All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

When Lei Dongbao heard that Lao Xu's wife was coming to visit relatives, he vaguely remembered something, but his thoughts were interrupted by the noise of the crowd coming to pay New Year's visits, and he forgot what he remembered.

Lei Dongbao never expected that his momentary lapse in judgment would almost change the fate of Xiaolei Village!

During the Spring Festival, Lei Dongbao tried to drink less and attend fewer banquets, but he still couldn't avoid two banquets a day. Some relatives in the village who were on good terms with him held banquets, and he couldn't refuse, so he had to drink one after another.

The only thing that gave Lei Dongbao a break these past few days was that Gao Shengnan took Xiaoyuan back to her parents' home for the Spring Festival. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have known that seeing the mother and daughter all alone during the Spring Festival would make him feel a little uncomfortable.

After their relationship was brought up last year, Gao Shengnan did indeed become much more reserved and colder towards Lei Dongbao in front of outsiders. But only Lei Dongbao knew that women are often two extremes, with one side positive and the other negative.

Last year, Lei Dongbao returned to Xiaolei Village no more than ten times. But each time he paid his taxes to Song Yunping, he would inevitably face Gao Shengnan's brutal retaliation the next day. The brutality was so extreme that it would break the hearts of anyone who heard about it and bring tears to their eyes. Even if Lei Dongbao had cried all his tears, Gao Shengnan would still find a way to make him squeeze out a few more!

After a busy day, it was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. The sun was shining brightly through the window, and Lei Dongbao opened his eyes groggily. He glanced out the window, yawned, and looked at Song Yunping, who was still fast asleep beside him. Lei Dongbao reached out and felt the softness of the blankets. After a long while, feeling satisfied, he withdrew his hand and prepared to get up.

In his efforts to have a child, Lei Dongbao has gone to great lengths these past few days. He resolutely avoids drinking too much at the evening banquets and goes to bed at 10 p.m. every night, staying up until midnight before finally falling into a deep sleep. He has been doing this for the past few days.

If you're unlucky, try again later. Looking at the sun outside the window, Lei Dongbao suddenly remembered that he hadn't finished his New Year's greetings. With such a beautiful sun today, he had to go to Jinling County no matter what.

Lifting the covers, Song Yunping, her hair disheveled, groggily opened her eyes. She wanted to get up to make breakfast for Lei Dongbao, but Lei Dongbao quickly covered her up tightly, kissed her forehead, and comforted her before getting up himself.

Lei Dongbao is quite satisfied with his current life. He can make great strides in Xiaolei Village, he has a beautiful wife at home who is very understanding and reasonable, and he also has a confidante outside. He can do whatever he wants with her. He is already very content with this kind of life.

Lei Dongbao always felt that this life was too smooth, and it felt somewhat unreal. But can life really be all smooth sailing?

Lei Dongbao was thinking about this topic when he picked up the freshly cooked noodles. Suddenly, a hurried figure rushed in through the door. It was Si Bao. Lei Dongbao looked up at him and was about to ask what was wrong when he heard Si Bao shout.

"Brother Dongbao, Secretary Xu from the county is looking for you!"

Lei Dongbao was a little puzzled. Why did Lao Xu suddenly come to him?

Without thinking much about it, he told Sibao to go back first, called out to Song Yunping in the house, "Get up and eat noodles!" and then turned and went to the brigade headquarters.

Upon arriving at the brigade headquarters, Lei Dongbao picked up the phone, smiling as he was about to say "Congratulations on your fortune" when he heard Lao Xu's somewhat low and hoarse voice coming from the other end.

"Dongbao, my wife had an accident. I have to go back to Yanjing to handle the funeral arrangements. I've already asked the county for leave. If you need anything, just contact my family in Yanjing. That's all!"

After saying that, Lao Xu hung up the phone. Lei Dongbao didn't say a word. He stared blankly at the phone next to his ear for a long time. Several minutes later, Si Bao shook Lei Dongbao, who was startled awake.

Lei Dongbao woke up with a start, quickly hung up the phone, and without saying a word, said to Sibao.

"I'm going to the county. Could you please let your sister-in-law know that I won't be back for lunch?"

After saying that, Lei Dongbao strode out the door, found his motorcycle in the yard, started it, and sped off towards the county.

Old Xu's phone call brought back memories of another soul to Lei Dongbao's mind. Although he hadn't finished watching the original TV series of "Like a Flowing River" back then, he had searched for the general content of "Like a Flowing River" on Baidu.

In the original novel, there is a passage about Lao Xu where his wife came to visit him but accidentally fell to her death. Lao Xu then requested to be transferred back to Yanjing and left Jinling County. His secretary, Chen Pingyuan, took over as county magistrate.

Lei Dongbao's motorcycle drove out of the village and onto the road. He suddenly stopped the motorcycle, staring blankly ahead with an uncertain expression on his face.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, when Lei Dongbao was talking to Lao Xu, he vaguely remembered this matter, but the sound of firecrackers and New Year's greetings completely disrupted his thoughts, and he completely forgot about it.

Lei Dongbao is now filled with self-reproach. This world is full of flesh and blood people. He was careless for a moment, which resulted in a tragedy. If he had remembered this matter back then, perhaps this would not have happened. No matter what, he must find a way to get Lao Xu to bring his wife and children to stay at Xiao Lei's house for a few days. He must drag his whole family over.

But now it's too late. Lei Dongbao is also thinking about something else: what will happen to the Xiao Lei family if Lao Xu leaves Jinling County?

He knew Chen Pingyuan perfectly well, and he knew that the problems he was about to face were far more than the difficulties he was currently facing.

Lei Dongbao felt his mind was in complete chaos. He sat on the motorcycle in a daze for a long time, then took a deep breath, looked into the distance again, and muttered to himself through gritted teeth.

"Come on, the Lei family isn't a place anyone can just eat up!"

After saying that, Lei Dongbao started his motorcycle and sped off towards Jinling County with a roar.

Chapter 46: The Storm is Coming

When Lei Dongbao arrived in the county, it was too late. Old Xu had already left by car, and the coffin had been transported away.

Lei Dongbao looked around and noticed that many cadres were looking at him with a slightly different gaze, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

There's not much we can do to help Lei Dongbao in this matter for the time being; we can only wait and see.

Throughout the Spring Festival, Lei Dongbao felt that there was an undercurrent pushing things from behind in Xiaolei Village. Starting from the tenth day of the first lunar month, leaders came to inspect the village for several days in a row. The holiday was not even over yet, and these people were being a bit too diligent.

Old Xu's wife had an accident on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and she still hadn't returned by the fifteenth. Lei Dongbao had called Yanjing, but the other party wasn't home either.

Lei Dongbao also felt that this should be a big blow to Lao Xu. His wife had been wholeheartedly supporting him from behind, and she had finally brought the children to see her husband whom she hadn't seen for four years, but he passed away unexpectedly, leaving them separated by death.

Any man would be devastated by this situation. A week after the Lantern Festival, almost a month after the New Year, Lao Xu finally returned to Jinling County and personally visited Xiao Lei's house.

When Lei Dongbao saw Lao Xu again, he noticed that Lao Xu's entire spirit seemed to have collapsed. The wrinkles between his brows were visible, and his hair was dry and frizzy, as if he hadn't taken care of it in a long time. Goodness, what kind of shock did he suffer?

When Lao Xu saw Lei Dongbao, he forced a smile and greeted him. The two then found a quiet place to chat. Lei Dongbao found him a fishpond behind the village. The two of them, each with a homemade fishing rod, sat under the shade of the trees by the pond, fishing and chatting.

Old Xu stared blankly at the calm pond for a long time before finally sighing and saying something.

"Dongbao, I'm sorry!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Dongbao's heart skipped a beat. Helplessly, he thought of something and ultimately remained silent, waiting for Lao Xu to speak.

Old Xu continued slowly.

“I used to think that when I returned to Yanjing, it would be at least more than ten years later. By then, I would have just turned fifty and would probably be a provincial leader. More than ten years ago, when I first entered politics, I had already planned out the rest of my life. But I had planned everything except my family. This incident made me realize that there is no such thing as a well-planned life!”

Old Xu's somewhat self-deprecating remarks made Lei Dongbao understand the purpose of Old Xu's visit today. He didn't try to persuade him anymore. What's meant to come will come. Let him be!

Lei Dongbao gave a wry smile, looking at the calm surface of the pond. Suddenly, the fishing rod began to bob violently. Lei Dongbao gently lifted it, and a strong force came from his hand. Clearly, there was a big fish on the hook.

Lei Dongbao didn't fight the big fish. Instead, he let the fish pull the hook and sway back and forth. After two minutes, Lei Dongbao pulled hard and the fishing rod was pulled out of the water. A big carp weighing seven or eight pounds was thrown ashore by Lei Dongbao, leaving Old Xu, who was watching from the side, stunned.

Lei Dongbao laughed as he picked up the big fish, walked to the edge of the pond, looked down at the big carp in his hand, saw its round belly, and couldn't help but laugh as he threw it into the pond.

He then returned to his spot and slowly continued fishing. Old Xu rarely showed a smile, and said with a smile.

"You're doing a good deed! That big carp will at least have enough fish for a whole pond this year. It will definitely come back to repay your kindness, haha!"

Lei Dongbao glanced back at Lao Xu, then shook his head and said.

"This is a male!"

Old Xu's laughter stopped abruptly, and he turned away dejectedly, pretending he hadn't said anything.

Lei Dongbao suddenly shook his head, looked at the pond in front of him, and said in a casual tone.

"Old Xu, I told you before that no one but me can manage the Xiao Lei family. You don't need to apologize to me anymore. Go back to Yanjing and rest for a while. When are you leaving?"

Old Xu turned to look at Lei Dongbao with some surprise. He wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start. In the end, he said something with a bit of helplessness.

"It should be by the end of the month. I received the report from the organization last week, and I estimate the new secretary will be appointed by the end of the month. Dongbao, thank you for your understanding!"

Lei Dongbao glanced at him, then sighed and said...

"We're all men, I understand. Alright, get back to fishing. We've known each other for years, and I have a skill you've never known. Today, I'll let you taste some of the old-fashioned techniques from Yanjing!"

Old Xu was taken aback for a moment, then asked curiously.

"You know how to cook?"

Lei Dongbao chuckled.

"I once met an old man who, seeing my extraordinary physique, not only taught me excellent cooking skills but also gave me a remarkable book..."

Old Xu quickly stopped Lei Dongbao from boasting, lifted the pole, hooked an earthworm on it, and then threw it back into the water.

Lei Dongbao shook his head. From the beginning, Old Xu hadn't even put out any bait, so he obviously wasn't there to fish. Now, he felt he had resolved some of Old Xu's inner conflicts.

Lei Dongbao knew, of course, that Lao Xu was worried that there would be trouble in Xiaolei Village after he left, which was why he came here specifically.

However, Lei Dongbao had already anticipated that this matter would definitely cause trouble. Not everyone can look at such a big, shiny piece of fat without trying to squeeze out some of the profits.

Lei Dongbao has come to terms with it. He's fine with making a little money, but he's worried that some people might want to eat the whole piece of fat. He wonders if they're afraid of overeating!

"Oh no, here we go again!"

Lei Dongbao cast his fishing rod and a carp weighing about two or three pounds was pulled ashore. The fishpond had become a carp's den. Looking at the still round belly, Old Xu asked uncertainly.

"This one is male."

"Woman, there must be at least half a pound of roe. It's good stuff. I'll make you some braised carp roe for lunch. Let's catch a couple more female carp too. I'll make you a whole fish feast today to send you off!"

Old Xu smiled helplessly and said nothing more.

At the farewell banquet, Lao Xu indeed ate until his mouth was greasy, and sincerely praised Lei Dongbao's cooking skills as superb, saying that his skills were comparable to those of a master chef at a state banquet.

After the meal, Lei Dongbao escorted Lao Xu to the village entrance. Before leaving, Lao Xu solemnly said...

"Dongbao, after I leave, things will definitely get turbulent again in your Xiaolei family. If you encounter any problems that you can't solve, you can call me!"

Lei Dongbao nodded, shook hands with Lao Xu to say goodbye, and watched Lao Xu get into the car and leave. Lei Dongbao stood at the village entrance for a long time before slowly turning around and going back into the village.

Lei Dongbao's face slowly darkened; he understood perfectly what Lao Xu meant!

"If the other party isn't being too unreasonable, handle it yourself if you can, and don't bother me!"

Lei Dongbao really didn't intend to bother Lao Xu; he genuinely wanted to take a good rest.

A storm is coming!

It seems things aren't going to be easy for Xiao Lei's family from now on!

Lei Dongbao's guess was correct. Just after the first month of the lunar calendar, Lao Xu was transferred back to Yanjing and went to a certain committee to take up a sinecure. The newly appointed head of Jinling came from the city.

The new broom sweeps clean, and the first move is aimed directly at Lei Dongbao!

Chapter 47: Lei Dongbao Dismissed

Just after the first month of the lunar calendar, wave after wave of leaders came to Xiaolei Village for inspections. In Lei Dongbao's view, they didn't seem like they were there to inspect, but rather to cause trouble.

From excessive electricity consumption and safety hazards at the appliance factory, to inadequate environmental protection, and the dirty and chaotic environment of Xiaolei Village, one account after another began to be settled openly and secretly, and finally the matter came down to Lei Dongbao's economic problems!

All members of the management team, including Lei Dongbao, have been temporarily suspended from work pending investigation. There are even people guarding Lei Dongbao's house 24 hours a day.

Lei Dongbao has been feeling quite exhausted lately. It's not about the factory; he knew this day would come sooner or later. The Lei family business isn't a private enterprise, and regardless of any precedent, the higher-ups have definitely made up their minds this time.

The reason he has been feeling so exhausted lately is related to a woman.

Song Yunping is pregnant!

This was great news, a really good thing. Lei Dongbao was so happy when he heard the news that he almost forgot about his work troubles. But he never expected that he would run into Gao Shengnan that night and find out what happened.

But Gao Shengnan is also pregnant!

This is ridiculous!

It was a bit absurd that two women got pregnant at almost the same time. Lei Dongbao was stunned. He and Gao Shengnan seemed to have taken precautions.