The family returned to the Tomato Brigade dejectedly. News of Father Zhao’s blindness and disfigurement had spread, and a crowd came to offer condolences under the guise of concern.
“Uncle, if your eyes are gone, who will be our captain from now on?”
The moment this was uttered, the room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Father Zhao, who remained speechless.
“Don’t be modest, Uncle. The child is asking a valid question. Since your eyes are blind, how can you serve our brigade? When the higher-ups learn of the situation, they will certainly remove you. It’s time for you to consider a successor.”
Father Zhao, somewhat angered, said, “Successor? This position isn’t given to whomever I please. Although it’s not a major official post, it is still a position.”
“Uncle, don’t be angry. I was just asking, I didn’t mean anything else.”
“Little Yinyuan, don’t scare the child. When it’s time to choose someone, you can also recommend someone. We should keep the benefits within the family. Goudan has also studied, and his grades were even better than yours back then.”
This remark drew a few chuckles from the crowd, while Mother Zhao’s face was sullen.
“What’s with all this noise? My man is still sick. Besides, if we’re recommending someone, it should be my son. He’s a legitimate junior high school student, and there are few like him in all ten villages around.”
“Hmph, what are you so proud of? You still didn’t get into high school.”
“Wang Daifeng, what are you muttering about? Don’t think I didn’t hear you. That was my son’s performance being affected by illness. May you be struck by lightning for speaking ill of someone. If you continue like this, our home will not welcome you.”
“Sister-in-law, I was just joking. Do you have to overreact like this? We are all relatives, and I just came with good intentions to see Er Gou’s uncle.”
“Hmph, I know what you’re scheming. You just want your man to take over after mine is demoted. Haven’t you even considered if he has the capability?”
“I never said that. Everyone here can hear me. Don’t try to spread rumors about me. Besides, it wasn’t me who let that dog bite your uncle. How can such a grown man be bitten by a dog? Hahaha~”
Her husband immediately pinched her forcefully, but she flung his hand away. Seeing the grim expressions on everyone’s faces and no one joining her laughter, she quietly closed her mouth and shrunk back into the crowd.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, please don’t take it to heart. This woman just has a sharp tongue and doesn’t know how to speak properly. She doesn’t have a bad heart, I’ll discipline her when we get back.”
Father Zhao’s already twisted face became even more contorted with anger. He pursed his lips and remained silent. Mother Zhao’s eyes blazed, and she glared hatefully at Wang Daifeng. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
“Don’t worry about the captain’s matter. I will explain the situation to the higher-ups. As for who they will choose as the new captain, that’s not something I can control. You all should go back. I’m still feeling unwell, so I won’t be keeping you for dinner.”
The crowd left Zhao’s house, chatting excitedly on the way.
“Do you think what the captain said is true? Will they directly give the position to his son?”
“Does he have that kind of ability? That decision will be made by people from the county. I just came to join the fun. No matter who they choose, it won’t be someone from my family.”
“What if we organized a vote? Would the county people consider the results we chose?”
“Forget it. Who has the time for all that? Besides, many people are unwilling to vote. If their own family has no one who can be selected, voting for one person and not another will offend people.”
Many people cast looks of admiration at him.
“What you said makes sense. It’s different for those who have studied. Alas, my life is already set. I’ll work harder for more work points and let my son go to school. If not my son, then my grandson. Someone will eventually rise above.”
“Hahaha, that’s right, that’s right.”
…
After everyone had left, Mother Zhao looked at Father Zhao nervously.
“Husband, do you think this matter can really be kept quiet?”
“Shut your mouth, you old hag. Don’t even mention this matter again.”
Mother Zhao quickly slapped her own cheeks a few times. “Bah, bah, bah, it’s my fault.”
“Hurry up and cook. I’m starving. Why hasn’t Nuan Cheng’s girl come back?” he said, turning his head left and right in confusion.
After becoming blind, Father Zhao’s hearing became exceptionally sharp. Amidst the earlier commotion, he had not heard his daughter’s voice.
“Why do you care about that damn girl? She’s probably fooling around somewhere after work.”
“Song Dani, that’s your own daughter.” He said, striking the bamboo pole he was using as a temporary crutch on the ground with a bang.
Mother Zhao pouted and said somewhat unhappily, “Why are you so fierce? Didn’t you always dislike that girl the most? Why are you suddenly so concerned?”
“Idiot, I’m really going to be pissed to death by you. Nuan Cheng is fifteen this year. If you’re not good to her, how can she support us in the future?”
“I’ll rely on Shi Xiao in the future. She’s a married girl, so I can’t count on her.”
“Even so, you can have her help the family a bit. Like Da Ni from Little Second Uncle’s family, she gave all her betrothal gifts to Second Uncle when she married. During festivals, she brings any good things from her in-laws’ home to Second Uncle’s. Why are you so slow to catch on?”
“I am her mother, she was born to me, and I raised her. When she has a good life in the future, she naturally has to think of us a little. If she dares to be ungrateful, the villagers’ spit will drown her.”
“You have long hair but short knowledge. How many days a year does she spend at her mother’s home? She lives her own life and doesn’t care what the villagers say. You still need to treat her well and not let her develop unreasonable thoughts.”
“I know, I know. It’s my stupidity, alright? I’ll go find her now.”
“Don’t be unconvinced. If she marries someone promising, our family will be much better off.”
As Mother Zhao stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Zhao Nuan Cheng. She had a stern face and was about to scold her when she softened it immediately.
Seeing her mother’s previous expression, Zhao Nuan Cheng trembled all over. Her mother’s sudden change of mood gave her goosebumps. She walked forward timidly, speaking cautiously to explain.
“Mom, I wasn’t playing on the road. The pig feed wasn’t packed securely today, and it fell out after I carried it for a while. I had to repack it and walk down slowly, which delayed me quite a bit.”
She kept her head lowered while speaking, preparing for the storm.
“Daughter, are you alright? Did you get hurt when you fell? Where did you fall? Come into the house quickly, and let Mom check. I’ll apply some medicinal wine for you.”
Zhao Nuan Cheng looked up in disbelief, her eyes filled with tears. Mother Zhao’s smile was frozen on her face.
“What are you standing there for? Come into the house quickly! Your dad and brother are back. They were just asking about you. You came at just the right time; I was about to go look for you.”
“Oh, oh, thank you, Mom.”
“What’s there to thank? I’m your mother. Mom might not be perfect, and I might have been a bit harsh with you, but it was all for your own good. If you know everything, you won’t be picked on or bullied by others when you go to your in-laws’ house. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a young lady, and you won’t be staying at home for many more years.”
“Mom, don’t say that. I’ve never blamed you. No matter who I marry in the future, I’ll still be your daughter. I was too ignorant before.”
Mother Zhao stroked her head and smiled with relief.
“It’s good that you understand my intentions. When you become a mother in the future, you’ll be like me. I have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Who would hate their own child? Don’t you agree?”
Zhao Nuan Cheng nodded vigorously, and the mother and daughter happily entered the house together.