to visit this time when we go back to our hometown. We need to be prepared."

Zhong Xiaoai smiled: "I understand. You're a deputy director-level leader now, and a high-ranking official who came from the village. The villagers must all want to come and see you."

"Don't worry, I know what to do."

"I'm sorry you had to go through this." Gu Mingyuan held her hand.

"What's wronged you?" Zhong Xiaoai shook her head.

"Your achievements are my pride."

"Besides, I also want to see the place where you grew up and the villagers who helped you in the past."

On January 15th, the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Mingyuan and his family embarked on their journey back to their hometown.

This time, they traveled in a soft sleeper carriage—a special arrangement made by the organization considering that Zhong Xiaoai had only recently given birth and that her child was still young.

In addition to Gu Mingyuan, Zhong Xiaoai, and Gu Pengyu, who is over three months old, the group also included two elderly people, Gu Yun and Ling Fei.

The carriage was warm and comfortable. Pengpeng lay in his mother's arms, his big, dark eyes curiously observing this moving world.

"The little guy is so good, he didn't cry much the whole way." Ling Fei looked at her grandson with affection.

"Like Mingyuan when he was little, he didn't like to cry either," Gu Yun said, unusually adding a few more words.

"When Mingyuan was three months old, I carried him to work in the fields, and he quietly lay on my back without crying or making a fuss."

As Zhong Xiaoai listened, imagining what her husband looked like when he was a child, a gentle smile appeared on her lips.

The train traversed plains and crossed mountains, and after seven or eight hours, it finally came to a slow stop at Lincheng Railway Station.

As soon as the car came to a stop at the village entrance, the old Party Secretary Gu Changgui and a group of village officials came to greet us.

"Mingyuan, we've been waiting for you to come back!" Gu Changgui said, his voice trembling with excitement as he held Gu Mingyuan's hand.

This over-seventy-year-old Party branch secretary watched Gu Mingyuan grow up.

The scene of the village pooling money to send Gu Mingyuan off when he was admitted to Handong University seems like it was just yesterday.

"Old Party Secretary, are you feeling alright?" Gu Mingyuan quickly helped the old man up.

"Good! Good! Seeing how successful you are makes me feel better than taking any tonic!" Gu Changgui smiled, but tears welled up in his eyes.

As Zhong Xiaoai got out of the car with her child in her arms, she was immediately surrounded by a group of women.

"This must be Mingyuan's wife, right? She's so pretty!"

"The child is so beautiful, just like her mother!"

"You must be tired from the journey! Come inside and rest!"

The villagers' warmth, simplicity, and sincerity moved Zhong Xiaoai, but also left her somewhat at a loss.

She tried her best to keep smiling and responded to everyone's greetings in her not-so-fluent local dialect.

The Gu family's old house had already been cleaned up and is now spotless.

In fact, Gu Mingyuan bought a house for his parents in the county town, but the old couple couldn't bear to part with their old house.

Knowing that her son and daughter-in-law were going back for the Chinese New Year, she arranged for relatives to clean and decorate half a month in advance.

Inside the main room, there were two large round tables, on which were already placed sunflower seeds, peanuts, and candies.

This is the highest level of hospitality in rural areas.

"Mingyuan, you're the highest-ranking official in our village now!" an uncle exclaimed, his face beaming with pride.

"Uncle, what kind of high-ranking official am I? I'm just an ordinary cadre serving the people," Gu Mingyuan quickly waved his hand.

"Hey, don't be modest! A deputy director at twenty-five years old, you can't find another one like him in the whole city!" someone interjected.

"When our town's officials were studying, they specifically learned about your deeds!"

Just then, the sound of a car came from outside the door.

The county party secretary and the county head even came!

"Director Gu, why didn't you tell us you were coming back? We could have made arrangements for your reception!" The county party secretary said, half-jokingly, as he shook Gu Mingyuan's hand.

"Secretary Wang, County Chief Li, I'm just going home for the New Year, how could I dare to disturb you two leaders?" Gu Mingyuan was genuinely somewhat apprehensive.

"Of course, of course!" the county magistrate said with a smile.

"You're the pride of our county! There's a Spring Festival gathering this afternoon, and we absolutely must invite you to attend and say a few words to our county's young cadres!"

Gu Mingyuan couldn't refuse, so he had to agree.

He knew that this was the deep affection and expectation of his hometown elders.

In the following days, the Gu family's old house was bustling with visitors.

From morning till night, villagers came to visit in an endless stream.

Some came simply to watch the spectacle, some to seek advice on their children's education, some to report the village's difficulties, and others to ask Gu Mingyuan for favors...

Gu Mingyuan patiently received and listened attentively to the first few cases.

He politely but firmly rejected the last option.

"Second Aunt, there are normal procedures and policies regarding the matter you mentioned."

"If the conditions are met, the village and town will process it according to regulations."

"I cannot interfere in these matters; that's my principle. Please understand."

Although the rejected relatives were somewhat disappointed, they had to admit that Gu Mingyuan was right.

Zhong Xiaoai's performance won unanimous praise from the villagers.

She had none of the airs of a young lady from the capital. Holding her child, she sat among the villagers, listening to their everyday conversations, learning their dialect, serving tea to the elderly, and giving candy to the children.

Her natural warmth and friendliness allowed her to quickly integrate into the mountain village.

On New Year's Eve, more than thirty people crowded into the Gu family's old house—Gu Mingyuan's uncles, cousins, and other relatives all came.

Three large round tables were set up, one for men, one for women, and one for children, creating a lively atmosphere.

As the head of the family, Gu Yun raised his glass, his hand trembling slightly: "Today, our Gu family is reunited! Mingyuan is successful, Xiao Ai is virtuous, and Pengpeng is healthy. This is the greatest blessing of my life! Come, everyone, let's drink to this!"

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses, and laughter filled the old house.

The New Year's Eve dinner consisted of authentic farm-style dishes: stewed cured pork with dried bamboo shoots, braised free-range chicken with mushrooms, braised river fish, homemade tofu... Although it couldn't compare to the refined dishes in the city, it was all the most authentic taste of home.

Zhong Xiaoai ate with great relish. She whispered to Gu Mingyuan, "I finally understand why you have such deep feelings for this land. The people here are so kind and simple."

After dinner, everyone stayed up to welcome the New Year together.

The men drank and chatted, the women made dumplings, and the children set off firecrackers in the yard.

Although the conditions were simple, the strong family affection and festive atmosphere were something that is hard to experience in the city.

As the clock struck midnight, Gu Mingyuan's phone rang.

It was Pei Yihong calling to wish me a Happy New Year.

"Mingyuan, is it lively celebrating the New Year at home?"

"Please give my regards to the elderly gentleman and Comrade Xiao Ai!"

"Thank you, Secretary Pei! I also wish you a happy Spring Festival and a blessed family reunion!"

I had just hung up when my phone rang again.

This time, it was Yi Xuexi, a former leader of Jinshan County.

"Mingyuan, I heard you went back to Lincheng? How is it? Has your hometown changed a lot?"

"Secretary Yi! Yes, things have changed a lot. The roads have been repaired, and the houses are new."

"Are you and County Chief Dakang both doing well?"

"All good, all good! Comrade Dakang was still talking about you, saying you've really risen fast, going from clerk to deputy director in just one year..."

Then, Gao Yuliang, Liu Chengfeng, and even an old professor from Handong University called.

Gu Mingyuan stood in the courtyard, receiving one New Year's greeting call after another, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

These leaders and teachers not only remember him, but also care about him.

This friendship is more precious than any honor.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, according to custom, Gu Mingyuan, along with Zhong Xiaoai and his son, visited the village elders to offer New Year's greetings.

At each place we visited, we would sit down, have a cup of tea, and chat.

The villagers gave Pengpeng red envelopes; although the amount was small, it was all a token of their goodwill.

"Mingyuan, you are a golden phoenix that has flown out of our village. But no matter how high you fly, don't forget that your roots are here." An elderly woman in her nineties said, holding Gu Mingyuan's hand.

"Grandma, I will never forget, I will never forget," Gu Mingyuan said solemnly.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Mingyuan and his family bid farewell to their fellow villagers and embarked on their journey to the capital.

When he left, almost everyone in the village came to see him off.

Even after the convoy had driven far away, you could still see the arms waving at the village entrance.