Chapter 5: Raising Eyebrows

Hou Jianjun chased after him and stuffed the remaining Hongta Mountain cigarettes into Lin Yuanfang's hands. Lin Yuanfang waved his hand and said, "Brother Hou, you should keep them for yourself."

"Comrade Lin, you are too polite. It is our duty as village officials to help the disadvantaged," Wang Fushun, who had served two terms as the village committee director, said, having learned the ways of officialdom quite well. He shook Lin Yuanfang's hand and continued, "I truly apologize for today’s matter; I feel bad for making you come all this way. How about..." He gestured towards the nearby table where drinks were set up and said, "Shall we sit down and have a couple of drinks?"

"Yuan Li, being from the same village, why are you being so polite?" Wang Fushun said with a smile, "You have such a capable brother, yet you didn't explain the situation to the village, leading to this misunderstanding. This shouldn't be the case, it really shouldn't!"

Seeing Liu Chengwen stop crying, Lin Yuanli finally felt relieved and got up to tidy up the messy home. Lin Yuanfang and Liu Chengwen followed closely to help. While cleaning, Lin Yuanli said resentfully, "Zhang Luojian, that worthless grandson, deserves a terrible fate; he is taking personal revenge."

Inside the room, Hou Jianjun was speaking softly with Lin Yuanfang. Upon seeing Wang Fushun enter, he stood up and greeted, "Village Chief..."

At this moment, Lin Yuanli finally realized that everything was true! The retention payment would no longer be collected, and there would also be a hardship subsidy, not two hundred yuan, but four hundred yuan! Four hundred yuan! This was almost half a year's income for the family!

"Let's do it another day! I'm pressed for time today, and I still need to return to the county," Lin Yuanfang chuckled and said to Lin Yuanli, "Elder sister, shouldn't you thank Director Wang?"

No, we must take this opportunity to teach Zhang a lesson, so that he learns from it! With this thought in mind, Lin Yuanfang said: "You have all resolved your matters, but I have some urgent business to attend to, so I need to head over there."

Lin Yuanli remained silent, smiling with delight. Due to her family's poverty, she often faced difficulties in the village, but today, with support from afar, she finally regained her dignity. It was truly unexpected that even Wang Fushun, that local tyrant, yielded before her benefactor from afar!

"What are you two crying about?" Lin Yuanfang, suppressing his heartache, urged with a forced smile, "Those are all things of the past. Don't worry, from now on, if anything happens, I will take charge for you. Just see who in Fangzhuang Village dares to bully us!"

Lin Yuanli glanced at Lin Yuanfang. Upon seeing Wang Fushun's pretentious behavior, Lin Yuanfang understood that the situation had taken a turn. He nodded and said, "Elder sister, please take a seat"

Lin Yuanfang did not wish to linger in such a place for long. After exchanging a few polite words, he led Lin Yuanli back. Wang Fushun accompanied them to the entrance of the cafeteria, and just before leaving, he reminded Lin Yuanli: "Regarding the hardship subsidy, please have Brother Chengwen expedite the process."

Lin Yuanli took the stool and moved it closer to Lin Yuanfang before sitting down, her gaze tense and reserved

"Alright, alright." Wang Fushun sat down next to Lin Yuanfang, then turned to wave at Lin Yuanli, saying, "Come, Yuanli sister, sit down and have a glass of water." He then turned to the village accountant and shouted loudly, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pour water for our esteemed guests!"

At the sound of Hou Ge's call, Hou Jianjun's face lit up with joy, his bones almost feeling weak. He grabbed a pack of Hongta Mountain cigarettes and hurried over to the table where several village officials were seated, offering them cigarettes.

Lin Yuanfang immediately reviewed his social connections in his mind, but found no one who could be linked to Director Zhu. So why did Director Zhu do this? Could it be that he has some ulterior motive?

After listening to Lin Yuanli explain the situation, Lin Yuanfang was very angry, not expecting such a turn of events. Originally, he thought that the village had waived the retention fees and also provided a hardship subsidy of 400 yuan, considering the matter of robbery and assault settled. However, if personal grudges were involved, it would not be so simple. If they let Zhang Luojian off this time, it would be hard to ensure that he would not cause further trouble in the future, bullying his elder sister's family. With his brother-in-law's frail health, could they still expect him to support the family? If they let Zhang Luojian off this time, it would be hard to ensure that he would not cause further trouble in the future, bullying his elder sister's family. With his brother-in-law's frail health, could they still expect him to support the family?

Director Wang, smoke! Lin Yuanfang took out a Hongta Mountain cigarette, offered one to Wang Fushun, and then tossed the remaining half pack of Hongta Mountain into Hou Jianjun's hands, smiling as he said: "Brother Hou, please help me distribute a few to the village leaders."

On the way home, Lin Yuanli held her head high, smiling brightly, as if she were a victorious general returning to camp. Lin Yuanfang, watching from the side, felt both amused and heartbroken. He suddenly realized that in the three years since his graduation, although he had provided some financial support to his elder sister's family, he had never paid attention to their living conditions in Fangzhuang Village. It seems that he should be more concerned about his sister in this regard in the future, so that similar situations do not occur again.

The matter has not yet been resolved, and Lin Yuanfang does not wish to call Wang Fushun his brother at the dining table. He pointed to a nearby table and said, "No, let's just sit here and talk."

Wang Fushun ignored the financial matters of Hou Jianjun and walked straight up to Lin Yuanfang. Without further ado, he grabbed Lin Yuanfang's hand and shook it vigorously, a smile plastered on his face: "Comrade Lin, I apologize, I truly apologize! My attitude just now was a bit inappropriate, and our Mayor Zhu just specifically criticized me for it."

Lin Yuanli was momentarily stunned, unable to believe her ears. What? The more than 400 yuan in retention fees no longer needed to be paid, and she could also receive a 200 yuan hardship subsidy from the village. Is this true? Such a fortunate event had never occurred in Fangzhuang Village before! She looked at Lin Yuanfang with some hesitation, as if seeking a confirmation or denial from his lips.

Upon returning home, Zhang Luojian had already received the news and led the debt collection team away in a dejected manner. Lin Yuanli explained the situation to Liu Chengwen, and Liu Chengwen's reaction was similar to Lin Yuanli's initial response; he could hardly believe it was true. He stared at Lin Yuanfang until Lin Yuanfang confirmed it was indeed true, at which point Liu Chengwen burst into laughter. He repeatedly exclaimed, "What a relief, what a relief! I never expected that I, Liu Chengwen, would have such a day in the village." While laughing, he suddenly broke down in tears, sobbing, "Yuanfang, thank you, thank you! I owe your sister an apology! I am a useless person; ever since your sister married into my family, she has not enjoyed a single day of happiness. Not only did we eat the coarsest food, but she also had to endure the disdain of others every day. I am so sorry for her!" As Liu Chengwen cried, Lin Yuanli also wiped away her tears.

Thinking of this, Wang Fushun quickly adjusted his strategy. He looked at Lin Yuanfang's expression and said, "Comrade Lin, I understand that this two hundred yuan hardship subsidy is somewhat inadequate, but the conditions in the village are truly limited. How about this, let's add another two hundred, making the total subsidy four hundred yuan. This is already the maximum capability of the village!"

Thank you, village chief, thank you, village chief!" Lin Yuanli said joyfully

"Alright, alright," Hou Jianjun said with a grin as he stuffed most of a pack of Hongta Mountain cigarettes into his pocket. "Comrade Lin, I often run between the county seat and the countryside. In the future, if there’s anything at Yuanli's place, just let me know!" He then leaned closer to Lin Yuanli, secretly giving her a thumbs up and whispering, "Sister, our little brother is really impressive! Look how scared that Wang Fushun kid is, with the hands-free and the subsidies; this is the first time for our Fangzhuang Village!"

"Yes, we have support from afar, let's see who dares to bully us!" Lin Yuanli knew that Liu Chengwen was in poor health and worried that he might cry too much, so she wiped away her tears and also tried to comfort him. After Liu Chengwen expressed the grievances in his heart, he felt much more at ease and stopped.

After all, they are county officials, possessing both competence and resources. Unlike the villagers who keep calling out "village head, village head," despite being told numerous times, they still do not know to address someone as "director." Wang Fushun lit a Hongta Mountain cigarette and made a joke he thought was humorous, amusing himself for quite a while before he finally spoke seriously: "Comrade Lin, Secretary Zhu just inquired about your brother-in-law's situation and learned that his family is facing difficulties, which has caused him great concern. He has issued two directives to the village: First, to exempt your brother-in-law's family from this year's retention fees; second, to provide a certain amount of hardship assistance based on the specific circumstances of your brother-in-law's family."

After graduating from Lin Yuanfang University, he has worked in the planning bureau for three years and is no longer an inexperienced novice in society. He certainly does not believe that Mayor Zhu is aware of the difficulties faced by his family and is showing compassion for the people's plight, nor does he think that Mayor Zhu holds him in high regard simply because they seem to get along well. The experiences of the past three years in the workplace have taught Lin Yuanfang that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world; everything is tied to interests. The fact that Mayor Zhu is so attentive to him upon their first meeting must have some underlying reason.

Lin Yuanli let out a sigh and expressed her gratitude repeatedly

Lin Yuanfang was also taken aback, not expecting such a resolution. According to his understanding, as long as the village reduced the portion of the retention that exceeded national policy, it would suffice. However, he did not anticipate that in the end, the entire retention amount would be waived, and an additional two hundred yuan would be given to the elder sister's family as a hardship subsidy. This matter is somewhat...

It was not until the jeep disappeared from sight that Wang Fushun stopped waving. He turned back to the cafeteria and saw Lin Yuanli sitting under the greenhouse, so he cleared his throat and said with authority, "Yuanli, come in with me for a moment." Then, he lifted the bamboo curtain, placed his hands behind his back, and walked in leisurely.

Ah, others have already left, and Mayor Zhu is very busy. Wang Fushun said while holding Lin Yuanfang's hand: "Comrade Lin, let's discuss this at the dining table."

Hou Jianjun hurriedly brought over a square stool and warmly said to Lin Yuanli: "Yuanli, please sit down, do take a seat!"

When he said this, Wang Fushun felt a pang of pain in his heart, cursing Zhang Luojian's grandmother a hundred times. Why go and collect the fees properly when they could just steal things? He completely forgot that Zhang Luojian was merely carrying out his instructions.

He carried a bag of rice and a bucket of cooking oil from the bicycle into the house before pushing the bicycle out. Lin Yuanli and Liu Chengwen chased him all the way to the door, and seeing that they could not keep Lin Yuanfang from leaving, they reluctantly waved goodbye as they watched him depart

It turns out that Zhang Luojian, the leader of the debt collection team, lives next to Lin Yuanli's family, and the two families had previously had disputes over the residential land issue. This time, Zhang Luojian took advantage of his position as the leader of the debt collection team to settle personal scores.

Wang Fushun originally thought that after he spoke, Lin Yuanli would surely be filled with surprise and joy, and Lin Yuanfang would express his gratitude repeatedly. However, to his surprise, Lin Yuanli merely stared blankly at Lin Yuanfang after hearing the news. As for Lin Yuanfang, he furrowed his brows lightly, seemingly lost in thought. Wang Fushun found it hard to understand why such generous terms did not satisfy Lin Yuanfang. Could it be that...! Wang Fushun slapped his thigh, realizing that Zhu Xiangzhang was indeed correct; Lin Yuanfang must have some sort of backing behind him, it had to be the case! Therefore, it was necessary to increase the stakes!

"Director Zhu?" Lin Yuanfang turned to look behind Wang Fushun, only to see his elder sister Lin Yuanli coming over, but he did not see the figure of Director Zhu.

At this point, Wang Fushun turned to Lin Yuanli and said, "When you get home later, have Brother Chengwen write up a hardship application. I will stamp it for you, and you can go to the village accountant to collect two hundred yuan in hardship assistance."

The village has considered this so thoughtfully, what more can I say? Lin Yuanfang did not expect this; his plan to request an additional two hundred yuan in hardship assistance for his elder sister's family was indeed challenging. He extended his hand and said, "On behalf of my elder sister's family, I would like to thank Village Chief Zhu and Director Wang for their concern"