Chapter 340 - 232: Emergency Assembly (Part 2)

Chapter 340: Chapter 232: Emergency Assembly (Part 2)

"Life is a series of multiple-choice questions. There’s no right or wrong, only different choices."

Zhao Wendong wanted to say, ’I know how to answer all these questions. I know all the right answers for the future.’ But a jolt of alarm went through him. ’Are the things I’ve been through really the correct answers?’

The jeep was fast and steady, and they soon arrived in the county. Jiang Weimin called over Wang Defa to have lunch with Zhao Wendong and Liangzi. Afterward, he had the driver take them back to the Commune, giving Zhao Wendong a final reminder before they left.

"Don’t forget, on the twelfth day of the first lunar month, the county is holding a commendation ceremony. You’re a county labor model, so I’ll have someone come pick you up."

"Yep, yep, got it. And remember what you promised me during lunch—to give our production team your full support."

Zhao Wendong waved, grabbed his things, and got in the car with Liangzi to head home. They first arrived at the Commune. Worried that Liangzi wouldn’t want to tell his parents what happened, Zhao Wendong made a point of getting out of the car and explaining the details of their trip to the prefecture to Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang.

Liangzi’s mother patted him, her heart aching. His father sighed. "I figured this would be the outcome. The Huangs are a bunch of ungrateful bastards. This must have been tough on you, Dongzi. It’s a good thing you were there. Otherwise, Liangzi would have been bullied to death if he’d gone alone."

"Don’t be a stranger, Uncle Zhang. Liangzi’s business is my business. I’m heading out now!"

"Okay. Be careful on the road."

After saying goodbye to Liangzi’s family, Zhao Wendong thought about stopping by the agro-tech station to check on the Guan Family, but he decided against it. He’d only been gone for two days, but for some reason, he was terribly homesick. He missed his family, he missed Lin Zhiyin, and he even missed the heated kang bed at his home in the old educated youth building.

He got home just as dusk was falling. The moment he stepped out of the car, his whole family rushed out to greet him. Zhao Wendong swept up Lin Zhiyin, who was at the very front, and spun her around twice in the air. Lin Zhiyin hadn’t expected him to be so bold and passionate, and she blushed, but her heart was filled with a sweet warmth.

For some reason, Chen Yanmei felt a pang of bitterness, but she quickly ushered Zhao Wendong inside.

"My boy, you’re back! Are you cold? Quick, come inside and warm up."

"Yeah, Mom, I’m back!"

Zhao Wendong rushed forward and gave Chen Yanmei a big hug too. Instantly, the jealousy in Chen Yanmei’s heart vanished. She laughed so hard her eyes crinkled and playfully slapped him twice. "What’s this? You go to the prefecture for a bit and pick up these foreign habits? Hugging everyone left and right, have you no shame?"

"Hehe, what’s there to be ashamed of when I’m hugging my own wife and my own mom?"

Watching from the side, Zhao Wenwu grew envious. He grabbed Jin Xiuying’s hand. "Honey, I want a hug too."

Jin Xiuying couldn’t win against him, so she could only give him a quick, reluctant hug with a blush. Zhao Wenwu was so delighted he just stood there grinning like an idiot.

Once inside, seeing the rest of his family, Zhao Wendong was once again enveloped in happiness. The prefectural administration office and the grand auditorium felt alien to him. Only here in Dragon King Pond, surrounded by his family, did he feel his rebirth had meaning.

"My boy, was it the labor model award they gave you? Quick, let us see."

Chen Yanmei asked eagerly the moment he was inside. They only knew Zhao Wendong had gone to the prefecture to receive an award but didn’t know which one. It wasn’t until they heard on the radio during the day that he had been granted the honorary title of Prefectural Labor Model. Smiling, Zhao Wendong took out the medal, the certificate, and the prizes.

"Oh my god, it really is the labor model award."

"Look at this medal! And the certificate!"

"This enamel mug is nice too, it’s beautiful. And this white towel is so white!"

As the family praised the items endlessly, Zhao Wendong beckoned to his little sister, Little Tuanzi, who was staring at him with big eyes like two black grapes.

"Little Tuanzi, what’s up?"

Seeing Zhao Wendong beckon, Little Tuanzi happily ran over, hugging his arm and settling into his lap.

"Third Brother, did you bring a present for Little Tuanzi?"

’I really didn’t bring anything.’ He could only say apologetically, "I’m sorry, Little Tuanzi. Brother San was at meetings this whole time and didn’t have a chance to buy anything. I’ll make it up to you with a present next time, okay?"

"Okay, Third Brother, don’t forget next time!"

"Don’t worry, Brother San definitely won’t forget from now on."

Two furballs nudged their way over. Zhao Wendong reached out and scooped up the two little black bear cubs. The cubs stared at Zhao Wendong with their adorably dopey, beady black eyes, as if wondering why this person looked so familiar.

"Little Tuanzi, have you given these two a name yet?"

"Dahei and Erhei are the same as the doggies’ names. Little Tuanzi doesn’t know what to call them."

Little Tuanzi looked troubled. Zhao Wendong chuckled. "That’s easy! The bigger one will be Xiong Da, and the smaller one will be Xiong Er!"

"Xiong Da, Xiong Er?"

"Okay, I’ll listen to Third Brother!"

Little Tuanzi muttered the names a few times, then nodded in agreement.

"Hahaha."

Zhao Wendong laughed out loud, pleased with his own mischievousness. But just as the family was talking and laughing, the door was pulled open from the outside. Zhao Weiguo walked in with a grim expression, and following behind him, surprisingly, was Yang Wenxue.

"Dongzi, and Dongzi’s wife, and Wenwu’s wife, quick! Come to the team headquarters for a meeting!"

"Okay, let’s go."

Zhao Wendong placed Little Tuanzi, who was in his lap, onto the kang bed. He quickly stood up and threw on his jacket. Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying followed suit, and the three of them went out with Zhao Weiguo and the others.

"What’s wrong, Uncle Weiguo? Secretary Yang, what brings you here?"

Yang Wenxue’s face was also clouded over. His voice was a bit hoarse as he said, "Let’s talk about it when we get to your team headquarters."