The niece had invited Mayor Tang to spend New Year in Commerce City, but he hadn’t agreed!
Yet here he was, suddenly appearing in Seven Wells Village without warning – how could a big-city mayor stay in this rural place?
Xia Xiao Lan regained her composure. While Tang Hong En’s arrival on New Year’s Eve was unexpected, he was already here, so what was there to worry about?
“Uncle Tang, you’re here! Quick, come in and warm yourself by the fire!”
It was snowing and cold, and Tang Hong En’s health wasn’t particularly good – how could he withstand the cold? Even Young Wang, a young man, was shivering, though Tang Hong En seemed to be enduring it. Xia Xiao Lan worried he was suffering just to maintain his dignity.
The villagers exchanged glances.
Tang Hong En wasn’t particularly imposing in build or outstanding in looks, but his presence was impossible to ignore when he stood there.
Moreover, he had arrived by car – as the guide mentioned, the snow was too thick for the small car to enter the village, so it was parked at the entrance.
Liu Yong, who had been commanding just moments ago, stumbled over his words upon seeing Tang Hong En.
“I apologize for coming unannounced. I should have called ahead.”
Tang Hong En hadn’t come empty-handed. Young Wang carried several boxes. Liu Yong’s attitude was rather stiff, and others dared not speak at all. After Tang Hong En entered the house, some people whispered among themselves:
“Is this Brother Yong’s relative?”
“Doesn’t seem like it – maybe Brother Yong’s friend.”
Really?
Though they lacked education, they weren’t foolish. Liu Yong’s attitude wasn’t that of someone meeting relatives or friends – who would be so nervous and respectful with friends?
“Uncle Da, why aren’t you going in?”
Chen Wang Da, who had fallen behind, was startled when someone called him.
He studied Tang Hong En, feeling the man looked somewhat familiar but couldn’t place where he’d seen him. Yet Chen Wang Da saw more clearly than the villagers – this man visiting Liu’s house on New Year’s Eve was truly extraordinary. He wasn’t arrogant and didn’t have seven or eight people clearing the way for him, but his bearing was something that couldn’t be faked with clothes or numbers.
Tang Hong En’s gaze was as steady as a mountain. The previously noisy scene fell silent – not because Tang Hong En ordered silence, but because people naturally quieted themselves, only daring to discuss after he entered the house.
Xia Xiao Lan and Liu Yong walked on either side of Tang Hong En, with Young Wang carrying the gifts behind them. The house surprised Young Wang. Had it been an unrenovated old house, it would have been torturous for the leader to visit on New Year’s, but Xia Xiao Lan’s house was clean, tidy, and quite elegant.
The reeds in the corner were withered, the small pond frozen, but the bamboo beside the house remained emerald green. White snow weighed down the bamboo tips – the green bamboo, white snow, and red walls made a beautiful sight.
Ji Ya thought Tang Hong En was uncouth, but even Young Wang, his driver, had a basic aesthetic appreciation. How could Tang Hong En truly be a country bumpkin… If not discussing art with Ji Ya made one uncouth, then truly few in China today weren’t rustic.
“The house is well-built. Must have taken considerable effort?”
“I designed it with others. Back then, I hadn’t even entered architecture school – don’t know where I got the confidence to try.”
Tang Hong En thought Xia Xiao Lan was too modest. For a young woman to build a house for her family, and not an ugly one at that – what higher standard was needed? It wasn’t an art gallery!
Liu Yong rubbed his hands together as he invited Tang Hong En to sit in the main hall. With so many people present, calling him Mayor Tang seemed inappropriate, but what about Leader?
“I’m just here as a guest today, though unannounced. As long as I’m not causing trouble, there’s no need for formalities.”
Liu Fen was also surprised – how did Mayor Tang suddenly come to their home?
Grandmother Yu coughed: “Fen, the weather’s quite cold. Serve them some mutton soup.”
The mutton soup was still simmering on the small stove, the meat falling off the bones. Liu Fen quickly ladled two bowls and added finely chopped green onions and a pinch of pepper before serving.
Tang Hong En was indeed quite cold. The car’s heater had been warm, but the temperature difference after getting out was significant.
Tang Hong En had another unspoken concern – he had dressed somewhat lightly, as wearing too much would look bulky. A military coat would be warmest and fine elsewhere, but he had hesitated to wear one to Seven Wells Village.
Having adapted to Shenzhen’s warm winters, the weather difference in Southern Henan was stark.
After a bowl of steaming mutton soup and sitting by the heating stove in the main hall, Tang Hong En gradually warmed up.
“Thank you. You made this soup, didn’t you? It’s very good.”
This wasn’t the best cooking Tang Hong En had tasted – Liu Fen was self-taught, learning to cook meat dishes only after moving to the city. But the soup had the homely quality he sought. After his long journey, one sip of such soup made all his troubles worthwhile!
Liu Fen didn’t know what to say, but Tang Hong En’s praise was recognition enough.
Not knowing why Mayor Tang had come to their home, Liu Fen worried about inadequately hosting a leader in their rural setting. Though the leader was approachable, they couldn’t be careless.
Grandmother Yu suddenly turned to Li Feng Mei: “Go have a bowl of mutton soup. Mutton is nourishing for the stomach – perfect for people with gastric problems.”
Li Feng Mei was bewildered – she ate heartily and had no stomach problems!
But under Grandmother Yu’s stare, Li Feng Mei dared not say she wasn’t ill. She hurriedly drank a bowl, so quickly she burned her tongue.
Tang Hong En thought this old lady was truly shrewd, making him remember Liu Fen’s kindness, believing the mutton soup was specially prepared for him.
Liu Fen likely hadn’t thought that far – she hadn’t known he was coming, so why prepare mutton soup?
But Tang Hong En hadn’t traveled so far just for mutton soup.
Tian Xiao Yan was brought inside, changed into clean clothes, and also slurped soup from a bowl. The skinny girl looked truly pitiful. Children were certainly pitiable, but whether innocent was hard to say – not all children were good-natured. They were born blank slates, their character depending on their family’s teaching.
“Now that the soup is finished, what was happening earlier?”
From afar, he had seen the little girl kneeling at Xia Xiao Lan’s door. Those unaware of the situation might think Xia Xiao Lan’s family was like Wealthy Zhou, bullying laborers, and oppressing neighbors despite their wealth.
Though it was winter, Liu Yong broke into a sweat. Village opinions were nothing compared to Mayor Tang’s possible negative impression of him and Xiao Lan!
“Just some minor conflicts between neighbors, already resolved…”
Tang Hong En smiled, “Minor conflicts? Having a young girl kneel at your door – if you don’t agree to certain conditions, she’d probably kneel until the end of time. Where are your village officials? No mediation, no management?”
Tang Hong En was smiling, but others dared not smile at him.
It was quite frightening. Xia Xiao Lan vaguely sensed something amiss, but Chen Wang Da couldn’t hold back:
“Comrade, I am Chen Wang Da, the village head of Seven Wells Village.”
The village head was a minor position, but Chen Wang Da was elderly, so Tang Hong En immediately stood to shake his hand:
“Hello, Village Head Chen. I’m Tang Hong En. Could you explain what exactly happened?”